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Kenmore’s Moorlands Neighborhood: Country Living With Modern Conveniences
March 9, 2018 /This week, I get to talk about one of my favorite things to write about for Pickett Street: listings for new homes. I love interior design, and I find it very exciting to imagine the family or individual who gets to call each new listing their home. And this newly listed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2,200-square-foot Moorlands home is particularly lovely. With hardwood floors, an open floor plan, a spacious kitchen, a gas fireplace, and a master bedroom with a big walk-in closet, double sinks, and a soaking tub, the home’s features radiate comfort and peaceful living. Other perks include a large deck, a fully fenced backyard, and a highly convenient location. Kenmore’s Moorlands neighborhood sits between Inglemoor and Inglewood. Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Lake Washington, Kenmore was founded in 1901 by Scottish settlers, which perhaps explains the origins of the neighborhood name. While it doesn’t exactly have foggy moors or Scottish castles, the city is home to excellent schools in the Northshore school district, beautiful parks, and a generally safe, peaceful atmosphere. Here’s some more information about the listing and the area. (Make sure to also check out our neighborhood profile on Kenmore.) Neighborhood Vibe In 2018, Kenmore…Read more
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Four Helpful Tips for Spring House Hunting
March 2, 2018 /The other evening I stepped outside after work and found that the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and that fresh, lovely post-rain smell. I had the urge to run singing through the streets Sound-of-Music-style before I remembered I was in the middle of a crowded city, not a meadow in the Alps. Today, I checked the date and was startled to see that it’s March (where did February go?). I don’t want to jinx it, but I think that spring might be here. Spring is traditionally one the busiest times of year for real estate. Great weather makes for pleasant house hunting. Not to mention, front yards tend to have cast off winter’s gloom with new blooms and green leaves, adding significantly to curb appeal. With summer and potential vacation time just around the corner, sellers feel more motivated, leading to an increased inventory. According to Zillow, April through July were the best times to buy a home in Seattle in 2016. Due to the season’s many perks, shopping for real estate in the spring also has its challenges–more buyers are looking for homes, which can lead to increased competition and bidding wars. However, spring is…Read more
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How Technology is Changing Real Estate
February 23, 2018 /While writing this blog, I am listening to "productivity" music on Spotify. Earlier this morning, I drank my coffee while watching YouTube recaps of Olympic figure skating and texting my girlfriends about how much we love Adam Rippon. I also ordered household supplies to be delivered in two days through Amazon, budgeted with the app Mint, and communicated with clients via email. And yes, I did most of these things simultaneously. We truly live in the future. As technology quickly and dramatically changes how we navigate our daily lives, here are four ways it’s also changing the world of real estate. 1. Real estate agents as the critical human connection Many prospective buyers research and shop around for potential listings online. According to National Association of Realtors (NAR), 51 percent of home buyers in 2017 found their home through listings on the Internet. By the time buyers consult with an agent, they often already have an idea of the listings in which they are interested. However, this does not in any way diminish the critical role of real estate agents in the home buying process. In 2017, 88 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or…Read more
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Three Reasons To Fall in Love with Real Estate
February 15, 2018 /While we’re celebrating love this week–whether that’s enjoying a candlelit dinner with your partner, grabbing pizza with friends, or snuggling up on the couch with Netflix and takeout–let’s talk about other forms of love. Namely, let’s discuss love for investing in real estate. In my time working as a writer for Pickett Street, I’ve witnessed and felt inspired by how much everyone on their team truly loves working in the real estate world. I’ve also learned that there is something magical about investing in real estate. This is not to say that this investment doesn’t have its challenges–like all things worth loving, it does–but to say that it’s an incredibly rewarding lifelong practice. If you’re already thinking, “Yes! I’m in love! Sign me up!”, then get in touch with Pickett Street ((425) 502-5397) or info@pickettstreet.com) to buy or sell a home in the Seattle area. If you need more convincing, here are three reasons to love real estate. 1. Owning property generates income. Forbes notes that one of real estate’s main benefits is that it allows you to generate significant income without having to sell your investment. While stocks and bonds both yield about 2%, real estate allows you to…Read more
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What to Know About the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
February 9, 2018 /Recent changes stemming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may feel, as taxes sometimes do, a bit confusing. Luckily, Pickett Street and their preferred mortgage lender Cody Touchette of Caliber Home Loans are here with the breakdown of how recent tax changes will affect you. Keep in mind that most of these changes will not affect you until it's time to file 2018 taxes (the taxes you will file in 2019). For more information about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Cody recommends this helpful link. 1. Standard deduction. According to the Washington Post, the new tax law increases the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. This means that, for many homeowners, it will no longer make sense to itemize deductions. Zillow broke it down for the Washington D.C. area: under the old tax law, it made sense for 98 percent of homeowners to itemize, while under the new law, it only makes sense for 64 percent of homeowners to itemize. 2. Mortgage interest deductions. If you bought your home on or after December 15th, 2017, then you can claim a maximum interest of $750,000 for each secured primary residence. If you bought your home before December 15th,…Read more
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Keller Williams Ranks as the Happiest Company
February 2, 2018 /Like most people these days, I’ve worked in several different jobs. While all of these jobs were stepping stones, some were stranger than others. In high school, I was a cashier for a retail chain that shall remain unnamed, and I remember that they didn’t allow employees to keep a water bottle at the register with us. In college, I worked for a woman who ran her own business, which appeared to be some kind of pyramid scheme. She mostly wanted me to create a spreadsheet of her airline credit cards and frequent flyer miles. One summer I worked for my college’s environmental health and safety officer and spent long days in the basement researching conspiracy theories about disease on the internet at his request. That was a weird summer. Later in my twenties, I spent a lot of time thinking about happiness, and how this relates to my work. I personally derive satisfaction and happiness from working as a writer and as a teacher–perhaps because both of these jobs mean that I get to drink water at my desk whenever I want and that I don’t have to spend hours in windowless basements researching conspiracy theories or sorting through…Read more
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Hi, I’m Ansley, And I’m a First-Time Home Buyer
January 26, 2018 /I’ve been writing for the awesome Pickett Street Properties Team for nearly a year now, and it seems I’m overdue for a personal introduction. Hello! My name is Ansley. I’m a teacher and a writer. I'm also a first-time home buyer. I spent most of my life in the Seattle area before moving to Colorado for graduate school. While I fell hard for Colorado’s snowy mountains, sunshine, and blue skies (seriously--you haven’t seen the sky until you’ve experienced it out here!) it’s my dream to move back to the Seattle area. I’m good at drinking a lot of coffee while watching the Great British Baking Show and reading New York Times articles in bed. I’m also good at whining at my partner to bring me things like socks and chocolate and more coffee so that I don’t have to get out of bed. I’m lucky that I have the most patient partner in the world. I love running and hiking in the mountains with my deaf puppy. I love learning and writing about the world in all its complexities. And now, a personal anecdote. A few weeks ago, my partner and I received the catering contract for our upcoming June…Read more
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Why You Should Sell Your Home Early in 2018
January 19, 2018 /Last January, Seattle had the second lowest rate of homes for sale in the country, behind only the San Francisco area. This low inventory has resulted in higher home prices and a seller’s market. In May, Seattle real estate had the highest number of bidding wars in the country; according to Redfin, 90 percent of homes on the market in Seattle ended up in bidding wars. All of this is to say that it’s advantageous, to put it mildly, to be a seller right now. However, as the wise saying goes, this too shall pass, and later in 2018, the tides may begin to shift away from favoring home sellers. Through contacting Pickett Street (Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com), find an agent who can help you take the leap in selling while the market is still heavily in your favor. In the meantime, here are a few reasons why it’s smart to sell your home early in 2018–i.e. today! 1. Inventory might increase in the fall. This would be the first major inventory gain since 2015. It could mean more inventory gains and a shift away from a seller’s market in the coming years. Consequently, it’s smart to…Read more
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Seattle Real Estate Update: What to Expect from 2018
January 15, 2018 /As you let go of 2017, look forward to 2018, and reassess your life and goals, you may wonder what’s in store for the Seattle real estate market over the next year. 2017 was an exciting and wild year; Seattle was named the hottest real estate market in the country and home prices rose 13.4 percent, which is more than twice the national average rate of 5.9% for home price growth. So, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the greater Seattle area, what can you expect from the market over the next year? First, you should find a great agent who can help you. Second, check out these predictions for the coming year. 1. Lower mortgage rates will make it easier to buy a home. Long-term mortgage rates recently fell from 3.99% to 3.95% (a year ago the averages rates were 4.20%). The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also recently fell from 3.44% to 3.38%. According to the Seattle times, these relatively low rates can help homebuyers offset the rising costs of real estate and make it easier to afford a home. 2. Seattle, in case you haven’t heard, is very cool. According to…Read more
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Five New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home
January 5, 2018 /I love that each year New Year’s Day and the month of January bring transformation, renewal, and possibility. As everyone returns to work after the holiday bustle and the weather in Seattle remains chilly and gray, the world feels quiet and peaceful. While we tend to focus on New Year resolutions that have to do with career, health, happiness, etc, we often overlook resolutions for one of the most important spaces in our lives–our homes. Setting and achieving goals for your home can significantly improve your finances and your general wellbeing (for more about the connections between architectural spaces and mood, check out this fascinating article). Here are a few of our favorite New Year’s resolutions for your home in 2018. 1. Create a budget for home improvements. Because it’s easy to rack up credit card charges when working on home improvement projects, this is the best place to start. Create a list of projects in order of priority. Be sure to devise a home improvement budget each year–HouseLogic suggests that the owner of a $250,000 home set aside $2,500 to $7,500 per year for maintenance and repairs. 2. Cut your energy use. Energy Star has an informative guide to…Read more
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Pickett Street’s Favorite Holiday Memories
December 22, 2017 /My parents recently moved out of the house they lived in for many years. Though this change felt a bit sad, when I visited them this past week, I saw that they had worked hard to make this new space just as cozy as ever with candles, fuzzy blankets, board games, and tickets to see Star Wars (the family who nerds out together stays together!). With Hanukkah and the winter solstice this past week and Christmas next week, it’s the perfect time to relax and reflect. To get into the holiday spirit, I chatted with the Pickett Street Team about their favorite memories and strategies for making their homes feel festive. Sarah, Team Administrator Favorite holiday memories: Going on car rides to look at Christmas lights, getting all the Christmas decorations out, playing in the snow for hours on end with my sister, making quilts with my mom, watching Christmas movies with the family–mostly Christmas Vacation because my Grandpa John laughs so hard during the squirrel scene. Holiday rituals today: I am the person who busts out the Christmas decorations the day after Halloween because I want to enjoy it as long as possible. I have a collection of those…Read more
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Real Estate Inspiration: Seattle’s Unique Architecture
December 15, 2017 /Seattle’s silvery light and green landscapes have resulted in some unique architecture that integrate modern vibes and natural elements. For more about Seattle’s common architectural styles, check out this blog post, or for information about buying or selling a home in the Seattle area, contact Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. In the meantime, here are a few of western Washington’s gems to inspire you to find your own dream home. 1. A mid-century modern in Magnolia With stunning views of the Ballard locks, this Eichler-inspired home is a small piece of luxury and peace in the city. The space features floor-to-ceiling windows, a private courtyard, a large deck, and exposed ceiling beams. 2. A sustainable Key Peninsula retreat Located in Longbranch, this home follows net zero guidelines, which means that it is highly energy efficient, producing as much energy as it consumes and racking up a grand total of $0 in energy bills. The property features a solar panels, an air-to-water heat pump, an exterior made from reclaimed fir, extra-efficient insulation and appliances, LED lighting, triple-pane windows, and a green roof. In addition to being green, the home is also cozy and spacious inside with floor-to-ceiling windows and…Read more
