From Don • Restaurant Reviews • December 19, 2019

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Il Bistro at Pike Place Market

by Don Koonce

If you find yourself downtown craving good food and drinks, I recommend stopping in at Il Bistro. Image courtesy of Il Bistro.

Dear friends: One of my favorite pastimes is trying out new restaurants with my husband Alan and other friends. This review is my way of sharing that with you as well. Enjoy!

Il Bistro is a cozy Italian restaurant with exposed brick walls, oak floors, beautiful bar, and low lighting tucked away in the cobblestone ally between a graffiti mural and the famous gum wall at Pike Place Market.

Since it is in tourist country, you would expect it to also be touristy, but it felt like it had attracted mostly locals. They are often booked up, so reservations are recommended. The dress code is listed as business casual, but we saw plenty of people dressed in jeans. They have a pretty extensive wine list, beer, and several craft cocktails, so you are almost guaranteed to find a favorite drink.

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From Don • Real Estate News & Information • December 15, 2019

REAL ESTATE INFO COLUMN: Are some neighborhoods a better investment?

by Don Koonce

Welcome to my Real Estate advice column, “Dear Don,” where I answer all your burning Real Estate questions. Send yours to me at donkoonce@windermere.com, and I’ll try to answer them in future columns.

Dear Don:

Are some neighborhoods a better investment?

Wondering Will

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Real Estate News & Information • December 13, 2019

2020 Economic & Housing Market Forecast

by Don Koonce

Matthew Gardner is Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate.

As we head toward the end of the year, it’s time to recap how the U.S. economy and housing markets performed this year and offer my predictions for 2020.

U.S. Economy
In general, the economy performed pretty much as I expected this year: job growth slowed but the unemployment rate still hovers around levels not seen since the late 1960s.

Following the significant drop in corporate tax rates in January 2018, economic growth experience a big jump. However, we haven’t been able to continue those gains and I doubt we’ll return to 2%+ growth next year. Due to this slowing, I expect GDP to come in at only +1.4% next year. Non-residential fixed investment has started to wane as companies try to anticipate where economic policy will move next year. Furthermore, many businesses remain concerned over ongoing trade issues with China.

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Homeownership • December 9, 2019

Home Security for the Holidays

by Don Koonce

The holiday season can bring joy and peace, but it can also bring package thieves and burglary. Stay safe this winter by taking a few precautions with your home security. From old-school security tricks to new digital home monitoring tools, there are many options when it comes to keeping our homes safe and preserving that sensibility.

Upgrade your locks:
A poorly installed deadbolt can make it easy for an intruder to kick in your door. Start by making sure that your door frames are in good condition and then look into getting a higher quality deadbolt. You’ll find everything from classic models with keys, or digital options that require passcodes or a fingerprint.

It’s also a good idea to check all the locks on your windows. Some older models are easy to jimmy open with a little wiggling. For ground floor windows, you may want to consider double locks. It goes without saying, leaving windows open during the summer is a bad idea – especially those that can be easily accessed.

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Design • Homeownership • December 3, 2019

Four Holiday Décor Trends to Inspire You This Season

by Don Koonce

Photo Credit: Left – Lushome, Center – HGTV, Right – Christmas365

The holiday season is here and for many of us, that means it’s time to deck the halls. If you’re looking for some inspiration and a place to start, here are some ideas that are certain to get everyone in the spirit.

A Tree of a Different Color

For many, there’s nothing more quintessential during the holidays than a Christmas tree decked out in ornaments. But acquiring a tree can be challenging and expensive. Moreover, housing a tree consumes time and space. That’s why we love the idea of an alternative tree. There are plenty of options you can buy online or create yourself using things you probably already have around the house. And if you miss the smell of a real tree, try a scented candle or essential oils.

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Real Estate News & Information • SOLD • November 27, 2019

Local Real Estate Market Update

by Don Koonce

A remarkable property to find in-city! This home and lot were especially designed to encourage simple, easy living.

Home prices rose 3% last month, which is the largest gain in a year. Generally, prices have leveled off and there is less competition for buyers. It is still a seller’s market due to the low inventory. Homes that are in great condition in popular neighborhoods still may get multiple offers and have the price bid up. Homes under $500K may also have competition and multiple offers.The condo market has slowed considerably, and condos are getting much more market time.

This time of year, there tends to be fewer listings and homes that have been on the market for a while go under contract, lowering the inventory further. But there are also fewer buyers looking this time of year so it can be a great time to buy.

Meanwhile, I have been busy bringing on two new listings and helping a client buy a new home. I helped a client close on their new home this week, which brings a lot of last-minute tasks, and I had the pleasure of delivering their keys last night.

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From Don • Restaurant Reviews • November 25, 2019

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Paxti’s Chicago Pizza in Ballard

by Don Koonce

I would recommend the food at Paxti’s if you have plenty of time to kill.

Dear friends: One of my favorite pastimes is trying out new restaurants with my husband Alan and other friends. This review is my way of sharing that with you as well. Enjoy!

Paxti’s Chicago Pizza is located in the Ballard business district. In addition to pies, they also have salads, sandwiches, and deserts.

The atmosphere is cozy and warm, sometimes a little too warm. It also was not as loud as I expected.

We had the Caesar salad and thin crust Classic Supreme pizza and our friends had the Build Your Own deep-dish pizza. Our salad and pizza were delicious, and our friends liked theirs as well.

The servers were friendly, but the service was painfully slow. Fortunately, we got our bottle of wine within a reasonable amount of time, so that kept us occupied. Making the best of the situation, we had time to finish the second bottle as well before our food arrived.

I would recommend the food at Paxti’s if you have plenty of time to kill.

Paxti’s Chicago Pizza
5323 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 946-1512

Do you have a favorite South Seattle eatery you’d like to recommend? Give me a shout!

From Don • Real Estate News & Information • November 21, 2019

REAL ESTATE INFO COLUMN: When is the best time to sell?

by Don Koonce

Dear Don:

When is the best time to sell?

Anxious Anne

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From Don • November 18, 2019

FROM DON: Our Costa Rican Adventure

by Don Koonce

Alan and I had been hearing good things about Costa Rica for years, and our friend who lives there posts lots of photos that really made us want to go check it out.

We flew into San Jose on a Wednesday and headed straight for the Hotel Bougainvillea, which features a stunning 10-acre tropical botanical garden. We were fortunate enough to get a garden-view room with a big deck that served as a relaxing place to enjoy an afternoon glass of wine, which you will need after driving in Costa Rica. Indeed, driving in Costa Rica is challenging and not for the faint of heart!

The next day, we visited the La Paz Waterfall gardens which are amazing, as are the lush tropical rain forest, flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, hummingbirds, snakes, felines, frogs and much more.

We also toured a coffee plantation, where they process the java on equipment that is more than one-hundred years old and operated completely on water-driven, gravity-fed equipment.

The next morning, we drove the 135 miles over the one mountain road towards Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side. The trip took about five hours, which gives you an idea of what the roads are like.

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Buyers • Real Estate Listings • November 16, 2019

NEW LISTING: Condo in the heart of Ballard

by Don Koonce

With a 97-walk score, you can have it all at the Vik!

1760 NW 56th St #608
Seattle, WA 98107
Listed at $515,000

Imagine living in the heart of Ballard, taking a stroll for groceries, to acclaimed restaurants, shops, parks, library, movies, & lively nightlife. With a 97-walk score, you can have it all at the Vik! This top-floor unit w/1 bed + den/office features sleek modern finishes, SS appliances, qrtz counters, wine fridge, private balcony, in-unit W/D, open floor plan, parking, and storage. Building has lobby entrance with concierge, gym, pet wash, rooftop view deck with BBQs, fire pit & dog run. No rental cap.

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