CW Title and Escrow Newsletter | 11.2016

the

NOVEMBER 2016

Volume 7 | Issue 11

EYE ON THE

market

This extraordinary year continues for Puget Sound real estate. While September North-west MLS data for the region shows a slight increase in new inventory over the same time period last year, closed sales and price increases have slowed.

The September NWMLS stats also show an 8.7 percent year-overyear increase in active listings for single-family homes in King County. For the same time period, Pierce and Snohomish counties show decreases of 7.54 percent and 12.49 percent respectively.

As has been the trend this entire year, new inventory is still difficult to find.

Eager buyers, however, are broadening their searches and staking their claim to properties throughout Puget Sound, not just in King County. The good news for buyers is that traditionally, competition for listings wanes during the fall.

LOCAL Seahawks Sundays are back, and buyers are putting their property search on hold while they root for the home team. This may be the perfect time for determined buyers to attend open houses, become familiar with new listings, or set up appointments to visit homes previously skipped.

For sellers, low inventory means less competition for attention, and the opportunity for their listing to stand out with those buyers remaining in the market through the fall and winter months.

Heading toward the end of this fabulous year, there’s no way to accurately predict what mortgage rates will do.

Buyers may want to take another look at homes that have been on the market for a while. Getting a home in or near a desired area, while interest rates are low, is still an attractive possibility despite repairs or upgrades that may need to be done. Brokers are urging buyers to keep an open mind when evaluating prospective properties as they navigate the competitive market.

A SEASON OF GIVING IN THE

northwest

Meaningful holiday traditions begin with helping others in our community.

Here are a few organizations always looking for donations and/or volunteers: LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL CHARITIES: northwestharvest.org seattlefoundation.org foodlifeline.org hope-link.org unitedway.org voaww.org teenfeed.org ugm.org marchofdimes.com/washington mammashands.org nokidhungry.org RESEARCH CHARITIES: charitynavigator.org charitywatch.org greatnonprofits.org

CONNECT WITH A LOCAL FOOD BANK: fishfoodbanks.org skcfc.org emergencyfeeding.org homelessshelterdirectory.org

To research a Washington organization online, please visit www.sos.wa.gov/charities

happenings

5 Lake Washington Half Marathon and 5K in Kirkland lakewashingtonhalf.com 5 South Sound Craft Beer Festival in Tacoma | washingtonbeer.com 5 Veterans Day Parade & Observance in Auburn auburnwa.gov

6-23 Dine Around Seattle Sundays–Thursdays dinearoundseattle.org 11 Mill Creek Veterans Day Gathering & Parade cityofmillcreek.com 12-13 Northwest Chocolate Festival in Seattle | nwchocolate.com 19 TEDxSeattle 2016 tedxseattle.com 20 Green Lake Gobble 5K & 10K promotionevents.com 24 Issaquah Turkey Trot 5K issaquahturkeytrot.org 24 Seattle Turkey Trot 5K seattleturkeytrot.org 24 Tacoma City Turkey Trot 5K & 1K Kids Run tacomacityturkeytrot.com 26 Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony edmondswa.com 26 Holiday Tree Lighting in Tacoma broadwaycenter.org 26 Pike Place Magic in the Market Holiday Celebration pikeplacemarket.org

IMPORTANT DATES

Sunday, November 6 Daylight Saving Time ends Clocks fall back one hour Friday, November 11 Veterans Day Counties closed Thursday, November 24 Thanksgiving Day Counties closed Friday, November 25 Day after Thanksgiving Counties closed

safety

November Football

November

MON SUN SUN SUN

11/7 11/13 11/20 11/27

5:30 pm 5:30 pm 1:25 pm 1:05 pm

vs. Bills @ Patriots vs. Eagles @ Bucs

SAT SAT SAT FRI

11/5 11/12 11/19 11/25

TBA TBA TBA 12:30pm

@ California vs. USC vs. Arizona St. @ WSU

SAT SAT SAT FRI

11/5 11/12 11/19 11/25

TBA TBA TBA 12:30 pm

vs. Arizona vs. California @ Colorado vs. Washington

TIPS FOR WINTER WEATHER

Tips for staying safe and taking care of your home, your car and yourself: HOME: Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also recommends that you check the age of your detectors and that you replace smoke detectors older than 10 years and CO detectors older than five years. Check the small gauge on all fire extinguishers to ensure the needle is still in the green. Inclement weather can lead to power outages, and in some areas, flooding. Prepare a safety kit for your home that includes water, food, flashlights, batteries, blankets and first aid supplies.

HOSTING A PERFECT

CAR: Even if you have a roadside assistance contract, you should still prepare a safety kit for your car. This kit can include a first aid kit, water, nonperishable snacks, a warm blanket, a fire extinguisher, reflective triangle hazard signs, jumper cables and the ever-handy duct tape. Be sure your cellphone is fully charged before you get into the car and that you have an adequate amount of gas in your car in case you find yourself stuck in traffic.

Find additional items to include by searching for “car safety kit” online.

PERSONAL: There are reports every year of an increase in car and home accidents around the daylight-saving time clock changes (in both fall and spring). Leading up to turning the clocks back, gradually adjust your sleep schedule to the new time. Try to avoid building up a sleep deficit before the time change. Just being aware that you need to be more alert when the clocks change appears to increase your safety.

Additional safety and preparedness tips can be found at www.Redcross.org and www.emd.wa.gov/.

thanksgiving

The keys to a stress-free Thanksgiving are planning ahead and asking for help. Here are a few tips to get you started: One day to three weeks before Thanksgiving  Shop for those dishes you will make yourself, if items can remain fresh.  Ask your guests to each bring a side dish or beverages.  Create a seating plan, set the table(s), and decorate your home.  Make as many dishes in advance as possible, or order side dishes from your favorite restaurant.

Thanksgiving Day  Make easy appetizers guests can snack on (such as fruit and veggie trays or chips and salsa) while they are waiting for dinner to be served.  Put beverages in the refrigerator to chill.  While the turkey is roasting, prepare those side dishes you plan to make.

After dinner  Make coffee and tea to go with dessert.  Don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member to help with the cleanup.  Split up the leftovers and have containers ready to fill so you can send your guests home with their favorites.

Volume 7 | Issue 11

TURKEY THAWING TIMES Weight In Fridge: 40° F In COLD Water* 8 to 12 lbs 2 to 2.5 days 4 to 6 hrs 12 to 16 lbs 2.5 to 4 days 6 to 8 hrs 16 to 20 lbs 4 to 5 days 8 to 10 hrs 20 to 24 lbs 5 to 6 days 10 to 12 hrs *Turkey should be submerged in the water.

TURKEY COOKING TIMES Open-Pan Method in 325° F conventional oven on lowest rack Weight 8 to 12 lbs 12 to 14 lbs 14 to 18 lbs 18 to 20 lbs 20 to 24 lbs

Unstuffed 2.75 to 3 hrs 3 to 3.75 hrs 3.75 to 4.25 hrs 4.25 to 4.5 hrs 4.5 to 5 hrs

Stuffed 3 to 3.5 hrs 3.5 to 4 hrs 4 to 4.25 hrs 4.25 to 4.75 hrs 4.75 to 5.25 hrs