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Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Rental Property

Man shaking hands with his Realtor® after buying rental property in Seattle
Featured image

Investing in a residential or commercial property can be a lucrative endeavor. However, don’t expect to become a real estate investment expert overnight. As with other business opportunities, it isn’t always as simple as it appears. It is possible to generate money by buying and selling real estate, but it requires knowledge, perseverance, and skill. To accomplish it successfully—and profitably—there are a lot of different elements and subtleties to consider. To help you make the process of buying rental property in Seattle, we’ve prepared a list of the most common mistakes you should avoid.

Avoid these mistakes when buying Seattle rental property

One of the best ways to make money and build wealth over the long term is to invest in rental property. If you run it well, it should help you make more money and grow your capital. However, before you start looking for a Seattle investment property, you need to be prepared well. Start by familiarizing yourself with the most common mistakes investment property buyers make and do your best to avoid them.

Couple sitting across the desk from their Realtor® and discussing buying rental property in Seattle.
Buying a rental property in Seattle is a big endeavor, so you must ensure you’re prepared well and have a good Realtor® on your side.

#1 Not doing a thorough research

Many real estate investors, especially first-timers, make the mistake of not doing enough research before committing to a rental property. Always keep in mind that a good investor should do their research on the property’s size and type to figure out what kind of tenant they want to rent to. This includes a study of the property’s local market trends and how likely it is to make money. The location of a property depends a lot on what the potential renters want.

Think about how nice the neighborhood is and what it has to offer. Make sure that all of the clauses in the contract meet your needs, and if you need help, talk to a good law firm that deals with property management. Also, before buying rental property in Seattle, make sure to estimate how much money it will make and compare that to other properties in the same area. To do this, you can use different cap calculators you can find online.

#2 Overestimating your budget

The golden rule when investing in real estate is when you set your budget, you need to make sure to stick to it. We are frequently seduced by the glamor and glamour of a more expensive residence that is “just a little bit more.” Before you know it, you’ve purchased a property that’s far too expensive for you, and you’re having trouble making the payments.

Again, remember why you’re investing, and don’t get emotionally invested and connected to a specific property. Making payments, you can’t afford will make your life more difficult and your financial situation worse. As a result, take care not to overextend yourself. So before you even start browsing Seattle properties online, take your time to analyze your finances thoroughly and set a realistic budget.

Two women sitting at a table, one of them taking notes while the other one is explaining something on her laptop.
You can always hire a financial advisor and get help with setting your budget.

Consider even the smallest expenses you expect to incur, even the ones not related to this purchase. For example, you might be moving to Seattle from a completely different part of Washington, and you’ll need to team up with trusted experts to help you with your long-distance move. Hiring movers will cost you and can make a significant dent in your budget. Or, if you’re buying a Seattle rental property from out of state, you need to factor in the costs of frequent flights you’ll need to take.

#3 Underestimating what’s involved in being a landlord

It’s not a secret that most people buy investment properties with the intention of profiting. Others may inherit them and believe they may profit from them. In either case, owners of investment properties frequently underestimate how involved they’ll need to be in order to make a profit. Therefore, before buying a Seattle rental property, make sure to understand how much effort and time you’ll need to dedicate to it.

First, in order to get a good lease price, there may be some physical labor you’ll need to do. Then, you’ll have to advertise the property (to the right people at the right price). You’ll also be responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring everything is in working order. Of course, you’ll also get to actually collect the rent. All of this takes time, as well as knowledge and abilities. It is not just a weekly requirement that you can handle within one hour.

#4 Not hiring a good Seattle Realtor®

Many people think that buying an investment property is the same as buying your family home. This makes them believe that handling this task on their own is a good idea. After all, how different and how difficult can it be? Well, that’s yet another mistake buyers in Seattle (and all over the US) tend to make.

Therefore, hiring an experienced Seattle Realtor® is a must, especially if you are investing from out of state. They will help you understand Seattle market trends and find a neighborhood where you’ll get the most of your investment. On top of that, they’ll help you stay within your budget by only showing you properties you can afford.

#5 Buying a property in a depreciating market

You might think it’s a good deal to buy an investment property in a place where prices are going down. Well, think again. When you invest in property, you hope its value will increase over time. So buying in a market where prices are decreasing isn’t always a good option. It can be just the opposite.

Two people sitting at a desk, working on their laptops and writing notes on a paper.
Your Seattle Realtor® will have market insights that are crucial for you to make the right purchase.

No amount of research or statistics can tell you for sure when prices will start going up again in that area. If there are fewer people in an area, there are fewer people who might want to buy or rent there. This usually means that prices will go down, too. Therefore, always look for investment properties where demand is growing faster than supply, as this tends to drive prices up.

Good luck buying rental property in Seattle!

We hope you enjoyed reading and, more importantly, that our article made buying rental property in Seattle that much easier for you. Remember—the key is in hiring experienced and knowledgeable professionals to assist you along the way. So, before anything, make sure to reach out to Seattle’s finest Realtors®, and you’ll ensure you have a smooth and successful real estate adventure!

How Home Landscape Design Affects Real Estate Value

By Tara Hickock

Source

It’s easy being green in Seattle. The Emerald City got its nickname from the lush plants and trees that make up a big part of our ecosystem. It also means most homes have at least some kind of landscaping that boosts home values in the real estate market. But the sophistication and design can make tens of thousands of dollars of difference in the offers you get. Let’s take a closer look at how home landscaping design affects the value of your home.

More Green = More Green

An oft-cited study out of Virginia Tech found that most homebuyers rank landscape design as the most important factor. The most preferred landscape has big trees, lots of colorful annual flowers, and a colored hardscape, like a patio or walkway.

Another study from Michigan also found landscaping is critical when selling a home. Researchers found sophisticated landscaping increased the value of a home by anywhere from 5% to 12%. The median price of a home in Seattle sits at $880,000 – so that comes out to anywhere between $44,000 to $105,600 more.

Put Your Landscaping To Work

Your landscaping is more than window dressing. It can play a part in how energy efficient your home is. Big trees can serve as a windbreak in the winter and shade your house from the sun in the summer. Planting one of the best grass types for Seattle, such as perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass, makes your lawn more eco-friendly and low-maintenance. The lawn will help with storm drainage, prevent erosion, and help keep the property cooler during the warm season.

Standing Out

There’s only so much you can do to change the actual structure of your home, but your landscaping can help your home stand out and appeal to buyers. The Virginia Tech study also found that plant size is important. Mature trees and flowering plants will boost your curb appeal. It can also help differentiate your property if you’re in a subdivision or neighborhood where the architectural styles are very similar. Standing out from the crowd is easy if your landscape design is thoughtful and planned.

Low Maintenance

 

Homebuyers want to spend time enjoying their yard, not working in it. Automatic irrigation systems are essential. Drought-tolerant gardens with native plants are also eco-friendly, requiring little water or maintenance. Keep in mind, the more hardscaping features you have, the less lawn there is to mow.

Things to Avoid

Landscape design – or lack of it – can conversely drag down the value of your property. Whether it’s neglected and overrun with weeds and uncut grass, or just poorly planned, a bad landscape design can affect the value of your property. Other things that lower the value include:

● Sloping lawns
● Too many leafy trees too close to the house
● Poor drainage
● Poor lighting
● Too many lawn ornaments

High-maintenance landscaping can definitely impact the price at closing. If you’re not sure how to fix it, a professional landscaper can be a great return on investment.

Houses are selling fast in this market, but you can’t afford to let your guard down if you want the best price. A little bit of landscaping will help you get a lot more at closing time.

Tara Hickock is an interior designer who also designs and decorates outdoor living spaces. Her designs focus on bringing the outdoors inside to give homes a natural touch. She recently remodeled her own home and created a screened-in sunroom for her guests to enjoy the outdoors, even in winter.

A Guide to Common Sense Home Security

A front door with a bolt lock
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You’ve been looking for the perfect home for ages, and then, out of the blue, you finally find it. You make your offer and nervously wait for some feedback. Your offer has been accepted! Still, you do not want to jinx it. There is paperwork to be done and assessments to be made. Yes, you were prepared, performed the inspection carefully, made a sizeable down payment, and your credit score is squeaky clean. You did everything humanly possible, but still. Then, one day, you have the keys handed to you and confirmation that the dream house has officially become your home. You move all your things in, redecorate, and enjoy your new life, as you should! Then, one day, when you are coming back from a short trip or late night out, you notice something is wrong. The front door is ajar, and the dreaded realization that your house has been broken into creeps up your spine. Security is one thing we often overlook as we think it won’t happen to us. Below is the common sense guide to home security, so such a scenario really won’t happen to you!

To Understand the Burglar, One Must First Think Like One

Yes, I may have lifted the somewhat clichéd heading from any number of films out there, but it is a good starting point. Whether it is pre-planned or just a random act, the burglar will choose the house that looks like an easy target. A study was done where nearly 400 convicts were interviewed. Most said that whether or not a place had a security system was one of their primary criteria for choosing a target. Furthermore, if your home has visibly bad locks, it attracts the wrong kind of attention. Rusty locks are easy to break. Doors or windows that do not close properly are easily noticeable. You may have planned and prepared meticulously for the move, but don’t forget about security issues. Your home needs to look secure to be secure.

A padlock left open on a door representing guide to home security
I mean, that’s just asking for trouble

Walls and Hedges

It sounds basic, but it works. A tall wall or hedge is a natural deterrent. The more complicated the job is, the less attractive it is. Time, noise, effort – all of this is taken into account. A burglar wants to be in and out without attracting attention to themselves.

Furthermore, this denies easy surveillance of your home. They don’t know what lurks behind those bricks or branches. Maybe you have a modern security system in place. Perhaps you have a pet dog that doesn’t take too kindly to strangers walking around the yard in the dead of night. Not knowing what awaits is as strong as a repellent can get.

A woman in front of a tall wall covered in leaves and plants
It’s not an excuse to start growing a jungle. Trim the hedges from time to time!

Bad Habits

In our everyday routines, we may be taking steps to make our homes attractive prospects for burglars. Here is a quick overview of what to look out for:

  • Spare keys- Placed under the mat or, ingeniously, under a fake rock is very convenient. All the burglar needs to do is walk over confidently to your home, find the key and enter. Nobody would probably even bat an eyelid. Instead, get a key safe and a camera that will monitor if a burglar tries to smash the box open.
  • Lights, Camera, No Action- Utilizing a few tricks with lights, you can achieve a lot. Exterior lights are something criminals are not overly fond of. If you can set internal lights on a timer to switch on and off, it will give the impression that someone is always at home. If you keep them on the whole time, the jig is up. By placing cameras, they will know the house is being monitored. Therefore, you lower the chances of burglars taking action against your home by using lights and cameras.
  • Security system- Never leave it unarmed. Never. Even if you are leaving home for a few minutes. Never. Enough said.
  • Social media- We like to post what we eat, what we wear, where we plan to go on vacation, and when. Quite a juicy piece of info you are handing over to potential burglars, now, isn’t it?
  • Lock everything – So simple, yet it happens all the time. Yes, the front door is almost always locked. What about the back door? All the windows? Please don’t make it easy for burglars.
Porch lights left on in front of a row of houses
The ultimate guide to home security offers a very simple trick. In the words of Tom Jones, leave the lights on!

Shed and Garage

A lot of thought goes into the house. This is where we spend most of our time. It needs to be secure. But what about the shed and garage? We keep many tools and things in storage there, but the locks are not up to scratch. They might seem like secondary targets, but they are easy pickings for thieves. Upgrade the security in these areas too. Inspect the walls as well. This is especially important for new homeowners, as these places get overlooked. Notice any rust? Have that taken care of. The walls of the shed seem a little paper-thin? Think about upgrading them to concrete. It may seem like a lot of work, but it will help cover any chinks in your home’s armor.

A Secure Move

Now that you have made your new home as safe as possible, you can bring in your belongings. It’s time to ensure an equally secure move for your stuff, as moving your possessions to your new home can be tricky. Usually, you will need to employ the services of professional movers. But before you do, research moving companies well to avoid scammers and prevent your new home from dangers.

Once you have found a reliable company, think about what moving services you will be asking for? You need to look at what belongings you will be moving, if you need help with packing, or if you need to use storage. Once you have a good idea about what assistance you need, you can call them up. Furthermore, since you are on the phone, talk to them about your situation, and they will be able to give you sound advice. So, once you have all the needed info about what services are on offer and about your needs, select those suitable for you and rest easy knowing the pros will handle your relocation.

Happy House Warming…For You, Not the Thief!

With this, the ultimate guide to home security, you can enjoy your new home, knowing you, your loved ones, and your belongings are safe! All you need to do is add that one extra step. Once you get the keys to the house, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to make your picture-perfect home a burglar deterring haven for you and all the other household members. For any other concerns you may have, you know who to contact at any time!

How To Buy A House With Cryptocurrency

Representation of various cryptocurrencies on a table
Cryptocurrency

There was a time when cryptocurrency was cryptic (pause for laughs and applause…continue), but now it is widely known and seems to be here to stay. It caught the attention of many an investor. It offered a way of making a good profit. However, as more people have started to take notice, there is a question that begs to be answered. What can you buy with cryptocurrency? In December 2017, a house in Essex was bought for 63 coins. Read that sentence again and imagine reading it back in 2008. There’s no reason why you couldn’t, now, buy a lovely property in Seattle in the same manner. The question is not can a place be purchased with cryptocurrency, but rather, how to buy a house with cryptocurrency? There are advantages and pitfalls, as there always are with these things, so let’s look at how it all works.

Before We Jump In

It could be wise to start with a quick recap of what cryptocurrency is. In essence, it is a payment system that aims to circumvent the need for a central bank or any other form of a third party. The idea is that crypto can be exchanged for goods and services just as readily as fiat money. We are not there yet, as many vendors have reservations about using such currency, but it looks like we are getting there. If you’ve heard of one type of cryptocurrency, you’ve heard of Bitcoin. There are others, of course, such as Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Litecoin. They are virtual currencies, and, as we have established, the real estate industry has sat up and is starting to notice it.

A golden coin with the letter B written on it on top of a hundred dollar bill
Paper money could become a thing of the past with the advent of virtual payments
Pros and Cons

As you can imagine, every type of payment has its advantages and drawbacks. To fully understand what you can do with your cryptocurrency, you need to understand what such transactions entail. Wouldn’t it be great if somebody took the time to serve up these pros and cons in the form of an easy-to-digest bullet point list?

Pros
  • Out with the volatile and in with the stable – Cryptocurrency is prone to daily fluctuations. The reason people get into real estate is that it offers a safer investment. Over time you can expect the value of your property to appreciate. If you’ve made good gains in the cryptocurrency game, it could be prudent to invest it in something more stable now as you think towards the future.
  • Time is money- I have written many articles about buying and selling homes, and I feel like the most space in each of them is taken up by the whole buying/selling process. There are a lot of steps—a lot of places where things can go wrong. Using cryptocurrency, just like bringing an all-cash offer to the table, can speed up the whole transaction.
  • Discount? Well, maybe- This depends on the seller. If they are interested in obtaining virtual currencies, they may find your offer more enticing.
Coins on top of a graph
They say what goes up must come down. When it comes to financial stability, real estate is the safer bet.
Cons
  • The other side of the bitcoin (pause for laughter and applause again and… continue) – The sellers also know that cryptocurrencies are volatile. If they are risk-averse, your offer will fall to the bottom of the pile.
  • Crypto what – The other problem is that many sellers will not know what you are offering them. Finding somebody interested in such a transaction is still a tricky prospect. However, the signs are there that this will change over time.
Let’s Start With the Obvious

Now that we know what to look out for, it’s time to look at how to buy a house with cryptocurrency. They say it’s better to start with the simplest ones first. Therefore, let’s start with actual cash. The easiest option is to convert your cryptocurrency into fiat money. Be sure to find a reliable real estate broker to help with the further steps once that is done.A couple of caveats here. Firstly, the money needs to stay in your bank account for at least a couple of months to be considered an asset. Secondly, this asset could be subject to capital gains tax, so get your financial advisor on the phone.

Bitcoins and dollar bills on a table next to a laptop and some papers
How to buy a house with cryptocurrency? Use it to acquire fiat money. Everybody loves cash offers.
Let’s Move on to the Slightly Less Obvious

As opposed to direct conversion, some companies will happily accept cryptocurrency as collateral to get a loan in fiat money. The same disadvantages are in play, though. The IRS could notice such a substantial amount of money appearing in your bank account. Furthermore, as you can imagine, the interest rates involved are higher than what you would get with a standard mortgage.

Direct Could Be the Best

There is an obvious way around the problems mentioned above. The new issue is that the answer is rare and still hard to come by. If you can find a seller interested in cryptocurrencies (they are out there, and there will be more and more), then a direct transfer of the crypto to the seller is the best bet. In the eyes of some sellers, your offer will be the shiny one that stands out from the pile if they are looking to acquire Bitcoins and such.

An Important Caveat

Assuming you have found a seller who is willing to accept cryptocurrency, the transaction is more than possible. However, while the home purchase may be made in crypto, some other expenses have to be dealt in good, old-fashioned real money. These include title and escrow fees, prepaid, and closing costs.

Although the most significant part will be paid with crypto, there will always be a portion of the transaction that must be made with liquid funds in U.S. dollars. This is typically between 4-8% of the purchase price.

Once the Deal is Done

Hopefully, one of the above methods will let you acquire that dream home. Once that is done, it could be time to move from a decentralized payment method to a more centralized database. What do I mean? It’s time to move to your new home, and for that, you will need a reliable moving company. To find one and make a good decision, you should check the top sites for business reviews that have all the info you will need neatly stored in one place. Here you can read up on feedback from other users to make an informed decision.

The Future Is Here

There you have it, how to buy a house with cryptocurrency! For any other questions, whether you are a buyer or a seller, you know who to contact for the most reliable info. The times are constantly changing; it’s in their nature. Cryptocurrency is here to stay, and with each passing year, we can expect it to be more and more common. At the moment, it may seem cool and even avant-garde to purchase a home with Bitcoins, but this could be commonplace in the not-so-distant future. It pays to know how to pay (final pause for a roaring round of applause sure to follow that comment… and continue) with your cryptocurrency!

Reviving Your Lawn After Winter

Image of a stressed lawn.
Frozen grass requires reviving your lawn after winter.

If you have prepared your lawn for winter, it will be that much easier to revitalize it in spring. But even if you haven’t, reviving your lawn after winter is a straightforward process. It will take some time and effort, though, so flex your green thumbs and learn how to bring back your Seattle lawn into shape.

Stages of lawn care after winter

Just as your home requires spring cleaning, your lawn craves attention after cold, snowy months. Mid-March is the optimal time to start reviving your lawn, although you should wait for a few dry days in a row to begin. Put the following lawn care tasks on your checklist:

● Raking
● Mowing
● Overseeding
● Aerating
● Weeding
● Fertilizing
● Watering

Timely preparation implies inspecting your gardening tools and confirming they’re in good working order. The best way to ensure every tool is functional and ready for the spring season is to learn the right way to store it over winter. Cleaning the tools and emptying fuel and oil containers is as necessary as dry and clean storage space. Which tools will you need?

● Lawn rake
● Slit seeder
● Manual core aerator (spike aerator) or aerating machine
● Long-handled weed puller
● Push mower, power mower, or mulching mower
● Soaker hoses, drip irrigation system, sprinklers, rainwater collecting system

Service the mower and repair all other tools that have visible signs of wear and tear. The perfect time to do it is while the temperatures are still low. Don’t let the spring surprise you!

Starting a spring cleanup: Raking

As soon as you can tie three dry days by the end of February or the beginning of March, start raking. By the time temperatures have risen enough to start gardening, your lawn should have exposed any potential problems like snow mold and thin spots.

A man and a girl rake the lawn.
Vigorous raking serves to remove the thatch and eliminate moss.

Thatch build-up is responsible for fungal diseases like pink and gray snow mold. Removing the mold is not only important for restoring the infected lawn patches but also for preventing allergic reactions. Although the snow mold dies out when temperatures go up, you can dispose of it sooner. Raking helps revive your lawn after winter by allowing it to dry sooner.

Overseeding bare spots

Raking should give you a clear picture of thin spots on your lawn and break down any large chunks of soil. The empty patches will develop in places where the grass died due to freezing or drowning. Even though you can’t influence how weather impacts your lawn, you can refresh the bare spots by overseeding them.
And although you don’t need any tools to do so, a slit seeder will expedite germination and increase its success. When overseeding your lawn, use native grass seed blends. Choosing Northwest-adapted varieties of grasses like Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass also improves your home’s energy efficiency by preserving water and fuel used for mowing. Should you need to replace the larger parts of the lawn, resodding service in the Seattle area costs between $1.53 and $1.85 per square foot, depending on the lawn size.

Aerating your lawn

Aeration will loosen the soil and allow the water and oxygen to reach the grassroots through aeration holes. Otherwise, if the soil is already too wet, aeration will help it dry. All you need to do is insert a spike aerator in the ground and wiggle it slightly to raise the soil.

A man inserting a garden fork in the ground.
If done on time, aeration will increase the success rate of compost and fertilizers.

Repeat the process at about every 6 inches until you aerate the whole surface of the lawn. Aerating takes time if your lawn is too big and you do it manually, but you have an option to partner with professionals. Aeration services in the Seattle area range from $80 to $120 per 1,000 square feet of lawn surface.

Fighting weeds and pests

There are a couple of ways to combat weeds in spring. By overseeding and growing a dense lawn, you bring in healthy competition. Use the weed puller to extract stubborn weeds’ roots. Bear in mind that it’s a lot easier to pull them out while the soil is still wet. The last resort is pesticides but be cautious when using chemical weed killers.

According to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), improper lawn care in Seattle is responsible for the pollution of streams and excessive water consumption. If you do need to use weed killers and pesticides, apply the chemicals in the dosage recommended by the producer and spread it directly over the weed patches.

Grubs vs. Birds

Weeds are not the only ones interested in your lawn in spring. After the winter fasting, your lawn may become a feasting ground for crows and other birds. The good news is that birds will eliminate Chafer beetles and other harmful insects. The downside is that they leave ugly 1-inch holes behind and damage the roots. Metaphorically speaking, you can kill two birds with one stone if you eliminate grubs in the first place.

Chafer beetles have one more natural enemy – nematodes. However, the problem is that you can apply nematodes only once the temperatures rise significantly – in July. So, if you have a grub-infested lawn, prepare on time. Keep your lawn aerated, dethatched, and healthy. Purchase nematodes from April through June in a local gardening center. In the summer, apply nematodes as instructed by the producer and water the lawn regularly. Moreover, Fescue grass doesn’t attract grubs because it doesn’t produce thatch. One more reason to grow native varieties!

A crow on a bright green lawn.
Birds will damage your lawn by digging holes in turf, searching for (and finding) grubs.
Mowing and fertilizing your lawn: when and how

Ideally, you will mow your lawn on the highest setting as soon as it dries after raking. Grass clippings produced this way will not cause thatch build-up. On the contrary, they will get “grasscycled” into free fertilizer. Bi-weekly mowing at two inches is optimal.

The best time to fertilize your lawn is in late April or early May, when grass growth starts to slow down. Whenever you can, use compost, grass clippings, natural organic, or slow-release fertilizers to feed your lawn. If you wish to hand over the lawn care to local experts, know that the bi-weekly moving with fertilization service costs between $30 and $50 for every 1,000 square feet of lawn surface. Consider liming your lawn once every couple of years to restore the optimal pH value of the soil.

How to water your lawn and be eco-friendly

It IS easy being green, so to speak. Do your best to adopt an eco-friendly practice of recycling rainwater and save water you’d use for gardening. Seattle gets about 0.7 inches of rainfall during July and August and about 1.5 inches in June and September. This fact makes rain the most valuable resource for environmentally conscious lawn owners.

Take advantage of the fact that Seattleites can get rain barrels affordably from the SPU. With the right watering system, you will boast a vivid green lawn even during the dry summer season and protect the environment. Remember this while reviving your lawn after winter and collect rainwater while it’s available.

How to Organize, Plan and Prepare for a Move

A family carrying boxes for relocation.
How to Organize, Plan and Prepare for a Move

You have purchased a new home in Seattle, and now it’s time to continue onto this exciting chapter. However, most relocating experiences can be tiring, time-consuming, and stressful. Whether you do the work yourself or hire professionals, it can all seem overwhelming. You need to pack up and haul your entire life, often in a short period, and it isn’t easy to know where to start. But, with proper preparation, you can cross everything off your to-do checklist while still having time to sit back and breathe. For this reason, we have created a guidebook to help you organize, plan, and prepare for a move. You’ll be well equipped for the moving day and ready to settle into your new place seamlessly.

Organize, Plan and Prepare for a Move: A guide

To move like an expert, you should understand that planning is essential. It’s easy to get disorganized with all the scheduling, arranging, and paperwork you’ll need to do in the coming weeks. These suggestions can help you stay on track with your upcoming relocation.

Devise a moving strategy

Early in the preparation stage, you need to decide if you need professional relocation services for your Seattle relocation. Reliable movers can help with every part of the process, as long as you do your research and check their references. Also, look at their website and see what options they provide. Before agreeing to anything, you should ask for a moving quote in advance.

Then, set up a plan for when you will carry out activities. Should everything be moved in one day? Are things to be moved to multiple places, such as a storage space and your new home? Do you have to throw out junk?

A mover next to a moving truck.
Movers are there to do the heavy lifting, which might make your portion of the work much easier.

There is also the matter of how far away your destination is. Any move that occurs within state boundaries is referred to as intrastate moving. On the other hand, interstate relocation involves crossing state boundaries. You may be subject to different moving rates depending on the sort of relocation you are planning. It is useful to do your research before even contacting the movers.

Have the necessary equipment

Make sure you have enough cardboard boxes, containers, etc. Check if you have something in the storage room or garage, ask friends and acquaintances, or visit the shops. A useful suggestion is to fill up baskets, suitcases, and other containers with items.

A couple sitting on the floor surrounded by moving boxes.
You will need A LOT of boxes.
Throw away, give away, and sell

Get your things in order BEFORE you pack. Sort everything that needs to be thrown away, given away, sold, and kept. Maybe you have some old furniture or clothes you can sell. Are you going to throw away the old dining table? Post it online, and a lucky family can benefit from it. If you do this a couple of weeks before the actual move, you will have less to move, less to clean, and you will feel that you have got off to a good start.

Take a systematic approach

Maintaining order during the moving chaos is not easy. For this reason, try to create a system – a good tip is to label the boxes with the contents and which room they should be placed in. This will save you time when you start unpacking in your new home. You can also use transparent plastic bags to pack clothes and bedding, so it is easy to identify the contents.

It may pay off to check if you are insured in case an accident occurs. To limit any damage, have plenty of bubble wrap, newspapers, towels, etc., to wrap fragile items such as glass and frames.

Packing fragile items

You should know the best way to wrap up and box your sensitive possessions so that they arrive in one piece at your new residence. Consider wrapping your valuables in plastic wrap and photographing your devices before disconnecting them.
Be careful when moving large and heavy furniture since it is easy to get scratches on both the furniture and the floors. If you are dismantling larger pieces, remember to fasten the corresponding screws to each piece of furniture.

If you have any precious artwork, like paintings and sculptures, you need to put extra special care into the process of getting them ready for transfer. Artwork can be big and bulky, and even the elements designed to protect it—the frame and glass—might damage it during relocation. You will need to match the artwork with appropriately sized boxes, secure it with paper and bubble wrap, and specifically mark the boxes so whoever carries them knows to treat them with extra care. As an added precaution, you can hire art movers who specialize in these types of items.

A couple preparing artwork for a transfer.
Fragile items, like artwork, often require a lot of special care.
Check the technicalities

Check deadlines for termination of various services related to your home. Services that may be worth checking are electricity and rent, internet, cable, and newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
If you have children, you also need to enroll them in a new school, which means doing research on the school districts is a must before the move.

Pack an essentials bag/box

After a long day of packing, the last thing you want is to look through all the boxes for essential items. Therefore, pack a box with a change of clothes, toiletries, toilet paper, coffee maker/kettle, and some plates and cutlery. This way, the first day in your new home will be much more comfortable.

The big moving day

Moving day is finally here, and you have hopefully completed the points above and are as prepared as you can be. Put aside plenty of time for the relocation, whether you are using a moving company or doing it yourself. It always takes more time than you think. Moreover, if any friends or family members are helping you relocate, make sure to treat them with some food or drinks. They will surely appreciate it and might even want to help the next time you decide to move!

Final thoughts

Having to organize, plan and prepare for a move isn’t a piece of cake, but it is very manageable and doable – with the right advice and a positive attitude. Once you’ve made it through the hard part, you get to design your new home however you envision it and enjoy all the wonderful things that await. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

Market Trends From Around The Sound: Q3-2021

When residential home sales picked up speed in the wake of the initial quarantine of the pandemic, many experts weighed in on this outlying trend. A year later, as Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty examines the data from the Eastside to Bainbridge Island and markets in between, it’s easy to see that a lack of inventory and an onslaught of buyers wasn’t a one-off. The question for many following the trendlines now, is when will median sales prices start to plateau, and the number of homes available for sale starts to tick back up.

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Case Study: 5933 Beach Drive

Chris Kallin, shares about a recent significant sale that illustrates the importance of choosing your representation wisely.

In mid-July, I was contacted by the desperate owners of a struggling West Seattle listing along highly-desirable Beach Drive.  I had been made aware that they might wish to speak with me and was prepared for that call.  The backstory goes that they had a longtime broker-friend who had helped them buy and sell several homes over many years.  They gave her the opportunity to list their West Seattle home despite the fact that this broker had moved to Gig Harbor several years prior.  It was suggested that this was done out of loyalty with no thought given to potential consequences.  This broker enlisted the help of another, who happened to live on the Eastside and do most of her work there as well.

 

When the sellers and I spoke, it was via Zoom.  After having been presented with the backstory, I was asked to shared my thoughts about the listing.  My general response was that the home was under-prepared, that it suffered from unusually poor photography, made worse by a lack of staging, and that it was overpriced by more than 10%.  I supported these statements by showing several of my past listings, to demonstrate what proper staging and excellent photography should really look like.  Then I took them through a spreadsheet with up-to-the-minute market data that strongly suggested their pricing error.  And finally, we looked together at what was currently on market, showing them where their home logically fit relative to what was currently on market.  They agreed on all counts.  The original listing was grossly misrepresented.

Before we spoke, I had learned that they’d already made a commitment to stage the home with a top-tier stager.  Prior to our conversation then, I had pencilled a reservation with my preferred photographer and worked out the timeline such that I could have the home on market the morning after the 3-day staging was completed.  If you’re a frequent seller of homes in our area, you know this to be a nearly superhuman feat.  I pulled numerous strings to produce such a rapid deployment, but it allowed me to get them back to market two weeks earlier than their existing representation was prepared for.  This was important because we were in the final weeks of summer, racing to beat the start of the new school year (a time when you generally don’t see families move).  Beyond these details, I made commitments to host two mid-week broker’s open’s and public open houses every weekend in both the daytime and evening.  And lastly, I committed to private showings between the stated open houses.  This would permit me to show the home in great detail, discuss the hyper-local market with prospective buyers and their broker’s, and report back to the sellers in real-time with my finger squarely on the pulse.  I offered to do all of this, starting immediately, but not without the a $288,000 price reduction.  They spoke briefly in private and awarded me the listing on the spot.

Despite being in a sellers market, where the vast majority of homes are priced below expectations with a tight offer review date, I felt that we could not list this way.  A home can only be freshly listed once, you see.  I felt strongly that we were now in damage control, forcing us to list at the home’s true value, reviewing offers as they came.  At five days on market, we received an offer just below asking price and it might have been a winner if not for strange terms.  I had shown the home to this buyer a few times and cautioned the sellers that the extremely lengthy inspection period smelled fishy, relative to what I knew about his intentions.  I believed that he was attempting to use a lengthy inspection as something of a feasibility period during which he would try to get clearance for a structural change with the city.  On my advice, we verbally countered that detail and continued to show the home.

At 11-days on market, we received a full-price cash offer with very favorable terms.  I called brokers with serious buyers to suggest now-or-never and, after consulting with the sellers, they happily chose to sell to this ideal buyer.  If you’re keeping up with the details, this meant that I had the home under contract before the previous agents could even bring it to market.  Well done, if I don’t say so myself.  Once we were closed, one of the sellers wrote this amazing Google review which I’m very proud of:

 

 

“Professional, proactive, positive, intelligent real estate agent who handled everything from getting top notch photos in record time,  early afternoon and twilight opens on first two weekends, two brokers’ opens two and four days after home went on market on and over 20 private showings. In just 11 days we had a full price all-cash offer from excellent buyers.  Chris offered immediate availability, wise advice, a charming sense of humor, timely home showing reports and every imaginable detail taken care of, well beyond the call of duty, with total class. Seamless experience from our first meeting with him to closing. It is obvious he not only loves and takes pride in his job as a real estate agent but cares deeply about the process of buying/selling homes and loves people. Amazing and very pleasant home selling experience with Chris Kallin! Thank you Chris!!!”

I am proud of the referral that produced this opportunity, proud of the work, and very happy for the seller’s outcome, but that review…. WOW!  That’s real estate gold right there.  If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home and you’d like to have a consultation, it would be my pleasure.  Whether you ultimately choose to work with me or not, I will appreciate the opportunity and show respect for your time.  I can be reached at chris@seattlebydesign.com or 206-999-6920.

6 Ways To Use Landscaping to Increase Your Seattle Home’s Energy Efficiency

By Kimberly Park

Source

Those of us in the Pacific Northwest’s temperate climate aren’t typically concerned about our apples getting sunburned. But a recent heatwave may have everyone thinking more about protecting their landscaping. And some are wondering if what they plant can impact how they weather the next round of abnormally high temperatures. Here are six ways to use your landscaping know-how to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

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How Are 23 Percent Annual Home Price Index Gains Even Possible?

By William Hillis | 

Buyers, sellers, and even some brokers may be alarmed upon reading that in May 2021, the CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index[1]  for Seattle reached a stratospheric 23.4 percent year-over-year gain. The appearance (if not reality) of residential prices increasing by half a percentage point weekly would make a highly uncertain endeavor of pricing and negotiating the sale of a property. So in this month’s report, we will take some time to explain how the index is computed, and what the implications are for homes in Seattle and throughout western Washington State.

 

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