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

Got Tires?          Great way to clean up Snohomish County!

FREE One Day Only Tire Recycling Event for Snohomish County residents only.

(must have proof of residency needed such as a Drivers license or Utility Bill)

Where: Cathcart Way Recycling and Transfer Station  (8915 Cathcart Way, Snohomish

When: Saturday October 9th  from (9am – 3pm)

• Up to 10 regular-sized light truck, car or motorcycle tires per household
• No Tractor, large trucks, over sized tires, or tires on rims will be accepted
• Tires must be reasonably free of water and dirt, etc.

For more information visit:  www.snoco,org and search “tires” or call 425-388-3425

Bring one bring them all! It’s the Scrub-A-Mutt dog washing event scheduled from 11am – 4pm on Saturday August 21. It will be located at Strawberry Fields Off Leash Dog Park in Marysville. 

Small Dog Wash is $5 (Plus Nail Trim)

Large Dog Wash is $10 (Plus Nail Trim)

All the proceeds will be divided between dog charities including Marysville Dog Owners Group, and N.O.A.H and Old Dog Heaven.

Also starting at Noon prizes will be awarded during dog contests. For more information go to www.scrub-a-mutt.org

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