CW Title and Escrow Newsletter | 8.2015

connection

the home

August 2015

EYE ON THE MARKET

BOATING SAFETY

A warmer than normal summer around the Puget Sound usually means picnics, lazy days at the beach and a slowdown in our local real estate market. That slowdown doesn’t seem to be taking shape this year as buyers continue to snap up all available home inventory at a near-record pace. As one Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) spokesperson put it, “We are experiencing a heat wave of sales.”

Buyers aren’t being picky, but rather they have vision and imagination, and are eager to close the deal on a home they can adapt to meet their needs. One by-product of the current market is that homes that have not been on the market in many years, perhaps even several decades, being listed. Many longtime owners are considering the value they can get for their home and deciding it’s time to pull up stakes.

While inventory continues to be an issue, the just released MLS June statistics show the total number of homes listed has grown by nearly 20 percent since March. The MLS stats also show the inventory shortage is causing buyers to broaden their geographic search area. As a result, communities north and south of King County are also experiencing fantastic sales numbers. In Pierce County closed sales for singlefamily homes rose 33.7 percent yearover-year, and in Snohomish County they are up 16.45 percent.

Along with low inventory other factors fueling the current market include low interest rates, an influx of first-time homebuyers finally entering the market, monthly mortgage payments rivaling monthly rent payments in some areas, low unemployment and the overall population growth in our region.

It’s a great time to check out the real estate market in the Northwest!

FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES WHILE BOATING:  Always wear a life jacket.  Don’t drink and boat. Assign a

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LOCAL HAPPENINGS

designated driver who is comfortable with the boat and weather conditions.

Be weather wise and aware of tides. Pack accordingly, and prepare for changing conditions.

Bring your cell phone in a waterproof zip lock bag.

Do a walk-around of your boat at the beginning of the season to assure no trouble spots developed over the winter.

Trade in your old flares for a discount on a new set.

Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked.

WASHINGTON BOATER EDUCATION CARDS: State law requires operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater to take a safety education course and obtain a boater education card to operate a boat in Washington.

Boaters can take an education course in a classroom, online, or at home.

More information can be found online at http://boat.wa.gov/safety-ed.asp Do you know a child who needs a lifejacket?

There are several programs throughout the state that will loan life jackets.

Locations at: http://boatus.org/life-jacket-loaner/ usamap.asp Vo lu m e

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7/29-8/2 Seafair Fleet Week seafair.com 7/31-8/2 Blue Angels at Boeing Seafair Air Show| seafair.com 2 Waterfront Whimsea Family Fun Day downtownseattle.com 7 South Lake Union Block Party | slublockparty.com 7-8 Kirkland Summerfest kirklandsummerfest.com 7-9 SalmonFest Seattle salmonfestseattle.com 8 Brew Five Three: Tacoma’s Beer & Blues Festival broadwaycenter.org 11 North City Jazz Walk – Shoreline northcityjazzwalk.org 14-15 Bonney Lake Days ci.bonney-lake.wa.us 14-16 A Taste of Edmonds atasteofedmonds.com 14-16 Auburn Days | auburndays.com 15 Celebrate Woodinville Festival celebratewoodinville.com 15 Everett Craft Beer Festival washingtonbeer.com 15-16 Seattle Street Food Festival seattlestfoodfest.com 22 Sammamish Nights sammamishchamber.org 27-9/7 The Evergreen State Fair – Monroe | evergreenfair.org 29 Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Fest | dmrotary.org

AU G U ST DAT ES & O B S E RVA N C ES Famous August Births: 8/1/1779 8/1/1770 8/4/1961 8/4/1901 8/5/1930 8/6/1911 8/13/1899 8/14/1959 8/18/1774 8/19/1919 8/23/1912 8/29/1915

Francis Scott Key, composer of “The Star Spangled Banner” William Clark, explored the NW with Meriwether Lewis President Barack Obama Louis Armstrong, Jazz musician Neil Armstrong, first astronaut on the moon Lucille Ball, actress and comedienne best known for “I Love Lucy” Alfred Hitchcock, director of “The Birds” and “Psycho” Magic Johnson, businessman and former basketball player Meriwether Lewis, explored the NW with William Clark Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes Magazine Gene Kelly, dancer and actor best known for “Singin’ in the Rain” Ingrid Bergman, Swedish actress best known for “Casablanca”

TUESDAY, August 4 National Night Out Against Crime August 2 - 8 National Farmers Market Week August 12 - 13 Annual Perseid Meteor shower! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids

S H O P S E A S O N A L LY T H I S S U M M E R Look for these summer fruits and vegetables for the best flavor (and greatest value) in season now:       

Apples Avocados Basil Bell peppers Berries Carrots Cherries

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Cilantro Cucumbers Eggplant Figs Garlic Green beans Mangoes

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Melons Nectarines Okra Peaches Peppers Summer squash Tomatoes

 Zucchini

N AT I O N A L N I G H T O U T I S A U G U S T 4 Summertime is prime season for home burglaries. Here are a few helpful tips to share with your neighbors when you join them August 4 for National Night Out Against Crime:

INSIDE:  If you are home and someone knocks on the door, make sure they know someone is home. If you don’t want to answer the door, tell them you are busy and cannot answer. Turning the TV or radio on loudly also sends a signal the home is not empty.  Do not leave windows open (even a little) at night or during the day while you are out.  Purchase a reinforced door jammer for each door that leads outside (they work on sliding doors as well).

These should be put in place on every door, except the front, when

you leave home. It’s also a good idea to put them on at night when you go to sleep – they can be easily removed if there is an emergency situation.  If you have an alarm system make sure you activate it each time you leave. Be sure to put the signs and stickers around your house, advertising that you have a system. If you don’t have an alarm system, consider getting one …investigate inexpensive systems that do not have a monthly fee. You may also choose the option to install it yourself and have it call or alert your cell phone if it goes off.

Many home insurance companies will offer a discount if you have an alarm system or cameras.  Purchase a high quality fire resistant safe and put all valuables in it. The safe should be heavy, making it inconvenient for anyone to grab and run. Don’t keep valuables in your dresser. This is a common place and burglars know to look there.

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 Photograph valuables (including electronics) and keep them safe, along with original receipts and serial numbers. If they do get stolen, most insurance companies will want both for the claims.

OUTSIDE:  Make your backyard a struggle for thieves to get into by placing a lock on the gate and repairing any missing fence posts.  Keep your recycling/garbage bins in an enclosed area such as your backyard or garage. This will assure they are not rummaged through only to find boxes from your newly purchased items.  Keep ladders and tools locked away – don’t assist the burglar with getting in.

The best advice is to know your neighbors … stay in communication with them and consider setting up a neighborhood watch. More information on National Night Out can be found at www.natw.org.