Categoriescommunity service, events, going green, Seattle, Seattle neigborhoods, Uncategorized

Don’t Be a Stranger in Your Community

Have you been craving some more community involvement or some new friends here in Seattle?

Feeling like an outsider in your own neighborhood can be intimidating whether you are new to the area or thinking of branching out. You might be moving from a close knit community into an undiscovered one, leaving you feeling down in the dumps.

Sunset released an article that shares creative ways to help establish a community or contribute to an already existing one.

No matter your situation, if you become active in your neighborhood, you are sure to be appreciated and more connected.

Categoriesgoing green, Uncategorized

Use Plants to Your Advantage!

Did you know that plants not only boost curb appeal, but they can also keep pests in check? Below are few species that naturally repel pest while attracting beneficial insects, like butterflies and ladybugs.
Forward this information on to family and friends to help them keep pests at bay.

By the way… if you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service I provide, please connect us over email. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Categoriesgoing green

Arghhhh . . . Yellow Pages!

I know this isn’t exactly hard hitting real estate news. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand that pile of yellow paper, three feet high, left on the porch each year. I actually heard a friend retell an experience of chasing the delivery person back to their car trying to give them back. Just to be waved at and told where to put them (if you know what I mean).

So it’s not hard hitting real estate news. But sheesh, I need to do my part to stop the madness! Unless of course you enjoy the many good uses for the yellow pages, such as booster seat, door stop, fire starter, home security weapon, nursing stool, percussion instrument, paper mache material, spider killer . . .

Want to stop delivery of Yellow Pages, White Pages, Phone Books? Opt out of Yellow Pages HERE and stop the delivery of printed directories you don’t want to receive.

Hope this saves you a wet and messy trip to the recycle bin this year!

Sincerely,
Domenica
Windermere Real Estate

Categoriesevents, going green

Neighborhood Walkability & West Seattle Summer Fest

Happy Summer!

We know how important proximity to neighborhood ammenities is to our clients. It is one of the top 5 criteria we hear from the buyer clients we work with and recently came across this website that rates the “walkability” of any address. It’s an interesting site, that we hope you’ll appreciate.

http://www.walkscore.com

Walkable Neighborhoods

Picture a walkable neighborhood. You lose weight each time you walk to the grocery store. You stumble home from last call without waiting for a cab. You spend less money on your car-or you don’t own a car. When you shop, you support your local economy. You talk to your neighbors. Read more

We also wanted to let you know that this weekend is West Seattle’s Summer Fest, formerly called the West Seattle Street Fair and we will be at the booth outside our office (4526 California Ave SW) this Friday from 3:30 – 6pm. If you find yourself out and about, whether you walk, ride, roll, stroll, or even dance your way to the WS Junction, we would love to see you there!

Sincerely,

Domenica
Windermere Real Estate

Categoriesgoing green, info for home owners

Time to improve energy efficiency in your home?

Benefits of Energy Audit Services:

  • Increases home comfort
  • Saves on utility bills
  • Increases home value
  • Improves the environment

A few inspection companies are starting to offer Home Energy Auditing Services with very positive results for homeowners and the environment. The audit is conducted like a typical home inspection where the inspector guides you through your home room by room, it lasts 1-2 hours and the cost is $350 (prices are based on square feet, starting at $300). It is amazing to learn how many small improvements can lead to real energy (and cost) savings.

The CMC Home Energy Tune-uP program is a good starting place for Energy Audit Reports. The program was designed to help homeowners and homebuyers improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The comprehensive Tune-uP report identifies energy efficiency upgrades, estimates their costs and savings, and shows the areas of improvements that everyone can afford because the energy savings exceed the costs. For more information on the CMC Home Energy Tune-uP program and a sample report, please visit their website at http://www.hometuneup.com/

In addition to the Audit Report, there are no cost or low cost improvements to your home to help you save money on your energy bills, for example:

  • Cleaning your refrigerator coils once a year can help reduce the amount of energy consumption used by your refrigerator by up to 15%. Clean coils help the compressor cool faster and run less frequently, which extends the life of your refrigerator and reduces energy use.
  • Installing outlet and switch plate sealers on outside walls will reduce air leaks in your home. Seal leaky ducts with mastic or a metal backed tape to reduce heat loss within your ductwork.
  • Regular furnace maintenance can reduce energy costs between $18 and $60 each winter with an 80 percent efficient furnace in a 1,600 square foot home. In addition, keep inside doors open to improve air circulation and the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
  • A programmable thermostat can save as much as 20% on heating costs by automatically turning your heating system up or down to coincide with your daily routine. Also, lowering your thermostat temperature by four degrees can save 5 percent on heating costs.
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) where ever possible. Over the life of one CFL bulb, approximately 5 to 7 years, you will save approximately $25 on your electric bill. They cost a bit more, but you will change them less often and you could notice a difference on your energy bills right away.
  • Repair leaky faucets, one drop per second from a leaky faucet wastes up to 400 gallons of water a year. Not only is water being wasted, but so is the energy used to heat the water.

Sincerely,

Domenica
Windermere Real Estate