the
JUNE 2019
Volume 10 | Issue 6
EYE ON THE
JUNE happenings
market
The Seattle area has earned a few top rankings these past few months, and the city just earned another. A recent report found Seattle to be listed as one of the top metro areas attracting millennials. While incomes are slightly higher than many other ranked metros, millennials as a group can only afford to purchase 9 percent of homes currently listed. Millennials cite job growth and opportunity as reason they choose to move here despite financial challenges.
When it comes to the health of our real estate market, Seattle ranks 12th (that 12th man again), but where the city thrives is the "Job Opportunity and Competition" category. In April, NWMLS reported less than two months of inventory in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. While competition on offers has been at a slower pace than
in prior years, our market is still showing strong activity among both buyers and sellers, based on current inventory. Home values in the region have seen a surprising turn in the last year. A majority of homes valued at over $600,000, mostly in the Seattle and Eastside areas, actually saw a slight drop in value on a year-over-year basis. The last time the Seattle area saw a decrease in year-over-year home values was over eight years ago. Interest rates have fluctuated over the past few months, but have not risen as high as predicted at the beginning of 2019. Experts had predicted as high as 5 percent, but rates are currently just above 4 percent for a 30year fixed. The median sales price for single-family homes in King County was reported as $690,000; Pierce $357,900 and Snohomish reported at $500,000. While the markets’ pace is not in full swing yet, it’s expected to heat up as the summer months progress.
CAMPING around the Pacific Northwest Summer is approaching, which means great weather for the Pacific Northwest. This is a prime opportunity to start planning your camping trips for the season. Not sure where to begin? Check out these camping locations by their key features: If you want to camp on a riverfront
Hoh River Trail—Olympic National Park If you want to camp in the backwoods
Barclay Lake—Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
1-2 Duvall Days | duvalldays.org 1-2 Anacortes Waterfront Festival anacortes.org/waterfront-festival 8 Georgetown Carnival georgetownmerchants.org 8-16 Marysville Strawberry Festival maryfest.org
14-16 Edmonds Arts Festival edmondsartsfestival.com 14-16 Meeker Days! in Puyallup puyallupmainstreet.com
If you want to camp in a yurt
15-16 Bell Harbor Marina’s Classic Weekend https://www.portseattle.org
Cape Disappointment State Park— Washington/Oregon Border
15-16 Burien Strawberry Days discoverburien.org
If you want to camp on a lakefront
21-23 Taste of Tacoma tasteoftacoma.com
Owhi Campground—near Cle Elum, Washington If you want to camp at a fort
Fort Flagler State Park—Port Townsend, Washington If you want to camp really close to home
Denny Creek Campground—50 miles east of Seattle
If you want to camp on a beach
Shi Shi Beach—Olympic National Park
1-2 Maritime Gig Festival maritimegig.com
For more camping locations, visit parks.state.wa.us.
22 SipFest 2019 snoqualmievalleyrotary.org 22-23 Fremont Fair fremontfair.com 28-30 ACE Comic Con Seattle acecomiccon.com 29-30 Shoreline Arts Festival shorelinearts.net 29-30 Seattle PrideFest seattlepridefest.org
June
I M P O R TA N T D AT E S
Friday, June 7 Doughnut Day
Tuesday, June 18 Go Fishing Day
Friday, June 14 Flag Day
Friday, June 21 First Day of Summer
Friday, June 14 World Blood Donor Day
Friday, June 21 Take Your Dog to Work Day
Sunday, June 16 Father’s Day
Sunday, June 23 United Nations Public Service Day
who’s ready to go
CAMPING? Learning how to be an expert camper doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s important when planning your trip that you don’t leave anything behind. Here’s a list of items we think should be included on your next camping trip:
Celebrating FATHER’S DAY 2019 It’s a challenge every year to find that perfect gift for Dad, but all he really wants is quality time with his family. Here are some activities to do with Dad: Outdoor Dad: Is your dad a fishing fanatic? Does he love to hike? Prefer to live in a tent? Then plan a day outside in the beautiful summer weather at one of the many local state parks. parks.state.wa.us Finer-Things Dad: Does your dad enjoy the finer things? Then put on your best threads and treat him to a fancy meal. Great food and conversation are sure to knock his fancy socks right off! yelp.com Caddy Daddy: If your dad is golfobsessed, then plan a day on the course together. Taking up a common hobby is a great gift for Dad that lasts a lifetime. thewsga.org
SUMMER PATIO
Rocker Dad: Does Dad rock out in the car and sing as though no one is watching? Then treat him to one of the many local-area concerts and rock out together. seattle-theatre.com/ index_concert.php Brainiac Dad: If your dad is always hidden behind a book or schooling you on trivia, then plan a day out at one of the many local historical sites or museums to fire up his neurons. visitseattle.org Film-Buff Dad: If your dad loves cinema, plan a day out at the theater with him. Treat him to his favorite concessions and let him pick the movie. fandango.com Grill Master Dad: Is your dad often found in the backyard next to his grill? Then find a new recipe to learn and grill together. allrecipes.com
makeover
Implement these simple touches to spruce up your patio for the summer: • Tidy up. Before you start your patio adds a warm and inviting ambiance makeover, take a look around, and for you and your guests. clean up anything that may have • Add entertainment. Build a bar or become dirty during the fall and bonfire pit for a fun reason to get winter seasons. Power-wash together. But don’t forget to include walkways, remove dead foliage, a few other activities, such as cards, wash windows, and clean outdoor ping-pong or croquet, to keep your lighting fixtures. guests happy and entertained all • Add decoration. Decorate your summer long. patio with garden planters, new furniture and framed pictures to create a more inviting and homey feel. Fill the planters with flowers that will bloom during the spring and summer seasons. • Patio lighting. Adequate exterior
lighting is a key component of your home security. Adding string lights not only provides safety but also
Volume 10 | Issue 6
Water: Depending on the length of your trip, you’ll want to have as much as you can carry. Tent Sleeping bag: Choose one that is waterresistant and durable. Sleeping pad Portable stove Battery-powered or hand-crank radio in case of an emergency Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Camping chairs Cooler Lightweight backpack Lantern: in case you decide to play some games while sitting around the campfire Board games, Frisbees, bikes or any other types of activities you’d like to enjoy while camping Tarp(s) Fire sticks: These will come in handy when lighting fires. Trekking poles: These will help on those high elevation hikes. Propane canisters Hiking boots Sturdy, lightweight rain jacket Matches in a waterproof container Paper cups, paper plates and plastic utensils, paper towels One pan and/or pot: When it comes to cooking around the fire, you’ll want to make sure you don’t forget this. Cutting boards: or some other kind of surface to set food on while preparing it Emergency reference material, such as a first aid book