the
Volume 9 | Issue 11
EYE ON THE
NOVEMBER 2018
market
As we near the end of 2018, the market has adjusted more closely to historical norms. With the Puget Sound region seeing a much more stable market compared to the brisk pace of the last few years, real estate professionals are pragmatic and taking it in stride.
For the first time since January 2015, King County ended September with 2.5 months of inventory. Although the current number indicates a healthy supply for the Puget Sound, experts hope to see the Seattle area increase its inventory to four to six months. The surplus in inventory is also good news for buyers, as prices have leveled out due to the rising number of listings. The month of August saw more listings in the Seattle area than at any other period in the last three years. The normalization of the market is due to a few factors, such as
DAYLIGHT SAVING
LOCAL
happenings
buyer’s fatigue from the summer months, and an increase in interest rates.
Buyers may see a slight decline in housing prices in this type of market and can now take their time without as much competition from foreign investors and multiple bidders. This shift towards a buyer’s market may also lead to more autonomy in negotiating contingency offers. A local real estate director told The Seattle Times that while homes often sell for above the asking price, the typical house is now selling at the original asking price. According to the most recent stats from the Northwest MLS, in Pierce County, the median single-family home closed-sale price was $352,750, in King County, it was $668,000, while Snohomish County reported $484,995. Compared to the same period last year, in Pierce County, the median singlefamily closed-sale-price increased by 10.67 percent, in King County by 6.88 percent and in Snohomish by 7.78 percent. Experts predict that we won’t be seeing a dramatic increase in prices relatively soon compared to prior months.
safety
The days before and after daylight-saving time can often see an increase in accidents at home and on the road. Here are a few tips for staying safe during this time: HOME: Check and replace the batteries and, in some areas, flooding. Prepare a in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) safety kit for your home that includes detectors. The Consumer Product Safety water, food, flashlights, batteries, Commission also recommends that you blankets and first aid supplies. check the age of your PERSONAL: There are reports every year detectors and that you of an increase in car and home accidents replace smoke detectors around the daylight-saving time clock older than 10 years and changes (in both fall and spring). Leading CO detectors older than up to turning the clocks back, gradually five years. Check the adjust your sleep schedule to the new small gauge on all fire time. Try to avoid building up a sleep extinguishers to ensure deficit before the time change. Just being the needle is still in the aware that you need to be more alert green. Inclement weather when the clocks change appears to can lead to power outages increase your safety. (continued on next page)
1-8 Seattle Restaurant Week srw.seattletimes.com 4 14th Annual Dia de los Muertos tacomaartmuseum.org 9-12 Seattle Int’l Auto Show seattleautoshow.com 10 Ceremony at Veterans Monument millcreektourism.com 10 South Sound Winter Beer Festival washingtonbeer.com 10 Veterans Day Parade | Auburn auburnwa.gov 10-11 Northwest Chocolate Festival nwchocolate.com 17 TEDxSeattle 2018: Tall Order tedxseattle.com 18 Winter Pineapple Classic experienceredmond.com 18 Hopelink’s 18th Annual Turkey Trot explorekirkland.com 23-30 Snowflake Lane snowflakelane.com 24 73rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting (Tacoma) broadwaycenter.org 24 Magic in the Market pikeplacemarket.org 24-25 Santa Train trainmuseum.org 24-30 Garden d’Lights bellevuebotanical.org
November
IMPORTANT DATES
Sunday, November 4 Daylight Saving time ends Clocks fall back one hour Monday, November 12 Veterans Day (observed) Counties closed
giving
Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving Day Counties closed Friday, November 23 Day after Thanksgiving Counties closed
SEASON IN THE NORTHWEST
Meaningful holiday traditions begin with helping others in our community. Here are a few organizations always looking for donations and/or volunteers: LOCAL CHARITIES: northwestharvest.org seattlefoundation.org foodlifeline.org hopelink.org unitedway.org voaww.org teenfeed.org ugm.org marchofdimes.com/washington nokidhungry.org RESEARCH CHARITIES: charitynavigator.org charitywatch.org greatnonprofits.org
DAYLIGHT SAVING safety (continued from previous page) CAR: Even if you have a roadside assistance
contract, you should still prepare a safety kit for your car. This kit can include a first aid kit, water, nonperishable snacks, a warm blanket, a fire extinguisher, reflective triangle hazard signs, jumper cables and the everhandy duct tape. Be sure your cellphone is fully charged before you get into the car and that you have an adequate amount of gas in your car in case you find yourself stuck in traffic. Find additional items to include by searching for “car safety kit” online. Additional safety and preparedness tips can be found at redcross.org and emd.wa.gov/.
November Football SUN SUN THUR SUN
CONNECT WITH A LOCAL FOOD BANK: fishfoodbanks.org emergencyfeeding.org homelessshelterdirectory.org pugetsoundlaboragency.org pugetsoundpetfoodbank.org
To research a Washington charitable organization online, please visit www.sos.wa.gov/charities.
KEYS TO A STRESS-FREE
SAT SAT FRI SAT SAT SAT FRI
11/4 11/11 11/15 11/25
1:05 PM 1:25 PM 5:20 PM 10:00 AM
vs. Chargers @ Rams vs. Packers @ Panthers
11/3 TBD vs. Stanford 11/17 TBD vs. Oreg State 11/23 5:30 PM @ WSU 11/3 11/10 11/17 11/23
TBD TBD TBD 5:30 PM
vs. California @Colorado vs. Arizona vs. UW
thanksgiving
The keys to a stress-free Thanksgiving are planning ahead and asking for help. Here are a few tips to get you started: One day to three weeks before Thanksgiving Shop for those dishes you will make yourself, if items can remain fresh. Ask your guests to each bring a side dish or beverages. Create a seating plan, set the table(s), and decorate your home. Make as many dishes in advance as possible, or order side dishes from your favorite restaurant. Thanksgiving Day Make easy appetizers guests can snack on (such as fruit and veggie trays or chips and salsa) while they are waiting for dinner to be served. Put beverages in the refrigerator to chill. While the turkey is roasting, prepare those side dishes you plan to make. After dinner Make coffee and tea to go with dessert. Don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member to help with the cleanup. Split up the leftovers and have containers ready to fill so you can send your guests home with their favorites. Volume 9 | Issue 11
TURKEY THAWING TIMES Weight In Fridge: 40° F In COLD Water* 8 to 12 lbs 2 to 2.5 days 4 to 6 hrs 12 to 16 lbs 2.5 to 4 days 6 to 8 hrs 16 to 20 lbs 4 to 5 days 8 to 10 hrs 20 to 24 lbs 5 to 6 days 10 to 12 hrs *Turkey should be submerged in the water.
TURKEY COOKING TIMES Open-Pan Method in 325° F conventional oven on lowest rack Weight 8 to 12 lbs 12 to 14 lbs 14 to 18 lbs 18 to 20 lbs 20 to 24 lbs
Unstuffed 2.75 to 3 hrs 3 to 3.75 hrs 3.75 to 4.25 hrs 4.25 to 4.5 hrs 4.5 to 5 hrs
Stuffed 3 to 3.5 hrs 3.5 to 4 hrs 4 to 4.25 hrs 4.25 to 4.75 hrs 4.75 to 5.25 hrs