the
APRIL 2017
Volume 8 | Issue 4
EYE ON THE
market
Surprising amounts of precipitation in the form of both snow and record rainfall haven’t deterred determined buyers from being active in the market so far this year. Brokers report fierce bidding wars and multiple-offer situations as hopeful home seekers continue their quests. The most recent NWMLS statistics show February closed sales prices for singlefamily homes are up compared with the same time period last year. In Snohomish County, prices are up by 14.9 percent; in Pierce County, up by 12 percent; and in King County they are up by 8.74 percent. The rise is, in part, due to buyers employing price escalation tactics during multiple offer situations. Other factors include foreign buyers fleeing tax hikes in Vancouver, B.C., and are now looking to
LOCAL buy in the Puget Sound area, as well as a red-hot job market that continues to draw high wage earners to our region. The main issue is the same as it has been for more than a year: There are fewer homes available for purchase in our area. With inventory at record lows, it would seem that there has never been a better time to list a home for sale. Properly priced homes are selling quickly, and in the hottest neighborhoods, homes sell in 30 days or fewer according to MLS stats. Sellers are understandably reluctant to list, fearing difficulties finding their own next home. The inclement weather we’ve experienced in recent weeks has also caused many to postpone listing. Brokers describe sellers as being on a “traditional spring schedule” that begins in May, while buyers have attempted to get ahead of competition earlier in the year. The coming warmer weather is sure to lure more sellers to make the move to list their homes. In the meantime, sellers are being advised that the longer they wait, the more competition they’ll face later in the spring.
green HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS Earth-friendly home features can add to a home’s value and livability, while also making it more attractive to buyers looking for “green” features. Here are a few ways to “go green” on your next project: Plumbing fixtures: The latest low-flow fixtures not only look good but save significantly more water than those made even just a generation ago. Bathtubs/sinks: If your bathtub or sink is in good condition, instead of buying a new one, get the current one refinished. Another alternative to buying new is to look for a replacement at a salvage yard. Driveways/walkways: Consider installing a permeable driveway or walkway made of pavers, crushed stone or broken (recycled) concrete, which allows rainwater to seep through to the ground.
Flooring: Bamboo grows quickly even without pesticides and, when assembled into flooring, is more durable than most hardwoods. This makes it a sustainable choice for your home. Concrete is another alternative and can incorporate recycled materials such as recycled glass to give it unique character. Countertops: Recycled-glass products are elegant and stylish and add a modern twist. These products are available in a variety of designs and colors. As with flooring, concrete is another option that can be used for countertops.
For more green remodeling ideas, visit: www.seattle.gov/environment/buildings-and-energy/green-remodeling-guides
happenings
1-2 Vegfest at Seattle Center vegofwa.org
1-30 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival tulipfestival.org 2-13 Seattle Restaurant Week srw.seattletimes.com
(Sun-Thu)
8 Daffodil Parade in Pierce County thedaffodilfestival.org 8 Gray Sky Blues Festival in Tacoma | tacomaevents.com 15 Bunny Bounce at Woodland Park Zoo | zoo.org 15 Easter Bunny Photos at Bellevue Square bellevue.com 15 Spring Eggstravaganza in Redmond redmondtowncenter.com 20-23 Puyallup Spring Fair thefair.com 28 Science Uncorked at Pacific Science Center pacificsciencecenter.org 29 Bacon & Beer Classic at Safeco Field baconandbeerclassic.com 29 Seattle Modern Home Tour mads.media 29 Snohomish on the Rocks snohomishontherocks.com 29-30 NW Green Home Tour in Seattle nwgreenhometour.org 30 Tacoma City Marathon tacomacitymarathon.com
April Saturday, April 1 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Begins Friday, April 7 Walk to Work Day Friday, April 7 World Health Day Sunday, April 16 Happy Easter Tuesday, April 18 Tax Day
I M P O R TA N T D AT E S
Bringing tulips home from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival? Here’s how to make them last: Choose tulips that are tightly closed; this means they are fresher. Re-cut and re-water daily. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat. At night, store them in the coolest room in the house. Place a penny in the bottom of the vase ... it’s been said to work!
Saturday, April 22 Earth Day Wednesday, April 26 Administrative Professionals Day Thursday, April 27 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Friday, April 28 Arbor Day
eating LOCAL Eating food that is grown locally helps the local economy and also the environment, as it has traveled only a short distance to get to your table. Below you’ll find where you can buy local produce, as well as information on the benefits of doing so.
online information & resources foodtank.com localharvest.org www.seattle.gov/environment/food seattletilth.org sustainablecapitolhill.org sustainabletable.org local produce delivered & for pickup localrootsfarm.com newrootsorganics.com pugetsoundfresh.org/find-csa farmers markets & shops bellevuefarmersmarket.org everettfarmersmarket.net federalwayfarmersmarket.com fremontmarket.com kentfarmersmarket.com maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org pikeplacemarket.org proctorfarmersmarket.com puyallupmainstreet.com rentonfarmersmarket.com seattlefarmersmarkets.org sfmamarkets.com snohomishfarmersmarket.com tacomafarmersmarket.com vigavashon.org/farmers-market wafarmersmarkets.com
MAKING TULIPS
last!
celebrating EARTH DAY AT HOME, WORK & PLAY Here are a few ways to green it up: Walk or bike to work. Reduce your footprint on the Earth by leaving your car at home whenever possible. You benefit from the heart-healthy exercise, and the Earth benefits by fewer carbon emissions from one less car on the road. Compost. It’s the law in some municipalities, and just something you should do. More than a billion pounds of food are thrown away each year. The most efficient way you can make a difference is to compost with your waste pickup service if composting is offered in your area. Recycle your e-waste. Did you know that more than 50 million tons of electronic waste are generated each year in the U.S. alone, and only 20 to 25 percent of the waste is responsibly recycled? As a direct consequence, large amounts of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium leach into our air and water, contaminating our communities. Go to e-stewards.org to find a facility that will help you recycle your e-waste in a safe and responsible manner. Reduce junk mail. One hundred million trees are cut down each year to produce junk mail, and the resulting loss of trees takes a huge toll on the Earth. Switch to online payments for all of your bills and use a company such as catalogchoice.org to help you opt out of catalogs, coupons, credit card offers and other mailings. Buy local produce and eat “low on the food chain.” Increase healthy habits and help reduce your carbon footprint by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and buying your produce locally. More information about buying locally produced food and supporting area farmers can be found in this issue’s “Eating Local” article. Volume 8 | Issue 4
Earth Day is April 22 The founder of Earth Day, U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, first proposed a national environmental teach-in day to a conservation group in Seattle in September of 1969. Denis Hayes was the principal organizer of the first Earth Day, which took place a few months later in 1970. Over 20 million people participated that first year. To find out how to get involved, visit: earthday.org Donate your old clothes. Much of your old, unused clothing can be given a second life by others who purchase secondhand; can be regenerated into textiles for other products such as cleaning cloths; or can be turned into fibers for insulation. Goodwill holds an annual #BreakUp4Good Earth Day event, in which they encourage everyone to “break up” with clothes they no longer wear and donate them. Reduce energy use at home. We’ve heard for years that we should use compact fluorescent bulbs. But now experts tell us that although LEDs are more expensive, they last longer, require less energy, are dimmable, and will actually save you money vs. CF bulbs over their lifetime. More ways to reduce energy consumption around the house: Use the auto brightness feature on your TV to lower the brightness in low light (nighttime); wash clothes in cold water, and spin at the highest speed (removes the most moisture, which means less time in the dryer); and completely unplug gaming consoles and DVR players when you’re out of town, as these types of electronics are drawing power even when turned off.