What Kind Of Investor Would You Rather Be?

What kind of investor would you rather be?

If you invest in stocks you can learn about the company but you are just one vote in the shareholder population.

If you invest in real estate you get to choose:
Where to buy
How much to spend
How much debt you will acquire
The kinds of renovations you are going to make to your property
Who the property manager is going be

Which investor would you rather be? If you want to make a real estate investment, contact me today.

A Plan to Declutter

Does a plan to declutter sound like it should be on your list? Does is sound overwhelming or do you have this under control at your house?

I think most of us have moments when decluttering is at the top of the list. We also have moments when it seems like it's such a big job that we don't even want to start or think about it so we do something else.

So let's start with a plan. Paper is one of the most annoying clutter problems in homes.  If you've like me, I don't always have the time or energy to deal with the paper. Newspaper, books, kids school work, mail, notices from work and more all take up space on my desk.

My plan to begin with was to set the timer for just 15 minutes. In this period of time I sorted papers into four piles. To Do. To File. To Recycle. To Shred. The biggest hurdle in this challenge is no reading allowed. Just sort! Did it work?

I have to report this was a successful challenge where I was able to succeed. I had four piles, two of which I was able to immediately dispose of. Gone were the shred and recycle piles and I was left with just two small piles of things to do and things to file. There was immediate relief as I reclaimed my desk and some peace of mind.

Now it's time for a happy dance.

Kitchen Thoughts

My kitchen is need of some updating so I've been reading articles about kitchen remodels and design. I realized there are some other criteria to consider other than just what kind of counter tops I want and should I paint my custom oak cabinets white.

It never occurred to me that the type of hood fan I choose might be dictated by the local building code. I sure wouldn't want to have a violation and have to redo my hood fan.

I also am thinking about drawer pulls or knobs because right now I don't have any. I do love the look of my unadorned cabinets but I know that new hardware will update the look. I just never thought about the fact that I might need two or three different types or sizes to work on all the different types of door and drawer fronts.

Then there are the counter tops. I assumed that I would just replace the counter tops with granite or quartz and straight edges like I currently have but now I'm thinking they should be an eased edge or slightly softened corners. I think that's more in style with my kitchen than the bull nosed or very rounded look.

I have thought about the sink. I already know that I want an undermount sink so it's easier to keep the area clean. It also looks so neat and tidy.

The last thing I can think about today is the toe kicks. Hmm.. I guess these don't need to match the cabinets especially if they're white. Maybe stainless steel would be good, especially with the stainless appliances.

What about you? Are you thinking about making changes or updating your kitchen. What kinds of materials are you thinking about?

Daylight Saving Time 2017

This weekend is the change to daylight saving time.  Yes, we get the pleasure of moving those clocks ahead an hour. For so many this can be a challenge. Who likes to crawl out of bed an hour earlier? It certainly can take a few days to make the adjustment.
This semi-annual ritual however is also the perfect time to change the batteries in the smoke alarms and the CO alarms in your home. As you put fresh batteries in these safety devices, you can also look forward to the sunny warmer days that are just around the corner.

Best Time To Sell Your Home?

When is the best time to sell your home?

For many sellers this is question of the day. The number of homes for sale in Seattle is near a 10 year low. When there are fewer homes for sale there are more buyers competing for each home. Currently the interest rates are also rising which makes buyers nervous about finding a home and wondering if that home will even be affordable. This has created a fervor in the market place with buyers wanting to make their purchase quickly. The end result is homes that are selling far about the list price.

So where does this leave buyers and sellers? Spring and the second quarter of the year is typically when we see the most inventory in the market. If you don't have your home ready to list, or are still thinking this might be a good time, now is a great time to find out. Call me today and let me create a Market Analysis to help determine the current value of your home. We can talk about the best time for you to sell your home. Maybe summer or even fall is a better time for you and in this market where the inventory is low, any time will be a good time if your home is well priced.