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Cat’s Out Of The Bag: Everett Is Growing And Very Cool
May 17, 2019 /Just in time for spring gardens and lawns, one of Pickett Street’s latest listings features a cozy Riverside Everett home with an outdoor space full of potential. This cash-only, two-bedroom, one-bath listing also has a wood stove to warm the main living space, the sweetest loft, and hardwood floors. About a 45 minute drive from downtown Seattle, Everett sits on the Puget Sound in Snohomish County. The city is currently experiencing exciting renovations—Everett recently approved a development plan for a mixed-use waterfront on the site of a former landfill. This waterfront will include a specialty grocery store, a movie theater, and condo and multi-family home units, as well as a large park, trails, and a wetland restoration. As one resident commented, “It has been a bit of a secret that the city has been improving and getting way cooler and part of me wishes it had stayed that way to keep it from getting crowded but the cat is out of the bag.” Get in touch with Pickett Street if you’re interested in this new listing, or in buying or selling other properties in Everett (425-502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com). In the meantime, here’s more about the surrounding area. What to Do…Read more
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Mixing Friends and Business: Why It’s Actually a Good Idea
May 6, 2019 /Contrary to what others may think, I’m a big fan of mixing friends and business. When I got married last year, one of my best friends, who is a professional wedding photographer, took our photos. The best part of this arrangement was how comfortable I felt with her as she snapped pictures all day. She also provided extra love and reassurance whenever the day became a tiny bit—or, let’s be honest, very—stressful. (And she still enjoyed dancing and champagne at the end of the night!) In the real estate business, family and friends of real estate professionals often hire an outside realtor rather than their loved one. Essentially, they’re afraid that anything going wrong during the real estate transaction will damage their personal relationship. Margaret Smith comments that this situation has happened several times for Pickett Street. “It’s so hard to watch,” she says, “because most of the time they end up picking some random person they met at an open house—and this agent doesn't have a great track record.” These days, it’s easy for our lives to feel devoid of real connection—Amazon can deliver practically anything to your home in two days, and online communication replaces many face-to-face experiences. …Read more
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Community Highlights: Kristina’s Bake Shop
April 29, 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 Kristina’s Bake Shop out of Kirkland, WA. She is a wife, mommy, and lover of sweets. Here is Kristina’s story: Before I officially started baking, I was a first grade teacher for over seven years; but decided to take a break to raise our children. During that time I began baking more and more for friends and family. Every get together was a chance to whip up something yummy to share with the people I love. I opened Kristina’s Bake Shop three years ago and have been loving every minute. What started out as baking for friends, has turned into baking for friends of friends, referrals, and even for events at the Woodmark Hotel. What I love about baking is that it lets my creative juices flow, and can feel very therapeutic. As I child I always loved to bake with my Oma, she would drop everything to bake with me, and even as a college student I would go and spend time with her baking. When…Read more
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Letting Go Just Might Be the Secret
April 26, 2019 /Okay, time for some life reflection. We recently visited a friend who moved to the mountains. Within a month, she had spontaneously discovered and moved to her new home: a mountain-ranch-style one-story with a huge wrap-around deck, two wood-burning stoves, and wood-paneling giving off cozy 1970s retro vibes. Located in a small rural town of under 7,000 people, her home sat at the end of a steep dirt road deep in the mountain forests. While we enjoyed the sharp piney air and the surrounding blue spruces, our friend served us freshly smoked river trout and cold beer. When the stars appeared, they looked like a movie-version of stars. “I am sooooo jealous of this spot!” I gushed again and again, starting to realize that I have actually been feeling rather unhappy with my own living situation—one half of a duplex in the city. Not a bad home, by any means, but also not a dream home. Our friend replied that, at first, she had a few panic attacks about the decision to leave her whole life behind and move to the mountains. One panic attack occurred while she was moving in during the snowiest month of January; the U-haul full…Read more
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Are You Pickett Street’s Next Superhero Agent?
April 22, 2019 /Pickett Street is growing! The team currently seeks sale agents who are highly driven, self-motivated, and committed to personal development, team players, self-managers, and who have a trajectory of success. If you believe that you fit into this criteria, email your resume to info@pickettstreet.com. The group interview is May 1st, and there are still 10 spots available. After screening your resume, if accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with details on the group interview’s location and time In the meantime, here are a few more reasons why Pickett Street is such a unique place to work. 1. They ooze creativity. Due to the team’s energy and innovation, Pickett Street stands out from other similar work environments. A few examples of this creativity: Margaret Smith and Jesse ’s podcast Finely Clicked, which discusses everything from real estate to healthy business practices to ASMR and whiskey (yes, this podcast is just as informative, silly, and awesome as it sounds). Pickett Street loves other forms of out-of-the-box thinking, too. From helping clients find off-market homes to providing free, monthly home buyers classes, the team loves anything that gets people excited about real estate and life. Check out their latest event—a house hacking…Read more
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Tacoma Two-Story
April 18, 2019 /Enter onto beautiful wood laminate floors that flow into the open dining & living space with cozy wood burning fireplace. Enjoy the updated kitchen featuring white quartz countertops, tile backsplash and new cabinets. Upstairs find is home to 3 bedrooms, including the spacious master bedroom with double closets & on-suite full bath. Don't forget about the fully-fenced backyard for BBQs & entertaining. All this conveniently located near bus lines, the freeway, JBLM, parks, schools, & shopping. Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information. To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Tacoma Two-Story Read more
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The PNW Operations Retreat
April 16, 2019 /“I trust you.” I whispered to Agostina DiMartino. She came up to me during Gary John Bishops talk with us and looked me dead in the eye, “I didn’t expect to cry today” she said. She told me she was trying to ensure she didn’t take away from the moment we were having with Gary by having the click of the camera interrupt our obvious vulnerability. That’s just one of the reasons I hire Agostina-her empathy, tact and grace. I didn’t expect the outcome of this retreat. I try not to expect anything and just pour my heart and soul into the INTENTION of this event and my life. When I do that and I have clear intentions, then the magic rolls forth and people unfold and blossom like never before. It was evident by Saturday evening that we’d been hit with a monumental amount of information to digest, process and take action on. And I’m still working through everything that happened at the PNW Operations Retreat this year. This is the first time I’ve been able to sit down and start writing about it.It was a combination of attendees, speakers, the environment, the food and the intention. All 33 of us…Read more
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Buying or Selling This Spring? Here’s What You Need to Know
April 12, 2019 /Between the first ever image of a black hole released (which is just so cool)and the steepest decline in a decade for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate (also pretty cool), it’s been an exciting week. Plus, with the rainy weather typical for April in the Seattle area, spring seems to have officially arrived. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give the Pickett Street team a call at 425-502-5397, or email them at info@pickettstreet.com. Additionally, we’ve rounded up the most important real estate updates and tips for buying or selling a home in the spring. Read on for more information. 1. Mortgages rates dropped. According to the Seattle Times, the Federal Reserve recently decided to “put its interest rate hikes on hold for now.” Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell explained that since the U.S. economy faces slowing global growth, a trade war with China, and impacts from last year’s tax cuts, policymakers are unlikely to raise rates this year. This means that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped to 4.06 percent this week, down from 4.28 percent last week. The Seattle Times reports that this is the steepest weekly drop in a decade. 2. Seattle home prices…Read more
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In Need of Self-Care? Check Out These 6 Easy Seattle Hikes
April 8, 2019 /How is everyone doing? After a long winter, I’m feeling a bit—well—stale. As usual, the wet and frigid weather made it harder to get outside and exercise, and easier to sit inside under piles of blankets and binge Netflix. With more rain on this week’s forecast, it seems we’ve reached that inevitable point in Pacific Northwest winters where energy levels sag and irritability levels rise. If you’ve been feeling a bit down, restless, or stressed lately, it might be time to get outside. More and more studies reveal how crucial exercise is for mental health; recently, Yale and Oxford researchers discovered that exercise makes people happier than money. Plus, a recent study from the University of Michigan reports that a 20-minute walk in nature can significantly lower your stress levels. Luckily, rain has never stopped Washingtonians from getting outside and enjoying themselves—all it takes are some waterproof athletic shoes and a good rain jacket. So, to help us all get moving and enjoy the Northwest’s natural beauty, here are some of the best hikes within an hour or less of the Seattle area. 1. Discovery Park If you’re looking for a quick mid-week or weekend escape, you can find this…Read more
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What to Know About Seattle’s New Upzones
April 1, 2019 /The Seattle area has experienced record growth lately. Given that this area provides such a rich quality of life, this growth is not surprising at all. However, Seattle has also grown quite crowded; in 2017, about 92 percent of Seattle home sales involved multiple bidders. This hot real estate market cooled and stabilized in 2018, with just 21 percent of Seattle home sales involving multiple bidders. This cooling means that it buying a home in Seattle should be significantly easier this spring than in past seasons. Additionally, just last week Seattle passed new upzoning laws, which allow the city to increase housing affordability. While Seattleites remain divided regarding whether or not these upzones will actually create positive growth, many people can agree that they’re at least a start. Here’s what you need to know about Seattle’s new plans for upzones. Also, as always, reach out to Pickett Street (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397) if you still have unanswered questions about real estate in the Puget Sound area. 1. Denser construction These new zoning laws will allow developers to build more in 27 neighborhoods around the city, including Ballard, University, Green Lake, Wallingford, Capital Hill, and Rainier Beach. The city council hopes that…Read more
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Edmonds 7-plex
April 1, 2019 /Unique opportunity to own a 7-unit multi-family building in Edmonds. All units are 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, with laundry in units. Parking for 14, including 4 carport spaces, with additional storage for each unit. Great location near transit, park & ride, I-5 and Aurora Village. Additional option to convert to condos and resale for profit. Rented below market values with month-to-month leases make for a great opportunity to increase cash-flow quickly. Recent appraisal and rent proformas available upon request. Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.Read more
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Lynnwood Rambler
March 27, 2019 /Situated at the end of a culdesac in Lynnwood, this rambler doesn’t need anything other than new owners. Enter on high-grade laminate floors that lead you into the spacious kitchen with granite countertops and breakfast island. Great room floorplan opens to dining room and living room with gas fireplace. 3 bedrooms, including master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet and 5-piece bathroom. Slider from living room opens to fully fenced backyard with patio. All this plus a 2-car garage, air-conditioning, and Hardie-plank siding. Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information. To download the property flyer as a PDF, click on the link: Lynnwood RamblerRead more
