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Build Authentic Relationships in Real Estate: A Conversation With Buyers Agent Jessica Townsel
September 6, 2019 /Build Authentic Relationships in Real Estate: A Conversation With Buyers Agent Jessica Townsel Pickett Street’s next homebuyers class is tomorrow—Saturday, September 7th at 10am. Are you going? Not only does this entirely free class provide easily digestible, essential information for investing in a home, it also provides breakfast. So. In the words of Shakespeare, get thee to this homebuyers class tomorrow! This week, I chatted with Jessica Townsel, Pickett Street’s Buyers Agent. Jessica strives to be the best resource and to provide peace of mind to her clients throughout the entire buying process. In our interview, she got real about the rewards and challenges of her work and emphasized how much interactions between agents and clients require trust. Attending a homebuyers class like the one Pickett Street offers tomorrow is an excellent way to begin building authentic relationships with your real estate team based on trust and honesty. Reach out to Jessica for more information about buying a home at 425-322-9188. In the meantime, here’s what Jessica had to say about her work. What do you love most about being a buyers agent? I love the opportunity to educate my clients and play a key role in one of the…Read more
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Real Estate Is About People: Pickett Street’s IG: You Series
August 30, 2019 /As much as we love fascinating architecture, innovative remodeling, and gorgeous design, real estate is really more about the people than the properties. As we’ve mentioned once or twice before, Pickett Street values individuals and their unique real estate dreams, goals, and stories. Let's talk about Pickett Street's IG: You Series Pickett Street also values consistency in quality for their clients and followers. One of the ways they demonstrate these values is through their Instagram’s Instagram:You series. Every Monday, the team’s Instagram stories features an interview with someone from their community. Catch the IG: You series every Monday on Pickett Street’s Instagram. For more about the real estate world and working with Pickett Street to buy or sell a home, contact them at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Below are a few highlights from IG: You’s guests. 1. Mari Wuellner Mari is a lifestyle coach and speaker who recently launched The Living on Purpose podcast. Eight years ago, after realizing that she was going through the motions of life with no sense of real direction, Mari decided to start her own life coaching business. Margaret loves helping her life coaching clients “break down walls & build up trust so that we…Read more
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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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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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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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Five Pieces of Good News From Seattle
July 29, 2019 /Technology has given us radical levels of instant, exciting connection. However, with so much going on in the world, reading / listening to / watching / skimming through the news every day can feel a little overwhelming. So, to help you start your week in a positive mood, here are five good things currently happening in the Seattle area. 1. A Kirkland startup aims to reduce food waste. According to the USDA, Americans throw away 32 billion pounds of produce every year. Stixfresh, however, has designed a sticker to place on fruit that keeps it fresh longer. This tiny sticker contains wax and naturally-sourced ingredients that “create a protective layer around your fruit.” Studies have also shown that these stickers also increase the fruit’s sweetness and help it retain moisture and firmness. Buy these magical stickers through their crowdsourcing campaign. 2. A Seattle nonprofit is cleaning up homeless camps. The city of Seattle has been working for years to help its residents who experience homelessness. In general, Washington, Oregon, and California experience higher rates of homelessness than in other areas of the country. Facing Homelessness, based out of Seattle, began as a Facebook page that published individuals’ stories in order…Read more
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Should You Rent Or Buy in the Seattle Area?
July 19, 2019 /Renting isn’t easy these days. During the second quarter of 2019, the demand for apartments increased by 11% from a year ago, which resulted in a 3% increase for the national average rent. Business Insider reports that the average rent in Seattle for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,049. If $2,000 for a one-bedroom sounds expensive, that’s because it is. While Seattle apartments do cost less than those in Los Angeles (average rent $2,362) or San Francisco (average rent $3,600—yikes), they still rank among the most expensive rentals in the country. Sorting through all of the information and making the best decision for your individual housing needs can make your head spin. Reach out to Pickett Street’s experts to talk through your living situation and your buying or selling options. Additionally, we’ve laid out a few clear facts below to help you get organized. To rent or to buy: Renting pros: You’ll pay less up front. And one perk about living in this area: a security deposit in Seattle cannot cost more than one month’s rent. You don’t have to worry about home maintenance. Seattle’s current apartment boom means that there are plenty of apartments available. Renting cons: It’s not a…Read more
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Summer 2019 Gardening Trends
July 15, 2019 /Doesn’t reading a good thriller in a hammock or enjoying corn salad while sipping one of these cool local drinks on the patio sound amazing? I recently visited my parents in Gig Harbor and delighted in my stepdad’s gorgeous garden in full bloom, with its shady paths and sprawling flowers and herbs. Since then, I’ve had outdoor living spaces on my mind. If you, too, are curious about cultivating outdoor spaces, here are a few summer gardening trends for 2019. 1. Native, ecologically-friendly gardens The University of Washington Press recently released the third edition of Arthur R. Kruckeberg and Linda Chalker-Scott’s Gardening with Native Plants of the Northwest. The book acts as a guide to the Pacific Northwest’s lush landscapes and native flora; readers will find information about nearly 1,000 trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and grasses. According to the Seattle Times book review, “Regardless of where you stand on the native/non-native continuum, I think we all can agree that cultivating resilient biodiverse landscapes that support pollinators, wildlife and human habitat is a good thing.” Country Living UK agrees that planting gardens that thrive in your area’s climate conditions is key. Designer Sue Townsend advises people “to plant the right plants…Read more
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Investing in Vacant Land
July 8, 2019 /A few months ago, I chatted with a friend about whether she ever planned to move on from renting to buying her own home. “What I really want,” she confessed, “is to buy some land outside of the city and build a treehouse on it.” (If you’re curious about what the heck a treehouse residence is, check out these stunning examples from around the world.) Luckily for my friend and for many others who think out of the box, investing in real estate can take many different forms. If purchasing a standard previously constructed house is not for you, consider purchasing a duplex, a condo, a residential or commercial building, a farm, or even vacant land. First, as always, call or email Pickett Street at to talk about your real estate options. The team can walk you through all the options. Then, take a look at the list below of pros and cons for purchasing vacant land. Pros: 1. Owning vacant land as a long-term investment can be more affordable than owning a home. Property taxes and fees are often lower for vacant land than for developed land. Purchasing vacant land is also cheaper up front. Most vacant lots in…Read more
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Community Highlights: Watershed Pub & Kitchen
July 3, 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 the Watershed Pub & Kitchen in Northgate, WA. Here is their story: Owner Ben Curran spent over a decade at the Fiddler's Inn in Wedgwood as a bartender, cook and manager, where he developed a passion for craft beer and community while working for Bob Brenlin, who remains a great friend and mentor to Ben and the Watershed Pub family. When Ben and his now wife and Co-Owner Kelsey were starting to talk about marriage they also started talking more seriously about the idea of opening a pub. After one of Ben's regulars at the Fiddler's Inn urged him toward Thornton Place as a potential location, followed by many months of planning and negotiations along with Ben's parents Liz and Craig, the dream solidified and Watershed Pub & Kitchen became a reality. The Watershed Pub & Kitchen is a family owned, community founded neighborhood pub centered abound craft beer, cider, wine and spirits, wholesome, scratch-made comfort food and genuine hospitality and community. We opened Watershed Pub & Kitchen to…Read more
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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
