The past few years have more than likely taught all of us a few new lessons: how to be a “Recession-ista”, how to find great cheap food in Seattle, how to forge new career paths and how to make your “three” year home work for at least “seven” years. All these lessons lead to great new skills for many of us. The one thing Americans have proved over and over again is that you can’t really keep us down. When life gives us lemons – some of us make lemonade. Some of us even make lemonade and then add a little gin and thyme for a lovely cocktail! That said, for many of us, we Divas included, we are a little over “making it work.” And the “three year house” is on its way to stretching into year eight.  By this point – we are done! And if you are one of those folks then your time has come my friends. It’s finally time to Make That Move!

Whether you are up-sizing, down-sizing, or “school-sizing” as we say, here are some great reasons why you should consider Making That Move today:

1.) The Feds have handed us the golden ticket of interest rates but it won’t/can’t last forever. Maybe you will sell your home for 5% more in 6 months but you will also pay 5% more for that new house as well. Take advantage of the great rates while they last. I know they say 2015 but we have already seen a jump in inflation, my friends. Get in while the getting is good!

2.) Competition or – lack there of. Did we mention that there is barely anything to buy out there! Seriously, lowest inventory ever. You used to be able to throw a stick and hit a for sale sign in Capitol Hill. No more folks. Currently there are less condos for sale than buyers – which means fewer days on market, less negotiating and even multiple offers. And no new construction coming on any time soon. Does anyone doubt this is a good time to sell?

3.) Jobs! Yep I said it – Jobs. This year we created about 49,000 new jobs in Seattle. This means growing competition for housing big time in the next few years. If you are ready to make the move now – don’t wait until all those new Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon & Google folks decide it’s time to stop paying through the nose for a tiny one bedroom apartment and start buying. Avoid the competition and get on the move train now!

Now that you are ready to Make That Move – here are some key tips to getting started:

Fix it, Replace it, Purge it Now!

Don’t wait until you are a month from trying to list to take care of this stuff. Life will be so much easier – trust me. Fix anything minor that is broken now – no matter how small. Replace any cranky, quirky and barely working appliances while you have the time to search for a deal. And get rid that couch you’ve had since college. Can’t be HGTV beautiful with a cat scratched couch. If you don’t need it and don’t want to move it, now is the time to let it go bye bye.

Have the “Talk”

Sure you all want to move but what is your primary motivation? Maybe your partner’s is different than yours. Is it better Seattle schools, to be closer to your new South Lake Union office, to get off the busy street? What are your minimum requirements for moving? Will you only move if you can get that perfect Craftsman in the John Stanford school district or do you just need one more bedroom and one more bath? Talk it over now so that you and your family have as clear a vision as possible. Remember – it will take time to find the right house, maybe 6 months or longer. The clearer the vision – the easier it will be for us Divas to make sure we find you the right house at the right time!

Get Re-Acquainted with Your Mortgage Broker

For many of you the next move will more than likely be a move up, but even if it isn’t, you still want to understand your financial position. Time to set that coffee date with your loan officer! If haven’t purchase and home since 2007 – things will be very different now then they were then. New regulations offer fewer options for buy-up buyers with homes to sell or rent.  Also, this time you may be considering a jumbo loan? Knowing those loan limits and your loan options will make it easier to budget for that new purchase.

There are so many questions to ask and decisions to make when transitioning to the next phase of homeownership. There will be more blogs to come to help you along the way but – there is nothing like the real thing. Need some advice, have some questions, just curious to know if now is the right time? Contact us! The Divas are always ready to chat and the coffee – or cocktails – are on us!

The Divas and the Power Gal Row have been having lots of conversations about what we need to do as a group to change the perception of the real estate industry and increase the number of woman in leadership. All of us came back from the Real Estate Connect San Francisco astonished that we did not see woman on the main stage. But then again we see very few woman in any leadership position in our industry. WTF? Well it is time for us to lay down that road one stone at a time. Below is a blog post by our dear friend and fellow power gal Katie Lance from Inman Next. Read it! Do it! Be the change!

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After Real Estate Connect San Francisco, I had many women come up to me and talk to me about my role as a leader, how I was representing the next generation in real estate and technology, especially as a female. Needless to say, it was very flattering and humbling to receive that feedback.

I don’t feel like a role model. Most days I feel like an exhausted mom of two little boys who is just trying to do the best she can do for her family and herself each and every day.

I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, a friend, and a professional who cares deeply about the job she has and the role she is in. Like many of you reading this, I do not work “9 to 5″ and so I share the same struggles about finding the “off” switch and work/life balance.

But one of the things I am most motivated by is seeing more women represented in the boardrooms, in the offices, in our MLSs, in our associations, at NAR, onstage, and throughout our industry.

The women who are at the top of this industry have worked extremely hard to be there — people like Sherry Chris, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, and Margaret Kelly, CEO of Re/Max, are top of mind for me along with many other top female executives.

There are dozens of other powerful women whom I’ve met — fantastic local agents like Brooke Derby from Kona who at just two years as a Realtor is 100 percent embracing social and who exudes boundless energy when she talks about this industry; or Michele Serro who started Doorsteps about a year ago and is so passionate about the consumer that it radiates from her pores every time you talk to her; or Leslie Ebersole, an agent from Chicago, who is blasting through any stereotypes that you must be a “millennial” to succeed online and with social media; or Nikki Beauchamp, a broker in New York City who lives and breathes the culture of Manhattan like no other and is willing to share and contribute to some amazing conversations online; or Andrea Geller who works harder as a Chicago agent than so many people I know and cares deeply about what she does and how the industry is moving forward.

Sure, 55 percent of the women in real estate are agents (according to NAR), but why isn’t that translating to more women moving up the ranks into management positions in their local offices and at the national level?

Why is this still an industry predominantly run at the very top by men?

This question isn’t a simple one, or one that can be answered by just one person or one post. But, it’s an important question to ask. This whole “women leadership issue” affects men too. When women are not part of the conversation you have 50 percent of the population missing.

Emotions run deep …

Even in 2012, there is the predominant theory that women must be “tough like a man” to succeed. Think this is a cliché? Watch what happens the next time a strong woman challenges another woman.

I saw this onstage at Connect where on a panel two women respectfully but strongly disagreed, and there was a definite sense of uneasiness in the room. I even DM’d (direct messaged) a female friend in the room and said, “Wow, you don’t see that often.”

There is an equal amount of uneasiness when a woman shares her emotions. Remember this well-known movie line, “There’s no crying in baseball.”

No tears, no soft heart. All business.

But for many women, like myself, that is not how I am wired. I take what I do personally. I wear my heart on my sleeve.

heart on sleeve image via shutterstock

I don’t apologize or make excuses for it.

On the flip side, I feel very blessed to have people tell me how “real” or “authentic” they feel I am. To me, that is one of the highest compliments anyone can receive, and it means a tremendous amount to have people tell me that.

But I go back to my original question: Why aren’t there more women leaders in our industry?

I firmly believe that there are not more women leaders because most of them are waiting to be asked.

They wait for an opportunity to come to them.

They wait to speak at an event.

They wait to be asked to be in a management training program.

They wait to get the promotion.

They wait their turn, hoping it will happen, hoping they won’t have to ask.

No one wants to ask — everyone wants to feel like his or her work speaks for itself. But that’s not the way it usually works.

The No. 1 reason why women (or anyone, for that matter) don’t ask is because they are afraid.

Afraid of the answer. Afraid of negotiating. I wish I could write this and say to you that every time I asked that the answer was “yes,” but more often than not it was not “no” but the beginning of a conversation about the future.

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, in her well-known TED talk, says, “Sit at the table” — don’t miss your opportunity to have your voice heard. Too often at real estate conferences I see discussions where women wished they had raised their hand to ask that question or to be the voice of dissention, but many seldom do.

Speak up. Interrupt. Raise your hand. As my good friend Inna Hardison would say, “Stop being so damn polite.”

So what can we do?

Be bold. Don’t be afraid. It’s OK to interrupt. Be emotional. Wear your heart on your sleeve. The best person you can be is 100 percent you. Check your ego at the door.

Be a mentor to other women. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.

This past year, I was asked to join a small mastermind group with less than a dozen women. It’s amazing what can happen and the support you can receive from a small group of like-minded individuals.

The other thing (and this is such a beautiful thing) is that there is no cookie-cutter-perfect woman leader.

We can be soft. We can be b*tchy. We can wear a suit. What matters most is that we are there. We are present and we are part of the conversation.

But let’s face it, there are still a lot of double standards for women and men that I don’t see going away anytime soon. Half of the jokes my counterpart and friend Chris Smith makes onstage would not be received the same coming from me. I probably can’t wear a hoodie onstage like Mark Zuckerberg. But that’s OK.

I want to thank the women who are leading the industry not just because they are a woman but because they are great at what they do; because they care; and because they aren’t afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve and at the same time vehemently defend their opinion.

I would also challenge the men who are leading this industry in the MLS companies, the association offices, the syndication companies, and at every brokerage. I challenge you to look to your own organization and ask yourself how balanced it is. Having the right person for the job is paramount, regardless of gender, but are there opportunities to balance out the conversation?

And at the end of the day, that is what this is all about. It isn’t about “girl power”; it’s about balancing the conversations, so that when the big decisions in this industry are being made — decisions about data, technology, money, legislation; in other words, when it is time to “sit at the table” — that the conversation includes 100 percent of the people being represented.

I would love your thoughts on this topic. Please leave me a comment below or feel free to comment on my Facebook wall. It’s an important topic for everyone to consider — that we talk about the future of the industry!

In preparation for our upcoming trip to Inman Connect San Francisco, we wanted to release this little video to show you all how excited we are! Our very own Diva and lead anchorwoman DonnaTella Howe decided to stop into Diva HQ today to interview us about what we will be doing at the conference, August 1-3. Although we are most excited about Diva Chavi presenting about being a social media savvy agent, there are plenty of other aspects we look forward to at the conference, including learning about ways to grow our business. Watch the video to find out all that we are looking forward to and stay tuned after the conference for the Diva Inman Wrap Up, “Tales of the Connect!”

Dig out your spurs and your cowboy hat and head on over to Ranch Diva for a grand ol’ Western Hoedown on Sunday, July 22nd! Once a year we like to get together with all of our Diva Dwellers and Divotees to celebrate what makes Team Diva fun, exciting, and special – that is to say, we want to celebrate all of you! So stop whatever you are doing right now and mark the Diva Western Hoedown on your calendars, RSVP on Facebook, and start planning that perfect plaid and denim outfit. Reschedule plans with other outlaws, skip out on the saloon hopping, flake out on hanging out at Lake Washington watering hole ’cause its time for the best summer BBQ in all of Seattle - Do It Like Dolly For The Diva Hoedown!

In a world that is quickly shrinking, international cooperation is key.  Good thing we here in Seattle have the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students, better known as FIUTS.  FIUTS has been connecting international students with local communities since 1948 through programs that build international awareness, strong leadership, and cross-cultural friendships.

Team Diva is so into FIUTS that they have been hosting international students and sponsoring events since 2008. Diva Kim has even joined the Board of Trustees and now serves as the chair of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee.  The Divas and their pals have hosted over 20 international students from around the world as they start their US adventure as grad and undergrad students at UW.  For a few weeks each year, we introduce our students to their favorite local haunts, restaurants, theaters and yes, when appropriate, local cocktail bars. Plus, we get a chance to discover more about our students’  home countries and their traditions. It’s such a treat to host the students and engage in such cross-cultural dialogues. We at  Team Diva feel so strongly about FIUTS and the great work they do that we asked them to participate in our Community Partnerships Program with Coldwell Banker Bain Associates.

Through FIUTS’ programs, boundaries are broken, cultural barriers are overcome, and real, lasting international friendships are created.  If you are interested at all in making a global difference even while staying in the local area, be sure to support FIUTS.  You can find out the many ways by which to support them here, or you can act like a Diva and volunteer to host students next year.

Word on the street is that the Offshore Project are the ones to watch in Seattle’s dance world. Tonight they are taking their work to On The Boards A.W.A.R.D. Show Day 3. The Divas have heard so many interesting things from this company that we are going to stand in line to see if we can get some cast off tickets. The Offshore Project is in good company tonight with Whim W’him and SANDSTROMMOVEMENT.

Interest rates continue to be unpredictable and in the past week we have seen them increase .250%.  Over a 60 day period the buying power has decreased by $30,000!! So what does this mean to our buying Diva Dwellers? It means that those investors we have met recently waiting for the perfect moment to buy have lost out. Personally we would not wait any longer and would take advantage of the low rates and traditionally slow/low December to snatch the remaining deals.

"Lights, Music, Dance" - Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Team Diva Real Estate is proud to join with Retail Therapy in sponsoring “Lights, Music, Dance”, an event to promote sustainability and economic independence in Africa. Come be part of the celebration next Wednesday, December 8th at Neumos on Capitol Hill, for a night of empowerment, music and dance. Details below!

“Use Solar, Saves Lives” is the mission statement of 2010 CNN Hero Evans Wadongo, who is working to bring solar lanterns to the poorest villages in Western Kenya and other developing communities. These lanterns provide much more than just light. They are an effective key to breaking the cycle of poverty. By using solar lanterns, the groups he works with are able to spend the money they save from not having to purchase kerosene on providing education for the children and starting economic ventures in their villages.

On Wednesday December 8^th, global and local musicians will gather to celebrate Evans Wadongo as a CNN Hero and help raise money for his non-profit, Sustainable Development for All – Kenya, an organization committed to empowering communities through environmental, educational and economic means.

Lights, Music, Dance: Fundraiser for Sustainable Development for All

Location: Neumos
925 E Pike ST
Seattle , WA

Event Date: Dec 08, 2010 8:00 PM

Tickets: $10 Advance / $12 at the door. 21+

Buy Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/138747

Critical Sun presents a fundraiser for CNN hero Evan Wadongo Featuring:

Zambuko Marimba Ensemble

Manghis Khan

Reji LeFleur

Guest appearance with Dr. Fink

Furniture Girls

Aaron Daniels

Darrius Willrich

Rob Marcus

Guest appearance by Choklate

Door proceeds benefit CNN Hero Evan Wadongo and his non-profit Sustainable Development for All

Show sponsored by Retail Therapy, Critical Sun, Zkits, Team Diva Real Estate and Good Hair Salon

The August sales reports are in and shows a really interesting mix of data. The condo market continues to slide down in value with some fabulous deals to be had in great buildings. The Capitol Hill residential market really stands out as a hallmark of year over year average home price increases across all three zip codes. Right now there is an average of a 14% increase in home prices from 2009 to 2010 on Capitol Hill.

Other noteworthy hot spots are Mt. Baker with a 8% increase in value and good old West Seattle averaging 16% this year alone!

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