Uncategorized • February 25, 2020

5 Cool New Smart Home Gadgets From CES 2020

by Team Abolafia

An international springboard for consumer tech, the CES conference this year did not disappoint, with plenty of new technologies, gadgets galore and even innovative food products (plant-based Impossible pork, anyone?).

A veritable smorgasbord of smart home tech was on full display for every space, from garages and walkways to under-sink cabinets and showerheads. Here are seven new smart home products that caught our attention:

HUB FREE SMART SWITCHES (THAT DON’T NEED A NEUTRAL WIRE)

GE Lighting is swinging for the fences with it’s smart home lighting lineup — from color-changing bulbs to motion-sensing switches. It’s latest offering includes three-wire and hub-free switches that are available in 5 different designs, are well-priced, include dimming and motion-sensing functionalities. Most impressively, only need three wires to connect (line, load, and ground), making them an excellent option for older homes.

Local Market Update • February 17, 2020

Local Market Update – February 2020

by Team Abolafia

New jobs and low interest rates continue to fuel the housing market boom. While January is traditionally a slower month for activity, the new year saw steady buyer demand. With the number of sales exceeding new listings, all indicators point to a strong spring market.

EASTSIDE

The tech industry on the Eastside continues to grow rapidly. Microsoft and Alibaba both have significant expansions underway. Amazon expects to increase its workforce in Bellevue to 15,000 in the next few years, a sevenfold increase from today. As the economy continues to grow, inventory keeps being squeezed. There were 47% fewer single-family homes on the market in January than the year prior. Home prices have been stabilizing for some time, fluctuating slightly from month to month. In January the median home price slipped 2% over a year ago to $892,000.

VIEW FULL EASTSIDE REPORT

KING COUNTY

The number of single-family homes on the market in King County was down nearly 44% from a year ago. That lack of inventory has resulted in more multiple offers and the return of review dates, where sellers identify a date to review all offers. Strong competition for a small supply of homes boosted the median home price 3% over the prior year to $630,525.

VIEW FULL KING COUNTY REPORT

SEATTLE

The jobs outlook in Seattle for 2020 remains robust, and demand for homes continues to outstrip supply. Traffic at open houses in January reflected that demand, with one central Seattle homes priced in the $1.2 million range drawing more than 300 visitors. Home prices in the city have been relatively stable for the past 12 months. That remained the case in January where the median price for a single-family home inched up 1% over last year to $719,950.

VIEW FULL SEATTLE REPORT

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

With 35% less inventory than last January, competition among buyers in Snohomish County is fierce and multiple offers have become the norm. The median price of a single-family home soared 12% over a year ago to $509,950. Home prices have been playing catch up, increasing at a much faster pace over the past year than King County. While the prices gap has closed, the median price here is still nearly 20% less than King County.

VIEW FULL SNOHOMISH COUNTY REPORT

This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com

For Your Home • February 16, 2020

Incorporate Pantone’s Color of 2020 into Your Home

by Team Abolafia

Image Source: Pantone

Classic Blue has officially been anointed Pantone’s 2020 “Color of the Year”. Pantone says it picked this color because of its ability to instill calm, confidence, and connection as we cross the threshold into a new decade. A dependable color, Classic Blue is timeless, and enduring, making it a great addition to just about any room in your home.

Here are some ways to add this stunning shade of blue to your home:

Furniture

Image Source: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Add a splash of color to any room with Classic Blue furniture, such as these dining room chairs, which express a sense of tradition and elegance, as well as unexpected boldness.

Tile Work

Image Source: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Geometric patterns are all the rage this year, so why not liven up your kitchen backsplash with tiles that incorporate the color of the year? Here’s an example that achieves this through bold, colorful design that doubles as a piece of art.

Cabinets

Image Source: Davonport Kitchen Designers and Remodelers.

If geometric tile isn’t your thing, the are other ways to bring your kitchen to life with this stunning shade of blue. If you’re not in a position to purchase all new cabinets, simply paint your current cabinets for a more affordable update.

Walls

Image Source: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Whether it’s built-ins, panels, or an accent wall, Classic Blue can make your furniture and décor pop. Consider this color when you paint your living room or bedroom as a way to encourage calm and confidence in your favorite spaces.

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog

Uncategorized • February 12, 2020

New Smart Mailbox Aims to Deter “Porch Pirates”

by Team Abolafia

There’s sadly no denying that the Greater Seattle area region, ranked fifth in Safewise’s “Top 10 Major Metros for Package Theft” list and second in “Amazon package stolen” Google searches, is rampant with “porch pirates” (thieves who target homes and steal packages left on doorsteps).

Now, a smart mailbox is looking to help residents in the Puget Sound region keep their deliveries safe.

Danby Appliances has announced the Greater Seattle Area will be their U.S. launch site of its new Parcel Guard Smart Mailbox.

With this new theft-resistant mailbox, delivery drivers and mail carriers will be able to place packages in an anti-theft drop slot. Danby Parcel Guard locks the slot and sends a notification through the Parcel Guard app that the package is secure. Additional features include wireless connectivity for up to five users on Apple iOS and Android devices, a live motion-activated IP camera, two-way voice communication, tamper alarm, and weight monitor.

Danby Parcel Guard was named a Product of the Year in Canada, one of the Top 5 Most Innovative Products at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, and a Global Innovation Award runner-up from the International Housewares Association.

In the Puget Sound region, Danby Parcel Guard can be found online at mass market and specialty retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Wayfair, and danbyparcelguard.com.

This was originally posted on 425 Business by Antoinette Alexander.

And on GettheWReport.com

Buying a Home • Local Market Update • Selling a Home • January 27, 2020

Matthew Gardner – Will There Be A Recession in 2020?

by Team Abolafia

Windermere Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, answers the most pressing question on everyone’s minds: Will there be a recession in 2020? Here’s what he expects to see.

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog

Local Community • January 24, 2020

Local Happenings – January & February 2020

by Team Abolafia

Checkout all these fun events around the area in January & February!

WA State Parks Free Day

January 20th

Explore the natural winter wonderland of one of our state’s many expansive parks with free admission (no Discover Pass required) in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Learn more about State Parks Free Days here.

FIND A PARK HERE

MLK Day Celebration

January 20th

This year marks the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! The day will begin at 8:30 AM at Garfield High School with an Opportunity Fair and Workshops, developed to inspire us to affect change in ourselves and our community. Our Rally Program starting at 11 AM, followed by the March to City Hall at 12:30, demands that our politicians and civic leaders use their 20/20 vision to see us and to make change in our city.

LEARN MORE HERE

Tacoma Home & Garden Show

January 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th

It’s never too early to begin planning your home refresh or gardening! A vibrant marketplace with 250+ booths to explore and several unique feature displays to enjoy, the Home & Garden Show at the Tacoma Dome is the perfect place to shop for home-related products and services, get inspired for your next home project, connect with industry experts, and enjoy informative presentations from renowned local and international home professionals.

LEARN MORE HERE

11th Annual Belgian Beer Fest

January 25th

The Washington Beer Commission’s 11th Annual Belgian Fest will take place at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion highlighting Belgian-style beers crafted by Washington breweries. Featured beer styles include Tripels, Dubbels, Saisons, Wits, Abbeys and Lambics. In keeping with this unique style, all of the beers are brewed with Belgian yeast.

LEARN MORE HERE

Lunar New Year Celebration in Bellevue

February 1st

The Bellevue Collection, Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association, and the Overseas Community Affairs Council – Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes in the 2020 Lunar New Year with a celebration featuring numerous traditional and contemporary cultural demonstrations including martial arts, music, dance, visual arts and food sampling. The festival is open to audiences of all ages and includes fun, complimentary activities for all to participate in.

LEARN MORE HERE

A Night Like This! at Teatro Zinzanni

Now through February 16th

A Night Like This is filled with classic elegance, show stopping entertainment, and mouthwatering bites wrapped in an evening so enchanting you may never want to leave! Christine Deaver as Penelope Wilde spins tall tales from her exotic travels to the Seven Seas. The staff dreams big, two star-crossed lovers find magic in the air, hoops spin, ballerinas dance, the chef longs for a 5 star review, and Master of the House, Cunio pulls you in with his powerhouse vocals.

GET TICKETS HERE

Pike Brewing Chocofest 2020

February 9th

Fall in love with sips, sweets, and savory bites at Pike Brewing Company’s Chocofest! This culinary adventure celebrates Valentine’s Day with unlimited bites from premiere local restaurants and talented chocolatiers alongside delicious sips from Pike Brewing, local cidermakers, craft wineries, and distilleries. Chocofest benefits local nonprofit Long Live the Kings, who work to restore wild salmon and support sustainable fishing in the Pacific Northwest.

LEARN MORE HERE

More Valentine’s Day Events

Warm up your winter with a fun run for charity, romantic cruise, hearty laughs or indulgent wine and chocolate pairings, all in the name of love.

February 8: Dash through the streets of Fremont in your most festive undergarments to support a good cause in Cupid’s Undie Run. (Seattle)

February 13-15: Come aboard the love boat and gaze upon our gorgeous city from the water while enjoying a delicious 4-course meal during this Valentine’s Day cruise. (Seattle and Kirkland)

February 14-15: Though Shakespeare said that music is the food of love, we think it may actually be laughter, as proven by this Comedy of Love Improv where spontaneous scenes rife with passion, lust, heartbreak and everything in between will be created based on audience suggestions. (Seattle)

February 15-16: Whisk away to Bainbridge Island for a quick weekend getaway-meets-staycation. Indulge in elegant wine and chocolate pairings while visiting 5 island wineries.

This post originally appeared on GettheWReport.com

The Gardner Report • January 23, 2020

The Gardner Report – Q4 2019 Western Washington

by Team Abolafia

The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Employment in Washington State continues to soften; it is currently at an annual growth rate of 1.7%. I believe that is a temporary slowdown and we will see the pace of employment growth improve as we move further into the new year. It’s clear that businesses are continuing to feel the effects of the trade war with China and this is impacting hiring practices. This is, of course, in addition to the issues that Boeing currently faces regarding the 737 MAX.

In the fourth quarter of 2019 the state unemployment rate was 4.4%, marginally lower than the 4.5% level of a year ago. My most recent economic forecast suggests that statewide job growth in 2020 will rise 2.2%, with a total of 76,300 new jobs created.

HOME SALES

There were 18,322 home sales registered during the final quarter of 2019, representing an impressive increase of 4.7% from the same period in 2018.
Readers may remember that listing activity spiked in the summer of 2018 but could not be sustained, with the average number of listings continuing to fall. Year-over-year, the number of homes for sale in Western Washington dropped 31.7%.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, sales rose in nine counties and dropped in six. The greatest growth was in Whatcom County. San Juan County had significant declines, but this is a very small market which makes it prone to extreme swings.
Pending home sales — a barometer for future closings — dropped 31% between the third and fourth quarters of 2019, suggesting that we may well see a dip in the number of closed sales in the first quarter of 2020.

HOME PRICES

Home price growth in Western Washington spiked during fourth quarter, with average prices 8.3% higher than a year ago. The average sale price in Western Washington was $526,564, 0.7% higher than in the third quarter of 2019.
It’s worth noting that above-average price growth is happening in markets some distance from the primary job centers. I strongly feel this is due to affordability issues, which are forcing buyers farther out.
Compared to the same period a year ago, price growth was strongest in San Juan County, where home prices were up 41.7%. Six additional counties also saw double-digit price increases.
Home prices were higher in every county contained in this report. I expect this trend to continue in 2020, but we may see a softening in the pace of growth in some of the more expensive urban areas.

DAYS ON MARKET

The average number of days it took to sell a home dropped four days compared to the third quarter of 2019.
For the second quarter in a row, Thurston County was the tightest market in Western Washington, with homes taking an average of 29 days to sell. In nine counties, the length of time it took to sell a home dropped compared to the same period a year ago. Market time rose in four counties and two were unchanged.
Across the entire region, it took an average of 47 days to sell a home in the fourth quarter. This was up nine days over the third quarter of this year.
Market time remains below the long-term average across the region, a trend that will likely continue until we see more inventory come to market — possibly as we move through the spring.

CONCLUSIONS

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

The housing market ended the year on a high note, with transactions and prices picking up steam. I believe the uncertainty of 2018 (when we saw significant inventory enter the market) has passed and home buyers are back in the market. Unfortunately, buyers’ desire for more inventory is not being met and I do not see any significant increase in listing activity on the horizon. As such, I have moved the needle more in favor of home sellers.

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog.

Buying a Home • Local Market Update • Selling a Home • January 14, 2020

Local Market Update – January 2020

by Team Abolafia

2019 ended with too many buyers chasing too few homes. December marked the sixth straight month of declining supply. The severe shortage of homes, historically low interest rates, and strong job growth are predicted to keep the local housing market strong in 2020. In a region starved for inventory, sellers can expect significant interest in new listings.