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Buy now, my pretties!
November 3, 2017 /While Halloween and its festivities can be super fun, this holiday may have put you in a spooked mood. Am I the only one out there who regrets spending Halloween huddled on the couch, mindlessly eating Reese’s peanut butter cups and watching The Shining? While Jack Nicholson wielding an axe is certainly terrifying, most adults experience more anxiety over certain aspects of everyday life, including financial commitments like career decisions and buying a home. (Quick side note, another common fear is robots taking over the world.) If anxiety over buying a home sounds familiar, not to worry--this decision is not as scary as it seems. To soothe your fears and ease the process, get in touch with Pickett Street (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. In the meantime, settle in with that leftover Halloween candy (unless you ate it all like me), and relax by reading about common home-buying fears and why they’re not actually that scary. 1. Buying a home costs too much money, and I can’t afford it. Finding enough cash to make a down payment on a home is one of home buyers’ biggest anxieties. The median home price in Seattle is $725,000, which means that a 20% down…Read more
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Embracing Hygge: The Benefits of Selling Your Home During the Fall
October 20, 2017 /Embracing Hygge: The Benefits of Selling Your Home During the Fall Many people claim that spring is the best time to sell your home. Summer’s just around the corner, giving potential buyers more time away from work to move, front yards are generally looking cheerful with fresh blossoms, and new beginnings are in the air. However, selling in the spring and summer just isn’t possible for every homeowner. What's more, there are several secret advantages to selling during the “off-seasons” of fall and winter. If you’re considering listing your home this fall, here are a few reasons why this might be an excellent idea. 1. Embrace hygge. One of my favorite words ever, hygge is Danish for all things cozy and content--relaxed gatherings for family and friends, candles and firelight, warm blankets, and more. While it is possible to find hygge year-round, there is no better time for this concept than during the fall and winter. Most buyers want a welcoming, comfortable space to call their own, and you can achieve the hygge feeling through embracing fall's natural emphasis on hearth and home. Be sure to highlight your interior’s natural light through opening curtains or shades. It’s also smart to…Read more
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New Listing Near the Arboretum Is a Seattle Dream
October 5, 2017 /Here’s a nerdy confession: one of my favorite ways to relax is to sit down with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and drool over home design makeovers. I love to read about how people buy homes and make them their own with just a bit of design smarts, such as this inspiring example on Cup of Jo. As such, I am thrilled to talk about Pickett Street’s newest listing today, and am both jealous of and excited for the lucky homebuyer who snags this property. The Listing While searching for your dream home can sometimes be discouraging, there also comes the time when, by some miracle, you find the perfect spot. Just four blocks from the Arboretum, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom historic home was built in 1904 and is oozing with charm. Highlights include a spiral staircase, a fully finished daylight basement with a cozy wood stove, crafted cabinetry, a jetted tub in the master bathroom, and the unbeatable location. The best part about this property is that, at a spacious 4,000 square feet, with two levels and the finished basement, the property is begging to be customized to fit your style and needs. The basement’s private…Read more
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Four Reasons Why It’s Good to Be a Home Seller Right Now
September 29, 2017 /My friends recently made a really smart real estate decision: four years after purchasing their lovely home in Boulder, Colorado, they sold it and moved to a cheaper spot in Nashville, and, as a result, made a boatload of money. I found myself both--let’s be honest--slightly envious, and inspired. Investing in real estate, and understanding when to sell, is one of the smartest ways to build wealth. You might be wondering what Boulder, Colorado has to do with Washington State, aside from the fact that both Seattle and Boulder are home to hippies and tech nerds with serious outdoors obsessions. Well, while Boulder’s real estate market is doing well right right now, Seattle’s real estate market is right up there with it as one of the most competitive markets in the country. In many ways, the Seattle market is even hotter than Boulder’s. If you’re considering listing your Seattle area home right now, here are a few reasons why it's good to be a home seller right now. For more information about selling your home and understanding its current value, contact Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Also, be sure to check out this easy home value form. 1. The…Read more
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Look For The Helpers
September 15, 2017 /If you’ve been following the news lately, or if you’ve been directly affected by recent events, it might seem like the world has turned into an apocalyptic landscape. With wildfires in Oregon, California, Montana, and elsewhere, and Hurricane Harvey and Irma ripping through the southern United States and Caribbean, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In difficult times, I am reminded of a quote from the beloved Mr. Rogers: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world." The Keller Williams family is among the many helpers. How Keller Williams Is Helping As Hurricane Harvey’s devastation spread, leaving at least 210,700 properties damaged or destroyed in Texas, many displaced survivors looked for shelter at the Austin Convention Center, where Keller William's company typically holds a four-day conference each year in September. After seeing how many people needed support in the hurricane’s aftermath, Keller Williams decided to…Read more
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Five Reasons You Should List Your Home Today
August 10, 2017 /You may have heard that it’s a seller’s market right now. However,you may also be wondering what exactly that means for you, the potential seller. Here's the rundown of the current seller's market and a few reasons why you shouldn't wait to sell your home. 1. Seattle is one of the hottest housing markets in the country. According to several different reports, Seattle’s real estate market is one of the hottest in the country for 2017. And the city of Seattle isn’t the only area that’s hot: King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties are all experiencing competitive real estate markets right now. 2. Inventory is low. There are currently more people looking to buy homes than there are people listing their homes in the Seattle area. According to the Seattle Times, inventory is down by 27 percent when compared to last year's numbers. This means that competition among potential buyers is high. Plus, this competition often results in bidding wars, which means that sellers are likely to receive more than the original listing price. About 75 percent of listed homes have received multiple offers this year, and 56 percent of homes are selling for more than the asking price. In several city neighborhoods, and…Read more
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Tips for Navigating Seattle’s 2017 Real Estate Market
August 9, 2017 /Seattle’s real estate market is on fire right now, and it’s easy to see why. Tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Expedia are creating healthy job growth, making the local job market one of the hottest in the country. Additionally, despite its growing costs, this urban area remains one of the more affordable west coast cities, especially when compared to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Not to mention, Seattle is just plain gorgeous. With these perks, Seattle one of the fastest growing cities in the county; the most recent data found that about 1,100 people are moving to the city every week (you heard me right--1,100 people per week!). So, how does one navigate this exciting and competitive atmosphere when buying or selling a home? Here are a few tips, along with more information about what to expect from Seattle’s real estate market in 2017. 1. Don’t Wait to Buy If you’re serious about buying a home in Seattle, now’s the time to go for it. Real estate professionals predict that the market will remain competitive throughout 2017 and beyond. According to the NW REporter, while there was a small increase in residential listings this past June (a 7…Read more
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Fannie Mae Changes Help Homebuyers With Student Debt
August 4, 2017 /It’s tough out there for students. Take it from me, a millennial who has collected a bachelor’s degree and a master's degree, as well as a bit of debt along the way. Recent surveys have shown that the average college graduate has more debt than ever before, and that this increased debt makes it harder for graduates to save money and therefore more hesitant to buy homes. What’s more, millennials aren’t the only ones who carry this burden--about 43 million Americans, including millennials, Gen Xers, and even some baby boomers, are currently drowning in student debt. However, luckily for us former students, the mortgage investor Fannie Mae has introduced three new changes that will make it much easier for individuals with student debt to purchase homes. Here are three situations in which these new rules will help. 1. If Someone Else Makes Your Student Loan Payments Many employers now offer their employees student loan repayment benefits. In the past, this system has made it more difficult for individuals looking to buy homes; when calculating a homebuyer’s debt-to-income required for mortgages, mortgage lenders did not take into account that the potential homebuyer did not have to make their student loan payments…Read more
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Neighborhood Profile: Gold Creek
August 1, 2017 /If you’re like me, you might have trouble deciding where you want to settle in the Seattle area. With the city, the mountains, the Puget Sound and its islands, and the countryside full of farms and wineries, I am always wishing I could have five or six houses scattered around Washington. Luckily, however, there are places to live like Gold Creek. Gold Creek is a quiet neighborhood between Mill Creek and Snohomish, Washington. Nestled among the Cascade mountains and the Puget Sound, in one of the true centers of activity in Washington, this area is one of the most gorgeous and convenient places to live in the state. Vancouver, Canada is a little under 100 miles north, Seattle is 20 miles south, and the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Peninsula are just short ferry rides away. Neighborhood Stats As of 2010, Gold Creek had about 2,300 residents. While this neighborhood is small, it’s close to several exciting hubs, including Seattle ( about a 30-minute drive) and Everett (about a 20-minute drive). Because of its convenient location, Gold Creek is popular among families, couples, and single individuals who work in the nearby cities and want to enjoy a relatively short…Read more
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Seattle Neighborhood Profile: Laurelhurst
July 24, 2017 /Just south of Windermere and east of the University District, Laurelhurst is situated on the shores of Lake Washington. The Duwamish tribe used this area as a seasonal campground called “Sahlouwil.” The neighborhood was first developed around the turn of the century, when a community of about fifty people built the Seattle Golf Club there; today, the club is a beautiful private residence. Here are a few reasons why living in Laurelhurst might be just what you need. 1. It Has Something For Everyone Niche.com ranked Laurelhurst as the best neighborhood in Seattle for families. This status is largely due to the neighborhood's excellent schools, quiet residential streets, and proximity to the University of Washington. The area’s best schools include the private Villa Academy and Laurelhurst Elementary, which offers the popular Laurelhurst After School Enrichment Rooms (LASER). Laurelhurst isn’t just for families, however; it’s also home to many singles and couples, both professionals working in the city and retired individuals. Because Laurelhurst is 52% less populated than the rest of Seattle, it’s the perfect home for anyone looking for a tiny oasis of quiet in an otherwise bustling city. Check out this sweet and private mid-century modern home in Laurelhurst.…Read more
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Common Architectural Styles for Seattle Homes
July 21, 2017 /When I was younger, my mother and I used to spend Sunday afternoons driving around looking at houses in pretty neighborhoods. At the time, we lived in a small home in the Des Moines/SeaTac area. Today, my mother has worked her way up to a beautiful rustic cabin-style home in Gig Harbor. However, when we get together, we still love to admire the gorgeous houses in Seattle and the way they look in the Northwest’s unique silvery light. If you’re interested in buying a home in the Seattle area, here’s a quick guide to some of the common architectural styles that you’ll see around the city. Be sure to contact Pickett Street at at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com to get started finding your home. 1. Victorian Often found around the Queen Anne neighborhood and mostly built during the 1880s and 1890s, these elegant homes are among the oldest in Seattle. Common features of this style include a gabled roof, scalloped shingle siding on the upper level, covered porches with round columns, and a round or octagonal turret. Check out this gorgeous, romantic, and renovated Victorian in Capitol Hill. 2. Tudor Built in Seattle through the 1930s, Tudor homes are known for…Read more
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Seattle Summers: Golden Gardens Park
June 30, 2017 /While on a recent visit to Seattle, my partner and I hit the Washington weather jackpot for June: 65-degree mornings and 85 degree afternoons, without a single cloud in the sky. We decided to grab Thai food and head to Golden Gardens, which is a beachfront park located in northern Ballard. “Hooray, beach day!” I said as we drove to the park. “Well,” my partner replied, with that tone he often takes when he is about to be clever. “Beach day.” He pantomimed air quotes around “beach,” implying that Seattle beaches are not real beaches. My partner is from Colorado (which, let me just point out, has zero beaches), and he grew up frequently visiting family in Hawaii, enjoying pristine white sand beaches and warm waters. I love him dearly, but he is a tiny bit of a beach snob. “What are you saying?” I asked. “I mean, is it even a real beach if it’s all rocky and doesn’t have any sand?” I told him that he’d better change his attitude or I would eat all of the spring rolls and his pad thai (which I am totally capable of doing). While driving to the park, we were able…Read more
