When people think about home maintenance, they usually picture the obvious things: mowing the lawn, painting the exterior, or replacing a broken appliance. But some of the most valuable maintenance happens behind the scenes. These are the small tasks that rarely get compliments from guests, yet they can prevent thousands of dollars in repairs and help preserve your home's value over time. As summer begins to wind down, now is an excellent time to take care of these often-over

A new opportunity has arrived in one of Kirkland’s most convenient neighborhoods. Located at 12217 NE 68th Place, Kirkland, WA, this spacious split-entry home offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, flexible living areas, and an expansive 8,000+ square foot lot. Listed at $1,100,000, the property presents an appealing option for buyers who value location, versatility, and the opportunity to add their own improvements over time. A Convenient South Rose Hill Location South Rose

The Eastside housing market delivered an interesting surprise this month. For the first time since December 2021, the median sale price of residential homes in Kirkland has climbed above Bellevue's. Current median sale prices: Kirkland: $1,800,000 Bellevue: $1,750,000 While the difference is relatively small, the fact that Kirkland has reclaimed the top spot after several years is noteworthy and reflects how dynamic local real estate markets can be. Source: Northwest Multiple

One of the things I enjoy most about working throughout North King County and South Snohomish County is seeing how each community develops its own personality. Edmonds has long stood out as one of the region's most desirable places to live, offering a unique combination of waterfront beauty, walkable neighborhoods, and a vibrant local business community. Whether you're a longtime resident or simply looking for a weekend destination close to home, Edmonds offers something for

For many homeowners, selling a home feels overwhelming. There are decisions to make, repairs to consider, paperwork to complete, belongings to sort through, and countless questions about timing. It's no surprise that many people feel stressed before their home even reaches the market. Fortunately, one of the best ways to reduce that stress is surprisingly simple: Start preparing earlier than you think you need to. A thoughtful preparation plan doesn't just help your home show

One of the great things about homeownership is the opportunity to make a house your own. Many projects can be completed with a little research, the right tools, and some patience. Painting walls, installing shelving, replacing cabinet hardware, or refreshing landscaping are all examples of improvements that many homeowners successfully tackle themselves. But not every project falls into that category. Over the years, I've seen situations where a seemingly simple repair became

If you're thinking about selling your home, it's natural to wonder where your time and money will have the greatest impact. Many homeowners assume they need to remodel a kitchen, replace flooring throughout the house, or completely renovate bathrooms before listing. Sometimes those projects make sense. But often, the biggest improvements in buyer perception come from much smaller—and far less expensive—projects. The goal isn't necessarily to increase your home's appraised val

One of the best parts of summer in the Pacific Northwest is spending time outdoors. Whether you're hosting a barbecue, enjoying dinner on the patio, or simply relaxing with family after work, your outdoor living spaces become an extension of your home during the warmer months. After months of rain, wind, and moisture, however, decks, fences, and patios often need a little attention before they're ready for another busy season. Fortunately, a few simple maintenance projects ca

When people think about selling a home, they often picture the day the "For Sale" sign goes in the yard. But in my experience, the most successful sales begin long before that. Preparation is one of the few things sellers can control, and it's often the difference between simply putting a home on the market and presenting it in a way that captures buyers' attention from the very beginning. A thoughtful home prep plan isn't about spending the most money. It's about making info

It's hard to believe how quickly the year goes by. Before summer slips away and the rainy Pacific Northwest season returns, it's a great time to perform a simple mid-year home check-up. You don't need to spend an entire weekend or tackle every project at once. In fact, many of the most valuable maintenance tasks can be completed in just a few hours. Small preventative steps today often save homeowners significant time, money, and stress down the road. Start at the Top: Your R

If you're planning to sell your home, here's one of the biggest changes in real estate over the past decade: Your first showing no longer happens at the front door. It happens online. Whether buyers discover your home on Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, the Northwest MLS, or a brokerage website, they've already formed an opinion before scheduling a visit. In many cases, they've decided whether your home is worth seeing in less than a minute. That's why preparing for your online d

When most people think about real estate, they immediately think about bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and pricing. Those things certainly matter. But after helping homeowners buy and sell homes throughout the greater Seattle and Snohomish County area for many years, I've noticed something interesting: People don't fall in love with houses. They fall in love with lifestyles. A home may be where you live, but the surrounding community often determines how much you enjoy l

Summer is one of the most popular times of year for travel. Whether you're heading to Eastern Washington for a long weekend, visiting family, or taking a much-needed vacation, it's important to spend a little time preparing your home before you leave. Most homeowners don't worry about their property when they're home. Small leaks, unusual noises, drainage issues, or power outages are often noticed quickly. But when a house sits unattended for several days or weeks, even minor

One of the biggest risks when selling an older home is that buyers may label it too quickly. That was the challenge with a Burroughs-built home in Lake Forest Park that I helped sell in the fall of 2023. The sellers were elderly owners, and the home had not been updated since the 1970s. That included the carpeting. The carpet was not just dated. It was worn out. That detail mattered because first impressions are powerful. Had we listed the home with worn-out carpet throughout

One of the biggest questions sellers ask before listing is: What should we update before going on the market? The answer depends on the home. Not long ago, I walked through a property in the Edmonds Bowl with the owner. It was a large home in a desirable location with views of Puget Sound. Those were major selling points. The home also had a nicely updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, newer cabinets, and updated countertops. But the bathrooms were still very much

When sellers are preparing a home for market, they often ask: What should we fix before listing? That is a smart question, but the answer is not always as simple as fixing the biggest or most expensive item. Sometimes the most important repairs are the ones that affect buyer confidence. Not every issue creates the same reaction. For example, I have sold homes that needed a new roof. A roof is obviously a major expense, but it is also an issue that can often be explained clear

One of the best things about summer in the Pacific Northwest is that homeowners finally get a break from the long wet season. The weather is nicer. The days are longer. The ground is drier. And many exterior maintenance projects are easier to see, easier to schedule, and easier to complete. But winter will be here before we know it. That is why summer is the perfect time to take a close look at the outside of your home and address small maintenance issues before the rain, mos

The May market showed a clear trend: buyers have more choices, but activity remains steady where homes are priced and presented well. Inventory increased across every category, while prices were mixed depending on location and property type. King County Single-Family Homes King County single-family inventory rose to 4,752 homes for sale, up 15.1% year over year and 19.8% from April. Closed sales were 1,742, down 2.8% from last year, but up 2.3% from April. Pending sales were

Depending on who you talk to, today’s Puget Sound housing market can sound like two completely different markets. Some sellers are seeing strong showing activity, motivated buyers, quick offers, and competitive terms. Others are experiencing slower traffic, longer market times, and more price sensitivity. The difference often comes down to price range and type of buyer. In today’s market, demand is not spread evenly. The strongest buyer activity is often coming from people wh

A recent Seattle Times article, “To buy or rent in Seattle? Depends on how long you want to stay put,” highlighted a Zillow analysis showing that the typical Seattle-area homeowner may need to stay in a home for nearly 20 years before coming out financially ahead of a renter in a similar financial position. The article notes that this is one of the longest buy-versus-rent break-even timelines among major U.S. cities. By comparison, Zillow estimated shorter break-even points i