When selling a house, there are several things that you may want to avoid fixing or addressing, depending on your specific circumstances and market conditions. Here are 10 things you don’t need to worry about when selling your Seattle home. 1. Minor cosmetic flaws Small scratches on walls, chipped paint, or stained carpets may not…

What should you not do when looking at a house? Avoid getting caught up in superficial details and neglecting the structural and functional aspects of the house. Pay attention to the surrounding neighborhood and local amenities. Avoid overlooking how the house fits with your long-term plans and lifestyle needs. Do not buy a home that…

Welcome to a thoughtful exploration of Seattle’s housing market in 2023. As we navigate through a period of adjustment, there’s a sense of optimism in the air despite our challenges. In 2022, the median home price in Seattle was a steep 4.9 times the median household income. Fast forward to today, and we’re adapting to…

Unraveling the Recent Fed Decision and Mortgage Interest Rates In today’s ever-changing economic landscape, recent events have left many of us scratching our heads. With job growth surpassing expectations by a whopping 297,000 last month, one might expect celebrations all around. However, this isn’t the case because the Federal Reserve keeps hiking mortgage interest rates…

Legal Issue #1 Buyer agency agreements are bad. They’re also good. Starting January 1, 2024, they’re required. (Subtitle: Buyers, You CAN Negotiate Commission and Compensation with Your Real Estate Agent. Here’s How.) For the inaugural issue of “The Lawyer Hat”, I thought I’d take on a matter very near and dear to the Get Happy…

Selling your property is a big decision, but it’s also an exciting one. You have the opportunity to move on to a new chapter in your life and potentially make a profit from your investment. However, before you put your property on the market, it’s important to ensure it’s in the best possible condition. Renovations…

Short Term Rentals: Where to Invest in Seattle Condos The Airbnb short term rental dream is alive and well for would-be real estate investors. It’s easy to see why. With nightly rates that far exceed what one could achieve with a traditional rental property (even after accounting for the additional cost and hassle of running…

I can’t tell you how many times I googled, “how to build a home gym” between 2020 and 2022. Being locked out of my beloved neighborhood gym during the height of the pandemic was no fun. Push-ups and endless crunches–ok, some crunches–were only getting me so far. By the time I found myself overhead pressing…

Everyone who owns a house and contemplating a move or an upgrade should is asking the same question right now: should I sell or rent? Whether you’re stuck in a housing market that can’t seem to make up its mind or just looking to make the most out of your Seattle home, deciding between selling…

Why has the United States housing market stood strong in the wake of high interest rates and economic uncertainty? The FED’s stated purpose is to bring down inflation and curb the cost of living, but no expense is more significant to most Seattleites than the cost of housing. Housing, however, has proven too resilient to…

Is the condo market turning around? Amidst the multitude of return to office orders from local tech sector employers, the Seattle condo market appears to be on the rebound after experiencing net-zero growth from 2018-2022. What does that mean for you? If indeed #BacktoWork mandates are the new normal, then now may be the time…

Selling a home in Seattle, especially one in less-than-ideal condition, can feel more like soothsaying than science. It can be hard to understand why some houses sell quickly, for more money, while others struggle. That’s why you call in the experts. Here are 10 expert tips that we use to sell Seattle houses for more…

Now is a good time to buy a house, or at least start looking. THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS… Many people vacillate for a long time before working up the courage to enter the housing market. They get stuck on the big question: “Is now a good time to buy a house?” It’s hard to “time…

Are we the best real estate agents in the Seattle? Matt, Marta, and I have found ourselves asking this question a lot recently. We know it’s a lofty goal. After all, there can only be one “best” and this is a crowded industry. Do we even know what it means to be the best real…

Looking for the best Seattle public elementary schools? Read on and find out. Seattle is known for its scenery, outdoor attractions, and iconic skyline. Seattle is also known for concerned parents wondering if they should send their kids to private schools or move to a neighborhood with higher-achieving schools. This is a common tale of…

Seattle Housing Market July 2023: The financial markets are communicating a near definitive message: that there is a 95% likelihood of a 25 basis point hike by the Federal Reserve. This hike will push rates to between 5.25% and 5.50%. Predictably, this has caused a ripple effect, and we’re already seeing the impact on the…

Avoid Buyer’s Remorse and Find the Right House for You Buying a home is the biggest financial decision most of us will ever make. It’s natural to have doubts. In fact, it’s the only sane way to be. But how do we move past the doubts? At the end of the day, how do we…

Nestled in the heart of Seattle, Washington, Madison Park exudes a timeless charm that captivates residents and visitors alike. This vibrant neighborhood, located on the shores of Lake Washington, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, diverse housing options, and a close-knit community atmosphere. In this blog, we will explore the housing stock, median home…

Looking for the best Seattle High Schools and Neighborhoods to Consider when Buying a Home? We hope to help. Seattle’s best high schools usually follow a STEM curriculum. We will help you identify the neighborhood with excellent schools and what programs they offer. Above all, this post focuses on the best STEM schools in Seattle….

In today’s rapidly evolving world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has gained significant recognition for its role in shaping the future of our society. STEM programs offer students a unique educational approach that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of the core STEM disciplines. In this blog post, we will…

What is the Seattle Schools STEM Program? With a thriving tech industry and innovative spirit, Seattle has embraced the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. The city boasts a remarkable array of schools prioritizing STEM subjects. This curriculum provides students with opportunities to explore and excel in these fields. In this…

“How’s the market these days?” is the first question I hear upon meeting someone and telling them I work in real estate. And another question I’ve been getting a lot lately is “How’s the condo market in Seattle?” So, let’s talk about it! In this blog I’m sharing a little history as to why Seattle’s…

Okay, this is a long post, but hopefully helpful. Many of my clients are having baby’s and looking for larger homes in good school districts. New construction is an attractive option with the preceived notion of lower maintaince while they chase after their new family additions.  Finding a reputable builder is important and challenging when…

Seattle is renowned for its diverse and innovative educational offerings. From cutting-edge technology programs to community engagement initiatives, the schools in this region are constantly pushing boundaries to provide exceptional learning opportunities for their students.   In this post, we will explore some of the standout Seattle School District Programs that deserve recognition for their…

What’s happening in the Seattle real estate market this June 2023?  In this post, I’m sharing:  – How inflation is impacting interest rates – When interest rates might start to decrease – What Seattle home buyers need to know right now  – What Seattle home sellers need to keep in mind – Whether or not…

There are some really misleading numbers in real estate. Like, really misleading. And whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced buyer, it can be challenging to know which numbers matter, and which numbers to ignore.  Without further adieu, here are my top 3 misleading numbers in real estate. 1. Price per square foot –…

I love a good deal. Who doesn’t? Two-for-one pizza’s from Pagliacci? Sign me up. Fifty percent off everything in Nordstrom? There in a heartbeat. Paying less than list price for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home in Fremont? I would LITERALLY KILL to make this my reality. But let’s pump the brakes a little. Pizza and…

If you want to buy a $1 million house in Seattle, how much cash do you need on hand?  Now, you might be thinking that $1 million is a ton of money. And it is! But in Seattle at the moment, our median home price is right around $768,000 (as of writing this in April…

If you already own a home and are ready to “move up,” figuring out the logistics of everything can be a challenge.  Luckily for you, we help our clients do this all the time!  In this post, we are sharing how to buy and sell a home at the same time, specifically for those who…

Should I Wait for Rates to Come Down? Who is this Jerome Powell fellow, and why is he making it impossible for me to buy a house?! Mortgage interest rates: it seems like all anyone can talk about these days in the Seattle real estate market. And with good reason. The basic equation of housing…

Our absolute favorite clients to work with are first-time home buyers! There’s nothing better than handing keys to someone who purchased their dream home and just accomplished a huge life milestone. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to buying a home for the first time and I’m here to walk you through every…

The headlines we see about Seattle real estate can really make buying a house look scary and stressful. Or downright impossible. And these things are *especially* true if you’ve never bought a home before.  If you don’t read the rest of this blog, this should be your #1 takeaway:  Many people don’t realize that they…

Why are there some homes in Seattle that just aren’t selling right now? After all, the low inventory has been an issue for several months at this point. Despite higher rates, there are still buyers who are chomping at the bit to buy homes.  So why are some homes continuing to sit on the market,…

You may have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your Prince Charming.  The same is true for finding your dream house. All of our home buyer clients are looking for love. But how do you know when you’ve found true love? How can you be confident that you’re ready to make a…

My team and I are always keeping a close eye on the market, but even more so this winter as Seattle’s market shifts. What will happen this spring and in the rest of 2023? How can savvy buyers and sellers time the market this year?  Using the latest data, our work with buyers and seller…

Many would-be home buyers in the Seattle and Bellevue areas have put their home searches on pause due to the recent rise in interest rates and inflation. I share more about this in our recent blog post “December 2022 Seattle Real Estate Market Update & My Predictions for 2023.”  However, if you are thinking that…

Well, it’s December. Time for me to dust off the old crystal ball and make my predictions for next year, based on this year’s data and trajectories.  First, a spot of good news, or at least a sign that the end of this “recession” could be sooner than we think:  My Best Case Scenario for…

This time of year, my Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook feeds light up with folks sharing Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate Matthew Gardner’s predictions about the housing market for the following year. So one of my teammates, Ryan, decided to pull up Matthew Gardner’s 2021 prediction for 2022 and compare that to my prediction (also…

The topic of inflation has been in the news a lot lately. But how is inflation related to real estate? We recently texted several of our clients asking what questions they had about Seattle real estate at the moment, and inflation was on everyone’s mind. Here are a couple of the questions we received and…

How does Seattle’s market compare to other markets in the country? Is our housing market going to crash? We believe that Seattle is primed to be a long-term hold while other markets have significant headwinds that will drag on their real estate market in the medium to long term. For example, Miami appears to be…

Right now, we’re all hearing words like “inflation,” “recession,” and “layoffs” in the news, and it can feel pretty overwhelming. What’s actually happening in our economy? How does it affect Seattle? If you’re hoping to buy or sell soon, how can you best time the market? Recently, we texted several of our clients and asked…

We all wish we had a crystal ball that could tell us the future! But unfortunately, at this point, we have to rely on data and trends to give us a picture of what the future holds for Seattle’s real estate market. As you read through this, remember that this is ultimately speculative. We are…

You may have seen a lot of scary-ish words in the headlines recently. Words like “recession” and “inflation” and “layoffs.” And what is actually going on here? How much should we read between the lines? Is the real estate market going to crash? How will we know when it’s a good time to buy a…

For those who want to live on the Eastside in King County, affordability can be a challenge. So which cities on the Eastside can you find the best home values?  In this post, we are comparing Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, and Kenmore median home prices so you can get a sense of how much…

We had a blast cruising around with our amazing clients on our Boat Cruise Client Appreciation Party! The last couple of years we had to put our client gatherings on hold (sighhh!), but this year we made up for lost time. We boarded the boat in Eastlake then set off to cruise around Lake Union,…

No matter where you live in Seattle, you’re probably not more than ~10 minutes to a scenic beach. And for Seattleites, the beach could be on the Puget Sound, or it could be on Lake Washington. Both bodies of water show off spectacular views and opportunities for swimming, water sports, shore exploration, and more. Don’t…

When many people think of living in Seattle, they immediately start dreaming about our stunning water views, the majestic mountains that line our horizon, and all of our lush, iconic greenery! So of course, many people who are moving here want to buy a home that has a spectacular water view. These are the best…

The Alaska Junction—also simply known as “The Junction”—is in the very heart of West Seattle, and this historic hub of activity is a destination for Seattleites all over the city! At the center of the Alaska Junction you’ll find SW Alaska St and California Ave SW, and from here, The Junction extends from SW Andover…

Off of work a bit early, or looking for a late night bite in Ballard? We did some digging and found the *best* happy hours in Ballard—keep scrolling to discover drink deals and eats that give you more bang for your buck! *** Updated July 2022 *** Skål Beer Hall Happy Hour   View this…

If you want to buy a condo in Seattle’s urban core, where should you be looking?  When we’re helping our clients choose the perfect location for condo living in Seattle’s urban core, we always think about convenience. Before we share our favorite neighborhood in Seattle’s urban core to buy a condo in, we need to…

Grab your sunglasses, pack a picnic, and set your phone on “do not disturb”—outdoor adventure is just minutes away in Sammamish! One of the top things that people love about living in Seattle is how close we are to a ton of outdoor adventure—mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests are all right at our fingertips. When you…

We all love to get out of town for vacay. But what about when you need a change of pace but only have the weekend? We are big fans of “staycations.” Maybe to you this means actually booking a hotel or getting an Airbnb here in the city, or maybe you view it more as…

Quick access to all of the fun that Lake Union offers, easy-peasy commutes, a central location smack dab in the middle of the city… these are just a few of the reasons why people love living in Seattle’s Westlake neighborhood! If you’re considering a move and you’re looking for the best Seattle neighborhood to suit your…

Seattle’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood is absolutely brimming with tucked away, scenic outdoor spots that are a delight to visit… that is, once you know where they are! We’re sharing a few of our fave “Secret Squirrel Spots” in North Capitol Hill that you can explore next time you’re in the area, from Seattle’s tiniest…

This year, the Space Needle is celebrating its 60th anniversary! Happy 60th birthday to the Space Needle!  To celebrate this icon’s birthday, we thought it would be fun to share some fascinating facts about the Space Needle. If you’re a local or have ever visited the Space Needle, you probably already know that the Space…

Where should you live if you’re feeling priced out of the home market in Seattle or Bellevue? We recommend buying a home in Renton!  We’ve been writing about Renton for a long time now; it has been a great alternative to buying in Seattle and Bellevue for many years. This only becomes more and more…

We see this all the time in real estate: A couple is buying a home, and one person works in Bellevue and the other person works in Seattle. One person will end up needing to cross a bridge for their commute, meaning we need to find a home in a neighborhood that offers easy access…

We encounter soon-to-be homeowners having this debate ALL the time: Should I buy a townhouse, or a condo?  If you’re having a hard time deciding and you’re in the process of weighing the pros and cons… here are 6 reasons why you should consider buying a townhouse instead of a condo: 1. Investments in townhomes are…

Having a home that includes a guest suite offers a few big benefits:  1. You have a private space for friends and family to use when they come to visit  2. You can use it as a long-term rental 3. You can rent out the space as a short-term rental on services like Airbnb and…

If you haven’t been to Downtown Renton in awhile (or ever!) then you are likely in for a lovely surprise! There are so many exciting things happening in Renton right now, from all of the new development at The Landing (a 21-acre retail center with 50+ businesses!) to the construction of huge office buildings poised…

In this post, we are sharing how a few of our home listings performed compared to other similar homes in the neighborhood during the same time. How do we set these records and sell our clients’ homes quickly and for the most money possible? When we prepare our clients’ homes for sale, we have a…

We’re so excited to introduce you to Ryan Palardy, the newest member of the Get Happy at Home Team! Welcome to the team, Ryan!  Ryan is joining us as an Associate Broker, and you’ll find him helping us with all kinds of things. We have many fun new projects in the works and we’re preparing…

Are you currently shopping for a new home in the Seattle area? If so… are you hoping to find a home with: – 4+ bedrooms – 2.5+ bathrooms – 2,500+ square feet – Whatever GreatSchools.org has decided a 7+ school is (Click here to read what we really think about GreatSchools.org) ? Well, if you…

When many people think of West Seattle, waterfront parks and beaches often come to mind. Alki Beach is of course the most popular West Seattle beach and it’s a major attraction for people all over the city. And then you’ve also got the 135-acre waterfront Lincoln Park with its heated pool, miles of trails, and…

If you’re commuting from West Seattle, you have a ton of great options to choose from (yes, even with the West Seattle Bridge closed!). West Seattle can feel like it’s own “island” at times. Honestly, this is something that people really love about West Seattle. You get all of the perks of this highly desired…

Seattle’s Central District has seen a TON of change in recent years. The intersection of 23rd & Union and the immediate surrounding area is just one example of where you can see some major transformation happening. There’s the new Midtown Square development, there’s a ton of new restaurants, there’s new shops to explore, and there…

Madison Valley in Seattle is like its own little resort town with plenty of fine dining, cute shops to browse, salons where you can rejuvenate, and gorgeous outdoor spaces to explore (not to mention there are plenty of Instagram-able views here too!). The past couple years has certainly been filled with lots of cancelled travel plans,…

Have you ever been curious as to whether or not real estate agents actually follow their own advice when it’s time to sell their *own* homes? Well, when Brian and I went to sell our house in North Beacon Hill this past summer, I certainly did follow my own advice to a T! Before I dive…

In case you haven’t noticed, every so often in Seattle, it rains! And every few years (it feels like it’s every 5 or so years), we have a massive “water event” where we get a ton or rain and/or snow. Usually this is how it goes: It snows a lot (for Seattle, that is), then…

Are you planning on buying or selling a home in Seattle or in Bellevue (or anywhere on the Eastside) this year? Are you just feeling curious about what’s going on in real estate? We’re here to update you on what to expect in local real estate as we head into 2022.  Here’s a quick overview…

It’s no secret that Seattle’s North Beacon Hill neighborhood is one of our very favorite neighborhoods to live, play, and work in! Matt and Brian have lived in North Beacon Hill for years now, and we love showing off this amazing community to our clients as well. In this blog post we are taking the…

This past weekend we had a total blast at our Client Appreciation Party! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and joined us (in the rain, no less!)—it was so wonderful to see everyone. We also had such a fun time playing Santa this year. To show all of our clients how much…

North Beacon Hill is one of our very favorite neighborhoods to work in, and in fact it’s where Matt and his partner Brian have called home for many years now!  We first wrote and published this blog post back in 2019, but we’ve just updated it (December 2021) so you can stay current on what’s…

North Beacon Hill already has fantastic transit options, and combined with it’s ideal location, this Seattle neighborhood is a popular choice for those who work in Downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, and the Eastside. NBH serves as a sort of “centerspoke” for Seattle, and this is about to become even more true… things are about…

North Beacon Hill in Seattle has become a neighborhood of destination dining. You’ll find everything from street tacos, diners with vegan burgers, and Japanese-inspired pastries, to Filipinx cuisine, fried chicken sandwiches, Mediterranean fare… and more. If you’re lucky enough to live in this Seattle neighborhood (which is one of our favorites to spend time in… it’s…

Depending on where you live, the concept of “indoor-outdoor living” can mean a lot of different things. In places where it’s warm and sunny all year long, it might mean you have a cabana with an outdoor living room and a complete state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen. In places like Seattle where we get 155 days of…

Ok… so people who are actually FROM California might find it slightly funny that we think Alki is just like the beachy goodness you can find in the Golden State. 😛 But when you want that laidback beach vibe without having to hop on a plane, Alki really is THE place to go in Seattle! …

Known by locals as the Center of the Universe, Fremont is an eclectic Seattle neighborhood that’s home to a thriving arts scene, incredible dining, major employers, and a seemingly never-ending list of things to do and see. In this post, we’re sharing our Get Happy at Home guide to how to spend a day in…

Protected views of the Puget Sound, incredible amenities for residents, a sense of community, and organized events where you can meet your neighbors are just a few of the perks of living in Shoreline’s Innis Arden community.  From many Seattleites’ perspectives, this exclusive, planned community offers a premium living experience for a smaller price tag….

On the eastern slope of North Beacon Hill, there is about 50 acres of green space known to neighbors as The Cheasty. It is filled with a bounty of both native and non-native plants and animals. Neighbors and community activists have take it upon themselves to inspire a future for this space. There are many…

There is certainly no shortage of choice in Seattle’s Greenwood and nearby Phinney Ridge neighborhoods when it comes to dining out, and in this post, we’re focusing on what you can restaurants you can find right along Greenwood Ave (which turns into Phinney Ave N as you head south). Right along Greenwood Ave (which used…

Nestled just northwest of Green Lake in North Seattle, Greenwood is a smaller Seattle neighborhood with a fascinating history, and there’s a reason why we refer to it as the “little neighborhood that could” on our Greenwood neighborhood guide.  Read on for 6 fascinating facts about Greenwood’s past 100-or-so years!  1. Before it was “Greenwood”,…

If you’ve never explored Lake Union before, we totally recommend you rent a kayak, go paddle boarding, take a sunset cruise, and kick back for some scenic waterfront dining. These are all super popular activities for locals and visitors alike as soon as the weather warms up. But if you’re looking for something a little…

Did you know they’re making a Frasier reboot?! That’s right, the TV show “Frasier” ended 17 years ago but it’s coming BACK! “Frasier” ran from 1993 to 2004 for a total of 11 seasons, and we’re excited to see what Dr. Frasier Crane is up to in 2021. This has us thinking about, of course,…

Queen Anne is definitely one of Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods—it’s home to the Space Needle and the Seattle Center, stunning views of the Downtown Seattle skyline, gorgeous old 19th century homes, and modern condos that offer true city life. Queen Anne is also home to some truly fabulous dining, and in this post we’re highlighting…

The community-focused, mixed-use Jackson Apartments development on the corner of 23rd and Jackson in Seattle’s Central District has been a long time coming. This massive project is by Vulcan Real Estate, which is part of Vulcan Inc., a company founded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Vulcan Real Estate has been responsible for several…

Better get educated before you buy your next home… Let’s help you out with what to look out for when buying a townhouse in Seattle.

Many of our Happy Homebuyer clients who are searching for a townhouse in Seattle are looking for a dwelling that’s truly special. Of course, they usually want a townhouse in a great location, but they also want a townhouse that offers something unique when it comes to the design.  Townhomes offer all kinds of opportunities…

It is no secret that Capitol Hill is one of our very favorite Seattle neighborhoods, and we especially love the Steven’s Addition area of Capitol Hill. Like much of Seattle, 19th Ave E has been changing a lot in recent years, and we are absolutely loving all of the fantastic dining options here! There is…

Seattle’s real estate market is especially intense right now, and if you need to sell your current home to buy a new home, we’ve got some important information to share!  First thing’s first: Homes in the Seattle area are in demand, and you can expect a multiple-offer scenario on whatever home you want to buy….

In previous blog posts we’ve shared neighborhoods that are ideal for bike enthusiasts (Green Lake! Woodinville!), and now it’s time to show off Beacon Hill and why this south Seattle neighborhood is at least a must-visit area for bikers! This map isn’t the best quality wise (click here to see the complete interactive map!), but…

A captivating blend of Seattle history, natural beauty, and community awaits at Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill. Tucked away just north of 15th Ave’s many restaurants and shops, this Capitol Hill gem is a must-visit Seattle destination!  Here are a few things you might not know about Volunteer Park:  A Little History Lesson The City…

Most of us have a bit of cabin fever after this past year, but that has just meant that we’ve had to get creative! Seattleites are absolutely spoiled in that our city has all of these intriguing pockets of beauty to explore if only you know where to look, and every neighborhood (and micro-neighborhood!) really…

We have had a lot of clients from California moving to the Seattle and Bellevue area due to their ability to work remotely. Almost 100% of the time, our California clients start their home search only wanting new construction.  We totally get this (and we love new construction!), but new construction in the Seattle area…

Like we referenced in this post about new construction, many people moving to the Seattle/Bellevue area are hoping to find a new construction home.  As it turns out, what they’re searching for might not actually exist in Seattle or Bellevue proper. Many of our Happy Home Buyers are dreaming about a new construction home that…

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are able to work remotely, and for many this begs a whole new question: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?  Recently, our Happy Home Buyers Gabi and Eric (names changed for privacy!) reached out to our team because they were interested in moving…

2021 has gotten off to an *intense* start, to say the least. At the beginning of January, we did a blog post on Seattle + the Eastside’s real estate market. One of the things we talked about was how much median home prices in Bellevue went up from 2019 to 2020. Here’s a little review:…

In 2020, we saw homebuyer patterns shift dramatically, and these trends are continuing into 2021. If we had to sum up current King County real estate trends in just 2 quick takeaways, here they are:  Single-family homes are like GOLD.  Condo sales are down nearly in every area in King County. Now I’m going to…

People have always found a way to make efficient use of their space, but we’ve seen a micro-living revival happening in Seattle in the last few years. As rent keeps going up, people are having to really identity their priorities… and a lot of time that can end up meaning less “house”! “Micro apartments” and…

Better buckle up ‘cause we are about to get on one crazy election roller coaster! We’ve put together some ideas for staying as sane as possible as the media mayhem begins (or rather… continues), and we hope you’ll find these fun ideas helpful in the days (and likely weeks) to come.  After you make sure…

When you live in a co-op, you’re not only gaining new neighbors, but you’re also essentially becoming business partners with your neighbors as well. A co-op is best suited for those who are interested in being active in their community, and in this post we’re highlighting the Princeton Co-operative, a 1907-built building in the heart…

If you’re searching for a condo to buy in Seattle, you’ll likely come across some co-op buildings in your home search adventures. So what’s the difference between a co-op and a condo, and what are the pros and cons?  What is the technical difference between a co-op and a condo?  First of all, we want…

Capitol Hill is a huge neighborhood, and not only is it dense in population, but it covers a huge area of Seattle as well. Steven’s Addition is one of Capitol Hill’s sub-neighborhoods, and it has its own vibe and character that’s different from the rest of Capitol Hill.  Steven’s Addition covers the area just east…

If you’ve visited Genesee Park recently, it’s probably hard to imagine that it used to be mostly underwater.  It’s easy to forget that the landscaping of Seattle has changed a great deal in the past century, and it once looked much different. Genesee Park is in an L-shape, and it’s northernmost part rests along the…

Seattle is known for its gray weather and dreary winters, and we are in for a longgggg winter this year, folks. But of course every gray cloud has its silver lining, and as a city we are READY for this!  Seattleites, now is your chance to show off all of your cozy winter fashion and…

Millennials aren’t kids anymore—they’re about 24-39 years old now. (Generally people born in the ~1981-1996 range are considered Millennials.) And many Millenials are starting to have or already having kids.  2020 has been a rough year to live in the heart of the city, and until now, many Millennials have preferred the urban landscape. We’re…

If you haven’t spent much time in Bellevue, we’re willing to bet that your main impression of the city is based on shopping at some of their impressive one-stop shopping centers. This also means that you may have only seen and experienced Bellevue’s many larger restaurant chains, and you might even feel like Bellevue kind…

Bellevue is a destination city for shoppers all around the region—people will drive from cities near and far to spend the day in Bellevue stimulating the economy!  Many people (especially Seattleites of course) will head to Downtown Seattle for holiday shopping, for example, and we get the sense that people do this because they feel…

Seattle’s Eastside (which includes cities like Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Factoria, Issaquah, Bothell, etc.) is really showing off lately for a few different reasons. As impacts from COVID-19 push people toward the suburbs more and more, we’re seeing our clients look to cities on the Eastside for a variety of reasons.  Here are just a few…

Let’s just say that this has been one busy 4th quarter for the Get Happy at Home Seattle real estate team. We’ve never been this busy in September and October. For awhile, I was venturing a guess that buyers and sellers alike had simply moved on from the craziness around the pandemic and got back…

There are some very exciting transit-related things happening in our region right now, and we wanted to take a moment to update you on what’s happening particularly with north Seattle’s transit. Our current SoundTransit Link Light Rail (aka Seattle’s subway system) extends from Angle Lake (close to SeaTac International Airport) and heads north all the…

When we’re helping our clients search for a home, there are a few major considerations that are on most people’s minds. For those with kids (or those who plan to have kids in the near future), schools are almost always a top priority. People want to know where the “good” schools are, and the truth…

Magnolia and Queen Anne have long “battled” for the top spot in the minds of Seattle buyers. But over the last few years, Magnolia has continued its rise to prominence while Queen Anne seems to have petered out. What factors might be influencing such a change in opinions?  After looking at the real estate stats,…

First thing’s first: In case you’re not sure what a “studs-out” remodel is, it means that a house is *totally* stripped down to its bare bones, and pretty much the only things left are the floor plan and the original charm! Everything else is replaced, including electrical, plumbing, roofing, and insulation (to start with), and then…

Located in Seattle’s Denny Triangle neighborhood, The Cosmopolitan condo building has a lot going for it. Located at 819 Virginia St Seattle, WA 98101 in a *fantastic* neighborhood nestled right in between Downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, and Capitol Hill, urban bliss doesn’t get much better than this.  Here are a few quick highlights of…

From 2019 to 2020 (so far), home values in Seattle’s Denny Triangle neighborhood have gone up 20%.  Yes, you read that right. Denny Triangle is on fireeeeee!  Everyone wants to know what’s going on with Seattle real estate right now, and every neighborhood is a little different. But being in the center of Seattle—right in…

Nestled just south of the International District and offering excellent commuting options to both Downtown Seattle and the Eastside, North Beacon Hill is an absolute gem of a neighborhood. (Matt loves it so much that this is where he’s lived for years now, and this is after living alllll over Seattle!)  In fact, people love North…

When schools are a factor for our home buyers, they want to know where the “best” schools are. The truth is, this is a complicated subject for many reasons (and we’ll be sharing more about this on our blog soon).  Our latest listing is in the small city of Lake Forest Park, which had us…

Tucked away in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood, Kubota Garden is a truly magical place with a rich, fascinating history. We’re so fortunate that Fujitaro Kubota started this incredible garden almost a century ago, and today, the public can visit the 20-acre garden for free all year long.  But what exactly makes this garden so special?…

Our nation is navigating a very interesting real estate market right now. On the one hand, home prices are up and homes are selling. Interest rates are hovering around 2.9% to 3.1% which gives many buyers good cause for purchasing a home.  On the other hand, there are so many factors at play right now,…

Most of us probably learned a lot about our living situations during the “Stay Safe, Stay Healthy” lockdown. We’ve been working with a lot of clients who have realized that their current living situations just aren’t going to cut it—especially those who find themselves AND a partner working from home under the same roof (not…

Thank you to Patrick Young for writing this blog post based on your experience, and thank you for sharing it with Get Happy at Home!  Accessible homes aren’t all modular ramps and grab bars. If you know what to look for, it’s possible to find a home that looks good and lives well. If you’re…

Tucked away in northeast Seattle, Wedgwood may be small but it has a LOT going for it. We think of it as Seattle’s “Mayberry” because it really has it all, including that small-town vibe that so many people cherish. Of course, we’ve got a new home listing in the neighborhood to show off, but even…

Matthews Beach isn’t just a neighborhood in northeast Seattle—it’s an ACTUAL beach! Matthews Beach Park is nestled in between Meadowbrook, Wedgwood, and View Ridge, and is right along the shores of Lake Washington. Here are 4 things to know about this 22-acre park before your visit: 1. Yes, there is an actual beach here where…

In spring of 2020, Seattle’s median home price is $767,906, and from April 2019 to April 2020 we’ve seen a YOY increase of 15% in the greater Seattle area. But what type of home (and how much home) you can get will vary a lot depending on neighborhood, and each micro-neighborhood has its own nuanced…

When you think of Seattle’s largest parks, places like Golden Gardens, Discovery Park, and Washington Park Arboretum might come to mind. But have you heard of Carkeek Park? Situated along the shoreline in north Seattle’s Broadview neighborhood, Carkeek Park is a huge expanse of natural wonder that offers 220 acres of lush land to explore….

One of the most common things we hear from people who live in Seattle is how much they LOVE being so close to the outdoors. Not only is Seattle filled with lush parks and greenery that you just won’t find in other cities, but you’re only about a 30-minute drive out of the city to…

Located just southeast of Bellevue and nestled in a haven of outdoor bliss, Issaquah is the perfect day trip! It’s small town charm is a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life, and here are 3 BIG reasons why we LOVE this little city and its old school character: 1….

When we’re helping our happy homeowners find their next home-sweet-home, commute is always one of the TOP things people are concerned about. And let’s face it… Seattle traffic can get downright gnarly at times.  Our latest listing is in South Everett, and this particular location presents some fantastic commuting options. South Everett is one of…

As of February 2020, the median home price in Seattle was at about $750k. This means that a home for $500k around here is consider a “good deal” by many. We started to think about which neighborhoods in Seattle and nearby cities you can get a great single-family home for $500k AND have a commute…

For those living just north of Seattle, you’ll find *TONS* of unique activities that’ll give you, friends, and the wholeeee family extra-fun ways to spend the weekend and get in some good bonding time!  Our latest listing in nestled in South Everett right along a greenbelt, and not only do you get the privacy and…

If you’ve been following along with us for awhile then you already know that we LOVE a good home renovation! We work with our seller clients to manage everything from simple refreshes to complete home renovations, and our latest Bellevue condo listing was no different. When this gem in the rough came to us, it…

I got into a fun debate with one of our clients/friends yesterday via text about Covid-19’s impact on our economy. Their position was that this is worse than in 2008, and my opinion is that it is not even close. I thought I would take some time explaining how COVID-19’s affect on our market is…

To be clear, the market has slowed. In January and early February, we were getting 8-13 offers for a well-listed home. Now, we are getting 3-4 offers. So not to say there is no impact but that the effect has not overpowered demand as of yet.

We want to put out a note to our clients/friends on how we are handling the COVID-19 outbreak. We thought it might be smart to do a Q & A version of this update, but if you have any further questions, please let us know. Are you still touring with clients if they want to…

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is a destination for both Seattleites and out-of-towners alike, and you could spend literal *days* exploring all that this urban center has to offer. 15th Ave in Capitol Hill is kind of one of those micro-neighborhoods that people might overlook—oftentimes when people think about visiting Capitol Hill they focus on the…

Fools rush in and out. Most bad decisions are a combination of impatience, lack of knowledge, and poorly defined goals.

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is the land of private schools, and families from all over Seattle make the trek to Capitol Hill every day for school. Now, it’s definitely no secret that private schools aren’t cheap—while these schools offer unparalleled education, it definitely comes at a cost (a cost that can sometimes rival the cost…

We’ve helped many clients buy and renovate their homes. After all these years, specific attributes rise to the top as excellent candidates for improvement. First, the neighborhood has to afford the remodel with profit for having done the work. You don’t’ want to work for free… Second, the more changes that are required, increase your…

Amazon’s stock price is hovering around $1750 for the last few months at this point. Down from over $2000 not long ago. Amazon’s stock is still valued at $2300 by most analysts. 

If you’ve been looking to mix up your typical “going out” routine of grabbing dinner and beers to commemorate the weekend, consider taking things up a notch and add something delightfully nerdy into the rotation! For those who love getting a little geeky (or for those who aren’t afraid to try something new!), Ballard’s home…

It’s no secret that Seattle is a city of dog lovers—as of 2011 (the most recent numbers we have) according to the U.S. Census and the Seattle Animal Shelter, in Seattle there were 153,000 dogs to 107,178 kids. Seattle’s population has grown a LOT in recent years so it’s possible this has changed, but judging by…

In our experience, too many homeowners undervalue their land. They end up just focusing on the house (especially in Seattle for some reason), but no matter how much land you have, you have to maximize it. And usually, this means investing in some beautiful landscaping that not only offers top-notch curb appeal, but gives you…

Living in close proximity to a grocery store can literally change your life and revolutionize the way you eat!  We happen to just LOVE living close to a good market because we love the lifestyle it offers—you can stop by frequently for fresh ingredients, just buying for one or two meals at a time. You…

In the past decade, urban farming as been on the rise. As tech seems to take over our lives more and more, it’s no wonder why people are turning to the simple pleasures that life has to offer, like spending an afternoon getting your hands in the dirt!    View this post on Instagram  …

When flipping a house, your goal is to make the home as appealing to the masses as possible. To this end, much of our advice in this post will address the most common mistakes we see house flippers make!  Throughout this post, we’re going to use a home in Bellevue that we flipped as an…

When it comes to finding your new home-sweet-home, we’re big proponents of “neighborhood dating.” Just like with a potential mate, you’ll want to spend some time getting to know a neighborhood that you’re thinking about committing to! 😉 In this previous neighborhood dating ~advice column~ of ours, we give some pro tips for trying out…

When people think of Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is Juanita Beach Park—it is a beautiful destination, after all. It’s home to community events, the Juanita Friday Market, and offers the community fun and free outdoor activities all year long.  But Kirkland is also home to a…

In Seattle, there’s only a handful of condo buildings that actually allow owners to Airbnb their units. These buildings include:  Newmark Tower  Elektra Condominiums  The Braeburn  Austin Bell Building  Montreux Condominiums  Pike Lofts  Waterfront Landings  Belltown Court  Our latest listing is (conveniently!) in Belltown Court, meaning that the perfect property with Airbnb investment potential could…

The demolition of the Alaska Way Viaduct in Seattle brings about a brand new era in Seattle, and we are EXCITED for it! The viaduct is still in the process of being destroyed, and you can learn all about the almost-year-long process here.  Here’s some cool footage of the demo:  In the sections where the…

In a lot of ways, venturing into historic Downtown Puyallup is like stepping back in time—you’ll find old buildings that have been converted for modern day use, the same streets that people used over a century ago, and the Meeker Mansion (home to Ezra Meeker, a Puyallup pioneer).  Here’s how to spend a day in…

Every September, people from all around the Puget Sound region flock to the Washington State Fair (aka the Puyallup Fair for those of us who have been here awhile). The fair is a BIG deal around here—it’s one of the largest fairs in the entire country, and every year, ~1 million people attend. (Yes, seriously!) …

The City of Shoreline has a HUGE new development coming to town, and residents are in for a treat! Shoreline Place (formerly known as Aurora Square) is going to be revitalized and transformed into a mixed-use urban village. This video offers a virtual rendering of what you can expect when Shoreline Place is completed: The…

In this episode of Real Estate Market 101 with Get Happy at Home, we share a “behind the scenes” look at what we use to determine the health (aka the vitality) of the market. Our goal is to educate and empower buyers to use these tools on their own, and we’ve broken it all down…

The Burke-Gilman Trail is one of Seattle’s many outdoor gems, and this multi-use trail runs throughout some of King County’s most scenic areas. Whether you’re new in town or still exploring King County’s gorgeous outdoor offerings, the Burke-Gilman Trail should definitely be on your Seattle-area bucket list. Keep reading to learn 4 fun and important facts…

Located just southeast of Bellevue, Issaquah is a popular choice for people who need to work in Seattle or on the Eastside but who still want to stay close to the great outdoors. Now, we’re not talking about a few pretty parks. Issaquah is nestled right in between vast havens of adventure, and the city…

For those of us who don’t speak French, “pied-à-terre” literally translates to “a foot on the ground.” But in real estate, it commonly refers to a temporary home that’s not your primary residence. Many people find that having a pied-à-terre in the city and then having their primary residence out in the country or suburbs…

So, you’re thinking about whether to rent or own. Maybe you’re new to Seattle, or maybe you’ve been renting in the city for awhile and are weighing your options.  In the last year or so, Seattle’s real estate market has softened up a bit, so if you’ve been thinking about buying, now is really the…

Located just a block from Volunteer Park and situated on an entire half acre along what was once known as “Millionaire’s Row,” the Skinner Mansion is one of Capitol Hill’s exquisite treasures from a bygone era.  In the early 1900s, Reverend Edward Lincoln Smith of Pilgrim Congregational Church (now known as All Pilgrims Church on…

An exciting opportunity has popped up in Capitol Hill, and we’re thrilled to share this latest listing of ours for a few reasons: Not only is this “mini mansion” steeped in local history, but it offers unheard-of value for buyers.   There are a few blocks along 14th Ave E in Capitol Hill just south…

When the sun’s out and school’s out… it’s SO NICE to be able to send the kiddos outside to play with the neighbor kids without having to worry. And thanks to Seattle Play Streets, this is happening more and more frequently on the streets of Seattle!  Seattle Play Streets is an *amazing* program that’s all…

When the sun comes out in Seattle, we’ve got to soak up as much of it as we can! Since school’s out, finding family-friendly things to do is of top priority for those with kiddos, and we’ve put together a few of our favorite outdoor activities in Seattle this summer. Read on for ideas!  Magnuson…

In our experience, people who live in West Seattle LOVE living in West Seattle. It has its own vibe to it, and people love that they can be “away from the city” and yet still super close, whether they commute into Downtown for work or just appreciate being able to have easy access to entertainment,…

First thing’s first! What’s a reverse floor plan?  Well, when people think of a “classic” home layout they usually think of the living space/kitchen/dining area all being on the main level, and all of the bedrooms being upstairs.  Now as you can probably guess, a reverse layout = the main living space on the upper…

When we’re helping our happy homeowners find their next home-sweet-home, commute is always one of the TOP things people are concerned about. And let’s face it… Seattle traffic can get downright gnarly at times.  Our latest listing is in the city of Shoreline, and this particular location presents some *awesome* commuting options. We’re willing to…

One of the many unique things about our region is all of the opportunities there are for biking. Seattleites are probably familiar with the popular Burke-Gilman trail, for example, but there are some other adventure-ready trails in the region that’ll help you see new sights and stretch your legs even further if you’d like!   …

When Seattleites are ready to leave city life, Shoreline is one of the most popular nearby cities that people move to. One big reason is the fantastic commute—located just north of Seattle, you can live in Shoreline and still have a very reasonable commute into Seattle. But another BIG reason is for Shoreline’s fantastic school…

The biggest and brightest firework show here in Seattle happens right on Lake Union, and lucky for Seattleites, there are SO MANY places you can catch the view from! (Featured image via Tanya on Flickr.)  Since it’s officially summer here in Seattle (although the weather sure isn’t acting like it right now…), that means it…

The way your home is laid out can have some serious impact on how BIG your space feels, and it’s not always about the square footage. We have a new condo listing in Fremont, and we’re extra excited about this one because it’s a rare one… and yes, we might be calling this our “Dodo…

One of the BEST things about living in Fremont is that it’s easy to enjoy some of the best events in the city without having to go far! There’s something happening all year long, from Trolloween and Oktoberfest in the fall to May Day celebrations and the Solstice Parade once the weather warms up. Here’s…

Originally just a little fisherman’s village, over the decades Fremont has morphed into an artsy neighborhood with attitude and the smell of Theo chocolate wafting through the air. Fremont also happens to think it’s the Center of the Universe, and you’ll even find a “helpful” guidepost telling you as much. (Featured cover image by Joe…

To be honest with you, until I looked up all of the zoning requirements for Residential Small Lot (RSL) Zoning, I did not realize how messed up Seattle’s housing requirements are and just how these rules encouraged ugly development. Now, I’m not saying that townhouses or mid-rises are inherently ugly, but there doesn’t seem to…

Built Green is a nonprofit that partners with King County, Snohomish County, the Master Builders Association, and several other municipalities, utilities, and companies, and they’re all about promoting eco-friendly practices in Washington state. If you’ve been looking at newer homes in our region, you might have come across a home or two that’s ranked with…

According to iPropertyManagement.com, as of April 2019, there are over 150 million Airbnb users worldwide, and the other facts + figures you’ll find on the site are just as astounding. This recent Vox article dives into US consumer lodging sales, and their data shows that in just this past year, Airbnb has experienced 30% growth….

In the Seattle area, Amazon HQ2 has been on everyone’s minds for quite some time now. They finally made their big announcement of bringing 25,000 jobs to a new location in Northern Virginia, but this past spring, Amazon also recently announced that they’ll be making another big move to Bellevue. According to the Bellevue Reporter, Amazon…

You might be wondering “What the heck is a Secret Squirrel neighborhood?” Good question. We’ll often find that the spots we love spending time in are these little “micro” neighborhoods that are off of the main drag of one of Seattle’s more iconic neighborhoods. Often these Secret Squirrel spots are overlooked when you think of…

Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or you just want to get your feet wet, West Ballard is THE place to be for kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and even swimming. New to town or just curious to how to start up a new hobby? Keep reading for tips on how to get your feet wet in Seattle! …

Golden Gardens is a Seattle icon, and especially during the summer, Seattleites flock to the beach to have bonfires and snap pictures of breathtaking sunsets. The beach is definitely the most popular aspect of the park, but there are several other amenities that are worth checking out as well!   View this post on Instagram…

In this waterfront community, you’ll find nature and peace in abundance. Gorgeous homes rest along tree-lined streets, and this idyllic neighborhood is away from Seattle’s typical traffic and all that comes along with it. If you want to hit up some of Magnolia’s most beautiful outdoor attractions, look no further! We put together a list…

Located at 18230 SE 240th St, Covington, WA 98042 right next to Maple View Middle School, the Covington Aquatics Center offers the entire community a long list of unique opportunities! First of all, not all cities have their own aquatics center, and in Western Washington, having a place where you get stay active indoors can…

Nestled right in between Kent and Maple Valley, Covington is a small city in King County. While you’ll find everything you need here by way of shopping centers and city convenience, you also get to take advantage of some more “small town” community happenings! Below you’ll find a list of community events in Covington that…

Buying in a development is a good way to save money on a newer home. Still, think about the future and pick a home and lot with unique characteristics. Make sure your home stands out when you decide to sell and moe.

While condo life presents a long list of perks, we’ve also noticed that several of our clients don’t like some of the bureaucracy and lack of control that can sometimes go along with living in a larger condo building. One of the benefits of living in a larger condo building is that you pay your…

This is always an interesting topic for me to think about. There are many good agents out there, and much of who you decide to hire can depend on personality. But beware as that should not be the only criteria. Usually, realtors will do listing appointments in two meetings: one to meet each other, and…

Why is Spring time the best time to sell your house? Like most things in real estate, the best time to sell is nuanced. As a rule of thumb, spring in Seattle is a prolific time for listings. I liken it to Black Friday for real estate. Everyone wants to sell their home in April…

Do you really need to interview your buyers agent? The answer to that is always a big fat YES! Always interview. We meet our prospective buyer clients in a 2 hour meeting, and during this meeting we ask a ton of questions to figure out a few things: A general sense of where their heads…

So here we are at the end of April. I love April because this is the time of the year the market reveals itself to me. In other words, there is enough data to see how we are looking for the year. On the back of so much weird, and hyperbolic news about our market,…

It’s probably not a surprise to learn that getting out into nature can be good for your health. But what may be a surprise is just how big of an impact that spending time in the great outdoors really can have on your physical and mental well-being. Especially for those who have grown up in…

Everyone already knows about the nightlife scene on Pine and Pike in Capitol Hill—it’s where people head for live music, too many drinks, and of course prime people watching. But Olive Way has a whole world of its own happening (even though it’s just a couple blocks from Pike and Pine!). Olive Way starts at…

For many people with kids attending college in Seattle, buying an investment property can make a lot of sense for a few big reasons: It gives their kid a place to live while they attend school (don’t have to worry about renting and moving in and out every year) Kids can live somewhere rent-free while…

Georgetown is Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, and if you haven’t taken the time to stop by and see what it’s all about, you’re missing out! You could easily spend an entire day (and more) exploring this unique little neighborhood, and here’s a few things you can do from sunrise ’til sunset: BREAKFAST IS SERVED   View…

We’re sure you’ve heard the argument for owning vs. renting before. The simplest way of looking at it is: When you pay rent, poof—that money is gone, never to be seen again. When you pay a mortgage, that money goes toward building equity in an investment. But we wanted to break it down by the…

Did you know that the City of Seattle experiences approximately 152 rainy days per year? This is well above the average of most other cities across the U.S., and as a result, we have a lot of dark, gray days. Some may call it depressing, while others enjoy the gray, but either way, most people…

That being said, it’s really no surprise that rooftop decks are so popular. And in fact, when we’re talking to condo buyers, the #1 amenity we’re asked about is rooftop decks. People don’t care about gyms—they want a fabulous deck they can soak in the rays from and hang out with their friends on. Plus,…

Recently Matt and Ian each bought an electric kick scooter to keep in their cars. Scooters are *perfect* for that “last mile” transit option when you’re so close to something that you don’t want to drive (especially if parking is going to be an issue), but you don’t necessarily feel like walking either. Matt and…

As new facts come in, we still stand by this, and we’re carefully keeping an eye on things. We wanted to share some of our Seattle real estate market observations in case you’ve been considering buying or selling so that you can plan accordingly.   Even though we’re only in February, we are already seeing…

In part 1 and part 2 of this series, we talked about a couple of different home buyer scenarios that we’ve seen in our recent, more balanced Seattle real estate market. Buyers have more power in our slower market right now, which means you have more bargaining power and can negotiate for the things you…

Things are a little on the slow side… which means home buyers have more leverage and can score a deal right now! Some of our recent clients, a younger couple in their mid-30s, found a home in West Seattle that they loved. They had an FHA loan (a mortgage that’s insured by the Federal Housing…

North Beacon Hill is to Seattle’s south end what this Phinney/Green Lake neighborhood is to Seattle’s north end: it’s the center spoke that makes it easy to get around and take advantage of amenities in multiple neighborhoods. Long story short? It’s close to everything! Matt’s lived all over Seattle, but North Beacon Hill is the…

The center of the universe (or at least the universe that is North Seattle!) is tucked away right where the Phinney Ridge and Green Lake neighborhoods meet. One of the BIGGEST reasons why we love this little “Secret Squirrel Spot” pocket of Seattle so much is that it’s truly in the center of so many of…

Lofts embody an urbanized city and are desired by many young professionals. They are trendy, sophisticated and often times Pintrest-worthy. Because lofts are so trendy, we see lots of buildings capitalizing on the desire to live in a loft. Many buildings include “loft” in their name to draw attention. However, there are few proper lofts…

We have probably been to every tasting room in Woodinville, and for those who might not be familiar with the wine scene there, that’s a pretty impressive accomplishment… there are over 100 wineries in Woodinville! Woodinville is top of mind right now—we have a condo listing that’s less than 1 mile from the center of…

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, we strongly recommend taking a serious look at buying a condo! Below we address a few big reasons why we recommend condos for first-time homeowners: 1. First-time home buyers often underestimate how much work a new house can be, and condos are great for easing into homeownership responsibilities. When you…

Of course, Valentine’s Day is upon us and we thought we’d speak to our single friends for a bit. Dating these days is oftentimes a numbers game—you need to be in the thick of things and surrounded by other singles to find your match. So, of course we are here to help at the intersection…

Currently, Seattle’s real estate market is much more balanced than what it’s been in the past few years. We ended 2018 with 2 months of inventory, and in mid-January we were down to 1 month of inventory. Things are still a little on the slow side, and that means home buyers can score some deals…

Based on our observations, we are already beginning to see inventory diminishing. In the last quarter of 2018, we pushed to almost two months inventory level which over the last several years we had been sitting at just under one month’s supply.  Because of this increase and combined with political uncertainty, prices stabilized last year…

Before we share our four big tips, it might be helpful to keep in mind that our typical first-time home buyer often fits the following criteria: About 27 years old Moved to Seattle from anywhere and everywhere Often work for a tech company, a medical company, or they’re an engineer somewhere They’ve been renting (often…

None of the following changes will add tremendous value to your home but they will provide that homey feeling with just a small investment. Loving your home more is always good money spent. So, here is what we love. Plus, if you’re handy, all these things will be cheaper… Add hidden plugins EVERYWHERE! $1800 –…

On November 27, 2018, The Seattle Times published an article titled “Metro Seattle home prices falling at fastest rate in U.S.” Many homeowners and hopeful sellers started to panic after reading the alarming headline, and understandably so. But as usual, we have another perspective to throw into the mix. This article brings up several concerns…

We have Matt, who work “out in the field” as our agents, Trang who works in the background as our office manager, and Brian who leads all of our remodel projects. We’ve found that sweet spot of collaboration, and not only are we loving it, but our clients are, too. Here are a few of…

If you follow architectural design you’re probably let down by downtown Seattle. Sure there are many great public and commercial buildings from an architectural stand point but in terms of residential towers… Nothing notable, a sea of grey boxes.   Don’t get me wrong, many of downtown Seattle’s new or newer towers are fine and feature…

We’re officially into fall now, and the Seattle real estate market has experienced a significant slowdown. If you’ve been waiting to buy a home or have felt completely priced out of the market… then you’re going to love what we’re about to share! Many people think that you need a 20% downpayment to buy a…

Back in September 2017, Amazon announced they would be selecting a new city for their HQ2. Since then, cities have submitted their proposals to Amazon, and in January 2018, Amazon narrowed it down to 20 cities. Now they’ve made their decision and the result is that the world as we know it is not going to…

Well, I’m not bearish on Seattle’s market… nor am I bullish. But Seattle is facing some headwinds. It’s great if you are a buyer, but if you’ve been holding off on selling, you might want to pay close attention to our observations.  First, I don’t think home prices are going down, but they are going…

There is a severe lack of campus housing for students and as a result, many students end up living in privately owned properties. When I attended UW, I saved a ton of money by living off campus and I know many students prefer to do the same. While it is true that UW is building…

The University of Washington has become a world class college for a world class city. I’ve been in Seattle long enough to remember UW as (almost) a party school. A good school with about a million bars lining the college urban villages main drag. Today that is not true. UW has taken a much more…

Beginning in May 2018, we noticed Seattle’s real estate market begin to shift. Homes started taking longer to sell, and once we reached August, people actually had to start reducing the prices of listed homes. In this Curbed article published on August 27, 2018, the author points out that “While lowering an asking price isn’t…

According to the Seattle Times, Seattle has the third largest homeless population in the U.S. Per capita, we have the 6th largest homeless population. As of April 2018, 11,643 people are homeless in King County. I recommend you read this Seattle Times article to get a better understanding of how everything was calculated, as well…

Many jobs and roles these days are being converted to remote or partially remote, and the idea that you can work from home (or work from pretty much anywhere in the world!) is a pretty appealing prospect for most people. Seattle’s employers are no different, and many of our largest employers here offer flexible schedules…

We weren’t sure if it was because prices shot up like crazy during the winter, the local news was having an impact, etc. But as geopolitical factors become a bigger deal and as interest rates rise, it’s no wonder that buying in Seattle has slowed down. (Buying in California and New York has also slowed,…

On August 18th from 11am to 4pm, you can stop by the Coldwell Banker Bain Capitol Hill office to meet some of their sweet doggies… and maybe even adopt one adorable pooch! Earlier this year, 26 out of the 28 pups at the event were adopted! It was at this particular event that we adopted…

Seattle has had a long history of creating and activating change in the bike community. While we have been painting bike lanes for the last 50 years, it wasn’t until the past few years that protected bike lanes became a thing. Not only do people ride bikes for pleasure along the many trails and parks…

In reality, it seems to be happening a year earlier than we thought (Matt predicted it would happen in 2019). While things are still early and we’re still closely watching the market, the leveling out appears to be happening now. We’re convinced that a lot of this is being driven by geopolitical issues. Property taxes…

Especially in the past few years, there have been so many real estate-related startups that promise to revolutionize the business and make the process seamless, cheaper, etc. for clients. Some of these offerings might sound too good to be true for a reason. Unfortunately, a lot of these services make things seem way simpler than they…

Good news is we have lots of data on the subject thanks to the last HALA upzone in 2012. Of course, which hood you’re talking about matters in how quickly the changes are implemented, but one thing remains true for all: As walkability rises, so do the prices of the homes. I’ll explain: Most things…

Hmmm, we’re here to help! If you asked me a few years ago what I thought of planned communities, I would have likely said I don’t like them. However, as life progresses, time becomes more scarce, and after owning several more homes, I now see BIG benefits!  Benefit #1: Low Maintenance I don’t think most…

What makes an affordable, urban neighborhood a good choice for free-range parenting?  Free-range parenting is a term recently introduced into our lexicon as kids have become very sheltered in today’s world. In fact, most of us at or over 40 years old remember that at one time, ALL parenting was pretty much “free-range.” I remember…

Truth is, it scares the you-know-what out of me how quickly Washington’s weather has changed. When I was a little kid, I remember a lot more snow and much milder summers. One change (of many) that I’ve noted in my real estate career is the rise of how important A/C has become to today’s buyers….

Ian loves this saying, and this perfectly encapsulates what’s happening in Seattle’s real estate market right now. We can’t even count how many times we’ve heard people say they can’t buy a home in this market because they’re going to get beat up by cash offers. (In fact, real estate startups are even trying to…

We’re often doing things behind the scenes to protect our clients’ best interests, whether those are financial or emotional (or usually, both). We want to share a behind-the-scenes look at a situation we recently handled for one of our clients, all without their knowledge. One thing clients always want to know is whether or not…

Well, to us, it all has to do with: location condition uniqueness and value. Of course, there are some really amazing buildings out there (with really amazing price tags…). For the purpose of this blog and sharing our favorite condo buildings, we are also adding in value as a factor. (We’ll write a blog post about…

I’ve never been an advocate for new condo developments downtown. For many reasons new condos are of course beautiful. But are they worth the cost? That’s what we will dive into today! I get wowed by new development condos projects in downtown Seattle just the same as anyone else. When I was more green in…

I’ve made many observations over my years of being a real estate agent. I try to see the positive in every home, as well as the negatives. Admittedly, I find many homes hard to love. But each has their place in our market.  Sometimes, buyers want to know the “best” type of home to buy….

Queen Anne High School was one of the last creations of James Stephen during his nine years as Seattle’s official school architect. Stephen was responsible for designing more than 50 Seattle school structures and many more schools throughout Washington state although I have a hard time believing any of the others are as breathtaking or…

Commute is among the top priorities or concerns for most of our buyers. In fact, the home usually comes secondarily to commute time and options. Seattle buyers were not this way when I started in real estate back in 2006. A lot has changed since then. Over the last few years, Seattle has added over…

Designed by the famous Olmstead Brothers, the Washington Park Arboretum is a sprawling 230 acres of urban green space. It contains one of the most diverse and and important plant collections in North America and is easily accessible by anyone who visits Seattle. It doesn’t matter what season it is, The Arboretum is truly beautiful…

We have listed a few little micro lifestyle homes and I love seeing how creative the owners are with their spaces. Well we just listed another. I wanted to talk about lifestyles of the little and lovely. Yes Seattle is getting VERY expensive. Since we are unable to stop prices from rising we must focus…

Magnolia is like a small city within a city—tree-lined streets, gorgeous parks, and scenic views of the Puget Sound can make this suburban oasis feel miles away from it all. Its charming community events are all part of the complete Magnolia package, and below, we’ve highlighted a few of this Seattle neighborhood’s annual events so…

Nestled between Queen Anne and Ballard and on its very own little peninsula, Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood offers the complete package. Not only are you wonderfully close to Downtown Seattle and several large employers, but you’re surrounded by the Pacific Northwest’s signature beauty and countless opportunities to enjoy nature. Did you know that if you live…

The new Expedia headquarters in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood has been in the works for a long time now, but VERY soon (as in this October 2019!), thousands of employees will officially be transferring to the new 40-acre campus HQ. It’s no surprise that a travel company chose this site for their new HQ—with stunning views…

A little market update with our commentary of course. A more what’s up on the local level. We had to only us Seattle hoods that have enough data to make accurate median home prices. So, Not all hoods will be represented but we did include hoods from the NW, N, NE, Central, S, SE and…

Looking to minimize your space to maximize your life? A tiny home or a smaller condo in the city might be just what you’re looking for! A lot of people these days just don’t want to deal with the ongoing maintenance of living in a huge house, and a lifestyle that allows you to “live light”…

Tucked away in Seattle’s Capitol Hill/Central District area, the Pine Street Cottages (formerly known as “The Court”) are a blast from the past that anyone who appreciates Seattle’s unique history will get a kick out of. Most people will drive by and not even notice this charming little pocket neighborhood, but this little group of…

Searching for a condo in Seattle? If you’ve been on the hunt, you may have come across a unique situation of a building being under assessment and having some major work done to it! There are some pros and cons to buying a building that’s currently undergoing a big remodel, but first and foremost, you…

Every year during the winter in Seattle, the real estate market goes through a sort of “reset” period. It’s never completely clear as to what the real estate market will bring in the year ahead—during the winter months, all of the comparable sold homes we’re looking at are from the year before, and we need…

If you’re buying new construction in Seattle, then it’s important for you to know that new construction is not perfect. There may be repairs that need to be made prior to closing (read more about this here!), and in an ideal world, everything is in tip-top shape and all of the promised repairs have been…

If you’ve ever been out touring new construction, then you already know that typically the builder’s agent is there to help sell the homes. They’ll probably say you get a deal if you work with them (sometimes this isn’t even true!), there’s a 1-year warranty, etc. …and this whole scenario is pretty common. But who…

New construction isn’t for everyone, but there are some serious benefits to buying a new construction home. Even though new construction means a home is less likely to come with the usual problems you might expect when buying a home, there are still a set of concerns and issues that can arise. Get ready to…

If you know you want to buy new construction, you need to make sure that you work with a real estate agent who is experienced in dealing with new construction. How do you make sure you’re working with the right agent?  When you’re interviewing agents, here are a few questions to ask: What’s your process…

While some of our latest blog posts about new construction in Seattle might make new construction sound problematic or a bit ominous, there are actually some awesome benefits to buying new construction! No matter what type of home you’re going to buy, there are always pros and cons, and it’s our job to make sure…

If you’re buying new construction, there are a different set of considerations you’ll want to be aware of as opposed to if you were buying a resale. We want to make sure you’re not caught off guard by things that aren’t included with your home, so we’ve created a list of things you might need…

As you may have already read here, Matt broke down and cried when he moved from his 100-year-old Spanish mission condo in the University District into his new construction townhouse in Beacon Hill. He initially felt that he had made a big mistake buying new construction, but he ended up making it his mission to…

Typically if you buy something with a warranty, it means it’s guaranteed for a certain amount of time. Buy a computer with a one-year warranty and it breaks? The company will fix it or give you a new one. But when it comes to new construction homes, Washington State’s implied warranty is something quite different….

One of the reasons why many people choose to buy new construction in Seattle is that it’s efficient, doesn’t need to be remodeled, and (hopefully!) problem free. But guess what? Even though these things are usually true, new construction *still* isn’t perfect. It’s important to remember that houses are not mass produced (no matter how…

In our latest chat with Connie Lindsay, we talked all about credit, jumbo loans, financing in Seattle, and financing options for people with H-1B visas. Connie answered some common questions for our market here in Seattle, and if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s really never too soon to start thinking about financing. Q:…

For those who are downsizing their home, there are a unique set of considerations you need to be aware of. When it comes to different situations and scenarios, Loan Consultant Connie Lindsay has seen it all, and she offered a few of her big observations that downsizers should carefully consider: Determine where you want to…

We sat down with Loan Consultant Connie Lindsay and asked her about lending in Seattle. More specifically, we wanted to see what she thought clients should look for when it comes to rates. One of the biggest issues we have with clients is that they love to shop rates when they’re buying a home. And…

Buying and selling a home can be tricky business—the timing, the financing, the home itself—it’s all a balancing act. And when it comes to different buying and selling situations, our favorite lender Connie Lindsay and our team have really seen it all. We wanted to share 3 different home buying and selling scenarios with you…

Oftentimes when people are buying a home, they’re so focused on the home search aspect of it all, that they forget the most crucial part: getting their financing in order. You can’t buy a home if you don’t have the right financing. Finding a lender who truly knows what they’re doing means the difference between…

This particular listing was a cute little 1-bedroom unit in a post-war building in the Bryant/Laurelhurst area, right by Children’s Hospital. The unit was old and close to original, and it needed some love! Of course, our client wanted to know if we could make more money by remodeling the unit (yes!), and they were…

This particular unit in Queen Anne didn’t need too much work before listing it, but it needed a few small updates, and there was a unique situation to tackle. We’ll share the process we went through to prepare the condo to list, and what happened once the condo hit the market!  HOA Issues The next…

Last year, I listed a condo in the Meridian for a friend of mine. I’ve always loved their condo, and as a result, I was slightly blinded about its potential appeal to buyers. We also listed it during the presidential election, and the Seattle market had kind of died for awhile. We listed the condo…

With this particular First Hill listing, we made $8,000 worth of upgrades to it before putting it on the market. When we first see a home and are considering what needs to be updated, our main guiding principle is a simple one: We want to LIKE the home. What would we change if we were…

With this particular townhouse, everything needed work before we could list it. We ended up spending $8,000 on upgrades, which included: Replacing the windows All new carpet (plus we painted the subfloor) We fixed the wood floors that were super scratched (we used wood putty and dyed it, and the floors looked brand new!) We…

One of the most popular discount brokers out there right now is advertising that they can sell your home for 103% of its listing price with only a 1% listing fee. That probably sounds great upfront—but do the numbers back it up? What many people don’t realize is that in the Seattle area, the average…

When we started working with a condo listing on the 11th floor in the Meridian Tower, we had some helpful information to start with. The same listing on the 5th floor had just sold with Redfin. The 5th floor unit sold for $750,000 and included 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 parking spaces. It sold…

Airbnb is a hot topic in Seattle right now, and it’s a growing trend to buy homes with an Airbnb option. In fact, it’s such a popular option that a startup called Loftium is offering to help you finance your Airbnb. What’s the catch? Loftium will help you buy a home with Airbnb potential by…

Early in September, Amazon announced that it’s searching for a city to build its second headquarters in. They’re looking at building a new HQ where they’ll be able to employ up to 50,000 people with high-paying jobs. Currently, Amazon has over 40,000 employees in Seattle. If you live in Seattle, then you probably know that…

Well of course… the answer is yes, no, and maybe. It’s probably better to first explain that season is only one factor when it comes to home pricing and competition. More to the point: It is better to understand how appreciation works in the Seattle market. The PROS of Buying During the Winter During the winter, home…

…only to find out your credit had issues? Don’t be embarrassed; this happens to a lot of people. Don’t let a little oopsy-daisy spoil your dream. Keep reading for a few tips that will have you in a home within a year! Here are a couple of tips you can use to improve your credit:  Tip #1:…

A Toll Brothers development is coming soon to Queen Anne! McGraw Square at Queen Anne is a giant project that consists of 57 new and luxurious townhomes. This one-of-a-kind community promises a long list of premium amenities all while being located in one of the hottest Seattle neighborhoods. Here’s 3 reasons to be excited about…

Located just east of First Hill, west of Madrona/Leschi/Mt.Baker, south of Capitol Hill, and north of Rainier Valley, Seattle’s Central District neighborhood is, I believe, Seattle’s last untapped neighborhood that’s on the verge of greatness. Seriously—keep your eye on this neighborhood! (If you buy a home in the Central District now, you might just realize…

…and that means it’s time to make reservations ASAP if you haven’t already! Seattle’s hottest restaurants are hard enough to get a spot at on a normal weekend night, and they fill up fast for Valentine’s Day. Here are 7 romantic restaurants in Seattle perfect for Valentine’s Day:  Cover photo courtesy of the Serafina Facebook page SERAFINA…

If you’re considering real estate as an investment, you should definitely take some time to think about which types of real estate offers the best returns with the least amount of risk. In this blog post, I’ve linked to accompanying posts that cover condos, townhomes, and single-family homes and how they compare in terms of…

If you’re considering real estate as an investment, you should definitely take some time to think about which types of real estate offers the best returns with the least amount of risk. In this blog post, I go over some things you should consider if you’re planning on investing in a single-family home in Seattle….

These are my personal favorite homes for a small investor, and I’ll tell you a few reasons why: Townhouses are a hybrid between the reliability of a condo and the appreciation/rental rates of a home. Sure, they do not rent as high as some single-family homes do, but they do rent much higher than a…

If you’re considering real estate as an investment, you should definitely take some time to think about which types of real estate offers the best returns with the least amount of risk. In this blog post, I focus on what it means to invest in a condo in Seattle. For the under $500k buyer, a…

Watch out Seattle, Bryant is moving on up!!! Alyssa, my darling website copywriter, novelist, website guru and fabulous lady set up another neighborhood profile on my website after interviewing me for the content. So you may have guessed she and I were working on Bryant (check out the Bryan neighborhood page right here!). So, I’m…

You can take the initiative, and I highly recommend that you buy as much of the homeware needed for the remodel as possible. Pick out your own cabinets, pick out new lighting, etc.—usually, contractors have a steep markup, and why not try to get a deal if you can? Pius Kitchen & Bath: For cabinets,…

We’ve all heard horror stories about contractors who made the situation worse, or contractors who ended up coming in at tens of thousands over budget. So how do you find a great contractor who you can trust? First of all, you could hire a real estate agent who specializes in remodels to manage the project…

What home improvements will get you the most bang for your buck? When you’re considering your remodeling budget, how can you know how much money will be worth investing? How do you know how much your return on your investment will be? If you’d like to do it yourself, enjoy the home and list later …

Does your home just need to be freshened up a bit? Or does it need some more extensive renovations? Most likely, your home needs SOME kind of upgrade; it’s rare that I find a house that doesn’t need something new, even if it’s just new paint and carpet, for example. But here are a couple…

(Not sure if you need to remodel? Ask yourself these 2 questions to figure it out!) You don’t have to be a professional contractor or an interior designer to remodel your home—with some good information, the average person can have a successful home remodel! When I’m trying to figure out what to remodel in a…

Remember these remodeling photos from our last blog post on the home remodeling process? Now… I present the before photos and the brilliant AFTER photos! You can see a video tour of the home below, and check out a 3-D tour HERE! BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE:…

Built in 1949, this particular Cape Cod home had never been remodeled. The kitchen was original, and the house just looked old, closed off, and dark. The home had only ever had 2 owners, and it hadn’t really been changed at all! I started off by taking a walk around the house. I asked myself,…

What’s up with the housing market? How does next year look? I hate starting over each year… Not sure what my issue is with new years. It feels like everything you did last year is gone and you got to get up and do it again. Still, what does the new year hold…? Toward the…

Nestled in a neighborhood with a small-town feel, at 3509 NE 91st Street, Seattle, WA 98115 you’re close to highly rated schools, a corner grocery store, cafes, pubs and so much more. This Seattle charmer is listed for $639,880. Click here to take a 3-D tour! As soon as you arrive home, eye-catching Cape Cod…

Meridian Tower resides at the border of two of Seattle’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Capitol Hill and Downtown. Located right off the Pike/Pine Corridor, Meridian Tower is only 2 blocks above the Convention Center in Downtown. Meridian Tower is one of my favorite buildings. However, oftentimes, all of its wonderful advantages are not immediately recognized by…

Harbour Pointe in Mukilteo brings me back to the neighborhoods I grew up in—there’s walking trails, you see kids playing together in the streets, you see friends out walking their dogs, and there’s just a general sense of a tight-knit community. Harbour Pointe has a variety of abodes for all budgets. From small starter homes…

That’s why it’s VERY important for me to make sure you know exactly what’s going on each step of the way! It’s important for all parties to stay informed and up-to-speed so you can have a successful, stress-free experience! From getting your home ready to put on the market all the way to moving out…

There will ALWAYS be: Professional photos taken of your home. A video tour. Professional staging. An individual website for the property. The marketing will be consistent in all of its points. We will discover the reason for buyers to believe in this house, and we will make sure it carries through each piece of marketing….

Escrow is a neutral third party who divides up the funds between the buyer, seller, lender, real estate companies, other lien holders, and records the deed with the county. They are the folks that makes sure EVERYTHING is taken care of for ALL parties. When I’m helping clients go through this process, I like to…

What’s next? What can we do to ensure you have a happy experience? If you’re happy home is a… Regular House: We will need to analyze the house for condition, utility, and appeal. We combine that information with what the market conditions currently are, and I will estimate what an acceptable range in price is…

99.9% of the time, there is no concern or issues with the title report, and it’s the title insurance’s job to protect you from recorded issues. But sometimes, there may be an issue that we need to address. The following items are notables for your review: CCNRs for condos and co-ops, any joint maintenance agreements…

  Don’t worry—I’m here to do it with you! With condos, it’s important to make sure that the association is managed well and proactive. We also want to make sure that the building has enough money to operate long term. The following is a preview of what’s in the HOA/Resale Certificate: Any unpaid dues Amount…

What happens next really depends on what we’ve already done. These days, many homes in Seattle are highly competitive, and most of the contingencies have been satisfied during our offering process. Below, I’ve included a list of typical contingencies. You can also click on each item to learn more about it!  Inspections Title review HOA…

Here’s a step-by-step outline of what you need to do (but don’t worry—I’ll be there guiding the entire process!): The Buyer’s (That’s You!) Responsibilities Prior to the inspection, you should interview three inspectors and choose the one that you feel most comfortable working with. Of course, I will provide you with suggestions, but at the end…