Richard Hagar

Better to talk more and text less when buying a home

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Millennials are the most connected generation in history. In fact, The Pew Research Center calls them "history's 'always connected' generation, treating their handheld devices 'almost like a body part.'"

So when it comes to buying a home, Millennials (those born after 1982) are more likely to do most of their research online as well as communicate electronically. This extends to communicating with real estate agents. But real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says if you're buying a home, "talking" through texting is useful only up to a certain point.

Seattle property values: Catching up with San Francisco?

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What's ahead for Seattle when it comes to property values and density? Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar tell's KPLU's John Maynard that San Francisco may have some of the answers.

Full disclosure or risk a lawsuit

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

If you buy a house and shortly after moving in you're surprised to find a big crack in the foundation or the septic tank bubbling over, wouldn't your first question be, "Did the seller know about this?" Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says it's bad news all around if problems are not disclosed before the sale. Surprises like this not only mean headaches for the buyer but more times than not they lead to lawsuits for the seller and his real estate agent. So, what exactly should a seller disclose?

Population growth and housing in Seattle: Going up, up, up!

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +0000

As more people move into the Seattle area, the demand for housing goes up. And so does the style of housing with high-rise apartments and condos replacing older, stand alone homes. Real estate appraiser and educator Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard this trend is expected to continue, thanks to our relatively stable economy and mild weather. Both are factors for people moving here, as are the companies that continue to employ thousands of people such as Amazon and Microsoft.

It's not an apartment or a condo. It's a co-op!

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

There are apartments and condos. Then there are co-ops. This type of real estate ownership is pretty common in large East Coast cities such as New York, Philadelphia and Boston, but it's not as common here.

Bank loans tough to get for fire stations and churches

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Bored with regular, run of the mill houses? Looking for something unusual? How about buying a fire station or a church for a home?

Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says although places like this could be fun to live in, banks are usually skittish about loaning money for anything out of the ordinary.

Cracking down on suspicious home buyers

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Since the 1970s, banks have been required to report any suspicious house purchases to the FBI. Now that mandatory reporting is netting mortgage brokers, too. Seattle area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says that's a good thing since about 80 percent of home loans go through mortgage brokers.

Real estate commissions aren't set in stone

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +0000

KPLU's John Maynard posed this question to Seattle-area real estate appraiser, Richard Hager: "If I sold a $2 million dollar house and paid the real estate agent his standard commission, then he'd get $180,000 out of the deal. Is that a negotiable situation?" Hagar's answer?

Not all condos are buildings in the investment world

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

When most of us talk about condos, we’re usually referring to buildings with apartment units that are individually owned. But as real estate appraiser Richard Hagar tells KPLU’s John Maynard, a condominium is technically a type of ownership.

So you can also "condominiumize" other types of property. Hagar says it's a hot trend for investors.

Condo parking spaces

For some, the gamble of an adjustable-rate mortgage pays off

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:28:00 +0000

KPLU's John Maynard bought a condo in 2007 – at the height of the market. He took out an adjustable-rate mortgage that's "adjusting" in June.

That's turned out to be good news for Maynard, who's mortgage payment will go down considerably since interest rates are low right now and expected to be so for quite some time.

Banks give money for keeping a foreclosed house looking good

John Maynard — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Some banks will pay you if you keep your foreclosed house in good condition. That includes things like mowing your lawn and keeping your toilets and countertops spick and span.

Seattle-area Real Estate Appraiser and educator Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard that some lenders offer in the neighborhood of $2,000.00 to ex-homeowners for keeping foreclosed property looking neat and tidy.

Buying homes from the bank saves money, but not time

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

It's a drawn out, frustrating process, but if you're willing to put in the time, buying a home from a bank can save you a lot of money. Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard that while it is mostly investors who seek out these properties, average home buyers can score great deals, too

New home sales: Great deals at center of state, end of runway

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Great deals on new homes can be found on the plains and near the planes.

That's the word from Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar. New developments on the flatlands of Quincy, Wash., and the "loud lands" near Sea-Tac Airport are being built and sold at a pretty fast clip. Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard there are some interesting reasons for that.

Aurora motels entering time of change, the last for most

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Back in the early 1960's, a string of motels along Seattle's Aurora Avenue North sprang up to accommodate tourists pouring into town to visit the Seattle World's Fair. Real Estate Appraiser Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard that a lot of this property is being redeveloped.

Multiple offers but picky buyers

Richard Hagar and John Maynard — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The good news is that some sellers in the current real estate market are getting multiple offers on their property but buyers are being much more choosy when it comes to deciding on a new home.