the
Home Connection
Volume 13 | Issue 7
JULY 2022
EYE ON THE MARKET As we begin to enjoy the warming Washington summer, interest rates are rising and the housing market across the state has cooled just a bit. Brakes are being tapped at almost every price point and the market is slowly returning to prepandemic routines. Multiple offers are still happening for properly priced homes, but sellers are seeing more contingencies and a reduction in the number of buyers willing to make concessions such as waiving an inspection. With inventory levels rising, buyers have some breathing room to take the time to gather information. Buyers also have more selection to choose from which means they can get closer to purchasing the home of their dreams, that meets their needs and checks off most of the boxes on their wish list. At the same time, some buyers may be feeling the heat of rising interest rates, and the shrinking of their buying power with each passing day. Everyone is talking about balance, which many believe is a much-needed development that will contribute to the overall health of the market in our region.
EXPERIENCE THIS! Price appreciation is slowing yearover-year, but prices continue their upward trend.
PNW’s All Custom Car Showcase July 3
Summer Fest July 15-17
The most recent MLS data shows us the closed sale prices for specific counties, compared with the same month a year ago. In King County prices are up by 14.82 percent, in Snohomish County up by almost 17 percent, in Pierce County up by 14.12 percent, up in Thurston County by just over 15 percent, and in Spokane County, up by 18.2 percent.
Redmond Arts Festival July 8-9
North Bend Downtown Block Party | July 16
The MLS stats also show inventory hovering around one month in most areas, which means the market is still moving fast. Buyers and sellers hoping to be settled and on to their next chapter by fall will want to make their moves in the next few weeks. Hang on! It’s sure to be an exciting countdown to the fall season!
Kent Cornucopia Days July 8-10
8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride July 16
Everett 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney July 9-10
Tour de Terrace July 22-24
Cheney Rodeo & Parade July 9-10
Thurston County Fair July 27-31
HOUSE WINDOW WASHING TIPS Cleaning windows may seem like an easy chore, however, properly cleaning windows can be difficult and often overlooked. Here are a few tips and steps to help you make the inside and outside of your windows gleam. 1. Fill a bucket with cool, clean water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap. 2. Put a large bath towel underneath the window to catch any spilling water. 3. Use a clean sponge or microfiber towel to go over the surface of the window, starting at the top and working down to the bottom. It’s also important to wipe down the frame, both inside and out. 4. Spray the window thoroughly with the vinegar and water solution, or a commercial window cleaning product.
5. Use a lint-free, clean towel or paper towel to dry the window thoroughly. Use a Z-shaped motion to avoid streaks. 6. If dirt or streaks are still visible, spray and dry again. Dirty windows often need two rounds of spraying and drying. continued on next page
July Home Checklist
JULY IMPORTANT DATES Monday, July 4 Independence Day
Wednesday, July 20 Moon Day
Sunday, July 24 Parent’s Day
Thursday, July 7 World Chocolate Day
Thursday, July 21 Get to Know Your Customers Day
Saturday, July 30 International Day of Friendship
Sunday, July 17 Ice Cream Day
Tighten loose handles/door knobs Check driveways for cracks Test GFCI outlets
BEST GRILLING TOOLS Summer is in full swing and with the warmer weather and time spent outside, it’s barbequing season. To help elevate your grilling game and to make barbequing easier, it’s important to have the right tools to aid your efforts. Here are a few recommended tools that will help you turn up the heat this summer.
• Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set
• Weber Original Large Fish Basket.
with Grill Glove. This set comes with three basic grilling tools, a grill spatula, a grill fork, and grill tongs, including a heat-resistant glove. amazon.com
A grilling basket for fish with an expandable user-friendly design. This tool seamlessly cooks fish and solves the issue of fish sticking to and falling apart on the grill. amazon.com
• Misto Brushed Aluminum Oil Sprayer.
• Premiala Meat Claws. Meat shredding
Add seasonings, oil, vinegar, or other liquids you might want to coat your vegetables in without getting oil on your hands. amazon.com
claws that ensure you won’t burn your hands or bend tableware while pulling pork, brisket, or poultry. The stainless steel design also prevents sauces from sticking to the tool and grill. amazon.com
• Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo. An
accurate grill thermometer with a lighted display. lavatools.com
• Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum
Commercial Baker Half Sheet. Large, double-thick, rolled-edge metal sheet pans that make grilling (or carrying) multiple food items at once easier. target.com
• Weber 6673 Original Wide Spatula.
A grilling spatula with a wide head for easy turning, can hold everything. homedepot.com
APP CORNER: AROUND THE HOUSE When it comes to making those home tasks and ambitions easier, “there’s an app for that.” Here are a few helpful apps offered on your preferred device platform:
• Tody: This app helps to manage home cleaning tasks with tools for prioritization, motivation, and tracking progress. You can organize lists of your projects and work flexibly while staying on track with your cleaning goals. • Salvation Army Family Store: With this app, you can donate household items such as toys, clothes, books, furniture etc., with scheduled pickups or drop-offs to make donations easy. It will also keep track of your donations and even offer coupons for your local Family Store. • Carpetright visualizer: This app allows you to take a photo of a room you choose and test different types of flooring and carpets to help design your dream home.
• Sortly: Sortly allows you to organize your home inventory in several different folders and subfolders to make finding items easier. You can add searchable tags and notes to find what you need quickly. Sortly also allows you to enter details for items such as a photo, serial number, purchase date, SKU number and warranty expiration date. • Homestyler Mobile: Snap a photo of any room in your house and change it to 3D perspective view. You will then be able to decorate and furnish your room. This app also gives you the chance to share your designs with talented stylers for advice and inspiration.
Volume 13 | Issue 7