If you have any questions, please contact me at 425-308-3669. Or you can speak to my lender, Ken Allen at 425-670-2418.

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO Internet Certified, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Inc.

karen@karensvillas.com

www.karensvillas.com

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ARB, CRS, SRES, e-PRO, Broker

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

425-308-3669

karen@karensvillas.com

As all real estate is local, please contact me for your local Market Analysis.

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

425-308-3669

karen@karenrsvillas.com

Should you have any real estate questions, please contact me at karen@karensvillas.com, 425-308-3669 or

www.karensvillas.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 6, 2011

Washington REALTORS® endorse McKenna for governor

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Association of REALTORS®, the state’s largest professional organization of 15,000 members, today endorsed Attorney General Rob McKenna in his 2012 bid for governor of the state of Washington.

The endorsement decision followed candidate interviews held today at the organization’s office in Olympia with a 17-member panel that included state officers, Realtors selected by local associations and representing every region of the state and a representative from the Washington State Commercial Association of Realtors. The interview questions posed to both gubernatorial candidates—Attorney General McKenna and U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee—involved issues that impact the real estate industry, homeownership and our state’s economy.

“As the key advocates for the residential and commercial real estate markets that are critical to our economic recovery, this endorsement matters,” says Washington Realtor president Phil Harlan. “The real estate market recovery has faced huge headwinds. Our endorsement decision today is not based on partisan politics, but on who will best champion the issues that will encourage real estate—one of the state’s top economic engines—to regain strength and lead the recovery for the sake of our families, our citizens and Washington’s economy.”

The Realtors’ endorsement will include the financial support of the Realtor PAC, the state’s largest political action committee, with nearly 5,000 contributors.  RPAC is bi-partisan and endorses Democrats and Republicans who share the organization’s concerns for the residential and commercial real estate industries, homebuyers and home and business owners in Washington.  In 2008, Realtors invested more than $750,000 in support for candidates around the state; that year, 93 percent of Realtor-endorsed candidates from both parties were elected to office.

               Realtors endorsed McKenna for state attorney general in both 2004 and 2008.  Harlan says the decision to endorse him for governor resulted from the interview today as well as his long record of consistently protecting consumers, especially homeowners in distress. In addition, the endorsement is a nod to McKenna’s commitment to create jobs so often generated by entrepreneurs like Realtors as well as the small business owners that operate within the residential and commercial real estate industry. McKenna’s priority for improved and innovative education in Washington state was also a consideration by the panel. Good schools are a top priority for Realtors.

As Washington’s Attorney General, Rob McKenna has been in the forefront of efforts to protect distressed homeowners. He is serving on the Executive Committee of a multi-state group to investigate improperly submitted documents related to foreclosures; he co-chairs the Mortgage Fraud Working Group of a joint federal-state initiative, which is also investigating certain aspects of foreclosure problems. On the local front, his Consumer Protection Division has been investigating reports of lenders and trustee services not properly reviewing foreclosure documents or following other legal procedures.

“Rob has valiantly protected homeowners. From preventing mortgage scams and fighting improper foreclosure practices to improving banks’ efforts in loan modifications, he has looked for and promoted solutions that keep people in their homes,” says Faye Nelson, Realtors’ president-elect. “His top priorities are the bi-partisan issues Realtors care about – homeownership, consumer protection, jobs and great schools for our communities.”

Washington Realtors are the key advocates for homeownership and represent the interests of thousands of home buyers and sellers each year and the more than 2 million homeowners throughout the state of Washington.  Realtors’ top public policy priority is building communities that have a strong economy, attractive home choices, great schools and parks, safe neighborhoods and good transportation choices.

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“REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics”

Have questions on the local market, contact me.

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

425-308-3669

karen@karensvillas.com

www.karensvillas.com

Buyers, get ready to buy.

For more information contact me at karen@karensvillas.com or 425-308-3669. Visit my website at www.karensvillas.com.

My lender is Ken Allen with MetLife Home Loans - 425-670-2418. Tell him I sent you.

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, Broker

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

    I think to understand these questions and their answers we have to understand what a Trustee's Deed is not: it isn't a Statutory Warranty Deed, which is defined by RCW 64.04.030 and has specific covenants as defined by statute:

        Warranty deeds for the conveyance of land may be substantially in the following form, without express covenants:


     The grantor (here insert the name or names and place or residence) for and in consideration of (here insert consideration) in hand paid, conveys and warrants to (here insert the grantee's name or names) the following described real estate (here insert description), situated in the county of . . . . . ., state of Washington. Dated this . . . . Day of . . . . . ., 19. . .


Every deed in substance in the above form, when otherwise duly executed, shall be deemed and held a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, with covenants on the part of the grantor: (1) That at the time of the making and delivery of such deed he was lawfully seized of an indefeasible estate in fee simple, in and to the premises therein described, and had good right and full power to convey the same; (2) that the same were then free from all encumbrances; and (3) that he warrants to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, the quiet and peaceable possession of such premises, and will defend the title thereto against all persons who may lawfully claim the same, and such covenants shall be obligatory upon any grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, as fully and with like effect as if written at full length in such deed.

    This is a good example of everything that a Trustee's Deed is not.  A Trustee's Deed is, for all intents and purposes, a fancy Quit Claim Deed - it conveys the interest of the Trustee under the power of sale clause in the Deed of Trust to the successful bidder at the Trustee's Sale, that interest is conveyed without warranty of any kind, and there are no protections in that deed against errors made by the Trustee, nor are there any warranties as to the condition of title, including the existence of superior deeds of trust that the buyer may be assuming.

    Like a Quit Claim Deed the title insurance company may decide that it is safe to insure through a Trustee's Deed, after a review of all of the documents that have to do with the Trustee's Sale; and if we decide that it isn't safe to do so, we won't issue commitment to insure the transaction.  One of the requirements that Chicago Title has, is that the post foreclosure owner may not convey the property to your buyer by Quit Claim Deed - we insist that the form of deed used to convey after foreclosure contain at a minimum the first of the covenants listed above.  The title insurance policy that your buyer is receiving in the transaction will delineate any matters that would have been covered by covenants 2 & 3 above - so even in the absence of a warranty for those items from your seller; your buyer still has coverage.

    The risks to your buyer, if they are buying from the bank, FNMA, HUD, or other REO owner following the Trustee's Sale wherein they are getting a Statutory, Special or Limited Warranty Deed or a form of Bargain and Sale Deed approved by Chicago Title's underwriting guidelines is no greater that the risks purchasing in an arms length transaction from any regular homeowner.  The risks to your buyer, if they are buying directly from the Trustee at the Trustee's Sale are numerous - as there is no warranty and no title policy to protect them from the pitfalls of the transaction.

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO Internet Certified, Broker, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Bothell, WA

Read the article here and send the automated message to your Senator!

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, Broker, ARB, CRS, SRES, e-PRO Internet Certified, RE/MAX Hall of Fame Member

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Inc.

425-308-3669

karen@karensvillas.com

Washington State Governor signed into law The Fairness Foreclosure Act, which is a hugh step in home ownership, perhaps stopping many foreclosures from happening. Read the complete article here.

Most importantly, this topic was one of  Washington Realtors  top Issues that we lobbied for during Session. Our dues dollars are hard at work for our members and their clients.

Karen Schweinfurth, Broker, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO Internet Certified, RE/MAX Hall of Fame Member

Vice President of Business Practices Washington Realtors 2011

Beautiful A-Frame in desired Lagoon Point community w/private beach, boat launch, dock and the best salmon fishing around.  Home faces view with large deck on the front.  A great room effect opens up the dining area, living area with wood stove and efficient kitchen. Upstairs is utility room with storage and extra finished area for guest quarters. Possibilities here for a family vacation get-a-way or great rental. Beach is 1/4 close.  Bring all offers, Short Sale, approval needed by underlying lienholder.

Contact Karen for specifics at karen@karensvillas.com or 425-308-3669.

View website here.

For all your real estate needs, call Karen at 425-308-3669 or email at: karen@karensvillas.com