February 2020 Newsletter

the

home connection

Volume 11 | Issue 2

FEBRUARY 2020

EYE ON THE MARKET Real estate in the Puget Sound region is quickly gaining momentum in the new year, with brokers reporting a busy market already in 2020 as buyers compete for few listings. Buyers are kicking off the year by trudging through the winter weather and sliding into the market rather than waiting for the thaw that comes with the spring selling season.

Low inventory isn’t the only reason market experts are predicting a return of the frenzied pace and multiple offers of a couple of years ago. Additional factors include mortgage rates and job growth.

Mortgage rates declined to start the year, in part due to world events, and some market experts predict rates will remain at or under 4 percent for most of 2020.

The topic of job growth is hotter than ever, with Amazon looking to add 10,000

LOCAL HAPPENINGS jobs to our region in 2020. In addition, Washington state is also the No. 2 state behind Idaho for people looking to relocate according to a recent report from a national moving company. Our region, with its well-paying jobs and great quality of life, continues to attract new residents from all over the world.

While some new residents choose to rent, many buyers are deciding that this is the year to strengthen their roots in our region and buy a home.

These same factors are pushing prices upward. The latest market statistics from the Northwest MLS show closedsale prices for single-family homes are up year-over-year in King County by 5.63 percent, in Snohomish County by 8.51 percent and in Pierce County by 9.01 percent. Bright spots in our market are the remaining hot pockets of relative affordability that include Burien and White Center.

Overall, the outlook for 2020 is for another exciting year, with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

2/1 NerdFaire Con! 2020 thestranger.com/events

2/2 West Seattle Beach Run ultrasignup.com 2/7- Wine & Chocolate Festival 2/8 enumclawexpo.com 2/7- Disney's FROZEN 3/1 stgpresents.org

2/8 Free Lunar New Year Festival greaterseattleonthecheap.com 2/8 Puget Sound Women's Show eventbrite.com 2/9 Chocofest 2020 thestranger.com 2/12 Seattle Beer & Code wpshindig.com

GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR VALENTINE

2/14 Valentine's Day at the Aquarium seattleaquarium.org

Classes (Check colleges and community centers for classes): Cooking classes Wine tasting classes Pottery classes Photography classes

2/15 Alexander’s Hope Valentine’s Day Dash 5K Run/Walk alexandershope.org/valentinesday-dash

Gifts for Parents: Homemade gifts from the kids Full car detailing (check local shops) Round of golf at a favorite course Make-a-plate kit (at craft stores) Stepping-stone kit (at craft stores) Monthly housecleaning for a year Canvas prints of their little angels Ideas: water pics for bathroom, messy pics for laundry room, etc. (canvaspress.com) Day at the spa or salon

On the “Free” Side: Day hike with picnic (Bring blankets!)

Movie/TV marathon: Binge-watch their favorite flicks or TV shows!

Garden crawl: Spend the day visiting local gardens.

Game night: Invite other couples over for a night of board game fun!

Free day: You take their chores, while they take off!

Online Sources: etsy.com findgift.com kotulas.com gifts.com

personalcreations.com perpetualkid.com canvaspress.com uncommongoods.com

2/20- Wintergrass Music Festival 2/23 wintergrass.com 2/26- Northwest Flower & Garden 3/1 Festival gardenshow.com 2/28 Night Wave Live 80s New Wave nitewaveparty.com

February important dates Sunday, February 2 Groundhog Day

Friday, February 14 Valentine’s Day

Sunday, February 2 Super Bowl LIV (54)

Monday, February 17 Presidents Day (observed) CW and counties are closed

Wednesday, February 12 Lincoln’s Birthday

TAX TIPS & TRICKS  Round up all 2019 receipts, canceled

 Let Free File do the hard work for you. checks and other documents that It's available exclusively at irs.gov. support income and/or deductions Everyone can find an option to prepare that you plan to claim on your return. their tax return and e-file it for free.

Set aside an envelope or folder to collect the documents that arrive in  If you do not wish to e-file, you can prepare your return in a variety of the mail so you’ll have them all in ways. You may also be eligible for free one spot when the time comes to in-person help at a volunteer site in complete your return. your community, or check with AARP.  Your W-2 and/or 1099 has to be postmarked no later than January 31,  Consider direct deposit if you wish to receive your refund faster than a so be on the lookout for delivery of paper check in the mail. It’s also more these in early February. secure, with the funds going directly  Use the Interactive Tax Assistant to your bank account. You can have available on the IRS website at the money deposited into more than www.irs.gov/help/ita to find answers one account or you can direct your to your tax questions about credits refund to an IRA account. You can and deductions, general filing also choose to purchase savings bonds questions and more. with your tax refund. Contact your professional tax advisor for details.  Find everything you need to file your tax return at www.irs.gov. Here you  Double-check the accuracy of all will have access to forms, publicathe Social Security numbers and tions, tips and answers to FAQs as other data on your return whether well as updates on tax law changes. using tax preparation software or online services.

READY-TO-MOVE

checklist

1. Make sure you write the room AND the contents on the exterior of the box.

2. Put screws and other small parts that go to something broken down into sandwich bags that are sealable for the trip.

3. Apply tape to mirrors and other breakables to help them absorb shocks.

4. Make an easily identifiable bag or box of must-have items for moving day. A clear plastic box works great. This can contain all those things you must have on a regular basis and can’t afford to lose.

5. Use clothing to wrap up and pad your breakables. It cuts down on the empty space between items.

6. Packing your kitchen utensils can be a breeze if you bundle them together as-is with plastic cling wrap.

7. Put plates vertically in boxes to help keep them safe. Another great idea is using Styrofoam in between horizontal plates to prevent breakage.

8. Ball up your socks and use them as padding in the gaps of boxes. This can really help to prevent items from bouncing around inside of the boxes during the move.

9. Tie all cords that go to one electronic device together so that they can be easily found later. Place them in a zipper lock plastic bag or use toilet paper tubes to separate them.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY ACTIVITIES Six ways to spend the day of love with the little loves of your life.

1. PLAN A SCAVENGER HUNT WITH

3. COME UP WITH PERSONALIZED

THE KIDS FOR MOM OR DAD Let the kids make and hide clues for Mom or Dad. The end of the hunt can produce a meaningful gift, such as gift certificates for favors (carwash, clean out the garage, cook dinner, etc.), homemade treats and framed family pictures. You can get really creative and fun with this one. See what your kids come up with for prizes!

WAYS TO SHOW LOVE TO EACH OF YOUR KIDS ON VALENTINE’S DAY One child might appreciate more quality time with you, while another may feel loved with words of affirmation or presents. No matter what you come up with, this gets your family talking and spending time together. If you have more than one kid, one-on-one dates are really a neat thing to do.

4. MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY A “RED-LETTER DAY” FOR YOUR FAMILY Decorate the house (or just a room) with hearts, streamers and balloons. Wear a red outfit and serve heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. Make heartshaped sandwiches for packed lunches.

Kids really get into making a big deal out of special days.

2. THINK ABOUT THOSE WHO MAY BE LONELY ON VALENTINE’S DAY AND BRAINSTORM WAYS TO SHOW YOU CARE Do you have an elderly neighbor? Do you live near a retirement community or veterans’ home? Let your kids make Valentine’s cards, bake heart-shaped cookies, or assemble fun treat bags.

5. LET THE KIDS MAKE AN “I LOVE YOU BECAUSE” BOOK FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL They can write special messages and include drawings or some favorite photos and artwork. Keep it or gift it; either way, it’s a fun activity that you can make an annual tradition!

6. SHARE WITH YOUR KIDS HOW YOU CELEBRATED VALENTINE’S DAY WHEN YOU WERE THEIR AGE Talk about Valentine’s traditions you shared with your family through the years, describing how they’ve changed and how they’ve stayed the same.

Volume 11 | Issue 2