Author: Carl Setzer

HUD Properties, Process and Earnest Money Check Joys

Carl Setzer1 Comment

As many of you know, I’m something of an accidental real estate agent. I find myself managing the office of a team of agents, and my focus is on REO (aka: Bank Owned) and Government Owned property sales. One of my main functions is navigating the perilous maze of intrinsic weird contract “stuff” inherent in these transactions.

One my key sellers is HUD, and we’ve been seeing a few repeated issues with these contracts. HUD is pretty particular about earnest money checks. The biggest issue we’ve seen: the payee line. HUD wants to see “Escrow Company OR Buyer’s Name”, eg: “Chicago Title or John Doe”.

With the above, there’s another common issue: check type. They want either a cashier’s check or a US Postal money  order. Sorry, no personal checks; they’re looking for certified funds. Below is a slide created by BLB (the company charged with selling all HUD owned homes in Washington, as well as a few other states) to make it more clear.

HUD EMD Guidelines

With all this, we send tons of information as part of these transactions. As tempting as it may be to blast through these transactions minimizing the amount of reading you need to do, I counsel you against that. These hiccups do cause problems for transaction, thus delays and sometimes cancellations. A relatively small investment in time can, really, save you a lot of aggravation and grief.

The City of Everett To Dedicate Historic City Hall

Carl Setzer

On Sept. 13, 2014 – 10 AM the public is invited to join Mayor Ray Stephanson, the Everett City Council, community members and the family of former Mayor William E. Moore at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, as the historic City Hall building is formally renamed in honor of Moore, Everett’s 30th mayor. (The Historic City Hall is located at 3002 Wetmore Avenue). Moore’s efforts to promote the city of Everett are some of the most crucial.

“I am honored to help commemorate the legacy of Mayor Moore by dedicating one of our best-known landmarks in his name,” said Mayor Ray Stephanson.  “Bill was always focused on the future of Everett and much of the infrastructure and amenities that we enjoy today were established during his leadership.” The former city hall, which now houses the police department’s north precinct and the City Council chambers, was designed by Seattle architect A.H. Albertson and built in 1929.  It has long been recognized as an excellent example of the art deco style. “Historic City Hall links the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression with the present day,” said David Dilgard, Everett Public Library historian.  “It was the product of the politics and economics of an American industrial port at a historic turning point.”

The building underwent a significant renovation in 1978-79 at Moore’s direction, with the intent of retaining and restoring the original character and integrity of the building.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and remains a noteworthy fixture in Everett’s central business district.

More about Mayor William E. Moore:

Moore was first elected mayor in 1977 and served through 1990.  He is perhaps best known as a champion for Naval Station Everett, but he also made developing the city’s infrastructure a priority throughout his career, particularly in what is now the advanced manufacturing jobs center in southwest Everett.

The renaming effort was spearheaded by a group of Everett citizens, who noted in their nomination that “Mayor Bill Moore understood that even during difficult times, a great City could develop on the strength of having infrastructure in place to provide the foundation for a strong economy, new employment and job retention.  In some measure, we owe the quality of life we enjoy today to sound initiatives begun by Mayor Moore.”

Among Moore’s achievements are expansions of Langus Riverfront and Kasch parks, annexations of Silver Lake and Smith Island, building Fire Station 6, the expansion of the downtown library, and improvements to several major streets and utility facilities.  Moore also helped bring the AquaSox baseball team to Everett.

Weekend Thoughts: Good Ol’ Bellingham

Carl Setzer

What a lovely weekend. Saturday was spent with friends, pretty low key. Went to the Edmonds Farmers Market, then ordered dinner from Lynnwood’s Asian Wok. Several friends recommended Asian Wok to me, so I’m glad we made the time finally. One note: specifically order rice. Nothing dramatic, but then we move to Sunday.

Sunday we went to Bellingham, one of my favorite cities. Attended service at St. Paul’s, getting me my Episcopalian fix. More importantly, I got to spend time with dear friends, one who is now clergy on staff there. Afterward, we all went to Cornwall park. Just another reminder of Bellingham’s great park system. Seeing all the cyclists drove home how much more bike friendly Bellingham is. Sadly, I didn’t make it to my favorite coffee shop, Tony’s. Just another reason to go back up.

Gloriously low on traffic, great water and mountain access, a vibrant restaurant scene, Western Washington University, Fairhaven (oh, Fairhaven!) along with everything above add up to one of my favorite places. Period.

Neighborhood Youth Alliance : Success This Weekend

Carl Setzer

My wife has been heavily involved with Lynnwood’s Neighborhood Youth Alliance for years.This Saturday was supposed to be the culmination of a backpack & school-supplies drive. It wasn’t, exactly, though. Due to a few communication snafus, there was a fair amount of last-minute scrambling. However, there were adequate supplies to hand out to our kids in need so they would be prepared for school this Wednesday. Though there were a few gaps in supplies, they will be filled next week. And, also also, this delay allowed us to think and we were able to get donations of graphing calculators for some of our STEM students. Our community came together fast, and went beyond the obvious need. Makes me happy and proud to call this place home.

Below is a shot of the SECOND wave of donations, with the ask put forth barely a day before.

We learned a great deal, and next year will be even more effective. I love this place.

Cafe thoughts

Carl Setzer

As I’m sitting in Lynnwood’s Cafe Ladro, enjoying the cafe vibe, memories are triggered. Thinking of my beloved B&O and bauhaus from the years I lived on Capitol Hill. The ambiance of an urban cafe is unique, and these two captured the emotion of that point of my life.

Now I find myself back in the suburbs that I’d reviled as a young man. Just a few meters from the house my parents settled in, where I consider myself “raised”. Coffee tastes similar, though my relationship to it has greatly changed. The grey skies and driving drizzle pull out similar ties to that time, yet they’re over strip malls not the lovely, gritty buildings of Seattle.

So, B&O moved, then went out of business. I heard bauhaus moved up the hill. Change. Change. Not just me, not just my locale, even the streets and institutions of my history evolve.

Or so I ruminate, listening coffee beans getting scooped. A sound hearkening to before my birth. Little pieces connecting all humanity over the ocean of time.

Charity Fundraising Opportunity : Star Wars Characters!

Carl Setzer
Just heard about this today. What a fun way to raise funds for Toys for Tots. I believe I ran into these guys at the Edmonds Fourth of July parade, and found them loaded with fun.
Charity Events – Star Wars Characters – Contact Information 

Just a quick note to Mary’s Toys For Tots crew, please contact me or visit our website to arrange a Star Wars Character appearance at your community or charity event!

We are an international volunteer organization, authorized by Lucasfilm, to perform public appearances as Star Wars characters to benefit charity.  You may have seen us in local parades, food drives, Toys For Tots donations, special needs fairs such as Autism or Downs Syndrome, or fundraisers for Seattle Children’s Hospital, among many other events.  The 501st Legion is a volunteer organization and, as such, does not accept fees for appearances; however, we gratefully encourage a donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of payment.

Sample photos here from last month’s Make-A-Wish Foundation event for little Zachary: Click Link

Matthew Brown
Events Coordinator for Garrison Titan
501st Legion
https://www.facebook.com/garrisontitan
http://www.garrisontitan.com
http://www.501st.com
“Bad Guys Doing Good!”

More of me whining about Seattle drivers

Carl Setzer

Testosterone was in the air. Tailgating rampant, some mad need to move north in I5 faster, just faster than me at least. I always view those who tailgate in the right lanes a particulars lowly psychopath. Plenty of them out this morning.

My favorite thus morning, though, was the gray Honda Pilot. These business casual attired chaps tailgated the car to my left, pulled in behind me, tailgates me for the 20 seconds it took me to pass the car to my right, as I move out if their way, I’m flipped off by the business dude in the passenger seat. Classy and professional! Someday, one of these jackasses will pull a stunt like this then show up in my office asking me to buy something. Oh, karma, I await thee!

Anyway, it’s been awhile since I ranted on area drivers. I feel better. Off I go!

Evergreen State Fair Time

Carl Setzer

Fall is in the air. Yep, it’s time for Monroe’s famous Evergreen State Fair. It starts up tomorrow, August 21st.

Tickets are available online. Today is the last day to get discounted tickets and gate admission, apparently.

And more information is available on their Facebook page.

Today: Everett Street Food Festival

Carl Setzer

I love food trucks and street food. So, this looks a heck-of-a-lot-of fun. If I can make it, I’ll be there.
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Experience Everett (EE)
2rd Annual Everett Street Food Festival
Sunday, August 17, 2014  – 10 AM – 4 PM
Downtown Everett (Colby Avenue & Hewitt Avenue)
  ( Map)
Free to get in, food cost varies for each truck.
https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceEverett?ref=stream 

Go to this if you’re into feasting on the best street food in the Puget Sound.  Here it is– the official lineup of # FoodTrucks coming to Everett this weekend.  We’ve pretty much covered every major food group except pizza, but really, you can get pizza anywhere!  Bring on the po’ boys, crazy hot dogs, mile-high sandwiches and the eclectic gut-bombs!

Thinking fitness

Carl Setzer

Fitness is a key part of my life. Now, I’m as vain as anyone, but that didn’t push me enough. About a year ago the long term issues of being chronically overweight became very clear. Getting winded by a single flight of stairs, seeing friends deal with the painful effects of diabetes, and the continued tightening of my clothes; all this frightened me. And the motivation birthed.

I’ve focused mostly on fitness apps and food trackers. Between eating less and significantly upping my exercise, I’ve been able to shave off nearly 30 pounds from my heaviest, and 20 in the few months since I became serious. This makes me proud, though I realize I’m only just getting started.

I have another 10-15 pounds more to lose to reach a healthy weight. Yet I’ve been stuck at my current weight for a few weeks. My workouts haven’t been as rigorous, but not a huge drop. The great weakness, though, is diet. I’ve lowered the quantities of food, but not changed the quality. Tracking my food shows a diet high in fats, salts and sugars, and low on nutrients. So, quality:  my next major focus. Time to be more thoughtful with my eating. Balancing out my diet should push me to the next stage.