August 2021 Newsletter

the

Home Connection

Volume 12 | Issue 8

AUGUST 2021

Eye on the market

experience this!

The dog days of summer are approaching, and despite the closing of the season, the real estate market is thriving. According to recent stats available, the number of active listings at the end of June reached the highest level since November of this past year with an inventory increase of 14.9 percent since that time. This gave homebuyers more options and less pressure from competition.

The Northwest MLS data shows doubledigit price escalations were widespread across most counties when compared with the same month a year ago. In King County prices are up by 18.62 percent, in Snohomish County up by 32.13 percent, in Pierce County up by almost 25.85 percent, in Thurston County up by almost 26.57 percent, and in Spokane County up by nearly 34.9 percent (Spokane Association of REALTORS).

However, even with these inventory increases, demand still exceedingly outweighs supply. This is evident in the year-over-year comparison where active listings are down by 34 percent in the Puget Sound region. While in Spokane county, inventory is down by 61 percent year-over-year. The perpetual lack of supply coupled with low interest rates continues to drive up market activity and home prices.

Closed sales are up in most counties while pending sales dropped compared to this time last year.

Brokers and analysts believe that this may be the result of extreme heat events, typical summer slowdown, and the reopening of the counties rather than an indication of a flattening of the market. It will be very interesting to see how inventory and market activity fluctuates as we approach the end of the summer market.

Peanut Butter & JAM 7/14-8/18

Harley-Davidson 3rd Annual Custom Bike Show 8/21

Float Find 2021 8/1-8/30

The Farm Chicks Show 8/21-8/22

4th Yelm Jazz in the Park 8/6-8/7

Wheels on the Waterfront 8/28

Bands, Brews, and Bowling 8/6-8/28

Carillon Point Outdoor Movies

Goodguys Rod & Custom Show 8/13-8/15

Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

App Corner; around the house When it comes to making those home tasks and ambitions easier, “there’s an app for that.” Here are a few helpful apps offered on your preferred device platform: Tody: This app helps to manage you choose and test different types of home cleaning tasks with tools for flooring and carpets to help design your prioritization, motivation, and tracking dream home. progress. You can organize lists of your Sortly: Sortly allows you to organize projects and work flexibly while staying your home inventory in several different on track with your cleaning goals. folders and subfolders to make finding Salvation Army Family Store: With this items easier. You can add searchable app, you can donate household items tags and notes to find what you need such as toys, clothes, books, quickly. Sortly also allows you furniture etc., with scheduled to enter details for items such pickups or drop-offs to make as a photo, serial number, donations easy. It will also purchase date, SKU number keep track of your donations and warranty expiration date. and even offer coupons for Homestyler Mobile: Snap a your local Family Store. photo of any room in your Carpetright visualizer: This house and change it to 3D app allows you to take a photo of a room perspective view. You will then be able continued on next page

August important dates Tuesday, August 3 Watermelon Day

Sunday, August 15 National Relaxation Day

Thursday, August 26 National Dog Day

Sunday, August 8 International Cat Day

Tuesday, August 17 Nonprofit Day

Thursday, August 26 Women’s Equality Day

Monday, August 9 International Book Lovers Day

Thursday, August 19 World Humanitarian Day

App Corner; around the house continued from previous page

to decorate and furnish your room.

This app also gives you the chance to share your designs with talented stylers for advice and inspiration.

Home and neighborhood security Summer is a great time to bolster the security of homes and neighborhoods. Here are a few great tips to keep in mind: • Deterring package theft: Install a smart home video doorbell to monitor activity outside of your home, as most video doorbells notify you when there is any kind of activity in the line of site of the camera and have recording capabilities. You can also request that your package has signature confirmation upon delivery or ask your carrier to place the package in an area out of plain view.

• Preventing car break-ins: Lock your doors anytime you are in or away from your car. You will also want to keep your car tidy and hide or bring valuable items with you to prevent thieves from breaking in to retrieve those items.

Park in well-lit, monitored areas, preferably with security cameras nearby.

• Home invasions: Keep your house well-lit at night and all doors locked to discourage potential invaders. Do not leave heavy objects in the backyard that can be used to throw through windows. Store or secure ladders that could be used to gain access. Always lock windows, even second floor windows and in summer months use a locking device to secure windows that are in an open position.

• Kids playing in streets: When driving, be aware during times when children are most likely to be outside playing especially sunny days. Keep an eye out for children in residential neighborhoods, especially with parked cars (kids often are in between cars and may enter the street quickly) or streets with no sidewalks. Be careful to abide by the speed limits, driving at or slightly below in areas where kids may be present. It is also important to reduce your speed when turning the corners of your neighborhood and back out of your driveway slowly to prevent accidents.

Summer garage door maintenance Your summer home maintenance project list should include completing a few simple tasks to help ensure your door continues to function well and avoid expensive repairs. It can also enhance the door’s curb appeal. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Washing: Give the door a thorough washing to get rid of dirt • Inspect the garage door windows: Look for any cracks that and debris. You can use a combination of a mild car-washing will let the hot or cold outside air in. If your garage has or dishwashing soap and water and a soft cloth, brush or windows in its wall also inspect them for damage. Repairing sponge to gently scrub both sides of the door. Then rinse cracks is vital when it comes to keeping your garage at the with a hose and let air dry. desired temperature and it also improves the security of your home.

• Painting: A new coat of paint will improve the door’s appearance and protect it from the elements.

• Test the opener/auto-reverse for proper operation: Check by placing a block of wood under the closing path of the door • Repair or replace the weatherstripping: Rubber it should reverse when contact is made. This is critical for weatherstripping along the bottom of the door helps keep ensuring the safety of those who may interact with the door out cold wind, water and dirt. Check to make sure it is in such as children or pets, especially during summer when kids good shape and free from tears, worn areas and still secured are more likely to play outside. Also test (and practice using) properly. the pull rope most automatic garage door openers have for • Lubricate the moving parts: You can find lubricants use when there’s a power outage. specifically formulated for garage doors at most hardware stores. Lubricants can be used on the tracks, springs, hinges and rollers to keep your door in good working order. They may also help to reduce noise and quiet squeaks when opening and closing the garage door.

Volume 12 | Issue 8