the
MARCH 2016
Volume 7 | Issue 3
LOCAL happenings
EYE ON THE market The market and our winter have something in common: Neither ever really cooled as we’ve come to expect for the beginning of the year. Brokers holding open houses across our region are reporting “overwhelming crowds.”
search strategy. Neighborhood, commute, home features, size and style, and other criteria are all being reevaluated by buyers hoping that 2016 is the year they can move into a new home.
Northwest MLS data for January shows closed sales for single-family homes were up 11.3 percent in King County, 10 percent in Pierce County and 16.6 percent in Snohomish County. Low unemployment and the abundance of high-wage jobs in our region, combined with low mortgage rates, have encouraged buyers to stay in the market despite fierce competition for low inventory.
Outlying communities are courting buyers with campaigns targeting those willing to broaden their home search. Communities tout the comforts of bigger, and sometimes newer, homes at a lower price than can be found in more competitive areas. These areas are also attracting start-up companies and new development, including commercial office space and hotels. The hope is to make these areas more appealing to encourage buyers to put down roots outside urban job centers.
The competitive market has pushed buyers to rethink every aspect of their home purchase and adjust their home
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, the best strategy for navigating this hot start to the 2016 market is to be prepared, remain flexible and approach all options with an open mind. You never know what may come your way!
HOME CHECKLIST FOR spring If you’re not ready to get your spring cleaning started in earnest, here are a few post-winter things you can do around your home to get in the mood: Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and filter. Replace the furnace filter. It may be especially
filthy after the winter months. Inspect the roof for water damage. It’s also a good idea to check any fences, carports and sheds. Tip: Check the south end of your roof first; it is the first to show wear. Test the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Clear the gutters of any buildup to allow for proper functioning. Be sure no inside or outside air vents are blocked by fallen debris. Clean the windows and screens. Repair any holes in screens and replace if needed. Inspect and repair siding and peeling paint. Fix or replace damaged siding. Strip peeling paint and replace it with a new coat. Check the basement for water damage. Pay attention to musty smells, water stains and damp surfaces.
4-5 Poverty Bay Wine Festival seattlesouthside.com 5 Snohomish Wine Festival snohowinefest.com 6-31 Dine Around Seattle dinearoundseattle.org 12 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seattle | irishclub.org 12 Kirkland Shamrock Run kirklandshamrockrun.com 12 Seattle Web Fest seattlewebfest.com 12 Shamrock Shuffle Wine & Beer Walk in Bothell countryvillagebothell.com 12 St. Paddy’s Day Run Tacoma stpaddyruntacoma.com 12-13 Irish Festival at Seattle Center seattlecenter.com 13 St. Patrick’s Day Dash in Seattle | stpatsdash.com 19 Holi Celebration in Bellevue cryseattle.org 19 Tacoma Mud Run metroparkstacoma.org 20 Mercer Island Half Marathon mercerislandhalf.com 25-26 Seattle Scotch & Beer Fest in Fremont | hopscotchtasting.com 26 Bunny Bounce at Woodland Park Zoo | zoo.org