November 2015

Ahhh New Year’s resolutions. We know we’re going to give them up by February (at the latest) so why do we make them every year? You may be vowing to lose weight, save money, or spend more time with family. But what goals do you set for your home? Try these resolutions to make your home more beautiful, efficient, and clean all year, even after the Christmas magic wears off.

1. Streamline the Stuff

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter. This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After that, think twice about what you bring in.

Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those

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Ever wonder what ads looked like 100 years ago? Commuting between Seattle and the Eastside became much more efficient and practical with the opening of the ferry in 1913. Medina Districts selling points back then was the fresh air, pure water, electric lighting, low taxes and of course happiness. 

 

The first Bellevue schoolhouse was built in 1982 located on Main St, this later became Bellevue's first city hall.

A sign from the Enatai Neighborhood in 1950. Fed up neighbors added a phone number that motorists could call to complain about the road conditions.

 

Look how much Bellevue has grown since 1987.

(SOURCE: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/look-back-history-bellevue-1900-1980s-photo-gallery-tim-savy) 

See what's selling in

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Seattle isn't the only city with a goldmine for innovative food trucks. Take a drive into the streets of Bellevue to find some of the best eats in town. 

For example, Tuscan Stone Pizza on Bellevue way offers fresh, delicious, fire baked pizza in minutes! Their menu features classic Italian flavors, American favorites, or be creative and build your own daily from 11-8p. My personal favorite is their BBQ Chicken with cilantro. Yum!

Check out this site for more food trucks! 

 

One of the most disappointing times is when you need to sell and after going through all the motions involved in selling a home...there it sits. Some give up and take their home off the market while others only think to drop the price. As a Listing Specialist, let me explain some myths and realities for you: 

1. Winter Hibernation?
It's interesting that sellers assume that buyer's nearly hibernate in the winter from their home shopping. This may be true to a point as many people do buy in the spring/summer but if you have a strong market, you can list your home in the dead of winter and still sell if you do it right. With less competition from other homes for sale, you will have more showings than if 15 other homes in your neighborhood are for sale.

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Buyer beware. There is one little checkbox in the NWMLS forms we use to complete your home purchase that you must stay aware of. We have seen inexperienced agents forget to fill in that portion of the contract which tells us they are not aware of the major consequences that could befall their buyer: MORE TAXES! 

The IRS has something called a FIRPTA withholding which may come into play if the seller is a foreign person. Please ask your CPA for details, but it is your Real Estate Brokers job to make sure the seller in the transaction marks one of those boxes: either identifying the seller as a foreign person or not. Forms are subject to change, as are tax rules, but from what we know today... please read more about this issue that can greatly cost a

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  Here at Urban Properties we are very excited to be newly certified by the Northwest Mountain Minority Business Council. Watch this video to learn more!