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Free Holiday Events in Seattle and Beyond to Keep You Warm
December 1, 2017 /In the chaos of gift-buying, searching for the perfect party outfit, and organizing holiday travels, it’s easy to forget that some of the season’s most enjoyable events are free. In fact, there are so many free holiday events happening this month that it was impossible to fit them all into this list. Here’s a guide to just a few of the best free holiday events in Seattle and surrounding areas this December. Festivals and Other Events Reindeer Festival When: November 11th through December 24th Where: Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle What could be better than holiday shopping while strolling through fragrant pines and mingling with two real-life reindeer? This holiday festival includes a model train display, Christmas trees for sale, gifts and holiday decorations for sale, live music, and Santa Claus and holiday yurt photo ops. Gingerbread Village When: November 21st, 2017 - January 1st, 2018 Where: City Centre, 1420 Fifth Ave, Seattle The Sheraton’s Gingerbread Village has been a Seattle tradition for 25 years. Each year, architects from the city’s top firms, as well as master builders and the Sheraton’s culinary teams, design intricate and stunning gingerbread creations. The event is free and donations go to the…Read more
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Pickett Street Properties Gives Gratitude for 2017
November 21, 2017 /My favorite part about Thanksgiving is the chaos: family members bickering while on hour three of Settlers of Catan, something burning in the oven, the dog stealing turkey off the counter, a holiday song sung terribly out-of-tune. These sweet, funny moments of imperfection are, I believe, life in its purest form. They remind me of all the people, relationships, and tiny moments for which I feel grateful. So, in the spirit of the season, let’s talk about gratitude. Multiple scientific studies have shown that gratitude improves sleep, psychological health, and physical health. Basically, gratitude is one of the keys to a happy life. I recently interviewed the Pickett Street team to find out what they’re grateful for this year. I’ll start. I’m grateful for my partner, who makes me coffee and brings it to me every single morning (seriously, what a hero!), for my healthy body that lets me do yoga and climb mountains, for my undergraduate students, who are funny and inspiring and give me hope in the world, for the great companies with which I work (such as Pickett Street!), and for my sweet dopey pitbull puppy. Here’s what the team at Pickett Street had to say. Christi Samaniego, Listing Coordinator…Read more
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Green Lake: Neighborhood Profile
November 16, 2017 /The Green Lake neighborhood is nestled in the heart of north Seattle, surrounded by the Fremont, Ballard, Wallingford, Ravenna, and Greenwood neighborhoods. I have fond memories of spending long afternoons at Green Lake as a child, feeding the ducks and playing in the mud with my brothers (i.e. throwing mud at my brothers). Afterward, we would always pop into one of the many nearby coffee shops where my parents would buy us flavored steamed milk so my brothers and I could pretend that we, too--even at the tender ages of ten, eight, and four--were sophisticated, coffee-guzzling Seattle-ites. That was back in the nineties, and today, Green Lake is more bustling and hip than ever before. Here are the details on one of Seattle’s most beloved neighborhoods. Real Estate Stats According to Niche, the median home value in Green Lake is $581,057, and the median rent is $1,418. This neighborhood is great for single individuals, couples, and families. Many homes in Green Lake fall under the architectural category of the classic Seattle Box or Four Square home, which features two stories, an inset front porch, and a simple yet chic geometric form. If you’re interested in buying or selling a home…Read more
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An Interview with Margaret Smith on Confidence and the World of Real Estate
November 9, 2017 /This week marks the fifth anniversary of Pickett Street’s Margaret Smith. Though I’ve only been working with her for about six months, I’ve already come to know Margaret as a positive and hardworking force of nature. Margaret is the Director of Operations for Pickett Street Properties; she recruits, screens, and interviews candidates and manages social media, client events, system evaluation, branding/marketing, and overall growth and planning for Pickett Street. I was recently lucky to be able to chat with her about her experiences in the world of real estate. Hi Margaret! Congrats on five years of working with Pickett Street. Can you talk to us about how you started working for Pickett Street? Before Pickett Street I was the Docent Program Coordinator for the Seattle Art Museum. I NEVER thought I would work in sales or for a sales company--and now I can't imagine anything else in my future. This career gives me an opportunity to help and inspire people in a much bigger way and through a bigger platform than I ever imagined. I was ready to leave the museum because I wanted a career where I could support myself financially, and that's hard to do in the nonprofit…Read more
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Buy now, my pretties!
November 3, 2017 /While Halloween and its festivities can be super fun, this holiday may have put you in a spooked mood. Am I the only one out there who regrets spending Halloween huddled on the couch, mindlessly eating Reese’s peanut butter cups and watching The Shining? While Jack Nicholson wielding an axe is certainly terrifying, most adults experience more anxiety over certain aspects of everyday life, including financial commitments like career decisions and buying a home. (Quick side note, another common fear is robots taking over the world.) If anxiety over buying a home sounds familiar, not to worry--this decision is not as scary as it seems. To soothe your fears and ease the process, get in touch with Pickett Street (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. In the meantime, settle in with that leftover Halloween candy (unless you ate it all like me), and relax by reading about common home-buying fears and why they’re not actually that scary. 1. Buying a home costs too much money, and I can’t afford it. Finding enough cash to make a down payment on a home is one of home buyers’ biggest anxieties. The median home price in Seattle is $725,000, which means that a 20% down…Read more
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Embracing Hygge: The Benefits of Selling Your Home During the Fall
October 20, 2017 /Embracing Hygge: The Benefits of Selling Your Home During the Fall Many people claim that spring is the best time to sell your home. Summer’s just around the corner, giving potential buyers more time away from work to move, front yards are generally looking cheerful with fresh blossoms, and new beginnings are in the air. However, selling in the spring and summer just isn’t possible for every homeowner. What's more, there are several secret advantages to selling during the “off-seasons” of fall and winter. If you’re considering listing your home this fall, here are a few reasons why this might be an excellent idea. 1. Embrace hygge. One of my favorite words ever, hygge is Danish for all things cozy and content--relaxed gatherings for family and friends, candles and firelight, warm blankets, and more. While it is possible to find hygge year-round, there is no better time for this concept than during the fall and winter. Most buyers want a welcoming, comfortable space to call their own, and you can achieve the hygge feeling through embracing fall's natural emphasis on hearth and home. Be sure to highlight your interior’s natural light through opening curtains or shades. It’s also smart to…Read more
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Seattle Real Estate Update for Fall 2017
October 12, 2017 /With its misty mornings and mouthwatering apple harvests, fall in the Seattle area is in full swing. As the seasons change, let’s check in on how the Seattle real estate market is doing. The median price for Seattle home is $667,500, or $476 per square foot, which is an increase of 16% over last year. Whether you are buying or selling, or are somewhere in between, here’s the latest scoop on the local market. 1. Mortgage rates rose last week but remain low. In the beginning of October, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose ever so slightly, from 3.83 percent to 3.85 percent. According to Freddie Mac, the 15-year fixed-rate also rose from 3.13 percent to 3.15. Adjustable five-year mortgages rose from 3.17 percent to 3.20 percent. Despite these increases, mortgage rates remain very low, which is good news for home buyers. 2. Seattle real estate reporter talks about the bubble. Because Seattle is experiencing such a competitive, wild real estate market, the question on many people’s minds is whether or not the current situation is a bubble that will eventually burst. Seattle real estate reporter Mike Rosenberg discussed this question and more in his recent AMA interview on Reddit. According to…Read more
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New Listing Near the Arboretum Is a Seattle Dream
October 5, 2017 /Here’s a nerdy confession: one of my favorite ways to relax is to sit down with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and drool over home design makeovers. I love to read about how people buy homes and make them their own with just a bit of design smarts, such as this inspiring example on Cup of Jo. As such, I am thrilled to talk about Pickett Street’s newest listing today, and am both jealous of and excited for the lucky homebuyer who snags this property. The Listing While searching for your dream home can sometimes be discouraging, there also comes the time when, by some miracle, you find the perfect spot. Just four blocks from the Arboretum, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom historic home was built in 1904 and is oozing with charm. Highlights include a spiral staircase, a fully finished daylight basement with a cozy wood stove, crafted cabinetry, a jetted tub in the master bathroom, and the unbeatable location. The best part about this property is that, at a spacious 4,000 square feet, with two levels and the finished basement, the property is begging to be customized to fit your style and needs. The basement’s private…Read more
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Four Reasons Why It’s Good to Be a Home Seller Right Now
September 29, 2017 /My friends recently made a really smart real estate decision: four years after purchasing their lovely home in Boulder, Colorado, they sold it and moved to a cheaper spot in Nashville, and, as a result, made a boatload of money. I found myself both--let’s be honest--slightly envious, and inspired. Investing in real estate, and understanding when to sell, is one of the smartest ways to build wealth. You might be wondering what Boulder, Colorado has to do with Washington State, aside from the fact that both Seattle and Boulder are home to hippies and tech nerds with serious outdoors obsessions. Well, while Boulder’s real estate market is doing well right right now, Seattle’s real estate market is right up there with it as one of the most competitive markets in the country. In many ways, the Seattle market is even hotter than Boulder’s. If you’re considering listing your Seattle area home right now, here are a few reasons why it's good to be a home seller right now. For more information about selling your home and understanding its current value, contact Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Also, be sure to check out this easy home value form. 1. The…Read more
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Neighborhood Profile: Kenmore’s Transformation into a Vibrant Community
September 21, 2017 /Three large industrial silos sit on the edge of Kenmore, and the town’s residents are about to transform these towers into art. For the past year, residents have posted signs on these silos that read “Let’s Beautify This,” urging passers-by to donate to a GoFundMe account. This project speaks to both Kenmore’s current exciting revitalization and its strong sense of community. Located northeast of Seattle on the tip of Lake Washington, Kenmore is an up-and-coming, medium-sized town. Here’s some more information on why this is a great spot to buy a home right now, along with a humble suggestion of a listing you might love. Real Estate Stats The median home value in Kenmore is $559,300, and the median rent is $1,896 per month. I’m currently drooling over this gorgeous two-level condo in Kenmore with three bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom that has a bathroom with double sinks (you’ve know you’ve made it in life when you have two sinks in your bathroom). The condo also has an updated kitchen with laminate countertops and a cozy gas fireplace for those long northwest winters. Also, how great would it be to drink your coffee each morning on this cute deck…Read more
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How Owning a Home Builds Wealth
August 17, 2017 /Here’s something I wish I’d known in my early twenties: buying a home is one of the best ways to build wealth. In 2015, according to the Federal Reserve, the average homeowner’s net worth was $195,400, while the average renter’s net worth was $5,400. Perhaps you know all of this already and are wondering if buying a home is still, in the current economy, even after the 2008 housing crisis, one the best wealth-building strategies. The answer to this question is yes, and here are a few reasons why. 1. Owning a Home Builds Equity and Forces You to Save Home equity is an asset that comes from owning a home and represents one of the largest sources of net worth for most investors. In other words, equity is the portion of your home that you actually “own.” Of course, when you a buy a home you own all of it, but borrowing money to buy your property means that the seller still has an interest in it until you pay off the loan. Equity is essentially a form of wealth; you can eventually take out income or lump sum withdrawals from this asset, or you can pass it on…Read more
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Five Reasons You Should List Your Home Today
August 10, 2017 /You may have heard that it’s a seller’s market right now. However,you may also be wondering what exactly that means for you, the potential seller. Here's the rundown of the current seller's market and a few reasons why you shouldn't wait to sell your home. 1. Seattle is one of the hottest housing markets in the country. According to several different reports, Seattle’s real estate market is one of the hottest in the country for 2017. And the city of Seattle isn’t the only area that’s hot: King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties are all experiencing competitive real estate markets right now. 2. Inventory is low. There are currently more people looking to buy homes than there are people listing their homes in the Seattle area. According to the Seattle Times, inventory is down by 27 percent when compared to last year's numbers. This means that competition among potential buyers is high. Plus, this competition often results in bidding wars, which means that sellers are likely to receive more than the original listing price. About 75 percent of listed homes have received multiple offers this year, and 56 percent of homes are selling for more than the asking price. In several city neighborhoods, and…Read more
