Marty Walker and Max
January 11, 2023
Stories this photo appears in:
Marty and Max: Escrow, the blind side of real estate
In real estate, there too is a blind side, and this is where things can get a little scary and you too need insurance. Title Insurance. I visited with subject matter expert Jacquelyn Scappini with North Idaho Title to help navigate the nuances of title insurance.
Marty and Max: Should it stay or should it go now?
In real estate, we commonly use the expression, “Don’t step over a dollar to pick up a dime.” This is commonly used when a buyer or seller becomes emotional over a trinket when they are selling a treasure.
Marty and Max: Navigating real estate alone can be perilous, especially if something goes wrong
On my first flight as a licensed pilot, Mad Dog, a legend in aviation, guided me while holding the map open across the windshield obstructing his view. I briefly looked down to check my instruments and when I looked back up through my windshield, my gaze was met by a pilot with a blonde mustache and Ray Bans who was leveling his twin-engine plane directly in front of me.
Max and Marty: Skully school of real estate
Your realtor’s role
Marty and Max: Is it game over for your investments?
On one of my many business trips to Las Vegas, I was asked if I gambled. My reply was “Absolutely yes. I have a 401K comprised mostly of stocks and bonds. My entire retirement is a gamble.”
Marty and Max:Should I Stay or Should I Go
Is now the right time to sell your home?
Marty and Max: Real Estate Recipes
Today we will discuss two ways to buy an actively marketed home at a bargain, where you actually want to live.
Marty and Max: Where is the market going?
Where is the market going and how will the year-end? Is the market going to crash? How will the market react to 7.25% rates or perhaps 8% rates? Will inventory increase?
Marty and Max: Discussing housing shortages and potential solutions
Estimates for housing supply shortage range from 4-6 million homes. Other data suggests that only 23% of listings were affordable to households earning a median income of $75k or lower.
Marty and Max: Unintended Consequences
Some would say there are three categories of unintended consequences. The unexpected benefit, which is a positive but unplanned outcome, The unexpected drawback, in which we create a problem that is apart from the problem we wish to solve, And perverse results, wherein in trying to solve a problem, we actually make it worse.
Marty and Max: Facetious real estate terms
An amusing translation of real estate's many buzzwords and catchphrases.
Marty and Max: How's the market doing?
The housing data reflects that the housing market is surprisingly resilient. Our crisis, however, is that there is not enough inventory, rather than not enough buyers.
Marty and Max: Mid-year market report
The first half of 2023 is in the books. This week in many ways is the turning point in the year for housing. Home purchases start to decelerate and price reductions increase in the second half of the year.
Marty and Max: Glory Days
Last weekend I flew to Dallas for my daughter's MBA graduation at Southern Methodist University. I came in a day early for a little gathering. The Dallas rooftop venue with catered food, beverages and downtown views was amazing, in fact, I attended high school just a few miles away and this was my old stomping grounds.
Marty and Max: Shoshone County's April market update
In the Coeur d’Alene MLS Market, which includes Shoshone County, from the Year over Year Comparison Report all active residential listings during the month of April 2023 were up 41.7% compared to 2022, with 1,817 active listings vs 1,282 at this time last year.
Marty and Max: You deserve better
Too many times I am searching properties for a buyer and after narrowing my search, I find several that seem to be perfect. The listing caption reads “MUST SEE”. As I review these, I am filled with great anticipation. The problem is that when I click to see more, I only see a few cell phone images...
Marty and Max: Easements and adverse possession
Do you understand how easements work in Idaho?
Marty and Max: How to lose a buy in 10 days
In the 2003 Romantic Comedy How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, Women’s Magazine writer Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, writes a “How To” in reverse. Andie employs a number of dating don’ts that leads her boyfriend to dump her in 10 days. Stardate October 2021. A very close relative of mine was about to build. They purchased the land. The building plans were approved and the builder was on site ready to move dirt to start building the following week.
Marty and Max: February market report: Rising interest rates keeping prices down
Hey Max: With interest rates up, do you have any suggestions on how to take advantage of lower real estate prices?
Marty and Max: What do you want?
One of the most popular movie lines of all time is…”If you build it…”. Can you finish it?
Marty and Max: The ugly truth — preparing your home to list
Hey Max, What do I need to do before my home is photographed?
Marty and Max: What to expect when expecting to sell your home
Selling your home is a process, and just like having a baby, there are trimesters or phases. The first step is to select a realtor you trust to partner in selling your home. You may need to interview several realtors. It is crucial to partner with someone whom you trust to put your interest first. In many cases, it is likely not the one who simply quotes the highest selling price or lowest fee.
Marty and Max: Perspective
In 1889 Charles Duell was the Commissioner of the US Patent Office. He was widely quoted as having stated that the patent office would soon shrink in size and eventually close, because, “Everything that can be invented has been invented”. Now this is before iTunes, air conditioning, high speed chairlifts, and sliced bread (which was invented in 1928).
Marty and Max: January market report
Nationally the month of January brought good news. Along with resolutions and the turning of a new calendar year, the real estate market is also starting to see the light at the end of a tunnel.
Marty and Max: Timing the market
Not too long ago I thought buying gold was a great idea, however I took the wait and see approach. At that time gold was about $250 an ounce. I waited and it rose to over $400 an ounce.
Marty and Max: Lucky
On my first flight, Mad Dog, a legend in aviation, guided me while holding the map oen across the windshield blocking his view. I briefly looked down to check my instruments and when I looked back up through my windshield, my gaze was met by a pilot with a blonde mustache and Ray Bans who was leveling his twin-engine plane directly in front of me.
Marty and Max
I have fond memories watching John Madden as a kid. On the sidelines coaching, not on video games. I loved watching all the games back then with Ken Stabler, Otis Taylor, Johnny Unites, Deacon Jones, Joe Namath, Freddy Biletnikoff, and Lynn Swan. I watched on a 13 inch black and white TV that had tin foil on the rabbit ear antennas.