Has your house been sitting on the market for some time? Have you also been questioning if it’s the price, the exposure, or maybe even the agent you’re working with? When it comes down to it, it could be the agent, or it might not be. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, breaks down the 2 main reasons your house might still be on the market.
Exposure: Is your property known? Are people able to find it on the market? If the property has been on the market for a minute and nothing seems to be moving, you need to look at the exposure and see if your agent has done what they need to.
A) Quality Staging & Photos?: You need genuine, quality photos. Not photos that can be misleading for potential buyers.
B) On The MLS?: You can’t sell a secret. If you’re not willing to make your property be viewed by the public, more than likely, it’ll be harder for it to sell.
C) Syndicated?: After your home is on the MLS, it being on other portals can significantly help with this. This will help reach a much wider audience.
D) On LakeHomes.com?: We’re members of MLSs all across the country and can extract data to put it on there. Listing homes with us, in turn, makes it a featured property on our website.
Price: If you’re utilizing all the above steps, the only other reason for it not selling is price. Price fixes every other problem besides exposure. It fixes location, repairs, water lines, location on the lake, etc.
A) Getting Offers?: If you’re getting offers, your agent has done well. It might not be the offer you want, but what you see in the value of your home.
B) Getting Showings?: If you’re getting showings, then your agent is getting people in the door. Ultimately, this also means the exposure is working.
C) Agent Getting Questions?: Again, this means the exposure is working. This comes back to your agent doing a good job, but it is coming down to price.
More Exposure Never Fixes Price: Just because you try to market better does not mean this will take away from it being a price issue.
The bottom line when it comes to selling, price fixes most things! When selling a lake home, it is key to have an appropriately priced home, along with good exposure tactics. If you would like guidance or even someone to ask questions about this, contact one of our lake experts at LakeHomes.com today!
It seems almost surreal that an oasis amidst a deep forest sits within the city limits of Seattle. Situated on Lake Washington, the property quietly settles against a gentle creek in the woods near Matthews Beach. Custom crafted for renowned Seattle artist Alden Mason in 1958 by architect Charles A. Marsh Jr. and builder Tom Paulsen, “The Alden Mason House” stands as a true mid-century modern retreat in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
Embraced by its serene woodsy surroundings, the seamlessly integrated home eloquently reflects the artist’s profound admiration for nature. A vibrant and masterful painter, Mason considered himself “a bird watcher of sorts, a wanderer always looking for that magical perfect place.” Hence, his home mirrored this pursuit, welcoming guests to an enchanting interplay of light filtering through trees, the meditative murmurings of creek water, and the ever-changing dance of sunlight and shadow through a series of skylights placed throughout the house.
A Seattle couple instantly fell in love with this mid-century masterpiece and acquired it after Alden Mason’s passing in 2013. Yet, like many homes of its era, the residence faced challenges—cold winters, a compact kitchen, and tiny bathrooms—and desperately needed an update to meet the needs of today’s modern family.
“As architects, our usual joy lies in creating something entirely new or transforming old structures into contemporary homes,” says Tokyo native Nahoko Ueda, principal architect and founder of the Seattle firm Ueda Design Studio, enlisted by the homeowners to orchestrate the ambitious renovation. “However, this project was a departure from the norm, and the home’s unique beauty deserved to be well preserved. The owners wanted to maintain its original character, leading us to approach the project similar to a historical restoration. We honored and celebrated the house’s essence, listening to its history and envisioning its future needs.”
Elegant Integration
Cedar siding seamlessly wraps from the exterior to the interior, with ceilings and beams that extend outward to form overhangs and soffits. This continuity blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, a design choice that reflects the artist Alden Mason’s deep appreciation for nature.
“Typical to Northwest mid-century modern homes, the original dwelling incorporated an extensive mix of woods as finishing materials, including cedar, fir, oak, and walnut,” notes Ueda. “We meticulously selected cabinet materials, ensuring no new wood species introduced would compete with the original elements.”
Transparent Transition
A charming pathway alongside the creek leads to the house, serving as a perfect transition from the outside world to the warmth of home. Upon opening the entrance door, an eye-catching open-tread stairs extend a welcoming gesture. “The original foyer lacked storage, which was a challenge for this family of four,” says Ueda. “To address this, we seamlessly integrated shoe cabinets and a coat closet into the existing walls. Using similar materials, we ensured the new additions complemented rather than overwhelmed the original design.”
The family resides in this house year-round, fully embracing the beauty of each season. Their son, an aspiring painter, has transformed one of Alden Mason’s former studios into his creative space, while their daughter has made the other adjacent studio her music room, where she practices piano and cello. These spaces allow the children to pursue their passions in a home deeply connected to artistic history.
Next-Level Living
After ascending the staircase, the living room takes center stage, harmonizing a close connection with the outdoors. A wall sculpture by Alden Mason provides an immediate and artistic greeting. Through the windows, a view of abundant trees nestling Lake Washington and the gentle sound of water form a captivating backdrop for this beautiful art piece. The steel fireplace blends with modern furniture, creating a sculptural tableau of timeless beauty.
Artist Atelier
A painting by Simeon Nikolov anchors the living room, which opens to the wraparound deck. “The owners expressed a desire for the house to exude the feeling of an artist’s house,” says Ueda. “The living areas have wall surfaces designed for hanging paintings. All interior furnishings were chosen to faithfully reflect the mid-century modern aesthetic—round doorknobs, cabinet pulls, and furniture pieces were all selected with this era in mind.”
Rustic & Refined
Featured in the staircase that leads to the living area and kitchen, a Robert Rauschenberg print given to the owners by a family member finds a special place of honor. Throughout, a mix of finishes—combining rustic elements with refined details—creates a satisfying eclecticism that brings warmth and character to the home. This blend of styles further enhances the cozy, welcoming atmosphere that defines this unique space.
“For the color palette, we opted for neutral, earthy tones that serve as a subtle backdrop for the artworks and the stunning Lake Washington backdrop visible through the windows,” adds Ueda. “The result is an interior that feels both cozy and timeless—modern and elegant.”
Form & Function
The kitchen/dining area underwent a complete transformation, aiming for timelessness, elegance, and functionality. A new skylight contributes to this atmosphere, and a tube-type kitchen exhaust hood cleverly ties the kitchen and the fireplace in the living space together. A table by Seattle studio Chadhaus complements the existing oak floors.
“Mindful of the various wood species already present throughout the house, we opted for a combination of walnut and white laminate for the new cabinetry,” says Ueda. “This choice seamlessly ties the kitchen to the rest of the house while maintaining a bright and elegant atmosphere.”
Radiant Warmth
While the living and dining areas boast high ceilings and large windows to fully embrace the surrounding landscape, the bedrooms feature lower ceilings that create intimate, cozy retreats. This thoughtful design allows the home to celebrate the beauty of the outdoors and provide comfort during colder months.
“Ensuring the comfort of this 65-year-old mid-century house has been our paramount objective throughout this project,” notes Ueda. “Operating within the given budget, our primary focus was enhancing warmth during winter. We introduced hydraulic radiant floor heating on the main level and installed wall radiant heaters on the lower level.”
The combination of new radiant heating, HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation), and roof insulation has significantly improved the home’s thermal performance. Now, it remains comfortably warm during winter months.
Skylit Shower
All three bathrooms in the home received thoughtful updates. However, the primary bath also saw expansion, with a new shower positioned under the existing skylight, a space once reserved for a primary closet. Dark tiles were selected to generate a serene and dramatic ambiance, complemented by the glow of brushed bronze shower fixtures and faucets.
Organic Simplicity
A dark wood screen wall next to the primary bathroom sink gives this intimate space a sense of privacy. Richly-grained wood cabinetry respects the home’s original character in style and materials.
Seasonal Splendor
Barely visible from the street and tucked into a wooded ravine just seven miles from the city’s iconic Space Needle, the property offers its owners a cozy sense of seclusion. Summer in the Pacific Northwest is especially cherished, and the family makes the most of the season by spending time outdoors on their spacious decks. Whether relaxing after a swim in Lake Washington or entertaining friends and family to the soothing sounds of the creek on their property, the home provides an ideal setting for enjoying nature.
In the winter, the family gathers around the fireplace, soaking in the warmth while admiring the view of the woods from the living room. This home truly offers them a tranquil oasis within the city, where they can appreciate both the natural surroundings and the enduring legacy of mid-century modern design.
“The synergy among the owner, builder, and architect was evident throughout the project,” notes Ueda. “We all shared a deep love and respect for the house, and our admiration extends to houses that age gracefully. Some homes retain their beauty over the years, while others become even more enchanting, gaining depth in space, richness in materials, and the distinctive aromas of wood. The interplay of light and shadow further enhances their allure. We firmly believe this house is one of those timeless gems that only grow more captivating with the passage of time.”
Are you interested in finding your place to enjoy the lake life? Explore Lake Homes Lifestyles for lake properties across the country and start living your lakeside dream.
There are many things that you should do when selling a lake home. It could be some updates around the house or even some bigger tasks to enhance curb appeal. However, you might be wondering if replacing the roof is worth it. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, discusses whether this task needs to be done.
Your Lake Home Needs a New Roof: Does your home actually need the roof replaced or is it just something you think needs to be done? Sometimes it might just be something you only believe is necessary.
New Roof Does NOT Increase Value: Some people might think if you replaced the roof you can add more money to the price. It doesn’t really work that way. Buyers are expecting a functional roof when looking for a home.
Old Roof Decrease Value: However, on the opposite side of things, having a roof that does need replacing or isn’t really functional will decrease the value of the home. Just because a new one doesn’t bring up the value doesn’t mean an old one can’t drop it.
Lenders May Require a New Roof: After a home inspection and appraisal, these lenders might require a new roof to be added. This lowers the risk of the asset.
Your Choice – Spend or Discount: When everything boils down to it, it’s ultimately your choice. You either spend the money on a new roof if needed or discount the price due to not replacing it.
At the end of the day, you might have more questions similar to this. One of the best ways to obtain this information is by reaching out to an expert at LakeHomes.com. They would love to provide the assistance you might need!
Picture this: your listing agent calls you, saying she’s found the perfect buyers to view your home. Your lake house checks all of their boxes and happens to be in their price range, so your agent says she’s on her way to show the property.
When they arrive, you watch from the window as they admire your landscaping and fresh coat of paint. How exciting. However, when they walk inside, you see their expressions sour.
Suddenly, you realize your listing description failed to mention the dirty windows, the live-in dog, and that litter box smell wafting through the air that you’ve become accustomed to. Before you know it, the sale is lost, and you are mortified.
In real estate, first impressions mean the world and if you botch it, there may be no second chance. So when preparing your home for the market, pay special attention to these common turn-offs for lake home buyers. After all, the sale is in the details.
Showing a home filled with unusual smells is a surefire way to repulse potential buyers. Odors from cigarette smoke, kitty litter, dirty laundry, and mildew can stick to walls and furniture long after you’ve gone nose-blind to them. Potential home buyers want to envision themselves living happily in your home, and any curious smells may disrupt the illusion.
To freshen up, start by opening some windows to increase circulation throughout the house. Focus on keeping a clean kitchen 24/7, since that’s where most foul smells originate. Be sure to take out the trash more frequently and check for any standing water in the dishwasher. This’ll cut down on not only foul odors but also any critters looking for a midnight snack. Also, steer clear of cooking any strong-smelling foods. This includes curry, onions, fish, and even Brussels sprouts. While all of these things may be delicious to eat, their scents linger long after dinnertime is over.
Before you start showing off your home, be sure to neutralize rooms that have too much personality. You might love the brightly colored accent wall in the living room, but all a potential buyer will see is a headache when they have to paint over it.
It’s best to allow new owners to start fresh with a clean slate, so they can make the home their own. Stay away from stark white walls, which make too strong of a visual statement. Opt for grey, beige, or cream. That way, buyers will have no problems envisioning their own personal touches for the future.
The 1970s called and they want their mistake back.
Popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic or “cottage cheese” ceilings, were a common feature of homes in decades past. Once used to cover up imperfections in craftsmanship, they are now widely seen as an interior design faux pas.
Such ceilings accumulate dirt, are difficult to clean, and are nearly impossible to repaint. Also, if your home was built before 1977, it may even contain asbestos. That year, the substance was officially labeled a highly toxic public health menace.
The removal of a popcorn ceiling is a messy, grueling process that could potentially be a health risk to those involved. It can also cost anywhere from $100 to $5,000, depending on how much needs to be removed. While acoustic ceilings may not cost you a sale, today’s buyers would rather avoid these outdated nuisances. Since it could turn out to be a negotiation point, you may as well be proactive and eliminate them before listing your home if at all possible.
Ragged waterfront landscaping and structures can be detrimental to your lake home’s marketability and are likely to be a turn-off to those looking for a lake home. Whether it’s a dilapidated dock in need of major repairs or a sloppy shoreline with overgrown weeds, it’ll all have the same effect.
Buyers are less likely to invest in a home where the property looks like a fixer-upper at first glance. So make it easy for them by sprucing up your lake home’s curb appeal. Trim and edge your lawn, winterize the dock, and address your boathouse’s structural issues. The less work the new buyers have to imagine themselves doing, the more valuable you’ll make your home.
The process of selling a home can be a delicate transaction, and the slightest slip-up can upset the balance. Be careful not to overlook these common lake home buyer deterrents, and your experience should be smooth sailing.
Someone’s real estate journey is more than likely going to warrant some questions. Even if you might have a good chunk of knowledge when it comes to real estate, the lake market can be different. Before you start any process of buying or selling, you should think about some questions you might have. Luckily, Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, discusses what you should really be asking your lake real estate agents.
Which Agent…: Questions along these lines are some you might think you need to ask or get an answer for, but in actuality, they aren’t the important ones.
A) Has The Most Listings?: You might think finding the agent who has the most listings is the agent you want to work with. However, just because an agent has many listings doesn’t mean they’re being sold. You can find an agent who has a lot of listings while also selling those listings.
B) Do I Personally Like?: Everyone likes someone with whom they can get along, but that doesn’t mean that’s the agent for you. While you should find someone you can get along with, it’s more important to find an agent who will help guide you through this big transaction.
C) Has an Office Nearby?: This point is something that matters to sellers on occasion. But when it comes to buyers, they don’t necessarily care. Buyers are able to search online and don’t need an office to go into. A buyer wants to see the house, not an office.
Questions You Should Answer:
A) MOST Capable of Helping Achieve MY Goal?: One of the most important questions that should be answered is which agent will help you with your goal. You’re the one making the transactions and your goals are what’s important.
B) All Agents the Same?: Not all agents are the same. You should be looking for the ones who are equipped to handle your needs and what you are looking for.
C) Focused on Lake Real Estate?: Similarly to the previous point, find the ones who have the focus. Working with a lake market expert is what you want during this process. Any other agent you should exclude. Lake agents know the ins and outs that other agents simply wouldn’t know.
D) Can Prove a Pipeline of Out of Town Buyers?: If the agent can show you that they have people coming from out of town to buy, you should keep note of that. This is a good thing as it brings people from outside the local market looking and buying.
Simply put, certain questions are more important to ask a lake agent. You might think you’re asking the correct ones, but some of them require a lot of expertise. If you’re ready to start asking the questions, reach out to a lake expert today at LakeHomes.com. They would love to help you on your real estate journey.
Summer is winding down and so is the height of lake season. As we head into the fall and winter months, you might be wondering what the lake home real estate market is going to look like. You might be asking yourself if it is a good time to buy or sell, should you wait until warmer weather, or just how everything looks. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down how things are looking as we head into these cooler months.
Inventory Growing (Selection!): Going into the fall, the inventory is growing. This is a good thing because ultimately you have more selection. While there are still plenty of overpriced homes, slowly these prices could drop as inventory continues to increase.
Mortgage Rates “Sort of” Irrelevant: There have been discussions about the dropping of mortgage rates. However, these are almost irrelevant when it comes to lake real estate. More than half of the transactions the agents at Lake Homes Realty do are done in cash. This has more to do with the buyers’ sentiment towards mortgage rates. Most of the time, lake home buyers can typically afford the mortgage.
Buyer Demand Strong but Hesitant: The traffic coming to LakeHomes.com is there.
A. Discretionary: The buyers aren’t buying unless they really see what they are looking for.
B. Selective: Price is one of the biggest things buyers have been selective on.
C. Distracted (Election, Holidays): Every 4 years the buyer population gets distracted due to the election. Not to mention holidays when more people are busy with many other things. This can result in a slower rate of buyers.
Realistic Transactions Move Quick!: The lake homes where pricing is realistic are moving quite quickly. The growing inventory tends to be the ones that aren’t priced accordingly.
As we continue to make our way into the fall season, just remember you can still buy and sell. If you’re planning on selling, price properly. If you’re looking to buy, the inventory is growing, so keep looking. As always, there are plenty of lake real estate experts always ready to help. If you would like to connect with one today, head over to LakeHomes.com to find one for you!
Buying or selling a lake home can be a strenuous process. With that being said, you might think it’d be a better idea to get help from a friend who is a real estate agent. However, this might not always be the best option. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, shares his thoughts on the topic.
It’s Business: Think about it from the sense of a doctor. The friend wouldn’t be offended if you were to go see a doctor who has more expertise in the matter. The same thing goes for real estate agents. Lake agents at Lake Homes Realty are the experts when it comes to the lake market.
Have YourFriend Explain “Why are they THE Best Choice?”: Having your friend be able to explain why they would be the better option to choose over someone whose everyday market is the lake. This is a great opportunity for them to share why they think they would be the one to go with.
Generalist vs. Specialist: Just because your friend might have sold a lake home a few times doesn’t automatically make them a lake specialist. They won’t know the different nuances that go into buying and selling on the lake, and that’s okay. A lake specialist will be able to keep up with what is going on in the lake market in ways someone else might not be able to.
Point Out Something Unique in Your Choice: Are you able to give a reason why you would choose them? Be sure it’s something that is different than them just being your friend. You really want to have someone who has the unique things others don’t.
A Real Friend Will Understand: At the end of the day, if you explain why you don’t pick them, that friend should be able to understand. These are big transactions, so going with someone who knows the ins and outs is always important.
If you are starting the process of buying or selling and need to find a lake expert, head over to LakeHomes.com. There are plenty of agents there who would love to be a part of this journey with you and guide you through it.
To many people, it seems as though there aren’t that many buyers in the market. Is this actually the case or could there be another reason behind this? There have been transactions taking place, but not to a level where they would seem to be skyrocketing. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, explains why there aren’t more buyers in the market and what could be causing it.
A. Modest Market Improvement:
Inventory is Larger- There is currently more selection. This is a good thing that could bring in more potential buyers.
Mortgage Rates- The rates are currently showing signs of dropping.
Buyers Demand Strong- At LakeHomes.com, we can see that the web traffic is heavy, which means they are buying and shopping.
B. Still, Buyers are Waiting On…:
Realistic Pricing- Because the inventory has grown, many houses are priced way above what they should be. There have been signs showing more realistic pricing is on its way.
Selection- There is a decent selection, but after taking away the homes that are not priced appropriately, the selection is smaller.
Election and Holidays- Every 4 years during election time, there is a slower time period of people actually looking at these properties. It is a hard thing to attribute because most people can’t even really explain why this happens. As the end-of-year holiday season approaches, things slow down mainly due to busy schedules.
Buyers might not seem like they’re out there, but they are. When it all comes down to it, they are simply waiting. One thing that can really change is pricing homes correctly. Things pick up pace when a home that’s priced accordingly is on the market. If you’d like more information to help you navigate this topic or any other real estate question, connect with an agent at https://www.lakehomes.com/ today.
Real estate trends can change more often than you realize. That includes the trends that are specifically involved with the lake real estate market. It’s always a good thing to be up to date on what’s happening in the world of real estate, whether you’re buying or selling. Luckily, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, has all the insights you might need.
Mortgage Rate Independent: This means if mortgage rates are on the rise, transaction rates at the lake typically aren’t affected. This all boils down to around half of the transactions being done through cash. Even if a buyer does end up getting a mortgage, they typically have the means to be able to get better rates.
Inventory “Issues”: Inventory as a whole has grown since COVID-19 happened. However, the transactions haven’t been flowing as much. This is mainly due to people not matching their homes for the price they’re worth today.
Strong but Very Practical Demand: People who are more thoughtful about their money won’t be willing to pay the COVID prices that others were four years ago. These buyers are always interested, but they’ll wait.
Competitive Bidding “Spotty”: There hasn’t been as much competitive bidding now as there was in the past. This is especially true when the homes are overpriced. The few homes that are getting competitive bids are designing their offer to be very practical.
Aspirational Pricing: This type of pricing is never really attainable due to what the home is priced at. The sellers might see what others are doing or think they can sell for and that’s more than often not the case.
Multiple Market Shopping: Sometimes, buyers aren’t looking at one lake or even one state. However, they can be looking at multiple lakes in different states.
Before you start looking to buy or plan to sell, knowing the trends is always important. If you are looking for even more information about these trends or anything else regarding lake real estate, visit https://www.lakehomes.com/. There are plenty of agents who are ready to help you today.
