Purchase in Des Moines
Congratulations Faryar Family!
Perfectly charming and well cared for rambler in North Hill. You'll enjoy the bright, large living spaces with oak hardwoods throughout most of the home. The living room is complete with wood burning fireplace and lots of natural light. Open kitchen and dining room with doors out to patio and fenced backyard. Three good sized bedrooms with updated bath and a master with its own half bath. Two car garage along with ample off street parking. New roof! Large corner lot. Close to Normandy Park shops and restaurants. Great home!
INSURANCE: Is It Covered? Do You Have Enough?
When was the last time you reviewed your homeowner’s insurance policy?
Many people hardly give their policies a second thought until the need arises. This can lead to misunderstandings about what’s covered and what percentage of the value is covered.
Questions to ask your insurance company:
Does my homeowner’s insurance cover natural disasters and what kind?
It depends. Standard coverage does include wind damage, including that from hurricanes and tornadoes, said the Insurance Information Institute. However, they don’t typically cover flooding, including water damage from a hurricane, so read your policy carefully to learn its limits. Standard policies cover fires, including wildfires, as well as hail and lightning strikes, but typically not earthquakes. Beyond the actual dwelling, homeowners policies also usually cover detached structures such as a garage or gazebo.
Do I need an umbrella policy?
Perhaps. Umbrella policies provide additional liability protection beyond the monetary limits on your standard auto or homeowner coverage. This can be helpful if you cause a major accident and are subject to a large legal judgment. Do I have enough insurance for my home and personal property?
Find out the cost to rebuild your home and take inventory of your personal property and it’s approximate value. Then call your agent and update your insurance!
What to Keep, Where to Store, When to Shred…
Tax deadline has come and gone, but you are like me and wading through unfiled papers; I have a great list of what you need to keep, how long you need to keep it for, and where you should put it!
Originals You Rarely Need should be in Safe-Deposit Boxes & Never Discarded.
Household Inventory: Lists and photos of your possessions (I use Evernote for this task. It is an amazing tool for many home organization projects.)
Divorce Decrees & Lawsuits: A copy should be given to your lawyer
Originals You May Need Occasionally should be kept in an In-Home Safe or Locked Cabinet and Kept.
Birth Certificates Death Certificates: Copy should be given to an Executor
Diplomas Health & Immunization Records
Marriage Certificates: Copy should be given to an Executor
Medical Directives: Copies should be given to both your heir and doctor
Real Estate Deeds: Keep 10 years after Sale
Tax/Financial Documents stored in Locked Cabinet for 7 years.
Bank and Credit Card Statements
Cancelled Checks
Home Purchase/Improvements
Tax Returns/Related Documents
For other great tips on organizing your home, check out my Pinterest board dedicated to the subject!
Local Business Spotlight | West Seattle Nursery
You know that feeling when you step inside a friend’s house, are offered a cup of coffee and told to make yourself at home? Now imagine that friend’s house is full of incredible pottery, indoor plants hanging from the ceiling, and an espresso bar. Not to mention, their front, back, and side yards are impeccably manicured with tastefully chosen foliage and water features. Is this a dream, you ask? No!
Read MoreIn The Market | Real Estate Trends & News
Northwest Multiple Listing figures for March show a surge in pending sales compared to February as the spring market heats up. Compared to a month ago, pending sales climbed more than 29% (from 7,980 in February to 10,311 in March).
Read MoreWest Seattle Garden Tour | Garden Inspiration
From master gardeners, to garden hopefuls, to apartment dwellers and beyond. The West Seattle Garden Tour (WSGT) is back for its 24th year, and ready to provide inspiration to all garden lovers. Jeff Daley, horticulturist and arborist for Seattle Pacific University and the sponsorship chairman for the WSGT, kindly gave me a moment of his time so I can help spread the word about this incredible community resource. Jeff is a Gatewood neighbor who has lived in our community for 61 years.
Read MoreDIY Area Rug Washing
It can easily cost $200 to have a rug professionally cleaned. It’s also a hassle.
You can clean it yourself by placing a plastic drop cloth or tarp underneath it, then using a carpet cleaner. If you don’t have one, you can rent one at many different grocery stores, or borrow one from a friend. Make sure to vacuum it well, first!
Make Every Day Earth Day!
RECYCLE YOUR E-WASTE.
In Seattle, it’s illegal to put electronics in the garbage,
The UNU (United Nations University) Just released a report saying that value of raw materials in all e-waste in 2016 was roughly $64.7 billion, more than the GDP of most countries, yet only 4% of e-waste is actually recycled.
When you do your Spring cleaning this year, be sure to take advantage of Washington’s e-waste recycling program, where most items can be disposed of for free. www.ecycleWA.org
Read MoreApril Events
Here is a list of some exciting things happening this month in and around Seattle!
1-30: SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL tulipfestival.org
2-19: SEATTLE RESTAURANT WEEK 3-course meal, 165 restaurants, dinner & some lunch offers. srw.seattletimes.com
20-22: CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Celebrate Seattle’s friendship with Japan and Japan’s gift of 1000 cherry trees in 1976. Enjoy Japanese art, dance, music, and food. http://www.cherryblossomfest.org/
28-29: NW GREEN HOME TOUR Free and fun for the whole family, selfguided tour features healthier and greener new single-family, multi-family, tiny homes & remodels in the greater Seattle area. www.nwgreenhometour.org