Karen Jackson

Click on the following link for a real estate market update for King County.

http://www.jlscott.com/admin/doc.asp?id=17000366

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

Karen Jackson, John L. Scott, 206-714-1384, kjackson@johnlscott.com

Search for homes - the entire MLS - at http://www.WashingtonRealEstate4U.com

Is it Better to Invest in the Stock Market or Buy My First Home? By NAHB	<script type="text/javascript"></script>

Thanks to the concept of "leveraging," purchasing a home is by far the best long-term investment. Leveraging means putting down a small amount of money to earn a big return. For example, say you use that $10,000 to purchase a $250,000 home, and the house appreciates a modest 3 percent during the first year. That means after one year, the house would be worth $257,500 - a gain of $7,500. Your annual return on your $10,000 investment would be 75 percent. By contrast, putting the same $10,000 in the stock market and posting a similar 5 percent gain would only net a $500 return on investment. And as a home owner, your savings continue to grow in two ways. Every year, a greater portion of your monthly mortgage payment goes to the principal, reducing the overall loan amount. Second, your home appreciates over time, making it one of the very best financial investments. And don't forget the important tax incentives. Owning a home is by far the biggest and best tax break for middle America. In most instances, all of the mortgage interest and property taxes you pay in a given year can be fully deducted from your gross income to reduce your taxable income. These deductions can result in thousands of dollars of tax savings, especially in the early years of the mortgage when interest makes up most of the payment. To look at this another way, if you are in the 28 percent tax bracket, you only pay 72 cents on the dollar in mortgage interest payments. Not only is homeownership a stepping stone to a future of financial security, it also helps to build neighborhoods and strengthen communities. It is truly the cornerstone of the American way of life, and the fulfillment of the American dream.

Search for homes at: http://www.WashingtonRealEstate4u.com

Please call or email me with any real estate questions.

Karen Jackson, John L. Scott/Kms, 206-714-1384, kjackson@johnlscott.com

Are you looking for some fun things to do this summer?

Renton Summer Calendar of Events

July 2 Coulon Family concert 7pm Admission: Free Duwamish Dixieland Jazz

July 4 Fabulous 4^th of July Celebration - Gene Coulon Park 7am-10pm Admission: Free

July 6 Return to Renton Cruise in The Piazza 10am-3pm Admission:Free

July 9 Coulon Family concert 7pm Admission: Free Handful of Luvin'

July 10 Picnic Pizzaz - A kids entertainment series Kiwanis Park 12pm-1pm Admission: Free

July 11 Summer Chocolate Festival Renton Public Library 2pm-4pm Admission: Free

July 12 Summer Splash-tacular Henry Moses Aquatic Center Admission: Free

July 12 Moonlight movies at Liberty Park 7pm Hairspray 7pm

July 15 Will Stedman's Hollywood Educated Parrots Renton Community Center 10:30 am Admission: Free

July 16 Coulon Family concert 7pm Admission: Free Amber Tide

July 17 Picnic Pizzaz - A kids entertainment series Kiwanis Park 12pm-1pm Admission: Free

July 19 Moonlight movies at Liberty Park 7pm The Bucket List

July 23 Coulon Family concert 7pm Admission: Free Craicmore

July 23, 25-27 Renton River Days Liberty Park

July 25 "Once upon a Mattress" Carco Theatre Fri/Sat 7:30 Pm Sun 2pm Admission: $12/$10

July 26 "Once upon a Mattress" Carco Theatre Fri/Sat 7:30 Pm Sun 2pm Admission: $12/$10

July 27 "Once upon a Mattress" Carco Theatre Fri/Sat 7:30 Pm Sun 2pm Admission: $12/$10

July 30 Coulon Family concert 7pm Admission: Free Panduo Steeldrum

July 31 Picnic Pizzaz - A kids entertainment series Kiwanis Park 12pm-1pm Admission: Free

June 23-Aug 15 Summer Fest 2008 Crafts, Games and Contests Ages 6-12 Admission: Free

Tuesdays, June 3-Sept 16 Renton Farmers Market 3-7pm

Karen Jackson

John L. Scott/Kms

206-714-1384

Search thousands of homes for sale at: www.washingtonrealestate4u.com

Arlington Frontier Days Boys and Girls Club Dusk ci.arlington.wa.us

Auburn 4^th of July Celebration Les Grove Park 11am-4pm ci.auburn.wa.us

Bellevue Family 4^th Bellevue Downtown Park 6pm bellevuedowntown.org

Bothell Freedom Festival July 3-Aug 21 Thurs 6-8pm ci.bothell.wa.us

Burien 4^th of July Family Days 10am-8pm discoverburien.com

Edmonds Kind of 4^th Civic Stadium 7:30pm ci.edmonds.wa.us

Everett Family Freedom Fest Naval Station All Day everettwa.org

Fireworks Over Des Moines Des Moines Marina 10pm

Federal Way Red, White, Blue Celebration Park 10:15pm cityoffederalway.com

Kent 4^th of July Lake Meridian Park kentarts.com

Kirkland 4^th of July Celebration Marina Park 10pm celebratekirkland.org

Lake Stevens Aqua Fest & Fireworks North Cove Park Dusk aquafest.org

Lynnwood Star-Spangled Celebration Lynnwood H.S. 10:15pm ci.lynnwood.wa.us/parks

Mercer Island Summer Celebration Luther Burbank Park mercergov.org

July 14-15 5:30 pm

Monroe Demolition Derby and Monroe Fairgrounds evergreenspeedway.net

Fireworks

Renton Fabulous 4^th of July Gene Coulon Beach All day ci.renton.wa.us

Seatac Fireworks Display Angle Lake Park late eve

Seattle 4^th of Jul-Ivars Elliott Bay 5-6:30pm Ivars.net

Tukwila Family Fun at the Fort Fort Dent Park 4pm ci.tukwila.wa.us

Yarrow Point Community 4^th Cozy Cove 4pm ci.tukwila.wa.us

It's Great to be in Kent in the Summer!

Summer is a wonderful time of year in Kent, Washington. Located between Seattle and Tacoma, a stone's throw away from Puget Sound, Kent began its life as an agricultural town; today, it is a growing commercial center. Summer weather is gorgeous most days - a little rain, a little more sun, temperatures in the 70s - perfect for outdoor activities. And there are plenty of activities to choose from.

Everyone knows that the 4^th of July is one of the most popular holidays in the US. This year, residents of Kent will once again enjoy the 4^th of July Splash! at Lake Meridian Park. Families will bring the kids and the grandparents and meet with friends to enjoy a day filled with games, classic cars, and entertainment. And of course, with all that water, there must be a boat parade! The day will end with an open-air performance by the Rainier Symphony.

If you enjoy concerts al fresco, the city of Kent brings you summertime concerts - Tuesdays and Wednesdays at noon at Kent Station Plaza and Town Square park; on Thursday evenings, you'll find performances usually at Lake Meridian Park beginning at 7:00 p.m. Check the city's concert schedule to learn who is performing and when.

Kent is a great place for summertime recreation!

Search for homes in Kent (or entire MLS) at www.WashingtonRealEstate4U.com or call Karen Jackson at John L. Scott 206-714-1384