February 20, 2019
10 Tips to Minimize Stress When Selling Your Home
Posted in Selling by Guest Author
When I was growing up, my family must have moved a dozen times. After the first few moves, we had it down to a science: timed out, scheduled, down to the last box. Despite our best efforts, plans would change, move-out and move-in days would shift, and the experience would stress the entire family out. Despite the stress, we always managed to settle in our new home and sell our old one before...
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February 18, 2019
How to Cover Unexpected Costs with a Personal Loan
Posted in Buying and Living by Guest Author
Owning a home comes with its rewards — it’s an investment, a cozy haven to kick-up your feet after a long day of work, and a welcoming place to bring family and friends together. Although all of this makes homeownership fulfilling, owning a home also opens the door for unexpected (but necessary) expenses. If you’ve suddenly been hit with a home improvement project that’s pinching your budget...
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February 13, 2019
Are You Better Off Paying Your Mortgage Earlier or Investing Your Money?
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Guest Author
Few topics cause more division among economists than the age-old debate of whether you’re better off paying off your mortgage earlier, or investing that money instead. And there’s a good reason why that debate continues; both sides make compelling arguments. On the one hand, your mortgage is quite likely the largest expense you will ever incur in your life. So if given the chance, it only...
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February 04, 2019
More Than a Yard: Finding the Right Home for Your Pooch
Posted in Buying and Living by Guest Author
For many house hunters, a dream home isn’t complete without being a good fit for the family dog. Some might see the fenced in yard, and consider the box checked. However, if you are looking for your next home, you may want to look a little deeper to be sure the fit is right before signing on the dotted line. It’s worth taking a little extra time to consider your pooch in a little more depth...
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January 30, 2019
Beautiful Inside & Out - Timber Interiors for a Timber Frame Home
Posted in Living by Guest Author
A home that exudes beauty from the inside and the outside is also a true reflection of its owner. Today, homes are not just mere living spaces that are filled up with furniture - every home has a character, design theme, and personality of its own, characterized largely by the material used to build it, the color scheme on the inside and outside, and also the accents and hues of every element...
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January 16, 2019
8 Ways to Make the Most of the Home You Have
Posted in Living and Architecture by Guest Author
"Staying Put" by architect and writer Duo Dickinson is not your typical architect's book about design. There's no obscure language nor design-for-design's-sake ideas. It is a practical, down-to-earth guide that walks anyone through the rational process of how to remodel your house to get the home you want, from how to think about your house and overcoming hurdles to a list of...
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January 14, 2019
Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Home as a Senior
Posted in Living by Guest Author
For many seniors, there comes a time when the expense and upkeep of a big home no longer seem realistic. All of your kids have moved out, and suddenly, your multi-bedroom house feels excessively large and empty. Plus, it may be difficult to keep up with mortgage payments if you're expecting a lower income during retirement. Whether downsizing is a financial necessity or an emotional decision...
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December 19, 2018
Creating Caring Connections With Mary Ann Vandergriff
Posted in Windermere Foundation by Guest Author
When people in the West Seattle community are in need, they’ve learned they can turn to Windermere broker Mary Ann Vandergriff. After a company backed out of providing turkeys for 40 elementary school families the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the school’s family support worker called Vandergriff in a panic. Just a few phone calls later, the big-hearted broker had rounded up 40 vouchers for...
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November 28, 2018
Bringing Your Plants Inside for Winter
Posted in Living by Guest Author
Winters in many parts of the Western U.S. can easily see temperatures that dip down below freezing. For many gardening homeowners, this can be troublesome when precious plants are concerned. Covering your plants with sheets may not be enough to save a plant from succumbing to freezing temperatures. Check out these ways to bring your plants inside for winter:
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November 26, 2018
The Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Contractor
Posted in Living by Guest Author
Constructing or remodeling a home is a complex, expensive endeavor. Ideally, everything goes as planned, and when the dust clears, the homeowner can settle in and enjoy the new home — and never think about the building process again. But what happens when, nine months after the owner moves in, the floor develops a crack, the dishwasher begins to leak or the shower water won't...
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