THE HOME CONNECTION
EYE ON THE MARKET
The uncertainties of the winter market have given way to an early kickoff to the spring buying season. Open house activity is high, with brokers reporting brisk, energetic traffic. There’s plenty of pent-up demand from buyers who have acclimated to current rates. These buyers are willing to brave today’s market conditions and wait for a chance to refinance in the future.
Inventory continues to rise in some areas, while remaining tight in many new homebuyer price ranges. Multiple offers are happening more frequently for properly priced properties in good condition. As a result, many markets are seeing the return of tools such as the escalation clause, to assist buyers in getting their offer accepted.
In more balanced areas of our region some sellers are making concessions. In other areas where inventory is tight, sellers are choosing to wait until later in the year to list, in hopes of a more desirable price. Most recent NWMLS stats for median closed sale prices for single-family homes show prices down slightly in most areas when compared to last year. In King County up by 0.79%, in Snohomish County down -2.24%, in Pierce County down almost -1.44%, and down in Thurston County by -1.03%. In Spokane County prices are down -1.3% (Spokane Association of Realtors).
As we move deeper into spring, we look forward to seeing how the market blooms.
FOCAL POINT: Staircase
Staircases are often a central feature of a home’s entryway or main living space. Stretching from one floor to the next, they draw the eye upward and can make rooms appear bigger. Make your staircase grand with these helpful ideas.
• Older homes may have enclosed staircases. Open up the walls to expose the staircase and make your room feel larger.
• Update the banister. Changes can be as simple as a different stain or a coat of paint or upgrade your staircase to modern or traditional iron rails or spindles.
• Paint the front of the stairs white and leave the top a natural or stained wood color for a modern farmhouse look.
• Add a carpet runner with a pattern that creates warmth, movement and reflects your personality.
• Wainscoting on the side of the stairs and in the stairwell adds some depth and texture and gives your home a modern Tudor feel.
• For a very modern look, have floating stairs with glass side panels and an iron rail.
• Create some geometric interest by adding a patterned tile to the front of the stair treads.
GET READY FOR SPRING CLEANING
Time to deep clean! Here are 6 steps to take your home from frenzy to fresh.
STEP 1 Determine how much time you’ll devote to spring cleaning over the next week (or month). Set aside at least two hours a day for these seasonal chores and you should be able to do it all in about a week.
STEP 2 Write a list of all the household chores that need to be included in your spring cleaning schedule. For example, think of the windows, walls, air vents, light fixtures, floor waxing/polishing, window treatments, carpets, water filters, and any other items that are not cleaned on a weekly basis.
STEP 3 Estimate how long each chore takes and assign it a time slot.
STEP 4 Assemble the necessary cleaning supplies in an easy-to-carry tote. Make a separate spring cleaning kit for the bathroom for sanitation’s sake.
STEP 5 Clean your home by completing each task as it comes up on your calendar. Declutter as you go, tossing and donating items that have not been used in the last year or are no longer useful or beautiful to you.
EXPERIENCE THIS!
February 25 - March 5
SEATTLE HOME SHOW seattlehomeshow.com
March 1
WORLD BALLET SERIES: CINDERELLA firstinterstatecenter.org
March 2-5
EMERALD CITY COMIC CON emeraldcitycomiccon.com
March 3
REMODELING EXPO homeshowcenter.com
March 4
WINTER CARNIVAL skiwhitepass.com
March 10
SPOKANE HOME & GARDEN SHOW spokanehomeshows.com
HOW MUCH PAINT TO BUY
Now is a great time for a project like painting interior spaces. Here’s a chart to help you calculate how much paint to buy, while reducing costs and waste. The rule of thumb is 400 square feet = one gallon of paint, or 100 square feet = one quart of paint
March 11
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE irishclub.org
March 16
EVERETT ART WALK seattleartists.com
March 24
STEP 6 Enjoy your efforts in a clean, fresh home. Make notes on your spring cleaning schedule to remember adjustments for next year. Sunday, March 12th
WINTER JAM 2023 eventbrite.com
IMPORTANT DATES
Daylight Saving Time Begins Friday, March 17th St.