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Top Perks of Puget Sound Living
August 24, 2016 /Growing up in the Puget Sound permanently spoiled me. There are few places in the world that enjoy such an enviable intersection of nature, economic opportunity, and cultural vibrancy. As such, I’m always judging other locations against the impossibly high bar set by Puget Sound living, and so it’s hardly a surprise that even the most exotic destinations seem to pale in comparison to my beloved Seattle. But don’t take my word for it: read on to learn more about the top perks of Puget Sound living. Booming Economy Seattle is quickly establishing itself as one of the most prominent economies in the country. Though the city has plenty of job opportunities for multiple skill sets, the tech industry is definitely leading the pack, with local heavyweight Amazon continuing to expand its influence, while imports like Google and Facebook are establishing a firm presence. With a bountiful influx of wealth and employment, Puget Sound living keeps getting better and better. Natural Beauty Northwest natives might take the region’s beauty for granted, but that doesn’t make it any less astonishing. The Puget Sound is one of the country’s largest estuaries, and it’s home to a diverse body of wildlife, including whales, octopi, seals,…Read more
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Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
August 5, 2016 /“Well this is an unfortunate turn of events,” I thought as the oncoming SUV drove into my bicycle and knocked me onto the asphalt. I don’t remember what happened immediately after impact (vehicular accidents tend to dull the senses, it turns out), but I do remember being rather proud of my admirably calm mental observations, given the circumstances. For instance, I remember it was a fine, crisp January morning and that there were birds singing in the trees. Also, the sky was filled with plump, fluffy clouds, the air had been scrubbed clean by recent rain, some stranger was grabbing me by the shoulders and asking if I was alright, and a police officer was rushing toward me and calling an ambulance. Now (I wondered), why should I be receiving so much attention all of a sudden? Oh yes: I’ve just been hit by a car. Since my brain is liable to wander off into some pretty weird places during even the most normal circumstances, it’s hardly surprising that the loopiness of my post-crash mental excursions was exponentially magnified. Sitting up in the street in a befuddled and bruised state, I allowed my mind to wander through the little-used vaults…Read more
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Mortgage Rates are Low: Why Should You Care?
August 2, 2016 /We’re only a little more than halfway into the year, and already the housing market is flexing its muscles with a strong showing from new home sales. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that there were 592,000 new home sales in June, a figure which outpaces original expectations and estimations by tens of thousands of units. The number of new home sales has increased about 4% in the last month, while current new home sales are roughly 25% higher than they were in June 2015. More to the point, June 2016 saw the highest new home sales since 2008. All in all, demand for new housing remains strong, and the housing market is not only continuing its robust, post-recession recovery, but also continues to be a primary contributor to the U.S. economic recovery. The success of new home sales has relied in large part on currently low mortgage rates. For individuals and households with favorable credit history, the average 30-year, fixed rate mortgage is about 3.5%. Back in June 2015, the average 30-year rates were hovering around 4% (which, it’s worth mentioning, was an already low figure). With rates arriving at even lower levels, it’s no…Read more
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The Art of Seattle Architecture
July 5, 2016 /Seattle is famous for many things - coffee, music, natural beauty - but, strangely enough, few people are familiar with the architecture of the Emerald City. Or, if they are familiar with it, their knowledge is probably limited to the Space Needle. This gap might not seem significant for most folks, but to a Seattle native like me, it’s nothing short of a travesty. Seattle is home to some quietly majestic architecture, and the residential construction of Seattle houses is particularly striking. In that case, it’s time that it was recognized. Below, you’ll find some classic styles for Seattle houses. The Seattle Box A quintessential style for Seattle houses, the Seattle Box offers a simple but highly customizable aesthetic. Sometimes called the Four Square, these Seattle houses are primarily characterized by their boxy style, hip roofs, modest dormers, and generously proportioned porches with columns. While the overarching characteristic of the Seattle Box is elegant simplicity, the model is also something of a blank slate and looks great when elements from other styles, such as Craftsman architecture, are added onto it. The Bungalow These Seattle houses exploded onto the scene during the first third of the twentieth century, remaining wildly popular…Read more
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Ten Reasons You Should Work With A Real Estate Expert
June 1, 2016 /Everything seems automated these days. Self-service stations are proliferating in grocery stores, cars are parallel parking themselves, and everyone seems to be jumping on the robotic bandwagon. The real estate world is not immune to this electronic trend; the vast number of online resources has lead some house hunters to believe that real estate agents have gone the way of the dodo. While searching for a house alone is an option, it’s important to understand that navigating the real estate world without an agent is difficult at best, and disastrous at worst. Below, you’ll find the top ten reasons why you should always work with a real estate expert. Access to Listings Yes, it’s true: the Internet is amazing, and it contains more information than any human could consume in a lifetime. That said, it’s guaranteed that any real estate agent will have access to more listings than the Average Joe surfing the web. For instance, many properties might be available but won’t be advertised publicly, and most websites are not as up to date as the multiple listing service (MLS). As such, agents can help you access more and better listings. However, while access to listings is great, it’s…Read more
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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
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Neighborhood Profile: Madison Park
April 6, 2016 /Finding a cozy and historic atmosphere within a big city like Seattle can sometimes be tough, a fact that turns neighborhoods like Madison Park into true gems. Indeed, Madison Park maintains natural beauty and a cheery, “village” atmosphere within the Seattle city limits, making it one of the city’s most desirable places to call home. Madison Park is a small neighborhood at the northeast corner of Seattle named for the park at the base of Madison Street. It is circumscribed by Lake Washington to the east, 39th Avenue to the south, Lake Washington Blvd to the south and west, and Union Bay to the north. Madison Park is an upscale neighborhood with plenty of charm and a rich, diverse history. Before the arrival of white settlers, the area was widely used by the Duwamish tribe for fishing and hunting. In the 1850s, a newcomer by the name of John McGilvera bought over 400 acres in the Madison Park region and began development. In fact, it was the intrepid McGilvra who originally carved out space for the park that gives the neighborhood its name. Throughout the decades that followed, Madison Park would become a popular destination and home to many attractions,…Read more
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Paying the Governor’s Share: Excise Tax & Short Sales
December 23, 2009 /Here in Washington state, we are accustomed to paying an excise/state sales tax when we purchase goods. Interestingly enough, when it comes to the most significant acquisition most of us will make, the seller, rather than the purchaser, covers the taxes. Currently, the base Washington state excise tax rate is 1.28%, with each county adding on their own percentage for a total that fluctuates somewhat by area. Snohomish and King County excise taxes (in most areas) are at a .50 rate, bringing the grand total to 1.78% of the purchase price. An obvious question if you're a distressed home seller would be, "who exactly pays this tax in the event of a short sale?" In most cases, the burden falls to the bank that is carrying the mortgage to ‘eat’ that cost, along with the other costs associated with selling a home. For a brief time at the beginning of 2009, some sellers were required to pay excise tax on the amount of the shortage (the difference between what they owed, and what they were able to sell their property for in a declining market). Sellers in this category may now be eligible for a refund of excise taxes. Use…Read more
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The New, Improved, (and extended) $8,000 Tax Credit
November 22, 2009 /By now you've probably heard: The $8,000 Tax Credit has been extended! And you're thinking, "I've been wanting to buy a home... maybe there's something to this procrastination thing, after all." In this case, you'd be right; The last go-round provided up to $8,000 to homebuyers who had not owned a home in the past 3 years, and whose income was $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. In recognition of your patience and wisdom, you are now eligible for the Sweetened Deal: For home purchases occurring after November 6, 2009, the new income limits are $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly. Be prepared to prove it! Due to the very real potential for fraud, you will be required to prove that you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, however, the credit can be allocated to the person who has not owned previously, in cases where parents are assisting with a purchase, or where one member of an unmarried couple has previously owned. Saving for a downpayment? Another element of the new version is that it allows prospective home buyers who believe they qualify for the…Read more
