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Buying with Your Pets in Mind
For many of us, pets play a central role in our home life, so taking into account what is best for them when buying a home is important for both their happiness and that of your entire household.
Your neighborhood
When looking for homes that are well suited to both you and your furry companion, consider the area surrounding the home. If your pet is an indoor/outdoor animal, it’s important to examine the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. If your pet spends time outside, a busy neighborhood could be dangerous, and depending on the level of traffic, he or she may need to be on a leash at all times.
How conducive is the neighborhood for taking your pet on walks? If you frequently walk your pet, look for neighborhoods with sidewalks. If your pet enjoys being off-leash, consider prioritizing homes with green belts, parks, trails, or designated off-leash areas nearby. It’s also a good idea to identify where the local emergency pet centers and veterinarian clinics are to insure there is sufficient medical care for your pet in proximity to where you live.
Your House
- Size: Is the house big enough? Depending on the type of pet, or breed of animal, space may be the most important factor in picking a pet-friendly home. If you are moving into a bigger space than you were in previously, understand your pet will likely take to the additional room differently. On the flip side, if you are downsizing, be mindful of how it might impact your pet.
- Yard: If you have a pet that spends time outside, it’s important to pay particular attention to the yard. Is it large enough? Does it have a secure fence? Is there easy access between the home and the yard?
- Flooring: Pet-friendly flooring can be tough. Surfaces that can be repaired or refinished when scratched are typically the best options for homes with pets. Sealing additional layers will build up the resistance to damage from paws, claws, and general pet wear and tear.
- Carpet: Cats are notorious for clawing and scratching at carpet, and dogs are infamous for bringing the outdoors in with them. Consider carpeting of a lesser quality in the area where your pets spend most of the time, or search for carpets that are stain resistant and easy to clean.
- Stairs: Older pets and multileveled homes are at odds. Consider the age of your pet and how active you expect them to be so that you don’t find yourself in a position where you’re having to carry your pet between floors.
HOA?
When looking at a home, ask whether or not it is a part of a Homeowners Association and what restrictions may apply to the property. For instance, certain HOA developments limit the number and/or type of pets per household.
Most pet owners take the needs of their pets seriously. In fact, in a recent Realtor.com survey, 75 percent of the respondents said they would not accept an otherwise perfect home if it didn’t meet the needs of their pet. When it comes down to it, prioritizing your pet when buying a home not only insures your pet’s well-being, but that of your household, as well.
Matthew Gardner Weekly COVID-19 Housing & Economic Update: 6/29/2020
On this week’s episode of “Mondays with Matthew,” Matthew Gardner discusses housing affordability and how he believes that despite the impact of COVID-19, affordability issues will remain and may actually get worse as we move forward.
SELLER SUCCESS STORY: Listing an Occupied House During a Pandemic
My past clients, Aly and Pedro, bought their first house with me in 2016 and had been thinking about selling their house last year, but then circumstances changed, and they decided to wait until the spring of 2020. Then, of course, Covid19 hit!
Since they were living in their house and had a roommate who was a nurse at Virginia Mason, I had a lot of concerns about listing an occupied house, as all my previous recent listings had been vacant. I had taken a lot of precautions with those for showing, including leaving gloves, sanitizer and lots of signs and warnings, but I still had no idea how careful agents and buyers were behaving. So, an occupied house obviously posed way more of a risk.
We started talking in Mid-March and hoped to list in April, but as we all know, things kept changing as Governor Inslee came out with different directives for us all to stay safe; it seemed in real estate there were changes every week! So, we were not able to really get going on preparation until May.
To lessen the risk of exposure to my sellers and their roommate and potential buyers, we had a full house inspection done in early May. It turned out the crawl space had significant water penetration that was eroding the dirt under a part of the foundation.
Luckily, through my long-term relationship with certain contractors, I was able to get someone out quickly and they were able to schedule the extensive repair the following week. Meanwhile, Pedro did a lot of minor fixes that were called out on the inspection, like exterior paint touch up, etc. The house was really in great shape thanks to Pedro and Aly’s diligence.
We were finally ready to list in June. I persuaded Aly and Pedro and their roommate that it would be best if they could stay away for a few days and they were able to accommodate, so that was a huge relief. We listed the house on a Thursday with an offer review date the following Tuesday.
We had at least 20 showings, and I was so glad all the occupants were away! Lucky for them Des Moines, like Seattle, is a hot area and they received four good offers, all over asking price.
One offer stood out as the best as the buyers had no financing contingency, which meant no concerns if an appraisal came in lower than the purchase price. The offer also allowed my sellers to stay in the house rent free for a month, which was very helpful to them.
So, after several months of being on hold with their house, they could finally relax. I am so happy for them!
Matthew Gardner Weekly COVID-19 Housing & Economic Update: 6/22/2020
A Guide to Mortgage Assistance During COVID-19
For some homeowners who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a high level of concern about paying their mortgage. Fortunately, there are options to aid struggling homeowners from governments, financial institutions, and loan providers. The following information is intended to provide clarity on which financial relief options are available to you during this time.
What are my mortgage relief options?
Newly placed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides two protections for homeowners with federally backed mortgages:
- Your lender or loan servicer may not foreclose on you for 60 days following March 18, 2020. The CARES Act prohibits lenders and/or servicers from beginning a non-judicial foreclosure, or finalizing a foreclosure sale, against you within this time period. While 60 days has passed since this was put into place, it is still important to be aware of in the event that any of these actions were taken against you.
- You have a right to request a forbearance for up to 180 days if you experience financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also apply for a 180-day extension beyond the forbearance period. This does not require submitting additional documentation beyond your claim, nor will you incur additional fees, penalties or interest beyond what has already been scheduled.
Forbearance is…
- With forbearance, mortgage servicers and lenders allow you to pause or reduce your mortgage payments for a period of time while you get back on your feet financially.
- Different types of loans beget different forbearance options, understanding the differences and which options apply to your loan is key to navigating the forbearance landscape.
- Once your income is back to a normal level, contact your loan servicer and resume your payments.
Forbearance is not…
- Forbearance is not a means to forgive or erase your payments. Any missed or reduced payments still require payment in the future.
Which relief options do I qualify for?
The first step in discovering your mortgage assistance qualifications is to contact your mortgage provider. If you are unsure of how to get in touch with them, look at your mortgage statement for contact information or see what contact options are available online.
After you have successfully made contact, find out if your mortgage is federally backed. To be eligible for assistance under the CARES act, your mortgage must either be backed federally, or by one of the entities in the list below. These links show the agencies’ current advise and related loan information:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
- Fannie Mae – Loan Lookup
- Freddie Mac – Loan Lookup
For non-federally backed loans, contact your lender or servicer to learn more about their forbearance repayment options.
Today’s financial landscape can be stressful for homeowners, especially those that are struggling to keep up financially. Fortunately, these entities, institutions, and servicers have provided options to help lessen the burden. Knowing which options apply to you and your household will help you navigate through hardship as your finances recover.
JUST LISTED: Energy-Efficient, Well-Designed Mount Baker Home
3208 35th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98144
Listed at $889,000
- MLS #: 1613100
- Beds: 5
- Baths: 3
- SQFT: 2,329
- Taxes: $8,433 (2020)
- Lot Size: 4,080 SQFT
- Type: Single-Family Home
- Year Built: 2009
- Style: 2 Story
- Views: Territorial
- Community: Mt Baker
Energy efficient, well designed, light & sunny home, with vaulted ceilings, lots of windows and gorgeous bamboo floors. Smart open living area, with a big kitchen, separate dining space, a living room with a gas fireplace & covered deck. The master has its own bath, large walk-in closet & private balcony. On the main floor there are 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and full kitchen, perfect for extended family it could also be made into a totally separate rental unit. Huge 2 car garage, plus extra work room. Upgrades include: solar panels, AC, tankless H2O, new paint & carpet. Fantastic neighborhood, easily walkable to Light rail, Mt Baker Park, Lake Washington and local eateries and shops. Freeway access is super close too.
JUST LISTED: Smart, Spacious, Updated North Hill Home on Private Dead-End Street
20230 1st Place S.
Des Moines, WA 98198
Listed at $425,000
- MLS#: 1610754
- Beds: 4
- Baths: 1.75
- SqFt: 1,420
- Year Built: 1955
- School District: Highline
- Community: North Hill
Smart, spacious and updated one-level home, on private dead-end street, in much desired North Hill area. Open and sunny living area, with separate dining space and an updated kitchen. There are 4 bedrooms & 1.75 baths, 1 bedroom and bath are totally separate, perfect for a roommate! Updates include, engineered hardwood floors, recessed lighting, new kitchen counters, tiled floor, stainless fridge & French doors. The big yard is fully fenced with a useful storage shed.
Saving in the Laundry Room
When it comes to household expenses, staying at home has brought about savings in some areas, while increasing expenses in others. The laundry room has likely seen an uptick in usage, with its associated costs following suit. Save your energy and money by keeping these tips in mind as we continue to adapt to being home more often.
Master your machine settings
Review the owner’s manuals for your washer and dryer. There may very well be energy-saving settings you’re not using. For example, your washer’s “high-speed” or “extended wash” cycles will remove more moisture, which can help reduce drying time. A dryer’s “cool down cycle” allows clothes to finish drying using only residual heat.
Think twice before washing
Once you’re aware of the costs associated with washing and drying, and the natural resources this consumes, you may decide you don’t need to launder certain clothes as often – which can also extend the life of these garments. Some clothing, like jeans, sweatshirts, and sweatpants, can be worn a few times without a cleaning. Washing these items only when necessary will help you cut down. Another tip – keep another laundry basket in your room for those lightly worn clothes that you could wear again, so they keep separate from your clean clothes.
Use hot water only when necessary
Using warm water instead of hot can significantly cut down your washer’s energy expense. Using cold water puts less pressure on electricity grids, saving your household even more money and energy. Cold water washes are less likely to shrink or fade your clothing as well. To ensure your clothes still get clean, try using a cold-water detergent.
Right-size your loads
For both washing and drying, taking into consideration the size of your load can factor greatly into your savings. No matter the size of the load you wash, it costs the same amount to run a cycle. So instead of doing two small loads, wait until you have one large load. When drying, keep in mind that an overly full dryer will take longer to dry the clothes. A dryer with too few items inside costs more to operate.
Clean the dryer vent and filter
When the lint filter in your dryer gets clogged, airflow is reduced, and the dryer can’t operate effectively. Make a point to clean the filter after every use. If you use dryer sheets, scrub the filter every month to remove any film buildup. The venting that attaches to the back of your dryer also needs to be kept clean and clear.
Air dry
When the weather is sunny and warm, consider putting your clothes out to hang-dry. Doing so will keep your drying expenses to a minimum. It can also be a better drying method for clothing with delicate tailoring.
With staying at home being the new status quo, taking a look at the ways our homes use energy and incur expenses is more relevant than ever. These small changes in the laundry room are just some of the minor adjustments you can make in your household during these unique times.
JUST LISTED: Tear me down or fix me up!
716 N 47th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
Listed at $750,000
MLS #: 1611140
Beds: 3
Bath: 1.00
SqFt: 2,660
Year Built: 1906
Community: Fremont
Tear me down or fix me up! Zoned L1 (M) value most likely in the land. Could be rehabbed, some cool original features. 3 bedrooms,1 bath, unfin basement. Great neighborhood.
Windermere in Our Southeast Seattle Community
My office, Windermere Real Estate Mount Baker is so excited to announce that we surpassed our goal of raising $10,000 for our local food banks to support our Neighbors In Need! Thank you to all those who donated to this amazing cause with us. We’re so proud to have made such an impact on our local communities through this challenge and we couldn’t have done it without you! We were able to give funds locally to:
- YWCA Food Bank
- El Centro de la Raza Food Bank
- Columbia City Farmers Market (market vouchers provided to local families in need)
- Southeast Seattle Senior Center
- Rainier Valley Food Bank
Community Service Day
For the last five years, the Windermere Real Estate Mount Baker office has helped the Baby Boutique at Wellspring Family Services for Community Service Day.
Due to Covid-19 we will not be able to have Community Service Day, but now, more than ever, Wellspring Family Services could use your support.
Wellspring Family Services helps children, adults and families who are experiencing crisis take the next step forward, tap into their own resilience and strength, and build community. Our mission is to end the cycle of family homelessness by providing real solutions and wrap around services, including:
- Free Resource Baby Boutique
- Early Learning Center
- Housing Programs
Wellspring depends on community support to ensure that every child has a safe, secure and stable home. You can help by:
- Becoming a Monthly Donor – Monthly donors help to ensure sustainable and ongoing support for Wellspring families, click here to become a monthly donor.
- Donating Needed Items to the Wellspring Baby Boutique – Wellspring families are in need of basic supplies for their children, from diapers and wipes to every day essentials.
During this very difficult time families need their neighbors more than ever, you can help a Wellspring family today and break the cycle of homelessness for tomorrow. We great appreciate you support and caring.
