-
So I went on a date…. a story by Mo.
June 14, 2016 /So.....yes. Last Tuesday I was set up by a dear friend of mine. I never like set ups. But I trust this person, so I went for it. It was a delicious dinner and lovely setting at Manolin in Wallingford. If you go- get the "Fun Fun Fun" drink. It's a pink lemonade that is way too easy to drink. I am not someone that dates a lot- I tend to fall into relationships when its supposed to happen I think (I hope) and I don't do a lot of casual dating in between. If you've had a blind date recently, you might be able to relate a bit more to me at this moment in time. How crazy and strange is it to meet someone you've never met before at a restaurant, and hope to have a somewhat interesting and entertaining conversation for at least the time it takes you to get through that delicious smoked salmon and rockfish ceviche. So we met at 7 and talked until 10pm. If anything I can always bring conversation to the table. At Pickett Street I run all of the initial screening interviews- so I told the guy "Just FYI, you may…Read more
-
Do you know what a 1031 Exchange is?
June 10, 2016 /Two things in life are unavoidable: death and taxes. However, while avoiding your personal taxes altogether isn’t possible, there are ways of avoiding them in the world of real estate. Particularly handy is the 1031 exchange, a transaction that allows you to defer capital gains taxes in the sale of certain kinds of property. Overall, the 1031 exchange is a great way to build wealth but, in order to do so, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the transaction’s basic rules. 1031 Exchange: The Basics Before we start discussing the benefits of the 1031 exchange, it’s necessary to understand exactly what this transaction entails. In simplest terms, a 1031 exchange applies to transactions in which you sell and then buy properties of like kind within a specified window of time. The term “properties of like kind” might seem formidably ambiguous, but it basically refers to real estate that is NOT your personal residence. Therefore, you could swap a parcel of undeveloped land for wealth-producing commercial real estate, or you could exchange business property for business property. Many different combinations exist, but the bottom line is that a 1031 exchange deals with investment or business property, and your personal residence can’t…Read more
-
Have you ever wanted to live in Ballard?
June 3, 2016 /It’s common knowledge that Seattle has a long and proud maritime history. Whether you’re enjoying a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, visiting the aquarium on the pier, or simply renting a paddleboat out on Green Lake, you'll never be far from the water. In the midst of all this briny heritage is Ballard, a nook of northwest Seattle with especially strong ties to the sea. By coincidence, it’s also one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. Ballard has a long, rich history that stretches back to the 1850s. Originally an independent town populated by fishermen of Scandinavian descent, Ballard has since been incorporated into Seattle and blossomed into a hotspot for culture, food, and drink. One of Ballard’s most popular attractions is the Nordic Heritage Museum, which specializes in preserving and celebrating Nordic culture through dance, film, music, and an extensive series of classes and lectures. On particularly sunny days, visitors can stroll down to Ballard’s popular Golden Gardens Park, a coastal recreation area with forest trails, sandy beaches, and ample views of the Puget Sound. If you’re going to visit Ballard, however, you’ve got to emphasize eating and drinking. In a city renowned for its culinary scene,…Read more
-
Top 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Sell “For Sale By Owner”!
April 22, 2016 /Often, society encourages us to cut the “middleman” out of our numerous daily transactions. In some situations this plan makes sense, as it tends to make things more efficient. However, in the context of a real estate transaction, cutting out the middleman (aka, your real estate agent) could be downright disastrous. If you’re selling your home, you might be tempted to save money by attempting a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transaction. A FSBO is a sale conducted solely by the owner of the home, and so he or she circumnavigates the commission fee and cost of hiring an agent. While this idea might seem attractive on paper (“No commission fee? Sounds great! What could possibly go wrong?”), it’s important to understand that, in most cases, a FSBO means big losses for the seller in more ways than one. Read on for an explanation detailing why every homeowner selling a house needs a real estate agent. Agents Are Professionals While sellers are obviously driven to sell their homes, this motivation does not make most of them experts in the varied minutia hidden in a real estate transaction. A real estate agent, however, is an expert, and this expertise is vital…Read more
