CW Title and Escrow Newsletter | 7.2017

the

JULY 2017

Volume 8 | Issue 7

EYE ON THE

market

The home buying and selling season is in full swing as we move into the heart of the summer. Our local market shows no signs of cooling off, but it is evolving due to continuing inventory issues.

The most recent report from the Northwest MLS shows a nearly 27 percent increase in new listings throughout its territory over the previous month as more sellers decide to get off the fence. Total active inventory is up about 6.8 percent over the previous month.

While there are more homes for sale, in this swift market there are still plenty of qualified buyers ready to make their move. Buyers should be prepared to make their highest and best offer when they find a home that meets their needs.

Brokers also report that although the market is still competitive, buyers may find the competition to be a bit less intense as we move into late summer.

LOCAL This could be due to buyers going on vacation, along with all the distractions provided by the numerous events and recreational opportunities our region has to offer. Perhaps there’s a “window of opportunity” for the most persistent.

Rising interest rates will eventually affect even our robust real estate market. Buyers and sellers are both keeping an eye on what rates are doing.

Buyers want to get into a home before rates get any higher.

Sellers want to list before buyers leave the market so they can reap the most from the sale.

We should all keep in mind that even if interest rates rise into the mid-4 or even 5 percent range, it’s important to note this is still historically low.

Lastly, Vancouver, B.C.’s housing market is once again on the rise. As foreign buyers return to looking north of the border, this may provide some relief for buyers in the Puget Sound region.

outdoor living TRENDS FOR 2017 Here are a few trends that will help you get your outdoor spaces ready for summer whether you’re planning serious entertaining or just “chat and chill” time: Blending of indoor and outdoor spaces: Shared furniture styles, color palettes and fabrics make the transition from indoors to outdoors seamless. This creates outdoor conversation areas that mimic indoor spaces, allowing homeowners to extend their day and their entertaining space.

comeback as the use of more natural materials is experiencing renewed appreciation. The handcrafted, do-ityourself look using natural materials with unrefined lines and a worn, artisan feel contribute to a retro vibe as homeowners are in search of something more authentic and cozy.

Rattan and wicker furniture make a return: Woven furniture and accessories such as baskets and macramé plant hangers are making a

Pops of bright, saturated color: While the on-trend color choices for wood and fiber are the natural neutrals, increasingly you'll see pops of saturated color such as vibrant blues, oranges and yellows.

You’ll also see bright colors on plastic, and metal patio furniture and accessories. (continued on next page)

happenings

4 Seafair Summer 4th in Seattle seafair.com 4 Tacoma Freedom Fair & Air Show freedomfair.com 7-8 Redmond Derby Days redmondderbydays.com 7-9 Arlington Fly-In arlingtonflyin.org 7-9 Ballard SeafoodFest seafoodfest.org 12-16 Kla Ha Ya Days in Snohomish klahayadays.com

13-15 Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in Carnation timbermusicfest.com 14-16 Kent Cornucopia Days kcdays.com 14-16 Kirkland Uncorked kirklanduncorked.com 14-16 West Seattle Summer Fest wsjunction.org 15 Queen Anne Day queenannedays.com 21-23 Bite of Seattle biteofseattle.com 21-23 Capitol Hill Block Party capitolhillblockparty.com 21-23 Renton River Days rentonriverdays.org 28-30 BAM ARTSfair bellevuearts.org 28-30 Tour de Terrace in Montlake Terrace tourdeterrace.org 29 Seafair Torchlight Parade seafair.com

July I M P O R TA N T D AT E S Tuesday, July 4 CW Title and Escrow and all counties are closed in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.

—Alexander Hamilton

Wishing you a Safe and Happy Independence Day!

Mix styles, materials and vintage to make it your own: For example, homeowners have combined artisan pieces collected from world travels

2. Don’t move, bend or break anything growing or fixed, except in fairly taking your stance and swing.

4. You may move movable, man-made objects even in a bunker or water hazard. No penalty.

with their existing sleek and modern outdoor furniture to create a unique new-bohemian, world traveler-inspired art gallery on their patio.

Pillows that make a statement: An indoor trend that is moving outdoors: loud pillows. Not only loud in color and pattern, but pillows that speak to you through printed quotes, words or phrases. Great conversation starters while you entertain and add personality to your space.

1. Play the ball as it lies.

3. You may lift natural objects not fixed or growing, except in a water hazard or bunker. No penalty.

outdoor living TRENDS FOR 2017 (continued from previous page)

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10 GOLDEN RULES OF

Flexible outdoor spaces to fit your needs: Choose seating options that can accommodate a small, intimate group but can expand to fit unex-pected guests and even still allow for larger gatherings. Use outdoor storage that doubles as a bench for extra seat-ing, or a privacy screen with a ledge that folds down to create a bar-height table.

Also, use planter boxes that can be equipped with slats to create a bench or a place to rest a beverage. Instead of a fire pit, jump on the fire table trend.

Guests no longer need to balance a meal on their lap and wonder where they left their glass of wine.

Which trend will you bring to your outdoor space?

5. You may drop away from casual water, ground under repair and burrowinganimal holes if they affect your stance or swing.

6. In a water hazard or bunker, don’t touch the ground with your hand or your club before the stroke.

7. If you hit your ball into a water hazard and cannot play it, drop either behind the hazard or at the place where you played the shot. One penalty stroke.

8. When you hit your ball out of bounds or lose it, add a penalty stroke, go back, and drop a ball at the place where you played the shot.

9. When you have an unplayable lie, you may drop a ball at the place where you played the previous shot, adding a penalty stroke.

10. On the putting green, you may repair ball marks and old hole plugs on the line of the putt, but not spike marks.

TO-DO LIST FOR OUTDOOR entertaining Here’s a handy checklist to help you prepare for fabulous outdoor entertaining this summer!

GRILL | BBQ:  Fill propane tank, stock up on charcoal.  Light grill and give it a long burn period. Then clean thoroughly.  Check propane tank for corrosion or signs of wear and damage.

YARD | HOUSE:  Clean patio/lawn furniture.  Prune shrubs and pull weeds.  Wash windows, inside and out.  Clean screens.  Clean pool, summer toys and coolers.  Check yard and shed for bee/wasp nests.

Volume 8 | Issue 7

STOCK UP on:  Sunscreen  Bug repellant  Citronella candles  Anti-itch creams  Allergy medicines  BBQ skewers  Ice packs  Grill seasonings  Long-reach lighters  Paper plates, napkins  Shade umbrellas, lawn chairs

ENTERTAINMENT ideas:  Ladder golf  Bocce ball  Horseshoes  Croquet For kids:  Hide-and-seek  Freeze tag  Red rover  Beanbag toss