the
Volume 9 | Issue 9
EYE ON THE
SEPTEMBER 2018
market
Temperatures are starting to cool off, and the housing market is following suit. This means that homebuying has become less competitive for homebuyers, making the offer game a lot more easygoing. Inventory of single-family homes for sale in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties increased by 10.4 percent in July, compared to June. This cooloff period is helping sellers be more flexible about timing to sell. As the market continues to stay steady in Pierce County, with 1.5 months’ supply of single-family homes, experts are still noticing the shift in homebuying farther south. According to the Northwest MLS, Pierce County’s median closed homesale price in July was $353,500, compared to $351,000 in June. Brokers report that despite higher interest rates, the South Sound market remains steady compared with last year, powered by the larger selection of affordable homes.
LOCAL
happenings
8/23-9/3 Evergreen State Fair in Monroe | evergreenfair.org 8/29-9/1 Studebaker Drivers Club 54th Annual International Meet in Tacoma | sdcmeet.com 8/31-9/2 Bumbershoot Music Festival in Seattle | bumbershoot.com
Buyers may expect a shift in overall market prices in King County as inventory increases. King County has become less aggressive, with 1.62 months of inventory, and the average sales price for homes sold in July was $699,000, compared to June’s median sales price of $715,000. The Seattle Times reports that real estate experts are attributing this cooldown period to rent stabilization, increased mortgage rates, and stagnant job growth in the region. Although the market may appear to be slowing down, experts are confident that activity in the market will remain consistent.
#W I R E F R A U D fact helping you protect your hard-earned money
did you know... According to data from the FBI, in 2016, $19 million in home closing funds were reported lost to wire fraud. In 2017, nearly $1 billion in funds were diverted from real estate purchase transactions and wired to scammers. From 2015 through 2017, there was an 1,100% rise in the number of such real estate scams and a 2,200% rise in the reported monetary loss. Never act on wire instructions sent to you via email or text. If you suspect wire fraud with your transaction or have questions about wire procedures, contact your escrow closer immediately at a known and verified number.
8/31-9/2 Olympia Harbor Days harbordays.com 8/31- Washington State Fair in 9/23 Puyallup | thefair.com *The Fair is closed Tuesdays and Sept. 5
7-9 Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival mukfest.com
7-9 San Gennaro Festival of Seattle sangennarofestivalseattle.org
8 Chinatown-ID Night Market cidbia.org 8 Burien Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival | burienwa.gov 8 Issaquah Wine & Art Walk downtownissaquah.com 8-9 Bacon, Eggs & Kegs in Seattle baconeggsandkegs.com 8-9 Seattle Design Festival Block Party | designinpublic.org 9 Live Aloha Festival in Seattle seattlelivealohafestival.com
13-16 Boats Afloat Show in Seattle boatsafloatshow.com continued next page
September
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, September 3 Labor Day Counties and CW Title Closed
Tuesday, September 11 Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
Saturday, September 8 International Literacy Day
Monday, September 17 Constitution Day | Citizenship Day
Sunday, September 9 Grandparents Day
Saturday, September 22 Fall begins
LOCAL
happenings continued
13-16 Gig Harbor Film Festival gigharborfilm.org 14-15 Renton Multicultural Festival rentonwa.gov 14-16 St. Demetrios Greek Festival seattlegreekfestival.com 14-16 Seattle Philatelic Exhibition seapexshow.org 15 Round the Rock Paddleboard Race in Bellevue roundtherock.com 15 Fishermen’s Fall Festival in Seattle fishermensfallfestival.org 15-16 RenCon (Renton ComicCon) rentoncitycomiccon.com 16 Race for a Soldier 10 Miler & 5K | raceforasoldier.org 19-23 Fashion Week in Bellevue fashionweekbellevue.com 21-23 Fremont Oktoberfest fremontoktoberfest.com 21-23 Kirkland Oktoberfest oktoberfestkirkland.com 22 Luminata Lantern Parade in Seattle fremontartscouncil.org 22 Sustainable Ballard Festival sustainableballard.org 22-23 Pooch Plunge in Renton rentonwa.gov 29 Stein & Stems: Puyallup’s Art, Wine & Brew Tour puyallupmainstreet.com 29 HAWKtoberfest Car Show in Kent | downtownkentwa.com 29 Puyallup Art & Wine Walk puyallupmainstreet.com 29-30 Festa Italiana Seattle festaseattle.com 29-30 Northwest Tea Festival in Seattle | nwteafestival.com
HOME DÉCOR INSPIRED BY
nature
back -to - school
CHECKLIST
This time of year sneaks up so fast … summer is here and then gone in a flash! Use these helpful tips to get settled into a new routine for fall: Talk to your child about their feelings,
Organic home décor exposes and showcases the beauty of natural materials. Elements of organic design can include: • Nature-inspired accessories,
• • • • • •
furniture and structural elements that incorporate soft curves and irregular shapes Natural materials such as stone, rustic wood and natural fabrics, instead of synthetics Imperfections made by nature and natural forms that are highlighted, not hidden Use of neutral color schemes and textures that take their cue from wood and stone Bright, open and airy home interiors that are simultaneously cozy and comfortable Use of natural light as a design element either through windows or solar tubes Mixture of live indoor plants with elements that were living, such as wood, cotton, leather and seagrass
Remember: Organic home design doesn’t mean just going green with eco-friendly structures, amenities and gadgets. Organic home décor can touch and be tailored to match every facet of your lifestyle. Volume 9 | Issue 9
expectations and concerns about the new school year. Talk to your child about their dayto-day routine once school starts. For small children, tour the school and show them where each of their classes will be, along with the cafeteria and restrooms. Determine how your child will get to school, and practice the route. Find a walking/bus buddy for younger children. Arrange a carpool if needed. Establish a time for homework and dinner. Provide your child with an alarm clock, and discuss the best time for which to set it. Establish a school-night bedtime, and stick to it. Read the school handbook with your child, and discuss any concerns. Find out the date for parent-teacher night, and enter it on your calendar. Find out the school lunch schedule and how you might want to supplement those meals. Create a contact list of other parents who are able to pick up your child in case of an emergency. Be sure to share it with the school. Arrange child care and/or afterschool activities. Set expectations for screen time limits (TV, phone, video games, tablets, etc.) playtime and the completion of longterm school projects. Stay involved with your child, their school and their daily routine!