the
JUNE 2017
Volume 8 | Issue 6
EYE ON THE
market
Our market has no shortage of qualified buyers, and properly priced listings in most areas are selling quickly. In some neighborhoods, homes are selling, on average, in less than 30 days. Our strong regional economy includes global companies that are attracting workers to our region. These companies impact our local market simply by where they are choosing to locate their offices. Expedia will move its headquarters to Seattle in 2019. Amazon has announced plans to open offices in Bellevue, in addition to its main campus in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. REI has chosen to move its main office from Kent to Bellevue by 2020, and Weyerhaeuser has relocated from Federal Way to downtown Seattle. Buyers searching for affordable homes with reasonable commute times are
TIPS TO AVOID
LOCAL finding they need to expand their search to include areas to the north and south of King County. With commute times lengthening, listings close to transportation options are shooting to the top of prospective buyers’ must-see lists. Our region continues to experience price growth resulting from an expanding local economy and population. The most recent Northwest MLS statistics show price increases for single-family homes of 10 percent in Pierce County, 15.74 percent in King County and 17.33 percent in Snohomish County. Local economists predict the strong rate of job growth in our state will continue for the remainder of this year, but it is expected to ebb in 2018. The eventual slowing in job growth and anticipated mortgage rate increases towards the end of the year may relieve some of the pressure we’re currently experiencing.
2-4 Edmonds Waterfront Festival edmondswaterfrontestival.org 2-4 HONK! Fest West in Seattle honkfestwest.org 3-4 Duvall Days Festival duvalldays.org 3-4 Maritime Gig Festival in Gig Harbor | gigharborchamber.net 9-11 Maple Valley Days maplevalleydays.com 10 Georgetown Carnival georgetownmerchants.org
Meanwhile, warm weather moves in, and our pleasant Pacific Northwest summers take center stage, attracting even more new residents to our region.
10-17 Marysville Strawberry Festival maryfest.org 16-18 Edmonds Arts Festival edmondsartsfestival.com 16-18 Meeker Days in Puyallup puyallupmainstreet.com 16-18 Washington Brewers Festival at Marymoor Park washingtonbeer.com 17 Fremont Solstice Parade fremontartscouncil.org 17-18 Port of Seattle Classic Weekend portseattle.org 18 Fenders on Front Street in Issaquah fendersonfrontstreet.com 23 Auburn Kids Day auburnwa.gov 23-25 Taste of Tacoma tasteoftacoma.com 24-25 Bellevue Strawberry Festival bellevuestrawberryfestival.org 24-25 Seattle PrideFest seattlepridefest.org
wire fraud
Transactions can sometimes move along quickly close to the closing date. To be sure your hard-earned funds are sent to the correct place, here are a few things you can do:
Be vigilant when reviewing any nonsecure transaction-related emails, especially if you or someone else involved in your transaction uses a free Web-based email service such as Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail.
wire fraud is
Check email addresses to ensure they match ones you’ve verified to be correct.
Instead of replying to potentially nonsecure emails, forward the email, then enter in a verified email address you know to be correct.
Spread the word! The more awareness there is of wire fraud, the better the chance we have of preventing it.
happenings
ON THE RISE If you have questions about wire procedures, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and speak to someone you know and trust who is involved with your transaction.
June I M P O R TA N T D AT E S
celebrating
Friday, June 2 Doughnut Day
Wednesday, June 21 First Day of Summer
FATHER ’S DAY 2017
Wednesday, June 14 Flag Day
Friday, June 23 United Nations Public Service Day
Wednesday, June 14 World Blood Donor Day
Friday, June 23 Take Your Dog to Work Day
If it’s a challenge every year to get that perfect gift for the dad who already has everything, here are a few ideas that may help you find this year’s winner: Recurring theme in a box: Subscription boxes are all the rage, and there’s a box available for almost every taste, interest, style or budget. Whether related to grooming and skin care, fashion, pop culture or fitness, there’s a subscription service available. birchbox.com, stitchfix.com, lootcrate.com, trunkclub.com, cratejoy.com First-time Father: Help out that sleep-deprived dad with a gift to help him enjoy and make the most of this special time: a stroller mount for his cellphone, books to read at bedtime, coffee to keep him awake, and a new pillow to snuggle printed with images of the new addition to the family. uncommongoods.com Retro Dad: Everything old is new again, and if Dad has saved his vinyl collection, he might enjoy taking his music for a spin with an updated turntable. Current models allow for connections via Bluetooth audio streaming to speakers and headphones to enjoy that warm vinyl sound. bestbuy.com Showcase memories: Get his favorite photos out of the phone and printed onto an interesting substrate. A photo printed on glass, on metal or directly on wood makes a gift he’ll be proud to display. fractureme.com, costcophotocenter.com, photobarn.com Card Shark Dad: If Dad’s poker set is looking a bit worn and missing a few chips, it’s a sure bet he’d love to up his game. Combine a new set of chips with an automatic playing-card deck shuffler and a poker tabletop. Set up a date for him and his poker cohorts to settle in for hours of fun. amazon.com Gifts as unique as he is: For the dad who has everything, only one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts will do. There are several sites that host craftspeople who can make custom decorations, greeting cards, personalized items such as tool belts and tools, art and jewelry. etsy.com, bigcartel.com, taigan.com Most importantly, don’t forget to let him know how much he means to you.
Sunday, June 18 Go Fishing Day Sunday, June 18 Father’s Day
AMERICAN FLAG
etiquette Flag Day is June 14
The flag should be displayed from sunrise
to sunset, or 24 hours a day if illuminated during hours of darkness. The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously and should never touch the ground. The flag should not be flown in inclement weather unless it is an all-weather flag. The flag should never be dipped toward any person or object, nor should the flag ever touch anything beneath it. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be properly disposed of.
For more information about your American flag, please visit www.usflag.org
ADDING A BIT OF CURB appeal Here are a few simple touches that can help you make a great first impression! Create an inviting walkway.
Line your walkway with garden planters. Build them yourself from treated lumber, or use decorative weather-resistant pots and containers. Fill with seasonal flowers that will bloom during the spring and summer seasons. Exterior lighting. Having adequate
exterior lighting is a key component of your home security. As with house numbers, choose a fixture that’s in the same style as your house, or repaint your existing fixture.
Power washing. Living in the Puget
Sound region, we all know how our moist environment can create a haven for moss. Patios, driveways and walkways can all become dirty, discolored and dangerously slick. Power washing annually with an eco-friendly detergent can keep your concrete spaces safe and clean. New house numbers.
A new set of house numbers is a simple yet impactful way to give your home a finishing touch. Research online to find a style that is in keeping with your home’s age and architecture. Volume 8 | Issue 6
Happy Father’s Day!