January 21, 2019

Diva Dweller Profile: Jackie and Mike

Jackie and Mike have dubbed their 10-acre homestead in Monroe Ponderosa. They were able to work up to owning this property by investing wisely over the years, but the impetus to move out there came from something really scary. Jackie was diagnosed with and breast cancer. The reevaluation that followed made her and Mike wonder, “What are we doing here?” Making the Move to Monroe They were living in Fremont, a neighborhood they had loved for many years. But when the bustle and noise of nightlife was no longer attractive to them, they envisioned a home with acreage and space to make magic happen in their own crazy fun way. We first met these fab folks when we sold them a cute basic rental home in Haller Lake. We were able to help make their Monroe magic dreams come true after selling both their Fremont home and the rental for… Read More »

January 21, 2019

Diva Dweller Profile: Hollie and Dave

We have know Hollie and Dave for over almost 7 years and in that time they have long since stopped being clients and have become friends. We have helped them buy and sell seven homes from Leschi to Queen Anne and from Seattle to Ellensburg. And this last one may just be their “forever” view home in West Seattle. They have honed their instincts over time, which means there has not been one bad investment in this mix. Finding Their “Forever” Home When Hollie first saw the photos of their current home on Redfin, they weren’t exactly attention-grabbing. But being the detail oriented gal she is, something in the marketing remarks made her stop and take notice. And once she did, my phone started ringing. All she had to say was “I think this is the one” and Chavi and I were in the car. Hollie and Dave had been… Read More »

January 10, 2019

Divaland Home Buyer’s Guide: Co-Ops, Condos, What’s The Difference?

There’s a sentiment we hear repeated among first-time home buyers: “Condos and co-ops are both units in a larger building. How different can they be?” They are often surprised by the answer to that if they haven’t done the research. In fact, co-ops can take a lot of forms, from senior and student housing to mobile home parks and single-family homes. What separates condos and co-ops is actually the legal structure of ownership. It just happens that a lot of co-ops are in older multi-family buildings here in Seattle. In some cities, co-ops greatly outnumber condos. In New York City, if you want a cute home in a pre-war building, you’re almost certainly looking for a co-op, not a condo. Most co-ops in Seattle were established before the big building booms, so they still have vintage charm and are harder to find. There are some overlaps between condos and co-ops,… Read More »

July 19, 2018

Investing In Seattle: Team Diva’s Tips for the First-Time Real Estate Investor

Being a real estate investor requires patience, tenacity, and research. Thinking long-term isn’t just good for investors. It’s also better for the communities and cities where they buy property. This is not to say that short-term thinking can’t always pay off, but it isn’t always profitable. Let’s get started with our Savvy Real Estate Investor. Types of Homes a Savvy Seattle Real Estate Investor The kind of building you choose should depend on the kind of investor you are. The following list of investment property types is more or less ordered according to complexity (simplest to most involved). Condo Townhouse Single Family Home Duplex or Twin Home 4-Plex or Multi-Plex Condo Real Seattle Estate Investments This is not to say that investing in a condo is hassle-free, but day-to-day maintenance in common areas is handled by a condo association, as well as most structural issues. (That’s why you’re paying those monthly… Read More »

May 30, 2018

Get Out in Gatewood This Weekend: 5 Things To Do

All you in Divaland know that we have a special place in our heart for West Seattle. It has such great vibes, lots of green spaces, and pockets of retail and nightlife with TONS of character. The most popular West Seattle destination in summer is probably Alki Beach, but there is so much to explore on the south side, too. This weekend, we’re expecting more warm weather (but not too much intense sun) and we’re heading to Gatewood. Here are five things we think you’ll love in this part of West Seattle. See The Sound and Take a Swim at Lincoln Park A post shared by Don Wind (@thedonwind) on May 27, 2018 at 7:39pm PDT The rocky shores of Lincoln Park offer sweeping views of the Sound, the islands, and the Olympics…even the Vashon Island ferry leaving from the Fauntleroy terminal adds a picturesque quality. That’s not all, though.… Read More »

May 17, 2018

Southern Hospitality: 5 Reasons to Check Out Des Moines Real Estate

Like everything proximal to job centers such as Seattle and Bellevue, Des Moines real estate has seen rising prices. However, it is still much easier to find a lot of home at an affordable price. Some commuters think of Des Moines as the halfway point between Seattle and Tacoma, but this city of 30,000+ has a lot to distinguish itself. If you are looking to buy in the region and haven’t looked at Des Moines real estate yet, here are 5 reasons to rethink that. The Lively Municipal Waterfront The gentle, hospitable shores of Des Moines make access to the Puget Sound easy. That includes the city-owned recreational marina, which offers moorage, boat launching, and pier fishing facilities. It’s also a hub for community activities and the fabulous Summer Farmer’s Market. Adjacent to the marina, there is a beach park, as well, whose trails allow you to get closer to… Read More »

March 21, 2018

The Sweet Life in Woodinville: Homesteading In Style Close to Seattle

Woodinville’s rise as a hot real estate is a relatively recent development. It has been driven in part by rising prices throughout the region, but Woodinville is special. Its combination of great schools, stunning land, and urbane community is topped off with a concentration of local wineries. One can be in downtown Seattle in under an hour (and get to Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland even faster). And yet, one can also live an idyllic Woodinville homesteading lifestyle. Want proof? Look no further than our latest house listing in Woodinville. Here are six things we love the most about this community, this home, and how it makes it easy to slide right into the sweet life. Fresh Produce Comes Easy In This Organic Garden It’s March, which means that it’s time to start planting vegetables in the garden. (Check out this handy planting calendar for the best months to sow various veggies… Read More »

June 7, 2017

Get Outside this Weekend and Head to Phinney Ridge

Are you ready for another adventure? It’s time to head north to one of Seattle’s most coveted neighborhoods, steeped in history. Phinney Ridge separates Ballard from Green Lake, running north and south from approximately N. 45th to N. 85th Street. The ridge itself is named after Guy C. Phinney, who was a lumber mill owner and real estate developer. His estate was bought by the city and turned into Woodland Park in 1899. Phinney’s estate originally included a private menagerie, and the western half of the grounds became what is now Woodland Park Zoo. Visit Phinney Ridge and see for yourself why it’s so awesome! Our mini guide will get you started. Getting There and Getting Around Phinney Ridge is a fantastic, primarily residential neighborhood filled with quintessential Seattle Craftsman homes, some stunning Olympic views and a small business district that runs along Phinney Ave/Greenwood Ave. It also has an amazing… Read More »

April 6, 2017

Waive Appraisal, Win Like a Pro!

Waiving any part of the appraisal contingency can strike fear into the heart of most buyers. The best tool against fear is KNOWLEDGE. Below are a few strategies for addressing appraisal issues before you submit an offer. Getting these things sorted out with the seller beforehand puts their mind at ease.

March 17, 2017

How to Win in Seattle’s Hot Market – Spring 2017 Update

Congrats to Jim and Janine. They just won and closed on an amazing house in Seattle. How did they do it? First, they were awesome, loved donuts, had a cute kiddo, overcame some intense inspection hurdles, and went for the gold when the time came. As a result, they won a home below their price point in an awesome up and coming neighborhood. We are so proud of you guys! Below are Jim and Janine FIVE steps and SIX weeks to home ownership.  The bottom line is that Seattle is one of the hottest markets in the nation. And it is not going away anytime soon. Why? Low inventory and we are more affordable than other tech cities on the west coast. As a result, we are seeing 10-25 offers on our Diva Dwellings this season. We have never seen an early spring market this hot in our careers.  … Read More »