November and December may not be the most convenient time to put your house on the market, but there are some definite benefits to doing so.  In fact, last December in King County, roughly 34 percent more houses sold in December than in November.

It’s true that the number of house hunters may decrease during the winter months, but holiday house shoppers tend to be more serious about completing the sale. During the frenzy of Christmas activity, the ones making time to look through houses offer the most potential to serious-minded sellers. Think of it as getting more “bang for yer buck” in terms of shoppers. You may also get out of town family members who are considering moving back to the area.

To make the most of the season, here are some Quick Tips to help your home sell: 

Don’t: Cover up potential selling features with bulky Christmas decorations.

Do: Remember: Less is more. Instead, use fewer Christmas decorations and show off your brick fireplace, stained glass windows, and wooden banister. In fact, pack a little more of your normal home décor away while you’re at it. SIMPLIFY! SIMPLIFY! SIMPLIFY!

Don’t: Go for the biggest tree in the lot.

Do: Maximize your square footage and substitute your traditional 10-foot tree with a 3 or 4-foot tree. 

Don’t: Go overboard with the gifts. Again, think of that square footage.

Do: Instead, store your wrapped gifts tucked away in a closet.

Don’t: Use overtly religious holiday decorations. Potential shoppers need to feel at home in your home, even if they don’t celebrate with a menorah or crèche.

Do: Keep religious décor to a minimum; instead think natural decorations in lieu of glitzy/sparkly (ex: use pine cones, wreaths, poinsettias, evergreen garlands, etc.).

Don’t: Skimp on heat.

Do: Keep the thermostat comfortable; be willing to pay a little extra to keep your home cozier than you might otherwise. A warm home is inviting, homey, and radiates . . . . well, warmth (pun intended).

Don’t: Fill your lawn with Rudolph, Frosty, Santa, and his minions.

Do: Rake leaves, shovel snow (oh how I wish); give Santa a break this year and eliminate all yard decorations except a few well-placed lights that highlight your yard’s beauty.

Don’t: Forgo your enjoyment of Christmas.

Do: (This is especially important for families with children) Have a list ready for last minute fun activities to do when the house is needed for a last minute showing (ex: The Lights of Christmas , Everett Holiday Gift Show, Santa Claus and the Martians-Snohomish, Snohomish Holiday Bazaar, Cedarcrest Holiday Tour of Lights).

One final Do: Just say no to hosting this year. I’m giving you permission. Unless you LIVE for hosting parties, plan to take the year off—use your pending sale as an excuse and avoid the stress of hosting a party and hosting a home showing at the same time.

In the end you may enjoy your holiday season more than ever before, just by simplifying your life without losing the spirit of Christmas. My name is Joni Kerley, give me a call (#425-343-4545) for more ideas on how to sell your house this winter.

Reference:

• About.com 

Photo credit:

• Jannoon028, used courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Located just south of downtown Arlington, Washington, Gleneagle Golf Course is a neighborhood of just over 1000 homes.

Gleneagle Golf Course is an 18-hole public course, par 70. There is a club house with a restaurant, banquet room, driving range, and putting green.

Gleneagle in Arlington is located just south of Stanwood and north of Marysville.

Please join me on a short video tour of the lovely Gleneagle neighborhood and golf course:

For more information about Gleneagle and other homes for sale in Snohomish County, contact Joni Kerley, Century21 Real Estate Center, 425-343-4545 jonikerley@yahoo.com.

View Google Map of Gleneagle Golf Course Community

Arlington, Washington is known as the gateway to the Mountain Loop Highway, which ends up in Eastern Washington.

Arlington is located just north of Marysville WA, off I-5  and approximately 10-13 miles from downtown Everett WA.

Downtown Arlington is full of historic buildings and that “Small Town Feeling”! Arlington is situated along the banks of the Stillaguamish River with all kinds of outdoor activities to keep you busy.

If you’re looking for riverfront real estate or something that backs up to the mountain, Arlington has it all.

Let me take you on a video tour of this lovely community:

If you would like more information about Arlington or other Arlington Real Estate please contact Joni Kerley, Century21 Real Estate Center, 425-343-4545.

View Google Map of Arlington, WA

Alliteration may be good for catching the eye, (did you notice all those letter S’s in today’s title?) but there’s nothing like a good song to really seal the deal.

Let’s jump onboard the Paul Simon bandwagon and his 1976 hit, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, with our next installment of home staging. Hey, why create a list when you can get your 70s groove back on?

*As a refresher, here’s the definition of home staging again:

The act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace by focusing on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want.

Let me tell you a little story. One day, a client of mine was worried about selling her home. The problem is all inside your head, I said. In fact, there are easily 50 ways to use Home Staging. In an effort to keep this article short, let’s just keep it to 7:  (cue background music)

1. You just slip out the back, Jack – Remember the importance of curb appeal and first impressions. Take a walk around the perimeter of your house and do some sprucing.
2. Make a new plan, Stan – Your new plan should be: DECLUTTER and CLEAN like a fiend; focus on bathrooms and kitchen. Use a white glove if you have one!
3. You don’t need to be coy, Roy – Funky/trendy needs to go. In terms of paint and carpet, think… the opposite of coy: demure, reserved, sedate… beige.
4. Just get yourself free – Free of PETS. Fido may be listed in your will, but non-dog lovers (yes, they do exist) won’t be feeling the love if they rub up against pet hair (or worse yet, pet poop stains on the carpet). If possible, exile dogs and cats to the backyard or—even better—a nearby pet babysitter.
5. Hop on the bus, Gus – If you’re not handy, track down your nearest fix-it person and take care of all those leaky faucets, loose trim boards, and scratched up front doors (see #4).
6. You don’t need to discuss much – You don’t need to decorate much either, just a teensy bit of oomph here and there, a vase of flowers, a colorful throw blanket, and you’re good to go.
7. Just drop off the key, Lee - Literally, hand over the key to your trusty real estate pro to do the selling. Buyers like the objectivity of a real estate agent to answer their questions and show them around.

…And get yourself free – home free, that is. If you are looking for more groovy tips on how to sell your home, I’m a real estate agent specializing in Snohomish County. I also remember when Paul Simon had hair.

Call me, Joni Kerley, with Century21 Real Estate Center at 425-343-4545, www.EverettAreaRealEstate.com.

Stepping away from the business of real estate for a moment, I want to talk a bit about the personal side, the aspect dealing with the tangibles of relocating all of one’s possessions to an entirely different location.

Let’s face it: moving is stressful. Personally, I have moved over 13 times, have hauled my old couch in and out, up and downstairs enough times to rethink the importance of owning furniture wider than what will comfortably fit within the parameters of a stairwell.

But stress, as we’ve all heard, is hazardous to our health:

• Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
• 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
• Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death–heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

On to happier thoughts. Practical, pragmatic, and somewhat prosaic thoughts. My goal as a real estate agent is to help my clients maneuver through the stress of buying, selling, and moving. The buying and selling is pretty standard in my industry. However several years ago I decided to offer more than a handshake and a “Good luck!” for number three.

And so I bought a moving van. Here’s where the prosaic part comes in. When my clients have commenced with the packing, taping, and couch shifting, I offer them a moving van. My moving van. For free. Seems kind of a no brainer, really.

Because honestly this has been one of the true joys of my job—handing over the keys and watching some of their stress fade into the background. And since I have such a great relationship with my clients, I’ve taken the offer one step further: you can borrow my truck anytime. As long as it’s not in use, it’s yours to use.

Over the years I’ve lent my truck to people like Monica, Caroline and John, Sherri and Kelvin (who moved from Chicago to Marysville), and Jerry & Keiko (who moved from Japan to Marysville!).

And this makes me happy. Lending my truck, that is. If you are looking to relocate all your possessions (especially to Snohomish County), consider hiring me to help you maneuver through the stresses of moving. And when it’s time, I’ll gladly hand over the keys. Let’s not go overboard, though. I won’t move your couch. I do have my limits.

There’s just nothing like owning your own little corner of the earth. Or a big corner of the earth, depending on your preference. Here in the 21^st century we may have come a long way, baby, but home ownership is still in vogue.

Throughout history the quest for a slice of terra firma has been at the root of innumerable wars, family feuds, and today . . . reality television shows. Weeknights at 7:00pm PST, viewers can get caught up in the house hunting drama from the comfort of your own sofa. 

House Hunter, thankfully, has nothing to do with ruthless land barons, cutthroat Pharaohs, or spear-wielding Roman zealots. Not in the last episode anyway. The HGTV show does, however, involve excitement, determination, and an otherwise intangible sense of . . . accomplishment. Pride. Satisfaction.

For first-time home shoppers, the time for you is now. The benefit to a murky economy is a definite plus for you and your Home Owning Dreams.

Interest rates – rates are lower than ever, record-breaking even.

Prices – for you, the recent drop in home price can only be seen as a plus.

Options – with a glut of homes on the market, you’ve got a veritable housing smorgasbord from which to choose.

According to the good folks at HSH.com, there are several important aspects to factor in while shopping for your first home:

1. Check your credit. You can get a free credit report from Annual Credit Report as well as credit score for a small fee.
2. Use a mortgage calculator. Don’t count on other people to decide how much you can afford to shell out each month. Most likely, you will qualify for more than you are comfortable paying. While determining your monthly budget, be realistic, plan for the future, and expect the unexpected.
3. Get pre-approved for your purchase. This lets you (and the seller, real estate agents, and mortgage brokers) know exactly where you stand in the game. Pre-approval also helps expedite the process once you’ve staked your claim. So to speak.
4. Shop for your mortgage. Contact lenders and get Good Faith Estimate (GFE) disclosures (actual interest rate and fee commitments that they must honor).
5. Read your mortgage disclosures. Your GFE tells you the most important parts of your loan: interest rate, potential adjustments, prepayment penalties, etc.

First-time home buyers: be sure to take advantage of Interest Rates, Prices, and Options. Just do your homework ahead of time and you may find the perfect piece of the planet to call your own. That’s better than fending off bloodthirsty Spanish Conquistadors any day, now isn’t it?

The specific types of homes I specialize in as a real estate agent is Snohomish County. Contact me for more information and more tips on how to navigate as a first-timer.

High Clover Park neighborhood is located in Arlington WA, just on the north side of the Arlington Airport.

One of the things you notice when you first enter into High Clover Park is how nice and wide open the sidewalk areas are and it feels like a park. It’s also close to shopping and downtown Arlington.

Please join me on my video tour of the neighborhood:

For more information about High Clover Park neighborhood or any other real estate in the Arlington WA area please contact Joni Kerley, Century21 Real Estate Center, 425-343-4545.
View Google  Map  of High Clover Park

Well, it took its own sweet time, but summer is finally here! Time to celebrate, Northwest-style. Be on the lookout for a variety of festivals, fairs, parties, and parades scheduled throughout Snohomish County during the month of July.

Parents, these provide excellent counterattack to the inevitable “I’m bored” occurrences from the kiddos… and from spouses…

Coming up this month:

Kla Ha Ya Days in Snohomish

And no, that’s not some fancy kickboxing festival. Centered in downtown Snohomish, the Kla Ha Ya Days celebration is simply “Old Fashioned Summertime Fun.” (See the Kla Ha Ya schedule below).

Want a small-town feel within convenient range of the Big City of Seattle? Snohomish is where it’s at: historic district, antique shops, established farming community, and only minutes from downtown Everett. A quick peek at my website reveals a Snohomish Real Estate listing of 933 homes for sale. Big. Small. New. Fixer-uppers. You name it, it’s listed.

And for those of you interested in some old fashioned fun (minus the kickboxing), check out *Snohomish Kla Ha Ya Days: July 14-18

Schedule of Events:

Wednesday July 14 – Carnival at Harvey Field (5:00pm-close)

Thursday July 15 – Bike Rodeo at Pilchuck Park (1:00pm), Carnival at Harvey Field (3:00pm-close); Farmers Market (4:00pm-sunset)

Friday July 16 – Carnival at Harvey Field (11:00am-close), Fire in the Sky/Balloon Glow, Live Bands and Community BBQ at Harvey Field (5:00pm-10:30pm), Fireworks show at Harvey Field (10:00pm)

Saturday July 17 – 5 mile run, Street Fair, Taste of Snohomish, Carnival at Harvey Field, Salmon BBQ, Frog Jumping Contest, Ice-Cream Eating Contest, Pie Eating Contest, Bed Races, McDaniel’s Sunset Parade on First Street, AND MORE!

Sunday July 18 – Classic Car Show, Street Fair, Taste of Snohomish, Onstage Entertainment  (all from 10:00am-5:00pm), Carnival at Harvey Field (11:00am-8:00pm), Salmon BBQ at Hill Park (12 noon-8:00pm)

Want to make Snohomish County a permanent resource for festivals and fun in the sun? Visit my Snohomish Area Real Estate website for more details.

Dorothy and Toto had it right: “There’s no place like home.” While the economy may be partly responsible for the Staycation phenomenon, the end result is that vacationers are choosing to explore the adventures in their own backyard. For Washingtonians, there’s plenty to choose from.

Ranked by America’s Health Ranking Report as the 11^th healthiest state in the country, northwest cities repeatedly appear on lists such as “Top Five Best Places to Live in the Country,” generated by Money Magazine.

Those of us who live in Snohomish County aren’t surprised—between the mountains, rivers, beaches, quaint towns, and islands, it’s no wonder we’re happy and healthy! During the summer months, it’s a perfect opportunity to explore our beautiful community.

If you’re looking for some outdoor adventures, here’s an up-to-date list of possibilities:

• Track & Field Meets in Marysville starting July 8
• Jetty Island Everett
• Movies in the Park  Everett (Thornton A. Sullivan Park at Silver Lake, 11405 Silver Lake Rd. Everett 98208, Friday evenings July 23-August 20, free admission, 7:30pm)
• Music in the Park Everett:

Thursday Night Waterfront Concerts June 24-August 26

Thursday Morning Shows for Kids! July 8 – August 19

Saturday Waterfront Concerts July 10-August 28

Sunday Afternoon Waterfront Concerts June 27-August 29

• Music in the Park Marysville (Jennings Park, Friday Nights 7:00pm July/August)
• Outdoor Movies Arlington (Terrace Park, Arlington 98223, Movie begins at dusk, free admission)

If you’re interested in making Snohomish County your home, my name is Joni Kerley and I’m ready to help. Visit my website for more information. You don’t even need a pair of ruby slippers!

Joni Kerley – Century 21 Real Estate Center – Everett, Washington