BuyersSellers December 15, 2022

Real Estate Terminology: Contingent, Pending, Under Contract, and More

Different real estate transactions have different conditions based on the status of the listing. The following information is meant to clarify some common real estate terms that describe a home for sale and its position in the closing process.

For sellers, understanding this terminology will inform your conversations with your agent when it comes time to sell. And for buyers, it helps to be familiar with these terms when searching for your next home and how they factor into making an offer.

What is the difference between pending and under contract?

Pending: When a home is listed as “pending” it means the seller has accepted the buyer’s offer and the sale will most likely be finalized after a successful final inspection and the buyer securing financing. For sellers, reaching the pending stage means the finish line is within reach, but your home is still not officially off the market.

Buyers who notice homes listed as pending should know that an agreement between the seller and another buyer has already been reached and that they are headed for closing. However, even though the chances are unlikely, it is still possible that the buyer backs out and the deal falls through.

Under Contract: A home that’s listed as “under contract” is not as far along in the selling process as a home that’s pending. It means the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer, but there are certain contingencies that must be met before the deal goes final.

Buyers who see a home listed as “under contract” may still reach out to the seller’s listing agent to make a backup offer, unless the contract that’s already in place contains a clause preventing it.

 

In a modern office, a man and woman shake hands with their real estate agent as they go over the terms of a real estate contract.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: xavierarnau

 

What does contingent mean in real estate?

Contingencies dictate what must happen in a real estate transaction for the contract to become legally binding, giving the buyer or seller the right to back out of the contract if their conditions aren’t met. A property listed as “contingent” means that the seller has accepted an offer, but the deal still hinges on the buyer satisfying certain contingencies to continue. And once those contingencies have been met, the sale can go through as planned.

There are a variety of contingencies that protect buyers and sellers against the bumps in the road along their journey of buying or selling a home. A home sale contingency, for example, allows a buyer to tie their offer on a new home to the successful sale of their existing one. This contingency is beneficial to those who are buying and selling a home at the same time. It’s important for buyers to work with their agent to determine the strongest offer considering the market conditions in the area.

What is closing in real estate?

Closing refers to the homestretch of a real estate agreement between a buyer and seller, leading to the transfer of ownership. Both parties agree on a closing date and see the deal through to its completion. During closing, the buyer will deposit their earnest money in an escrow account, a home inspection is performed, the buyer secures financing to purchase the home, and both parties pay their respective closing costs. For more information on what to do while your home is on the market, visit our Home Selling Guide:

 

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Morsa Images

Living December 13, 2022

The Benefits of Adding a Catio to Your Home

Cat owners are often faced with many considerations as they fill their homes with toys and cat trees to appease the kings and queens of the household. One such consideration is how to best use the space. Adding a catio to your home will help keep your cat entertained and safe and can be easily customized to fit the needs of any living space.

The Benefits of Adding a Catio to Your Home

A catio can offer a wide range of benefits for you and your cat, including daily enrichment opportunities. Catios provide easy access to the outdoors where they can stimulate their senses. By providing this connection to the outside world, cats can independently spend their days as they please with a wide variety of options to choose from.

Catios also keep your feline friends safe from the dangers that lurk outside. While they’re able to enjoy the outdoors, the enclosed space keeps them nearby while keeping predators out. This prevents accidents with cars on a busy street and run-ins with potentially harmful animals found in residential areas such as raccoons, and in certain areas, coyotes. It also keeps out other cats, preventing exposure to diseases and accidental pregnancies.

 

A Tonkinese cat about to jump onto a tree outside in the safety of a cat proofed garden catio with flowers in the background.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ahloch

 

In addition to the benefits catios provide for your furry friend, you will also improve the livability of your home by reducing the damage to your furniture and rugs or carpet. When your cats can enjoy that space, they are less likely to exert their pent-up energy on your carpeted and upholstered pieces.

For those cats who act on their hunting instincts, a catio is also a great way to keep local wildlife out of your home. From their perch in their enclosure, they will get to smell and watch birds, mice, and rabbits, but they won’t have the opportunity to hunt them. Saving these lives helps your neighborhood’s ecosystem and saves you from having to clean up the mess afterwards.

Providing a litter box outside can also improve your indoor air quality by reducing smells, chemicals, and bacteria associated with cat litter. Of course, it’s not wise to replace an indoor litter box with an outdoor one, but by adding another one that’s nearby, your cat will use the indoor box less.

What Can You Do with a Catio?

The simple answer: anything you want. Catios are customizable for your space and your cat’s interests. Answering these two questions will help you start the process of designing or choosing a design to build.

  1. How much space can you offer to the enclosure?
  2. How will the cat(s) enter the enclosure from the house?

You may also want to consider what kind of exposure to the elements you’re comfortable with, whether it’s open air or if you need a little more protection from the elements with a solid exterior. While in some areas wire fencing might be all that’s needed, regions with harsher climates may require a more robust setup, such as insulated windows.

Catio Options

If you have a smaller space, you may consider a catio attached to a window, which won’t take up any additional square footage. Much like a garden box, you can attach a small shelf-like enclosure just outside your window and stretch it as far out as desired. The entry point can be the window, making it easy to open and close.

 

A shot from indoors looking outdoors of a gray cat sitting in a catio lined with wire on a window ledge.

Image Source: Shutterstock – Image Credit: SvetMedvedeva

 

A brown mink cat lounging in their catio enclosure enjoying the sun from a perch above.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ahloch

 

If you have a yard, you can give your cat a tunnel. A simple addition to the home, attach an elongated box that juts out into the yard for your cat to explore and get a 360-degree view of the elements. You can attach this to an existing cat door or add a cat door on an exterior wall.

For those with a larger space, or if you already have a patio set up, you can build out a catio like an extension on your home. Attach the large enclosure to the exterior and use either a window or cat door for entry. Use the structure to offer a multitude of options on the outermost walls, like shelves, ramps, and hammocks. Customize it with your cat’s favorite things, like scratching posts and pet-safe plants. You can even add a chair for yourself in there if you want!

For more ideas on caring for your pets, home maintenance, and more, visit the Living category of our blog:

Windermere Blog – Living 

 


Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Moyo Studio

BuyersSellers December 8, 2022

The Importance of Working with an Experienced Equestrian Real Estate Agent

Equestrian properties are not your typical residential homes. The land serves a purpose beyond addressing the homeowner’s needs, and everything on the premises revolves around making sure the horses are at their best. And horses are not your average domestic pets. Tending to them is a full-time job that consists of constant hard work. When it comes to buying and selling these properties, it’s important to work with an agent who understands these facets of equestrian life and everything they entail.

The Importance of Working with an Experienced Equestrian Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents who either grew up around horses or have many years’ worth of experience working with equestrian buyers and sellers are uniquely qualified to understand your needs as a buyer or seller of an equestrian property.

A particular region’s climate, for example, will present unique challenges for equestrian buyers looking to build out their property to accommodate their specific riding discipline. Only an experienced equestrian agent can provide the proper guidance on property additions and maintenance, as well as how those recommendations align with local zoning regulations. For those looking to sell their equestrian property, it’s imperative that they work with a listing agent who understands the property and how to market it to the right buyers.

Equestrian advisors also understand the emotions that come with equestrian property ownership. Taking care of horses is a significant undertaking, financially and emotionally. Buyers and sellers may set logic to the side and make decisions based on emotions, rightfully so, given how heavily invested they are in the wellbeing of their animals. Equestrian advisors know how to interpret the emotions behind these decisions and guide their clients toward logical solutions throughout the buying/selling process.

 

A mare and her colt graze in a pasture on an equestrian property.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: narawon

 

Helpful Questions to Ask an Equestrian Real Estate Agent

Finding the right agent to sell your equestrian property or finding the right buyer’s agent takes time, but you can set yourself up for success by knowing which questions to ask. The following list of questions will help you identify a candidate with equestrian experience.

  • Did you ride / were you around horses growing up?
  • Do you have experience working on an equestrian property?
  • Do you currently own horses?
  • What are your real estate certifications and designations?
  • Could you share testimonials from past clients?

For assistance planning an equestrian property sale or purchase, or for answers to your questions, connect with an experienced Equestrian Advisor:

Windermere Equestrian Advisors

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: volgariver

Buyers December 6, 2022

Homeownership Terms to Know: Rent-Back Agreement, Joint Tenancy & More

From the outside, buying a home may seem like a zero-sum game: the seller relinquishes ownership of a property to the buyer in exchange for money and the buyer becomes the property’s new outright owner. However, there’s more nuance to homeownership than meets the eye. The following homeownership agreements provide alternatives to a traditional home purchase. These options may be right for you when searching for your next home.

Homeownership Terms to Know

Rent-Back Agreement

A rent-back agreement (also known as a sale lease-back) is tailor-made for homeowners who are buying a home while selling their current one. Buying a home and selling a home are both significant undertakings in their own right, but when combined, everything is heightened. For all your planning, successfully executing both transactions is predicated on a variety of factors, including the local market conditions in both places.

A rent-back agreement is a clause in the sales contract that allows the seller to rent their old home from the buyer for an agreed-upon period of time before the buyer moves in. The agreement will include the length of the rental period and the seller’s rental costs, while spelling out the responsibilities of each party during the transition.

These agreements are mutually beneficial to buyers and sellers. Not only do sellers buy themselves time to find their new home, they collect proceeds from the sale of their current one, which can be used to help fund their new home purchase when the time comes. The money collected from sellers’ rent payments is an obvious bonus for buyers. And in a competitive market, making an offer that gives the seller flexibility in their moving timeline may help it stand out amongst the competition.

 

A real estate agent tours a home with two buyers. They have a brief meeting in the living room where the agent shows them paperwork for the home purchase.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: FG Trade

 

Joint Tenancy

When two or more people purchase a property together, Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS) requires that all co-buyers hold an equal interest in the property and that they all come into ownership through the same title at the same time. If one co-owner dies, ownership passes to the other co-owner—this is known as Right of Survivorship.

This form of co-buying a home presents an opportunity to prospective home buyers who may not yet have the means to purchase a home on their own by combining their buying power with that of their co-buyer. However, entering a real estate transaction with a co-buyer means that you’re financially tied together, which opens the door for added risk.

Tenancy In Common

When co-buyers hold a title as tenants in common, shares of the property can be divided equally or unequally. But even with a disparity in ownership percentage, no one owner may claim sole ownership of the property. When a tenant in common passes away, their ownership is bequeathed to their designated heir.

Tenancy In Severalty

Unlike Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common, Tenancy in Severalty represents an agreement in which one individual, corporation, or entity owns the property and does not share ownership with anyone.

To learn more about the homeownership options available to you, and for help searching for your next home, connect with a local, experienced Windermere agent:

 

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ArLawKa AungTun

Design December 1, 2022

A-Frame Style Architecture

Some architectural styles go hand in hand with certain environments. A-Frame architecture is a popular design of lodge-style homes, cabins, and other dwellings in wooded or mountainous areas. Its steeply angled roofline is its most defining characteristic, giving the homes designed in this style a truly unique aesthetic.

A-Frame Style Architecture

Any home designed with an A-Frame architectural style stands out amongst its neighbors. The roof structure that starts near the foundation and rises together to a point at the roof’s apex, creating a capital “A” shape, is a unique take on what is usually a more horizontal line elsewhere in residential home design. The vertical nature of an A-Frame roof allows snow to easily slide off rather than accumulate and cause damage. This is just one reason why these homes are so popular as cabins, lodges, and mountain homes in snowy climates.

 

The inside of an A-Frame loft. The roof structure is wide at floor level, rising to a joined point at the top. A triangular window is constructed in the A-Frame shape, on the bottom portion of the window, a glass door is open to an open deck. In the foreground, there is a kitchen counter on the left and a comfortable bed on the right.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Jeremy Poland

 

A-Frame designs are often used in vacation homes. Their unique structures compliment forested and mountainous landscapes, making them a perfect choice for homeowners looking to purchase or build vacation homes in natural surroundings. Usually two- or three-story buildings, A-Frames typically utilize the top floor as a loft. The roof lines make a triangular shape, perfect for large windows that let in lots of natural light and capture panoramic views. Relatively simple to design, A-Frame homes often have smaller living spaces due to the decreasing square footage from bottom to top.

 

Three people enjoying a vacation on the porch of an A-Frame cabin on a cold day. Behind them, the cabin is stained black, with open French doors leading to the back porch.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: skynesher

 

A-Frame homes have become so popular that prefabricated design kits are now widely available. Building an A-Frame from scratch and purchasing a ready-made kit both have their respective advantages. The kits are generally faster to build, cut down on wasted materials, and give you the opportunity to build your own cabin home. Building from scratch gives you more control over the elements of design and allows you to make modifications as desired before the home is finished. Between the two options, what’s more affordable depends on the size of the home, whether additional preparatory work is needed on the property before building, contracting costs, and more.

To learn more about A-Frame homes, cottagescolonial style, and other home designs, head to our Architectural Styles page:

Windermere – Architectural Styles

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: tyerivercabinco.com – Image Credit: Kyle Smith

SOLD November 29, 2022

SOLD: Beautiful New England Colonial

16255 21st Avenue SW
Burien, WA 98166-2633
$1,070,000

  • MLS #2017937
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 3 (2 full + 1 half)
  • 2,980 sqft

Welcome to this beautiful New England Colonial with circular driveway for arriving guests. Note the shake siding and the accent exterior lighting and the many impressive upgrades added since 2019! There is also an ADU over the three car garage which isn’t included in the total square footage, great space for an office or guests. Improvements include: new windows, a generator, garage doors, air conditioning, carpet and interior paint, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Miele gas range, two new water heaters, new washer and dryer in the main home and also in the ADU, a sprinkler system, and a hot tub off the master bedroom. The back patio is shaded and the yard is full of sun, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the seasons.

Features

  • Type: Residential
  • Year Built: 1990
  • Lot Size Area: 15,653.00 sqft
  • Garage: Yes
  • Heating: High Efficiency
  • Cooling: Central Air
  • County/Parish: King
  • Subdivision: Gregory Heights
  • Closed On: Nov 17, 2022
Real Estate Listings November 25, 2022

NEW LISTING: Sweet Arts & Crafts Bungalow in Ravenna

8014 19th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115
$889,000

Open House Dec 4, 2022 • 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  • MLS #2013548
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 2 (1 full + 1 three-quarter)
  • 1,600 sqft
  • Days on Market: 14

Refined whimsy: Sweet Arts and Crafts bungalow loaded w/ updates in choice Ravenna neighborhd. Only 2nd owner since 1926, period finishes preserved. Formal entry, exotic Purple Heart or oak hardwds, lighted coved ceilings, crown moldings, cozy firplc, blt-in bookcases. Granite kitch w/efficient spaces & gadgets, gas-convection oven, Fisher-Paykel DW, bath has ultra-custom handmade tile by legendary artisan Chuck Totten. Finishd bsmt has huge flex space, stone tile roll-in shower, & room for serious hobbies. Low-maint. gardens & patios w/stylish metal sculptured gates & fencing, garage off alley. Hardi-Plank siding, gas heat, central A/C, updated elec., hi-end vinyl windws. Super-convenient-5 metro lines w/i 3 blocks. Positively enchanting!

Features

  • Type: Residential
  • Year Built: 1926
  • Lot Size Area: 3,800.00 sqft
  • Garage: Yes
  • Heating: Forced Air
  • Cooling: Central Air
  • County/Parish: King
  • Subdivision: Ravenna

Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.

From Don November 22, 2022

Gratitude

Dear friends,

I hope this season finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy.

I’m grateful that things are finally returning to some semblance of normal after more than two years of relative isolation. Seeing and spending time with family and friends again is food for the soul.

Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to have helped 21 families achieve their life goals this year, and am grateful to the fantastic team of real estate professionals who have help me accomplish this mission.

Thanks to everyone who has joined and supported me in my life’s work. I’m grateful for your trust, friendship and referrals.

I hope you enjoy a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.

Thankfully,

Don

Design November 17, 2022

Art Deco Interior Design

There are countless interior design styles to inspire your home décor efforts, but some stand out above the rest. Art Deco is one such style. Though its roots trace back to a specific period, its long-lasting relevance has given it the unique ability to feel vintagemodern, and timeless all at once. Whatever home décor goals you have in mind, going behind the curtain on the history and concepts of Art Deco will help inspire your efforts.

Art Deco Interior Design

Art Deco is a decorative take on modernist style from the early twentieth century. One look at interiors designed in typical Art Deco style immediately brings the elegance of the 1920s and 1930s to mind. Art Deco, like the Mid-Century Modern movement that followed it, went beyond just interior design; it encompassed fashion, architecture, the auto industry, and more. Driven by an appreciation for the modern machines of the time, Art Deco emphasized sophistication in a nontraditional sense.

 

A living room with art deco decorations including a chandelier, a regal tufted green couch, gold decorations, and a dark wooden piano and coffee table.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Nikada

 

Art Deco in Your Home

Art Deco can help to transform your home’s interior, but you don’t have to aim for a level of opulence Jay Gatsby would approve of to reap its rewards. The concepts found in modern adaptations of Art Deco can fit any budget, and the materials used to execute it are widely available.

Art Deco Concepts

Geometry is a cornerstone of Art Deco décor. You’ll often see spaces decorated in this style using geometric shapes like chevrons and sunbursts in parquet wood flooring and tilework. Rounded corners and smooth walls are principal architectural features. Mirrors are also central to an Art Deco aesthetic, helping to create symmetry without taking away from the rest of the room. Framed mirrors and mirror walls alike are popular features.

In the style of modern and minimalist decoration, Art Deco showcases a preference for uncluttered spaces with minimal furniture, letting the decorative elements shine. Optimal furniture pieces often come with mirrored and/or veneer façades, heavy lacquer, rounded edges, and circular designs. Go for bold colors when decorating, working from a neutral base. Silver and gold feel right at home in an Art Deco environment, as do alternative neutrals such as cream and beige.

 

Lilac color dining room in trendy art deco style with modern furniture, served table and chairs.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Peter_visual

 

Art Deco Materials

Common materials include veneer, stainless steel, and chrome. Frames for a gallery wall and tableside lamps are great uses for gold and steel, which are two signature Art Deco materials. Making smaller ornate décor choices such as intricately framed mirrors and accent lighting fixtures will help to create a regal atmosphere while staying within your budget.

Visit our Design Styles page to learn more about common interior design styles and how you can incorporate them into your home:

Windermere – Interior Design Styles

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: imaginima

Living November 15, 2022

Simple Garage Makeover Ideas

For some homeowners, the garage is the focal point of their home. For others, it is simply a storage space or a place to park their vehicle. Regardless of how you use your garage, these simple garage makeover ideas can help keep you organized, boost your curb appeal, and increase your home’s value.

Simple Garage Makeover Ideas

Garage Exterior

The garage door is a natural starting point for your garage makeover. A garage door replacement is a surefire way to increase the value of your home and is a common tactic for drumming up buyer interest when preparing to hit the market. But even if you don’t have the budget for a full-scale replacement, a DIY garage door makeover can still make a big difference.

Repaint Garage Exterior

Begin by prepping your garage door for a fresh coat of paint. Clean and scrub the surface with warm soapy water. Scrape off any loose paint with a putty knife or wire brush. If scraping manually is too taxing for you, use a wire wheel brush tool. Rinse and clean the door, letting it dry completely before you begin painting.

Once you’ve covered your driveway with a tarp or plastic sheeting to protect it from paint spills, you’re ready to begin painting. Choose a complimentary color for your trim to tie together your home’s exterior color scheme. Check out different styles of garage door hardware options that match the style of your home, choose your layout, and install the pieces.

 

A luxury lodge-style home at sunset with timber wood framing and stone columns. The garage is attached to the home. The exterior is painted a mix of forest green and brown with deep red trim and an orange door.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: hikesterson

 

Garage Interior

As you turn your attention to your garage’s interior, consider refinishing the floor first. By starting with the floor, you won’t have to continually shuffle your garage items around as you continue your makeover. If you’re considering converting your garage into a home gym, factor that in as you work on the flooring.

Start by fixing any cracks or holes with a basic patch kit. Once the surface is flat, sweep and mop from end to end. If you are removing a previous layer of paint, use a buffer to jar the old paint loose before repainting. Finishing your garage floor off with epoxy will help protect it from stains and damage. Apply two coats of epoxy twenty-four hours apart, followed by a sealing topcoat.

Organize Your Garage

In just a few steps, you can turn your garage from a cluttered oversized closet into an organized storage space. Start by taking inventory of the items in your garage. Do you have lots of tools? Is the space filled with sports equipment? Grouping like items together will keep your storage orderly. Next, decide where you would like to store your items. Overhead storage racks, rollers, and ceiling storage can significantly cut down on clutter, but these storage options are best reserved for infrequently accessed or seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear.

Keep frequently used items within reach. Magnetic wall panels are a great resource for your everyday tools and gardening equipment. Install shelving and drawers near your workbench to keep smaller hand tools, screws, and nails tidy and organized and add labels so you can keep track of them. If space is limited, consider a wall-mounted foldable workbench.

 

A hardboard hanging panel in a garage full of common hand tools like screwdrivers, measuring tape, scissors, duct tape, vice grips, etc.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Bluberries

 

Add Finishing Touches

Now it’s time to put the final touches on your garage makeover. Though installation may require the help of a professional, adding electrical outlets will pay dividends for the functionality of your garage. Installing bike hooks on the ceiling will help to save floor space and may provide just the clearance you need to park a vehicle inside. Lastly, consider upgrading your lighting. Newly installed lights will add value to your garage and make it safer.

For more simple design projects that can give your home a makeover, read the following:

5 Design Projects to Improve Your Backyard

 


­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: JodiJacobson