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Real Estate Info • April 7, 2016

4 Reasons to Sell Your House Now

by Serena Heslop

1) Sale prices are at all-time highs.

Home prices in King County hit new highs last month. The median price of a single family home sold in King County in February was $514,975, a whopping 20% increase over a year ago. The median price in Seattle was up 24% to $644,950. The Eastside’s median price was up 20% to $739,975. You may be surprised at how much your home is worth today.

2) Competition among buyers is driving prices even higher.

Despite increasing prices, there is intense competition among buyers because inventory is at all-time lows. That means multiple offer and bidding wars, increasing the likelihood that your home will sell above your asking price.

3) Homes are selling fast.

With such limited inventory, homes in King County are selling rapidly – sometimes in days. If you list your house now, chances are you’ll get a buyer quickly.

4) You can make the sale work to your needs.

With competition for homes so fierce, you have the freedom to make the deal that works best for you. Many buyers are paying cash. They’ll also make concessions. Do you want stay in the home a few months after the sale? Want a large earnest money payment? You’re in the driver’s seat, and many buyers are willing to do what it takes to get the home they want.

It’s a seller’s market. Are you ready to take advantage of it? Call me today: 206-999-8159

Case Study • March 23, 2016

SELLER SUCCESS STORY: Susan Michal & the Case of the Smooth, Fast, Multi-Offer Sale

by Serena Heslop
Susan Michl

Susan & her son.

“Serena made it happen. My house sold quickly with multiple offers and without any issues. Serena went above and beyond for me.”

Susan Michal is a busy mom who works full-time and lives quite a distance from the home in Columbia City that she’d been renting out for a year.

The poor house was burdened with a peeling exterior paint job and tired, old kitchen cabinets that had been painted black. They were worn and chipped and needed replacing. The whole place needed a major face lift to get it ready for the market, but Susan was too far away to make it happen, so I took on the role of general contractor. Susan and I devised a budget sufficient to make some changes that would appeal to buyers without costing her a lot of money.

We knew that eventually a buyer would remodel the kitchen, but not on Susan’s dime! So we painted the kitchen cabinets a lighter yellow to go with the walls and added a new Formica counter, transforming the kitchen into a very appealing space.

We also painted and touched up several interior rooms, and cleaned the roof, gutters and windows, as well as the large front and back yard. We cleared weeds and debris and put down new gravel in the walkways. Finally, I added fresh flower pots on the front porch to add curb appeal.

“Serena made it happen,” said Susan. “It wasn’t easy but she persevered and remained positive throughout.”

“Her knowledge of the market helped ensure that I prepped and priced my house optimally. It sold quickly with multiple offers and without any issues.”

But that wasn’t all.

“Serena went above and beyond for me,” added Susan. “Making the negotiating process as easy and painless as possible.”

“She knows what she’s doing, and has a good eye for things that are worth investing in and what doesn’t make sense. I’ve referred her to numerous friends.”

As a special agent, my mission is to help you feel safe and well-tended as you make some of the most important decisions of your life, guiding you through the adventure of buying or selling a home with diligence, humor and respect. Call me today: 206-999-8159.

Real Estate News • March 17, 2016

Local Market Update: Home Prices Reach All-Time High

by Serena Heslop

A severe lack of inventory has led home prices to reach an all-time high. With the supply of properties at its lowest level since 2003, the market is in dire need of more homes to meet buyer demand. That is excellent news for those thinking about selling their home. Sellers can expect a quick sale, favorable terms and a historically high sale price. Buyers will need patience and a strategy for competing with multiple offers.

King County
The median price of a single-family home sold in February hit an all-time high of $514,975, a whopping 20 percent increase over the same time last year. The number of homes sold exceeded the number that were listed, depleting inventory at a rate that is unsustainable. For the market to remain healthy, more people need to make the decision to list their homes.

Seattle
The continued boom in tech company hiring helped propel home prices to peak levels in Seattle. The median price of a single-family home jumped 24 percent over a year ago to $644,950, a new high. Inventory is at critical levels. In the hot Ballard neighborhood there are currently only 17 homes on the market. More.

Local Listings • March 11, 2016

NEW LISTING: Big Sky House in Columbia City!

by Serena Heslop

3900 S. Americus St.
Listed at $750,000

36057-E1_1Expansive views from every room in this meticulously updated NW home. Situated on a large professionally landscaped wooded lot, this home offers both privacy and convenience, as it is a five-minute walk to almost everything! Open, light and spacious great room makes for perfect entertaining. Three bedrooms on the upper floor, master-suite with a vaulted ceiling and big walk-in closet. Lower level includes a roomy den/guest room, plus huge two-car garage.

Specs:

  • 2,640 Square Feet
  • 7,200 Square Foot Lot
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bathrooms
  • Master suite with walk-in closet
  • Gas fireplace
  • Lower level den/guest room
  • Heat: Gas forced air
  • 2015 taxes: $6,160
  • MLS# 896589

Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.

Community News • Events • March 6, 2016

Save the Date: 5th Annual Free Recycling & Paper Shredding Event at Windermere Mt. Baker

by Serena Heslop

Windermere Color Logo_Vector copySaturday, April 30th
10 am – 2 pm
Drop off at Rainier Community Center
(NE Parking Lot; 4600 38th Ave. S.; Seattle, WA 98118)

Acceptable Items:

  • Computers  Laptops  Monitors (CRT, LCD)
  • Printers / Scanners  Fax / Copy Machines
  • Ink Cartridges
  • Keyboards / Mice  Servers / Routers / Hubs
  • Networking Devices
  • Communications Equipment
  • Office Machines
  • Audio Components
  • Televisions
  • VCR, DVD Players
  • Stereo Components
  • Phones / Cell Phones
  • PDAs, Handheld Games
  • Cameras
  • Rechargeable Batteries
  • Electronics
  • BBQs
  • Washers / Dryers  Ovens / Stoves
  • All Metal items

*Clothing Drive: Clothing, linens, towels, shoes, accessories, and household goods in any condition will be collected by SightConnection.

**Paper shredding available! A large shredding truck will be at the event.

Sponsored by Windermere Real Estate – Mount Baker.

From Serena • February 29, 2016

Thank You For Voting Me Best Real Estate Agent in South Seattle!

by Serena Heslop

Dear friends,

Serena-dogs-Mexico

My heart goes out to the street dogs rescued by Baja Dogs La Paz. It was hard not to bring all of them home!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to vote me Best Real Estate Agent in GO: South Seattle’s latest Readers’ Choice Awards! I’m proud to have such a loyal following in my own community.

In other news, Jacki and I just returned from a dog rescue mission trip to Mexico where we worked with Baja Dogs La Paz – a rescue organization helping stray/abandoned dogs. We brought two dogs back with us and one was adopted almost immediately. However, we’re still looking for a home for Lola, a super sweet and gentle dog who ignores cats and is fine with other dogs. She is about six years old and 15-lbs. Please spread the word so we can find a permanent home for Lola and make room for another rescue.

On the Seattle housing front, inventory remains low (three years and counting…) which makes it really tough on buyers but great for sellers, although if they want to move they are in the same boat!

That said, go here for details on my fabulous new Columbia City listing, including details on this weekend’s open house events.

Folks who want to live in South Seattle are having to move further south and first-timers seeking a city-feel are starting to look at Tacoma, as they can take the Sounder to Seattle to work and still buy a relatively affordable home. There are some real gems down there in very cool neighborhoods. The downside is that inventory is low there too, with a lot of poor quality flips.

Finally, Spring is coming and so is Windermere’s 5th annual free recycling and paper shredding event – taking everything from clothing to computers to major appliances like washers and dryers. Save the date for Saturday, April 30th.

As always, thank you for your support, referrals are the mainstay of my business, and I am truly grateful for your trust in me.

Sincerely,
Serena

Case Study • February 25, 2016

SELLER SUCCESS STORY: The Garbers & the Case of the Way-Above-List Price Sale

by Serena Heslop
Debbi and Mom

Elaine Garber with her daughter Debbie

William and Elaine Garber had lived in their West Seattle home for nearly 40 years, but it was time to move. They were transitioning to an assisted living facility and their three adult children needed to deal with the contents of the home they’d all grown up in – a lot of memories and even more stuff!

The big question was how to prepare the house for sale. Should Debbie and her brothers make all sorts of improvements such as new paint, refinishing of the floors, and removal of the wood paneling in the basement? Or should they stick to a few cosmetic repairs and call it good?

The family spoke with four different agents and got four different opinions. Given the scope of work and the cost to really make it shine, I suggested a handful of minor cosmetic repairs. They simply had to draw the line somewhere.

They decided to go with my advice and I was on the case.

“Serena was very efficient and truly listened to what we wanted,” said Debbie. “She evaluated what needed to be done to the house in order to accomplish our goals. She even pitched in with helpful suggestions and supervised the contractors we hired to get the house ready.”

The outcome was better than expected with eight competing offers. All of the potential buyers wanted major remodels, and the house sold for $63,000 above list price.

“Serena is very knowledgeable about real estate and helped us get way more than we thought we would,” added Debbie.

“She was also very sweet when dealing with my parents and explaining what was going on, even if it meant repeating it several times. The only downside was that I felt like I lost a friend once the house was sold. However, I know if I ever need Serena to help me sell another house, we’ll pick up right where we left off.”

As a special agent, my mission is to help you feel safe and well-tended as you make some of the most important decisions of your life, guiding you through the adventure of buying or selling a home with diligence, humor and respect. Call me today: 206-999-8159.

Real Estate News • February 20, 2016

Local Market Update: Record Low Inventory Leads to Extreme Seller’s Market

by Serena Heslop

Record low inventory has placed the area in an extreme seller’s market. 70 percent of homes sell in the first 30 days. With 30 percent less inventory than a year ago, multiple offers are all but guaranteed. If you’re selling, you can name your terms. For those looking to buy, it’s critical to work with a broker to arrange for financing, and create a strategy for escalation clauses and back-up offers.

King County

Strong population growth fueled by the area’s healthy job market continues to starve the region’s already limited inventory of homes. Depleted inventory resulted in sales that were down nearly 15 percent compared to last January. Not surprising, since inventory was down more than 31 percent. Limited supply pushed single family home prices up 11 percent over a year ago to $490,970. Those shopping for a relative bargain searched outside the city core. The median home price in Southwest King County was $304,103. The median price in Southeast King County was $350,000.

Seattle

After hitting all-time highs in the past few months, home prices here reached a new peak. The median sale price of a single family home in Seattle rose to $618,450 in January, a whopping 20 percent increase over a year ago. Inventory is razor thin. The Ballard neighborhood has just 20 homes currently for sale. Sellers are solidly in the driver’s seat, and have the luxury of choosing from multiple offers and being able to drive terms to their advantage, whether it’s closing time, amount of earnest money, or other concessions. More.

Best of South Seattle • February 14, 2016

With Love: Top 12 South Seattle Bakeries

by Serena Heslop

CCBakeryHeart2-650x300Reposted with permission from GO: South Seattle:

Where else will you find bakeries inspired by Chinese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Italian, Vietnamese and Japanese cultures all in one part of the city? NO WHERE! We love you, South Seattle!

1. 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. (2307 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144/) North Rainier

2. Bunneh Baking
Serving made-to-order cupcakes, cookies, King Cakes and apple bread. Perfect for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, Super Bowl parties, school birthday deliveries, office parties and more! Order online via the website or Facebook. (Seattle, WA 98118) Seward Park

3. Cakes of Paradise
Specializing in tropical flavored cakes such as Lilikoi (Passion Fruit), Guava, Mango and Haupia (Coconut)… just to name a few. (6322 6th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98108/) Georgetown

4. Columbia City Bakery
Featuring some of the city’s best bread, cakes and pastries. Voted Best Bakery in South Seattle in the 2015 Best of Southeast Seattle Reader’s Choice Awards! (4865 Rainier Ave. S./) Columbia City

5. 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. (2701 15th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144/) Beacon Hill

6. Fresh Flours
Japanese-inspired pastries such as Green Tea Macaroons, Black Sesame Tea Cookie and Azuki Pound Cake plus much more. (1624 S. McClellan St., Seattle, WA 98144/) Beacon Hill

7. Meianna Bakery & Cafe
More than 40 different baked goods, including many Chinese standards. (6008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle, WA 98118/) Hillman City

8. Redwing Cafe
Cardamom sticky buns and other pastries including. Lots of great vegetarian and gluten-free options. (9272 57th Ave. S./) Rainier Beach

9. Repast
Tiny little neighborhood spot on Mount Baker Ridge with delicious pastries, sandwiches, quiche and soups. (1418 31st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144/) Mount Baker

10. Stone House Bakery
Fresh baked goods daily, including breads, croissants, cinnamon rolls, seasonally inspired cakes, scones, cookies and more. (9701 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118/) Rainier Beach

11. 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. (6020 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Seattle, WA 98118/) Hillman City

12. Two Tartes Cafe & Catering
A variety of baked goods, including brownies, cookies the size of your head, bread pudding with caramel sauce, puff pastries, scones and much more. (5629 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108/) Georgetown

Hundreds of GO: South Seattle readers and south-end residents recently voted in the fifth annual Best of South Seattle Reader’s Choice Awards – the definitive list of who to know, where to eat and what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes and these are some of their favorite South Seattle bakeries. Photo/Columbia City Bakery

From Serena • January 31, 2016

From Serena: Happy New Year; Please Help Rainier Valley Food Bank

by Serena Heslop

Dear friends,

Happy New Year and thanks for reading my blog! It’s still a seller’s market out there with demand almost as high as inventory is low. On average, prices have increased by 11% from 2014 and by as much as 20% in some areas.

Here’s a quick snapshot of last year’s median price of pending sales by area:

  • South East Seattle: $416,238
  • Beacon Hill: $413,346
  • Central District/Capitol Hill/Montlake: $685,933
  • North Seattle: $557,608
  • Ballard/Greenlake: $571,562
  • Queen Anne/Magnolia: $758,143
  • West Seattle $438,196

So if you’re thinking of selling, this would be a GREAT time to do it, and I’d be happy to help you determine a strategy and list price.

Finally, on the community front, my office Windermere Real Estate Mount Baker has just kicked-off an important food drive for the Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB), where 20,000 residents are served each month and donations tend to drop precipitously after the holidays. Through the end of February, you can either drop food or monetary donations at the office (4919 S. Genesee St.), or call me and I’ll swing by your place to pick them up. I’m happy to do it; it’ll be a good excuse to visit.

As always, thank you for your support, referrals are the mainstay of my business, and I am truly grateful for your trust in me.

Sincerely,
Serena

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