What to do around Seattle this week: Seattle Home & Garden Show and more

What to do around Seattle this week: Seattle Home & Garden Show and more

by Home And Garden

What’s Happening Feb. 24-March 2

Born out of Great Depression-era “back to work” events, the Seattle Home & Garden Show started in 1939. But when asked how it’s changed over time, spokesperson Belinda Young said what stands out to her is its ability to adapt to each year’s new trends with a uniquely Northwest perspective. 

Each fall and spring (this season, Feb. 25-March 5 at the Lumen Field Event Center), the show hosts hundreds of exhibits related to building, remodeling, decorating, landscaping and more, allowing attendees to shop as well as browse for inspiration.

One of the trends represented this year is options for affordable and multigenerational housing, inspired partially by Seattle’s high cost of living.

“Tiny homes are big” at this spring’s show, Young said; there will be a new tiny home village displaying structures like backyard cottages and accessory dwelling units. 

The event will also share trends and ideas for expanding existing living spaces, recreational housing and moving in additional family members.

“It’s allowing people to bring in aging parents or kids that can’t quite afford to get a place on their own,” Young said. “Just overall, making housing more affordable.” 

Another 2023 theme: outdoor games. “Game rooms have been a hot trend for a while in the Northwest, but they’re now starting to go outdoors,” Young said. One exhibit will feature game equipment like outdoor shuffleboards and even a 17-by-30-foot, human-sized pool table in which people get inside and kick the balls into different pockets. 

If you’d rather play inside, gaming nonprofit LANFest will host a gaming competition and bring computer and virtual reality games any show visitors can try out, whether or not you want to compete.

Other highlights of the 2023 home show include free appraisals of art, family heirlooms and other antiques by TV personality and “Ph.D. antiques appraiser” Lori Verderame, and daily “Meet the Experts” seminars on home design. 

The show runs Feb. 25-March 5 at Lumen Field Event Center (1000 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle). Times vary, starting at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Buy tickets online; $15 for adults with senior, junior and military discounts. Show visitors can register to return for a second day for free. Learn more at seattlehomeshow.com.

What else is happening

Here are some other events happening Feb. 24-March 2 in the Puget Sound area. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, please email your event details to weekend@seattletimes.com.

Simply Soulful Cafe Grand Reopening — Feb. 24

Simply Soulful is simultaneously celebrating the ribbon-cutting of its new Central District location and Black History Month. The event includes unique Black History Month menu options, prizes and cake-cutting. It runs 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with guest speakers at 11:30 a.m. and a spoken word performance at 12:30 p.m. 2321 S. Jackson St., Seattle; 206-402-6618, info@simplysoulfulcafe.com

Kijiji Night — Feb. 24

Kijiji means “village” in Swahili, reflecting how this Black History Month event has united thousands of attendees across and beyond the African diaspora over time. It will feature performances by local musicians and a panel of community leaders discussing the history of Black collaboration. 5-9:30 p.m. Reserve a spot online; donation based. 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle; onevibeafrica.org

Green River Glass Show & Sale — Feb. 25

Calling glass connoisseurs and the glass-curious! Shop or browse glassware, jewelry, pottery, china and collectibles from more than 30 dealers, learn from glass experts, and enjoy displays by special-interest glass clubs like the Fenton Finders of Puget Sound and Northwest Heisey Collectors Club. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 admission. 525 Fourth Ave. N., Kent; 206-817-8871, susanalbradley@outlook.com

Meeker Street Nerd Party — Feb. 25

Release your inner nerd at this streetwide event in Kent. Numerous small businesses between Second and Fourth avenues on Meeker Street will host local makers, artists and authors specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror, with comics, video games, movies, collectibles and more to browse and buy. 4-8 p.m. Free. downtownkentwa.com

A Proud Heritage – Finding Your African American Roots — Feb. 25

Learn more about your roots, either in person or from your laptop, at this hybrid genealogy workshop designed for individuals with Black ancestry. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. RSVP online; free. 1102 S. Pearl St., Tacoma; tacomaaafhe.com/home

Women’s History Month Civic Cocktail — March 1

Start off Women’s History Month right: Enjoy an appetizer and a drink while listening to community leaders discuss women’s housing and homelessness and women’s history in Washington. You’ll also be able to submit your questions in person or through a chat on the livestream to the panel, which includes Mary’s Place Executive Director Marty Hartman and “Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State” author Marilyn Morgan. The event runs 6-8 p.m. with the formal program beginning at 6:30 p.m. 400 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle; ywcaworks.org

Cirque du Soleil — March 2-5

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Climate Pledge Arena and bringing “Corteo,” a show full of fun, comedy and spontaneity, set in a mysterious realm between heaven and earth. Showtimes vary. Buy tickets online; prices start at $74.50. 334 First Ave. N., Seattle; cirquedusoleil.com/corteo#about-the-show

Future File

Buds & Blooms Guided Nature Walk — March 4

Welcome spring with naturalist Ed Dominguez, who will help you identify and discover the leaves, flower buds and other flora that are starting to come alive for the season in Seward Park. 1-3:30 p.m. Register online; free. 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle; sewardpark.audubon.org

White Pass Winter Carnival — March 4-5

Feel free to bring the whole family to this carnival, which includes a snow castle open for tubing, music, face painting, a kids obstacle course race, fireworks and a torchlight parade on March 4. If you want to get some night skiing in, purchase tickets (included with a day ticket or season pass) starting March 4 at 2 p.m. The snow castle is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 4 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 5. Access to the festival is free, but you must buy lift tickets to ski. 48935 U.S. Highway 12, Naches; skiwhitepass.com/events/winter-carnival

Nelda Swiggett in Megabopolis — March 5

Enjoy music from Seattle jazz group Megabopolis, led by OA2 recording artist and award-winning composer Nelda Swiggett. The concert is part of the Seattle Jazz Vespers series, which combines jazz music and secular inspiration messages at Seattle First Baptist on the first Sunday of every month. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Free. 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle; seattlefirstbaptist.org/seattle-jazz-vespers/

Seattle is America’s fastest-cooling housing market, Redfin says

Seattle is America’s fastest-cooling housing market, Redfin says

by Real Estate News

The Seattle-place housing marketplace cooled faster in recent months than any other location in the place, highlighting the squeeze rising curiosity premiums are putting on an high priced marketplace.

That evaluation will come from Seattle-based mostly brokerage Redfin, which ranked U.S. metro places primarily based on how rapidly their housing markets are slowing down.

The 10 quickest-cooling markets include extensive-dear regions, these kinds of as Seattle and San Diego, as well as metropolitan areas like Phoenix that saw a big influx of new residents all through the pandemic. 

“These are all places wherever homebuyers are sensation the sting of mounting household rates, increased property finance loan premiums and inflation really sharply,” Redfin Main Economist Daryl Fairweather claimed in the report.

Redfin’s investigation in contrast an array of factors in the nation’s 100 greatest metro areas, like charges, gross sales, inventory and how numerous attributes dropped in cost while awaiting a buyer. The brokerage contains King and Snohomish counties in its evaluate of the Seattle metro place. The Tacoma spot, which ranked 10th, is involved in Pierce County. 

Just after two yrs of complete-tilt progress in residence prices, bidding wars and all-cash presents, the latest months have brought a placing turnaround.

Previous thirty day period in King County, pending sales were being down about 27{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in comparison with the exact time very last year, in accordance to independent info from the Northwest Various Listing Provider. While King County’s $899,999 median home price tag was nonetheless up from 2021, it dropped virtually 10{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} from Might to August.

Driving the downturn: mounting curiosity fees, a lagging stock market place and basic uncertainty about the financial state. 

As the Federal Reserve seems to management inflation, growing property finance loan charges are right hitting buyers’ bottom strains — especially very first-time consumers. 

A 1{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} curiosity level enhance can decrease a residence shopper’s purchasing electric power by 11{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}, said Curt Tiedeman, a loan guide at Caliber Home Financial loans in Issaquah. The average price on a 30-yr property finance loan passed 6{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} last 7 days for the initially time considering that late 2008, according to Freddie Mac. That level is up approximately three proportion details from the start of the calendar year.

“So people are losing 20, 25, 30{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} acquiring electricity,” Tiedeman mentioned.

On a $775,000 home in the Seattle region, the regular property finance loan payment would be about $3,300 with a 3{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} fascination fee and $4,400 at a 6{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} curiosity charge, according to Redfin. 

That is driving some consumers out of the market entirely.

“In the very first-time homebuyer sector, if they are scarcely qualifying for a residence in the space they are seeking for, a tiny little bit of a transform in desire price could just take a person out of the industry fully,” explained Sally Li, a broker with Beacon Hill Realty. 

Selling prices pushed one consumer exploring for new design in Everett “further and further more north” until eventually he at last made the decision to postpone his look for, Li said. 

“Even even though costs have been stagnant … just the desire amount alone modified his trajectory,” Li claimed.

Inflation and the stock market are hurting homebuyers’ budgets, as well, particularly in tech centers the place many prospective buyers count on stock choices from their businesses.

Redfin’s assessment tracks several indicators comparing the housing marketplace with the same time very last 12 months. 

To present how the current market cooled off, the report compares these indicators in August with the exact figures in February since in quite a few places, “that’s when the housing marketplace arrived at a peak in terms of demand from customers and competitors when the amount of properties for sale was at a minimal,” in accordance to Redfin. Additional residences usually strike the market in the spring. 

In Seattle, household charges were up 15{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} year around 12 months in Seattle in February. In August, they ended up up just 7{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} as opposed with a 12 months earlier. 

The variety of homes for sale was down 36{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in February, indicating a competitive sector for buyers. In August, stock was up 78{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}. In February, brokers dropped costs on 11{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} of listings. In August: 48{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}. Individuals are all signals the market is cooling. 

Tacoma showed related symptoms of a slowdown. 

The median residence price tag was up 16{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} 12 months around 12 months in February and 7.5{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in August. Whilst 87{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} of Tacoma-place homes had been off the market inside of two months in February, that figure was just 39{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in August.

With fewer potential buyers competing for every single dwelling, properties are sitting on the market place extended. Sellers are dropping costs and chipping in on closing expenditures. Purchasers are capable to hold on to their right to an inspection and other contingencies.

That all signifies what Tiedeman named a “trade-off” for prospective buyers these days: greater rates, but additional leverage above sellers.

With desire rates nonetheless ticking up, even those people who can qualify for a personal loan may perhaps not be cozy with the price. “Just because you can afford to pay for a $4,500 payment,” Li mentioned, “doesn’t imply you genuinely require to go there.”

Bellevue, Seattle, Tacoma make list of most expensive cities for home improvement | Washington

Bellevue, Seattle, Tacoma make list of most expensive cities for home improvement | Washington

by Home Improvement

(The Middle Square) – Renovating your residence or even just remodeling a room is high-priced in the Puget Seem area of Washington point out, according to Lawn Love’s “2022’s Most Costly Metropolitan areas for House Advancement.”

Bellevue rated No. 18, Seattle ranked No. 24, and Tacoma ranked No. 44 on the record set out by Lawn Love, an on the internet system for getting, scheduling, and paying out for a landscaping or lawncare supplier. Might is “National Home Advancement Thirty day period.”

Lawn Appreciate ranked 200 cities centered on 16 crucial indicators associated to the price tag of renovations, together with hourly premiums, normal age of households, access to labor and materials, and regular domestic shelling out on residence advancement. The top rated 100 were being deemed the most costly cities, even though the bottom 100 ended up deemed the most reasonably priced.

Significant wealth equals high fees in the Puget Audio location, according to Lawn Really like, which famous the maximum-ranked Washington city on the list, Bellevue, has the next-highest common cash flow of the 200 metropolitan areas on the listing. Lawn Enjoy ranks Bellevue No. 5 in conditions of substantial fees and No. 11 in phrases of price tag inflators.

A important tech hub that continually tops lists of finest locations to dwell in the nation, Bellevue has no shortage of builders and suppliers – accounting for its No. 187 rating in that group – which kept it from remaining rated any increased on Lawn Love’s list of most costly metropolitan areas for house enhancement.

In the same way, Bellevue’s neighbor throughout Lake Washington, Seattle, experienced high costs (No. 10) and price tag inflators (No. 22), accounting for the Emerald City’s 24th place finish.

To the south, Tacoma also experienced superior fees (No.18) and value inflators (No. 52), accounting for its 44th put finish.

At the other conclusion of the spectrum, two Washington metropolitan areas made Lawn Love’s record of the 100 most economical cities for property advancement.

Spokane in Japanese Washington came it at No. 86, and Vancouver in southern Washington in close proximity to the border with Oregon was ranked No. 90.

Garden Love’s 10 most pricey metropolitan areas for home advancement:

1. Sunnyvale, California

2. San Jose, California

3. San Francisco, California

4. Fremont, California

5. Pasadena, California

6. Glendale, California

7. Oakland, California

8. New York, New York

9. Torrance, California

10. Honolulu, Hawaii

Garden Love’s 10 most economical cities for dwelling enhancement:

1. Orlando, Florida

2. Miami, Florida

3. Cape Coral, Florida

4. Grand Rapids, Michigan

5. Tallahassee, Florida (tie)

5. Port St. Lucie, Florida (tie)

7. Knoxville, Tennessee

8. Jacksonville, Florida

9. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

10. Brownsville, Texas

New normal? Seattle housing market shows signs of seasonal cooldown although inventory remains tight

New normal? Seattle housing market shows signs of seasonal cooldown although inventory remains tight

by Real Estate News

Seattle’s booming housing market continued to show minuscule signs of a seasonal slowdown last month, providing little, if any, relief to buyers according to Zillow’s latest market report which examined nationwide housing trends in October.

The seasonal reprieve in the hot housing market began in September as prices began to stabilize from last year’s record gains. For the Seattle metro, the new report found the typical home value was $695,058 in October, up 21.8{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} — or $124,712 — compared to the same time last year. The report also showed that home value appreciation has slowed since September and continued to slightly ease last month.

However, for-sale inventory remains historically low, and buyers have fewer options. Seattle experienced a 4.5{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} drop in inventory from September to October. Compared to this time last year, inventory is down 13.6{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} and many experts don’t see it rising to pre-pandemic levels soon.

“Home buyers shopping this fall shouldn’t expect the same frenzied demand that triggered bidding wars on listings this spring and summer,” said Zillow senior economist Jeff Tucker in a news release Thursday. “The normal seasonal slowdown of autumn has returned, when many families are busy with back-to-school activities and planning for the holidays. Buyers can expect less competition, meaning more time to decide on a house and the potential for prices to fall on listings.”

Seattle for-sale inventory.

Seattle for-sale inventory.

Zillow

Homes also remained on the market for slightly longer in October than previous months, showing a slight easing in competition that could continue into the winter months. The median time on the market for home listings in Seattle last month was seven days, up from six days in September. Nationwide, listings spent an average of 10 days on the market.

Zillow also noted that rent growth was slowing down across the country with only a 0.8{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} increase in price from September to October. In Seattle, typical rent reached $2,181 a month, up 13.9{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} from October 2020 but only a 0.2{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} increase from the previous month. While growth for rent appears to be decelerating, it is still “cooling off from an exceptionally hot starting temperature,” according to the report.


While the housing market is showing signs of a fall slowdown, other experts predict that inventory in the Puget Sound region will remain limited through the spring of next year. New listings in Western Washington shrunk by 19{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in October compared to the previous month, and the region only had 0.66 months of inventory. The region has not seen over a one-month supply of inventory since July 2020.

Along with seasonal changes, brokers with the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) reported sensing indecisiveness in buyers last month as many regional employers waver on a return date for in-person work. 

“We are approaching our seasonal low in inventory. Each year, as the year closes out, potential home sellers wait until the new year to put their homes on the market,” said Frank Wilson, branch managing broker at John L. Scott Real Estate. “In reality, a home listed now will have higher viewership since the buyer pool has not gone down.”



PAC spending in Seattle elections tops million with late surge in real estate, business money

PAC spending in Seattle elections tops $3 million with late surge in real estate, business money

by Real Estate News

Political action committees have built far more than $3 million in unbiased expenditures in Seattle’s elections this 12 months, placing a record many thanks partly to a late surge run by donors from the actual estate and business worlds.

PACs with such donors have poured nearly $800,000 into races for mayor, city legal professional and Metropolis Council soon just before Tuesday’s ballot deadline, with Seattle for Typical Sense, Change Seattle and the Nationwide Association of Realtors Fund each and every reporting large expenses in the previous pair of months.

Their shelling out follows earlier, even bigger outlays by PACs dedicated to serving to mayoral candidates Bruce Harrell and M. Lorena González, with persons and labor unions creating massive checks in the method.

Independent expenditures have totaled about $3.4 million — just about triple the quantity in the city’s 2017 elections, when the same 4 positions were on the ballot. This sort of expenses cannot be coordinated with the actual candidates.

Seattle for Common Sense has noted investing about $360,000 since Oct. 12, with most of that flowing in the earlier 7 days. The dollars has typically been put in on mailers attacking city lawyer applicant Nicole Thomas-Kennedy.

The PAC has far more than 100 contributors, which include some compact donors. But most of the revenue has come in $5,000 to $25,000 checks. The prime donors are Goodman Serious Estate’s John Goodman Gordon Trucking’s Steve Gordon Vulcan Genuine Estate transportation-distribution organization Saltchuk authentic estate business Sabey Company Wright Runstad & Company’s Jon and Judith Runstad Microsoft President Brad Smith and investor Mikal Thomsen.

Improve Seattle has reported shelling out about $233,000 considering that Oct. 12, mainly on mailers attacking council applicant Nikkita Oliver. The PAC has more than 180 contributors, which includes a range of tiny donors.

The leading donors are Vulcan Saltchuk Jon and Judith Runstad Mariners co-proprietor Christopher Larson a PAC for Seattle resort and cafe homeowners a PAC for the Washington state chapter of the Commercial Serious Estate Growth Association and a PAC for the Washington Multi-Spouse and children Housing Association.

The Countrywide Association of Realtors Fund reported shelling out about $191,000 on Oct. 14, split amongst mailers and on the net advertisements supporting mayoral applicant Bruce Harrell and Oliver’s Situation 9 opponent, Sara Nelson.

Thomas-Kennedy, Oliver and incumbent Position 8 prospect Teresa Mosqueda held a information conference with labor leaders Monday to protest PAC spending by “bosses and landlords.” They and González have cast them selves towards Harrell, metropolis legal professional prospect Ann Davison, Nelson and Posture 8 applicant Kenneth Wilson. Those candidates have famous that their individual campaigns have support from a large assortment of individuals.

González, the council’s recent president, sponsored a legislation previous calendar year that prohibits organizations with overseas buyers, like Amazon, from earning impartial expenses on their personal or by means of PACs.

For substantially of the yr, there was reasonably even PAC spending, with Bruce Harrell for Seattle’s Upcoming paying marginally extra than $1 million for Harrell and against González, and Important Personnel for Lorena shelling out a bit fewer than $1 million for González and versus Harrell.

Quite a few leading donors to Bruce Harrell for Seattle’s Potential have also contributed to Seattle for Frequent Perception or Transform Seattle. Essential Workers for Lorena is funded by unions for lodge, supermarket and overall health treatment workers.

There are other PACs associated, spending fewer. For instance: A PAC involved with the union for Seattle firefighters has described spending extra than $100,000 just lately to guidance Harrell and Nelson, and a PAC partly funded by organizations involved with entrepreneur Nick Hanauer has reported paying out $86,000 for Oliver and versus Nelson.

Seattle candidates themselves have raised much more than $6 million this calendar year — also a report, with extra than $4 million of that collected by the 8 candidates on Tuesday’s general-election ballot.


Daniel Beekman:
206-464-2164 or dbeekman@seattletimes.com on Twitter: @dbeekman. Seattle Periods personnel reporter Daniel Beekman covers Seattle metropolis governing administration and neighborhood politics.