Fences & Flowers

On a super cold day in Seattle, I can’t think of anything more heart-warming than to sip some hot drinking chocolate or a double macchiato at Chocolati Café on 45th Street in Wallingford, or Wallyhood, as the neighborhood’s fondly known. You can peer upon the passersby, bundled up against the unseasonably low temps, from the 2nd story windows while your hands are kept warm around your mug.

Sheryl Crow sang, “Everyday is a Winding Road” and the Beatles mused about traveling home on a “Long and Winding Road”. In the 80’s even Eddy Grant soloed about “Electric Avenue”. Our culture is filled with songs about streets, avenues and roads. Homes that are located on these passageways each have a different aspect to them. As I show houses to clients, I am enamored with some of the wonderful roads I travel on. The roads that lead to our houses are an extension of who we are and represent what our homes mean to us. They are the passageways to the dream of home ownership.

For over 10 years, Kent Station has been a dining, shopping and entertainment destination in the heart of downtown Kent, Washington. With adjacent luxury style apartment complexes, Dwell and the Platform and its close proximity to the Sounder Train, it is the epitome of the urban core. Also, being close to the ShoWare Center, it is a destination place for thousands of visitors to Seattle Thunderbird games, concerts and events. During the colder winter months, shopping centers come alive. Lights twinkle, holiday music is in the air and children play through the station’s pathways. With everything from businesses to entertainment, there is something for everyone when you visit Kent Station. Of the many activities, below are 5 things to do when visiting Kent Station in the fall and winter months.

Seattle’s visitors and new residents often gravitate toward the common tourist attractions that are, deservedly so, at the top of any list of things to see. Pike Place Market, the Monorail running to the newly renovated Space Needle and Mt. Rainier are well worth exploring. But it’s through the back doors where many really start to uniquely weave their lives into the historic fabric of our city.

What’s a must-have on your ideal neighborhood list? Shopping? Great schools? Walkable communities? If you’re a runner like me, you probably want the option to step right out your door to hit the pavement for a few miles. Lucky for me and for outdoor lovers everywhere, Seattle, Portland and many areas throughout the Pacific Northwest have a plethora of trails and paved paths to run and explore to your heart’s content. Many of them are just minutes from the city (or right in the middle of it), and easily accessible.

You’ve been renting or residing with family for a while and you’re tired of living in someone else’s home. Maybe family is getting too close for comfort or you’ve have had enough of the neighbor, who always slams his apartment door. These are common reasons I hear when a first time home buyer is ready to purchase a home. If you are planning to buy and are currently renting, think ahead. The planning can be weeks, months or even years. Having a game plan will help you be prepared so when the time is right, you will be able to make your move. The following are five things to do when preparing to buy a home.

Thinking of moving to the Pacific Northwest? You're not alone. In 2017, Seattle and Portland were the 1^st and 3^rd most popular cities for relocating residents*. With bustling economies, a diverse variety of cuisine, and endless recreation possibilities, it's no wonder. But how do you choose the perfect neighborhood in these big cities?

Dreams of home ownership are often sparked by major life events, including college graduation, marriage, children, and retirement. The need for space, comfort, convenience, tax breaks and the satisfaction of being a homeowner spurs many renters into buying. And surprise! Dog owners are driving the buying trend.

Dreaming of a new home can be fun and exciting. But when you’re ready to begin the buying process, it can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Should you move to a different state? Should you stick around? Do you want a different kind of home? Is the busy city calling your name or are you content with rural peace and quiet? How can you find the best real estate agent and lender?

In the Pacific Northwest, the real estate market is on fire. It’s been a seller’s market for a while, and 2017 is showing the same trends. Folks want to live here, and we can’t blame them. But finding the perfect home with such low inventory is tough. And winning the bidding war? That’s an even bigger challenge. So what’s a buyer to do?