Thank you for visiting my website and being interested to find out more about me. I live here in the great Northwest where I grew up and having been living since since my return in 2003. I have been learning about real estate as long as I can remember. One of my grandfathers' was a real estate broker, appraiser and investor. My other grandfather was a home builder and investor. My mother and father followed in their parents footsteps by building many homes, buying investment properties as well as second homes. So between collecting rent from age 3 to learning about financing while most kids were playing Barbie's I have been lucky enough to learn from successful mentors. Many have said that my choosing real estate as my career was in my blood. I grew up in Issaquah Washington when it was a small town. I attended college at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA and majored in Fashion Design. I then moved to San Fransisco to pursue a fashion career but, decided that fashion wasn't for me. I pursued real estate financing for the first online broker in CA, a state which requires you to get your real estate license in order to be a loan officer. I became a full time real estate sales person to become personally involved with each transaction. Doing loans was great and the perfect education to learn more about how banks want a contract to look and the basic requirements for a loan. I missed getting out of the office and really getting satisfaction I get from assisting someone in finding that perfect place to call home. I get to know you and your needs so I can really guide you through the best process for you. I spend countless hours over email, the phone and in person finding out what you want to accomplish through buying a home. I love working with first time buyers and throughly explaining the buying process. Rather then buyers saying I don't know what I signed but, I guess I own a house the way some realtors rush you through, I will be there every step of the way. I am a person though that will also tell you when it's not the right time to purcahse. If you have financing issues to take care of first or your income isn't stable. The market is a reflection of "professionals" that shoved people into houses they can't afford. I work completely on a referral basis because I don't just make a sale. I create a client and referral source for life. I also like working with investors and helping them find the deal they brag to their friends about. Investors have different needs then a primary residence buyer. I have represented investors that want to know cap rate, expected appreciation and why it makes sense. I have had my feet "held to the fire" by these savy people and they have returned to purchase again and again through me. My goal is to provide you with service so great that no matter what you're looking for you come out satisfied. Some people have owned a home for years and don't understand why they haven't paid down more on their loan. Simple explanations that help people feel informed and actually understand the real estate process through education is my goal. I truly love the opportunity my career is, in helping people realize their dream of home ownership. I still spend "days off" out with friends touring homes for sale because I really enjoy looking at homes. I currently work with a team of professionals to close short sales. At Paraissance Realty we work together with other brokerages to have every party win. The banks win by getting more for the property then if it foreclosed, the seller's don't have a foreclosure and the buyer's get a great deal. My schooling at CWU hasn't gone completely to wast either. I also get to use some of that fashion knowledge I learned when I list properties. I always go through the home and review the "staging" process to make sure your home sells as quickly as possible. I also make sure to set real expectations for time on the market, price and showings. Selling a house in this competitive market takes a team effort! I hope that after reading a little about me you will give me the opportunity to show you how I can put my over a decade of real estate experience to work for you.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Baldwin-Lopez |