10/19/2007
Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged homeowners to check out contractors they hire to help repair their storm-damaged homes and remove fallen trees caused by yesterday’s 40-50 mph winds.
“A quick fix may end up costing you much more than the job is worth if the repairs aren’t done properly,” McKenna said.”
Except for electricians, who must be licensed, and plumbers, who require certification, there isn’t a competence test to become a contractor in Washington.
McKenna said storms often bring out cons who promise immediate or cheap home repair, clean-up or remodeling. Some of these “contractors” are from out-of-state and are not registered to do business in Washington. They demand money up front and never do the work, do a shoddy job or require additional money once the job starts.
Below are some tips to help people find a competent, reliable contractor and avoid potential rip-offs:
* Whenever possible, work with a local contractor you know and trust.
* Seek referrals. Start with friends or neighbors. Home improvement stores and trade associations including the Master Builders Association can also be good resources.
* Ask for references. If possible, visit other work sites when repairs are underway.
* Check with the Department of Labor and Industries. All contractors who do construction work in Washington must be registered with the state, post a bond and carry general liability insurance coverage. Check the L&I Web site.
* Find out whether any complaints have been filed against a contractor by calling the local office of the Better Business Bureau.
* Solicit written bids from contractors that detail the scope of the work, the types of materials that will be used, and the total cost of the project.
Red Flags:
Be wary of contractors who:
* Solicit door to door.
* Provide credentials or references that can’t be verified.
* Pressure you for an immediate decision.
* Accept only cash, require large deposits or require the entire cost up front. A deposit of 10-15 percent of the bid price is normally sufficient.
* Don’t provide a written contract of compete bid.
* Ask you to get required building permits. In most instances, the contractor is required to take out the permits.
* Offer exceptionally long warranties.
* Offer an exceptionally low bid.
You’re usually responsible for weather related damages.
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Stay well – Christa Sasser, Distinctive Properties, Inc.
About Christa
Resume’
Christa Sasser
Distinctive Properties, Inc.
Obtained Real Estate License in August of 1979 and the Broker’s License in January of 1985.
• Broker / Owner of Distinctive Properties since 1994.
• Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI)
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
• Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB)
• Accredited REO Agent (A*REO)
• Certified Sort Sale, Foreclosure, Recourse. (SFR)
Real Estate Activities:
Locally: Tri-City Association of Realtors.
• 1992 and 2001 Realtor of the Year.
• 1991 Elected to President of the Tri-City Association of Realtors.
• 1990 Served as Vice-President.
• 1989 Embraced the office of Secretary -Treasurer
• 1985 to 1994 Elected to the Board of Directors.
• 1989 to 1994 Earned a place on the Honor Society
• 2012 CRB (Certified Residential Broker) President for WA Chapter.
• Chaired: Member Services, Nominations, Awards, Long Range Planning, Budget and Finance, Communications, Education, Grievance. Co-Chaired: Most or all of the Committees. Served on: Activities, Budget & Finance, Long Range Planning, Member Services, Awards, Education, Nominating. Grievance, By-Laws. MLS Committee (Some more than one term, consecutively or at different times.)
Washington Association of Realtors
On the Board of Directors from 1989 to 2004 and 2010 -2012
• 2004 Recipient of the EDDY AWARD
• Chairperson & Vice Chair: MLS Forum. Education Forum. Served on:
• Operational Planning Committee, Nominations Committee, License Law Subcommittee, Strategic Planning, Communication, Education Forum, Education Steering, MLS Forum, Budget & Finance, Forms, Nominating, Several Core committees. Business Practices Core Committee. Business Practices Core Committee through 2009. Member of Legislative Steering Committee through 2012. Taxation. (Some more than one term, consecutively or at different times.)
• *2014- Received the Larry Miller Award for Excellence in Real Estate.
State of Washington:
1993 Appointed by the Governor to the Real Estate Commission.
• 1996-2003 Re-appointed to the Real Estate Commission for a 6-year term.
• 1997 Vice Chair of the Commission
• 1998 -2003 Chair of the Education Subcommittee
• 1999- 2003 Honorary Trustee for the Washington Center of Real Estate Research. WSU
• 2008-:Present School Administrator for Distinctive Real Estate School.
• 2008- Present Certified Real Estate Instructor
Community:
• VITA- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for 10 years.
• Mid-Columbia Symphony Guild
• German Club.
• Pasco Police Auxiliary Volunteer 1969-1974
• President of the Pasco Police Auxiliary.
• Toastmasters
• Board Member, Canyon Lakes Homeowners Association
• Member of St. Joe's Parish Finance Committee
Real Estate Education:
• Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) 1984
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 1994
• Certified Residential Broker (CRB) 2005
• Appraisal MAI Courses.
• Additional Courses successfully completed: Finance of Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Successful Practices, Real Estate Management Training, Investment Analysis, Advanced Investment Analysis, Relocation, Legal Aspect of New Construction, Hot@ Legal Issues, Negotiating, How to Deal with Builders, Real Estate Agents Rights & Responsibilities. GRI 400, Broker Management. Risk Reduction Institute Courses: Agent Guide to Agency, Avoiding Misrepresentation, Fair Housing in the 90's, Avoiding Anti-Trust Violations, Agency, Ethics, Does it Pencil? (Investment Analysis) Accredited REO classes. Sort Sale, Foreclosure classes. & more.
• Certified as an Instructor from the Department of Licensing in the following
fields:
o Use of computers and/or other technologies as applied to the practice of Real Estate.
o Real Estate Sales & Marketing. Real Estate Practices. Real Estate Law. Real Estate Fundamentals.
o Real Estate Closings Practices. Principles & Essentials. Legal Aspects. Ethics & Standards of Practices
o Current Trends & Issues. Cross Cultural Communication. Consumer Protection. Business Management.
o Brokerage Management and Advanced Management Practices.
