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How to Celebrate a Puget Sound Fourth of July
June 28, 2019 /What are your plans for the Fourth next week? As most Washingtonians know, summer in the Puget Sound is at its best starting right about now. The weather is mostly sunny but not too hot, summer produce is bursting off the vines, restaurants and bars open their patios, and new outdoor events pop up every week. If you’re undecided about how to celebrate the Fourth, here’s a list of Seattle area events. For live music and spectacular fireworks over Lake Union, check out the Seafair Summer Fourth at Gasworks Park. To take part in a welcome ceremony for new U.S. citizens, check out the Seattle Center’s Naturalization Ceremony. I have fond memories of spending the Fourth on the beach in Gig Harbor. My brothers and I used to stuff ourselves with blueberries and chips and soda and flirt with hypothermia as we swam in the freezing water. The Pickett Street team agrees that no matter where you hang out for the holiday, make sure you’re with the people you love. Get in touch with Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Read on for the team's Fourth of July memories. Margaret Smith, Director of Operations “My favorite memory was on…Read more
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Edmonds 2-Bedroom Condo
June 26, 2019 /Top-floor, end-unit condo that lives big and bright! Vaulted ceilings and clerestory windows flood the unit with light. Kitchen has been upgraded with new countertops, backsplash, cabinets pulls, and faux-plank flooring that extends into the breakfast nook. Spacious family room with slider to balcony. Master bedroom has it’s own full bathroom, and 2nd bedroom is located beyond the 3/4 bathroom. All this + stackable washer & dryer, large storage closet, 2 assigned parking spaces & no rental cap! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.Read more
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Why You Should Always Hire a Real Estate Agent
June 24, 2019 /Many years ago, I lived and worked in France. I met my husband there, and we love French culture. However, in general, France does not offer the most, ahem, robust customer service. For example, while on our honeymoon, my husband and I arrived in Paris to discover that the airlines had accidentally rerouted our luggage, and our bags were now soaring off across the European continent. “So,” an airport employee explained, “you will definitely receive your bags in 1 to 12 business days.” We stared at him incredulously. “We’re only going to be staying at our hotel for four days...” “Oui, madame. So, you might receive zee bags in time, or you might not.” “We don’t have any other clothes or underwear.” The airport staff gave the infamous Gallic shrug, expressing the fact that—well—all life is suffering, and so what did we expect? I bring up this story to say two things: first, it can be incredibly frustrating to navigate weird bureaucratic systems. And second, I love working with professionals in their element. I love it when someone is so skilled in their field that, unlike during my honeymoon luggage experience, I can leave my worries behind and enjoy the…Read more
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How to Build a Real Estate Empire By Age 30: A Conversation With Jon Linders
June 17, 2019 /As a writer, one of my favorite things is to listen to someone else’s story. Pickett Street also shares a love for people and their stories, which is what makes them such a great team. Real estate, after all, comes down to individual stories and relationships, rather than big faceless companies and automated transactions. This past week, I had the opportunity to listen to Jon Linders’ story. In 2012, Jon decided to take advantage of the buyers market and reached out Pickett Street’s lead buyers agent Jillian Farrar. He bought a new three-bedroom townhouse for $230,000 with a 10% down payment. Jon lived there with two friends in order to more quickly pay down his mortgage. After a year, Jon had saved enough to buy a $120,000 condo. In order to save money on property management fees, he managed the property himself. In 2016, he moved out into a 400-square-foot apartment so he could rent both the townhouse and the condo. Finally, in 2018, he used the cash flow from this rental income to buy a two-story, single-family home for $500,000, where he now lives happily with his dog. Here’s what Jon had to say about his experiences. You’re my…Read more
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Community Highlights: Mackenzie Banta
June 12, 2019 /Pickett Street Properties is dedicated to serving the community and is highlighting businesses and community members that are dedicated to doing the same. In this highlight we are excited to share about Mackenzie Banta, Owner of Well With Mac. Here is her story: I became a certified health coach after teaching yoga and instructing fitness for a few years because I noticed so many of my clients struggle to reach their health goals with exercise alone. I knew from my independent health studies and my own weight loss journey that exercise is only part of the healthy lifestyle equation, so I went for the extra training to coach behavior change encompassing nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle factors. My business is a health coaching business created to facilitate my work helping people transform their lives through nutrition and exercise to create an overall healthier life. My mission is to empower millennial women to heal their bodies from the inside out with balanced and personalized nutrition, functional and fun movement, and transformative coaching. What I love most about what I do is watching people start to love and respect their bodies again. It's not just their bodies that change, it's their mind, their outlook and their expressions. I find…Read more
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Guide to Farmers Markets
June 7, 2019 /What’s on your menu this weekend? Hopefully your meals involve asparagus, raspberries, blueberries, apricots, greens, or any of Washington’s other June produce. I’m currently drooling over this braised pork belly, these short ribs, and these scallops and snap pea risotto. Also, how refreshing does this sparkling summer beverage look? If you don’t have cooking plans yet, you might want to explore one of the Puget Sound area’s many farmers markets. Whether you just moved to your neighborhood, or whether you have been a local for years, perusing farmers markets is one of the best ways to get to know your community. To celebrate the first week of June, here’s Pickett Street’s favorite local farmers markets. Check out the complete list of Washington markets here. Ballard Farmers Market When: Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round Where: Ballard Avenue NW between Vernon Place and 22nd Avenue What makes it special: Ballard was Seattle’s first year-round neighborhood farmers market. In addition to produce, this market offers fresh donuts, flowers, as well as eateries such as Tandoori Naan. Capitol Hill Farmers Market When: Sundays, year round Where: Broadway Ave E and E Pine Str What makes it special: This market…Read more
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Shoreline 3-bedroom Condo
June 5, 2019 /Rare top-floor, end-unit 3-bedroom condo in a great location for any commuter, with new paint and flooring throughout. Large kitchen is home to new stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. Pantry closet includes in-unit laundry with new washer and dryer. Kitchen looks out at living room and dining area with sliding door to covered balcony. Lower level holds all three bedrooms, including master suite with full bathroom. Two reserved parking spaces, including a carport with locked storage room. FHA approved and pets ok! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information. To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Shoreline 3-bedroom Condo Read more
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Three Creative Strategies to Afford a Down Payment
June 4, 2019 /We’ve discussed before how today many home buyers are skipping the 20 percent down payment. Even so, with prime buying and selling season upon us once again, let’s revisit this critical information. Helping potential home buyers realize they need less than they think to invest in a home might just be one of our favorite topics. While making a larger down payment certainly offers benefits—namely, a lower monthly mortgage bill—2019’s reality can make this financial feat difficult. According to the Seattle Times, “In the seven years since the housing crash ended, home values in more than three-quarters of U.S. metro areas have climbed faster than incomes.” A recent survey from Country Financial shows that 40 percent of buyers say the greatest financial barrier to owning a home is affording the down payment. Nerdwallet recommends not emptying your savings to find money for the down payment and closing costs. This will only leave you on financially shaky ground after you buy the home. What to do, then, if investing in real estate is one of the best ways to earn passive income, but you don’t have the cash to get started? Even if the 20 percent down payment seems impossible, you…Read more