Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › West Seattle realtor needed: reputable, experienced, knowledgeable
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January 17, 2011 at 5:40 am #597645
zephyrParticipantI am looking for a knowledgeable West Seattle realtor who is diligent, resourceful and easy to work with. I am looking for a particular homebuilding site and this could be vacant land or a teardown situation. The areas I am interested in are pretty built up so this could be quite a challenge. So I need someone up to that kind of search. I am open to other communities but reluctantly since this is my first choice. I love West Seattle. ~z
January 17, 2011 at 5:43 am #714246
dhgParticipantGini w/ The Johnson Team at Prudential. You get 3 realtors that can come on like storm troopers.
January 17, 2011 at 6:36 am #714247
WSBKeymasterZeph, any hints at what neighborhood(s) you’re looking at? Even before you find the right Realtor, you just might get some site suggestions here…
January 17, 2011 at 6:48 am #714248
hooper1961Memberzephyr – try conducting a search yourself online at redfin. by finding something on you own you can save at least 3% in fee; that adds up quickly. by conducting some research on your own it will help.
if this doesn’t do it, john thompson at keller williams in west seattle sold a couple of homes for me (one mine and the other my mom’s) in a very down market.
January 17, 2011 at 6:52 am #714249
zephyrParticipantThanks all for the responses so far. WSB, I am particularly fond of Gatewood, though would consider Fauntleroy area, Genessee Hill, Seaview and maybe Arbor Heights (not familiar with it much).
Hooper, I have been searching on my own for the past several months off and on. I really want someone to work with who’s been doing this for a good while, has extensive local knowledge and can offer more insight than just a website. I am hoping to maybe connect with a seller who might not even be listed yet or could be persuaded to sell. What I want is rather elusive.
~z
January 17, 2011 at 7:43 am #714250
PibalParticipantStop the search: Dave Paxton’s your guy. He grew up here in West Seattle and no one knows the place better. Plus you’ll never find a better guy to work with. It’s all about the customer, and he will serve you very well. He helped get us into our place a year ago.
Contact him via
Cell: 206-595-7733
Email: alkibeach at comcast dot net
Good luck!
January 17, 2011 at 8:58 am #714251
acemotelParticipantI would highly recommend Dennis Brown, who lives in West Seattle, and has specialized in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. A cliche, but he is the nicest person you could ever hope to meet, and the hardest-working, too. http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=agentOffice.AgentDetail&agentMetauser_ID=3539
I met him many years ago when his partner Dan Murphy sold me my house in the Admiral district. AT that time Dennis was working in the mortgage side, so he has extensive experience. Dan went on to be the on president of the seattle/king co. board of realtors.
January 17, 2011 at 1:20 pm #714252
KenParticipanthttp://www.tilarealestate.com/alan-krell.php
I know Alan and he is tireless and resourceful. He also has had contact with an agency I know of with a few prime building sites that were overpriced a few years ago but should be more reasonable now.
January 17, 2011 at 4:32 pm #714253
funkietooParticipantDon Pennell @ donpennell@pnwrealty.com
Have known Don for 15+ years. He is an excellent listener. Tell him what you are looking for, such as ‘neighborhood, style of house, price range, etc., and that is what he will find for you to look at. He does not waste your time taking you around to look at houses that don’t fit your requirements.
Did I mention he is straight forward, honest and a pleasure to work with?
January 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm #714254
hammyMemberI recommend Mary Ann Vandergriff who is located at the Windermere office at Fauntleroy. We worked with her on two occasions (one buy and one sell) and she is a consummate professional. She knows the market and she has endless energy. She is always available and responsive, knows her market and cares about finding the right place for you.
January 17, 2011 at 5:33 pm #714255
MrJTMemberAvoid Redfin. The 3% that you save is not nearly enough to compensate for the crap you put up dealing with them.
January 17, 2011 at 5:40 pm #714256
hooper1961Memberhave you looked at CL (craigslist) yet?
January 17, 2011 at 6:50 pm #714257
zephyrParticipantI really appreciate all the suggestions.
I am looking to build so I would rather not spend too much on a house that would have to be moved or dismantled. It’s all about the location, so I am going to go with someone who has excellent local knowledge and the patience to work with me and not just try to get me to buy something quick. For all I know the property I am looking for may not be available in the area I want to be in. But I won’t know until a concentrated search is done.
As for Redfin or Craigslist, I have looked at those sites, but prefer to work with an actual human being–boots on the ground. ~z
January 17, 2011 at 7:25 pm #714258
VentanaConstructionParticipantZephyr,
One other thing to consider is that it may make sense to bring an architect on board during the lot-searching process as they will bring valuable input on elevations, placement of the house on the site, angles (sun, wind, rain) and also have the expertise to tell you what the city is and isn’t likely to let you build. We can make some architect recommendations if you want to contact us.
On Realtors, we had an excellent experience with Sandra Merkin, who lives in West Seattle. She was an impressive negotiator and a pleasure to work with. sandra@merkinrealty.com
Anne/Ventana Construction
January 17, 2011 at 8:06 pm #714259
zephyrParticipantHi, Anne,
Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, you are right. Last year about this time I went to the Seattle Home Show and attended a talk or two, then spoke with both Design/Build firms and some architects. I then took the Saturday seminar with AIA on how to select an architect. Since then I have been reviewing just about every architect’s portfolio online in Seattle, Tacoma and a few in Portland. I have narrowed my quest down to maybe three or four architects–but as of yet have not contacted any. I have been collecting a number of images of ideas online, buying a several books and home magazines and checking out a stack of books from the library. So I am fairly clear on the particular style I am going for by now.
I guess I was hesitant to contact the architect without having done a little land searching first. But your suggestion is a good one and pushes me a little off the fence. Thanks!
I contact you via email and check out your recommendations if you don’t mind. ~Z
January 17, 2011 at 8:14 pm #714260
WSBKeymasterWant a small lot yards south of the Gatewood border, with big view potential and a house that is definitely teardown fodder? Let me know.
Only half-joking.
January 17, 2011 at 9:29 pm #714261
jwwsParticipantThere’s a house on the west side of 55th between Charleston and Andover that has been in a state of suspended remodel for more than 5 years – maybe you could purchase it and rid the neighborhood of this unsightly mess – windows broken, plywood sheathing weathered, yard a mess…it’s a tear down in my opinion!
January 17, 2011 at 10:45 pm #714262
dgirlMemberCall my neighbor Larry Nitkey. A West Seattle native born and bred and a great guy with a wonderful family to boot!
Larry Nitkey, AB Associate Broker
Windermere Real Estate/Wall Street, Inc.
4526 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Seattle-West Seattle
Office Phone: 206-935-7200
Cell/Direct: 206-679-3256
Email: LP@Nitkey.com
Web Site: http://www.nitkey.com
Agent Fax: 206-937-6574
Office Fax: 206-937-6574
January 17, 2011 at 11:18 pm #714263
anotherwsmomParticipantAdrian Lee at John L. Scott-Westwood Is fantastic. Very personable and diligent.
January 18, 2011 at 12:50 am #714264
zephyrParticipantThanks for all the suggestions everyone.
I have made an appointment to meet with a realtor tomorrow morning.
~z
January 18, 2011 at 2:27 am #714265
MrJTMemberNot sure if you have a bundle of cash laying around, if not you may want to do more research into financing than the realtor. Construction money is nearly impossible to secure these days. Most banks wont even touch them. Good Luck !
January 18, 2011 at 5:29 am #714266
DuskyvioletParticipantzephyr,
Domenica Lovaglia at Windermere knows West Seattle and the south end inside out. She is patient, personable and very knowledgeable. She has both helped me buy and sell a house. Honestly, she rocks.
http://www.domenica.mywindermere.com/
Good Luck in whomever you use.
January 18, 2011 at 5:38 am #714267
zephyrParticipantThanks, everyone for all the suggestions. I have two appointments lined up already. If I need more, I will refer back to this list or ask for assistance. WSB is terrific!
All the best,
~z
January 18, 2011 at 6:08 am #714268
jissyParticipantzephyr — sorry, feeling lazy tonight, but if after your 2 appts. you are still looking for help, type in Scott Monroe in the WSB search arena.. ’nuff said!!!!!
January 19, 2011 at 8:09 am #714269
PibalParticipantWe’re Gatewood residents ourselves and love the area. I’m sure you’ll like it too…
Howsomever, if you decide you’d rather build MUCH further south – on Fox Island – let us know. We have beautiful view property there we would be willing to part with…
Good luck!
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