At least Vancouver, like Seattle, is having a mini swing towards a buyers market as well :)

Robert…Great points, a few others. Power lines not real popular, buried fuel oil tanks as well. If it’s remote is it on a well or septic? If so, how do you test both to make sure that they are functioning as they should? What is the siding? Is it problematic? Roofing?? & many others that can come up.

Joel…Yeah Cash back sounds good but are you as a buyer going to have expert assistance with the above mentioned issues? especially when the Redfin model does not even have a realtor come out and view the property with you? Even if they did, what is the experience level? Do they have recommendations of a good home inspector? I’m not talking about a list of inspectors but actually having experience to determine who and quality home inspector is and why. Secondly, what’s a few dollars back at closing, when if the property is a great one, and there may be much competition for it, you can’t be ‘the chosen one’ because you don’t have an experienced advocate working in your behalf that can do their darndest to try to get you this property. This may sound silly, but believe me this scenario happens all the time. 3 of the past 4 weekends I have been involved in just such a scene. Fortunately, in all cases we came out the winners, but it is not an easy task and requires a whole lot more skill and experience than just sitting at a computer screen and typing an offer on a ‘unseen’ property.

Andrew, good call on the conduit.

1. Are the windows double or even tripled glazed?
2. What type of insulation is in the roof? Walls?
3. If you’re truly buying in the Seattle area (Hmmmm?!?) then what sort of light does the house get? Does it have good southern exposure?

The pride of home ownership.

Have you tried Redfin.com? Cash back on your house purchase.