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Local Crafts, Wizard 5k’s, and More: An Alternative Guide to Black Friday
November 27, 2019 /Local Crafts, Wizard 5k's, and More: An Alternative Guide to Black Friday With the holiday season’s arrival, my inbox is quickly filling with emails about Black Friday and other shopping deals, which are always tempting, but also, to be honest, a bit overwhelming. As such, I’m currently pondering the alternatives to spending money this week on more stuff that I probably don’t need... A note: this post isn’t to shame Black Friday shoppers! For many families, this day is an opportunity to buy gifts and have fun with each other. And for many low-income folks, Black Friday is the only way they can afford “extras” such as Christmas presents, new electronics, or new clothes. But, if you don’t need to buy anything this year, or if you’re like me and grow easily overwhelmed in shopping malls, there are plenty of other choices for the day after Thanksgiving. Shop small and local. While shopping online is incredibly convenient—how else can one order Christmas presents while eating leftovers in pajamas?—consider getting out of the houses to support businesses in your community, many of which host Black Friday events just like larger chains. Local pop-up markets and craft fairs like downtown Renton’s Small…Read more
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Six Historic Homes from Seattle’s Colorful Past
November 22, 2019 /Six Historic Homes from Seattle's Colorful Past With its ancient Northwest tribal cultures to its secret underground city to the rum-runners during Prohibition, Seattle hosts some rich history. Luckily for us, several fragments of these stories remain, in the form of historical homes around the area. If you’re interested in buying or selling your own home, historic or not, let Pickett Street help you (info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397). In the meantime, here a few historic homes if you’re in need of a fun distraction. San Fermo Seattle This Italian restaurant occupies an old pioneer house built in the 1880s. Originally located in the International District, the city eventually moved it to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District to protect it from demolition. The house is a small, carpenter-built, vertical plank, wooden structure, typical of the late 1800s. The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center Though the existing longhouse is not an original structure, the Duwamish tribe built it on a major historical site (Duwamish Site No. 1), the location of two ancient villages called Ha-Ah’-poos (“Where there are Horse Clams”) and Tohl-ahl-too (“Herring House”). Hundreds of families lived in these villages. The longhouse comprises traditional Salish elements, including carved cedar posts and…Read more
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The Most Effective Ways to Winterize Your Northwest Home
November 15, 2019 /The Most Effective Ways to Winterize Your Northwest Home Nearly every winter without fail, my parents lose power for an unpredictable length of time, from a few hours to several days. They live in a lovely home in the woods in Gig Harbor, and their house is surrounded by tall evergreens, which, though beautiful, tend to topple over or drop large branches onto the power lines whenever it’s windy or snowing. Also every year without fail, my siblings and I gently suggest that they invest in a generator. (One year my brother even bought them this baby for Christmas.) My parents always reply that generators use too much power, are noisy, etc., and insist that they like living Little-House-on-the-Prairie-style every winter, with candles and canned soup and coffee on the wood-burning stove. To each their own. It is true, however, that you don’t have to go to the extremes of buying a generator to winterize. Here are the most effective ways to prepare your Pacific Northwest home this winter. Gutters, downspouts, sprinklers, and hoses Clear your gutters of any debris that has collected throughout the fall. This is especially important for Northwest homes, which experience large volumes of rain throughout…Read more
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Cozy Island Getaways Around the Puget Sound
November 11, 2019 /Cozy Island Getaways Around the Puget Sound The stretch right before Thanksgiving often feels like one of the hardest periods in the work year—the weather is turning colder and damper, and many of us feel tired, a little burned out, and badly in need of a pause. This last weekend, Pickett Street enjoyed a team retreat on Vashon Island, and the team highly recommends that you take some time out for yourself, too! Every year the team takes a day away from the business and the office to reflect, connect and plan for the year ahead. This is critical when it comes to ensuring that all team members are on the same page and understand the history of the team. 2020 is going to be an epic year for Pickett Street. If you’re longing to get away, but don’t have the time or money to go far, you might consider that the Puget Sound area is known for its gorgeous islands. With the currently chilly fall weather, islands can offer weekend getaways or day trips with plenty of opportunities to bundle up and enjoy fresh air, views, and good food. Vashon Island…Read more
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A Guide to Seattle’s Halloween and Día de los Muertos Celebrations
November 1, 2019 /A Guide to Seattle’s Halloween and Día de los Muertos Celebrations How was everyone’s Halloween last night? My husband and I sat on the couch and graded student papers, but at least we got to eat candy and humiliate our dog by dressing him up in one of these. Luckily for those of us who work during the week, this weekend brings more spooky festivities to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. If you’re interested in investing in real estate in the Seattle area, the first item on your agenda this weekend should be to contact Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Then, check out one or more of the Seattle area events listed below. Día de los Muertos: 1. Día de los Muertos Community Night Out Where: Seattle Art Museum When: Friday, November 1st, 7-9pm Cost: FREE What: Every year, SAM hosts this celebration featuring a tapete (sand painting) installation inspired by Oaxacan traditions, a dance performance, and lots of art activities. 2. Court in the Square Where: Pioneer Square When: Friday, November 1st, 8pm Cost: $50 What: While this event is more expensive than the others, the price includes a…Read more
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Find Your Close Community in Pickett Street’s Hometown Bothell
October 25, 2019 /I’m in love with the latest listing from Pickett Street—a colonial-style, 3-bedroom, 2.25 bath home in Bothell. The home includes a living room with a wood fireplace, a rec room with a wet bar and skylights, a kitchen with a breakfast nook and cedar-lined ceiling, and a fenced backyard with a firepit. This space looks like it would make for the coziest fall and winter parties. The home’s surrounding area of Bothell isn’t too shabby, either, and it also happens to be Pickett Street’s hometown. First, before someone else snatches it up, get in touch with Jesse Moore at Pickett Street (425.502.5397) for more information about this listing. Then, see below for more details about the neighborhood. The Listing This property is incredibly centrally-located. It’s easy walk away from several schools, including Bothell High School and Red Door Montessori. Not only that, but the property is walking distance from the Bothell library, Sammamish River Park, and the highly-rated tiki bar McMenamins North Shore Lagoon at the Anderson School Hotel. Area Vibes With the Northshore District’s stellar schools (ranked eleventh in the state) and a welcoming, safe community, Niche rates Bothell as one of the best Seattle suburbs. One resident notes…Read more
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Ansley Clark: the Pickett Street Blogger
October 18, 2019 /Ansley Clark: the Pickett Street Blogger Intro by Mo: I have been asked several times if the content in the blogs are stories about me, or from my life. I smile, shake my head and tip my hat towards Boulder, CO as a thank you to Ansley for helping to create content for our company that is REAL, authentic and accessible. One of the many things that Jesse and I agree upon and are equally obsessed with is good writing and QUALITY over QUANTITY. He and I both enjoy writing, thought provoking conversation and content for our clients and audience that is enjoyable. I met Ansley through her brothers- Hunter and Ian. Hunter Clark was our intern during the summer of 2015. When Hunter left we hired his brother, Ian, as our blog writer. Then when Ian decided to go back to school- he referred us to his sister. And thus, the story continues... I love that we've had the opportunity to work with practically the entire Clark family. When we stumbled quite pleasantly across Hunter I knew we'd hit a gold mine- I didn't realize it would come to benefit us and our clients for years. I asked Ansley to introduce herself again to you this week- please comment…Read more
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What Empty Nester Investors Should Know About House Hacks
October 14, 2019 /One of Pickett Street’s many specialties is helping buyers find “house hacks” to significantly increase the return on real estate investments. "House hacks" include single-family residential homes with in-law or mother-in-law apartments (MIL) or other additional dwelling units, either attached to or detached from the house (ADU or DADU). For example, a split-level home with a separate entrance and kitchen in the basement allows homeowners to rent this space for extra income. Or, a buyer might invest in a duplex so that they can live in one of the units and rent out the other unit to cover their mortgage. According to Pickett Street’s Jesse Moore, house hacks are one of the smartest investments for empty nesters who are moving toward retirement. Empty nesters who are considering downsizing can buy "house hacks" to earn passive income through their extra space. Then, this extra income can go toward dreamy post-retirement activities like finally making that Hawaii trip happen. Pickett Street recently helped Director of Operations Margaret Smith’s parents find the right empty nester investment house hack—a rambler without stairs, which is a smart buy for empty nesters, and with a detached ADU. Margaret’s parents currently rent out this ADU. Not only…Read more
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Live Off the Beaten Path in Snohomish, Washington
October 7, 2019 /Live Off the Beaten Path in Snohomish, Washington After years of living in cities, I have finally accepted that the thrill of tall buildings and clubs followed by a full meal at a restaurant at 3am has maybe faded. Perhaps this is what it means to get older. (Also I threw my back out last week, so perhaps that is what it means to get older.) In short, my husband and I are looking to move back home to Washington from Colorado next year. We want to live in the greater Seattle area, but somewhere quieter and closer to nature than Seattle itself. Of our options, Snohomish is looking pretty good. One of Washington State’s tucked away, funky gems, this rural farming community sits between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Range, about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Seattle. If you’re interested in properties in this area, check out Pickett Street’s listings. Even better, get in touch with the team to chat all things real estate at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Area Vibes Budget Travel recently voted it “one of the coolest small towns in America.” Plus, we recently ranked Snohomish as one of the best Seattle suburbs for outdoor…Read more
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Seattle Real Estate Update: Fall 2019
September 27, 2019 /Seattle Real Estate Update: Fall 2019 As drizzly days and cooler temperatures arrive, I have to admit that fall is my favorite season in Washington. I love falling asleep to the rain, I love the silvery mist in the mornings, I love sipping on big steaming cups of coffee all day, and I love cozy fall layers (as the Swedish say, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.”) And while it’s always important to inhabit a home you love, the fall’s insistence on coziness makes a solid real estate investment even more necessary to one’s wellbeing. If you’re looking to buy or sell this fall, or if you have general real estate questions, Pickett Street Properties can help—reach out to them at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Also, to keep you informed, here is a fall real estate update for the Seattle area. 1. Long-term mortgage rates decrease. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 3.64% from 3.73% this past week. A year ago, this rate held at 4.72%. Additionally, the average rate for 15-year, fixed-rate home loans dropped this week to 3.16% from 3.21% last week. These declining rates are good news for…Read more
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Pickett Street and Biophilic Design
September 23, 2019 /Biophilic Design Most Seattlites are probably familiar with Amazon’s Spheres: three connected domes full of tropical rainforests and other flora, designed as a space for Amazon employees to take screen breaks, relax, and feel closer to nature. While these Spheres feel like something straight from science fiction, they represent a growing trend in both residential and commercial architecture—biophilic design. Many major tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Google, have started to incorporate biophilic design into their work spaces in order to encourage happier, healthier employees. Biophilic design results from “the much-studied idea that human beings are happier when surrounded by nature” and is all about bringing the outdoors in. This 2018 UK study, for example, found that exposure to trees, sky, and birdsong can improve one’s mental wellbeing. In Japan, “forest bathing” refers to the popular therapeutic practice of leaving behind electronic devices to wander slowly and mindfully in a forest. According to Olympia’s KMB Architects, biophilic design brings natural elements such as plants, running water, light, and even natural artifacts such as driftwood or stones inside. It also includes non-visual connections with nature, such as the sound of rain on the roof, natural textures, or fireplaces to evoke warmth.…Read more
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Make It Rain: How Pickett Street and Margaret Smith Keep Things Real
September 13, 2019 /Make It Rain: How Pickett Street and Margaret Smith Keep Things Real Today, Pickett Street’s Director of Operations Margaret Smith is set to teach another Make It Rain class in Joplin, Missouri. (If you’re interested in attending a future class, get in touch at margaret@pickettstreet.com or 206-228-5067.) Anyone who knows Margaret knows that she is a force to be reckoned with in real estate and beyond. Margaret has a masters degree in social work and a bachelor’s in art and sociology. Before working at Pickett Street, she worked at the Seattle Art Museum as the Docent Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. Margaret has worked with Jesse D. Moore and Pickett Street for the past six and a half years, averaging over 130 real estate transactions over the last five years. She first decided to create her Make It Rain class after attending real estate conferences and and noticing that “nobody was actually talking about the hard stuff—nobody wanted to talk about salary, nobody wanted to talk about bonuses, nobody wanted to approach the hard emotional conversations needed in order to get to the next level of leadership.” Inspired to shake things up within the real estate admin world, Margaret designed…Read more
