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Keep Calm and Carry On: 5 Ways to Stay Connected
March 20, 2020 /Keep Calm and Carry On: 5 Ways to Stay Connected How is everyone doing? With recent COVID-19-related changes to businesses, schools, and—well—basically most other aspects of daily life, it’s been an intense few weeks. One thing I’ve been keeping in mind is that, regardless of whether or not I’m worried about my own health, social distancing is important right now. This practice keeps the most vulnerable members of my community, such as immunocompromised folks or seniors, safe. As UC San Francisco epidemiologist Jeff Martin says, “Social distancing now is one of the greatest calls for altruism.” So, how to manage these strange, unprecedented times? First, if you’re worried about buying or selling a home right now, I promise you will feel better after chatting with the Pickett Street team’s resourceful, creative, and whip-smart real estate experts ((425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com). Let these professionals do the tough work for you. Next, you might keep in mind that we are all in this together. One thing that’s been helping me when I feel anxious about the uncertainty is that so many people feel the same anxiety right now. I’m not alone, and neither are you. Finally, check out this list of ideas…Read more
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Get Wild: 4 Ways to Rewild Your Outdoor Space
Get Wild: 4 Ways to Rewild Your Outdoor Space Along with kombucha and succulent terrariums, one of the latest trends (old trends) in home design is rewilding. “Rewilding” means allowing your yard and the rest of your land to grow naturally, replacing imported plants with native species, and generally encouraging wildlife to thrive. Not only does this practice create beautiful outdoor spaces, it’s also good for the environment. If you’re curious, check out this interview with novelist Jeff Vandermeer, in which he talks about how he and his wife “rewilded” their yard. Rewilding doesn’t have to involve a major re-haul of your property’s exterior. As Vandermeer says, “You can always do something. Even a few potted plants that your local nursery says are good for butterflies or birds can be of use. Even a small bird feeder can be of use, too.” You can rewild your yard no matter the size. And luckily, the Pacific Northwest hosts some of the lushest, most diverse wildlife in the world. If you’d like to find the kind of home where you can practice rewilding your property, or if you’re interested in other real estate, let Pickett Street know—call or email at (425) 502-5397…Read more
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Bring On Spring: Seattle’s Most Beloved Parks
March 6, 2020 /Bring On Spring: Seattle’s Most Beloved Parks Even though Seattle area weather continues to be rainy and chilly, we at Pickett Street have decided we will simply will warmer spring temperatures into existence by writing about the outdoors. As such, this week we’re celebrating Seattle’s best, most popular parks. After all, rainy weather has never stopped Washingtonians from enjoying a good walk or bike ride. As the Scandinavian saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothes.” If reading our guide to these wonderful spots piques your interest in buying or selling real estate around Seattle, reach out to us at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Discovery Park, Magnolia Seattle’s largest green space at 534 acres, Discovery offers nearly 12 miles of walking trails, which include two miles of beaches and sand dunes, meadows, dramatic sea cliffs, forest, and streams. This park also houses West Point Lighthouse. Visitors note the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere as their favorite aspects of this Seattle landmark. Carkeek Park, Broadview Carkeek is home to 220 acres of wetlands, beaches, creeks, and forest. Visitors can check out Piper's Orchard, explore the beach, or hike the trails, including Piper’s Creek Trail. As one reviewer…Read more
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Want to Outsmart Seattle’s 2020 Housing Market? Work With a Creative Agent!
March 2, 2020 /Want to Outsmart Seattle’s 2020 Housing Market? Work With a Creative Agent After a year or two of Seattle’s real estate market slowing, it seems that things are picking up again for the coming spring. It’s once again a sellers’ market, as housing inventory decreases but demand remains high in the Seattle area. According to the National Association of Realtors, Americans signing contracts to buy homes increased to 5.2% in January. In order to approach the spring frenzy with a cool head, here’s what you need to know. First, and most importantly, reach out to Pickett Street ( (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com) to find an agent who is an expert on the current market and how to best navigate it. Next, take a look at these updates below to educate and prepare yourself. Mortgages decreased. According to Freddie Mac, this past Thursday the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped from 3.49% to 3.45%. This is far below the 4.35% rate from February 2019. Average rates for 15-year fixed mortgages also dropped from 2.99% last week to 2.95%. These lower mortgage rates have contributed to the currently high demand for homes, as buyers want to get in while the mortgage rate is cheap. …Read more
