Tina Faust, GRI

With the temperatures starting to warm up and the rain subsiding (it will happen!), the Department of Transportation begins to make their plans for the summer season road construction. 

Here's a link to the Key Projects in Snohomish County.  Here's a quick rundown:

Ongoing Projects
I-5 Expansion and HOV Lanes in Everett
I-5 Park and Ride in South Everett
SR-9 Road widening
I-5 Bicycle Pedestrian Overpass at 124th
SR-9 Safety Improvements

New Projects
SR-9 Road Widening - Lake Stevens
US-2 and SR-92 Guardrail
US-2 Rumble Strips
US-2 Sunset Falls Slope Stabilization
US-2 Slide Repair near Index
SR-9 Road widening
SR-526 Repaving
SR-528 Repaving

A detailed description of these projects is provided in the link above.

New to Western Washington? Are you considering a move to the Emerald State? Just ask for my Welcome Home Washington booklet filled with helpful information about the area.

Thinking of buying or selling? I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you! I offer full time real estate expertise and advice to buyers, sellers, corporate and military relocations, new home purchases and investors.

Buyers: My services to you are FREE; Sellers: I don't get paid unless your home sells. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Faust, GRI
RE/MAX Champions
Direct: 425-374-2728
Email: Tina@TinaFaust.com
Web: http://www.tinafaust.com/

There are many investors that swept the West a few years ago buying up properties to either fix and flip or rent and hold.  Today's prices make investing a bit tougher... but when rents are high and vacancies are low this is the time to have rental properties.

The Seattle area is experiencing these high rents and low vacancies - quality properties are being rented almost as fast as they become available.  Earlier this month I helped a relocating client find a condo to rent in Downtown Seattle.  The night before we went out I called the agents for all of the properties I had selected to show and half were already taken.

According to an article in the Seattle PI vacancies in King County are at about 4.1%.  This is only slightly higher than the same time last year.  Also noted in this article is that rent prices still have room to rise about 10-15% because rental increases have not kept up with income. 

If you are considering the rental market for your investments, I recommend purchasing in the Downtown and/or University districts - these areas will have the highest demand.  Let's not leave out the Waterfront area of Downtown Seattle.  Tourist season is about to ramp up and with cruise ship traffic between May and September seasonal (furnished) rentals could be in higher demand. 

I checked the MLS for all Seattle (residential) rentals available and currently there are 134 with an average days on market of 74.  In the last month (going back to 3/22/08) 59 properties have been rented with an average days on market of 46.

Due to market fluctuations, I don't recommend this strategy for short term investing, as it was back in 2004-2005-2006.  If you are willing to hold your rental for at least a few years, than this could be right up your alley.

New to Western Washington? Are you considering a move to the Emerald State? Just ask for my Welcome Home Washington booklet filled with helpful information about the area.

Thinking of buying or selling? I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you! I offer full time real estate expertise and advice to buyers, sellers, corporate and military relocations, new home purchases and investors.

Buyers: My services to you are FREE; Sellers: I don't get paid unless your home sells. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Faust, GRI
RE/MAX Champions
Direct: 425-374-2728
Email: Tina@TinaFaust.com
Web: http://www.tinafaust.com/

Another example that real estate is local - very local.  There is a lot of discussion about the housing market being stale and homes are sitting for months if not years.  Folks, here in Washington it's not time to panic.  Yes, homes are on the market longer than they were a year ago.  Yes, there is more inventory than there was a year ago.  Buyers and Sellers alike should rejoice, our market is returning to normal.  It is a healthy market. 

Forbes list of the Top 10 Best Cities for Sellers ranks Seattle as number 10.  Check it out:

1. San Jose, CA: Because of a tough regulatory environment, new home construction dropped 63% last year.
2. San Francisco, CA: When the conforming loan limit recently jumped from $417,000 to the maximum $729,750, that made credit much easier to get for many of the city's home buyers.
3. Salt Lake City, UT: The 3% annual job growth rate, paired with a declining inventory of existing homes and one of the nation's sharpest declines in construction made this market a good one for sellers.
4. Austin, TX: Texas is very affordable, plus the city has the nation's fastest job growth at 4.1%.
5. Kansas City, MO: The number of unsold, vacant houses dropped by 40% last year.
6. San Antonio, TX: Jobs are growing by 3% and construction starts have dropped by 42%.
7. Denver, CO: The 49% drop in construction starts paired with the 2% rise in new jobs are good news for sellers.
8. Providence, RI: Vacancy rates at 1.6% combined with a 42% cut in inventory help sellers.
9. Charlotte, NC: Moderate prices and strong job growth bode well for sellers.
10. Seattle, WA: Strong job growth and 42% decrease in new home construction are good news for sellers

As with any major metropolitan area, there will be pockets that perform better or worse than others.  I encourage you to speak with a REALTOR about what's happening in your area.  If you are interested in buying or selling a property, I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Source for Top 10 list: Realtor Magazine/Forbes

New to Western Washington? Are you considering a move to the Emerald State? Just ask for my Welcome Home Washington booklet filled with helpful information about the area.

Thinking of buying or selling? I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you! I offer full time real estate expertise and advice to buyers, sellers, corporate and military relocations, new home purchases and investors.

Buyers: My services to you are FREE; Sellers: I don't get paid unless your home sells. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Faust, GRI
RE/MAX Champions
Direct: 425-374-2728
Email: Tina@TinaFaust.com
Web: http://www.tinafaust.com/

The Tulip Festival located in Skagit County is in full swing through April 30th.  The following events are scheduled for this weekend.  With temps forecasted to be in the mid to upper 60's with sunny skies, I can't think of a better time to get out and enjoy this Northwest treat!

Friday
Art in a Pickle Barn (goes through April 27th): Meet artist Jennifer Lommers.  Open 10a-6p daily.  15379 SR 536; Mount Vernon - 360.428.8576
Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Nat'l Show: Gas and steam engines in operation, antique machinery and blacksmithing, classic farm tractors and antique vehicles.  Admission $3, children under 10-free.  Runs 8am-Dusk.  Skagit County Fairgrounds, 1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon - 360.826.3782
Guided Bike Tours: Pedaling past tulip fields.  Bike, helmet, lunch and tour for $75 per person.  13391 Avon Allen Rd. - 360.424.7461 (http://www.countrycycling.com/)

Saturday
Anacortes Quilt Walk: View hundreds of quilts along Commercial Ave.  Store hours vary.  360.428.3726 (http://www.fidalgoislandquilters.com/)
Cow Town (through April 20): Family farm experience; adults $4, Senior/Child $3, under 2 free.  10a-6pm.  15925 Fir Island Rd., Mount Vernon - 360.445.6681
Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Nat'l Show: Gas and steam engines in operation, antique machinery and blacksmithing, classic farm tractors and antique vehicles.  Admission $3, children under 10-free.  Runs 8am-Dusk.  Skagit County Fairgrounds, 1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon - 360.826.3782
Kid's Giant Garage Sale: Kids under 16 sell their stuff!  Pick from board games, puzzles, sports equipment, etc. Open to the public, free admission, sponsored by Burlington Parks and Rec.  9am-12pm.  1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington - 360.755.9649
Kiwanis Club 20th Annual Salmon BBQ (Daily through April 20): Salmon dinner with all the fixings.  Adult plate $12, Child/Senior plate $10.  11am-7pm.  Hillcrest Lodge, Exit 226 from I-5, right on 13th St, 4 blocks to Hillcrest Park, Mount Vernon - 360.420.9610
PACCAR Open House: Check out the trucks and how their tested.  A 242-acre site providing test and development facilities for all PACCAR divisions, including Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks. Tour highlights test labs as well as trucks manufactured by PACCAR.  Free; 11am-3pm.  One mile N of Hwy 20 on Farm to Market Rd., Bow - 360.757.8311
Poulsbo RV Tulip Frolic: Fun for all ages to include music at Kenmore Square and "Dirty Biter Park", kid activities at Boys and Girls Club Kids Zone (12pm-3pm), Challenger Ridge wine garden.  12pm-4pm.  1st Street in LaConner - 360.428.5959
23rd Annual Kiwanis Club of La Conner Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade (Sponsored by US Bank):  Parade features farm animals, clowns, bands, mascots and your favorite pets. Any size entry welcome.  Spectators should bring lawn chairs.  Day of parade entries welcome.  Parade starts at 2pm, parade maps available at Skagit County US Bank branches.  Downtown La Conner on 1st St. - 360.428.5959
2008 Tulip Poster Artist: Lee Mann poster signing from 11am-3pm.  RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd., Mount Vernon - 360.424.8531

Sunday
Alpacas of Misty Ridge (through April 30): Meet and learn about alpacas.  Shops, u-pick tulips, spinning demonstrations and other fun activities.  Free.  On the East side of I-5 between exits 221 and 225.  360.424.0501 (http://www.alpacaranch.com/)
Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Nat'l Show: Gas and steam engines in operation, antique machinery and blacksmithing, classic farm tractors and antique vehicles.  Admission $3, children under 10-free.  Runs 8am-Dusk.  Skagit County Fairgrounds, 1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon - 360.826.3782
Pleasant Ridge Gallery at Rexville: Bamboo Trellises; Tom Burton demos 1pm-3pm.  1929 Rexville Grange Rd. - 360.466.0469

For more information about the festival , maps and updated information about scheduled events, visit www.tulipfestival.org.  Photo by Tina Faust, 2007 Tulip Festival

New to Western Washington? Are you considering a move to the Emerald State? Just ask for my Welcome Home Washington booklet filled with helpful information about the area.

Thinking of buying or selling? I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you! I offer full time real estate expertise and advice to buyers, sellers, corporate and military relocations, new home purchases and investors.

Buyers: My services to you are FREE; Sellers: I don't get paid unless your home sells. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Faust, GRI
RE/MAX Champions
Direct: 425-374-2728
Email: Tina@TinaFaust.com
Web: http://www.tinafaust.com/

Get ready for the Cirque Du Soleil show this April 24 - May 18!  I have not been to a Cirque Du Soleil show before, but know people that have and it's supposed to be phenomonal!  Hopefully this will be my year. 

I saw something similar on a cruise ship called Cirque Pacific and it was amazing. 

The performance coming to Seattle is called Corteo, about a clown that imagines a festive parade / joyous occasion.  Click here to get more information about Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo.

New to Western Washington?  Are you considering a move to the Emerald State?  Just ask for my Welcome Home Washington booklet filled with helpful information about the area.

Thinking of buying or selling?  I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you!  I offer full time real estate expertise and advice to buyers, sellers, corporate and military relocations, new home purchases and investors.

Buyers: My services to you are FREE; Sellers: I don't get paid unless your home sells.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Faust, GRI
RE/MAX Champions
Direct: 425-374-2728
Email: Tina@TinaFaust.com
Web: http://www.tinafaust.com/