Fighting Mold and Mildew - What Seattle residence are accustomed to
Did you know?
There are over 100,000 known species of mold, a.k.a. mildew, and it can grow in almost every environment. Since it rains in Seattle, mold can be found throughout the house, it is most likely in your bathroom, kitchen, basement or any place there is excess moisture. Mold and mildew are not only unsightly, left untreated they can create or exacerbate health problems like asthma, headaches, sinus problems, and even depression. While it’s impossible to rid your home of mold completely, there are preventive and treatment methods to keep your home as safe and mold-free as possible. Properties in Seattle are not the only place where mold and mildew pop up. Any homes with moisture that gets trapped are prone.
Testing for Mold
If you suspect you have a mold problem, you can hire a professional to come run tests or you can rely on a do-it-yourself test that can be purchased online. Most “at-home” tests require you to send your sample to an outside lab for results, but it will likely still be less expensive than hiring a professional. For more information on mold testing, contact your Realtor or the City of Seattle health department.
Stop It Before It Starts
Most mold feeds on moisture. In order to keep it at bay, you need to keep your home as dry as you can. Clean rain gutters to prevent flooded basements and rotted roofs. Repair leaks and cracks in the floor, foundation, or walls. Apply a waterproofing compound to basement floor, walls, and any cracks you find. Keep a dehumidifier in rooms that tend to be damp and keep them as warm as possible during winter.
Getting Rid of Mold
Cleaning an area of mold that is only a few square feet can be done yourself with disinfectants and scrubbing. Areas larger than 30 square feet will most likely require the help of a professional. Since Seattle is such an eco-friendly city, for a green approach, tea tree oil, a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent, will kill mold when mixed with warm water. No matter how you choose to get rid of mold, you must be vigilant about keeping the area dry and clean, or the mold will come back. Summer months in Seattle are not to be taken for granted, mold still exists in these temperate climates.
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Is a Second Home a Good Investment? Yes, If you buy in Seattle!
Did you know?
Almost 40% of those buying a second home don’t plan to use it for vacation purposes, but rather as an investment property. In most areas throughout the Seattle region, home values have appreciated at an exponential rate. Partner that with continued low interest rates and many homeowners find they are in a good position to invest in additional real estate. While many second homeowners are seeking mountain seclusion or a beachfront getaway, the number of those investing in a second home to pad their portfolios is growing consistently. Is a second home a wise investment for you? There are several factors to consider:
Can You Afford It?
There are many costs associated with owning a second home besides the additional mortgage. Some things to keep in mind are maintenance, repairs, property taxes, security, and insurance.
Location, Location, Location
Where you choose to look for a second home can determine how smart an investment might be. For instance, a waterfront home on the shores of lake washington in Seattle sounds lovely and should be easy to rent when you’re not using it, but will it be in danger come flood season? Also, if your investment property is located in another city or state other than Seattle, consider the travel expenses, not to mention time, involved with every visit or check-up. Another issue can be the market in which the property lies. Houses might have appreciated steadily over the past two years, but what will happen to home prices as we enter a less frenzied, more balanced market?
Taxes
How will owning a second home affect your taxes? Each case is different. I recommend talking to your lawyer or financial advisor to fully understand the benefits and potential pitfalls.
Will your remodel payoff? How Seattle home-owners fair.
Did you know?
Almost 40% of Seattle home-owners took on home remodeling projects last year. From spicing up the kitchen to creating a bathroom that feels more like a spa, upgrades to your most valuable asset can pay off handsomely. With remodels, there is more at stake than improved livability; you could be adding thousands of dollars of value to your home. When done right, the money you put into a remodel may return to you in kind, or greater, when you put your house on the market.
Getting the Highest Return on Your Investment
Some remodels will reap greater benefit than others, and a lot of what you see will depend on the Seattle market area at the time your house is listed for sale.
Before you start any remodeling project, make a list of what you hope to achieve. A room-by-room analysis of your home can give you a good idea of where improvements are most needed.
Once you have a sense of what needs to be done, you can weigh that against what might reap the greatest reward when the time comes to sell your home.
Is Remodeling Really Worth It ?
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 survey, the average remodel will net you a hefty percentage of your original investment: A minor kitchen remodel with cosmetic changes such as new cabinets or countertops, could net you as much as 106.4% of your investment. A mid-range bathroom upgrade, including skylight, double sink, Jacuzzi tub, and tile floors, will bring back 103.2% of your money. Adding another bathroom is expensive and complicated, but could show returns up to 91%. Adding a sunroom could reap benefits to the tune of up to 70.6%. And converting your basement into a more pleasing living space could bring a 92.7% return.
Other common remodels include:
§ Major kitchen remodel: 97.1%§ Bathroom addition: 90.9%§ Roofing replacement: 88.9%§ Vinyl siding replacement: 88.8%§ Cement siding replacement: 101.8%§ Deck addition: 91.1%§ Family room addition: 81.8%§ Attic bedroom remodel: 98.3%§ Vinyl window replacement: 96.4%
By the way… I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you know someone who could also benefit from this type of information, or who is in need of a trusted real estate advisor, please forward their contact information to me so I can get in touch with them. I’m never too busy for your referrals. Sonny Kwan • VP of International Marketing • 206-819-8228 • sonnykwan@johnlscott.com
Home Values in Your Seattle Community
Wondering about
HOME VALUES in Your
Community? (Seattle)
WHO SHOULD YOU BELIEVE?
WHO SHOULD YOU BELIEVE?
WHO SHOULD YOU BELIEVE?
Are you trying to time the market in order to make the smartest real estate move?
We all wish we had a ringing bell to alert us of the perfect time to buy or sell a
home, but even industry experts disagree about the condition of the current market
and when a given real estate cycle begins or ends.
For instance, during the first quarter of 2008, the S&P/Case-Shiller Index
reported that their 20-city composite saw a 12.7 percent year-over-year decline,
while the OFHEO (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight) reported
that national prices were up 0.6 percent. Meanwhile, NAR (National Association of Realtors®)
marked an annual decline of less than1 percent.
Why the discrepancies? First, how each of these bodies evaluates numbers is vastly
different. The Case-Shiller Index only accounts for numbers in 20 metropolitan
service areas, excluding many markets that consistently show home appreciation.
In addition, Case-Shiller only counts repeat sales of the same house and
doesn’t include condominium and new construction sales, which can drastically
affect home appreciation in a specific community. In contrast to national numbers
quoted by the Case-Shiller Index, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho multiple listing
services look at all home sales, including condominiums and new construction, for
its reports. In the meantime, none of these national experts can tell you exactly what’s
happening in your local community. A report on the Seattle housing
market by OFHEO found that homes in Seattle appreciated over 64
percent the past five years. And, as you can see , home values here in King County remained
even with last year’s numbers while the national data aggregators showed decreases
from 3-14 percent year over year. The statistics quoted in the media don’t
offer much help in terms of understanding the current value of a single home. When
the median price increases, this can reflect higher overall home values. Or,
it can simply mean that more expensive than inexpensive homes sold during a period.
A decrease in the median price usually indicates that more inexpensive
than expensive homes sold during that period. Many foreclosure properties
are in the lower price ranges. In areas where the median sales price is declining
dramatically, a higher volume of lowerprice foreclosure sales could be a
contributing factor. When it comes to timing the market,
make sure you have all of the facts before making a guess. There is no ringing bell,
but there is plenty of accurate information to be had…if you know where to look.
