LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LOCAL MARKET.
Where to Line Dance in Snohomish County
So the line dance bug has bit you, eh? But, where on earth can you find line dancing these days? I’ll tell you where…
This is an old post, but very popular! If links are dead, please shoot me a message.
Every Tuesday:
Where: Normanna Lodge in Everett
What: Country Dancing
Lessons 7:30 - 8:30pm
Open Dance 8:30 - 11:00pm
Monthly and/or bi-weekly:
Amarillo in Monroe
Thomas Family Farm in Snohomish
Lazy Boy Brewery in Everett
Event info:https://www.facebook.com/pg/powerteamentertainment/events/?ref=page_internal
All DJ'd and dances taught by Power Team Entertainment. Go to their page for more info on the dates and locations.
Where to Adopt a Dog - Find a Puppy to Call Your Own
So the time has come to add another member to your family, but where is the best place to find one? When adopting a puppy or dog into the family, you want to make sure you find one that will work for your lifestyle. Here are my favorite local places to find a pup.
Single Family, likes long walks on summer nights, seeks that perfect fido to play fetch with.
So the time has come to add another member to your family, but where is the best place to find one? When adopting a puppy or dog into the family, you want to make sure you find one that will work for your lifestyle. Here are my favorite local places to find a pup.
Whidbey Island:
Old Dog Haven https://olddoghaven.org/
WAIF Animal Shelter https://waifanimals.org/
Camano Island:
Camano Animal Shelter Association https://www.facebook.com/camanoshelter/ or http://www.camanoanimalshelter.com/
Skagit County:
NOAH (in Stanwood): https://www.thenoahcenter.org
Save-a-Mutt https://www.facebook.com/SaveAMutt/
Rompin Paws Rescue https://www.facebook.com/rompinpawsrescue/
Snohomish County:
Everett: Everett Animal Shelter https://everettwa.gov/148/Animal-Services
Monroe: Washington Bully Alliance - Wabull https://www.facebook.com/Washingtonbullyalliance/
Lynnwood: PAWS Companion Animal Shelter https://www.paws.org/
Woodinville: Northwest Boxer Rescue https://www.nwboxerrescue.org
Woodinville : Homeward Pets https://www.facebook.com/homewardpet/
King County:
Humane Society For Seattle https://www.seattlehumane.org/pets/dogs/
Outdated Advice Buyers Should Ignore
There are SO many places to get advice about real estate transactions, but not all are created equal and not all advice is good.
Do you ever read those articles about what buyers should and shouldn’t do and you think to yourself… well ya, duh! I’m not an idiot.
There are SO many places to get advice about real estate transactions, but not all are created equal and not all advice is good.
We don’t live in the times of classified ads anymore. No one finds a home in their local newspaper or magazine. We have the glorious internet, an endless source of information. You buyers are educated. You buyers know what you want.
Realtor.com® recently highlighted some of the most common advice home buyers hear that no longer applies in the current housing market, including:
“Wait for spring.”
Advice like this is KEY for sellers when deciding when is the best and most likely time to list their home to have the best advantage, but buyers don’t need to wait for any “good” time to buy. Yes, spring is busy and there’s more inventory on the market, but that also means there’s more buyers out looking too. More buyers = more competition. Plus, sellers feel like since it’s the best time to sell, they are less likely to negotiate on price.
Buy when you find the right property that will meet your needs today, tomorrow, and the next five to ten years.
“Wait for home prices to come down.”
There’s always that fear of buying at the top of the market. It’s not all that irrational. But when you consider the cost of renting (which is also probably at its highest) you’re literally throwing money away. Paying high rent now and hoping that you’ll find a better deal two or three years down the road won’t work.
The better advice is to make a smart buy today for a property that will appreciate over the longer term.
“Make a lower offer so you have room to negotiate.”
Some buyers may be told to make an offer that’s less than what they’re actually willing to pay for a home. “Give yourself room to negotiate.” They say.
The old adage to offer 10 to 15% below asking is not necessarily the case anymore. (This advice does not apply to overpriced homes. That’s a whole other blog post for another day.) Sellers are competing against other homes in their area and most likely have already priced their home competitively.
The better advice is to base your offer on sales of similar homes in the area.
Snowflake Lane: Tips, Secrets, & What NOT to Do
I made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
Snowflake Lane in Bellevue
The Ultimate Christmas Experience: And It’s Free!
My family decided we wanted to experience Snowflake lane for real this year. We, accidentally, caught the end of the parade last year, and I knew the kids would love it.
Well, as you know, December is a busy time of year! Between all the Christmas shopping (thank goodness for Amazon), the Christmas shows and plays that your kids are in, and the holiday parties, there is hardly a moment to spare.
It was the weekend before Christmas before we knew it… BAM. The LAST opportunity to see the parade.
Check the weather: 90% chance of rain. Perfect! We’re tough. We’ll bring umbrellas. It might even keep the crowds down.
You hear parking can be a nightmare. We have a solution for that too! The parade didn’t start until 7pm. We decided we’d do some last minute Christmas shopping in Bellevue Square and go out to dinner before the parade. Perfect!
This is how the day REALLY went down.
✅ We arrived early afternoon and found excellent parking in the Bellevue Square sparking garage
❌Walking around the mall was literally shoulder to shoulder. I’m lucky I didn’t lose a child.
❌The fastest restaurant wait time was 90 minutes.
✅While the line was 45 minutes long at Panda Express, they totally rocked it and got people through the line as fast as they could.
❌Because getting food took longer than expected we didn’t get to the street early enough.
❌The rain hindered no one. It was POURING.
❌Adults stood in front of children, making it impossible for my kids to see.
✅Random stranger gave us his umbrella! There are kind people out there!
✅It’s not really real snow falling from the sky. It’s soap! It was definitely magical.
❌I wish I could tell you how the parade was, but I couldn’t see very well.
Tips, Tricks, and Secrets to have a Magical Experience
Don’t procrastinate. Head to a parade early in December on a weeknight. I wen’t on a Saturday night…. NEVER AGAIN!
Arrive by 5pm and get good parking
Don’t plan on eating dinner there unless you make a reservation
Plan to be cold and wear rain gear
Head to the street early to claim a good spot
Have a meetup spot in case you get separated
Will I Go Back Next Year?
Of course I will. Yes, I did it all wrong. But, I know what NOT to do and will make seeing this parade a family tradition. I hope you do too!
Who pays for what in Real Estate?
There are a lot of expenses in a real estate transaction, but who pays for what?
There are a lot of expenses to consider when purchasing or selling a home. Let me know if you have any questions.
WHAT THE BUYER GENERALLY PAYS FOR...
Lender’s Title Insurance Premium
Escrow Fees
Recording charges for all documents in buyer’s name
Tax proration (from date of acquisition)
Homeowner’s Transfer Fee
All new loan charges (except those required by lender for seller to pay)
Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment
Assumption/change of Records fees for take-over of existing loan
Beneficiary Statement Fee for assumption of existing loan
Inspection Fees (roof, property inspection, geological, termite, etc.)
City Transfer/Conveyance Tax
Fire insurance premium for the first year
Notary Fees
Courier Fees
WHAT THE SELLER GENERALLY PAYS FOR...
Real Estate Commissions
Owner’s Title Insurance Premium
Document Preparation Fee for Deed
Document Transfer Tax
Any City Transfer/Conveyance Tax
Any Loan Fee required by buyer’s lender
Payoff of all loans in sellers’ name (or existing loan balance if being assumed by buyer)
Interest accrued to lender being paid off
Statement Fees, Reconveyance Fees and any loan prepayment penalties
Termite Inspection and work
Home Warranty
Any judgments, tax liens, etc., against the seller and recording charges to clear all documents of record against seller
Tax Proration (for any unpaid taxes up to time of transfer of title)
Any unpaid Homeowner’s Dues
Homeowner’s Association Document Fee
Any bonds or assessments
Any and all delinquent taxes
Notary Fees
Courier Fees
10 Mistakes Buyers Make
Don’t fall victim to any of these common mistakes.
During a seller’s market, buyers have to be on their A-game. Here are the top 10 mistakes I see buyer’s make.
1. MAKING AN OFFER ON A HOME WITHOUT BEING PRE-APPROVED
Preapproval will make your life easier-so take the time to speak with a lender. Your situation will be different from anyone else, and your communication with a fantastic lender can make or break your financing.
2. NOT HAVING A HOME INSPECTION
Trying to save money today can end up costing you tomorrow. A qualified home inspector will detect issues that most buyers overlook.
3. LIMITING YOUR SEARCH TO OPEN HOUSES, ADS, OR THE INTERNET
Many homes listed in print ads or online have already been sold. Your best resource will be your Realtor and the NWMLS. They have up-to-date information that is unavailable to the general public.
4. CHOOSING A PART-TIME AGENT
Choose a professional who is dedicated to serving your needs before, during, and after the sale. You don't want to have to wait for your Realtor to get off work to go show you houses.
5. THINKING THERE IS ONLY ONE PERFECT HOUSE
Buying a home is a process of elimination, not selection. New properties arrive on the market daily, so keep an open mind.
6. NOT CONSIDERING LONG TERM
It's important to think ahead. Will the home suit your needs 3-5 years from now?
7. NOT EXAMINING INSURANCE ISSUES
Purchase adequate insurance. Advice from an insurance agent can provide you with answers to any concerns you may have.
8. NOT BUYING A HOME WARRANTY
This is essentially a mini insurance policy that usually lasts one year from the close of escrow. It can cover basic repairs you may need.
9. NOT KNOWING TOTAL COSTS INVOLVED
Early in the buying process, ask your lender for an estimate of closing costs. Title company and attorney fees should be considered. HOA fees, hold backs, etc.
10. NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON DUE DILIGENCE
Buyers should make a list of any concerns they have relating to issues such as; crime rates, schools, power lines, neighbors, etc. Be diligent so that you can have confidence in your purchase.
Are you ready to take the plunge and buy a home?
10 Things You Didn't Know About Snohomish
Planes, eggs, and cheerleaders. Oh my!
The town was originally called Cadyville.
Fun fact: Mary Low Sinclair, arrived in Cadyville on May 1, 1865, became Cadyville’s first permanent white female resident. She is considered to be the founder of education in Snohomish by opening her home as the first classroom. She lived on Pearl Street.
Old Ferg, the founder of Snohomish, had a daughter with an Indian woman, but married someone else.
Ferg lived with an Indian woman who soon gave birth to a girl. While in Olympia, he met Lucetta Morgan and they married in 1868. Ferguson rejected his common-law wife and child but continued to give them some support.
Snohomish means “Big Tribe.”
Snoqualmie...people of the moon
Stillaguamish...people of the river
Sultan...fastest, best
Pilchuck...red water
Mukilteo...good camp
Tulalip...shallow bay
Actors in the worst play to hit the Snohomish stage were forced to escape out the windows when the audience starting to throw eggs at them.
"The Times Special Service. Snohomish, Friday, March 26, 1909 — The Three of a Kind Company, a decidedly barn-storming aggregation, reached a dramatic climax at the Alcazar Theatre last evening when the audience rose en masse during the first act and threatened to present the play actors with a choice selection of eggs as a mark of their lack of appreciation.
"The stage manager promptly dropped the curtain to prevent any further demonstration. The audience waited a few minutes and as there were no further indications that the play would be resumed, a few bolder spirits went behind the scenes. They did so just in time to see the members of the company — four young women and several men — making frantic exits from handy windows.”
It cost approximately $700,000 to demolish the Hal Moe pool.
Real Estate Excise Tax funds of $700,000 were used to remove the building, fill the existing pools, and hydroseed the ground.
Back in the day the police chief had a monthly salary of $20, with an arrest bonus of $2 per arrest.
Hyrcanus Blackman, Police Chief.
Local legend has it that the ghost of a former policeman and many others still haunt the old Oxford Saloon in the city of Snohomish.
Chrissy Teigen was a high school cheerleader, working that team spirit as a student at Snohomish High.
The first airplane to carry mail took off from Harvey Field.
Noble Harvey established a family-owned airfield in 1945, which the family still operates as Harvey Airfield. In 1911, Nobel purchased the first automobile in the county, the same year he hosted the first airplane flight. Fred J. Wiseman’s flight in Snohomish was cut short by rain-soaked, fabric-covered wings and it ended in a muddy but safe nose-dive after reaching only 60 feet in altitude. The amazing machine was repaired, continued to break records, and is currently hanging in the Smithsonian Postal Museum as the first plane to carry the mail.
The Town Clock has a typo.
The town clock commemorates the incorporating of the City of Snohomish located at First Street and Avenue A. Can you find the mistake?
Give up? Look at 11 o’clock… oh wait… it says 12 twice!
You might be interested in…
