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Once you've made the decision to sell your home or condo you'll probably want to make the transition from owning the asset to cash in hand as quickly as possible. Of course there are the usual things to consider, like the market, and timing, which will affect the demand for any property. However there are also several easy steps you can take as a seller to make people go, "shut up and take my money!" (not literally of course). Anyway those are the tips Brennen is sharing this week, so take them in, make them happen, and watch how fast your home sells! If want to know more, or have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creativ

New Townhomes certainly are eye catching and often sought after in any marketplace, but just like there are tips and tricks for buying an older home (good bones, sound foundation etc.) there are also some things you really should know before jumping into new construction as well. This week on the Clouse Corner Brennen is going to share 3 of his favorite tips for people looking to buy a new town home, which let's face it is just about everyone! If want to know more, or have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Everyone knows what "Curb Appeal" is, but they also tend to talk about it like it's the "It" factor in a teen romcom and that makes it harder to achieve than it actually is. This week on the Clouse Corner Brennen is sharing his top 4 tips for what you should maintain or repair to give your house that "wow" factor from the moment people step out of their car! If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Pull up a seat at the table as this week Brennen and Tracy are sitting down with Ethan Stowell acclaimed Seattle chef, restaurateur, and philanthropist, to talk about how Covid has impacted the Seattle restaurant industry over the last year. Ethan is a hometown boy who has worked in, started, and built many restaurants in Seattle, including seven (yes seven) new ones during Covid. We're beyond excited to hear Ethan's thoughts on how Covid has changed Seattle's restaurant scene, possibly forever, and where he sees the industry heading in the future! As always if you have additional questions about the show, or ideas for future guests or topics please feel free to reach out to us. We love to hear from you! Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com Thanks for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Good Times” By Patrick Patrikios “We Don’t Know How it Ends” By Lee Rosevere (leerosevere.bandcamp.com) “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountai

If you're trying to sell a property you also live in it may seem like a huge logistics problem to not live there as it's being sold, however there are some good reasons most people choose not to live in a house as it's being sold if they can. This week on the Clouse Corner Brennen will lay out those reasons and hopefully make the case for why you, or your clients, should not live in their house as it's being sold if that's an option! If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It may sound absurd that will all the effort that goes into staging a house the make or break item is often the TV but it's the truth. After all it's not like some of the usual must haves like a fireplace, you can literally put a TV almost anywhere. And yet if you don't include one you may find your people walking away from the your open house, why? This week on the Clouse Corner Brennen is breaking down why putting a TV in your staged home can make all the difference! If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

More and more Townhomes are including HOA fees but what do they actually cover, and why is this becoming the new norm? This week on the Clouse Corner Brennen is giving his two cents on why HOA's are becoming more and more common in developer packages, and how you can find out what yours covers!  If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Have you ever wondered why homes almost always go under contract starting on Monday? Is it because people just want to get a jump on the week, or is there more to it? A savvy buyer knows that the weekend is the best time to make a descison about a house and this week on the Clouse Corner we're walking you through it. Whether you're a buyer or seller you'll come away from this episode with a whole new appreciation for the weekend, and let's face it, you appreciated it a lot before anyway! If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's part two of our series on why homes fall out in escrow! As we've said before hearing that a real estate deal fell apart in escrow is a pretty common saying, but not a lot of people actually understand what it means. Last time we covered how a deal might fall apart in escrow because of financial reasons, and this week we are covering title and inspection; two of the other top reasons. If you've every heard the term but have no idea what it means with any luck this episode is a good starting point! If you have any questions about real estateor ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

The first few months of the year are always boom time in the real estate market. But why? Is it just something in their air, or perhaps a mad dash to convert your Christmas bonus into equity? This week Brennen will be breaking down the real estate rush of the first few months of the new year, why it happens, and how you can best capitalize on it! If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Meet Rachel and Zack a couple with a baby on the way and looking to buy their first home and who generously donated their time to share their story this week!  As you might guess Rachel and Zack are former clients and this week they are sitting down with Brennen and Tracy to share how the whole process worked for them. We'll be asking everything from their biggest fears, their most helpful tips, to what it felt like to finally find their very own "Gilmore Girls House." Thanks again to Rachel and Zack for sharing their story and we hope you enjoy! If you are a former client turned listener and would like to share your home buying story please reach out to us, we would love to hear from you! Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Good Times” By Patrick Patrikios “We Don’t Know How it Ends” By Lee Rosevere (leerosevere.bandcamp.com) “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain Music obtained and Licensed un

We've all heard the phrase "it fell through in escrow," even if it was just in an old episode of Fraiser or The Simpsons, but what does it actually mean? Sadly if something is common enough to be mentioned in prime time television then it is a not uncommon occurence. That's why we're using this weeks Clouse Corner to break down all the ways that a deal can fall apart in Escrow. If you have any questions about real estateor ideas for future episodes feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

One of the most frequently asked questions that comes our way is how does one start out in real estate. In order to answer that question Brennen is using this weeks Clouse Corner to give listeners the whirlwind tour of how he himself got into this crazy business! This story has everything drama, sacrifice, a man with a dream, and a happy ending. Also, the whole thing clocks in at under 5 minutes, which is a hard deal to beat. If you have any questions about starting your own journey in  real estate or ideas for future shows feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Equity, or the value of your home overtime,  might as well be considered the cornerstone of real estate. And keeping up your homes value in order to take full advantage of it is a big part of that. That's why this week Brennen is giving his insight from a realtors perspective on what you, a homeowner, can do in order to not lose value on your house while you own it.  If you have any questions about real estate or ideas for future shows feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week  Brennen and Tracy  are sitting down with an expert in customer and technology integration Jason Carrol. Jason worked with many amazing clients over the years including industry juggernauts like Nike and Allstate. And, for the last year and a half Jason has been the Interim Regional President of Compass in Washington, which means we get to pick his brain about where he sees the real estate agent going in 2021 and beyond. Unsurprisingly much of what he had to say was themed around staying ahead of changing technology. Because of the rapid advance of automation and mobile services  many industries are being taken by storm and career paths are disappearing. However, Jason is confident that Compass, and real estate in general, is a safe industry as long as people embrace utilizing new technology and a broker centered model of customer service moving forward.  Definitely worth a listen if you want to know a little bit about how Compass, and the business world at large are looking to m

Pull out your crystal balls because it's prediction time again! At the start of every year Brennen likes to make some called shots about the real estate market and Seattle in particular. How did we do from last year and what does 2021 have in store? Find out on this weeks Clouse Corner! If you have any questions about becoming a better real estate agent or about working with us feel free to reach out: Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain “Spinning Monkeys” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Finding the right agent can be tricky, that's why this weeks episode is all about the mistakes newer agents tend to make. If you're currently looking for an agent consider this top three to be your guide when it comes to seperating the best from the rest. Also, if you are a newer agent then take some tips from someone who has been there before; they will definitely work out in the long run! If you have any questions about becoming a better real estate agent or about working with us feel free to reach out! Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain "Chillstep House" by Alejandro Magaña (A. M.) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Knowing how much to rent your property for is definitely a tricky subject. Charge too little and you're not getting the full bang for your buck, but charge too much and you risk losing even more money with an empty property. That's why this weeks episode is all about finding the right balance with your property. Brennen will be breaking down the Seattle market rent prices and giving his tips to get you the most out of your rental in the New Year! If you have any questions about the show, or about working with us feel free to reach out! Instagram Facebook Twitter Also online at: TheClouseGroup.com And as always thank you for listening! Our Opening theme: “Inspired” By Kevin Mcleod (incomptech.com) Other music (in order used): “Low Life High Life” By Dan Henig “Ruination 2” By Vibe Mountain "Chillstep House" by Alejandro Magaña (A. M.) Music obtained and Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week is all about insurance as Brennen and Tracy are sitting down with Alice Yao of AYAO Insurance. Alice started AYAO in 2018 in Kirkland and ever since has been helping people in Seattle find the right insurance policies to protect their homes, and other cherished possessions. She is also one of the rare individuals who really, truly, loves their work and is always happy to talk about it. She claims her family has grown tired of listening to her talk about insurance but after our interview we just don't see how that's possible. Together these three are going to give our listeners the inside track on insurance in the Seattle area. What policies do you need in case of emergencies or natural disasters, how is insurance for a condominium different than a single family home, and where might you be leaving money on the table? You'll just have to listen and find out! As always if you have additional questions about the show, or ideas for future guests or topics please feel free to reach out to us. We love

This week it's part two of our two part series about the pros and cons of owning and operating an Air B&B, last week was the pros so this week we regretably will be sharing some bad news to you hopefuls. On the bright side it's the holidays so brew up some coacoa snuggle in and enjoy some bad news in a way that's really only possible but once a year! Last week we spent a lot of time playing up the positives, additional income, a place for inlaws to stay over the holidays, a good use of extra space etc. But this week we are really getting to the heart of why everyone might not want to own and operate an Air B&B even if you have the resources to do so. Much like any side hustle with the potential for good return the downsides fall in line with the usual list that comes from running your own business: The demands on your time will be great, all the customer service will fall on you, and you have to devote yourself to a certain level of care and attention to detial even if you're exhausted. However, if al