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NEW LISTING: Carless in Seattle
215 20th Ave E 204
Seattle, WA 98112
Listed at $620,000
- MLS #: 1264960
- Taxes: $4,332 (2018)
- Lot Size: 0.36 acres
- Type: Condo/Townhouse
- Year Built: 1999
- Style: Condo 1level Unit
- Views: Territorial
With a walk score of 89 & many bus routes to take you everywhere in the city, you really can be carless in Seattle. This freshly painted 2 bdrm,2 full bath, SE corner unit, located on a lovely tree-lined street is close to everything you need: TJs, Coop, eateries & coffee shops, plus Miller Park & the Arboretum. Light & spacious, featuring an open floor plan, a gas fireplace in the living room, and a private covered balcony. Pets welcome (2 under 75Ibs). Secure parking space & storage unit.
Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.
SAVE THE DATE: Windermere Mount Baker’s Spring Art Show
Dear friends,
This month, my office, Windermere Mount Baker Real Estate will host our Spring Art Show reception with a wonderful visual interpretation of what “Home” means to 12 different artists, at a time when the importance of home is more significant than ever.
Local artists include Amy Hyden, Gabriella Duncan, Heidi Devereux, Isobel Davis, Larissa Anderson, Mita Reitchardt, Sally Drew, Sarah King, Susan Cole, and Tara McDermott.
The event is scheduled for Friday, April 2o, from 5:30-8 pm. Refreshments will be served, and a portion of proceeds will benefit Youth In Focus, a non-profit empowering urban youth through photography.
Please call me at 206-999-8159 for more information.
Serena
NEW LISTING: Split-Level Home in Desirable Mays Pond Bothell
17132 17th Ave SE
Bothell, WA 98012
Listed at $445,000
- MLS #: 1264962
- Taxes: $1,135 (2018)
- Lot Size: 7,405 SQFT
- Type: Single-Family Home
- Year Built: 1986
- Style: Split Entry
- Views: Territorial
A little bit of spit and polish will make this house shine again! Split-level home in desirable Mays Pond Neighborhood. Three ample bedrooms, 2 with their own bathrooms, plus a bonus 4th or family room on the lower level. Open living room with a fireplace and a separate dining area, with a glass slider out to a big covered back deck for summer dining. Good size kitchen too. Lots of space to garden and play in the fully fenced yard, huge 2 car garage. Newer roof, gas heat. Great schools, too.
Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.
How Tax Reform Affects Homeowners
New tax legislation was signed into law at the end of 2017, and it included some significant changes for homeowners. These changes took effect in 2018 and do not influence your 2017 taxes. Here’s a brief overview of this year’s tax changes and how they may affect you*.
The amount of mortgage interest you can deduct has decreased.
Under the old law, taxpayers could deduct the interest they paid on a mortgage of up to $1 million. The new law reduces the mortgage interest deduction from $1 million to $750,000. These changes do not affect mortgages taken out before December 15, 2017.
The home equity loan deduction has changed.
The IRS states that, despite newly-enacted restrictions on home mortgages, taxpayers can often still deduct interest on a home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC) or second mortgage, regardless of how the loan is labeled. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, enacted December 22, suspends from 2018 until 2026 the deduction for interest paid on home equity loans and lines of credit, unless they are used to buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan.
The property tax deduction is capped at $10,000.
Previously taxpayers could deduct all the state, local and foreign real estate taxes they paid with no cap on the amount. The new law limits the deduction for all state and local taxes – including income, sales, real estate, and personal property taxes – to $10,000.
The casualty loss deduction has been repealed.
Homeowners previously could deduct unreimbursed casualty, disaster and theft losses on their property. That deduction has been repealed, with an exception for losses on property located in a federally declared disaster area.
The capital gains exclusion remains unchanged.
Homeowners can continue to exclude up to $500,000 for joint filers or $250,000 for single filers for capital gains when selling their primary residence as long as they have lived in the home for two of the past five years. An earlier proposal would have increased that requirement to five out of the last eight years and phase out the exclusion for high-income households, but it was struck down. Find out more about 2018 tax reform.
How does tax reform affect your plans for buying or selling a home?
The changes in real estate related taxes may change your strategy. Contact your Windermere agent to learn more. If you need help finding an agent, we’re happy to help.
*Please consult your tax advisor if you have any questions about how the new tax reform impacts you
Where In the World Was Serena? Ecuador!
Happy Spring from the Galapagos Islands!
Hi folks,
I just got back from an amazing trip to Ecuador, the highlight of which was a week on a small boat in the Galapagos Islands, which are 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, so they are way out there! This was a truly fascinating adventure and a trip of a life time.
We had two naturalists on board and went to six islands and saw so much wildlife, many species of which are endemic to the Galapagos, including Marine Iguanas, who had to adapt and learn to swim in order to survive.
This magical place is of course where Darwin conceived of his seminal work the Origin of the Species.
We spent a lot of our time in pristine waters, snorkeling, swimming, and I went scuba diving, for me–being a water baby–I was in heaven!
I would highly encourage you to put it on your bucket list and am happy to share information if you’re interested.
Anyway, alas I am no longer in ‘Blue Footed Boobie’ Land, but do feel energized and ready to get back to work.
Happy Spring!
Serena
SAVE THE DATE: Free Recycling & Paper Shredding Event
Are you wondering what do with all the stuff you’ve piled up while spring cleaning? Not to worry, it’s time for Windermere Mount Baker’s 7th Annual Free Recycling & Paper Shredding Event!
- Bring your old laptops, BBQs, phones, cameras, TVs and more.
- Empty out your old paper files and bring them to our big shredding truck for immediate destruction.
See you there!
Mark Your Calendars: Bicycle Sundays Are Back
Spring is right around the corner and so are Bicycle Sundays–one of South Seattle’s most beloved traditions–when Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach Park and Seward Park will be closed to motorized traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 14 different Sundays this spring and summer (see list below). Before you head out, take a minute to review our list of bike trail etiquette tips.
Top 12 Bike Trail Etiquette Tips:
Everyone:
1. Show courtesy to other trail users at all times.
2. Use the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.
3. Always pass on the left.
4. Respect the rights of property owners.
5. Keep dogs on leash (maximum length 8 feet) and remove pet feces from trail.
Bicyclists:
6. Yield to pedestrians.
7. Give audible warning when passing pedestrians or other bicyclists.
8. Ride at a safe speed. Slow down and form a single file in congested conditions, reduced visibility, and other hazardous conditions.
Pedestrians:
9. Stay to the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.
10. Watch for other trail users.
11. Be especially alert when running.
12. Listen for audible signals and allow faster trail users (runners and bicyclists) to pass safely.
Mark your calendar for 2018 Bicycle Sundays!
May 20, 27
June 3, 17, 24
July 8, 15
August 19, 26
September 2, 9, 16
Bicycle or walk along Lake Washington Boulevard south of Mount Baker Beach to the entrance to Seward Park.
BUYER SUCCESS STORY: Amie Found Her Ideal South Seattle House & Beat 6 Other Offers!
Amie Pease is a dog lover and a great client.
Amie was one of my first clients many years ago. She was a first-time buyer with a limited income, so we had to look far and wide in Seattle to buy a decent house. Amie is an artist and an interpreter for the deaf and wanted to live in a hip, up-and-coming neighborhood. She finally landed in Georgetown and bought a three-bedroom house with a good sized yard for her dogs, for $128,500, which was quite a score, even 20 years ago.
“I lucked out when a good friend directed me to Serena to help me find my first home,” said Amy. “She was new to her job, and I was a first-time home-buyer. She found me a great home and even hooked me up with a dog who became a neighborhood icon. The experience was fabulous!”
Indeed, Amie has a huge heart and many years ago she adopted a dog that my partner and I had rescued from a bad situation; this small pit-mix had been chained to a leaky dog house, with no bedding, food or water and the owner had moved away several days before. When we rescued her, it was snowing! Kai lived a good life with Amie.
Fast forward about 17 years, and Amie began consulting with me about moving. The constant construction of new town and row-houses in Georgetown was getting to her as she was gradually getting boxed in.
“When it was time to move on to my second house Serena was the obvious choice,” said Amie. The market was tough, but Serena understood what I was looking for.”
We began the search for a two to three-bedroom house, in Southeast Seattle in a super competitive market. Amie’s criteria included a house big enough for her long-time roommate, to live close to a light rail stop as she works downtown, and a decent sized fenced back yard for her two big dogs. She also really loved the craftsman style house (of course, that is a favorite of lots of folks!).
After a few losses, she found her ideal house and beat six other offers! This 1920’s house was very spacious with high ceilings and loads of charm, it had also been updated with a great layout to accommodate roommates. The master bedroom with its own swanky, remodeled bathroom was on the main floor and at the back of the house, which made it super private. Upstairs there were two good sized bedrooms and a full bathroom, so Amie could have two roommates to help with the mortgage if she needed to. There was big private fenced yard for her two dogs too.
“It took two years of searching, and several (happily) unsuccessful offers, but Serena was able to get me into the perfect house when it came available,” said Amie. “I recommend her to anyone looking for a home in South Seattle.”
I am so grateful to Amie for her long-time support as a client and an animal lover.
Are you ready to buy a home? Go here to see what you’ll gain by having me by your side during this complex process. Ready to get started? Contact me today, or go here to learn more about me.
SAVE THE DATE: Earthquake Preparedness Event in Mount Baker
Dear friends,
My office, Windermere Mount Baker Real Estate is hosting an evening of Earthquake Preparedness next month at Mount Baker Community Club (2811 Mount Rainier Dr S.). The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 15, from 6:30 to 8 pm.
Stop dreading disasters and embrace the power of being ready!
Disaster Preparedness Consultant JoAnn Jordan presents the information in a fun and relaxed way. You will learn the best ways to be safe in an earthquake and how to share the information with those you love. You will also learn ways to get ready for the consequences of a disaster that are simple, quick and affordable.
Please call me at 206-999-8159 to RSVP.
Hope to see you there!
Serena
14 South Seattle Bakeries Reflect Area’s Diversity
What’s your favorite South Seattle bakery?
South Seattle is one of the most diverse areas of the city, which is highlighted by the wide range of unique area bakeries. Because where else will you find sweets inspired by Mexican, Chinese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese and American cultures all in one big community?
1. Beach Bakery
Beach Bakery serves coffee and made-from-scratch bakery filled with cakes, pastries, cookies and other delicious sweets. Rainier Beach
2. Borracchini’s Bakery
A Garlic Gulch mainstay, this historic, family-owned bakery will decorate your birthday cake while you wait. Delectable breads, cookies, pastries and more, plus a great little Italian deli/grocery. North Rainier
3. Cakes of Paradise
Specializing in tropical flavored cakes such as Lilikoi (Passion Fruit), Guava, Mango and Haupia (Coconut)… just to name a few. Georgetown
4. Columbia City Bakery
Featuring some of the city’s best bread, cakes and pastries. Voted Best Bakery in South Seattle in the 2016 Best of Southeast Seattle Reader’s Choice Awards! Columbia City
5. Deep Sea Sugar & Salt
A Pacific Northwest inspired cake shop offering unique and classic flavors for all occasions. Located in the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall. Georgetown
6. Despi Delite Bakery
Serving Beacon Hill for more than 20 years and specializing in sweet and savory Filipino goods, sheet cakes for all occasions, donuts, bread, cookies and much more. Beacon Hill
7. Fresh Flours
Japanese-inspired pastries such as Green Tea Macaroons, Black Sesame Tea Cookie and Azuki Pound Cake plus much more. Beacon Hill
8. Little Rae’s Bakery
Independent wholesale bakery serving all-natural, nut-free treats that can be found at Tin Umbrella Coffee. Rainier Beach
9. Mimi’s Bakery & Floral Shop
Unfussy storefront for ready-made & custom cakes plus fresh-cut flowers & custom designs. Beacon Hill
10. Redwing Cafe
Cardamom sticky buns and other pastries including. Lots of great vegetarian and gluten-free options. Rainier Beach
11. Repast
Tiny little neighborhood spot on Mount Baker Ridge with delicious pastries, sandwiches, quiche and soups. Mount Baker
12. Stone House Bakery
Fresh baked goods daily, including breads, croissants, cinnamon rolls, seasonally inspired cakes, scones, cookies and more. Rainier Beach
13. The Essential Baking Company Georgetown Cafe
Serving breakfast and lunch, fair-trade Victrola Coffee, teas, natural juices, sodas, wine, and beer; and their own fresh-baked breads, pastries, crackers and desserts. Georgetown
14. Tony’s Bakery & Deli
Vietnamese bakery and deli with entrees, desserts, bubble tea, Bahn Mi sandwiches and huge humbao. Good service and even better prices. Hillman City
