Living & Community

Community information and homeowner tips to make the most of living and maintaining a home in the Seattle area. From checklists to trends to local events, you’ll find insightful information right here.

Home Seller Tips, Living & Community

Remodeling Impact Report: Projects That Bring Joy & ROI

Is your home ready for a refresh? Whether it’s for their own enjoyment or to prep their houses for sale, Americans are investing more and more money into remodeling each year. According to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the demand for top-condition homes is going up among buyers as well. […]
Home Buyer Tips, Living & Community

A Consumer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance

If you’re a homeowner or looking to buy a home, insuring your property is critical to protecting your investment—and if you’re getting a mortgage, it’s a must. It can be daunting trying to navigate the many options available to you. What does your policy cover…and what isn’t covered? What does the insurance company provide if […]
Living & Community

2025 Seattle & Eastside Farmers Markets

Summer is just around the corner, and so are these farmers markets! Spend an evening or weekend finding your new favorites among the tents. Think it’s all about kale? Think again. Most offer live entertainment along with a mouth-watering variety of local brews, cheese, bread, meat/seafood, honey, hand roasted coffee, and other hidden gems (in […]

Home Seller Tips Remodeling Impact Report: Projects That Bring Joy & ROI Is your home ready for a refresh? Whether it’s for their own enjoyment or to prep their houses for sale, Americans are investing more and more money into remodeling each year. According to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the demand for top-condition homes is going up among buyers as well. […]

Home Buyer Tips A Consumer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance If you’re a homeowner or looking to buy a home, insuring your property is critical to protecting your investment—and if you’re getting a mortgage, it’s a must. It can be daunting trying to navigate the many options available to you. What does your policy cover…and what isn’t covered? What does the insurance company provide if […]

Living & Community 2025 Seattle & Eastside Farmers Markets Summer is just around the corner, and so are these farmers markets! Spend an evening or weekend finding your new favorites among the tents. Think it’s all about kale? Think again. Most offer live entertainment along with a mouth-watering variety of local brews, cheese, bread, meat/seafood, honey, hand roasted coffee, and other hidden gems (in […]

Living & Community Cut the Clutter: Donation & Recycling Locations Around the Sound Spring is coming, and with it comes a chance to clear out the old and start fresh—whether it’s those ever-growing piles in your garage and attic, that closet you can barely close, or a horror-movie-inspired basement. Here are resources to reclaim your space and put your unwanted items to good use (or recycle and give […]

Living & Community Are You Paying Too Much for Property Taxes? OK nobody panic, but it’s almost…TAX TIME. For Washington State homeowners, this means you’ve probably received a little postcard letting you know your property’s assessed value and taxes due for 2025. Those with a mortgage on their home may be tempted to file this away and let the bank take care of it (after all, […]

Living & Community 2024 Holiday Happenings Around the Sound OK, who is ready to beat the gloom? Below are some Seattle-area holiday favorites to help brighten your spirits. You can bundle up and bask in breathtaking outdoor light shows, or just relax and enjoy from the comfort of a cruise ship or theater seat… Winterfest at Seattle Center 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA […]

Living & Community Our Favorite Local Pumpkin Patches Grab your boots, pack a thermos…it’s time to choose those perfect Halloween pumpkins! This year, why not explore a new town and make your pumpkin patch experience a true adventure? All of these farms are open every weekend in October, and some are open on weekdays too. Some even welcome your furry family members on […]

Living & Community 2024 Football & Hockey Schedules, Recipes, & Tips Football is almost here and hockey is coming in hot behind it! Scroll down for printable schedules, tailgating hacks (including how to pack the perfect cooler!), and favorite gameday recipes. Fans of all ages will also love our printable football and hockey bingo sheets. Need to brush up on your sports lingo? Check out […]

Living & Community 9 Fun Summer DIY Projects for Your Home Sun’s out…fun’s out! Our glorious PNW summer is coming in hot with endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Here are some fun and easy project ideas to help you make the most of it! 1. Backyard Movie Theater Outdoor movies are a great way to enjoy your yard and entertain a crowd (and keep […]

Living & Community 2024 Seattle & Eastside Farmers Markets: Locations, Times & More Summer is just around the corner, and so are these farmers markets! Spend an evening or weekend finding your new favorites among the tents. Think it’s all about kale? Think again. Most offer live entertainment along with a mouth-watering variety of local brews, cheese, bread, meat/seafood, honey, hand roasted coffee, and other hidden gems (in […]

Living & Community Tax Benefits Every Homeowner Should Know About It’s tax season again, but being a homeowner might just make it rain at refund time. Check out the tax-deductible expenses, exemptions, and credits below. Whether you own a house, condo, or mobile home, they can save you big money when you file. Just be sure to compare your total itemized deductions against the […]

Living & Community Your Guide to Going Solar To reduce your carbon footprint, increase your household’s sustainability, and add value to your property, solar power may be right for you. Understanding how solar works and how to maximize its benefits are key first steps in your journey to becoming a solar energy-producing household. How does solar power work? The technology that turns your […]

Living & Community Property Tax Relief Programs in King County Updated 2/2025 More than 26,000 low-income seniors and disabled people in King County who qualify for a tax exemption haven’t claimed it…are you or your family member one of them? If you are homeowner, make $84k or less per year, and are either age 61+, retired due to disability, or 57+ and the surviving spouse/domestic […]

Living & Community 10 Tips for Sustainable Gardening Sunny days are finally here, the flowers are in bloom, and the timing is perfect to give your garden some love. Having a healthy garden is one of the best ways to create a sustainable home and reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Below are some eco-friendly tips that will help to make your garden even […]

Living & Community Pro Lighting Tips to Brighten Your Home As we approach the darkest days of the year, a few tweaks in your interior lighting scheme can brighten your home (and your mood) from the inside out. Here are some great tips from Real Simple for a lighting scheme that is flattering and functional… Use a combo of overhead and up lighting for […]

Living & Community The Four Phases of Remodeling As with anything in life, a remodeling project can come with its ups and downs. Certain phases seem to go a mile a minute, while others feel like they’ve lasted a lifetime and a half, all while it looks as though nothing is being completed. Fear not—this is pretty typical. And, while every project is […]

Living & Community Planning for the Life Expectancy of Your Home Nothing in life lasts forever – and the same can be said for your home. From the roof to the furnace, every component of your home has a lifespan, so it’s a good idea to know approximately how many years of service you can expect from them. This information can help when buying or selling […]

Living & Community Preparing Your Garage for an Electric Car Electric cars help lower emissions and fuel costs, improve fuel economy, and bolster energy security. And considering the volatility of gas prices—and their general skyward trajectory—electric fuel shows promise as an economic alternative. But switching to an electric vehicle entails more than new driving habits and a conversation piece with strangers. It’s also a lifestyle […]