November 2016

Many seniors are choosing to stay in their homes as long as possible and prefer their independence. Unfortunately, seniors in the U.S. are involved in 2.3 million home accidents per year. Here are some good ways for them to make their home ready for their changing needs so they can stay longer while staying safe, falling being the main concern.

• Remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking. Clutter, small furniture, pet bowls, electrical or phone cords, area rugs or slick floors.

• Arrange furniture to give room to walk freely. All pathways such as stairs, halls, etc., should be clear.

• Be sure that carpets are secured to the floor and stairs. Rugs might be nice on wood floors but they need to be properly

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The NWMLS is the best source for looking at trends in our Western Washington Market and they provide Brokers excellent reports each month based upon real statistics of sales and trends. Here are some key highlights they passed onto us this month. 

1.) Buyers are still going strong on making offers even in the fall. Compared to last year in October, we've had 633 more offers made on homes - a gain of 6.8% even though listings on the market have drastically fallen to levels we've not seen since the 1990's and inventory won't increase until spring.

2.) We do tend to see an "election cycle slowdown", as is typical, due to both buyers and sellers wanting to see how everything pans out but a COO of one of the regions largest real estate firms does not

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  A customer reviewing Lot No. 3 wrote, "Definitely would come back to try this place out when I'm not in a rush to call it a night." The vintage inspired atmosphere creates an intimate setting perfect for a night out with friends or a fun dinner date.      LOT NO. 3 Their menu includes candied bacon, crispy pork belly, and a warm spiced cake that is served in a jar! The specialized drink menu offers a wide variety of options from whiskey to sour-driven cocktails.  

  The Bellevue Botanical Garden includes award-winning display gardens, meadows, wetlands, and forests.  Certain displays illustrate the many plant varieties found in the Northwest.  The garden offers guided tours, summer concerts, art exhibits, and a large holiday light festival.     

It is important for your home to be protected from the harsh winter months. Learn ways to winterize your home to reduce energy consumption and raise energy efficiency. There are a suprising amount of tips and tricks that can be accomplished with a low budget as well as some that are free!       Checklists can come in handy to help plan ahead and see what needs to be completed in time before the temperature drops!    

  You've found a place that you love and have made it through all of the obstacles and paperwork to get there. Along with owning your new home there can be numerous expenses from property taxes to repairs and maintenance. Luckily, there are four quick tips for new homeowners that will help handle the potential costs!   Create A New Budget: Spend a few months tracking all of your expenses and update your budget to reflect the actual costs of living in your new home. You may come to expect that you're spending more than expected. Energy bills, lawn care, etc. will all cost more for a larger space.    Prepare To Spend Money On Repairs And Maintenance: You may not realize how much you will actually spend on repairs. Most homeowners spend…

"Seattle's increase in home prices can be explained by not only continued faith in the housing market, but also in the buoyancy of the regional economy." With home values almost back to pre-crash peaks, expect a continued rebound driven by rising incomes, new households, and job growth in a range of industries. If you're looking to sell, the good news is houses in the top 20 metro areas, including Seattle, sold for a median increase of $41,000. 

 

A condo with "potential?" - what exactly does that mean? Ellen brings out the humor of property descriptions that agents use and, of course, the funniest parts of them! 

Snowflake Lane at The Bellevue Collection is a holiday spectacle of live toy soldier drummers, music, animated snow characters, and glittering lights all surrounded by snow falling every night along Bellevue Way. Up to 12,000 people reportedly visit Snowflake Lane each night!

  Located on Main Street in old downtown Bellevue, Local Burger provides a variety of locally sourced food and beverages, including vegetarian options. They serve brunch, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and offer catering. Local burger wants you to feel good about what you eat - and you will!