Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Rising Seattle Rents Show No Signs of Slowing Down

Hundreds of newly built rental units opened up this past year in Seattle, but the demand for more inventory and rental prices have continued to rise, with little to no signs of slowing down. Many renters and homeowners are having to reevaluate their lifestyle changes to keep up with the market today. According to the Seattle Times, wealthy folks are helping to revitalize different neighborhood business districts, but many renters are tied down by mediocre wages, and are being forced to reevaluate their lifestyle, or move out of the city altogether to make ends meet. With low inventory and a growing young tech community of employees, the time to buy a home is altered, and has contributed to the increase in rent through Seattle and the surrounding areas.
Photo credit: www.third-estate.com

According to the Times, the cost in renting a studio apartment over the last two years has risen $434 in Wallingford, $419 in Capitol Hill, and $306 in Ballard. The increase in rent is also being fueled by development. With a majority of new development geared for wealthy renters, the increase in inventory will not come to the aid of those just barely scraping by. Many Seattle renter are frustrated with the rise in costs, and are concerned they may not ever be able to save up enough money to buy a home. Many are worried that by the time prices calm down, the Seattle metro area will have a very different look and feel then when they moved to the city. For more information on Seattle Rentals, contact your local Real Estate agent today.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Tips to Organize Your Tiny Kitchen

kitchen roomIs your tiny kitchen cramping your style? We often drool over beautiful pictures of expansive kitchens in Pottery Barn catalogs with huge dining rooms, and enough counter space to prepare a meal for the Seahawks defensive line, but most of us come home every night to cook our meals in kitchens a small portion of that size. Small kitchens can easily become disorganized, and not enjoyable to cook in, so here are a few tips from Zillow to clearing out the clutter, and redesigning your kitchen to better suit your lifestyle. Be careful not to crowd your small kitchen with huge appliances- work around the refrigerator, there are several companies that make smaller sized equipment such as slender microwaves that can save counter space.
Efficient use of storage is also essential to keeping things tidy in a smaller kitchen, such as the use of recycle bins, spice drawers, and open shelving can also do wonders for aesthetic purposes. If you’re given the option to paint in your rental, painting the walls and ceiling the same light color can make the room appear larger than it actually is. Don’t have enough counter space for everything? Look into purchasing a rolling cart with a flat counter top and shelving below, that can be handy for cooking and extra storage, but can also be moved out of the kitchen when it is crowded. For more information on redesigning your kitchen space, visit Zillow.