the
Home Connection
Volume 12 | Issue 9
SEPTEMBER 2021
eye on the market The summer market is coming to a close and change is in the air as fall approaches. For homebuyers, this change is most apparent in the reduced competition among homebuyers. There has been evident relief with homebuying pressure since brokers are not seeing as many offers per listing compared to the spring. NWMLS statistics show there were fewer pending sales this past month than during each of the previous two months. In fact, July’s pending sales were down 8.8 percent compared to July of last year. The local markets are still relatively active however with robust buying activity and a shortage of inventory. This has again been reflected in price increases for homes in most counties.
experience this! by almost 21.73 percent, and in Spokane County up by nearly 34.9 percent (Spokane Association of REALTORS). Brokers predict that housing prices will continue to rise with the perfect storm of historically low interest rates and a less than one-month supply of available homes throughout the region. There is also a lack of new construction coming on the market which is limiting availability of newly built homes and further driving up prices.
The end of summer historically is the last time of the year with elevated levels of new listings before they slowly taper down. That is why some brokers predict the slowdown is temporary and will ramp back up in the coming months. Some of the decrease in real estate activity has The Northwest MLS data shows doublealso been attributed to people taking digit closed sale price escalations were vacations, warm weather allowing for widespread across most counties when other distractions, and lifted COVID-19 compared with the same month a year restrictions. It will be interesting to ago. In King County prices are up by see if the slowdown will be short-lived 19.73 percent, in Snohomish County up or continue into the fall as inventory by 21.74 percent, in Pierce County up by remains tight and prices continue almost 20 percent, in Thurston County up climbing.
Tips for painting your front door Painting a front door is a quick and affordable way to majorly update your home’s exterior and can add to the curb appeal of your home. To successfully paint your door, you will want to have a game plan. Here are a few tips for effective painting and choosing the right color to suit your needs. • Selecting the right color. Take your time picking the shade you want for your front door. Consider how the color interacts with your home’s style and how it will look throughout different seasons. - Black front doors are a stunning option for a variety of home styles.
Often paired with a modern house, farmhouse, or even traditional homes. Black is a great front door color option for a gray or white house, or a home with red bricks and makes a bold design statement. - Blue front doors are ontrend and will make your front entryway stand out.
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Evergreen State Fair 8/26-8/31 9/2-9/6
Fremont Oktoberfest 9/17-9/19
The Washington State Fair 9/3-9/26
Kirkland Oktoberfest 9/17-9/19
Olympia Harbor Days Lite 2021 9/4-9/5
Links for Little Bit Golf Tournament 9/9
Lighthouse Festival 9/10-9/12
Spokane County Interstate Fair 9/10-9/19
Hoopfest 9/11-9/12
Shack-toberfest: Glass Pumpkin Patch 9/23-10/6
september important dates Saturday, September 4 National Wildlife Day
Tuesday, September 21 International Day of Peace
Sunday, September 5 International Day of Charity
Wednesday, September 22 Autumn Begins
Monday, September 6 Labor Day
Sunday, September 26 National Pancake Day
Saturday, September 11 Patriot Day
Wednesday, September 29 Coffee Day
Fall Home Improvement Projects Fall is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects to prepare for the winter months ahead. Here are a few fall projects to improve aspects of your home. • Lawn care for fall. Composting, raking longer periods between replacements leaves, aerating your yard, and fertilizing on the siding and repainting. grass, trees, and shrubs will allow • Add insulation & seal gaps. Cooler fall your foliage to enter its winter sleep temperatures will lead to contractions comfortably and properly nourished and in wood and walls, which exposes cracks ensure your lawn is healthy when spring and gaps in walls, doors, and attics. comes. Sealing any gaps and adding insulation • Replace or install new windows as will help your home retain warmth needed. If you need new widows or during the winter. Since warm air is not your current windows need repair, being lost, you may also see a lower try glass with double panes, spacers, energy bill. or filler. Those materials help keep • Clean carpets. With the more humid in heat during winter and cool air in days of summer having passed and the during the summer. Signs that you need freezing days of winter yet to come, new windows it’s a great time to deep clean carpets. include; if your Rent a carpet steamer to lift stains and current windows odors from your carpeted areas. After are more than steaming carpets, open windows for 15 years old, ventilation, which should speed the condensation or drying process. frost frequently • Repair walkways and driveway. builds up on Small gaps and cracks in a driveway windows, if glass is hot to the touch in or walkway can rapidly expand during summer and cold in winter, or if there winter’s freezing temperatures. Cracked are cracks or rot in the window frame. cement and crumbling asphalt can • Paint the exterior of your home. Fall is a create dangerous walking conditions for great time to paint your home’s exterior pedestrians. This can be prevented by since many days are warm enough applying concrete caulking or concrete to work with exterior paint while sealer to damaged areas of your being cool enough outside to work driveway or walkways. comfortably. Paint touch-ups can also help prolong the life of your siding and • Repair Fireplace. A fireplace during the chilly winter season is not only trim. A new coat of paint or sealer on surfaces that potentially will be covered incredibly cozy, but a well-maintained with snow, such as wood floors or stairs fireplace can also be a cost-efficient heat source. Autumn is a great time to have is also important. your chimney and fireplace serviced • Power wash your house. Having your and inspected by a professional. Your home’s exterior and windows power fireplace should be checked for signs of washed makes your home look fresh, cracks or deterioration, debris, soot, and and it also prevents the growth of mold creosote buildup. It’s also important to and mildew during the wet winter double-check the seal on your damper months ahead. Keeping your exterior to make sure cold air won’t come in clean of mold will ultimately mean during the winter.
Volume 12 | Issue 9
Tips for painting your front door continued from previous page Any style of blue front door is sure to leave a lasting impression. A dark blue door is elegant while a lighter or brighter blue gives your home a tranquil feel. - Red front doors create a bold first impression for your home, with a warm welcome and a pop of color. Red front doors are commonly found on farmhouses and are a great accent to a white or neutral color home. - White front doors are a classic option for your home that adds a hint of elegance. They match with most home exteriors and are a great choice for a subtle color. - Gray front doors are a great option for a variety of home styles. A gray front door can pair well with a traditional home, contemporary home, or any style between. This neutral front door color option will match well with a variety of siding colors and other home décor elements. - Stained wood front doors have a natural beauty effect on a home. They reveal craftsman details and a more traditional home design. Stained wood front doors are also available in a variety of shades to perfectly complement your home. • Prep the Door. If you have the proper materials, take your door off the hinges, and lay it flat on sawhorse legs. You can paint it on the hinges but be sure to cover them in painters’ tape. Laying the door flat will help prevent drips and runs. You will then want to sand, clean, and prime the door. This will ensure a true color and no painted dust clumps. • Paint Piece-by-Piece. First paint the bevels (the lower inset parts) using a handheld brush. Then paint the inset panels, using a roller. Finish with the center and outer flat surfaces using a roller. It is also important to use a paint that is high-quality oil-based or 100% acrylic water-based latex paint.