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Living Mortgage Free!
August 23, 2019 /How Almost 40% of Americans Live Mortgage Free Imagine removing one thing from your mental list of things to worry about (don’t we all have a list like this? hoping it’s not just me). Now imagine that this one thing is your mortgage. What would you do with this extra mental space? Plan a long dreamed-about vacation? Spend more quality time being truly present with your loved ones? Learn a new language? The possibilities are endless. According to The Seattle Times, about 37% of American homeowners have paid off their mortgages, a 5.5% rise over the past ten years. Javier Vivas, economic director at Realtor.com, notes that this rise “is in line with brighter economic conditions, which is why we’ve seen the free-and-clear share increase over the last decade.” These higher rates of mortgage-free homeowners also align with changes in homeownership demographics. Due to rising living costs and student debt, younger Americans are waiting longer to buy a home. As a result, the majority of homeowners today are older Americans who have had longer to build wealth and pay off their mortgages. However, no matter your age as a homeowner, you can take control of your mortgage with a few…Read more
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Best Seattle Suburbs of 2019
August 13, 2019 /City living is a special experience—there’s nothing like waking up and shuffling downstairs to your favorite coffee shop, or taking a ten-minute Uber ride on a Friday night to find yourself in the middle of some of Seattle’s hottest nightlife. However, it’s no secret that cities like Seattle can be quite expensive, which forces many Seattlites to sacrifice living space for those urban cosmopolitan vibes. According to Seattle Magazine and Zillow, “almost 50 percent of millennial homeowners live in the suburbs, and they’re choosing larger properties with more bang for their buck, paying a median price of $217,000 for a home that is about 1,800 square feet.” For those of you who want to live close to Seattle while enjoying a quieter, more spacious lifestyle, we’ve assembled a list below of the best Seattle suburbs (check out Seattle Magazine for a more complete list). Before you read on, reach out to Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397 so that the team can help you find the perfect home. 1. Best Burb for Walkable Downtown: Kirkland If you crave a pedestrian-centric city with access to amenities, Edmonds, Sumner, or Kirkland might be just the place. Kirkland sits on the north…Read more
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Don’t Let Fear or Excuses Hold You Back: A Conversation With Sarah Troske
August 6, 2019 /After nearly five years as the Team Administrator and Transaction Coordinator at Pickett Street, Sarah Troske is moving on to pursue her dreams of working as a personal trainer and bodybuilder. Read more about how she started bodybuilding here—her story will make you forget every excuse you’ve ever made. Sarah works as a personal trainer and gym administrator at Pure Results Fitness Center in Lynnwood, WA. Good news—if you’re interested in training with her, your first session is free! Call or text Sarah at 425-275-7522 to book an appointment, and email her with any questions at sarahtroske@gmail.com. Hi Sarah! What did you enjoy most about working at Pickett Street, and what will you miss? What I enjoyed most wasn't what I actually did, but who I did it for. I loved being part of a team who supported me, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and helped me grow personally and professionally. I will miss going to the office (Command Central) every day, meeting weekly with the team, talking with Mo during our weekly goal meetings, hearing the bell ring every time we make an appointment, and hearing Jesse laugh. What I will miss most is the people. Without…Read more
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The PNW Operations Retreat
April 16, 2019 /“I trust you.” I whispered to Agostina DiMartino. She came up to me during Gary John Bishops talk with us and looked me dead in the eye, “I didn’t expect to cry today” she said. She told me she was trying to ensure she didn’t take away from the moment we were having with Gary by having the click of the camera interrupt our obvious vulnerability. That’s just one of the reasons I hire Agostina-her empathy, tact and grace. I didn’t expect the outcome of this retreat. I try not to expect anything and just pour my heart and soul into the INTENTION of this event and my life. When I do that and I have clear intentions, then the magic rolls forth and people unfold and blossom like never before. It was evident by Saturday evening that we’d been hit with a monumental amount of information to digest, process and take action on. And I’m still working through everything that happened at the PNW Operations Retreat this year. This is the first time I’ve been able to sit down and start writing about it.It was a combination of attendees, speakers, the environment, the food and the intention. All 33 of us…Read more
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The 411: The PNW Operations Retreat
March 18, 2019 /Every year, Pickett Street’s Admin Department (aka Command Central) organize the PNW Operations Retreat. This 3 day retreat focuses on building community and helping fellow admin professionals realize their value and full potential, in order to disrupt the real estate industry in positive ways. This year’s retreat, happening April 4-7, is particularly special. Three major speakers will share their stories: Gary John Bishop, author of Unfuck Yourself, Tyler Schmitt, Executive Assistant to entrepreneur, author, speaker, and internet personality Gary Vaynerchuk, and En-may Mangels, Strategic Intuitive Advisor. If you’re interested in the retreat, reach out to Margaret at #206-228-5067 or margaret@pickettstreet.com. Also, I was able to chat more about this event with Pickett Street’s Director of Operations Margaret Smith and Team Admin, Sarah Troske. Here’s what they had to say. 1. Okay—I've been hearing a lot of hype about this Operations Retreat! What is it? Who's it for? Margaret: My goal with this retreat is to show admin just how powerful they can be through persistence, hard work, and networking. Many admin are afraid of talking to their team leaders/bosses about what they want or think they deserve. Thus, much of this retreat is about personal development. By working on ourselves…Read more
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What’s Your Word for the Year?
December 31, 2018 /What's Your Word for the Year? By Margaret Smith, Director of Operations for Pickett Street In 2018 my word was “Relentless”. I don’t give up and I’m relentless in my pursuit of fulfilling my purpose. The word came to me in May of 2018- so it wasn’t something that I intentionally chose to do before the New Year rolled around, I just realized it was what I was doing. This year I’m making a point of selecting my word for the year ahead of time, with intention. Definition of Relentless: Showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength, or pace. My friend Jessica and I used to say “We’re not smart, we just work really hard”. That was our perspective in high school, and I still stand firm with it for the most part. I do believe I’m intelligent, but I also believe I don’t know everything. Nothing comes easily to me- I work really hard for everything I have in my life: my duplex, my career, my family, friends and passion to grow and become the next iteration of myself. What you see on social media is all true, and I work hard to try and show the…Read more
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Autonomy Leads to Ownership Thinking
November 21, 2018 /There is a clear correlation between autonomy and motivation. Autonomy leads to ownership thinking. 1. Dictionary Definition: Autonomy is the quality or state of being independent, free and self-directing. 2. My definition of autonomy in the context of a business partnership and company is the ability to carry out a vision however I determine, with the best interest of those it will impact in mind. What that actually looks like: -Weekly meetings with leadership to ensure we're on the same page. -I set my work hours. -I come and go as I determine from my office. -I set the meetings, prioritize my duties, plan and execute in the way I know is most efficient and best. -I create the environment which includes the physical office environment and the mental environment I want (camaraderie). -When given a project and a budget, once I understand the WHY- I execute that project how I determine is best, and however I want. What that doesn't look like: -Someone telling me when I should come and go. -Someone telling me how to organize myself. -Someone telling me how to execute on a project. -Someone telling me I need to check in with them before I execute on something. -Someone telling me how to…Read more
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5 Reasons to Buy Before the New Year
Seattle's forecast predicts crisp days over the weekend. Thanksgiving’s promise of warm food flickers like a light, just around the corner. The Seattle Times has released their holiday event guide. My partner, grumbling-ly, agreed to watch Love Actually with me for approximately the 300th time this weekend. I baked pumpkin bread! As the holiday season approaches, hygge seems to be everywhere. I’ve written about this word before but to recap, the Danish word hygge loosely translates as coziness, comfort, and feelings of wellbeing and contentment. Perhaps you’re still seeking a home with that essential feeling of hygge. Whatever the reason you're interested in buying a new home, you might consider hitting the market now, just in time to settle in before the new year. It’s not too late to buy a home this year! Get in touch with Pickett Street to consult with their experts about your best options (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397). In the meantime, here are 5 reasons why fall is secretly one of the best times to buy a home. 1. Less competition. Most buyers shop for homes in the spring, which tends to be both an exciting and wild time for the housing market. I don’t know…Read more
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In Memory of Paul Allen
October 19, 2018 /Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of the Seattle Seahawks, passed away this past week. Allen battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma off and on for several years. Allen is best known for starting the personal computer revolution. That desktop computer or laptop you’re reading this blog on and can’t imagine life without? Yeah, Allen basically made these machines possible for us. Born in Seattle, Allen attended Lakeside School, where he met his friend and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. According to the school’s tribute, the two friends “got their start in computing while at Lakeside, working from a school teletype terminal and logging the 10,000 hours of practice that would lead to the personal computer revolution. Few on the faculty understood what they were doing, but all were quick to recognize the value of their work…” Allen lived with his mother (how sweet is that?) in a sprawling mansion complex on Mercer Island. However, despite his wealth, Allen was known around the Puget Sound as a generous man who donated to social services and loved sports and arts. After his passing, the tributes and stories have been rolling in. Here are a few of our favorite stories, large and small, about the…Read more
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Fall Reflection and the Luxurious Cameo Heights Mansion
October 2, 2018 /Autumn often feels like a period that calls for deep inner reflection. This week, I’ve found myself daydreaming about future travels and thinking about how I want my daily routines to look. Pickett Street's Sarah Troske and her bodybuilding journey inspired me to think about how these small, daily details add up to the big things. As Sarah says, “our daily decisions are either taking us closer or further away from our goals.” How are you doing this fall? Do your daily routines feel fulfilling? Are your daily decisions bringing you closer to your dreams? Perhaps, as summer’s adventures end and fall’s chill settles, you’ve realized you need a change of scenery, work, or lifestyle. If this is the case, Pickett Street can help you think about your options for buying or selling your home (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397). While you’re thinking about your options, check out this newest listing, a breathtaking 11,000 square foot bed and breakfast retreat in southeastern Washington. The Listing Nestled in the heart of Washington’s wine country, Cameo Heights Mansion overlooks 300 acres of vineyards, orchards, and the Walla Walla river. Pickett Street says that “this stunning and unique location, removed from city noise and bright…Read more
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Pickett Street’s Bodybuilding Queen
September 21, 2018 /The Pickett Street Team includes some highly passionate, motivated individuals. This week, I was able to chat with Sarah Troske, the team’s Transaction Coordinator and resident kick-ass, glam hero. On Saturday, October 6, Sarah will participate in the Washington IronMan Natural Bodybuilding Championships, which sounds, as I sit here in my sweatpants eating cereal, nothing short of amazing. According to Sarah (Pickett Street's Bodybuilding Queen), the show is “all tan, glam, and muscles—where the body becomes art, and the competitors show off their masterpieces.” Sarah says that the show is pure entertainment: each competitor performs their posing routine in front of a panel of judges as the crowds ooh, ahh, and cheer. Here’s what Sarah had to say about her inspiring bodybuilding journey and how this journey carries over into her work for Pickett Street Properties. How did you first become interested in bodybuilding? In May 2017, I was four months sober and I woke up one morning with a feeling and a vision. I wanted to be strong, I wanted to be ripped, I wanted to be shredded, I wanted to look like I could kick ass. I not only wanted to be physically strong, but I also wanted…Read more
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Neighborhood Profile: South Lake Union, Seattle’s Fastest Growing Neighborhood
September 14, 2018 /Do you need more reasons to move to the Puget Sound area? Besides the obvious highlights –lush forests, mild weather, mouth-watering seafood and produce, and the best coffee in the world, plenty of statistics support the area’s awesomeness. Seattle ranks as the second fastest growing city in America, according to Forbes’ 2018 report. At 7.52%, Seattle’s wages grew faster at than any other city in the country. At 4.65%, the city’s GMP–gross metropolitan product–was the third fastest growing GMP in the country, right behind Dallas and Austin; this rate makes Seattle the fastest growing economy in the country right now. As an important sidenote, Washington ranks third on CNBC’s list of the best states to find a job. In 2017, Washington added around 96,000 new jobs, most of which were in the retail industry. This job growth is largely due to Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft. As Seattle steps into its role as a cosmopolitan, economically thriving city, its fastest growing neighborhood continues to be South Lake Union, home to the retail giant Amazon. Read on for more information about this neighborhood. Or, reach out to Pickett Street to talk to them about buying or selling a house in this exciting…Read more
