I've been watching market trends for 25 years now as an active realtor in Ballard / Greenwood and beyond. There is always a flurry of activity between Martin Luther King day in January and Mother's Day in May. That's when the number of buyers always seems to outweigh the amount of available inventory. The past two years have been a little crazy here in Seattle because of the huge number of...
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Often when we're trying to decide how to set up a home to hit the market, it is a good idea to be brutally honest and suggest that some furniture go and often some staging come in to create the best way to showcase the home. The camera doesn't lie and some rooms just look better after they've been redesigned with less going on, crisper lines and often smaller-scale furniture. The photos below are a...
As a native, I know why outdoor rooms are so critical to enjoying life here. After all the cloud cover burns off, and you have a totally amazing Sunny afternoon, the first thing many of us think is where can I catch a little sunshine. Cafes with patios & decks around town offer great options, yet putting a little "oomph" into your own backyard will reap rewarding times for you again and again. ...
Having just reviewed offers on another wonderful listing of ours, I am again reminded just how important it is to have everything ready and clean & tidy before a home hits the market. Over the years I have found that when there is a strong sellers market, the amount of inventory increases and the attention to details can fall off. When a seller says "I can't loose in this market" and lists...
I've been asked over the years why some homes sell in a week and how you create that "magic" touch. It comes down to a few elements that are critical - the price being first and foremost. If a home is fairly priced the buyer response will be tremendous in an up market. If it is overpriced by 10% the sellers may miss their mark, and in the end may need to reduce the listing price. Right...
Open & light interiors, spacious rooms, banks of windows and crisp colors all bring to mind mid-century homes. These homes, especially those built in the early 1960's, have a unique vibe that is very special for buyers. Built a bit bigger, they often have a two-car garage, extra storage, a couple of baths and big yards. A mid-century modern home may be just the answer for you as you think...
When a home has that special feeling and you just like hanging out there, that's what I call "Adorable" and we have that on the market today. This sweet North Ravenna home was built in the 1940's and it sits up off the street with a coveted Southern orientation. As you walk up the path to the front door the garden and plantings are thoughtful and the backyard is absolutely amazing with a sweet patio...
When you're planning to list your home, even in a fast market, think about first impressions and get everything tuned up. Walk across the street at take a look at your home with a critical eye, as if you didn't live there. Any clutter to remove? Dead plants in pots or an unfinished project? Do you have a spot of colorful bulbs coming up in a pot? Is the front walk manicured and the porch...
Now is a great time to donate any sweaters that you're not wearing and help out those in need in our community. The Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood sweater drive is in full swing at PCC Markets and I am collecting sweaters at our office (311 North 85th Street) to bring over there up until February 3rd. If you drop off sweaters with me, leave your name with the receptionist and you might win a $25 gift...
Is there really a "best time" to put your home on the market? The old saying about selling in May does not ring true in our current market. Today home buyers are looking throughout the year, with January pulling in as many brokers and buyers as a home listed in the Spring or Summer. During our winter months the weekends are key for getting buyers through the home. The gardens are not yet...