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Edmonds 2-Bedroom Condo
June 26, 2019 /Top-floor, end-unit condo that lives big and bright! Vaulted ceilings and clerestory windows flood the unit with light. Kitchen has been upgraded with new countertops, backsplash, cabinets pulls, and faux-plank flooring that extends into the breakfast nook. Spacious family room with slider to balcony. Master bedroom has it’s own full bathroom, and 2nd bedroom is located beyond the 3/4 bathroom. All this + stackable washer & dryer, large storage closet, 2 assigned parking spaces & no rental cap! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.Read more
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Why You Should Always Hire a Real Estate Agent
June 24, 2019 /Many years ago, I lived and worked in France. I met my husband there, and we love French culture. However, in general, France does not offer the most, ahem, robust customer service. For example, while on our honeymoon, my husband and I arrived in Paris to discover that the airlines had accidentally rerouted our luggage, and our bags were now soaring off across the European continent. “So,” an airport employee explained, “you will definitely receive your bags in 1 to 12 business days.” We stared at him incredulously. “We’re only going to be staying at our hotel for four days...” “Oui, madame. So, you might receive zee bags in time, or you might not.” “We don’t have any other clothes or underwear.” The airport staff gave the infamous Gallic shrug, expressing the fact that—well—all life is suffering, and so what did we expect? I bring up this story to say two things: first, it can be incredibly frustrating to navigate weird bureaucratic systems. And second, I love working with professionals in their element. I love it when someone is so skilled in their field that, unlike during my honeymoon luggage experience, I can leave my worries behind and enjoy the…Read more
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How to Build a Real Estate Empire By Age 30: A Conversation With Jon Linders
June 17, 2019 /As a writer, one of my favorite things is to listen to someone else’s story. Pickett Street also shares a love for people and their stories, which is what makes them such a great team. Real estate, after all, comes down to individual stories and relationships, rather than big faceless companies and automated transactions. This past week, I had the opportunity to listen to Jon Linders’ story. In 2012, Jon decided to take advantage of the buyers market and reached out Pickett Street’s lead buyers agent Jillian Farrar. He bought a new three-bedroom townhouse for $230,000 with a 10% down payment. Jon lived there with two friends in order to more quickly pay down his mortgage. After a year, Jon had saved enough to buy a $120,000 condo. In order to save money on property management fees, he managed the property himself. In 2016, he moved out into a 400-square-foot apartment so he could rent both the townhouse and the condo. Finally, in 2018, he used the cash flow from this rental income to buy a two-story, single-family home for $500,000, where he now lives happily with his dog. Here’s what Jon had to say about his experiences. You’re my…Read more
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Community Highlights: Mackenzie Banta
June 12, 2019 /Pickett Street Properties is dedicated to serving the community and is highlighting businesses and community members that are dedicated to doing the same. In this highlight we are excited to share about Mackenzie Banta, Owner of Well With Mac. Here is her story: I became a certified health coach after teaching yoga and instructing fitness for a few years because I noticed so many of my clients struggle to reach their health goals with exercise alone. I knew from my independent health studies and my own weight loss journey that exercise is only part of the healthy lifestyle equation, so I went for the extra training to coach behavior change encompassing nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle factors. My business is a health coaching business created to facilitate my work helping people transform their lives through nutrition and exercise to create an overall healthier life. My mission is to empower millennial women to heal their bodies from the inside out with balanced and personalized nutrition, functional and fun movement, and transformative coaching. What I love most about what I do is watching people start to love and respect their bodies again. It's not just their bodies that change, it's their mind, their outlook and their expressions. I find…Read more
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Guide to Farmers Markets
June 7, 2019 /What’s on your menu this weekend? Hopefully your meals involve asparagus, raspberries, blueberries, apricots, greens, or any of Washington’s other June produce. I’m currently drooling over this braised pork belly, these short ribs, and these scallops and snap pea risotto. Also, how refreshing does this sparkling summer beverage look? If you don’t have cooking plans yet, you might want to explore one of the Puget Sound area’s many farmers markets. Whether you just moved to your neighborhood, or whether you have been a local for years, perusing farmers markets is one of the best ways to get to know your community. To celebrate the first week of June, here’s Pickett Street’s favorite local farmers markets. Check out the complete list of Washington markets here. Ballard Farmers Market When: Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round Where: Ballard Avenue NW between Vernon Place and 22nd Avenue What makes it special: Ballard was Seattle’s first year-round neighborhood farmers market. In addition to produce, this market offers fresh donuts, flowers, as well as eateries such as Tandoori Naan. Capitol Hill Farmers Market When: Sundays, year round Where: Broadway Ave E and E Pine Str What makes it special: This market…Read more
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Shoreline 3-bedroom Condo
June 5, 2019 /Rare top-floor, end-unit 3-bedroom condo in a great location for any commuter, with new paint and flooring throughout. Large kitchen is home to new stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. Pantry closet includes in-unit laundry with new washer and dryer. Kitchen looks out at living room and dining area with sliding door to covered balcony. Lower level holds all three bedrooms, including master suite with full bathroom. Two reserved parking spaces, including a carport with locked storage room. FHA approved and pets ok! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information. To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Shoreline 3-bedroom Condo Read more
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Three Creative Strategies to Afford a Down Payment
June 4, 2019 /We’ve discussed before how today many home buyers are skipping the 20 percent down payment. Even so, with prime buying and selling season upon us once again, let’s revisit this critical information. Helping potential home buyers realize they need less than they think to invest in a home might just be one of our favorite topics. While making a larger down payment certainly offers benefits—namely, a lower monthly mortgage bill—2019’s reality can make this financial feat difficult. According to the Seattle Times, “In the seven years since the housing crash ended, home values in more than three-quarters of U.S. metro areas have climbed faster than incomes.” A recent survey from Country Financial shows that 40 percent of buyers say the greatest financial barrier to owning a home is affording the down payment. Nerdwallet recommends not emptying your savings to find money for the down payment and closing costs. This will only leave you on financially shaky ground after you buy the home. What to do, then, if investing in real estate is one of the best ways to earn passive income, but you don’t have the cash to get started? Even if the 20 percent down payment seems impossible, you…Read more
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Cambridge Townhome
May 31, 2019 /Located on a quiet edge of the Cambridge Townhome community, this 2-bedroom townhome has new carpet and paint throughout. Living room has a gas fireplace and sliding door to balcony that floods the home with light. Bright kitchen has hardwood floors that spill into the dining room. 2 bedrooms upstairs, including master suite with full bath. No hauling laundry here, with in-unit washer and dryer on the top level. All this plus 2-car tandem garage, gas forced air heat, full guest bathroom, powder room, security system, Northshore schools and community clubhouse with gym and sauna. No rental cap! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information. To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Cambridge TownhomeRead more
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Monroe 2-Story Home
May 29, 2019 /This 2-story home is the best buy in Monroe. Situated on a corner lot, with a fully fenced yard adorned with rosebushes, blueberries and asian pear, apple & fig trees. Step in from under the covering of the wrap-around porch to a freshly painted interior. All 3 bedrooms and full bathroom upstairs. Downstairs is home to kitchen (all appliances stay), dining room, powder room, and living room with gas fireplace. 2-car garage with workbench and mud sink is accessible from the alley, and is also home to laundry and gas furnace. New roof with transferrable warranty!Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Monroe 2-Story HomeRead more
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Houghton Home
May 24, 2019 /Incredible opportunity to own a lake and mountain view home located in the esteemed Lakeview Terrace neighborhood of Houghton. The master suite features a 5 piece bath, reading room, walk-in closet & private balcony that takes advantage of the views. Additional features include a formal dining room with 2 story ceilings, massive 4 car garage, theater room and the list goes on. Walking distance to downtown Kirkland, the lake and parks, Google, shopping & restaurants Lake Washington Schools. Come see this home today!Read more
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3 Design Trends to Rejuvenate Your Home This Spring
May 24, 2019 /According to author Leo Tolstoy, “spring is the time of plans and projects.” And so, every spring, I fight the urge to Marie-Kondo my entire home to the extreme—giving away all furniture, books, clothes, and knick-knacks in exchange for a more spacious fresh start. My husband usually quietly follows my tornado path around the house, taking rather critical things like our TV out of my give-away boxes and placing them back where they belong. Luckily, there are many easier and less extreme ways to breathe fresh air into your home. Rather than getting rid of everything, for example, you might paint your kitchen walls a splashy color, or indulge in some new houseplants. Below is our guide to the hottest 2019 home design trends to help you revive your home this spring. 1. Living coral and other bold colors The color and design firm Pantone declared “living coral” to be the official color for 2019. This is good news, because this color is absolutely joyful. The Spruce offers some pretty options for incorporating this rosy shade into your home, from painting the walls to including a few simple pops of color with accent pillows. Pantone’s spring/summer 2019 color trends are…Read more
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Get Outside: Pickett Street’s Outdoor Entertainment Guide for Summer 2019
May 20, 2019 /Who needs to travel when your home state was recently ranked the best state in the country? According to US News and World Report, Washington’s position as a “tech powerhouse,” the fact that it has the fastest growing economy, and its commitment to clean energy make this the best spot to call home. As such, let’s celebrate the Puget Sound area’s excellence with a guide to outdoor events. This summer, the Pickett Street team encourages you to get outside, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the salty sunshine as much as possible. Also—if you need a hand buying or selling a home in the Puget Sound area this summer, get in touch with the team by phone 425-502-5397 or by email at info@pickettstreet.com. Outdoor Theater Nerd that I am, every summer I try to find a discounted Shakespeare performance at an outdoor theater. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the still, cool summer dusk to watch the stars come out as a story unfolds on stage. Here’s the complete guide to outdoor theater in Seattle this summer. A few of highlights include: 1. Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Romeo and Juliet Cost: FREE When: July 11th-August 11th Where: various parks around the…Read more
