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Real Estate Trends to Watch for in 2016
January 26, 2016 /Usually, I’m surprised to look at my calendar each January and find that suddenly, and apparently without my permission, time has continued to roll forward. However, this year I am determined to think more about the year ahead, rather than dwelling on what’s already behind me. As such, now is a perfect time to consider some key real estate trends, and especially some important mortgage trends, to look out for in 2016. Whether you’re preparing to buy your first home, or you’re on the cusp of selling a reliable and beloved property, you’ll want to check out the exciting forecasts below. Buying is Better than Renting First, let’s talk finances: if you’re a renter, then you’re in for some bad news, because rents are currently becoming more expensive and less affordable. In fact, according to The National Real Estate Post, rents are rising at about 4 percent per year. As such, it’s hardly surprising that more and more renters are having trouble finding rates that don’t exceed the recommended 30 percent of their monthly budget. Conversely, buying a home is more affordable. While mortgage rates may have risen slightly, expect them to remain relatively low. Many experts forecast four…Read more
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On Moving. A blog post from our very own blog writer :)
January 15, 2016 /I walked into my room the other day and was surprised to find some suitcases stacked in the corner. After a few moments’ reflection, I remembered that I’ll be moving in a week. It was a strange feeling, standing there and thinking about how easy it was to pack my life into three compact bags. I’m no stranger to moving. When I was four, my family traveled from New Jersey to Washington State by train. We spent the next few years moving around the Puget sound, shuttling our possessions to Burien, then Federal Way, and then Olalla, before finally settling in a house in the Crescent Valley neighborhood of Gig Harbor. Something about these trips must have given me the travel bug. In the last three years of my life, for instance, I’ve lived in Portland, Dublin, Portland again, and Austin. And now, a mere six months later, I find myself preparing to leave once again. Writing for Pickett Street has given me a different perspective on the concept of moving. Suddenly, after years of living out of a backpack (occasionally two backpacks, when I find myself acquiring more possessions than I ought to), I’m contemplating mortgages, property values, the…Read more
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Neighborhood Article: Fobes Hill
January 8, 2016 /Just north of Seattle, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound, lies the secluded and quiet suburb of Fobes Hill. Located in Snohomish County, Fobes Hill is home to not only roughly 2,000 residents, but also the classic charm that characterizes so many quaint and respectable Washington towns. The borders of Fobes Hill include the Snohomish River, Bickford Avenue, and Highway 9. Considered an unincorporated area of the city, its location is perfect for people looking for generously-sized lots within close proximity to the shopping and charm of Snohomish, the antique capital of the Northwest. The Fobes Hill area is home to many hidden, independent cultivators and farms; beekeepers, blueberry fields, and pumpkin patches are all part of the landscape of this beautiful community. As such, it’s hardly surprising that it’s common to see your neighbor riding her horse down the road, or a herd of llamas waddling through rolling, patchwork fields. When you want to get out of the house, it’s easy to stretch your legs in the historic downtown of Snohomish, a town with good food, great wine, and an abundance of character. Boasting an assortment of 30 restaurants and bars, 40 specialty shops, and more…Read more
