Rebecca E Haas - Seattle, WA Real Estate Agent - Seattle REALTOR

What year did you become a real estate agent?
2003

How many years have you been in Real Estate?
Having just completed my 4th full year in real estate I am looking forward to the upcoming years ahe

What is the average home price in your market?
In the Seattle area it is roughly $426,000 and in the Bellevue area it's a little higher, with an av

Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
"Green" living is picking up steam in more than just the high end price points of homes. It's fun to see sustainable building practices being put into place in everything from high rise condos to affordable housing projects. We're also experiencing long term growth in the Puget Sound region. It's believed that we'll have 1.2 million more people living here within the next 20 years (50,000 per year). New road and housing projects are helping to provide the infrastructure to support the in-migration we're experiencing.

Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
The industry is full of interesting tidbits to learn every day and I love the aspect of continuing education and ongoing learning. It helps to keep things from becoming stagnant as I found could happen when I was working in other industries. I also enjoy that the work I do every day has a direct and immediate impact on our clients. I didn't get that kind of satisfaction in the 13 years that I worked in technology related fields.

What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
Because my clients mean so much to me and I am driven to do an above average job, my challenge is making sure that I make time for me. Now that I have a team working with me I have been able to meet and overcome that challenge.

Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
There are several interesting moments that it would be hard to pinpoint just one. I will say that I get tremendous satisfaction when I can help a client achieve more than they thought could happen in a transaction. Seeing their face light up and the gratitude they have for the assistance is wonderfully gratifying and is what makes this job truly worth it.

What is your best characteristic?
Do we only get to mention one?!? ;) Rather than tooting my own horn I prefer to let my clients speak for me. However, since you ask, I find that these 10 characteristics tend to be true: 1) tenacious, 2) hard working, 3) put my clients ahead of my own interests, 4) good communicator, 5) problem solver, 6) team builder, 7) driven to succeed (including getting what my customer's want), 8) detail oriented, 9) good natured, 10) honest.

Who or what inspires you the most?
My parents have always been a wonderful presence in my life and showed me excellent examples of work ethic and honesty in business dealings.

What is the best advice you ever received?
My own personal mantra is, "If you don't ask, the answer is always no". I would say that means that you should never let things lie and assume nothing can be done. Sometimes just asking will open up tremendous opportunites.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Ok, the simple answer is Seattle but it sounds like I'm pandering. However, while I yearn for a 2nd home in Italy, France or Spain, I can say that anytime I have ever been on vacation I have ALWAYS enjoyed coming home to Seattle. I love it here and am intensely proud of my home town and the Northwest!!!!