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The Gift of Equity
January 25, 2019 /Because we’ve grown used to living in small spaces together, my husband and I try to avoid giving each other things. Instead, we like to gift each other time together—dinner at a restaurant, a hike in the mountains, or even just time to sit together at home over a bottle of wine and connect. My husband is especially good at these non-material gifts; early every morning he makes a big pot of coffee so that it’s ready when I wake up. He inherited this aptness for generosity through acts of service from his father, who will quietly fix a lightbulb or change the oil in our cars whenever we visit. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. When it comes to nontraditional gifts, I recently learned the coolest idea from the Pickett Street team—did you know that family members can give each other the gift of equity? Neither did I. Pickett Street can tell you more about this gift (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397), and you can also read on for the basic rules. 1. What are gifts of equity? According to Pickett Street’s preferred mortgage lender Cody Touchette with Caliber Home Loans, “gift funds or a gift of equity is when…Read more
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Gary Keller’s Return and Keller Williams’ Tech-Inspired Future
January 18, 2019 /The fields of technology and real estate are moving quickly these days. In early January, Gary Keller returned to Keller Williams as CEO. As the company’s co-founder and chairman, Keller announced that he is eager to step back into this role to lead the real estate industry "into the future.” Keller stated that “2019 marks our complete transformation into a technology company that provides unique agent solutions and consumer experiences, positioning us to lead the industry in the years ahead.” In 1983, Gary Keller (who was not yet 30!) co-founded the company with Joe Williams. As of 2018, Keller Williams is the biggest real estate franchise in the U.S. In a live broadcast last week, Keller emphasized the importance of “tech-enabled agents” to enhance customer experiences. Regarding this exciting new period for the company, Keller commented, “We are in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’—an era of the machine-powered ‘know-it-all’ business that’s always on, analyzing, learning, and thinking.” Here are three major developments for the company as it steps into 2019. 1. SmarterAgent partnership The startup company SmarterAgent allows real estate agents to create branded search apps across multiple listing services. This mobile app will also eventually connect to Keller Williams’ database…Read more
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Seattle Real Estate Forecast
January 15, 2019 /Happy New Year! I have a good feeling about this one. What are you most excited for in 2019? What are you choosing to focus on? Pickett Street’s Margaret Smith is jumping into the new year with her focus word “relentless.” I’m attempting to incorporate less car time and more walking in my daily routines—wish me luck. If your New Year goals involve buying or selling a home (or simply thinking about these decisions!), take a look at 2019’s real estate forecast outlined below. Make sure you also reach out to Pickett Street (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397) for information about your best real estate options. 1. The housing market will slow, but stabilize. While some experts predicted that the 2018 tax bill would cause the housing market to slow, the Washington Post asserts that so far “the limitations on mortgage-interest and property-tax deductions haven’t had a negative impact.” Instead, real estate experts anticipate that the market will slow in 2019 due to rising mortgage rates and the current government shutdown. Experts also say, however, this slowing down is not a complete standstill. According to the National Association of Realtors, “The forecast for home sales will be very boring — meaning stable.”…Read more
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Community Highlights: Side Hustle Doughnuts
January 14, 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 Side Hustle Doughnuts out of the Georgetown neighborhood in Seattle, WA. Here is their story: With no kitchen or baking experience, I’m probably the most unlikely doughnut maker you’ll ever meet. For the past 17 years, I’ve worked for some amazing Seattle companies including Nordstrom, Microsoft, Expedia, and most recently Amazon, however, I felt myself getting increasingly burned out on corporate life and wanted to try something completely new, and different. My significant other, Chris (owner of Lowercase Brewing), and I live above Lowercase’s production facility in South Park where we’re surrounded by spent-grain (a by-product of the brewing process) so we wanted to find a creative use for it. We also realized that Lowercase’s taproom in Georgetown was closed more often than it was open so we wanted to find a way to take advantage of the unused space in the mornings. I happen to love sweets and was convinced Georgetown needed a doughnut shop so we hatched a plan in the fall of 2017 to…Read more
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Westhill Estate
January 6, 2019 /Situated on a shy half acre lot, this colonial home sits in the heart of Westhill. Park in the circular driveway, or imagine you live here already and drive up the private drive to the detached over-sized 2-car garage. Step in off the covered front porch and turn into a spacious living room warmed by a wood fireplace with gas starter. Kitchen has cedar-lined ceiling, tile countertops, and is straddled by a breakfast nook and formal dining room. So much living space, with separate family room (with stove & skylights), rec room (with wet bar & skylights), and office. 3 bedrooms upstairs, including master suite with 3/4 bath and room to spare. Fully fenced private backyard with fire pit, partially covered patio, and room to roam. All this + an unfinished basement within a block of Bothell High School. Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.Read more
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Kenmore Rambler
January 6, 2019 /Situated on a corner lot in the Northshore School District, this Kenmore rambler offers privacy at a value. Hardwood floors spill throughout the main level, starting with the living room with wood stove and cascading into all 3 bedrooms. Light and bright kitchen adjacent to the dining room. Converted garage could be music studio, 4th bedroom, or home office. All this and a covered patio, raised garden beds, freestanding deck, over-sized carport, and security system. All appliances stay! Call Jesse Moore at 425.502.5397 for more information.Read more
