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Buying a Multi-Family Home
March 25, 2016 /Many of us who buy a home hope that the investment will turn a profit in the future. For most folks, this process means buying a quality, single-family home that has the potential for some steady improvement in value. There’s nothing wrong with this plan (it was good enough for most of our parents, after all!), and it’s important to realize that there are other options out there. Buying a multi-family property, for example, is a popular and profitable alternative to the standard, single-family home. If you’ve thought about buying a multi-family home in the past, you’ll be pleased to know that the process yields plenty of benefits; if you’ve never considered buying a multi-family home, then read on to learn about how buying one might just be one of the best financial decisions you can make. (To clarify, this article’s discussion of “multi-family” homes refers to smaller units, such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. You’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re interested in purchasing larger, commercial rental properties.) Security One of the best parts about owning a multi-family property is that it’s secure. Consider, for instance, renting out a single-family house: everything’s great if you’re renting the…Read more
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Staff Profile: Jessica Goecke
March 18, 2016 /When asked why Pickett Street is such a phenomenal company to work for, employees often don’t mention Pickett Street’s financial success and business savvy, though both qualities are well-documented characteristics of the company. Instead, most folks talk about the team, the network of individuals that glues Pickett Street together. As such, it’s worth taking the time to get to know this team a little better. This week, we’ve chosen to highlight the newest member of Pickett Street: Jessica Goecke, Listing Specialist. The Sunny South Jessica was born and raised in the Bay Area, a region with a culture (and weather) similar to the Puget Sound. However, as a film enthusiast, Jessica knew she needed to move to Southern California to pursue her passions. As such, she packed up her things, said farewell to the foggy Bay, and headed south to sunnier climes. Originally, Jessica wanted to be involved in all aspects of the filming process: acting, directing, writing, and more. While Jessica enjoyed the work - and especially working with other film enthusiasts - she gradually began to realize that Southern California was not the place for her, and she regarded a life in Los Angeles with…Read more
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Living in Washington State: Ferries
March 14, 2016 /I was drifting on the surface of the moon. I stood on the deck of a ferry chugging toward Seattle, a five-year-old lost in a crowd of lumbering adults clutching umbrellas. The towering form of my mother moved in and out of the fog, pushing politely through knots of passengers, reaching out to hold my hand and fuss with my raincoat. Far away, my father leaned against the ferry’s railing, holding his hand to his brow and looking out for the first sign of Seattle. The ferry’s purring engine hauled us through a silent world of barnacle-clad seas. ——— Based on the harrowing tales told by relatives back East, I’d originally imagined my first ferry ride as an excursion fraught with peril. You’re moving to Washington? they’d sputtered in their New Jersey accents when my mother talked about our decision to move. Don’t you know how much it rains there? After months of hearing tall tales about the American West (all of which, it seemed, involved New Jersey bumpkins tripping into bottomless gulches or being trampled in buffalo stampedes), the prospect of doing something adventurous like riding a ferry was unbearably exciting. I remember the first time we drove onto…Read more
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Neighborhood Profile: Mill Creek
March 8, 2016 /Imagine living in a planned community clustered around a golf course, interspersed with countless miles of hiking trails, and supported by a thriving commercial center. In Mill Creek, all of these characteristics come together to create a truly cozy community. Part of Snohomish County, Mill Creek is located east of Lynnwood, north of Bothell, and just 20 miles away from downtown Seattle. Originally a planned community built around the Mill Creek Country Club and Golf Course, Mill Creek has grown into a tidy and prosperous community stocked to the brim with handsome real estate. Mill Creek’s neighborhood plans make it particularly attractive to residents. Blessed with larger than average lot sizes, and plenty of green space and parks (including sports courts, ball fields, and nearly 25 miles of walking trails), Mill Creek’s neighborhoods are not just places to crash after a long day at work; instead, they’re carefully planned to be enjoyable living spaces that enrich the lives of both children and adults. Some of Mill Creek’s most popular parks include Cougar Park, Heron Park, Highlands Park, Mill Creek Sports Park, and Nickel Creek Park. Last but not least, there is, of course, the original golf course the community was…Read more
