Fall Forward
It’s hard to imagine that summer is just about over. Kids will be going back to school, vacations are coming to an end and fall is just around the corner.
For me September is a magical time. We still get some warm weather, fall colors begin to appear and people are re-engaging in business and school. I love it.
Don’t let these warm days go to waste, it’s a great time to think ahead and get ready for the fall while it’s still warm and dry enough to do outdoor work. I’ve included a list of fall projects along with a list of regional events to get in some fun after working on the house.
EYE ON THE MARKET
Some might call this a perfect storm: shrinking inventory, historically low interest rates and in some areas, rising prices. Consumer confidence is up across the board so it’s no surprise to feel genuinely optimistic about our rebounding housing market.
August marked the third consecutive month where the number of closings topped figures unseen since September 2007. Pending sales jumped up from a year ago and there’s double-digit increases in the volume of mutually accepted offers. If there’s such a thing as a win-win opportunity, the time is now!
For sellers, it’s especially important to price and position your home correctly from the get go. Low inventory levels provide a front-stage opportunity for your home to get maximum attention when it goes on the market.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek pre-approval on a loan and become very familiar with conditions to get a home in today’s market. There’s a lot of competition for homes now, so being ready to react when you find the right one for you is mission critical.
Times like this emphasize the importance of consulting your trusted real estate advisor. Unrealistic expectations for both buyers and sellers cause frustration, and can be avoided when you are properly informed about how the local market is adapting to the shift taking place. There are still fantastic values to be captured. Give me a call. I’d love to hear from you.
FALL MAINTENANCE
Take time to prepare for Fall with this helpful checklist:
· Inspect your furnace or heat pump to make sure it is clean and in good condition so that it can achieve maximum efficiency.
· Schedule to have your chimney cleaned.
· Clean your gutters and downspouts throughout the fall season.
· Repair any window cracks or holes in weather stripping or caulking.
· Check to make sure your thermostat works properly.
· Check crawlspace for flooding after the first long rainfall.
· Make sure you have new batteries in all your flashlights and that they are easily found around the house.
· Have your lawn-irrigation system professionally drained.
· Turn ON gas furnace pilot light.
· Make sure you have adequate insulation in attic and crawlspace.
· Continually check your air vents to make sure they aren’t blocked.
· Clean out the bathroom fan/filter.
· Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
· Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor and in the garage.
· Make a fire escape plan for your house and make sure you review it with all family members.
· Disconnect garden hoses and drain water still in faucets. If you don’t have frost-proof faucets install insulated faucet covers. Give me a call if you need some and I’ll drop them off.
EVENT CALENDAR
September Events
1-3 Bumbershoot
bumbershoot.org
7-9 Mukilteo Festival
mukilteolighthousefestival.com
7-9 Puget Sound Bird Fest
pugetsoundbirdfest.org
7-23 Puyallup Fair
thefair.com
8 Newcastle Days
newcastledays.com
8 PAWSwalk – Seattle
paws.org/events
8-9 Aki Matsuri Fall Festival
enma.org
9 Edmonds Classic Car Show
edmondswa.com
9 Kirkland Concours d’Elegance
kirklandconcours.com
12-16 Boats Afloat Show
boatsafloatshow.com
14-16 Sheepdog Classic Vashon Island
vashonsheepdogclassic.com
15 Pioneer Days – Arlington
stillymuseum.org
21-23 Fremont Oktober Fest
fremontoktoberfest.com
23 Oyster Run | Anacortes
oysterrun.org
29-30 Festa Italiana – Seattle
festaseattle.com
29 Classic Car & Truck Show
piercecountywa.org
30 Classic Car & Hot Rod Display
cityofsnohomish.com
For additional events and day trip ideas, please visit: experiencewa.com
