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Showing posts from November, 2022

Is It Good To Buy A Home This Holiday Season?

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Those who make an offer on a home in Washington over the holidays could save money — even in the competitive Seattle real estate market. Less competition and more motivated sellers. Those are just two of the potential perks of buying a home in Washington State over the holidays. And a recent report added a third item to the list. Buyers could also get a better deal on their purchases. If you’re trying to figure out what to expect when buying a house in Washington, the process depends on where exactly you’re aiming to land in the Evergreen State. For example, Seattle — home to many well-paid workers in the tech industry — is extremely expensive. According to a housing report by the  Madrona Group , the city’s average sale price hit $935,000 in September. Elsewhere in the state, though, your budget can look quite a bit smaller. In Spokane, for example,  Redfin data  shows the median sale price at just $380,000. While the number of homes for sale has risen in recent months, the housing su

What is Thankgiving And Why Is It Celebrated In The US?

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Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November—November 24, 2022. It's an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada to celebrate the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people .  This American holiday is particularly rich in legend and symbolism, and the traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. With respect to vehicular travel, the holiday is often the busiest of the year, as family members gather with one another.  But do you know the true history of Thanksgiving Day? Let's talk more about it in this article, there might be some information that is not made known to you yet.  History of Thanksgiving Prior to the formal establishment of Thanksgiving in the United States, harvest festivals had bee

9 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Professional

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Buying or selling a home is one of the most financially significant transactions most people engage in. And taking this step amid an especially competitive real estate market, as we are experiencing now, is no small matter.  Hiring the right realtor who brings experience, professionalism, and expertise to the table can make a huge difference in your real estate journey. A great realtor makes the process less daunting. But selecting one to work with can be challenging — and there are more Realtors now than ever before.  At the end of 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) membership reached a new all-time high with more than 1.5 million members, an increase of more than 100,800 over the previous year. With all of these professionals vying for your business, how do you decide which agent is right for you? Taking the time to interview candidates is important. The questions below can help you find the perfect match for your needs. 1. How long have you been in business, and what i

5 Impacts of Technology In The Real Estate Industry

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The adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the real estate market has the potential to forever alter the way business is conducted in this age-old industry. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a home or you’re an agent trying to sell one, pulling up listings to browse on your phone or tablet is the norm these days. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg hitting the real estate world as technology continues to play an impactful role in how consumers and industry professionals are approaching the market.  Buyers and investors can explore various properties without leaving their homes. And the credit goes to new tech-enabled platforms. Some trends, such as the use of AI are becoming more popular as the demand for tech-enabled real estate platforms grows. Impacts of Technology In The Real Estate Industry 1. Online Listings Many websites nowadays make it easy for anyone to view inventory and see what’s available such as Multiple Listing Service  (MLS). Posting listings with photos and d

8 Frequently Asked Questions By Home Sellers

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Selling your home is a great milestone, but it's hard, emotional, and above all else, it’s complicated. A slew of questions will likely pop into your head throughout the process—and possibly keep you up at night. Plus, the market is always changing, which is why choosing a real estate agent that has a lot of experience will go a long way. It's in your best interest to have a good understanding of what we do, why we do it, and what you can expect throughout the process. Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions by Home Sellers.  1. How much is my home worth? Most homeowners want to know how much their home is worth. This frequently asked question is another one that cannot be answered with a generalized answer. One of the best perks to owning a home is the ability to make it your own and improve it how you’d like.  Finding out how much your home is worth is not something that should be done without asking a top real estate agent.  If you hire a full-service real estate age

Christmas Decorations And Trends This 2022

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It’s fun to watch and follow trends. But trends d can't dictate how we decorate, especially for Christmas! Many of us have precious decors we bring out over and over again each year. They are tied to our memories and Christmas traditions. But trends may give us a fresh perspective on how to decorate our homes this holiday season.  Now we’re spending more time indoors, the Christmas decorations will likely be going up earlier this year. What better way to cheer yourself up than with Christmas presents and decorations? In this article, you will know the Christmas decor trends this 2022! Neutrals and the Likes Beautiful neutral color palettes and natural organics will be popular again this year. A walk in the wood, especially if it is snowy is the inspiration for this year’s neutral Christmas decorations. Nature Finds and Fresh Picks We are craving less fake and more real! A real tree, pinecones, sticks and twigs, and acorns are some things you can use for decorations that you get fro

5 Benefits Of Hiring A Real Estate Agent

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If you’re getting ready to buy or sell a house, you might be weighing the pros and cons of hiring a real estate agent. Some people will avoid working with agents or realtors because they think real estate agent fees are too high. Others wouldn’t hire one because they’ve had bad experiences in the past. However, this only emphasizes the importance of having a good agent to work with. In addition, if the only reason you’re not working with an agent is to save money by not paying fees and commissions, then you’re overlooking the main benefits of hiring a real estate agent. The chances of a better offer, a faster sale, and experience of the whole real estate process are a few of the most important answers to the question: What are the benefits of hiring a real estate agent?  In this article, we’ve outlined the main benefits why you should hire a real estate agent to help you in one of the biggest transactions of your life.  1. Agents Know What to Look For A real estate transaction is likel

Get To Know Me More And Why Work With Me

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I love the real estate industry and all that it entails. Showing homes to buyers, working through the process of a successful negotiation to purchase the property. Marketing a home for a seller is a challenge I also enjoy. Assisting the seller in the transition of selling their home and networking or target marketing is crucial. I offer a depth of knowledge and professionalism in all aspects of real estate transactions. I have an ongoing commitment to education, trends, and technology, enabling me to negotiate the best terms whether you are buying or selling. I specialize in residential and rural real estate and have been a licensed Real Estate Broker in Washington for many years. I know the individual areas and neighborhoods well, which is a great tool I can provide to my clients and friends. A client or customer review is a reflection of a client's experience with your services.  Sharing with you one of my client's reviews, "John Simmons is an amazing and focused realtor

Renting vs Buying a Home?

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In this ever-changing housing market, the decision to rent or to buy can be as confusing as ever. And it's not something that people usually ask and answer just once. Buying a home is a huge part of the American Dream. Choosing to buy or rent, though, is a major decision that affects your financial health, lifestyle, and personal goals. Whichever option you opt for depends entirely on your lifestyle and financial situation. But there are several differences that make renting and owning property distinctly different. Renting a property doesn't come with all the responsibilities associated with homeownership and you have more flexibility, as you aren't necessarily tied down to your property. Owning your home gives you a sizeable investment, but it does come at a big cost—both upfront and over the long run. Owning a home isn’t always better than renting, and renting is not always as simple as it seems. If you’re on the fence about whether you should rent or buy, read on to fin

What Does It Mean When Daylight Saving Time Ends?

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Get ready to “fall back” this weekend. We'll gain an hour of sleep when the clocks are turned back. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. For most of us, the extra hour comes and goes because we are in bed at 2 a.m., sleeping, and other than noticing more sunlight in the morning and perhaps feeling a little more refreshed, we hardly even notice it. Smart clocks, now, know when to change on their own but some have to do it manually with their traditional clocks Saturday evening before bed.  Now let's talk more about Daylight Saving Time and how it affects everyone in Northern America. What Is Daylight Saving Time? Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of moving the clocks forward one hour from Standard Time during the summer months and changing them back again in the fall. The general idea is that this allows us all to make better use of natural daylight: moving the clocks forward one hour in the spring grants us more daylight during summer evenings while movi

All The Things To Know About Living In Everett

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The city the largest in Snohomish County, it houses plenty of history, culture, arts, and natural beauty and is home to the nation’s largest public marina. It offers peaceful surroundings, a welcoming community, and affordable homes. Also awarded the All-America City Award. Read the full article to know everything there is in Everett. Welcoming Community The city gives off a small-town vibe, maintaining a small, welcoming, and family-friendly community. Convenient Location Being a hub for Snohomish County and the center of Puget Sound, you can reside in the city without worrying about lengthy commutes to and from work. No Income Tax Living in Everett, WA like other Washington cities frees you from paying income tax. Basically, Washington State has no personal income tax. Affordable Expenses The living cost in Everett is relatively inexpensive and ideal for those with a median income. High-income Opportunities The city’s economy has diversified in recent years, creating high-income oppo

6 Open House Food Ideas You Like To Consider

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An open house is all about a great first impression. And what makes a better first impression than food? If you’re looking for some open house food ideas for realtors that will WOW potential homebuyers, look no further! These open-house food ideas are sure to impress! Cookies Cookies are often at open houses because they taste and smell great. Consider baking a variety of cookies and leaving them out on a platter. Popcorn Popcorn is a great snack and it can be taken with them. Consider bagging your own popcorn in small bags and adding your logo and contact information to the bag. Make multiple flavors, too! Cupcakes These little cakes are always a hit, and they’re easy to customize with your favorite flavors and toppings. Croissants Serve your guests warm, buttery croissants with their favorite jams and spreads. Finger Sandwiches While still letting guests wander around the house, finger sandwiches are perfect for those who want to provide some more substantial fare. Mini Quiches These