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Fun Stuff


  • Tips on How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

    December 14, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Here are a few tips on how to prepare your home for the winter!    Seal & Ventilate: Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you're not using it. Make sure your furniture isn't blocking your home's heating vents. During cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathrooms. Happy Roof, Dry House: Clean out the gutters. It is also a good idea to add extensions to the downspout outlet to keep water away from the foundation of your home and make sure your yard drainage is working.  Repair roof leaks and remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house - or your neighbors (avoid liability for the latter). Protect Your Pipes: Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer. Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater. Drain your irrigation system if you have one, and shut off outdoor water valves if possible. Don’t forget to disconnect and roll up your hoses. Avoid Ice Dams:…Read more

  • Emma’s Thanksgiving Tips

    November 23, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Thanksgiving in the Dunn household looks like this: My mother is the head chef, I am the sous chef. That is how it has always been and the two of us have Thanksgiving down to an art. If we are hosting, my mother plans and preps the ingredients for every dish out in advance (something I strongly recommend), orders the right sized turkey for the amount of people coming, and knows exactly when each dish should be assembled and cooked. When it is time to get cooking, I show up with my knives and do whatever my mother deems necessary. While I am the head chef in my own home, I personally love taking the back seat on this holiday because it gives me an opportunity to continue to learn from my mother. Well, imagine my surprise last year when my mother came down with the flu 4 days before Thanksgiving and I was then expected to execute Thanksgiving dinner for 16 people. Having never cooked a meal this intricate by myself, I was certainly overwhelmed! However, having been thrown into the thick of it last year as the new head chef, I learned a considerable amount that has prepared…Read more

  • Operation: Tungsten Light and Three Other Uplifting Resources

    April 20, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    How is everyone feeling? This week, I read that after World War II, researcher Anna Freud discovered the children left behind in London during the war to endure the bombings with their families actually suffered less trauma than the children who were sent away to the country. Freud concluded that “the physical injury is often not the harshest part of trauma; it’s the breakdown of relationships during and after.” If you’re in need of an uplifting boost of connection and community during the COVID-19 quarantine, Pickett Street’s Margaret Smith has you covered. Margaret recently started Operation: Tungsten Light with her friends and colleagues Ande Dunn and Sarah Troske. According to Margaret, she started the group because she “realized very quickly that fear and anxiety were creeping in” for her loved ones. Read more about Margaret’s Tungsten Light, as well as other positive online resources for this tough time. Additionally, if you are feeling anxious about real estate and would like to know more about buying or selling your home right now, get in touch with Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Operation: Tungsten Light Tungsten Light’s purpose is to spread light, love and positivity. Margaret, Sarah, and Ande also…Read more

  • Keep Calm and Carry On: 5 Ways to Stay Connected

    March 20, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Keep Calm and Carry On: 5 Ways to Stay Connected How is everyone doing? With recent COVID-19-related changes to businesses, schools, and—well—basically most other aspects of daily life, it’s been an intense few weeks.  One thing I’ve been keeping in mind is that, regardless of whether or not I’m worried about my own health, social distancing is important right now. This practice keeps the most vulnerable members of my community, such as immunocompromised folks or seniors, safe. As UC San Francisco epidemiologist Jeff Martin says, “Social distancing now is one of the greatest calls for altruism.” So, how to manage these strange, unprecedented times? First, if you’re worried about buying or selling a home right now, I promise you will feel better after chatting with the Pickett Street team’s resourceful, creative, and whip-smart real estate experts ((425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com). Let these professionals do the tough work for you. Next, you might keep in mind that we are all in this together. One thing that’s been helping me when I feel anxious about the uncertainty is that so many people feel the same anxiety right now. I’m not alone, and neither are you. Finally, check out this list of ideas…Read more

  • Get Wild: 4 Ways to Rewild Your Outdoor Space

    March 16, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Get Wild: 4 Ways to Rewild Your Outdoor Space Along with kombucha and succulent terrariums, one of the latest trends (old trends) in home design is rewilding. “Rewilding” means allowing your yard and the rest of your land to grow naturally, replacing imported plants with native species, and generally encouraging wildlife to thrive. Not only does this practice create beautiful outdoor spaces, it’s also good for the environment. If you’re curious, check out this interview with novelist Jeff Vandermeer, in which he talks about how he and his wife “rewilded” their yard. Rewilding doesn’t have to involve a major re-haul of your property’s exterior. As Vandermeer says, “You can always do something. Even a few potted plants that your local nursery says are good for butterflies or birds can be of use. Even a small bird feeder can be of use, too.” You can rewild your yard no matter the size. And luckily, the Pacific Northwest hosts some of the lushest, most diverse wildlife in the world. If you’d like to find the kind of home where you can practice rewilding your property, or if you’re interested in other real estate, let Pickett Street know—call or email at (425) 502-5397…Read more

  • Bring On Spring: Seattle’s Most Beloved Parks

    March 6, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Bring On Spring: Seattle’s Most Beloved Parks Even though Seattle area weather continues to be rainy and chilly, we at Pickett Street have decided we will simply will warmer spring temperatures into existence by writing about the outdoors. As such, this week we’re celebrating Seattle’s best, most popular parks. After all, rainy weather has never stopped Washingtonians from enjoying a good walk or bike ride. As the Scandinavian saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothes.”  If reading our guide to these wonderful spots piques your interest in buying or selling real estate around Seattle, reach out to us at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Discovery Park, Magnolia Seattle’s largest green space at 534 acres, Discovery offers nearly 12 miles of walking trails, which include two miles of beaches and sand dunes, meadows, dramatic sea cliffs, forest, and streams. This park also houses West Point Lighthouse. Visitors note the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere as their favorite aspects of this Seattle landmark. Carkeek Park, Broadview Carkeek is home to 220 acres of wetlands, beaches, creeks, and forest. Visitors can check out Piper's Orchard, explore the beach, or hike the trails, including Piper’s Creek Trail. As one reviewer…Read more

  • Want to Outsmart Seattle’s 2020 Housing Market? Work With a Creative Agent!

    March 2, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Want to Outsmart Seattle’s 2020 Housing Market? Work With a Creative Agent After a year or two of Seattle’s real estate market slowing, it seems that things are picking up again for the coming spring. It’s once again a sellers’ market, as housing inventory decreases but demand remains high in the Seattle area. According to the National Association of Realtors, Americans signing contracts to buy homes increased to 5.2% in January. In order to approach the spring frenzy with a cool head, here’s what you need to know. First, and most importantly, reach out to Pickett Street ( (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com) to find an agent who is an expert on the current market and how to best navigate it. Next, take a look at these updates below to educate and prepare yourself. Mortgages decreased. According to Freddie Mac, this past Thursday the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped from 3.49% to 3.45%. This is far below the 4.35% rate from February 2019. Average rates for 15-year fixed mortgages also dropped from 2.99% last week to 2.95%. These lower mortgage rates have contributed to the currently high demand for homes, as buyers want to get in while the mortgage rate is cheap. …Read more

  • Get Self-Actualized: Become the Most You Can Be With Finely Clicked Coaching

    February 24, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Get Self-Actualized: Become the Most You Can Be With Finely Clicked Coaching After years of answering questions from and providing guidance for other real estate admin, agents, and rainmakers, Margaret Smith and Jesse Moore decided they should make it official with their brand new coaching program. Both Margaret and Jesse are extremely passionate about building businesses and helping people set and crush their personal and professional goals. With personalized attention through in-person, phone, or Zoom meetings, Finely Clicked Coaching works with you to:  build a strategic partnership change your mindset and get inspired create social media strategy and presence host client events build out your operations manual optimize your work environment design marketing and branding strategies cultivate a voice for your company etc., etc., etc.! To learn more about coaching, and to hear Jesse’s hilarious British accent, listen to the latest episode of the podcast Finely Clicked. To work with Margaret and Jesse, contact Margaret at 206.228.5067 or Margaret@pickettstreet.com. Or, to work with the rest of the Pickett Street team, reach out to them at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com.  In honor of Margaret and Jesse’s coaching practice, here’s why personal development and setting goals is important to thrive in not…Read more

  • February 14, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Fall in Love With the Podcast Finely Clicked What are you up to for Valentine’s Day this weekend? Might I suggest checking out the podcast Finely Clicked? As if Margaret Smith and Jesse Moore didn’t do enough already, a little over a year ago they also started this funny, wise, and authentic podcast about business and personal development. While it won’t replace a romantic dinner, it provides the perfect entertainment while commuting, cooking dinner, or getting ready for all your exciting social events. To get you started on Finely Clicked, we’ve gathered a few of the podcast’s best episodes. Feel free to also reach out directly to Jesse and Margaret at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com for more information about the podcast, or about real estate and business in general. Episode 74: Off Market Properties Housing inventory in Seattle is currently low. With homes for sale often receiving multiple offers within just a few days of being listed, low inventory results in a competitive real estate market for buyers. In this episode, Jesse provides a wealth of information about how to get what you want in this kind of market. He explains his creative process when it comes to finding homes…Read more

  • Secret Agent Profiles: How Pickett Street’s Experts Can Help You Invest and Earn

    February 10, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Secret Agent Profiles: How Pickett Street’s Experts Can Help You Invest and Earn Real estate is an endlessly exciting arena. While some people believe that once they find their dream home they no longer need to work with a real estate agent, this isn’t true. A good agent can suggest housing hacks to earn you even more money, such as this empty nester investor’s secret, or this duplex investment. A good agent can also help you invest in a second or even third property, so you can make money and work on that early retirement. Did you know that Pickett Street has three new agents who can help you achieve your real estate investment dreams? You can get started working with them by calling (425) 502-5397 or emailing info@pickettstreet.com.  In the meantime, here’s a little bit more about each team member and what makes them so good at their jobs. Jessica Townsel, Buyers Agent and Champion Wealth Builder Jessica specializes in all aspects of the home buying process and provides as much knowledge as possible for each client. She likes to challenge buyers to think outside the box. According to Jessica, “a traditional single family home isn't always the smartest…Read more

  • Neighborhood Profile: Waterfront Living in Lake Stevens

    January 31, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Neighborhood Profile: Waterfront Living in Lake Stevens For those who wish to live in the greater Seattle area but want to avoid city prices, Lake Stevens is a lovely, growing lakeside community between Snohomish and Marysville, just east of Everett. The town offers both convenience, with a fairly central location and plenty of amenities, as well as mountain views and easy opportunities to get out on the water. As part of its downtown development plan, Lake Stevens recently completed major renovations on its North Cove Park to increase lake access and visibility. The city is also developing an extensive trail network to connect local and regional spots for bikers, joggers, and hikers. If you’re interested in real estate in Lake Stevens, or elsewhere in the greater Puget Sound area, call or email Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. In the meantime, here’s our quick guide to life in this town. Neighborhood Vibe Lake Stevens is currently home to around 33,000 residents, and as the 23rd best school district in Washington, it’s known for excellent schools. The town centers around the beautiful Lake Stevens, which, from the 1920s to 1950s, made this town a resort community with beach hotels scattered…Read more

  • Embrace Winter Dark With These Lighting Design Trends

    January 17, 2020 /
    Pickett Street Properties Team /

    Embrace Winter Dark With These Lighting Design Trends As Scandinavian folks know, the trick to enjoying winter is embracing the darkness rather than simply enduring it. And those living in the northern countries should know. Take Tromsö, for example—a town in the northern tip of Norway, where, currently, the sun is down all day, leaving residents in perpetual darkness, and making Seattle’s 4 p.m. winter sunsets look like the brightest summer days. Despite the long winters, Norwegians are some of the happiest people in the world. One of their strategies to embrace the cold season is to increase coziness through candles and fireplaces. Norwegian homes are also typically designed to maximize light, with bright whites and sheer or translucent window treatments.  According to Bruce Renneke, Seattle’s lead National Weather Service forecaster, the Pacific Northwest’s weak daylight is due to both cloud cover and latitude. Renneke explains that “the cloud-caused lightlessness is compounded by the Northwest’s latitude, which combines with the winter tilt of the earth to thicken the atmospheric filter the sunlight has to penetrate.” So, how to maximize and embrace the soft, muted grey light of Pacific Northwest winters? First, reach out to the Pickett Street team (info@pickettstreet.com or…Read more