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13 Appliance Tips & Hacks for Household Chores
Modern home appliances make our lives so much easier. They tackle dreaded household chores, saving us time and effort. There are lots of ways to use them, however, that you may not have thought of before. Here are 13 little-known tricks for getting more than your money’s worth from your appliances.
13 Appliance Tips & Hacks for Household Chores
1. Regularly Clean Toys
Regularly clean your children’s toys. Use your dishwasher to wash teething rings, small plastic toys, mouth guards, and even baseball caps. Place items on the top rack and run the dishwasher as usual with detergent (without any dirty dishes). Put smaller items in a small mesh laundry bag so that they don’t move around.
2. Clean Ceiling Fixtures
At least once or twice a year, remove and clean your glass ceiling fixtures and light covers in an empty dishwasher. Light fixtures can be a magnet for dust and cleaning them will help your lighting shine bright in all its glory. Run the dishwasher on the normal cycle.
3. Eliminate Wrinkles
To smooth out wrinkled clothes or linens left too long in the dryer, toss a damp, lint-free cloth in with them. Run the load on the lowest setting for 10 to 15 minutes. Newer dryers also feature a steam setting that removes wrinkles and refreshes clothing between wears.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: VioletaStoimenova
4. Reduce Germs in the Kitchen
Disinfect sponges and dishcloths. Kitchen sponges and dishcloths contain billions of germs. Clean and disinfect them daily by zapping them on high in the microwave for two minutes to kill germs. Disinfecting these items periodically as opposed to throwing them away can help you cut down on waste in the kitchen.
5. Clean Upholstery
Freshen up your curtains. Vacuum heavy drapes with the upholstery attachment. Use the dusting brush attachment for lighter drapes. Wash sheer curtains in the washing machine on the delicate cycle, then hang them up while they’re damp to prevent wrinkles.
6. Remove Wax from Fabric & Carpet
To get the most out of your flooring and fabrics around your home, they require cleaning. To get rid of wax on a tablecloth, place it in your freezer until the wax is hard. Then put a flat paper bag over the wax and another under the fabric. Iron the top bag with a medium-hot iron until all the wax transfers to the bag. To remove wax from a carpet or rug, place an ice pack on the spot until the wax hardens. Shatter the wax and vacuum up the chips.
7. Clean Baseboards
Along with fans, vents, and underneath furniture, baseboards are not as frequently cleaned as other more common home surfaces but cleaning them can make a big difference in how your home feels. Dusting baseboards can be a backbreaking chore. Use your vacuum cleaner and the dusting brush attachment to avoid having to bend down. Do the same to clean chair and table legs.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: milan2099
8. Organize Your Refrigerator
Use the built-in features of your refrigerator to organize food by category. Designate certain shelves or areas for leftovers, preferably front and center, so you don’t forget they’re in there. Use special-purpose bins for their intended use: crispers for vegetables, deli trays for deli meats and cheeses, cold storage trays for meats. Newer models also feature convertible cooling zones to keep food fresh.
9. Dust Blinds
Extend the blinds fully and turn the slats to the closed position. Use the dusting brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean the slats from top to bottom. Then open and re-close the slats in the opposite direction and repeat the process.
10. Clean Your Microwave & Range
The best time to clean your microwave is immediately after using it. Thanks to residual steam, all you have to do is wipe it out with a paper towel or damp sponge. To clean old messes, microwave two cups of water on high for five minutes. The steam will soften cooked-on spills, which you can wipe off with a paper towel or cloth. Your gas/electric range needs regular cleaning as well, especially if you use it frequently.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: PeopleImages
11. Exterminate Dust Mites
Dust mites live off human and animal dander and other household dust particles and can lower your home’s air quality. They thrive in sofas, carpets, and bedding. Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum your mattress and upholstered furniture regularly to minimize dust mites. Be sure to empty the canister in an outdoor trashcan.
12. Groom Your Pet
After you’ve groomed your dog or cat, use the dusting brush attachment to clean up after. It’s an easy way to collect shedding fur, especially from carpeted areas or upholstery.
13. Remove Grime in Shower
Wash plastic shower curtain liners in the washing machine with hot water and detergent on the regular cycle. Throw in a small bath towel to help “scrub” mildew and soap scum off the liner. Then rehang the liner and let it air-dry. Regularly clean your bathtub and light candles to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
For more information on home appliances, protecting your home from damage, and more, head to the Living section of our blog:
Market Insights | September 2022
Sales volume has dipped a little in our area, which is common for this time of year, but the average sales price is continuing to hold steady.
New Listings: Camano Island had 49 new listings hit the market in September, a 17% increase over last year. Stanwood experienced a 45% decline in inventory from last September with 27 new listings compared to 49 last September. However, on September 30, our inventory count was up 122% over this same time last year, with 149 active listings in our two zip codes.
Pending Sales: Stanwood and Camano Island both saw fewer pending sales compared to last year, with 52 Sellers accepting offers on their homes, compared to 96 last September (down 46%).
Homes Sold: There were 60 homes sold in zip codes 98282 and 98292 in September. 25 sales on Camano and 35 sales in Stanwood. This is a 51% year-over-year decrease. Despite the fewer sales, the average sale price still rose.
SELLERS – We are in a new market, and it is time to be more realistic with your pricing. Be ready for offers to include terms such as interest rate buy downs or other credits to Buyer. It is technically still a Seller’s Market, but it is more favorable to Buyer’s than it has been in many years.
BUYERS – Do not give up! Inventory levels are more than double this time last year. If you have been searching for a while, the current interest rates may be tripping you up a bit. Don’t count on rates returning to those pandemic lows. Get creative with financing and price. Homeownership is a good hedge against inflation.
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Marla Heagle
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Windermere Real Estate Designated Broker | REALTOR®
Owner, Windermere Stanwood & Camano Island
360-387-HOME
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What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)?
An integral part of the formula to successfully buying a home is securing the correct amount of financing. Once you’ve found the home you’d like to pursue, one of your primary tasks is exploring different loan products to see which best fits your situation. Eventually, you’ll come to a fork in the road where you’ll need to decide between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). The following information will help you gain a better understanding of ARMs to help you decide whether they’re right for you.
What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)?
After your down payment, your mortgage will finance the remainder of your home purchase. Whereas fixed-rate mortgages allow you to lock in a specific interest rate and payment for the life of your loan, adjustable-rate mortgages’ interest rates will fluctuate over time, thus changing your loan payment. It’s typical for ARMs to begin with a low introductory interest rate, but once that first stage of the loan has passed, they will begin to shift up and down. ARMs generally have a cap that specifies the maximum rate that can occur for that loan.
Let’s say you secure an adjustable-rate mortgage with 30-year terms, the first five of which are at a fixed rate. When the variable interest portion of the loan kicks in, your mortgage’s fluctuations will be measured against an index. If the index is higher than when you secured the loan, your rate and loan payment will go up—and vice versa. How often your ARM rates change depends on your agreement with your lender. Talk to your mortgage broker to learn more about the characteristics of adjustable-rate mortgages.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: FG Trade
Different Types of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
Payment-Option ARM: You’ll have flexibility to choose your monthly payments with a payment-option ARM, including interest-only payments and minimum payments that don’t cover interest. These loan products can get home buyers into hot water quickly when rates increase.
Interest-Only ARM: With an interest-only ARM, you pay just the interest on the loan for a specified introductory period, then the principal payments kick in on top. The longer the introductory period, the higher your payments will be when the delayed principal payments enter the equation.
Hybrid ARM: As outlined above, a hybrid ARM begins with a fixed-rate introductory period followed by an adjustable-rate period. Typically, a hybrid ARM’s fixed-rate period lasts anywhere between three to 10 years, and its rates adjust at an agreed-upon frequency during the adjustable-rate period, such as once every six months or once a year.
Pros and Cons of an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
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Home Monthly Payment Calculator
To get an idea of how your mortgage payment will fit into your budget, use our free Home Monthly Payment Calculator by clicking the button below. With current rates based on national averages and customizable mortgage terms, you can experiment with different values to get an estimate of your monthly payment for any listing price.
For more information on financing your next home purchase, connect with an experienced, local Windermere agent.
Finding Your Style
Deciding to invest your money into building or buying a home is a major life choice that will have a lasting impact on you and your family. This is why it’s vital that your home fits your family’s needs and embodies the style and design scheme you’ve always dreamed about.
There’s usually so much work that has to be done when people start their home-building journey that they may forget about seemingly “small” details and stylistic aspects. It’s never a good idea to put these things on the back burner! Planning out the aesthetic of your home is just as important as planning the proper construction. If you end up with a home that looks “good enough,” but doesn’t check all of your boxes, you may find yourself renovating just a few years down the line.
Keep reading to familiarize yourself with some popular architectural styles so you can better realize your vision of the perfect home.
5 Architectural Styles You Should Know About
There are many architectural styles, but this article will focus on two popular Pacific Northwest styles, Northwest Regional and Northwest Modern, as well as three universally-liked styles — Cottage, Colonial, and Cape Cod. Take a look below to learn more.
Northwest Regional Style
This style was popular in the Pacific Northwest from the 30s to the 60s. Its most standout characteristics include wood-framed construction reminiscent of typical northwestern barns, along with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, open floor plans, and minimal decoration.
You can think of it as a minimalistic, cabin-in-the-woods architectural style, but with a modern twist. Nowadays, the idea of getting more natural light in and using unpainted wood is starting to become trendy again, so this style is certainly something worth looking into.
Northwest Modern Style
As mentioned just above, a big part of the northwestern style is about bringing the outdoors inside as much as possible and putting a spotlight on nature. When you combine this style with the well-known modern or contemporary style, you get the Northwest Modern architectural style.
Its key components often include asymmetrical floor plans, large overhangs, and low-pitched roofs. It’s a style influenced heavily by the characteristics of the Pacific Northwest. Much like the Northwest Regional style, you may see homes that integrate with the surrounding environment and incorporate natural elements as much as possible in the construction process. This style may come with more contemporary features than Northwest Regional, as modern amenities are also often a focus.
Cottage Style
The thatched-roof cottage houses typical for Medieval England served as an inspiration to architects, who came up with the cozy-looking, cottage-style homes we see around America today.
This architectural style was trendy in the 20s and the 30s, and many houses built during that period in the U.S. reflect that. The features you will often see in a cottage-style house are steep roof pitches, cross gables, asymmetry, casement windows with small panes, and siding made from brick, stucco, or stone.
Colonial Style
This house style is popular in the United States, and its roots go back to the colonial era. With that said, it has evolved a lot since then and even has a 19th-century revival called Colonial Revival.
These homes tend to be symmetrical with a simple exterior made from brick, wood, stone, or siding material. They have two or more stories, and they often have chimneys/fireplaces. Such houses usually have the family room, living room, kitchen, and other common areas on the first floor and bedrooms on the second.
Cape Cod Style
The Cape Cod style was reintroduced into the mainstream in the 1920s; however, its roots go back to the 17th century.
Cape cod houses can be identified by their steep roofline, mirrored windows on each side of the door, and classically, the central chimney. Other standout features include wood siding, hardwood floors, and multi-pane windows. This home was originally made for function rather than beauty, but there are now many different versions of this style.
In Conclusion
These are just five of the many architectural designs you may choose for your home. Styles can range from ultra-minimalistic to extravagant and flashy. With that said, regardless of how great the design you chose looks on paper, it’s important that you choose the right people to bring it to life.
The contractor can make or break the aesthetic you’re hoping for, so finding a good partner for your house-building journey is key. If you’re a resident of the Stanwood/Camano Island area or you hope to relocate to this corner of the PNW, consider checking out Titan Homes, Wickstrom Construction Inc. and Impel Construction. If you need help finding a local builder contact a local agent!
Remember, the earlier you know what kind of vision you want to bring into life, the better the results will be, so get out there and learn about as many architectural styles as you can!
Market Insights | August 2022
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Marla Heagle
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Windermere Real Estate Designated Broker | REALTOR®
Owner, Windermere Stanwood & Camano Island
360-387-HOME
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Fix and Flip Houses
We’ve all watched home renovation TV shows at one point or another. You know, the ones where real estate investors buy houses that look like no one would dare live in them and then turn them into jaw-dropping dream homes? In the best-case scenario, investing in those homes actually makes them a profit despite how much money they spent to get the home and renovate it.
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This process is referred to as house flipping in the real world. Unfortunately, in reality, it’s not as easy or as glamorous as it looks on TV. Regardless, it is a real way to make money if you know what you’re doing. Keep reading to learn more about the fix + flip trend!
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What Is House Flipping?
House flipping is a process in which someone buys real estate, owns it for a short period of time, and then hopefully sells it for profit. Basically, in this scenario, instead of purchasing a home so you can live in it or give it to your children, you’re participating in one of the many strategies for investing in real estate.
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Of course, this is all easier said than done. Sometimes flipping a house doesn’t happen quickly, and owners have to make a ton of renovations and repairs before they’re even able to consider selling the property. Other times, they may own a home for a long time and wait for the perfect moment to sell it and make a profit. The ultimate goal is to buy low and sell high, just like with any other investment. The tricky part is selling the property in a relatively short time — typically less than a year.
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Fix + Flip Example
To make the house flipping process more understandable, let’s take a look at one recent example from beautiful Camano Island. In the summer of 2021, a property in Camano Island (366 E Selkirk Dr) was listed for sale by Kevin Flynn at $450,000, and it sold for the same price. This is the start of the flip!
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On March 10th, 2022, the property was once again listed for sale, and the price requested was $665,000. A month later, the property on Camano Island was sold for $685,000 by the new owners. In this example, the real estate investors earned over $200,000 from flipping this home (before accounting for the price of the renovations), and they made that money in less than a year.
366 E Selkirk before the remodel
366 E Selkirk after the remodel
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How Can You Get Started?
If house flipping sounds like something you might be interested in doing, then let’s take a look at how you can get started if you have zero experience in the real estate field.
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Set a Budget
The first thing you need to consider is whether you can comfortably afford to invest in real estate or not. In most cases, people underestimate the cost, so it’s a good idea to play it on the safe side and plan for much higher prices than expected.
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Look for the Right Property
Look for a property that fits your budget with marketable qualities that could be highlighted with a little bit of work on your end. Consider browsing for such properties through auctions, short sales, and foreclosures. Another good tip is to try to find an experienced real estate agent that will help you navigate the house flipping process.
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Make an Offer
Once you’ve found a property you like, it’s time to make an offer. It’s a good idea here to have an agent’s help so you can stay within your budget. And remember, if it doesn’t work on the first try, that doesn’t mean you should give up — just keep looking for good opportunities.
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Have a Timeline
Not all renovations have to take years. Set a timeline and ensure all the needed repairs and renovations can be done within it. If you’re flipping a home as an investment, you’ll likely want to have the house resold within a year, or preferably less.
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Work With Contractors You Trust
Unless you can do renovations and all sorts of repairs by yourself, you will likely need to hire a construction team and other specialists to do the job for you. It’s good to either work with people that are recommended to you by people you trust (friends, relatives) or to find a construction company with good reviews, all needed licenses, and an ability to meet your timeline.
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Sell the Property
Once you’re done with the renovations and think the right time has come, you have to make the sale. You can choose to work with a real estate agent who can find buyers and expand your reach. Visit our landing page to find a local agent.
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In Conclusion
If you like the idea of making money from real estate, house flipping might be a suitable investment for you. If you have the time, energy, and money to put into fixing and flipping a house, you could make a pretty profit in a short amount of time. Remember to take the proper precautions and do your research ahead of time, as house flipping can also be a risky investment!
Making a Contingent Offer: Common Real Estate Contingencies
Imagine a home-buying scenario where you make an offer, the seller immediately accepts, and the two of you move through closing without any hiccups until you have keys in hand. It’s possible, but a more likely home buying experience is marked by negotiation, counteroffers, and a back-and-forth dialogue between both parties to reach a deal. And in some cases, the deal can fall through.
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Contingencies protect buyers and sellers against these natural characteristics of the home buying process and any problems that may arise before a home sale is finalized. They help to shape a buyer’s offer and can be used strategically to make it more appealing. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you’ve bought before, you should be aware of common real estate contingencies and the role they play in making an offer on a home.
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Making a Contingent Offer on a Home
After you and the seller agree on the price of a home, both parties have certain duties to finalize the transaction. Buyers are responsible for securing financing, having the home inspected, and getting the property appraised. Sellers are responsible for prioritizing the offer on the table and opening their doors to the home inspector when the time comes. The agreed-upon contingencies included in the contract protect the buyer and seller against any issues that may arise during this time.
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Contingencies present a spectrum of options to home buyers, allowing them to walk away from a real estate transaction with their earnest money intact or renegotiate the contract. While their inclusion offers protection and negotiating leverage, sometimes their exclusion can be just as effective.
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In a seller’s market, competition amongst buyers is high. Escalation clauses, bidding wars, and all-cash offers become commonplace as potential home buyers compete for a limited number of listings. To sweeten their offers in such market conditions, buyers will typically waive their contingencies. This presents added risk due to a lack of protection, but with so much competition around them, buyers are left with no choice but to maximize their offer’s appeal.
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Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: andresr
Common Real Estate Contingencies
Home Inspection Contingency
After you’ve made an offer, you’ll have a home inspector thoroughly examine the home before the deal is final. If they discover issues with the property, this contingency allows you and your agent to present the seller with a new offer that accounts for the home’s lessened condition, or to cancel the contract entirely.
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Financing Contingency
Also known as a “mortgage contingency,” a financing contingency gives the buyer a specified period of time to secure adequate financing to purchase the home. Even if you are pre-approved for your mortgage, you may not be able to obtain the right loan for the home. If you are unable to finance the purchase, this contingency allows you to back out of the contract and recover your earnest money, and the seller can re-list the home.
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Appraisal Contingency
An appraisal contingency states that the home must appraise for, at minimum, the sales price. It allows you to walk away from the deal if the property’s appraised value is lower than the sales price, and typically guarantees that your earnest money will be returned.
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Home Sale Contingency
If you’re buying a new home while selling your current one, you may want to include a home sale contingency in your offer. This contingency specifies the date by which you’ll need to sell your current home in order to move forward with your offer. If you don’t sell your home by the specified date, the contract is terminated. Home sale contingencies are financially appealing in that they allow buyers to use the proceeds from their home sale to fund their new home purchase. However, these contingencies force sellers to wait until the buyer’s current home sells, which means they likely won’t accept such offers in competitive markets.
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Title Contingency
Before the sale of a home goes final, a search will be performed to ensure that any liens or judgements made against the property have been resolved. A title contingency allows you to raise any issues you may have with the title status of the property and stipulates that the seller must clear these issues up before the transfer of title can be complete. If an unpaid lien or unpaid taxes turn up in the home’s title search, this contingency also allows you to back out of the deal and look for another home.
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To learn more about preparing a winning offer, connect with a local, experienced Windermere Real Estate agent.
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Fall in Stanwood and Camano Island
The opportunity for fun and adventure in the Stanwood and Camano Island area isn’t over after labor day! There is an abundance of exciting experiences waiting for visitors and locals as the weather cools down this fall.
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Take a look below to learn about some fun activities you don’t want to miss out on if you’re in this special corner of the PNW this autumn.
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Visit the Kristoferson Farm
This Camano Island farm has been in the same family since 1912, and it’s an island staple in autumn. Visit the Kristoferson Farm to buy their organic crops and produce such as apples, pumpkins, lavender, and more. The Kristoferson Farm Store is stocked seasonally with different goods, and they often sell wreaths, jams, and herb blends, among other products. If you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy dinner at the farm and taste some delicious food and drink.
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Have an Adventure at Arrowhead Ranch
Founded about six years ago, Arrowhead Ranch is a perfect place for the adventurous and active people of the world. Visit this adventure center founded by Camano Island’s own Randy and Marla Heagle to throw axes, take classes in different kinds of craftsmanship, or host your own special event. Time to get your blood pumping with some axe throwing!
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Plant Lovers, Go to Flora & Fauna
If you love the PNW, it’s safe to assume you’re a fan of nature. If you just can’t get enough, stop by Flora & Fauna in Stanwood. This is your one-stop shop for plants, flowers, and plant-related products and gifts. You can even create your own flower bouquets and bring your vision to life. Depending on when you’re in town, you might be able to attend one of Flora & Fauna’s special workshops as well.
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Dine In at SAAL Brewing Company
Stanwood’s SAAL Brewing Company is both a brewery and a full-service restaurant that prides itself on quality and community. SAAL Brewing Co. prioritizes sustainability and uses locally sourced ingredients, always keeping ethical standards in mind. Additionally, SAAL Brewing Company works to improve and support the community in many different ways, one of which is making great food and beverages!
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Treat Yourself at Mustard Seed Baking Co.
You don’t want to miss this delicious bakery and pastry shop located in Stanwood. With fresh and flaky treats, made-to-order sandwiches, coffee, and more, this location isn’t just any old bakery. If you fall in love with the food and drinks, you can purchase Mustard Seed merchandise as well!
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Make a note on your calendar for October 16th — this is when the Mustard Seed is hosting “The Pickers Market at 271 – Harvest Fest,” where you can enjoy food, local shopping, and more.
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Visit Camano Commons
If you like food and some good old marketplace fun, be sure to pay a visit to Camano Commons. This marketplace has a wide selection of restaurants and dining options, as well as a collection of businesses and services such as a yoga studio and spa.
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Spend time strolling around this local marketplace as you prepare for your next big adventure!
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Get Outside and Enjoy the Natural Beauty
It’s fun to visit the local haunts, but it can be just as exhilarating to see the local sights. Consider hiking and sightseeing at one of the island’s many parks, such as the beautiful waterfront Cama Beach Historical State Park. You can enjoy the ocean views and watch for wildlife while you’re at it. If you’re an avid wildlife observer, bring along your binoculars and enjoy the native fauna of the area.
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Go Have Fun This Fall
Just because the weather gets a little colder in the fall doesn’t mean the fun is over. Whether you’re just visiting Camano Island or you’re a native of the area, there are so many things to occupy yourself with this autumn.
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Do some classic fall activities like pumpkin and apple picking with the family, get your adrenaline going with some axe throwing, and finish off the Stanwood/Camano Island experience with a relaxing hike and some world-class food and drink. Get out there and create some great fall memories!
Decorating with House Plants to Match Your Décor Style
Interior design solutions come in all shapes and sizes. After all your furniture items, art, and other physical items are all in their right place, decorating with house plants can provide the perfect final touch. The best plants for your home are the ones that will thrive in your local climate while complementing your existing décor. Here are a few common house plants and their corresponding interior design styles to aid your decorating efforts.
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Decorating with House Plants to Match Your Décor Style
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern interior design is ubiquitous, and for good reason. Its simple concepts, open spacing, and emphasis on natural elements make it one of the premier interior design styles for homeowners and design experts alike. A Split-Leaf Philodendron, or “Swiss cheese plant,” is ideally suited for these interior spaces, and its signature leaf holes make it a visual focal point. Swiss cheese plants will thrive in open spaces with access to natural light, climbing toward the ceiling as space allows. For the same reasons, Fiddle-Leaf Figs feel at home in a mid-century modern aesthetic.
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Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: funebre
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Industrial
There’s an inherent give and take with industrial interior design in that it foregoes traditional elements that we associate with comfort for stylistic choices that create a strict-yet-visually appealing environment. Decorating with house plants can add vibrance to an industrial backdrop of wood, steel, brick, stone, and copper without compromising the edginess of the style. Both Snake Plants and Cast Iron Plants will harmonize with an Industrial space. Both are low-maintenance plants that mesh well with materials that evoke toughness and durability.
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Minimalist
The combination of minimalism and house plants is a match made in heaven. Given minimalism’s focus on the reduction of waste and clutter and the importance of bringing the outdoors in, all signs point toward decorating with house plants. Being selective about which plants you include will keep everything in line with the fundamental concepts of minimalism—too many plants and things would easily feel off balance. Large-leaf plants are a perfect solution for minimalist decorators, such as Rubber Plants, Bird of Paradise, and Silver Evergreen.
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Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska
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Farmhouse
The Farmhouse interior style prioritizes cleanliness and an inviting spirit. Its white-washed backdrop of whites, grays, and beiges makes it a fitting canvas for the lush green additions that a selection of house plants can provide. Spider Plants work well to fill shelf space, which come in both solid green and white-striped varieties. These plants are easy to take care of and thrive in partial sun or shade. Aloe Vera plants in the kitchen can refresh the look of your shelving or counter space.
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Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: xavierarnau
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Traditional
Homeowners with traditionally styled interiors have a whole host of options to choose from. Any classic plant species will complement its traditional surroundings, but more specific choices can bring out the uniqueness in your home. If your decorations are rife with patterns and geometric shapes, perhaps a fern or Amazon Lily would help to balance the room. Bamboo may be a natural fit for your home depending on your existing décor. If you’re looking for a hanging display to fill empty wall space, consider Devil’s Ivy.
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As always, research the watering and sunlight needs of a house plant before bringing it into your home. For more on decorating with house plants, be sure to read our room-by-room guide:
The Best Indoor Plants for Every Room
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Written by Sandy Dodge
Still a sellers’ market, but more homes for sale in Stanwood-Camano area
After several years of low inventory and high demand, the local housing market is taking a step toward a more “normal” environment.
“It has been such a super intense market. Everything moved at such a fast pace,” said Marsha Ross, a local broker with John L. Scott. “It’s balancing out a little more now, which is better for everyone.”
In the Stanwood-Camano area, there were 141 homes on the market in July — about double from a year ago.
However, the tight market of the past few years never seemed to dampen sales, which held steady at around 100 per month in the summertime during the past five years. It meant buyers had fewer choices and more competition when making offers.
“It’s been such a unique two years,” said Marla Heagle, broker and co-owner of Windermere Stanwood Camano. “It seems like everyone is slowing to take a breath finally.”
In the white-hot local market of the past few years, it was common to see a home listed on a Thursday with offers reviewed on Monday, she said. Most homes, when priced right, would see multiple, aggressive offers, she said.
“So far this summer, the prices just aren’t escalating as fast. But we’re still seeing multiple offers here and there,” Heagle said.
On Camano, the median price of the 34 homes sold in July was $601,000, down slightly from $615,000 a year ago, according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
In Stanwood, the median price of the 68 homes sold was a record $730,000, up from $575,000 a year ago, according to the Northwest MLS.
Local home prices have risen dramatically as the region kept working over the past decade to climb out of the Great Recession. In July 2016, the median price of homes sold on Camano was $280,000 and in Stanwood was $347,000.
Bob Wold, broker and co-owner of Re/Max Elevate in Stanwood, said he expects the market to continue trending toward normal.
“The last few years were unprecedented,” Wold said. “With the world in COVID and inventory levels shrinking to levels we’ve never seen before, there’s no other word for it than unprecedented. But I’m happy to see it moving toward a balanced, healthy market. That’s what’s best for both buyers and sellers.”
Across Western Washington in July, there were fewer sales, but prices still rose, albeit at a slower rate than the previous year. The median price on last month’s closed sales of single-family homes and condos increased 6.1% from a year ago, rising from $589,000 to $625,000 in Western Washington.
In the four-county Puget Sound region, price changes ranged from a gain of about 2.7% in King County (from $789,000 to $810,000) to a jump of nearly 12.7% in Pierce County (from $501,500 to $565,000). Kitsap prices rose 5.4% while prices in Snohomish County increased 9.3%.
Inventory of single-family homes and condominiums across the 26 counties served by Northwest MLS has not exceeded two months since January 2019 when there was 2.3 months of supply. But in July, data showed 2.01 months of inventory across Western Washington.
“Today’s buyers have their cups finally overflowing with options as residential inventory grows to about two months of supply,” Dick Beeson, managing broker at RE/MAX Northwest Realtors in Gig Harbor, said in a Northwest MLS news release. “Buyer and seller expectations have changed. It feels like things are starting to normalize a little.”
Both Heagle and Ross, who sell homes in the Stanwood-Camano area, said the houses sold here are to a wide variety of people, from young families to retirees.
“About 50% of my clients have been young families,” Ross said. “We also get a lot of people looking to retire here from Seattle.”
Heagle echoed those observations.
“The demographics here are getting younger,” she said. “At the same time, the typical buyer doesn’t want a property with a lot of maintenance. They’re asking for a smaller yard, bigger views and access to things like parks.”
Those who changed to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are seeking home office space and a reliable internet connection, Heagle added.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve recently raised short-term interest rates to fight inflation, which in turn pushes rates higher for credit cards, auto loans and mortgages.
Nationwide, those rising mortgage rates have combined with already high home prices to discourage some would-be buyers. Mortgage applications have declined sharply. Across the U.S., sales of previously occupied homes have fallen for five straight months, during what is generally the busiest time of year in real estate.
However, the local economy “remains buoyant, which is an important factor when it comes to the regional housing market, particularly as it affects buyers,” Matthew Gardner, chief economist for Windermere Real Estate, wrote in his quarterly housing report. “Even though the number of homes that came to market has jumped significantly, which should favor those looking for a new home, demand is still robust, and the market remains competitive.”
Locally, home construction companies are building “at a monumental rate” while trying to adjust to increases in mortgage rates, John Deely, executive vice president of Coldwell Bank Bain, said in a Northwest MLS news release.
“We are seeing builders moving their price points down and providing incentives to buyers in closing costs and buydowns to help borrowers obtain lower interest rates.” Deely said. “We are coming off the fevered pitch of a market that had tremendous velocity over the last few years. With listings starting to build again we are seeing a bit of a natural slowdown, yet still very much a sellers’ market.”
