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Meet Jagels!
August 16, 2019 /Welcome, Jagels! A Conversation with Pickett Street’s Command Central Captain The Pickett Street team is excited to welcome Christina Jagels as the new Command Central Captain (official title TBD). Christina has been in the real estate industry since 2012, and she is well known for her knowledge of real estate contracts and negotiation; for her motivation and drive; for her empathy for clients and team members; and for her perspective and intuitive abilities. In addition to her work with Pickett Street, she owns a transaction coordination business called Closer Pros LLC. This week, I chatted with Christina about her story, her new role, her favorite places, and more. If you’re interested in saying hello to Christina, or if you would like to chat with Pickett Street about buying or selling a home, reach out at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Hi Christina, tell me about yourself! Where did you work prior to Pickett Street? I grew up here in the PNW, moved around a bit, and settled in Arlington. I have been in real estate serving top producing teams since 2012. I have had many admin roles within those teams, including Transaction Coordinator and Executive Assistant. I am very happy…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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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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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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Football, Floating Homes, and A Fall Real Estate Update
August 31, 2018 /What do you love most about fall? I love wearing absurdly enormous scarves, enjoying the scents of crisp woodsmoke and apples, and watching the Seahawks beat my husband’s favorite team, the Broncos. [Insert gleeful snickering here.] In other Seattle football news, however, some sports enthusiasts predict that the University of Washington’s Huskies will outshine the Seahawks this season. The Huskies’ competitive edge is partly due to what one columnist calls “a slew of the most talented players to ever come through the program.” No matter who you’re rooting for this season, the recent autumn chill in the air brings promises of Sunday afternoons watching the games with friends, cooler, cozier nights, and back-to-school excitement. Fall also brings a few changes in real estate. Let’s take a look at the most recent news in the Puget Sound-area market. 1. Real Estate Update: After two years on top, Seattle is no longer the country’s hottest housing market. Since August 2016, Seattle has ranked as the hottest housing market in the country. However, according to the Case-Shiller home price index, Las Vegas has taken over the top spot with a 13% increase in home prices. With a 12.8% increase in single-family home prices…Read more
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Blueberries for Sal and Slower Living: Pickett Street’s #LiveLaughLoveFarm
August 24, 2018 /Last week, while discussing their exciting new blueberry farm for sale, the Pickett Street Team and I found ourselves reminiscing about the book Blueberries for Sal. Have you read it? It’s a completely charming children’s book by Robert McCloskey, a writer and illustrator who also wrote the classic Make Way For Ducklings. The book features a mother and daughter wandering the wild fields and beaches on an island in northern Maine. They spend the entire summer day picking blueberries. Though the story is simple, it brings to mind a question that is quite complex: what do we want our lives to look like? And, which moments matter the most? As I reflect on my week, which was filled with long commutes, city traffic, air pollution from nearby wildfires, and–I admit–way too much screen time, the thought of an island’s cool salty air, wild blueberries, and quieter life makes my heart ache with longing just a little bit. Most of us long for more time outside, less time sitting in traffic. Several studies show that nature and country living carry powerful health benefits. Stanford researchers found that 90 minutes walking through country fields, as opposed to walking in urban settings, actually decreased the brain activity associated with depression.…Read more
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Find Your Calm with a West Seattle Waterfront Home
August 22, 2018 /Many of you have probably experienced it--that feeling of calm that arrives while near the water. Whether it’s a rushing creek, the Puget Sound, or just a neighborhood pool, water has long been associated with a zen-like peace. Staring at the ocean or a large body of water has a meditative effect on the mind and boosts your mood. According to psychologists, the sounds of water “activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing us down and allowing us to relax and feel more engaged.” Breathing in salt air is also good for you; in places like waterfalls and the ocean, the air contains negative ions. Many health experts believe that negative ions have healing properties, especially for people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Because water is so calming and powerful, waterfront homes are special spaces. Pickett Street’s latest listing, a gorgeous West Seattle waterfront home, features enormous windows to let you take in the views and fresh salt air. Read on for the details about this home. Or, feel free to get in touch with Pickett Street’s Jesse Moore at 425-502-5397. The Home: This stunning, custom-built modern home is a paragon of West Seattle waterfront living.…Read more
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Local Business Highlight: Hillcrest Bakery
August 13, 2018 /Pickett Street Properties is dedicated to serving the community and is highlighting businesses and community members that are dedicated to doing the same. This week we are excited to share with you about the Hillcrest Bakery in Bothell and the Kaskes’ family. Hillcrest Bakery has been part of the Bothell community since 1934. The Kaskes family started their traditions in Wormer, The Netherlands back in 1838 where Peter Kaskes learned baking from his father. Peter met his love, Leida, at a Carnival Festival performing a folk dance routine. Afterwards, Peter offered to walk Leida home and that was it, they were together from that moment forward. Peter and Leida married just after WWII, had their six children and moved to Bothell, WA after Peter heard that a bakery called “Hillcrest” was looking for a skilled baker. Peter Kaskes purchased Hillcrest Bakery in 1965 and the Kaskes’ have been proudly serving Bothell ever since. Today, there are three generations working at Hillcrest Bakery: Leida, her sons Peter and Bob, her daughter Barbara and her grandchildren Neal and Chazz. Hillcrest Bakery specializes in Dutch pastries, breads, cakes and cookies! Our home is right on Main Street in Downtown Bothell under the blue awning. The…Read more
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Three Tips to Escape Summer Heat in Seattle
August 10, 2018 /The Puget Sound area has shifted into full summer mode, and it feels (and tastes!) glorious. The blueberries are fat and sweet, and on the Kitsap Peninsula, Local Boys’ special orange creamsicle melon tastes exactly like an orange creamsicle, except better. Plus, taking a dip in the Sound feels a bit less bone-shatteringly glacial than usual. However, it’s no news that Washingtonians aren’t exactly accustomed to heat, and that they tend to wilt when temperatures rise above a mild 70 degrees. In fact, since it only gets this hot for about a month or so each year, only one third of Seattle homes have air conditioning. According to the Weather Channel, this is lowest percentage of households with air conditioning of the 41 metros included in a United States census survey. Even so–who needs air conditioning when you have an entire state full of beaches, rivers, and other shady spots? To help you both escape the heat and make the most of these gorgeous and fleeting summer days, the list below offers a few cool tips. To talk to Pickett Street about real estate in this Puget Sound paradise, get in touch with them at info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397. 1. Get…Read more
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It’s About You: You’re the Hero in this Story
August 3, 2018 /You may have noticed that Pickett Street does things a little differently. They are both technologically-savvy and experienced. They prioritize creative, innovative thinking. And they encourage bold ideas and love helping their clients pursue their dreams, no matter how big. For evidence of this, check out their most recent listing, which is an actual blueberry farm. I’m not sure real estate can get much more more charming or dreamier than that. If you’re ready to talk to the team about your unique real estate goals, give them a call at (425) 502-5397 or shoot them an email at info@pickettstreet.com. In the meantime, I recently chatted with Director of Operations Margaret Smith to find out exactly what makes them so special. 1. How is Pickett Street different than other real estate companies? Pickett Street Properties is a team of experts committed to revolutionizing real estate. “We believe that the single real estate model is broken; there are too many details to be entrusted to any one singular person during the course of a transaction. We believe that the team model is better equipped to represent buyers and sellers in this marketplace.” Margaret explained that the average real estate agent closes 4-8…Read more
