Carl's Place

930 N 83rd Street, Seattle, WA 98103

NOW PENDING

This beautifully updated Craftsman maintains its original charm of generous sized rooms with fir floors, tall ceilings and easy flow, yet features all new systems - new double pane windows, new high efficiency gas furnace, new hot water heater, new sewer line, updated electrical and plumbing, newer gutters and roof.

Tucked between Green Lake and Phinney Ridge, on a quiet street, this property offers a quick commute to downtown, but is just blocks to Green Lake, hip restaurants and cafés, great shopping and neighborhood schools. 

The perfectly appointed fully fenced back yard features an entertainment sized deck off the main home with a blue stone path and patio surrounded by lush lawn and mature landscaping providing amazing quiet and privacy. 

This fully permitted back yard studio features an open floor plan with expansive living area, kitchenette, fully tiled bath and loft. Vaulted ceilings with skylights and double glass doors create a sunny and airy retreat that opens to the blue stone patio surrounded by native landscaping, providing bird chirping quiet and privacy.

Built in 1985 and renovated in 2009, this stand alone studio features its own systems, including a new water tank, natural gas and sewer connection. From solid poured concrete foundation to newer double pane windows and roof, this charming studio allows the homeowner numerous options - artist studio or home business office.

There is fabulous potential in this partially finished lower level. The garage has been beautifully updated with new double swing doors, beamed ceiling and is fully insulated. The second bedroom, utility room and laundry room are all located on this level.

A quick commute on the RapidRide E puts you downtown, yet you are close to amazing amenities - great shopping, restaurants, cafés, parks, schools and more. Welcome Home!.

Offered at $735,000

Renovation projects that payoff

The second most asked question (behind "how's the market?") of a real estate agent is "where should I invest in my home for the best return?". When it comes to home renovations, the key is choosing projects that pack potential payoffs like bringing your home up-to-date or lowering energy bills.

Major renovations won't pay you back the way they used to. Adding a bathroom or family room, for example, might return just two-thirds of its cost when you go to sell. But the following projects, in general, can make your home more livable for your family, and increase its value when it's time to sell. 

no. 1 Kitchen

The hub of the house - 'grand central station' is always numero uno. But instead of spending a bundle turning this room inside out, think smaller. Think counters, sinks, plumbing, lighting, and appliances. They can change the look and cost much less than a major upheaval. Kitchen face lifts pay back about 80% of their cost. 

Be thoughtful about your kitchen redo. Don't overdue it with granite and top-of-the-line appliances. Instead, think about other solid surface materials or options for counters and research Consumer Reports for rankings of appliances - you'll be surprised to see that it's not the most expensive one that ranks the best. When replacing counters you might be compelled to replace the back splash....think twice as back splashes don't get the wear and tear counters do and can add $2,000 to the cost of your upgrade. If your cabinets are tired and outdated but still in good shape try painting them or reface them with new doors. 

Existing cabinets painted in an off-white

 enamel create that fresh look.

A stainless steel sink and faucet convey that high end look without spending a fortune on that coveted English apron sink (even though they are fabulous).

no. 2 Paint

Few other fix-ups can give you so much power for their punch. Use a unified color palette - you can't go wrong with neutral shades. 

Neutral paint, like Pointing from Farrow & Ball,
shows off the millwork in this gorgeous entry.

Pointing by Farrow and Ball - a favorite!

Blue door, matching planters and flanking lavender are cheerfulaccents that contrast the milk-white trim and sunny shingles.

no. 3 Landscaping

Flowerbeds, foundation plantings, paths and borders can make a big difference in your  home's curb appeal. If you buy small plants and let them grow into their role, you get a particularly high value per investment. Try to stay with native plantings. Exotic plantings will not only look out of place and odd, and let's face it we don't like odd, but it will also cost you more when you go to replace the dying plants because they couldn't survive in our weather. 

The key is keeping the landscape simple and native...this converts to
a no fuss yard that any potential buyer can take on.

no. 4 Front Door

This cheery aqua door packs a big punch to this craftsman.

Make your front door special. Spruce it up with a coat of glossy paint in a color the suits the style of your home. A cottage style might look great in a country blue or a craftsman may be begging for a deep red. As long as it's fresh and not too trendy. 

Since my trip to Ireland, I've been in love this high gloss look -
expect to pay a professional about $500 to prep
and properly paint in this high gloss style.

If natural wood suits the house, than make sure it's clean and has a nice shine. If your hardware sticks or jams, installing new hardware makes sense.  

no. 5 Baths
Generally, adding a bath to a home that has only one or one and a half will pay off at resale, and when those daughters turn into teens. Elements that prove most popular include adding storage, natural light and ceramic tile on the floor and tub and shower surround.  

Adding specialty items, like double rain shower heads
provides a big design to an otherwise modest renovation. 

You can expect to recapture around 75% of the cost of a minor bath remodel. If you have a small tub replace it with a spacious shower and multiple shower heads. Similarly, adding a decent sized shower to a half bath makes your home much more desirable. You can get a big rainfall shower head for about $200, or you can spring for a fancier handheld and other gadgets for $500+. 


Don't bother building a niche in the shower wall to hold nick knacks - this will save you $300 in tile and labor costs.

Adding new fixtures and a mirror updates
this half bath in just a day.

no. 6 Outdoor Living Spaces
Well designed outdoor living areas such as porches, decks and covered entertaining spaces that match your home's style, scale and traffic flow add value, especially in our area with generally smaller homes.  

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to create
a special outdoor area.

no. 7 Floors
Replacing dated and scuffed, wood floors can give your house a new sheen and make small spaces seem larger. Figure on a payback as high as 75%. If you plan to do it yourself plan on spending between $2.50 to $3.00 a square foot for the hardwood flooring and $3 for a pro to install it. If your hardware floors are just scuffed, or you would like a different stain, professional refinishing costs between $3.50 - $4.50 a square foot. 

If you would rather lay down tile. Ceramic sells for as little as .50 cents a square foot. With patience and the right rental tools, you can install it yourself. Don't bother with vinyl tile, it costs the same as ceramic, wears poorly, and looks dated.

no. 8 Closets

Few things make a home more unbearable than chintzy closet space. And roomy, organized closets are a big draw for prospective buyers. Fitting a walk-in master closet with drawers, shelves, shoe racks, hooks and poles can cost $500 to $2,500 or more depending on the quality of the materials and the complexity of the design. Wood is the most expensive material and delivers the best return. 

This is a project where it's easy to overspend. So decide exactly what you want and need before you buy the supplies or bring in a pro, who will charge $50 to $150 an hour. Make sure you really will sort socks into separate drawer dividers before spending the money.

no. 9 Faucets, Knobs, Pulls and Fixtures

Add style to kitchen and baths with good quality knobs and pulls, fixtures and faucets. These easily installed off-the-shelf items boost style and provide big impact with relatively little expense and time.

Knobs found at Anthropologie perk up this cabinet.

no. 10 Energy Saving Upgrades

Energy saving amenities make a house more attractive to buyers. New windows return 77% of the project cost, according to Remodeling's Cost vs. Value Report. Many utility companies offer incentives on installing insulation, windows, doors, furnaces and water heaters. You may need to wait years to recoup some energy conservation moves. So if you are more worried about money than your carbon footprint, run the numbers to ensure you'll be there by the time the cost gets covered.

Replacing floor and wall insulation usually delivers the fastest payback for the lowest price. Putting in new attic insulation can pay for itself in just a year. 

When you're ready to sell, spell out your energy improvements for prospective buyers. Create a worksheet showing what you spent, plus the before-and-after utility bills. If you are unsure where to start, get an energy audit; local utilities often offer them for free or nearly so. The floor-to-roof X-ray will diagnose the most expensive problems and determine the most cost-effective upgrades. 

Surprisingly, this old bungalow has very low energy costs due in part
to the addition of double paned windows and blown-in insulation.

Until next week, 

la chasse au bonheur

Creating your own in-home retreat

Are you feeling drained from the holidays and looking for a way to refresh without the heavy cost of going away? Have you fallen out of the habit of good self-care? Is your day-to-day routine getting in the way of doing the things you are passionate about?

As a society we go to great lengths to stay connected. We put our head phones on when we go for a walk, pull out our phone or lap top when we go to the coffee shop, check our phones constantly to stay instantly connected and informed. Seeking and being comfortable with yourself can have incredible benefits on your health and well-being.

Quiet time allows us the opportunity to check-in with ourselves, to revisit the things that light a fire in our belly, and to see how our daily lives are stacking up to our passions.

Creating a space in your home where you can retreat from the responsibilities that surround you, where you can unplug and tap into your quiet self is key to creating an opportunity for self-exploration, self-care and essential happiness.

The benefits of spending some time alone are huge -
- it’s an opportunity to recharge mentally and physically. Constantly being 'on' doesn’t give your brain a chance to rest and replenish itself
- it eliminates distractions, giving you time to think and reflect
- it provides you with the precious time to do what really makes you happy
- helps to make engaging with others even more valued and enjoyable
- helps you discover yourself and find your own voice

Decide on things you want to do during your retreat - which can be daily, weekly or monthly -
- write and reflect in your journal
- paint, draw and embrace your creative side
- sip tea free from any texts, books, journals, anything
- listen to an inspirational podcast
- meditate
- practice yoga
- read

Create Boundaries -
While in your space, create a set of boundaries to help you tune into you and tune out the rest of the world. Try some of these ideas -
 - no social media for any reason
 - create an auto-responder for your email inbox so you won't check it
 - don't access any app on your phone except Alarm, Weather, Maps, Podcast
 - no streaming TV shows

HOW TO CREATE A PERSONAL RETREAT AT HOME
Choose a space
Choose a room that feels comfortable and is away from the center of the activity in your home. Choose a space that lends itself to being quiet and more private. An extra bedroom, sun room, converted garage space or she shed are all good choices for a home retreat. As you take a look around, notice where you would have enough room to create a space that isn’t cramped or limiting in how you would use it. Is there room for a chair, ottoman, small table and yoga mat?

Edit and de-clutter your space
Before using your space, take some time to really de-clutter. Edit your belongings, keeping only the bare basics you will need to feel physically comfortable and move out the rest. It is hard to be calm when you’re surrounded by clutter and excess stuff.

Set up the space
What you need in your personal space will depend on how you will use the space. Everyone's needs will be different, just make sure it is somewhere you will always be happy in. Here are some ideas to keep in mind -
- meditation pillow
- art supplies, like an easel and paint brushes
- variety of journals and pens
- yoga mat
- music source - cd player, spotify, etc.
- comfy chair, ottoman and cozy throw

Make it visually appealing
While you want your room edited, your retreat space must feel inviting. Think about the things that inspire you. It might be -
- fresh flowers
- plants
- calming or lively colors (depending on your aesthetics)
- thoughtful or inspiring art (depending on your aesthetics)
- photographs

Create Ambiance
Adding background music of white noise can be calming and can help drown out the outside world. Some prefer sounds of nature to bring the spirit of nature closer to them. Of course meditative music can be very relaxing. My preference is pure silence - it allows me to listen to myself more closely. If you're not sure what helps you, try different types until you find what's right for you!

Next, consider adding in soothing ambiance with fragrance. Research shows that aromatherapy may help with depression, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and fatigue.

Light it up - the right way
Make sure the lighting fits the space. The lighting will depend on how you’re using the space. Natural light can help create your feeling of serenity. Bright light is more conducive to writing and reading. You want to go with dim, soft lighting if you’re practicing yoga or meditating.

Takeaways
- Choose a space that is quiet and allows you to relax. Don't worry if you can't dedicate an entire room to your cause. A corner or alcove can work if you use screens or some other way to define the area as your retreat
- Make sure everyone in your home knows this is your quiet space. Place a note on the door to let your family know this is your time
- Be ok with taking time to be by yourself

Eventually, you will find that your mind will automatically start to relax as soon as you enter your personal retreat.

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur

{the hunt for happiness}

2018 housing forecast

Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, specializes in residential market analysis, commercial/industrial market analysis, financial analysis, and land use and regional economics. With 30+ years of professional experience, Matthew's previous forecasts have been fairly spot on!

Here is Matthew's forecast for our 2018 housing market. 

If you would like more information on our local housing market, including information on our local economy, migration, growth and planning, let me know. Keeping informed on our market is what I do!

Here's to a healthy market in 2018!

Until next time, 

la chasse au bonheur

DARCY LABELLE

Broker | Windermere Real Estate Co

206/915-0916

darcy@windermere.com