Sunday, April 5, 2015

5-Reasons to Live in the Seattle Area

1.  Economy

Seattle is one of the top cities for job seekers, and it is because of the diverse sectors of industry Seattle has to offer.  Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, University of Washington, Boeing, Nordstrom, US Defense Department, and not to mention Seattle's Maritime Cluster all contribute to Seattle's thriving job force. 
(Seattle is also a hot spot for new start-ups!)  In fact, Seattle ranks third for the nation's strongest economy.

2.  Housing


Seattle may not be the cheapest and sunniest place to live, but locals love not only the beautiful countryside, but all of the special city neighborhoods.  Rest assured, each of these neighborhoods is unique, and people choose their homes based upon their interests.  A strong economy, low interest rates, and compelling neighborhoods, all make investing in real estate worthwhile.   The Seattle area is also booming with new growth in apartments, condominiums and single family homes – There are currently $10 billion in construction projects in Seattle, and there will be 30-40 major projects happening in the next 12 months. 

3.  Outdoors

Sure, Seattle is famous for its rain.  Yet the weather here is always changing, and the rain is not like the hurricane variety.  And, the rain never stops anyone from getting outside.  In fact, Seattleites use the cold winter months as a great time to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, skiing nearby, (alpine, cross-country, snowshoeing, and snowboarding) and walking their dogs.  Believe me, locals here are passionate about their K9 friends!  

4.  Summers


That's right!  Summer is Seattle's best kept secret!  With low humidity, abundant sunshine, and extended days, locals love and appreciate Seattle summers.  You will fall in love with lush green trees, vast blue waters, and breathtaking mountain views.  You will also find yourself attending outdoor festivals, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and much more.  


5.  The people


In 2009, Forbes ranked Seattle, Washington as the 4th safest city in the country.  Seattle also goes through great lengths to protect the pedestrians, which also adds to the safety of the city.  In 2008, a survey by the US Census Bureau found that among all major U.S. cities, Seattle has the highest percentage of college and university graduates.  Seattle is also home to a very rich history of music and fantastic musicians are finding their voices here every year - like Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and now Macklemore.


Not enough convincing reasons to embrace the PNW?  There are also amazing restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines, ferry boats, Pike's Place Market, the Space Needle, Seahawks, locally produced wine, beer, and whiskey, wild orcas in the Puget Sound, and the list goes on.  Oh, and there is the best coffee on the planet...  Says every person who lives here.  






Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Tips & Updates

April 2015 Tips & Updates

Tips:

1.  If you want the most money out of your house when selling, it doesn't take much.  Fresh paint, new carpet, power wash outside, and the most important area is landscaping.  

Bottom line:  Research shows, that buyers make purchases based on their emotional experiences, and that first impression is the hook, line, and sinker.

2.  If the roof on your house is old, and it appears to not be in good shape, you have options.  You could pay for a roofer to give you a 5-year 'roof certification.'  If the roofer cannot certify the roof, you can obtain a quote so that you are ahead of the game. 

Bottom line:  You want to be in the driver's seat for the entire time, during the transaction period.  

Updates:

1.  What is different during this "boom" is that we have a lot of cash buyers, no zero down or risky loans, buyers are more cautious about waiving home inspections and risky contingencies, and less frenzy from the media. 


Bottom line:  Home buyers are not feeling like they are missing out as before, and they are frustrated and very tired. 

2.  Local rents are increasing so high that it is forcing millennials (and many others) to buy houses.  Rents have risen so much that it simply makes sense to purchase.  

Bottom line:  Rates are low, rents are high, our local economy is very strong, and we are very close to 2007 price points.



The Future of Seattle & The Light Rail

How The Light Rail Will Change Seattle 1.  Real Estate Values Will Explode If you thought Seattle was already expensive, think about h...