Effective April 1, 2008, sales and use tax in the majority of King County will increase from 8.9% to 9.0%. (The following Non-RTA areas are exceptions and will have rates of 8.6%: Black Diamond, Carnation, Covington, Duvall, Enumclaw, Maple Valley, North Bend, Skykomish, Snoqualmie.) The additional one-tenth of one percent will be used for chemical dependency or mental health treatment services.

“You bought the house and secured the keys. Now what?”  

During the buying process you had the guidance and direction of your Realtor.  Now that you own your new home, what to do next is not always clear. 

Here are 10 things every new homeowner should know. 

The city of Bellevue comes in number 1 out of the 100 best places to live and launch a new business, according to FORTUNE Small Business.  “Like many of the places on our list, Bellevue is a city in transition: no longer a bedroom community, but not yet a crowded, expensive metropolitan hub. Bellevue has grown with unusual grace in recent years. Huge corporations exist symbiotically with startups, a booming downtown abuts healthy residential neighborhoods, and the rising skyline is tempered by an abundance of parks, as well as lakeside and mountain views. Flash retailers such as Neiman Marcus draw regional shoppers, but Bellevue’s excellent healthcare and schools are key attractions for relocating families.

While local businesses must pay the statewide Business and Occupations tax on their gross receipts, there’s no corporate income tax. Businesses with less than $135,000 in taxable revenues (the highest threshold in the area) don’t have to pay the B&O tax. Easy airport access and a highly skilled workforce make Bellevue an attractive option for startups looking to break big.” -Mina Kimes

For more on this story go to: “The number 1 champion: Bellevue, WA” 

For all 100 cities go to: “100 best places to live and launch”

“‘Celebrate the revival of the Bellevue Jazz Festival with a lineup of elite Northwest artists, capped off by a Memorial Day weekend event headlined by the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Additional national and regional artists will perform throughout downtown Bellevue.

National and local jazz stars will lead the revival of the Bellevue Jazz Festival for a series of free and ticketed performances in Downtown Bellevue, April 9 through May 24, 2008.

World-renowned saxophonist and three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis will headline the festival with a concert May 23 at Meydenbauer Center. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, a 13-member Latin jazz ensemble and Grammy winner, will perform its Latin jazz dance party May 24 at Meydenbauer Center.

For the past seven years, the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has produced a popular springtime series of six free Wednesday night jazz concerts featuring many of the region’s best artists. The association is now taking a lead role to expand the series and create a festival that showcases national and regional talent and educates emerging audiences.

‘We’re designing a festival that will take root in 2008, grow in 2009 and mature into a major Memorial Day weekend event that will draw enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest,’ said BDA President Leslie Lloyd. ‘Adding the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Spanish Harlem Orchestra to the lineup are an important steps to nurture the event and add a more dynamic jazz experience in our city’” Continued… 

More information at BellevueJazzFestival.com

OK, I admit I’m a little flattered; and don’t get me wrong, I am definitely open to new relationships. But hear me out on this and let me try to explain why it just won’t work out between us.

You see, all day long I receive calls from clients who want to see homes and it seriously breaks my heart to have to turn them down. I do realize why they might be checking me out; what with my unique marketing and first-class service and all. But please understand I just don’t work that way.

Just like any relationship, a real estate transaction has two sides: the listing / seller’s agent and the selling / buyer’s agent. When you call me wanting to take a look at a home, I am in hopes of becoming your agent, the buyer’s agent; and not just for the house that you are calling about. My wish is that we will be attracted to each other. You will like me for my great wisdom, character & charm, beautiful houses, communication skills and, of course, excellent service. I will, in turn, like you for your great vision, dedication, goals and commitment when buying and selling your homes. This should be a long term relationship, one that will continue throughout the rest of our lives.

When you call me for the first time wanting to see a home, it’s kind of like you’re asking me out. There’s no harm in that unless you are already with another Real Estate Agent. Please, don’t ask me out if you are already with someone; then you’re just leading me on.

As a Realtor, I am ethically required to ask if you are currently working with another Realtor or Real Estate Agent. If you are not happy with your current relationship and are looking for a new one, feel free to tell me. I realize it may not be your fault and your Realtor may not be fulfilling your needs. Breaking up is hard to do but you need to drop the zero and get with the hero. But, if you are already committed to another Realtor or agent and have no intention of leaving that relationship, please don’t drag me into your triangle.

I hope you are really hearing my heart and understand where I am coming from. As much as I would love to serve you in your real estate needs, I will not show you a home if you are currently committed to and with another Realtor. It is your agent’s job to fulfill that need. After all, I wouldn’t want my clients shopping around with another Realtor and I certainly would hate to take time away from my clients that are committed to me.

OK, I admit I’m a little flattered; and don’t get me wrong, I am definitely open to new relationships. But hear me out on this and let me try to explain why it just won’t work out between us.

You see, all day long I receive calls from clients who want to see homes and it seriously breaks my heart to have to turn them down. I do realize why they might be checking me out; what with my unique marketing and first-class service and all. But please understand I just don’t work that way.

Just like any relationship, a real estate transaction has two sides: the listing / seller’s agent and the selling / buyer’s agent. When you call me wanting to take a look at a home, I am in hopes of becoming your agent, the buyer’s agent; and not just for the house that you are calling about. My wish is that we will be attracted to each other. You will like me for my great wisdom, character & charm, beautiful houses, communication skills and, of course, excellent service. I will, in turn, like you for your great vision, dedication, goals and commitment when buying and selling your homes. This should be a long term relationship, one that will continue throughout the rest of our lives.

When you call me for the first time wanting to see a home, it’s kind of like you’re asking me out. There’s no harm in that unless you are already with another Real Estate Agent. Please, don’t ask me out if you are already with someone; then you’re just leading me on.

As a Realtor, I am ethically required to ask if you are currently working with another Realtor or Real Estate Agent. If you are not happy with your current relationship and are looking for a new one, feel free to tell me. I realize it may not be your fault and your Realtor may not be fulfilling your needs. Breaking up is hard to do but you need to drop the zero and get with the hero. But, if you are already committed to another Realtor or agent and have no intention of leaving that relationship, please don’t drag me into your triangle.

I hope you are really hearing my heart and understand where I am coming from. As much as I would love to serve you in your real estate needs, I will not show you a home if you are currently committed to and with another Realtor. It is your agent’s job to fulfill that need. After all, I wouldn’t want my clients shopping around with another Realtor and I certainly would hate to take time away from my clients that are committed to me.

Tastefully designed with modern style and timeless sophistication, this model home was skillfully tailored with the distinguished in mind. Characterized by its symmetrical layout & idyllic location, this home exudes functionality & comfort, asserting its effective entertaining capabilities. Encompassing nearly 3,200 square feet, it includes a master suite with vaulted ceiling & five-piece bath, four additional bedrooms & three additional bathrooms, gourmet kitchen with nook, living room & formal dining room, family room with gas fireplace, bonus room and a generously sized back yard with patio.
More Details…

To find out the value of your home with a Free Market Analysis, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to House Values and fill out your information for a Comparative Market Analysis.

If you would like a free list of homes For Sale in South King County and the Greater Eastside, would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do or would just like more information about the area of Renton WA, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to Property Watch and fill our your information for New Listing Email Notification.

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.MikeRozell.com