2011 has been a great year here on the Everett Area Real Estate blog. We’ve journeyed through time, investigated housing components, organized our living quarters, and shared relevant tax tips. Yeah, we’ve been busy.

Here’s a look at the top 5 most popular posts of last year:

1. History of Snohomish County Homes: The Victorian

So, what’s the story behind the Victorian ages of homes? What’s the deal with all the elaborate woodwork, turrets, scallops, and massive covered porches? Prior to the Victorian era (we’re talking late 1875-1900), homeowners could only dream about luxuries such as central heating, indoor running water, and artificial lighting. The comforts of home enjoyed in the late 1800s, early 1900s were brought about by a few key elements.

2. Single and Shopping for a House: Tips for Women Going Solo

We’ve come a long way, baby. And no, I’m not talking about Virginia Slims (“You’ve got your own cigarette now, baby, you’ve come a long long way!” Such a misguided marketing strategy . . . .). Ah, but for the independent, single women out there, we truly have come a long way in the home ownership category.

3. Homeowner Taxes: To Deduct or Not, that is the Question

As a new homeowner, you may have a few questions about the elusive tax terminology being batted about among talk show hosts and news pundits. Okay, okay, they’re probably talking about Jennifer Aniston’s new hairdo for her upcoming movie. Again. Here at the Everett Area Real Estate blog, we’re going to get a jump start on The Tax Man; this will be especially helpful for you homeowner newbies. So, rather than waiting until next spring to sort through all the rules, regulations, and your recycle bin, have a plan: make a list, check it twice, and set up your system now. Trust me, when April 14th arrives, you’ll thank me.

4. Going Green One Room at a Time: The Bathroom

Are you Eco Friendly? Are you using Bio-Based Products? Are you aware of the toxicity of your home’s Volatile Organic Compound output? I know. Sometimes, it’s not easy being green. If the thought of “going green” sends you into a tailspin of overload paralysis, consider the wisdom in using baby steps and taking one room at a time. Keeping in mind the old adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” let’s take a step back and look at making environmentally friendly improvements to one of the most-used rooms in your home: the bathroom.

5. Sustainable Housing: It’s Not Your Mother’s Mobile Home

It seems everyone’s going green these days; let’s acknowledge our Seattle roots (pun intended) and take a look at today’s version of the prefab home and their emphasis on sustainable living. Prefabricated homes aren’t new – they’ve been around since the early 1900s, thanks to Mr. Richard W. Sears and his handy mail-order Modern Homes program.

Thanks for joining me in 2011– I look forward to learning more about the real estate world together in 2012. My name is Joni Kerley, specializing in the greater Snohomish County. Please give me a call (425-343-4545) regarding your home buying or selling questions.

Ahh, the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas. There’s nothing like the holidays to bring the family together. Which can be both good and bad—usually at the same time. If you hosted out-of-town guests, you know what I’m talking about.

Are you feeling the post-holiday squeeze?

Was your Christmas celebration a bit . . . cramped?

Left you longing for an extra room, or two?

Did the pitter patter of little feet (nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc.) leave you with a slight tick in your left eye? Perhaps your holiday festivities were more like the angst-ridden Griswolds than nostalgic schmaltz of Meet Me In St. Louis?

Perhaps you need more room. Then again, perhaps you need a new room.

Better Homes & Gardens  published a book several years ago dedicated to the task of maximizing your square footage. It’s titled Complete Basements, Attics, & Bonus Rooms (Better Homes & Gardens, Des Moines, Iowa, 2002).

BH&G suggests the following steps to get you started:

1. Explore your options (Convert your garage into an office or spare room? Add onto your existing structure? Remodel an old attic?)
2. Asses your available space (How much square footage do you currently have? How much do you need? Do you need to add more space or just make better use of your current space?)
3. Develop your design idea  (Do you need to consult with a professional architect, plumber, or designer? You can get plenty of ideas online , as well as from local contractors).
4. Gather your materials (Consider green options; they may be a bit more expensive but can save you money in the long run).
5. Fine tune your plan (If you are contracting out the work, be sure to get several bids from a variety of companies).
6. Gather your tools (Again, be willing to spend a bit more here. Carefully chosen, high-quality tools can make all the difference).
7. Finishing touches (You’re in the home stretch – stick with it! Here’s where you firm up detailed decisions such as paint, trim, room accessories, etc.; if possible, try to FINISH your project; call in a favor from a friend if needed. Your sense of accomplishment and usability of the finished project depends on completion ).

The idea is to makes all your space “livable space” and it’s not really a new idea. Over the years, clever folks have tweaked their homes to incorporate extra guest rooms, home offices, man-caves, and more recently, the mom-cave.

City dwellers from places such as Japan and Hong Kong are no strangers to space limitations; this ingenious architect from Hong Kong may be taking things a bit too far . . . but his ideas are definitely impressive.

Once again, Happy Holidays to you and yours this year. For questions regarding real estate in  Snohomish County, I’d love to help. My name is Joni Kerley; feel free to give me a call at 425-343-4545.

Photo Credit: dublindays; used courtesy of stock.xchng

Any meteorologist worth his (or her) salt knows that in order to provide an accurate forecast, he’s got to do three things:

1) Check today’s conditions.

2) Check the history of pressure changes.

3) Check the current cloud cover.

Makes Sense.

In order to get a sneak peek into the future of housing, let’s take a lesson from our friendly neighborhood weathercaster (that’s what they’re calling themselves these days), as we anticipate the real estate climate of 2012.

1.  Check Today’s Conditions: Housing Affordability

According to a report by the National Association of Homebuilders, housing affordability is UP:

“Buoyed by stabilizing home prices and sustained low interest rates, nationwide housing affordability during the third quarter of 2011 hovered near its highest level in the more than 20 years it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data.”

2.  Check the History of Pressure Changes: Builder Confidence

Before buyers can start buying, builders have to start building. Builder confidence is crucial to an improved real estate market. Says NAHB:

“Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose by three points to 20 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for November, released today. The gain builds on a revised three-point increase in October, and brings the confidence gauge to its highest level since May of 2010.”

3.  Check Current Cloud Cover: Overall Current Economic Conditions

Here’s where we check in with the big boys. AKA: The Federal Reserve. AKA: The Fed.

“Overall economic activity increased at a slow to moderate pace since the previous report across all Federal Reserve Districts except St. Louis, which reported a decline in economic activity.” 

To check the cloud cover over our specific district, as defined by The Fed, we’ll have to look above the areas from Hawaii up to Alaska and down to California. We Washingtonians are part of what’s known at The Fed as District 12, where the following trends were observed during the reporting period of October through mid-November:

• Gains in retail sales
• Growth in manufacturing activity, specifically in metals and fabrication
• Flat real estate activity
• Moderate economic activity

In short: Things have been bad. Things have gotten a little better. Things continue to improve, but at a very slow rate.

My thoughts: Slow growth is better than no growth. Cloudy with a chance of sun, means a potential for SUN!

As you head into 2012, be encouraged by the (albeit slow and steady) economic improvement across the country. If your plans include buying or selling a house in the greater Puget Sound area, give me a call at 425-343-4545. I specialize in Snohomish County and am happy to show you around.

Merry Christmas!

Photo Credit: Ponsuwan, used courtesy of Free Digital Photos

There’s nothing like stringing Christmas lights to get up you up close and personal with the condition of your roof. And the status of your life insurance policy (but that’s for another post).

As Northwesterners, we know we’re not called “The Evergreen State” for nothing. We also know all that lush greenery is green for a very specific reason: precipitation. Lots of it. Gallons, in fact.

Just last year, the rainfall amounts for Puget Sound area was a whopping 43.51 inches. (just for comparison’s sake, the national average rainfall for 2010 was 32.93 inches) . In 2011, we’ve already pushed past the 49.68 inch mark. Quack quack.

All that rain brings a motley crew of cloud cover, fog, and dismally gray skies, which tends to make us a bit more bummed out than your average Californian. What we need, it seems, is more light.

Which leads me to a discussion of skylights. Since I am neither a roofer nor a sky light installer, I interviewed local small business owner, Michael Haight of Haight Roofing:

Q – Everett Area Real Estate: Considering our weather pattern here in the Northwest, what are the pros/cons of skylights?

A – Haight Roofing: Here are some Pros:

• Brighten your room with natural light – creates more light than vertical windows.
• Possible energy savings by using the natural light instead of lights – Most skylights are Low E and have earned the Energy Star rating. Low E is a coating that absorbs IR light.
• Changes the look of your ceiling.
• Could increase the value of your home.
• Increase ventilation with opening skylights.
• Privacy – a lot of the homes are being built so close to one another that trying to provide light with privacy has become an issue. Skylights can give you light from above, which is especially important in bathrooms.

And Possible Cons:

• New skylights demand a hole in the roof – Potential for leak.
• Another window that needs cleaning!

Q – Everett Area Real Estate: What difficulties do skylights pose to new roof installation?

A – Haight Roofing: Some of the common problems with a new skylight install are:

• Placement of the skylight – Constraints on the roof may prohibit the desired placement of the skylight.
• Size – A homeowner may want a certain size but due to roof constraints a smaller skylight may be the only way to go. Depending on the size of the skylight, rafters may need cutting, creating further carpentry.

Q – Everett Area Real Estate: What type/kind of skylights do you recommend?

A – Haight Roofing: The three skylights that we use are:

• Western Skylights– Locally made in Kent, 10 year material warranty.
• Velux Skylights – Nationally produced, 20 year material warranty and a 10 year installation warranty.
• SolaTube– Nationally produced, 10 year warranty.

Q – Everett Area Real Estate: How difficult is it to get rid of a skylight and roof over the top?

A – Haight Roofing: Removing an existing skylight on the roof top, can be a large undertaking and should only be done by a licensed roofing professional. This job would require removing the existing roofing material around the skylight, removing the skylight and skylight curb, installing new sheathing-1×4’s or plywood, and installing new roofing material.

Michael Haight also included a handy list from Velux titled, “How to choose a skylight”:

Step 1 – Check your roof pitch and roofing material to verify that it works with your intended products.

Step 2 – Choose the ideal product category: Electric Opening skylights, Manual Opening skylights, Fixed skylights, Glass or Acrylic skylights or Tubular skylights.

Step 3 – Identify your ceiling style and optimal size configuration.

Step 4 – Select your glazing type (traditional skylights only): Tempered, Laminated, Impact or Low E.

Step 5 – Select your sun screening accessories: Blind options, everything from blackout blinds to venetian blinds.

Step 6 – Select your controls: There are a variety of electric and manual controls to operate venting skylights and blinds.

Locally owned and operated, Larry Haight’s Residential Roofing is fully licensed and bonded. The company is a member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and The Roofing Contractors Association of Washington. They have served thousands of homeowners in the past 26 years, has experienced crews, and gives free roofing estimates. If you need an estimate for a new roof, new gutters or a roof tune-up, give them a call at one of their offices: Redmond (425) 881-9771, Bellevue  (425) 454-6550, or Issaquah (425) 392-5002. Their Redmond office is open Monday—Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and on Saturday by appointment.

My name is Joni Kerley, Snohomish County real estate agent – feel free to contact me (425-343-4545) with your real estate needs. And be careful when you’re putting up Christmas lights!

Image used courtesy of stock.xchng

It’s been over a year since we first discussed the subject of short sales; I think now’s a good time for a refresher.

Although short sales can be likened to the troubled teen in the real estate world (splotchy acne and all), the fact remains: they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. If anything they’re moving back home, dirty laundry and all.

First off, an explanation for the problem-child metaphor to describe short sales in real estate:

• Short sale homes sometimes have hidden issues caused by neglect (read: termite damage, roof leaks, etc.)
• Short sales can be a lot of work (read: short sales can take a long time and involve a number of individuals: the seller, the agent, the buyer, the lender)
• Short sales can attract members of the less-than-desirable “wrong crowd” (read: fraudulent agents)

Be assured, these issues are not guaranteed to occur; a short sale done well, executed with integrity can be a boon to desperate owners and buyers on a budget. In fact, a short sale can be a blessing in disguise—both for the seller and the buyer.

From a buyer’s perspective:

In order to execute a successful short sale, your real estate agent should ask the following questions:

1. Has the selling agent approached their bank with a “short sale package” prior to listing?
2. Has the seller stopped paying the loan?
3. Has the seller received a “default” notice?  (If not, their lender may be reluctant to approve a short sale).
4. Has the short sale already been approved by the seller’s bank?
5. Does the listing agent have any experience with successful short sales?
6. Has a foreclosure date been set? If so, when?

From a seller’s perspective, a short sale may not be what you envisioned for your housing investment. You may even consider it that problem child you wish would slink off into the corner. However, with rising unemployment and the rising cost of living, a short sale can offer some peace of mind and relief from the burden of debt.

My name is Joni Kerley, real estate agent in Snohomish County. If you have questions about buying or selling a home through a short sale, give me a call at 425-343-4545.

Photo credit: Phanlop88, used courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

The kitchen has been called the Heart of the Home for decades, and not just because of its typical geographical location in the center of a house.

Most people spend a substantial part of their day in the kitchen; much of that time is spent with friends and family.

Hence, the “heart” of the home. Author Steven Gdula’s book, The Warmest Room in the House, follows American trends, culture, science, inventions throughout the 20^th century and reflects on how they shaped domestic life and how we define “home.”

One significant contribution to kitchens of the 21^st century is the environmentally conscious movement, aka: Going Green group. We’ve already looked at ways of decreasing our pollutant footprint through adjustments made in the bathroom; let’s continue the discussion and talk about ways we can tweak our kitchen’s eco-friendliness. Or lack, thereof.

Here are some basic suggestions offered by David Johnston from his book, Green Remodeling:

• Upgrade single-pane windows to double pane windows
• Using low water-use dishwashers
• Upgrading to Energy Star appliances
• Using fluorescent and/or halogen lights
• Using energy-efficient dimmers
• Use dishwashers with the option to “air-dry”
• Insulate plumbing
• Use a whole-house water filtration system
• Vent kitchen ranges to the outdoors
• Use formaldehyde-free paint
• Replace vinyl flooring with natural linoleum (made from natural materials like linseed oil, jute, cork dust, and wood dust)
• Use exposed concrete as a finished floor
• Use solvent-free adhesives
• Use non-toxic cleaners

Although some of these solutions may be more pricey than their traditional counterparts, they will save you $$ in the long run and could drastically improve your health, especially if you are living in an older home (think: lead paint, asbestos, formaldehyde off-gassing, etc.)  And for those hoping to sell someday, making these and other changes can help make your house more attractive to fellow 21^st century home shoppers.

My name is Joni Kerley, I specialize in real estate throughout Snohomish County. For help with your home buying or selling questions, feel free to give me a call at 425-343-4545.

Also in the “Going Green One Room at a Time” series:

• The Bathroom

Photo used courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The smell of fall is definitely in the air.  As is the smell of Elmers®, Crayola®, and a really funky odor wafting up from the Snohomish Valley.

Most of us associate autumn as a season of change, of possibilities, of corn mazes, and pumpkin hurling. Okay, so not everyone thinks of pumpkin hurling. I think that’s a Snohomish thing.

For homeowners, fall is also a time for a fresh start.

Autumn is a great time for Pacific Northwesterners to button things up for the upcoming rainy season, especially with the fantastic weather we’ve been enjoying lately. You may have already tackled the garage and/or any remodeling goals this summer; here is a handy list of ways to ready your home for fall:

Early Fall Checklist:

• Wash curtains and dusty drapes (The Herald suggests running through an air-fluff cycle in the Dryer along with a damp towel for 15 minutes).
• Clean windows and stainless steel surfaces (for appliances, use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water).
• Consider switching out throw pillows with fall colors such as burnt orange, gold, red, or brown.
• Have furnace evaluated – Hire a licensed heating contractor to adjust burners, monitor the pressure of a hot-water system, tune up a blower or heat-pump motor, check ducts for leaks, replace fan belt, and clean/replace air and other filters.
• Get wood stove in working order – inspect chimney flues, check fireplace dampers, stock firewood (best wood for wood stoves: oak, ash, aspen, birch, hickory, maple), clean glass woodstove doors with a crumpled damp piece of newspaper dipped in fine wood ash.
• Liven things up outside by decorating your entryway with mums, sunflowers, and maple branches.
• Cut back perennials – Check for plant/small tree/shrub sales in the fall; plant with a high phosphorus content to stimulate root growth (use high nitrogen content in the spring to stimulate leaf growth).
• Weather-strip the garage door, possible touch up painting on front of the house.

Owning a home is most definitely one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make—both financially and in terms of your time. By tackling these and other projects a little bit at a time, from one season to the next, you’ll keep your house looking sharp all year round!

For help with your home-selling/buying goals, give me a call sometime at 425-343-4545. My name is Joni Kerley, and I specialize in Everett area real estate and beyond.

References:

Gates, John. Country Home Almanac: Maintaining Your House Month by Month, Hearst Books, New York, 2002.

Photo used courtesy of stock.xchng

Have a thing for Victorian homes? Or maybe you’re more of a Craftsman Bungalow type: fewer frills, more hand-crafted stonework. If you had to choose, would you prefer a new houses or an old house? Practical granite countertops, custom built breakfast nook, or ostentatious balustrade?

In terms of housing, the interpretation of the word “old” can be somewhat relative. The reality of which becomes more obvious to me with each passing year (ie: “She’s only 40 years old? Wow, she’s really young!”). Ahem.

From a builder’s point of view, the United States is still a relatively young country; our oldest inhabited homes are a mere 350 years old. Give or take a couple decades. Homes considered new are those built within the last 25 years.

For those willing to forego some of the more modern conveniences in modern-day buildings for the charm of an older home, you will most likely find yourself in the midst of a remodel/renovation/restoration stage at some point in your future. Which isn’t a bad thing. However, there are a few safety rules to follow before ripping into that dilapidated staircase.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) made homeowners aware of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulations which took effect April 22, 2010, requiring remodelers working in homes built before 1978 to follow practices designed to minimize the exposure of residents to lead hazards.

These practices include testing for specific toxins common to homes from previous generations. Most consumers have heard of the dangers of lead-based paint, but there are other hazards besides lead to watch for. Old House Web suggests the following checklist for homeowners living in pre-1978 homes. I call them THE BIG FIVE:

1. Lead-based paint: According to the EPA data: Houses built before 1940 were 87% likely to contain lead. Houses built between 1940-1960 were 69% likely to contain lead. Houses built between 1960-1978 were 24% likely to contain lead[i]. Older homes also have a higher likelihood of containing lead-based floor varnishes, something that tends to be overlooked.
2. Asbestos
3. Carbon Monoxide
4. Household chemicals
5. Benzene (found in paint and gasoline, Benzene has been linked to Leukemia)

Living in an old home certainly has its perks; done properly with the blessing of the folks at the EPA, a historic home can be a valuable and satisfying investment. Check out this Alabama Antebellum (circa 1845, 5,200 square feet!) currently on the market for a paltry $165,000.

Interested in checking out the local antique dwellings? My name is Joni Kerley, real estate agent for Snohmish county. Give me a call (425-343-4545) and we’ll start house shopping!

Photo Credit: Tom Curtis, used courtesy of FreePhotos.net

Have you ever driven by a house and done a double (even a triple) take and thought,

“What in the world? . . . ”

“What were they thinking?”

“How is that even possible?”

“Really?”

Sadly, you are not alone.

Old House Journall calls these “Remuddles” and for good reason.

Defined thusly: “Remuddling is defined as misguided remodeling-that is, an alteration that is insensitive to the architecture or character of the house.”

In other words: Creativity gone amuck.

Home ownership is for the independent, hard-working, and industrious. In many ways, your house reflects your personality, style, and individuality. That’s not to say there aren’t a few “guidelines” to follow, especially when the home you are remodeling is in a neighborhood or is considered historic.

Neighborhoods tend to have a certain feel about them, and any major renovations need to be examined to see if/how they will impact the rest of the area. And if you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners’ Association, you may have to submit your exterior remodeling plans for approval.

To avoid a remuddle in the midst of your remodel, be smart and avoid these do-it-yourself no no’s:

• Removing original, decorative trim when applying new siding
• Putting vinyl siding on an antique building
• Installing windows that are the wrong size or type for the building’s style or period
• Hanging shutters that are too small for the windows
• Putting on a front door that is out of character with the house
• Adding a garage that is so prominent it overshadows or detracts from the house
• Destroying the original roof line to add a dormer

Incorporating these kind of “upgrades” tends to decrease the value of your house and isn’t considered playing nice with the neighbors. As a note of caution: In a moment of feng shui inspiration, you may be tempted to make a statement. Just remember that in the world of real estate, it’s better to issue a declarative statement than an exclamatory one.

My name is Joni Kerley and as a real estate agent in Snohomish County, I’ve seen my share of remuddles over the years. For questions about buying and selling a house in Puget Sound, give me a call at 425-343-4545.

Photo credit: Kookkai_nak. Used courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

References: 10 minute home improvement, by Skye Alexander. Fair Winds Press. Gloucester, Massachusetts, 2006.

According to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds.

To put into perspective: by the time you finish reading this paragraph, 1-3 burglaries have taken place, depending on how fast you read.

Thanks to the Crime Doctor, A.K.A. Chris McGoey, a burglary can be defined as:

“A non-confrontational property crime that occurs when we are not at home.”

And although no personal violence occurs during a burglary, victims of a burglary are left with a sense of violation and fear.

A burglary can happen to anyone at any time. Crime Doctor Chris sites July and August to be the most common months for burglars to strike.

“Although home burglaries may seem random in occurrence, they actually involve a selection process. The burglar’s selection process is simple. Choose an unoccupied home with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes.”

Home theft prevention can be a little like going on a diet or preparing for an earthquake: our intentions are good, but too often our follow-up is lousy. Especially if you recently moved; your focus is more likely on mail forwarding services, new-school registration, and nearby off-leash dog parks than preventing a crime in your new (and oh-so-wonderful, crime doesn’t happen at my) home.

With a little elbow grease and by following these 10 simple steps, you can sleep better at night and can get back to the task of measuring for your new curtains.

1. Always lock your car, even when it’s in your garage.
2. Use high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on exterior doors.
3. Always lock the door between your garage and your house.
4. Replace standard door strike plates with four-screw, heavy-duty, high security strike plate with 3-inch wood screws. These can be found at most hardware stores, like Home Depot.
5. Insert a wooden dowel or stick into the track of your sliding glass door.
6. Keep windows closed and locked when you are not home.
7. Get to know your neighbors, keep an eye on each others’ homes.
8. Use light timers when out of town.
9. Install lights on the perimeter of your property.
10. Install motion-detecting outdoor lights with photocell technology.

As a real estate agent, homeowner, and long-time Washingtonian, I’m a big fan of Snohomish County. But—as they say—Crime Happens. Take some advice from me and the Crime Doctor and put your house in order, before you become just another statistic.

If you are interested in homes in the Puget Sound area, I’d love to talk with you. My name is Joni Kerley – give me a call sometime at 425-343-4545.

Photo credit: sixninepixels, used courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net