Linnea Jones – Realtor

Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc.

Windermere’s 6th Annual Shredding Event!

April 4, 2012 No comments

FREE SHREDDING!

When: Saturday, April 21st 10:00am—2:00pm

Where: Windermere Office Parking Lot 11411 NE 124th Street, Suite 110, Kirkland, WA 98034

What: As a FREE gift to you, our office will have a shredding

truck on site to shred all your confidential records.

Also, bring your old computers, monitors, TV’s and

laptops to be recycled by PC Recycle.

****New this Year**** we’re collecting food stuff for the

‘Totes-to-Go’ program, feeding homeless kids on

weekends in the Northshore and Lake Washington

school districts. Bring the following:

•  Milk:  in boxes and cans.
•  Fruit and Vegetable Juices:  in boxes and cans.
•  Fruit:  in cups and cans.
•  Raisins and Other Dried Fruits:  in boxes or bags.
•  Instant Oatmeal: in single serving packets.
•  Dry Cereals: in individual boxes.
•  Snack or Meal Bars:  breakfast, granola, energy, nutrition and meal supplement varieties
•  Peanut Butter: in small jars.
•  Jelly: in small jars.
•  Crackers: boxes with wrapped rolls or packs (e.g. Ritz) inside and sandwich varieties.
•  Meat and Fish (Tuna, Chicken, Ham, Turkey): in cans or vacuum packed bags.
•  Soups: in cans, ready to serve bowls and instant cups.
•  Macaroni and Cheese: in cans, ready to serve bowls and instant cups.
•  Stews: in cans and ready to serve bowls.
•  Pasta Meals: in cans and ready to serve bowls.
•  Chili: in cans and ready to serve bowls.
•  Ramen Noodles: in packages and ready to serve bowls.
•  Nuts and Trail Mix
•  Assorted Whole Wheat Snacks
•  Pudding and Jello: in cups

(See Totes-to-go.org for entire list of desired foods)

Serving: Hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc.

Directions: I-405 to NE 124th St exit. West on NE 124th

(Office is located between Azteca & Olive Garden)

Events ,

Win Win Win Win

March 8, 2012 No comments

Home buyers are winning with historically low interest rates and low home prices.

Home sellers are winning with feverish market activity and for those with properly priced and prepared homes … multiple offers! If this trend continues there should be upward pressure on home prices for every homeowner and an improvement in pricing could slow the pace of foreclosures. Finally there are a lot of winners here in the Puget Sound Area.

Washington homebuyers realizing "market may have reached bottom of cycle"

KIRKLAND, Wash. (March 5, 2012) – With spring on the horizon and consumer confidence on the rise, members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service are reporting positive gains in activity. Pending sales for February increased more than 27 percent from a year ago, more sellers are listing their homes, and brokers are reporting an uptick in multiple offers.

Brokers reported 7,623 pending sales during February, the highest volume since August when they notched 7,632 mutually accepted offers. Last month’s tally jumped 27.4 percent from twelve months ago, with 20 of the 21 counties in the MLS service area reporting double-digit gains.

— Excerpts from Northwest Multiple Listing Service press release.

The chart below illustrates this amazing shift in market conditions within the last 12 months.

image

Forecast, Interest Rates, Investing, Market , , ,

Gratitude Attitude

January 18, 2012 No comments

Your Biggest Asset

Happy New Year! What lies ahead in 2012 is no more or less certain than any other year. This year some will succeed and some will fail inside the same social and economic environment. The difference will be attributed to their frame of mind, preparedness and intentionality. Many of us take time at the beginning of each year to set goals, write down our resolutions and make financial plans. These are all very worthy but we do well to ask “What are we doing to shape our way of thinking? “ Our thoughts are our biggest asset or our biggest liability. Here are some ideas and insights that I hope you will find useful.

I hope this finds you leaning forward in 2012 with hope, gratitude and optimism.

ATTITUDE

by: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.

 


Shaped Ideas

Robert Kiyosaki’s bestseller, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, has helped millions to create roadmaps to their financial goals. Central to his series is the notion of open-mindedness. Instead of sizing up a situation and saying, “I can’t afford that,” he suggests saying, "How can I afford that?" By reshaping the idea into an open-ended question, creativity is stimulated, which leads to inspiration. Here’s a list of critical thoughts and their positive replacements.

We can’t afford it.
That’s too expensive.
I don’t have enough money.
I’ll never be able to afford that.
That’s a waste of money.
It’s too late to get started.
I’m not good with numbers or investing.
It’s too risky.
I really want to get that!

How can we afford it?
Where can I get that for less?
How can I make more money?
When will I be able to afford that?
How can I make that productive?
How can we let another day go by?
Where can I learn more?
What could reduce the risk?
Do I really need that?

Consider writing out this list, and adding to it when you discover new negative thoughts. Invent positive replacements, and write those down, too. Review the list frequently, and practice!

Journal of Gratitude

Gratitude is a very powerful force in our lives. Practicing gratitude makes us powerful enough to overcome negative thoughts that hold us back. Gratitude guides us to look beyond ourselves for the source of good things. It helps us realize just how good we have it.

Every year I write in my journal, I call it my Attitude of Gratitude Journal. This year I’m focusing on writing 2012 things I’m thankful for. It works out to about 6 per day. Want to join me? One of the top things I have already written is how I am grateful for YOU! My friends and clients are very high on my list.

Thank you for all the support you have given me. – Linnea

Inspiration, Personal Development , , , ,

Are we there yet?

December 14, 2011 No comments

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that home affordability is at its highest level in years; this degree of affordability becomes more apparent when compared to rent prices, which continue to rise across the country. Meanwhile, ADP’s National Employment Report showed another month of strong job growth. Accelerating job growth combined with a historically high affordability index suggests that this is the near-perfect time to buy a home. We doubt that affordability will remain this high at the end of 2012. The fact is that bloated inventory levels in the Puget Sound area are falling (see enclosure). Falling inventory in many markets has spurred bidding wars. As the economy continues to improve, inventory will shrink and prices and financing costs will rise.

In the Puget Sound area we are already seeing these market clip_image002forces at work. Inventories are falling, new construction remains at an all time low and Household formations continue to add to the demand for homes. Additionally recent good news from employers like Microsoft and Boeing indicate strong employment opportunities. We expect our area to lead the nation in the housing market recovery.

Home sales outpace number of new listings for first time in five years.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported that last month’s total number of mutually accepted offers was 22.4 percent higher than the same month a year ago. It also marked the first month since December 2006 that the number of pending sales surpassed the number of new listings, prompting discussions of possible inventory shortages

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Construction, Finance, Forecast, Foreclosure, Investing none

Winter Window Maintenance

October 27, 2011 No comments

Fenestrated?

Your windows are a very important part of your home, they provide views and light while keeping the elements out and your home comfortable. They take a lot of abuse from the sun, wind and rain, not to mention baseballs. Undetected, a small leak in a window can turn into an energy loss or wall damage so regular inspections and maintenance is necessary.

fen·es·trat·ed adj. Having windows or windowlike openings.

Below is a piece that deals with all things window. I hope you will find it ‘illuminating’.

Save The Date!

It’s a Santa Party!

Saturday December 3rd

10:00 – 2:00PM

My Office in Kirkland
FREE Goodies, Music, Crafts and PICTURES WITH SANTA!

Winter Window Maintenance

Inspection. Examine the edges of all windows, inside and out, operate each window and check the locking mechanism. Check for cracks, breaks or fogging. Look for missing or cracked caulking.

Calking. Remove any cracking or shrinking calk then use a high quality exterior grade paintable calk to re-do the entire window. Spread out the calking with a plastic spoon, craft stick or wet finger. Wait 24 hours before re-painting. Failed calking can result in damage to the window framing and walls plus it can increase heating bills.

Fogging occurs when excess moisture gets in between the panes, it appears as clouding that cannot be cleaned, if the clouding is streaky it’s likely that the UV coating has failed. A fogged window has lost some of its insulating properties but not all, the decision to replace is usually an aesthetic one. One can replace the entire window at great expense or hire a glass company to replace just the sealed unit(s) leaving the frame alone. Another great option is to defog the existing window without replacing anything. A number of companies can perform this new procedure without removing anything and at the least cost. Defogging involves cleaning in between the panes and removing the moisture using proprietary methods. One such company is WindowmedicsSeattle.com. In most homes, when one window is fogged, the rest will soon follow.

Cleaning. Professional cleaning can be costly. In many cases windows can only be cleaned by the pro’s but you can save a lot by cleaning the ones you can reach and pay for the rest. Starting with the exterior windows, use a soft brush on a pole with a solution of ammonia or vinegar in warm water to soak the window. While the window is still wet, use a razor blade to scrape the entire window. It’s amazing what kinds of goo and glop ends up on a window that only a scraper can remove. Brush the window again and then use a squeegee from left to right in a horizontal stroke, cleaning the leading edge of the squeegee with a rag between strokes, us a dry microfiber rag to buff off any streaks. Soak the screens in the same solution, then hose them off and allow them to dry. The same procedure can be used inside but the excessive water may require the use of towels and tarps, otherwise good old Windex is useful.

Choices. If you are considering window replacement, check the manufacturer out carefully, problems with windows can be very costly and don’t usually show up right away. Just like a real estate agent, choose the ones with good reputations that have been around for a long time. Companies that market aggressively and make exaggerated claims should be avoided. Pella, Milgard and Certainteed are trusted brands that control the quality of their installers.

Energy. The most efficient window is a very small one. Windows are by nature inefficient but they have come a long way. Windows lose energy through conduction, convection and radiation so a good window addresses all of these. Recently, much attention has been paid to controlling the amount of UV light (radiation) that passes through; new regulations require UV protection on all windows. Upgrading from single pane windows to double pane can save money over time but changing from one type of double pane to another or to triple pane can be hard to justify financially.

Courtesy of Linnea Jones – Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc. 425-765-2211

Construction, Maintenance, Repairs ,

Squeak!

October 5, 2011 No comments

 

“You can’t be stealthy with creaky floors

and the baby won’t sleep with squeaky doors.

Ya can’t take a nap in a creaky bed

and that squeaky shoe just messes up your head”

 

The opening lines of my latest rap? Seriously, we all deal with pesky squeaks. We find them everywhere, in our floors, doors, beds and more. They can be a real pain but most of them have easy, simple and inexpensive solutions.

I’m here to help you bring some quiet to your life with some squeak stopping tips.


Common Squeak Solutions

Kitchen drawers. Older drawers that have wood glides often end up squeaking as the dry wood rubs together. Use bar soap or bees wax on the runners and anywhere that the wood rubs together. This may need to be repeated over the years.

Doors. The most common solution to door squeaks is to spray the hinges with WD-40. While this may work well for most, the problem will likely return, especially on doors where moisture is present, such as laundry room doors. The best solution is to remove the hinge pins and coat them with wax or bar soap. While you have the hinge pins out, roll them on an even surface to see if they are bent. Bent pins can also cause squeaking.

Floors. Floor squeaks usually mean wood is rubbing on wood, often the sub-floor is rubbing on the joists. The best way to deal with this is to tighten the connection with screws, glue or nails. If you can see the joist and flooring from the basement, you may be able to add adhesive then using screws or special brackets pull the two together from underneath. Without this kind of access you need to work from above, through the flooring. First locate the floor joists using a hammer, listen for the ‘thud’ which indicates the joist. Verify by using a long nail in your drill (don’t use a drill bit on carpet – you’ll unravel the carpet). Once you have located the joist you can measure every 16” for the next. Now, using a special tripod tool and special ‘snap-off’ screws you can screw them through the carpet, vinyl or hardwoods. Most home improvement / hardware stores carry these tools and screws.

Faucets. Older faucets can make an unbearable squeak. Be sure to turn the water off at the shut-off valve, then unscrew the handle (place a cloth over the drain in case you drop something), then, using a wrench remove the valve. Clean the valve and apply a light coat of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Reassemble.

Beds. Remove the mattress and box spring and test for the squeak. Sometimes they only squeak with weight on them. The best approach is to tighten all the bolts and look for areas where there are wood-to-wood connections. If the connections cannot be tightened, try adding wax or bar soap to the areas that rub. Frames made of metal can be oiled with WD-40 or Graphite.

Shoes. For leather dress shoes try this: remove the insole and apply hand lotion or mink oil to the sole. If the squeak is coming from the heel, inspect under the insole for loose nails. A couple of good taps with a hammer may tighten the heel. For tennis shoes try this: apply hand cream to the area where the tongue meets the shoe, you can also try to add talc under the insole. If the sole of the shoe has a liner under it, use a razor to cut a slit then insert talc or a thin layer of paper towel under the liner.

Spouses & Children. There are no known solutions.

 

 

Courtesy of Linnea Jones – Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc. 425-765-2211

Maintenance, Repairs , , , , ,

Get Tooled-up!

August 24, 2011 No comments

As I have been saying recently, “there has rarely been a better time to buy”. Not only are rates at their lowest but home prices are there too. From here, everything is looking up. Additionally, for the first-time buyer or someone with skills, gently bruised homes can turn into real money makers! With my many years of experience I can help find the right home without the risk of picking up a lemon. I have personally created lots of sweat equity in several homes.

If you know anyone who is ready to capitalize on the real estate market let me know and we’ll get them all “tooled-up”. If they are a first-time buyer, I’ll give them a free toolkit at move-in!

Attached I have provided a list of tools that every homeowner should have to get started. Save the list as a good resource for ‘gifting’.

“A fool and his money are soon parted but a homeowner and his tools just might get wealthy!”

 

Ultimate Starter Toolkit

  • Power drill: A battery operated drill doubles as a powered screwdriver and a drill. A 14 volt lithium battery drill offers a good balance of power and cost, plus it holds its charge for a very long time. Add in a set of twist bits and screwdriver bits and you have a very versatile tool at a reasonable cost.
  • Hammer: Get a 16 ounce straight claw rip hammer. A lightweight fiberglass handle will hold up longer than wood and is lighter than steel. Another versatile tool that works to pull nails and drive nails up to 16 penny.
  • Tape Measure: A 25 foot, 1” wide blade should do most jobs. The blade is wide enough to stand-out without buckling. Get one with clear markings based on inches not metric. It’s a good idea to have high visibility color to allow easy finding during a project
  • Screwdriver: A 4-in-one driver is the best starter. This tool saves space and allows for a great range of bits. When getting bits consider an assortment kit but make certain to at least include small and large flat-head and Phillips bits plus #1 & #2 square drive bits.
  • Level: A small “spirit’ level (a.k.a. Torpedo level) with magnet plus a 4’ level should do most everything. If you can, pick up a ‘speed square” combined with a spirit level.
  • Wrenches: Adjustable wrench (a.k.a. Crescent wrench). Get a 6” and a 14” to cover most needs. Also get a combination plumbers wrench (get the $5 stamped steel wrench not the big heavy adjustable one, it will do most of the work of the larger heavier one).
  • Pliers: Get an assortment including needle nose for reaching into tight spaces, channel-lock (slip-joint) pliers for gripping larger items, standard pliers (tongue & groove) and lineman’s pliers also known as side-cutters or ‘diags’ or ‘dikes’.
  • Saws: Nothing beats the usefulness of a standard cross-cut manual saw but you will also want a hack-saw with blades.
  • Utility Knife: The standard knife with a retractable blade and a pack of spare blades is very useful. The blades by themselves can be used for scraping paint and the knife can cut, score, carve or mark.
  • Painting tools: Most jobs require a 9” roller frame, pan and smooth covers. Also get a 2-1/2 angled brush for “cutting in”, a roll of blue painters tape and canvas painters tarp. The canvas tarp is more expensive but lasts for years and works much better than plastic.
  • Outdoor: A garden rake, a leaf rake, round nose shovel with fiberglass handle and a hand spade. A 25’ garden hose and hand sprayer are a nice add-on.

Do you have a favorite tool you can’t live without? I’d love to hear about it!

Courtesy of Linnea Jones – Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc. 425-765-2211

Construction, Finance, Investing, Maintenance, Remodeling, Repairs , , ,

Great News! Mortgage Foreclosure Fairness Act SHB 1362

July 25, 2011 No comments

Good news! No,wait – Great news!

Our real estate market continues to show signs of real improvement. Homes are selling, selling in less time, pricing is firming up and foreclosures are declining!

In addition Washington State legislators passed an exciting new law called the Mortgage Foreclosure Fairness Act. This law can help folks who are unable to keep up with their mortgage to stay in their homes. This should further reduce the number of foreclosures and bank owned properties. The law is effective July 22, 2011. I have attached more information about how the law works.

If you know anyone who may be in an awkward position with their mortgage, pass my name along and I will be happy to explain the new legislation which might be or great help to them!

New Foreclosure Law, how it Works

Washington State Mortgage Foreclosure Fairness Act SHB 1362

  • Notification. Lenders must first properly notify a borrower if they are subject to foreclosure and to advise them to seek the assistance of a lawyer or mortgage counselor. With or without this assistance, the borrower has the right to have a face to face meeting with a lender decision maker to try to work out a solution. The notifications are a series of letters and phone calls. If the borrower fails to respond, the lender can proceed with foreclosure. If the borrower requests a meeting, the lender must refrain from foreclosure filing for 90 days from the date of the first notice.
  • Mediation. Mediation is administered by the State Department of Commerce. If the mediation is initiated by the borrower, a lawyer or housing counselor must request the mediation and notify the Department of Commerce. The Department will appoint a mediator. Mediation is a different from a borrower requested meeting with a lender. Mediation with the involvement of a representative is preferred. A fee of $400 will be split between lender and borrower.
  • Solutions. During the 90 day stay, lender and borrower are to meet to work toward a solution including loan modification, short sale, deed in lieu or other solutions. If these meetings occur in the context of mediation, the lender must appoint a representative to attend the meetings, if the representative does not have the power to negotiate; such a person must be available by telephone.
  • Exceptions. Not all borrowers will benefit from the legislation. Only lenders who have foreclosed on 250 owner-occupied deeds of trust in the State during the prior year will be subject to the law. Lenders operating in the State are required to report the number of foreclosure notices to the Department of Commerce each quarter.
  • Bad faith negotiations. The biggest benefit of the program is that the lender is forced to discuss with the borrower options that may help the borrower stay in the home. If these options will not work the lender is required to discuss how to dispose of the property in some fashion other than foreclosure. This is a good time for the buyer to negotiate how the lender reports to credit bureaus and how to do a deed in lieu with a discharge of the deficiency and perhaps the funding of relocation costs. If the mediator finds the lender negotiated in bad faith, a pending foreclosure can be denied and the lender will have to start over. Bad faith on the part of the borrower will result in the foreclosure proceeding.
  • Cautions and warnings. Borrowers should pay close attention to all paperwork received from the lender and should be very cautious about signing anything sent to them. Rights under the law can be waived by the signature of a borrower.
  • Free Housing Counselors. Owner-occupied residential borrowers in Washington have access to free housing counselors. Even if they think their situation is hopeless they should review their case with a counselor by calling 1-877-894-HOME (4663)

Courtesy of Linnea Jones – Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc. 425-765-2211

Finance, Foreclosure, Interest Rates, Investing , , ,

Taxing Situation–facts about your tax bill

June 27, 2011 No comments

“As real estate values have dropped, there is a natural expectation that your property taxes should drop as well. However this may not be the case.” This is a quote from Lloyd Hara, King County Assessor. In a recent meeting with Lloyd, I was able to glean some important tips about how taxes are determined and applied to the hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the County.

While taxes are a necessary evil of modern living, most of us demand that those taxes be applied fairly and that is the tough job of the Assessors office. The State, local Cities, School and Fire / Safety Districts rely on them to collect taxes so they can provide services.

Most of us have our taxes paid through an escrow account managed by our home lender so this amount is built into our housing budget and we don’t think much about it. It is however very important to fully understand your tax bill and make sure a mistake has not been made. Since assessments don’t look closely at your specific home, mistakes can be made and you can appeal.

Below are several points to ponder and resources for tax appeals ….

“Oh by the way, if you or someone you know could use some help with Real Estate or anything to do with homes, just call me with their name and number and I’ll be happy to help them.”

Facts about Tax Assessments

How can my assessed value decrease and my taxes increase?

  • When we vote for more taxes, taxes go up. For instance in Snohomish County voters approved 33 of 44 ballot measures last year. Voter approved measures amount to 42% – 47% of your tax bill.
  • When assessed values increase or decrease, taxes don’t necessarily follow suit. Property taxes in Washington are budget based. Each taxing district; cities, counties, school, library, fire, etc. decides how much to budget or levy each year then your share of the tax bill is determined by a simple formula. Taxes to be collected for the district are divided by the total assessed value of a district creating the levy rate. Then the levy rate is multiplied by the assessed value / 1000 = the taxes owed.

When will the 2011 sales affect my assessed value and tax bill?

  • Home sales that occur in 2011 will be used to set the Jan. 1st, 2012 assessments which will be used to calculate taxes due in 2013.
  • Tax statements received this year (2011) reflect market values from sales in 2009. So they will not reflect recent value losses.

Tax appeals. If you think your tax bill is too high you can appeal within 60 days of receiving your notice. Appeals are made to an appeals board which is separate from the Office of the Assessor. If you disagree with the board’s decision you can appeal to the Washington Board of Tax Appeals or pursue litigation in court.

Tax assistance. If you are a senior citizen, widow or widower, disabled or your income is below a certain level you may be eligible for a deferral or exemption.

Exempted property. Certain homes that have been damaged by natural disaster or have a unique use may be eligible for a reduction in assessment. Examples include:

  • Character building benevolent organizations. Protective or rehabilitative social services. Veterans and relief organizations. Libraries. Orphanages. Day care centers. Nursing homes and hospitals. Schools & colleges. Art, scientific and historical collections. Sheltered workshops for the disabled and more.
  • Contact the State Department of Revenue for a determination of exemption, they will then instruct the Assessor to change the tax assessment.

Contact your Assessor:

Courtesy of Linnea Jones – Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc. 425-765-2211

Taxes , , , ,

Giving Back

June 8, 2011 No comments

Each year Windermere Real Estate agents and employees set aside a day for Community Service. Even though most of us do community service throughout the year we can be very powerful when we join to support one project. This year our office has committed to do painting, yardwork, home repairs and providing furnishings for a home in Bothell called New Ground on June 17th.

New Ground houses women ages 18-21 who are pregnant or are parenting their first child. Their staff helps residents set goals, complete their education, obtain employment, secure childcare, apply for health care and much more. In addition they hold parenting classes, life skills training, financial management, budget planning, and the development of healthy relationships. To learn more about New Ground here’s their website. http://friendsofyouth.org/newgroundbothell.aspx

If you would like to share in the giving experience here is a list of items we need to help furnish the home. If you have any of these items please give me a call and I will pick them up.

Coffee Table (3)

Full Size Couch (4)

Kitchen Table and Chairs (2)

Dresser (5)

Full Size Bed Frame (3)

Full Size Mattress (2)

Full Size Box Spring (2)

Tall Floor Lamps (8)

TV (5)

 

Oh by the way, if you or someone you know could use some help with Real Estate or anything to do with homes, just call me with their name and number and I’ll be happy to help them.

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