City Living Seattle Real Estate - March 2018

MID-MARCH 2018

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S E R V I N G

N O R T H

S E A T T L E

N E I G H B O R H O O D S

S I N C E

1 9 2 2 :

BALLARD, FREMONT, GREEN LAKE, NORTHGATE, PHINNEY/GREENWOOD, RAVENNA/ROOSEVELT AND WALLINGFORD

Seattle’s housing affordability woes; you built a metropolitan center, where?

So you’ve arrived in Seattle, ready for the challenge of a new job in the PNW, thrilled at the possibilities posed by the income of your newly secured tech income.

You might be here for one of the 6,000 positions posted by Amazon last year, or maybe the expanding aerospace sector has drawn your attention- Blue Origin, SpaceX, Spaceflight Industries, Planetary Resources and the vast resources of Paul Allen’s Vulcan Aerospace- all relatively recent arrivals to our fair city, and each with an eye to the privatized space frontiers that have escaped our grasp until recently.

Of course, this short list ignores Seattle’s blue chip tech employers like Boeing & Microsoft, and the slew of smaller spinoffs and new ventures they’ve generated over the decades. Which is one way of saying, our workforce has become wonderfully diversified.

The cityscape littered with cranes bears industrial testimony to the

Dennis Pearce REALTOR, GREEN, ECO-BROKER, CLHMS, KELLER WILLIAMS GREATER SEATTLE disparate interests of our industrial titans, with Paul’s Brain Institute and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations efforts in numerous health and biomedical sectors, including the current crop of bio ventures like Seattle Genetics, Adaptive BioTechnologies, and

NanoString Technologies, Inc. No longer beholden to the single employer challenges that nearly shuttered the city in the 70’s, Seattle’s trajectory from those ashes has given rise to a mind-boggling plethora of tech ventures unimaginable during the days of strikes, failed union negotiations, and gutted subcontractors. We’ve come a long way, only to fall victim to our own success.

The same emerald city that seemed destined to perpetual alsoran status on the west coast short list of population centers, has finally emerged from relative backwater anonymity to claim a place among the economic engines of the GDP. And that’s when the fight started.

Seattle is about the worst possible choice of site for a metropolitan city of any place in the country,

HOUSING, Page R2

February 2018 Closed Home Sales Ballard Home Sales (Low to High) Address

Bed

Bath

Sq Ft

Built

Days on Asking Market Price

Sold Price Sold Price/ Asking Price

910 NW 51st St #B

1

1.5

760

2009

7

$559,000

$610,000

109.12%

7042 NW 10th Ave NW

2

1

990

1912

7

$599,900

$670,000

111.69%

8505 B 18th Ave NW

2

1.75

1250

2017

18

$699,950

$695,000

99.29%

351 NW 76th St

4

1.75

1800

1928

6

$700,000

$718,000

102.57%

7022 24th Ave NW

3

1.75

1540

1903

11

$740,000

$750,000

101.35%

2811 NW 58th St

2

1

1620

1943

3

$679,000

$800,000

117.82%

6740 Alonzo Ave NW

3

2.25

1575

2015

6

$750,000

$813,000

108.40%

1717 NW 58th St #A

3

2.75

1570

2003

6

$739,950

$823,500

111.29%

6011 14th Ave NW #A

3

3.25

1430

2007

6

$749,900

$827,000

110.28%

308 NW 79th St

3

1.75

1920

1920

6

$775,000

$900,000

116.13%

Green Lake Home Sales (Low to High) Address

Bed

Bath

Sq Ft

Built

Days on Asking Market Price

Sold Price Sold Price/ Asking Price

706 N 77th St

2

1

765

1950

0

$550,000

$590,000

107.27%

926 N 79th St

2

1

1030

1910

8

$400,000

$591,000

147.75%

10325 Dibble Ave NW

3

1

1470

1951

6

$595,000

$681,300

114.50%

2322 N 80th St

3

1

2220

1921

7

$675,000

$707,700

104.84%

516 N 71st St

3

2

1678

1928

1

$759,000

$779,000

102.64%

6537 5th Ave NE #A

3

2

1210

1993

6

$675,000

$798,000

118.22%

8853 Stone Ave N

3

2.75

1670

2018

2

$789,950

$850,000

107.60%

2118 N 62nd St

4

1.75

1820

1901

3

$850,000

$869,500

102.29%

511 B NE 73rd St

3

3

1647

2017

8

$899,950

$925,000

102.78%

7447 4th Ave NE

3

2.5

1458

2013

12

$799,950

$965,000

120.63%

8012 Corliss Ave N

2

1.75

2060

1949

6

$819,950

$980,000

119.52%

9037 Burke Ave N

5

2.5

2530

2018

2

$1,095,000

$1,100,000

100.46%

724 N 70th St

3

1.5

2340

1908

8

$875,000

$1,125,000

128.57%

922 N 71st St

4

2.75

3110

1926

6

$925,000

$1,165,000

125.95%

146 NE 61st St

5

3.5

2580

1908

6

$1,525,000

$1,705,000

111.80%

February 2018 Closed Home Sales for Wallingford and Phinney Ridge continued on R2

Cindy Apple Photography for Model Remodel.

How to Remodel Your Home in an Eco-Friendly Way A: It’s absolutely possible to make eco-friendly choices during a remodel—but it takes careful planning. Remodeling fundamentally uses a lot of resources and creates a lot of waste. To counter that, you should work with reputable professionals who can suggest appropriate methods and materials for making your home healthier. It’s important to not only think about the new materials going into your home but where the old materials will end up. From thoughtful deconstruction, to repurposing and reusing, to choosing certified products, you always have eco-friendly options during your remodel.

The first thing to note: There’s absolutely a difference between demolition and deconstruction. Demolition is the action or process of forcefully tearing down, whereas deconstruction is the dismantling of something into its constituent parts. The latter provides an opportunity for items to be reused or repurposed. There are plenty of salvage building stores around the Seattle area, such as Ballard Reuse or Second Use, that will resell your old cabinets or lights. One homeowner’s old clawfoot tub is another’s vintage treasure.

When talking with a contractor before your remodel begins, insist that your space be thoughtfully deconstructed. Also ask about your contractor’s recycling policy. We recycle at least 80% of debris for every remodel without being prompted, but not all companies do that automatically. Recycling services in the Seattle metro area are abundant, and recycling doesn’t necessarily cost the contractor any more than taking debris to a landfill. It’s one of the single smartest choices you can make during your remodel, and it’s in the hands of your builder.

Second, there’s an ever-growing selection of eco-friendly appliances, materials, and furnishings. Thinking about new countertops? Consider recycled glass or butcher blocks made with certified lumber. In need of a new refrigerator? Look for the ENERGY STAR label, or choose one with a top-mount freezer and no ice maker if you want higher efficiency.

Building a new deck? Use sustainably forested wood or TREX decking, which is 95% recycled wood and plastic film. The point is, there’s a more eco-friendly solution for almost everything inside and outside the home! Enlist the help of a knowledgeable contractor, or spend some time at stores like Green Home Solutions that provide a showroom setting for green building options.

When it comes to smart remodeling, there are really two things to remember: buy smart and use less. Walls and cabinets require forests, tile and counters require stone quarries, plumbing and other fixtures require metal foundries. The smaller your space, the more economical it will be in price and usage of natural resources. Be aware of the products you or your contractor are purchasing and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your research will pay off in dividends on the environment. You can also reduce your energy bill by insulating properly and purchasing efficient appliances. It can be as simple as installing dimmer or motionactivated light switches, which allow you to use less light and therefore less electricity.

Just because you’re not building a new home doesn’t mean you can’t be eco-friendly. Great options are out there for the choosing. Every little bit helps!

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties member Model Remodel (MRM) is a full-service, green contractor, serving clients in Seattle and its surrounding areas.

R2

Home & Real Estate

MID-MARCH 2018

 HOUSING, from Page R1 from nearly every perspective: Earthquakes? (Remember the Nisqually?)

Unstable slopes? Yup Wetland issues? You may have heard about our rainfall.

Rain? See the last question.

Runoff challenges (streams, culverts, ditches, and full-on rivers)?

Rinse and repeat.

And those are just the most obvious obstacles to developmentthe ones we can’t do much about.

Pinned between the Cascades and Puget Sound, with a huge chunk of otherwise buildable dirt in the middle, consumed by the yawning expanses of Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and the resulting maze of smaller lakes, streams, wetlands, bluffs, lumpy terrain and soil of questionable stability; all conspiring to make this Mecca of recreational bliss an urban designers nightmare.

Soil stability is a challenge that’s literally eroding our space on both sides- slopes and bluffs are following their natural path to a stable state, carving off large chunks of real estate into a muddy morass, stopping trains, traffic, and dumping homes into salt water or rivers (Magnolia’s Perkins Lane, Whidbey Island, Oso, and 50-ish miles of Amtrak right-of-way for starters) on one side, or crushing them under muck on the other.

Add to this a series of legislative and legal barriers, and you’ll start to get the picture. Heard of the GMA? The Growth Management Act was put in place in the 90’s, as an effort do what it’s title impliesmanage the rapid growth the area was seeing in the wake of what we then thought was unmanageable change. Clearly, we hadn’t seen anything yet. Here’s a piece taken from MRSC.org, on the GMA, which lays out the guidelines for the Act. “The Growth Management Act (GMA) is a series of state statutes,

first adopted in 1990, that requires fast-growing cities and counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage their population growth.

It is primarily codified under Chapter 36.70A RCW, although it has been amended and added to in several other parts of the RCW. Under RCW 36.70A.020, the GMA establishes a series of 13 goals that should act as the basis of all comprehensive plans. The legislature added the goals and policies of the Shoreline Management Act as the fourteenth GMA goal (RCW 36.70A.480). The shoreline goals may be found at RCW 90.58.020.

GMA Goals (RCW 36.70A.020) • Concentrated urban growth • Sprawl reduction • Regional transportation • Affordable housing • Economic development • Property rights • Permit processing • Natural resource industries • Open space and recreation • Environmental protection • Early and continuous public participation • Public facilities and services • Historic preservation • Shoreline management (RCW 36.70A.480)” The intent and effect of the GMA has been to concentrate development in pre-existing urban centers, reducing sprawl. In theory, this is a great idea. I just returned last week from a trip to LA, and the traffic and sprawl of that industrialized concretion is more than enough motivation for doing things differently.

However, applying that single metric to an area with limited developable land has impacted our fair city in ways I suspect weren’t completely thought through at the

time, with the key result being a massive hit to affordability.

In addition to our currently attractive employment environment, Seattle has always enjoyed access to the outdoors-it’s baked into the ethos of the city. REI was born here, if you need more evidence. We made outdoors couture the definition of a musical genrewhat would Grunge be without plaid flannel? Which means we’ve pretty much always prioritized environment and quality of life over other considerations. That focus may have blinded us to the realities that come from living in such an appealing locale- eventually we were going to attract some attention. Surrounded by scenic mountains, with our toes in the ocean, we truly have a gem- one worth preserving and protecting.

A single demographic detail is driving the majority of our housing squeeze: 350,000 new residents arriving in the 4-county Puget Sound area (King, Pierce, Snohomish & Kitsap) have swelled Seattle’s ranks in the past 6 years, to what feels like the bursting point. By 2050, planners anticipate the region will have grown from our current population of 4.1M to 5.8M. With that in mind, concentrating development certainly seems the best way to minimize impact on the surrounding recreational terrain. However, we are seeing how the results of those decisions made in the 90’s are driving today’s growing pains, exacerbating homelessness and smothering affordability, as the rapidly appreciating housing market has locked out first-time buyers and frozenin-place the city’s move-up and downsizing sellers who would otherwise be making the decisions that result in freed up inventory.

The double-digit appreciation of the past 3 years has cut both ways: from “hooray, we’ve got equity!” to

Wallingford Home Sales (Low to High) Address

Bed

Bath

Sq Ft

Built

Days on Asking Market Price

Sold Price Sold Price/ Asking Price

321 NE 52nd St

2

1

1578

1918

7

$575,000

$705,000

122.61%

4806 Woodlawn Ave N

2

1

1060

1916

3

$590,000

$775,000

131.36%

4030 2nd Ave NE

3

1.5

1650

1900

6

$820,000

$871,000

106.22%

3932 1st Ave NE

3

2.5

1360

2017

30

$900,000

$895,000

99.44%

4233 Corliss Ave N

4

2

1640

1916

7

$850,000

$990,000

116.47%

4207 Burke Ave N

3

1.5

3420

1906

5

$850,000

$1,080,000

127.06%

3836 Ashworth Ave N

3

3

1810

2018

0

$1,250,000

$1,250,000

100.00%

4730 Thackeray Place NE

4

3.5

2770

1911

7

$1,479,999

$1,660,000

112.16%

Phinney Ridge Home Sales (Low to High) Address

Bed

Bath

Sq Ft

Built

Days on Asking Market Price

Sold Price Sold Price/ Asking Price

7912 3rd Ave NW

4

1

2500

1921

8

$779,000

$778,400

99.92%

116 N 54th St

4

2

2280

1907

6

$675,000

$925,000

137.04%

108 N 55th St

4

1.75

2340

1928

7

$899,000

$948,200

105.47%

6259 Palatine Ave N

3

2

2520

1915

14

$795,000

$960,000

120.75%

5217 Palatine Ave N

3

2

1820

1912

10

$895,000

$965,000

107.82%

321 NW 50th St

4

2.5

3010

2001

2

$1,450,000

$1,450,000

100.00%

the accompanying, “but where can we afford we go?”

In a housing market that forces insanely fast decisions, and rewards deep pockets, being an alsoran isn’t an attractive option. As a result, many homeowners have chosen to sit still and wait it outhoping for a slowing in the pace that will allow them to free up equity and reallocate their biggest asset. That wait-and-see mode unfortunately puts more pressure on any inventory that does come to market, making bidding wars for limited housing inevitable. There’s just not enough to go around.

And the final layer in the affordability cake- less obvious, but with a huge impact on available inventory: condo developer liability and the accompanying tort law that has made developers wary of stepping into the game. So wary that, of the 40-odd cranes dotting Seattle’s skyline this past year, only 1 cast its shadow over a new condo project. Failed roofs and siding have been the most common issue with newly finished condo projects and HOA’S have been quick to pursue damages against developers, to the point that new permits for condos are absurdly rare. The majority of the projects in the city core are raising apartments and commercial space.

The loser in this race is ultimately first-time homeowners, as condos have typically been seen as a logical point of entry to urban homeownership, and the quickest, most cost-effective way to add housing units in a dense urban setting. With that housing segment essentially off the table, market pressure shifts to in-city fixers.

We’ve seen that in dramatic fashion, with bull-dozer bait homes going in bidding wars, at breathtaking pace and prices.

In the real estate industry, the new year brings a series of updates on market expectations, forecasts

and projections. I’ve attended several of these recently- panels of local industry economists, regional planners, housing experts, and developers. Overall, the story remains consistent: most agree that barring the unforeseen (a standard caveat) there’s reason to expect the current cycle of appreciation will continue for the next 3-5 years, with the ever-present prospect of interest rate hikes and diminished buying power due to raising prices as the only brakes on the market.

I’d like to say I have the answers, but I only hold a piece of the puzzle. There are solutions. None easy, and none that make my job any easier. It’s going to take a concerted effort from all of us, from legislators, citizens, planners, everyone.

Must be time to get to work.

Dennis Pearce & Andrew Loys are Realtors with Keller Williams Realty Greater Seattle, located at the corner of 45th & Stone Way, in Wallingford. An avid outdoorsman, former Alaskan Commercial Fisherman, and graduate of WWU, Dennis is always looking for excuses to get out on a stream with a fly rod, or hold down the rail on a buoy race with the local sailing fleet.

If you’re interested in seeing his latest adventures, check out his Facebook page at Northwest Outdoor Lifestyle. For more on the market, and tips on preparing your house for market, or getting physically & mentally prepared for your home purchase, see his team Facebook page, RainCityDigs.

Andrew is frequently found touring the city on his yellow BMW sport bike, and his wife asks that you please drive safely around all motorcyclists.

Dennis can be reached for comment or for sailing & fly- fishing invites, at 206.931.9945, or email, dennis@raincitydigs.com.

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MID-MARCH 2018

R3

How to build your own planter bed Tools:

Hammer or sledgehammer Drill Driver bit Tape measure Circular saw or hand saw

Materials:

1 3/4” exterior screws 3 1/2” exterior screws 2x8 boards (6) 1x2 wood stakes Landscape fabric

Difficulty: 1 Cost: $$ Time: 3-4 hours

By Kirsten Dunn, Dunn Lumber

Q: Any easy outdoor projects to plan while waiting for warmer days to start rolling around?

Usher in the spring season with a DIY planter bed—it’s easy, affordable and can be completed in an afternoon. Not to mention, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as growing your own garden.

One of my favorite springtime projects is building a planter bed. It’s not only a reminder that sunnier, warmer months are on the horizon, but it’s also easy and affordable to make—a DIY win-win in my book. The nice thing about a planter bed, as opposed to a traditional garden, is that you can start completely from scratch—you don’t even have to have a soil foundation. Plus, a planter bed is customizable and allows you to control the soil and weeds without having

to till your yard. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Choose a spot

If you’re growing produce that requires a lot of light, keep that in mind as you plan your space and choose the best spot for your planter. Try to find some earth that’s relatively level—if you need to even things out, a shovel and a little bit of elbow grease will get the job done. I built a 4x8 planter because that’s what worked best for my yard, but the steps are scalable, so choose the dimensions that work best for you.

Step 2: Purchase and cut your lumber

Most people choose a naturally rot-resistant wood like cedar or juniper, but you can use pressure-treated wood, too. I opted for cedar, which comes in 8-foot boards. Juniper should be around 8 feet, but it’s not precision-cut, so double-check your measurements before you get too far!

We’ll be using six boards total—four will remain the 8-foot

length, and two will be cut in half to equal 4 feet. Make your cuts with a circular saw or hand saw (or have Dunn Lumber do it at no extra cost). Once you’re finished, you should have eight boards—four 8-foot boards and four 4-foot boards.

Step 3: Lay out your planter

Start by framing a rectangle on the ground, using two of the 4-foot boards for the short end and two of the 8-foot boards for the long end. Attach the boards with two 3 1/2inch exterior screws in each corner. I put the shorter boards on the inside, but the choice is yours. Once the rectangle is screwed together, make sure it’s positioned where you want it. Then, if placing over a soil foundation, hammer in 1x2 wood stakes in the inside corners and along the walls—two on each long side and one on each short side. If you’re working over concrete or another hard surface, hold the stake level to the ground. Once the stakes are placed, attach them from the inside with 1

R4

Home & Real Estate

MID-MARCH 2018

The majestic elm Turn uphill on East 36th Avtree has a stature, imposing in its enue off East Madison Street. This size and dignity. They can reach 180 month you’ll find yourself lookfeet in height with a trunk circuming up through a black filagree of ference exceeding 12 feet. graceful tree limbs and branches — The British and Americans have elm trees in their winter nudity. long cherished elms for their beauCome summer, this structure ty, the shade they provide, as well will leaf out, becoming a canopy as for their resistance to rot when of green, gently filtering sunlight, saturated, making the hollowedcasting a dapple of shadows on out trunks, in centuries past, excelthe pavement below. Now close to lent pipes to carry water. a century old, these majestic trees Artists have painted elms, woodSteve Lorton belong to the genus Ulmus. The workers have painstakingly dried plants closest to Madison Street the wood and fashioned it into furTREE TALK are English Elms (Ulmus minor), niture, bonsai aficionados have lovfurther up they are American Elms ingly tended the dwarfed trees, and (Ulmus americana). poets have celebrated them, as this stanza from Oscar All together, there are more than 100 elms in Wilde’s Symphony in Yellow attests: Washington and Madison Parks. Fortunately for us, The yellow leaves begin to fade ours have survived the dreaded Dutch elm disease, a And flutter from the temple elms micro fungus dispersed by bark beetles. In a matter of and at my feet the pale green Thames a few years, Dutch elm disease turned romantically Lies like a rod of rippled jade. shaded streets all over North America into barren, If you have space in your garden for a tree to grow sun-scorched byways. to great size, you’ll find elms which have been geAnd, while the disease has been spotted on this side netically engineered to resist Dutch elm disease. The of the Cascades, it appears not to have taken hold. British led the charge to save elms through selective Theories differ as to why, but one is that our cool sum- breeding. But, given the fact that the disease appears mers and mild wet winters are not hospitable to the not to have taken hold here, I’d not be timid about carrier beetle. transplanting a seedling of one of our mature plants Taken virtue by virtue, elms seem to be less than in my garden. Elms are not fussy about soil. Water desirable trees. They are shallow-rooted. It is hard to plants during our summer drought for their first three garden beneath them. The bark is rough and dull gray. years. Elms are a bit awkward looking between seedTheir oval, sawtoothed, dark green leaves are some- ling stage and maturity — as it is with teenagers. what roughly textured.

Once up, you’ll cool yourself under them in sumFall color is, for the most part, unimpressive, but the mer, enjoying the rustle of their foliage, and find their leaf drop is heavy. But then, just look down a street stark beauty standing against a gray winter sky, soothflanked by mature elms, gracefully arching over to ing and inspiring. meet in the middle and the overall effect is nothing short of rhapsodic. Even standing alone (and you’ll

Photo by Mary Henry see a number spotted around our neighborhood) the

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MID-MARCH 2018

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R5

Fresh Home Upgrades for Spring (Family Features) After a long winter cooped up indoors, spring is the perfect time to start re-imagining your home and making upgrades that create a fresh, welcoming vibe. These project ideas – some big, some small – can help breathe new life into your home so you’re ready to enjoy your favorite rooms to the fullest.

Air it out

Months of closed windows and doors can make any room feel dusty and stale. As soon as temperatures allow, throw open the windows and skylights to let the fresh air chase away the remnants of winter. It’s a perfect time to launder window treatments and clean area rugs. After a few passes with a carpet cleaner, allow rugs to air-dry outdoors. If you’re considering an update to the overall decor, changing out these textiles is an easy and affordable way to create a new look. Just donate the used drapes and rugs after cleaning instead of bringing them back into the room.

Shift your outlook

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STYLISH CAPITOL HILL

When contemplating changes to a room’s aesthetic, most people focus on the floor, walls and elements like furniture and accessories. As some homeowners are discovering, there’s a whole other space waiting to be discovered. The ceiling, a fifth wall of sorts, opens up endless creative design opportunities.

Whether you’re seeking more natural light, access to fresh air, a sense of spaciousness or a way to bring sophistication to a room, a skylight may be just the solution. For example, Velux room-darkening and lightfiltering blinds can add a splash of color just where you least expect it, and they’re efficient in shielding your space from the sun, meaning the blinds and installation are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit. Learn more at whyskylights.com.

Paint to perfection

Over time, once cheerful walls can grow dull. Create a livelier ambiance with a fresh coat of paint, either in the same shade or something completely new. If you’re not sure exactly where to start, tackle the project room by room. To choose the right hue, select a favorite item in the room, such as an heirloom throw blanket or a piece of wall art, and consider color shades that complement the item well.

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Make what’s old new again

Sometimes a fresh perspective is as simple as rearranging a room to better fit your needs. Over time, the furnishings can become almost an afterthought because they’ve been in place so long. Try moving things around to create new conversation groupings or to highlight a piece that has been tucked away in the shadows. An updated arrangement may inspire to you add and embellish with some simple new accessories or accent pieces for a room that only looks brand new.

Get earth smart

With all of the new growth and hues of green that abound during spring, it’s natural to be more mindful of the environment. Earth-friendly upgrades like switching out inefficient lighting or installing low-flow toilets and shower heads can make a sizable difference. Another option for energy conservation: Look for ways to maximize natural light for heat and to brighten rooms. Well-placed windows and skylights can harness energy naturally, so you can minimize your reliance on electricity for comfort and convenience.

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Are Common Myths Holding You Back from Buying a Home?

(StatePoint) Aspirations of home ownership is strong for America’s families, yet findings from the fifth annual America at Home survey from NeighborWorks America indicate several perceived barriers to homeownership among the majority of consumers.

Findings from the survey, which consisted of 1,000 U.S. adults and 500 millennials include many misconceptions about what it takes to buy a home: • The average millennial mistakenly thinks the minimum required down payment is 21.6 percent.

• Approximately 73 percent of all consumers and 62 percent

of millennials said they were not aware of or are unsure about down payment assistance programs in their communities for middle-income homebuyers.

• Seventy percent of adults feel they don’t have enough money saved for a down payment.

Experts believe that confusion about down payment requirements and lack of awareness about assistance programs are holding back many people from pursuing homeownership. “Before deciding if owning a home is right for you, take time to understand your

MYTHS, Page R8

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Are Your Home Furnishings Good for the Planet and Your Family?

(StatePoint) More consumers are interested in selecting products that are good for the planet and their families, than ever before. While many understand what organic food is, confusion still exists when it comes to home furnishings. Simply put, what you bring into your home directly impacts the health and welfare of your family in terms of exposure to chemicals of concern, indoor air quality and comfort.

With the deluge of products claiming to be environmentally sustainable, it’s important to know what to look for when furnishing your home. Here are some considerations to bear in mind.

• Does it contain harmful chemicals? While the EPA has phased out the use of some of the most potentially harmful chemicals, some chemical variations continue to be used in upholstery and fabrics. To get a sense of what’s good and what may be bad, consult resources like the U.S. EPA’s Chemicals of Concern List and the Living Future Institute’s Red List. Remember that while some degree of chemical treatment may be needed to make fabrics fire-retardant or stain-repellent, in many instances, green manufacturers employ minimal chemistry or have found natural solutions to achieve these results.

• Am I considering all the options? Fortunately, top fabric and furniture manufacturers have developed more sustainable alternatives. For example, Milliken & Company recently launched Breathe

by Milliken, an eco-elegant collection of fluorine-free performance fabrics available in both natural and recycled polyester fibers. Furniture retailers are offering sustainably-sourced, locally-made, and organic furniture and fabric options, while big box retailers like Target have developed sustainability scoring requirements on products to help educate and empower consumers.

• Where does it come from? A sofa made from natural materials may not be a truly green choice.

Consider the supply chain, too. Are natural raw materials sustainably grown and harvested? Are they made by companies with reputations for environmental stewardship according to green manufacturing principles?

• What’s it made of ? Select natural fibers or materials like cotton or wood whenever possible.

However, if you prefer man-made fibers, ask about items made from recycled or post-consumer materials. For example, Breathe by Milliken polyester fabrics are made from recycled plastic, and each sofa upholstered in this fabric diverts 90-150 plastic bottles from landfills.

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• How long will it last? Durability is sustainability. Whether wood, molded plastic or fabric, quality household items will remain in use, rather than in the landfill.

• What happens when I’m done with it? Opt for materials that consist of recycled or reused materials and/or those that biodegrade or can be easily recycled.

• Have green claims been validated? “Greenwashing,” or making untrue or inaccurate sustainability claims, is a pervasive problem across a range of industries. Opt for brands with third-party certifications. For example, products achieving GREENGUARD Gold certification have been screened to ensure they don’t contain any of the more than 10,000 chemicals commonly known to pollute the air we breathe. Earning this certification means these fabrics meet the world’s most rigorous chemical emission standards, improving indoor air quality and overall health. The Sustainable Furnishings Council is another excellent consumer resource.

For more information on sustainable interiors, visit breathebymilliken.com.

Your home is your refuge. Knowing the facts about what you choose to put into it can allow you to feel better -- literally and in terms of your environmental impact.

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 MYTHS, from Page R5

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Seafood:

Food for Thought During National Nutrition Month (StatePoint) We hear a lot about the important nutrients in vegetables and fruits, but the health benefits of eating seafood regularly aren’t always in the spotlight. It should be a no-brainer when it comes to seafood, which is packed with omega-3s. Yet, most Americans only eat one serving of seafood a week.

Here are some evidence-based facts to help set the record straight during National Nutrition Month.

1. How much seafood should I be eating?

Studies show that seafood benefits your heart, eyes and brain, and may also help you fight chronic diseases and memory loss. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines encourage all Americans to eat at least two servings of seafood each week. That’s double the amount most people currently eat. To reap the range of nutrients found in seafood, try to get a variety of fish in your diet, including shrimp, salmon, canned/pouched tuna, tilapia and pollock.

2. What if you’re pregnant?

Seafood is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as young children, since it is one of the only natural food sources rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are critical for brain and eye development, supporting the old adage that fish really is “brainfood.” One recent study shows that moms-to-be who ate fish two to three times each week had babies that reached milestones -- such as imitating sounds, recognizing family members and drinking from a cup -- more quickly than children born to mothers who didn’t eat fish regularly during pregnancy. Another recent study found that pregnant women who ate at least two seafood meals each week helped boost their child’s IQ up three points by age 9. Learn more about the best fish to eat during pregnancy at aboutseafood.com/seafood-pregnancy.

down payment options, and separate myths from facts,” says Freddie Mac Vice President, Danny Gardner.

For example, the average down payment among first-time homebuyers in 2016 was just 6 percent and, for repeat buyers, just 14 percent. What’s more, mortgage options, such as Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Mortgages, make it possible for qualified borrowers to put down as little as 3 percent.

If your down payment is less than 20 percent with a conventional loan, you’ll have to pay private mortgage insurance, an added insurance policy that protects the lender if you are unable to pay your mortgage. However, mortgage rates -- despite their

rise in recent years -- remain at historic lows, providing you with a significant advantage.

There are also millions of dollars available for down payment assistance. A great place to start is right where you live. Many state, county, and city governments provide financial assistance for people in their communities who are well qualified and ready for homeownership.

To help demystify down payments and the homebuying process, free tools and resources are available at myhome.freddiemac. com.

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back from pursuing homeownership. Check out the facts to learn how much home you can afford.

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3. How to get more seafood.

Incorporating more seafood into your diet doesn’t need to be a challenge. It’s easy to get the recommended two to three servings each week by simply swapping out the protein from your favorite dishes with seafood. For example, chicken tacos become fish tacos, and grilled steak salad becomes grilled shrimp salad. What’s more, seafood is just as healthy whether it’s fresh, frozen or canned, making it a convenient item to stock up on when shopping, and ultimately helping you eliminate wasted food in your household.

4. Start the day right.

Nutrition experts recommend incorporating protein into your breakfast as a way to boost metabolism and balance your blood sugar levels for the entire day. Kicking off the morning with tuna avocado toast or salmon on a bagel will help keep you feeling fuller for longer, prevent cravings before lunchtime and help you reach your weekly seafood goals.

More nutrition facts, recipes and other resources can be found at AboutSeafood.com.

This National Nutrition Month, give your health a boost by eating a variety of seafood at least twice a week.

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