the
Home Connection
Volume 13 | Issue 3
MARCH 2022
eye on the market Spring is just around the corner, which means the real estate market will soon shift into high gear. Along with changes in weather, market participants are reportedly hoping for changes in the current real estate-scape. Low inventory continues to be a challenge for homebuyers according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The lack of listings directly impacted last month’s slower than year-ago sales, contributing to a drop of 14 percent. The year-over-year number of closed sales also declined by nearly 13.8 percent as prospective buyers faced difficulty finding homes to purchase. However, home sellers are experiencing a decrease in the number of days that their homes are on the market and steep increases in sales price, which brokers hope will entice sellers to list their homes. Data from the MLS gives a closer look at the closed sale price escalations for single famliy homes in specific counties, compared with the same month a year
experience this! ago. In King County prices are up by 6.9 percent, in Snohomish County up by 19.17 percent, in Pierce County up by almost 19.32 percent, in Thurston County up by almost 17.07 percent, and in Spokane County up by nearly 20.6 percent (Spokane Association of REALTORS). There is a significant backlog of buyers looking for a home to purchase and with higher mortgage rates expected, buyers are more anxious to find a home despite inventory shortages and price escalations. However, an influx of spring sellers entering the market is not the only solution. New construction is ramping up at unprecedented levels in residential and commercial areas to meet the high levels of demand. This may alleviate frenzied buying conditions and encourage sellers to list their houses, since there would be more opportunities to move into new homes. The next few months will be exciting to observe and critical in determining the state of the market for both buyers and sellers.
Night of Dancing with KidsQuest Museum 3/4
St. Patrick’s Landing 3/11
Drive-in Movie Nights 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
Tea Blending with Brambleberry Cottage 3/15
Leprechaun Quest 3/5-3/17
Annual Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl 3/19
Free State Park Days 3/9, 3/19
Alice in Wonderland 3/26-3/27
Wicked 3/9-3/27
2022 Everett Half and 10K 3/27
Kitchen Organization Kitchen clutter can build up quickly and be a hard home improvement project to tackle. Keeping the kitchen consistently clean can be made easier with a few tips to help you get started and create lasting systems for organization.
• Work on one area at a time. Trying
to declutter the entire kitchen at once can be an overwhelming task. Start by sorting out just one area at a time. Begin with cabinets, drawers or the refrigerator and then move on to the next area according to your plan. Splitting the job into manageable tasks will help you stick to the project and get it done quicker.
• Use wall space. Free up counter and
cabinet space by hanging items on the walls. Hanging pans, cooking utensils, and shelves on the wall will help you maximize storage and give your kitchen a more organized look.
• Organize inside of cabinet doors.
Silverware, baking utensils, spices, towels etc., can all be stored more easily with drawer organizers that keep items in place and make them easier to find.
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March important dates Tuesday, March 8 International Women’s Day
Monday, March 14 Pi Day
Sunday, March 20 First Day of Spring
Sunday, March 13 Daylight Saving Time Starts
Thursday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday, March 30 National Doctor’s Day
March Home Checklist Flush hot water heater & remove sediment Inspect roofing for damage Check exterior drainage
Power Washing Tips Homes experience year-round dust, dirt, mold, insects, and other contaminants that cause an unwanted buildup on your house and surrounding property. Power washing is one of the most effective and efficient ways to clean and protect your home’s exterior. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
• Choose a pressure washer. Your home’s exterior material may determine the type of pressure washer you need to clean the surface. Research which type of pressure washer is recommended for your home and decide whether you will rent or buy the machine and if you need any accessories like extension wands or pressure washer telescoping wands. • Prepare the area. Before you start washing, prepare the area. Remove or cover items like light fixtures and air conditioner compressors to keep them safe from damage. Use a tarp or plastic covering over garden plants and locate any windows and electrical outlets to
ensure you avoid them while pressure washing. • Clean from the bottom up. With the cleaning solution and machine assembled, start power washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. This will ensure you don’t miss a section.
Kitchen Organization continued from previous page
• Arrange items by the frequency
they’re used. Make your kitchen more efficient by organizing items by how often you use them. Items used on a daily basis should be easy to reach and stored in areas that are more accessible. Special occasion items or kitchenware used infrequently should be placed on higher shelves or in designated kitchen storage.
• Let dry when finished. When you have finished pressure washing, turn off the pressure washer and detach it from the garden hose. Store the pressure washer according to the manual and remove all tarps, drop cloths and duct tape. A home’s exterior will typically take up to two days to dry.
Green Home Projects Spring is a great time for new home projects, and if you are looking for ways to ‘go green’, these improvements will help add to a home’s value and livability while being earth-friendly. Here are a few ways that will “green up” your next project.
• Flooring: Bamboo grows quickly even without pesticides
and, when assembled into flooring, is more durable than most hardwoods. This makes it a sustainable choice for your home. Concrete is another alternative and can incorporate recycled materials such as recycled glass to give it unique character.
• Install a programmable thermostat: Programmable
thermostats are a simple way to regulate the energy used in heating and cooling your home. Many programmable thermostats also have a built-in energy saving program, which allows you to customize your settings based on your schedule and energy usage needs.
• Countertops: Recycled-glass products are elegant and stylish and add a modern twist.
These products are available in a variety of designs and colors. Concrete is another option.
• Bathtubs/sinks: If your bathtub or sink is in good condition,
instead of buying a new one, get the current one refinished. Another alternative to buying new is to look for a replacement at a salvage yard.
• Driveways/walkways: Consider installing a permeable
driveway or walkway made of pavers, crushed stone or broken (recycled) concrete, which allows rainwater to seep through to the ground.
• Plumbing fixtures: The latest low-flow fixtures not only look good but save significantly more water than those made even just a generation ago.
Volume 13 | Issue 3