Celebrate Earth Day 2017!

2017 Earth Day Events & Activities Seattle WA

There are so many ways to celebrate Earth Day in the Seattle area, from cleaning up beaches, restoring native plants, repairing household items (avoid adding to landfill!!) to running a 5k and receiving a native tree sapling at the end! That's a win-win! Enjoy and celebrate our Mother Earth!

SCA Earth Day Seattle • Washington Park Arboretum
April 22 • 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join SCA for Earth Day to give back to Seattle’s public lands and help restore the Washington Park Arboretum. Volunteer activities include planting, mulching, removing invasive species and maintaining trails. (2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle, WA 98112)

Nora’s Woods – Earth Day Celebration
April 22 • 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at corner of 29th and Columbia St.
Neighbors and visitors get together to freshen up this pocket park from its winter doldrums. Hoist wheel barrows of trail chips and plant mulch to all corners of the park. More information and to register: http://seattle.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/10871/

Student Conservation Association Earth Day in Seattle
April 22 •  9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Washington Park Arboretum
Volunteers will restore the Washington Park Arboretum through planting, mulching, removing invasive species, and maintaining trails throughout the arboretum.
More information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sca-earth-day-in-seattle-wa-registration-32304834630?aff=es2

Earth Day Repair Fair in White Center
April 22 • 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
White Center Community Center gym, Steve Cox Memorial Park 1321 SW 102nd St., White Center
Today is Earth Day! Bring in your small household items and clothing, and our experienced "fixers" will try to repair and mend them. Free! We’ll also have other special activities and entertainment at this repair event, which will be our first Earth Day Repair Fair! To sign up to attend, or if you have questions, please contact Tom Watson at 206-477-4481 or sign up or make comments on our Facebook event page. With these repair events, we aim to keep stuff out of the landfill, conserve resources and save you money!

Earth Day Habitat Restoration at Discovery Park
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Discovery Park
Celebrate Earth Day with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust! As the City of Seattle’s largest multi-use park at 534 acres, Discovery Park is a park of regional significance. However, many of the areas of the park have been degraded by invasive plant species and lack the diverse habitat needed to provide a balanced ecosystem. We will be continuing our restoration efforts by removing invasive plant species. The project will enhance the species diversity, forest structure, and function of the area. More information and to register: http://mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/sites-and-opportunities/discovery-park-1/earth-day-habitat-restoration-at-discovery-park

Jackson Park Golf Course – It’s Earth Day, Hooray!
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Discovery Park
Help restore native vegetation to remnant forests along the peaceful 2.2-mile trail that wraps around the Jackson Park Golf Course! We’ll remove invasive ivy and blackberries, roots and all, to ready another piece of ground for planting native species later, during the rainy season.
More information and to register: http://seattle.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/10737/

Me-Kwa-Mooks Forest Friends Restoration
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at a picnic table on the lawn at 4503 Beach Dr. SW.
Volunteers will continue work to restore the Me-Kwa-Mooks greenbelt to a more natural state, removing invasives and liberating native plant species. Activities can include, blackberry lopping, ivy wrestling, planting, and enjoying the forest and views of the sound.
More information and to register: http://seattle.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/11087/

St. Marks Greenbelt – Refresh and Restore
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the St. Mark’s Greebelt trail sign on the south edge of the St. Mark’s Cathedral parking lot (1245 10th Ave. E).
This is a beautiful place to spend your Saturday morning restoring your nearby urban forest. Help our group of Forest Stewards with monthly tasks and nourish your mind and body with refreshing Nature. In addition to working with us, you can take a walk and tour the acres of towering Big Leaf Maples and Sword ferns. If you are lucky you’ll see a Coopers Hawk or two!
More information and to register: http://seattle.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/10787/

Celebrate Urban Nature!
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Magnuson Community Center gym and auditorium.
Fee: $2 per person (Kids ages 2 and under are free!)
This annual spring event is co-sponsored by Magnuson Community Center and Earthcorps, and features a myriad of family-friendly presentations, interactive booths, and displays; art and nature activities; a Nature Explorers Lab, and more!
More info: http://magnusonnatureprograms.com/?page_id=2455

Duwamish Alive Earth Day Event: West Seattle
April 22 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meeting location: Pathfinder School/Pigeon Point Park/West Duwamish Greenbelt
Duwamish Alive collaborates with the community, municipalities, non-profits and businesses within the Duwamish River watershed to preserve and enhance habitat for people and wildlife and improving the health of Puget Sound. As a Duwamish Alive member organization, EarthCorps supports this vision of creating a River for All.  Hundreds of volunteers will work with Duwamish Alive member organizations to make a huge impact on the health of the Duwamish River Watershed.
More info: https://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer/event/a0E8000000OR5BREA1/

Bee sweet to the Earth • 21 Acres Center
April 22 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bring the whole family and volunteer at the “Bee Sweet to the Earth” event at 21 Acres. Activities include making seed balls with kids, helping with the Bee Waggle Dance, manning the Permaculture Woodinville table, tours, classes, workshops, food and live music. (13701 Northeast 171st Street, Woodinville, WA 98072)

Earth Day Run
April 22 •  10 a.m. We proudly present Seattle's Earth Day Run April 22nd! Come run or walk one of our many race distances and at the same time you can feel good about supporting the environment. This event takes action both locally and globally. Each finisher will receive a native sapling tree + an additional tree will be planted in your name. Over the years at our Earth Day events we have handed out thousands of trees that grow and sequester more and more carbon each year. On top of all that we will also be recycling old running shoes you don't want anymore so don't forget to bring them so we can donate them to Africa. Tell your friends and come out for this great event! http://magnusonseries.org/earthday

Earth Day Recycle & Shred Event • New Seasons Market Mercer Island
April 22 • 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
In honor of Earth Day, Mary Lee & Associates and New Seasons Market are hosting a free Recycling & Shredding Event with refreshments and family friendly activities. Items that are in good condition will be donated to the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. (2755 77th Avenue Southeast, Mercer Island, WA 98040)

FREE State Parks Day
April 22 • All Day Celebrate Earth Day in the great outdoors! Washington State Parks have monthly Free Days, and what better day to be free than Earth Day! Discover Pass will not be required to visit a state park. http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/136/State-Parks-Free-Days

Earth Day Beach Clean Up
April 22 • 2 p.m.  – 4 p.m. at Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center
Join other volunteers for a work party to help clean up beaches at Discovery Park. Suggested donation of $5 to support nature programs at the park. Register by calling 206-386-4237

Earth Day Storytelling 2017 • Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
April 23 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Come celebrate Earth Day by hearing Native and non-Native storytellers at the beautiful Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle. Hear world-class storytellers share traditional and contemporary stories and music about our relationship to the natural world and each other. (4705 West Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106)

Congrats to First Time Homebuyer!

One of my favorite parts of the job is helping first time homebuyers get a home. It's a crazy and complicated thing to buy a house, so it's such a pleasure to walk people through the steps, watch as they understand each step (aha!) and then of course, when we find the house that fits. My latest FTHB is Cody, who at just 21 has purchased his first home! He's going to learn so much from this experience, both about home ownership and the financial ins-outs involved. And have a home to call his own! Congratutlations!

Just Listed - Everett Rambler

Charming 1950 home with all the modern conveniences. New roof, flooring and paint inside and out. Kitchen is updated including new stainless appliances. Spacious living and family room provides you two excellent living spaces. Double pane windows, security system and a 1 car garage with alley access. The updates give you that modern feel with a vintage look. Great walking location to Jackson Park and quick access to i-5. Come check out this gem!

Bedrooms: 3 | Full Bathrooms: 1 | Garage bays: 1 | Sq Ft: 1240 | $324,950

click here

New Listing - Great Snoqualmie Ridge Home

New Snoqualmie Ridge Listing!

Hiking paths, Carmichael Park with tennis court, Azela Park, skiing, restaurants are all within minutes. Some of the home's highlights are hardwood floors, an open floor plan, light-filled rooms, two living spaces and a dream kitchen! 2 car attached garage with alley access and a private yard. This home welcomes you with open arms!

See the full tour of this Snoqualmie Ridge home

 Open House Sunday, Jan 8 from 2 - 4 p.m. 

6626 Carmichael Ave SE Snoqualmie, WA 98065

 

Client Appreciation Bowling Party - Sunday October 9th

Saviya Robinson's Client Appreciation Party!

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In appreciation of your friendship, support and business, I'd like to invite you, your family and friends to join me for an afternoon of bowling and pizza! Come play a few games and meet other new homeowners!

October 09 2016 Bowling from 1 - 3pm, stop by anytime!

RSVP by October 7th to 206.334.8348 or saviya.rowland@coldwellbanker.com

How to Stand Out in a Sea of Homebuyers - Tips for Successful Home Buying

How to Be the Most Attractive Home Buyer in a Seller's Market

- from ConsumerReports.org

If you’re on the hunt for a new house this summer, be prepared for lots of competition. With inventory still tight and home prices on the rise in much of the country, it’s still a seller’s market in many places. Nationally, there’s a 4.7-month supply of homes for sale right now, according to the National Association of Realtors. (A six-month supply is considered a balanced market.) That means that a home buyer needs a game plan in order to stand out in a crowded field in order to get an offer accepted. Follow these steps to prepare:

1. Have your finances in order. Sellers still prefer to work with a home buyer who can make the purchase without a mortgage, since there’s no chance that financing will fall through. All-cash buyers made up 33 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2016, according to RealtyTrac. If you can’t pay in cash, you’ll need a pre-approval letter that shows you can secure the necessary loan. Meet with a lender to get pre-approved, which includes a credit check and income verification, before you’ve even started looking at houses. That will not only put you in a more competitive position, but it will also give you a sense of whether your budget is realistic.

2. Be aggressive. When you’re in research mode, you may spend months checking out open houses and pouring over online listings, but once you're serious about making a purchase you’ll need to move quickly. In a sellers’ market, well-priced homes get offers within a few days, and if a home buyer waits too long, the opportunity could be missed. If you find a home you love and think it is fairly priced, make an offer that’s close to asking price. “Make your first offer an aggressive one,” says Jeremy Swillinger, an agent with Level Group in New York City. “You might not get another shot.”

If you’re buying the home with a mortgage, putting down a larger earnest money deposit, a specific kind of security deposit, can signal to the buyers that you’re in good financial shape and serious about the purchase.

3. Eliminate as many contingencies as possible. There’s less incentive in today’s market for sellers to accept an offer with many contingencies. In particular, they’re likely to reject an offer from a buyer who can only close the deal contingent on the sale of an existing property. If you find yourself in that position, you may need to close on the sale of your current home first. “It’s all about making the offer as uncomplicated as possible,” Swillinger says. “It’s not just the price, but it’s also about the terms and eliminating any risks that could keep the buyer from getting to the closing table.”

Still, there are some contingencies that you need to keep in place, even if it slows down the sale. For example, you should never waive your inspection contingency (although you may be able to have one before you make an offer), and proceed with caution before waiving a financing contingency.

4. Be easy to work with. If you can’t or don’t want to compete by increasing your offer, you can be a stand-out home buyer by being flexible and responsive during negotiations. “If you’ve made an offer and there’s a deadline, you need to be by your phone,” says Tim Savoy, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker in Washington, D.C. “That’s when most of the fast-paced action happens, and most sellers are looking for a quick response.”

Sellers may want to close quickly or to lease back the property for a period after the close. Working with their timeline and be willing to accommodate their needs can make your offer more attractive. If you need an inspection, schedule it as quickly as possible and don’t nickel-and-dime over minor repairs.

5. Write a letter. For some sellers, especially those selling a family home that they’ve lived in for many years, the process can be an emotional one. Appeal to that by writing a letter explaining why you believe their home is the right one for you, and send it in along with your offer. “You want to make a personal connection with the seller,” Swillinger says. “Tell them why you love the property and how you can see yourself living there.”

The letter may not do much good if someone else is offering significantly more money than you, but if all other things are equal, a heart-felt letter may give you the edge.

reprinted from consumerrerports.org

All of the above will be part of what I will help you work towards, to get in order so that when the right home comes around, we are ready to place that offer and SHINE! It's a touch market right now, so every little thing helps you get closer towards your goal of buying that perfect home!

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Interested in learning more about buying (or selling!) in today's market?Please feel free to contact me.

New Listing: 1001 16th St NE Auburn, WA 98002

Charming Starter or Downsizing Rambler in Auburn, WA

Excellent value in this 3 bedroom rambler located on a large lot in a quiet area of Auburn. Remodeled kitchen with dining, freshly painted inside and out, hardwood floors and vinyl windows. 1 car garage with room for storage. Easy access to schools, 167, Hwy 18, shopping, restaurants, parks, sporting activities (skiing, boating) and Auburn Municipal Airport.

Seattle No.1 for Affordable, Walkable AND with Good Schools Nearby!

Walkability. This is top request from many of my clients, walkability. While Seattle has many "walkable" neighborhoods, it ranks #7 on Walk Score, this latest analysis shows that Seattle is tops for neighborhoods that combine "affordability, walkability that are near good schools".

Read the full article from KOMONews.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Few neighborhoods can match the perks of Adams Morgan in Washington, D.C. - a reality that reflects a broader problem for the U.S. housing market.

Residents of Adams Morgan enjoy a bevy of bars, restaurants, exercise studios and shopping, just steps from their row houses and condo buildings. Home values are reasonable relative to neighborhood incomes. And in general, the area schools rate as better than average nationally.

Across the country, just 14 percent of neighborhoods manage to be at once affordably priced, walkable and near decent schools. And many of those neighborhoods exist in only two cities: Washington and Seattle, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by the real estate brokerage Redfin.

The findings suggest a substantial mismatch between the neighborhoods where people say they want to live and the homes actually available to them.

"Cities have not kept up with consumer tastes," said Nela Richardson, Redfin's chief economist.

The analysis examined 170 neighborhoods in 20 cities, comparing home sales and income data with rankings from the organizations Walk Score and GreatSchools. Some cities, such as Baltimore, Boston and Philadelphia, contained balanced neighborhoods - where people of different income classes could afford to live - but their schools performed poorly.

Others, such as Phoenix, San Antonio and Columbus, Ohio, enjoy above-average neighborhood schools. But their communities pretty much require cars for doing basic errands.

Homebuyers have long sought high-quality schools. But a rising emphasis on walkability reflects a generational shift. Compared with older generations, millennials, ages 18 to 34, disproportionately prefer walking, according to a survey released in July by the National Association of Realtors and the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University.

Nearly a third of millennials commute to work or school by foot, compared with 13 percent for the post-World War II baby boom generation.

In the Redfin report, only 24 neighborhoods in eight cities met all three criteria of walkability, affordability and schools. Seven of the neighborhoods were in Seattle. Its University District neighborhood - site of the University of Washington's campus - ranked as the highest.

Though housing in the University District is expensive - the median home value is near $620,000, roughly triple the national level - high area incomes tend to make it relatively affordable. More than 57 percent of families earned more than $100,000 in 2014, according to the Census Bureau.

Three of the top neighborhoods were in Washington, D.C. Adams Morgan - ranked third by Redfin - is packed with bars along its 18th Street corridor. Yet its residents are also relatively well-paid, with 61 percent of families making at least $100,000. Among the new condo buildings is Ontario 17, which has sold over 70 percent of its units since its pre-construction sales began a year ago. Its ground floor features a Pilates-style studio.

"A lot of the homeowners who did purchase already lived in Adams Morgan," said Brenda Moreno, the broker managing condo sales for the building. "People want to be very close to work."

But the increased popularity of walkable neighborhoods could mean that many will eventually lose their affordability. The Redfin analysis shows that few walkable communities also have access to better-than-average public and charter schools - meaning that their home values might rise and cause affordability to drop.

A separate measure by the real estate data firm Zillow shows that prices in Seattle's University District have shot up nearly 17 percent in the past 12 months, a sign that walkable neighborhoods may soon price out its least prosperous residents.

"These balanced neighborhoods are an endangered species right now," said Richardson, Redfin's chief economist.

The Holidays Are Coming!

Halloween 2015 has come and gone and now all attention turns to the holidays. Whether you're hosting friends and family this year at your home or traveling near (or far) to be with loved ones, there's plenty to take care of in and around your home this time of year!

From deep cleaning the kitchen (cooking and baking in a freshly scrubbed kitchen will make a world of difference!), cleaning the chimney (important!) or making sure your yard is ready for the cold weather ahead, there's loads to do. 

Here's your Houzz.com November To-Do List.