These days, we’re blessed with oodles of options. Whether you’re looking for a mechanic, dog walker, pickleball team or tonight’s take-out dinner, it’s easy to find choices galore thanks to the internet’s endless reach and online reviews. But buying or selling a home requires more than just background information or Yelp ratings. Choosing a real estate broker to handle what is perhaps the biggest purchase or sale of your life means getting to know them personally and understanding that they have your best interest at heart. Garrett Lafferty of John L. Scott Real Estate believes in going above and beyond to exceed expectations from the start.
Lafferty’s Cheesehead Charm Wins Over South Sound Real Estate Clients
Wisconsin native and devout Packers fan Garrett became a broker in 2009 and moved out west in 2012. He started in Northwest real estate in 2014 and today specializes in residential sales. “I had a mentor tell me some time ago to pick a lane and do your best to be better than anyone else at it,” Garrett explains. “I love first-time home buyers and experienced buyers/sellers alike. My career is so rewarding.”
When not working, Garrett enjoys dining out, playing with his chocolate lab and both listening and playing music.
But with a decade dedicated to Northwest families, he’s always happy to share advice and experience gleaned over the years. Especially to those unsure about dipping their toes into the sometimes-chaotic housing market.
Jump Into the South Sound Housing Market Sooner Rather than Later, Advises Lafferty
“If you’ve been putting off your first, next or dream real estate goals, now is the time to act”, says Garrett. “Get in the game,” he encourages. “If you are renting, let’s get you into anything right now because there is no housing bubble here, and there won’t be any potential downward price adjustment for at least eight more years. Prices just keep going up. It’s basic supply and demand economics.”
“We live in paradise – in many ways, in my opinion – and folks are still moving here by the droves,” explains Garrett. “We simply don’t have enough houses for all the buyers, so prices keep rising no matter the interest rates. Interest rates change all the time, and you can always refinance, but prices are not going to go down. So, let’s get you into a decent home and in a year or two, it will appreciate nicely, and we can get you the house you really want.”
Putting Years of Experience to Work for His John L. Scott Clients
If you’re getting caught up in the excitement, that’s good. But, says Garrett, don’t skip steps just to expedite the process or beat out your competition. For example, some folks choose to neglect the home inspection.
“We never tell buyers to waive a home inspection,” says Garrett. “In fact, if you do want to waive it, we make you sign a special form indicating you know what you are doing. During the pandemic, when many buyers were waiving everything, including inspections, we encouraged our buyers to still have an inspection but make it pass/fail. This meant notifying the seller that we were not going to ask for minor items, but if major items come up let’s have a conversation about them. I call the major areas the Big Five: roof, foundation/crawl space, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. These are items that, if they need attention, the average homeowner is not going to tackle them because you need a licensed, bonded and insured contractor to address them.”
Take the Housing Plunge with Garrett Lafferty
At the end of the day, Garrett’s extensive experience can help his clients make or save thousands of dollars. Yet none of it feels like the daily grind to him.
“I know this sounds cliche,” says Garrett, “but it really does not feel like work to me. I just serve people, and I am paid for my expertise, marketing and diplomacy. I love calling my buyers to tell them our offer has been accepted and calling my sellers to tell them I have an offer or several. It’s a big purchase and a big decision, so helping folks through the entire process is my calling. Folks don’t buy or sell property every day, but I do, so I know how to usually make it smooth and stress-free.”
And industry partners feel the love as well. Dwayne Boggs of Boggs Inspection Services says, “We truly enjoy working alongside Garrett, who exemplifies professionalism and dedication. Working with him is always a seamless experience, as he thoroughly understands the home inspection process and prioritizes his client’s best interests. Garrett’s commitment and attention to detail ensure that his clients feel informed and confident in their home-buying choices. With his approachable nature and expertise, he is an ideal partner, and we are always eager to assist his clients with their home inspection needs.”
To reach out, call or text Garrett at 360.485.2818 or send him a quick note. He’s happy to chat about your needs and formulate a real estate plan for you and your family. You can even check out his YouTube channel for helpful tips and tricks along the way.
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