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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Buyers • Real Estate News & Information • Sellers • November 14, 2019

So you bought an investment property, now what?

by Don Koonce

Investing in a home is a great way to build passive income but earning from your investment will take a little groundwork to become a well-oiled machine. This is your beginner’s guide to owning an investment property so you can set up that foundation properly to avoid future headaches.

Make sure it’s livable

It’s important to start with your home inspection before you start making plans. Use the inspection report to prioritize the maintenance issues.

Before a tenant moves in, make sure the home is livable. Handle the important items that affect the livability of the property, either now or in the near future. If the inspector noticed a leak in the roof or holes that could lead to infestation, take care of those first. Other maintenance issues to prioritize are the fuel and the hot water source.

If your city has inspection and registration requirements, be sure to cross check those inspection checklists with your current property. If the property wouldn’t pass now, make sure it will pass by the time the city sees it.

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Design • Guest Post • November 7, 2019

GUEST BLOG: Trends for 2020; Thinking of updating? We’ve got your inspo

by Don Koonce

Camylla Battani/Unsplash

Dear friends: Please enjoy this guest blog post from South Seattle-based interior designer Michele Bayle, who owns Bayle & Co. and is one of the many local contractors that can help make your house a home. Find her at michele@bayleandco.com or www.bayledesignstudio.com. Enjoy!

by Michele Bayle

Just like fashion, the minute you are ready to update your home to the new trend another one pops up and you’re just warming up to what is now old style. How does one stay on top of it all?

Here is what I see trending for 2020:

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Community News & Information • Events • October 9, 2019

Halloween in the ‘Hood 2019: West Hill Area Events

by Don Koonce

Happy Halloween, West Hill & surrounding communities!

Here’s your hyper-local events guide to the spookiest season. Check back for updates as they become available, and don’t hesitate to contact me if yourWest Hill area business or organization has a fun Halloween event you’d like to share with the community.

10/17: Run Scared 5K
Celebrate Halloween with a scary dash around Seward Park. Registration includes gender specific long sleeve tech shirt, fully supported course, free event photos, post-race treats including pumpkin bread and a candy corn tasting bar, costume contest for people and furry friends, gear check, a free pre-race treasure hunt, chip timing for accuracy, a free kids dash and tons of spooky fun. All while benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

10/27: Halloween Spooktacular
Free trick or treating at participating merchants with signs on their storefront (while supplies last), face painters and balloon makers located at the plaza across from Regal Cinemas. Hosted by The Landing in Renton.

10/28: WHCA Halloween Takeover
Annual Halloween party in the Lucky Dragonz event space at Skyway Park Bowl! Among many other fun surprises, this year will feature a Treat Trail, pumpkin decorating, photo booth and a Halloween-themed movie (Hocus Pocus) screening at 8pm. FREE entry, all ages. Hosted by West Hill Community Association.

10/31: BooBash at the Beach
Hosted by Rainier Beach Merchants Association.

11/1: 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration
This year’s theme is Perseverance – Power in Action: Voice! Vote! Venceremos! Perseverance is defined as “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success”. We can make a difference and change by organizing our communities to get out the vote, registering to vote and to be counted in the 2020 census. This administration incited fear in our communities, scaring them away from the census, which will take away important funding from programs that help those in need. El Vez will be this year’s MC! We will also have performances by Folklore Tonatzin, Duo Finelli, Ceatl Tonalli, Chief Sealth Int’l High School and a Selena impersonator. Hosted by El Centro de la Raza.

Community News & Information • Restaurant Reviews • September 30, 2019

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Melrose Grill in Downtown Renton

by Don Koonce

If you like a great steak, this place is a gem!

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!

Caution my vegetarian friends, this review is not for you!

Melrose grill is a steakhouse in downtown Renton. The atmosphere is casual and cozy, but the overall feel is high-end. You don’t have to dress up to go here, but you’ll feel like you are in a nice restaurant.

The building was established in 1901 and has hosted many businesses over that time, including a tavern and a card room during prohibition. Carefully restored, the building houses the original mirror-backed bar with its rich, dark woods. The walls showcase vintage photos that highlight the transitions this old building has gone through.

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From Don • Real Estate News & Information • September 24, 2019

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

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:

When is the best time to buy?

Pondering Paul

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Homeownership • Real Estate News & Information • September 16, 2019

You’ve Moved into Your New Home. Now What?

by Don Koonce

Congratulations on your new home! You made it through the arduous process that is buying a new home. Now it’s time to take on the task of moving in.

You did your research about the neighborhood and you feel like you know the home like the back of your hand. However, there are some things to do as you move in to protect your newest investment, and yourself, from the unknown variables in and around your home.

Change the locks garage door codes

Previous owners might have changed the locks, but they may not know who all has a key or a code to open your garage, especially neighbors who they trusted to watch their place while they were away. Changing the codes and locks on all the doors ensures that you have complete control over entry to your home.

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Events • September 9, 2019

SAVE THE DATE: Windermere Real Estate Mount Baker Community Fundraiser

by Don Koonce

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

This fun annual event is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, and we’re planning to mix it up this year with a BINGO “Fun”raiser.

Here are some of the local organizations my office, Windermere Real Estate Mount Baker, is proud to support:

Rainier Valley Food Bank
Treehouse
Kids Co.
Wellspring
Mount Baker Community Club –
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness-
Project Cool Back to School

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Community News & Information • Local Giving Opportunities • September 4, 2019

Windermere Teams Up with the Seahawks to #TackleHomelessness

by Don Koonce

Windermere is proud to partner with the Seattle Seahawks for the fourth season to help #TackleHomelessness. For every Seahawks home game defensive tackle, Windermere will donate $100 to Mary’s Place, whose mission is to help families on their journey out of homelessness. To date we’ve raised nearly $100,000 through our #TackleHomelessness campaign and we’re looking forward to raising even more for our friends at Mary’s Place!