Portland - Seattle

The Little Free Library movement has been gaining popularity in cities all around the country, but few places have embraced it with more enthusiasm than Seattle. All around the city, you'll find Little Free Libraries where you can freely exchange books with friends and neighbors. Find something new and exciting to read while supporting a good cause in the process. Our brokers have more information on what Little Free Libraries are all about and where you can find some of the many Little Free Libraries in Seattle.

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Working from home has become increasingly common, particularly over the last year and a half. Will you be working remotely in 2022? Whether you work full-time, or only a couple of days a week, it's important to minimize distractions and maximize productivity. And sometimes it's difficult to do that in your house.

What you need is a coworking space in your neighborhood. Thankfully, you'll find many of these spaces throughout the Pacific Northwest. Here's what to look for when considering a coworking space for your 2022 remote work.

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During the holidays last year, shoppers chose to support small businesses more than ever before by skipping online shopping and chain stores to do their holiday shopping locally. So let's do even better this year, and show the Seattle area small businesses some love for the holidays. Our brokers have the details on why and how to support small businesses this holiday season.

Why Small Businesses Deserve Your Support During the Holidays

If you're like most people, then you probably already have some favorite local small businesses where you love shopping. It's nice to go to a place where people know your face, name, and preferences as soon as you walk through the door. Small businesses provide the opportunity for local artists, artisans, farmers, restaurateurs, and business people to share their unique wares with the public.

Small businesses are also integral to local economies in every neighborhood, and Seattle is no exception. Thriving small businesses create jobs, drive local spending, and provide a level of personalized service that you can't find anywhere else. Many small business owners are also very dedicated to raising funds for local charities, supporting community events, and giving back to the communities that help them thrive.

How to Support Small Businesses for the Holidays

There are so many reasons both big and small to support small businesses for the holidays. Your support means so much to these businesses, and doing your holiday shopping locally is also a great way to find one-of-a-kind gifts that you won't find anywhere else. But how do you show your support? Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Show Up and Browse to Find That Special Something
  We all know how easy it is to browse a big, online retailer to find generic gifts, but it's hard to find that spark of inspiration for a truly special gift when you shop online. Whether you already have a gift idea in mind or you want to find a unique gift for someone who's hard to shop for, visiting small businesses to browse and make a purchase is a great way to get inspired for your holiday shopping.
  
  
• Start Your Shopping Early and Be Patient
  Starting your holiday shopping early provides a variety of benefits for small businesses, and can make your life easier too. It provides revenue for small businesses when they need it most, and allows them to prepare your order before the busiest holiday shopping times. So get out there to start shopping before Black Friday, and be patient while small businesses get your order ready in time for the holidays.
  
  
• Support Small Businesses by Showing Your Love Online
  After you're done shopping at your favorite small businesses, why not show them some love online? Leaving positive reviews on Yelp and Google is a great place to start because those reviews really help small businesses gain exposure online. You can also shout out and link to your favorite small businesses on social media, to help all of your connections find the best local places to shop for the holidays.
  
  
• Try Dining Out or Ordering a Meal Kit for a Holiday Meal
  Eliminate the stress of cooking for the holidays and support a small business in the process by visiting a restaurant for a holiday meal. You can dine out at a restaurant that's open for in-person dining, or order a meal kit from a local restaurant that makes it easy to whip up a world-class meal at home with minimal effort.
  
  
• Be a Friendly Customer and a Generous Tipper
  When you visit a small business to do some shopping or eating, make sure to treat the staff well. And if you can afford it, a generous tip can make a big difference.

Are you searching for a home located close to all of your favorite Seattle small businesses? Our local real estate team is here to help you find the perfect match among the many Seattle homes for sale. Contact us to buy and sell homes in the Seattle, WA area.

Is it possible that Pacific Northwest scenery can get even more spectacular? While we love this area in all seasons, there's something extra special about the fall. See Washington and Oregon dressed up in their fall colors at these beautiful locations as recommended by our brokers.

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One of the best reasons to buy a home is to have enough land to practice all your hobbies. Gardeners know it's crucial to have enough space for their plants to flourish. By choosing the right plants and nurturing them in the right ways, they make a positive impact that reaches far beyond their own home.

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National parks are a true American treasure, handed down from one generation to the next.

The Pacific Northwest has so many wonderful national parks to visit, or better yet, live near. 

Stunning Crater Lake National Park is less than half a day's drive from Portland homes for sale. Or explore 73 miles of Pacific Coast at Olympic National Park, roughly a two-hour drive from Seattle homes for sale. 

Our brokers share nine top benefits of living near a national park. Do some of these surprise you? 

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Staging your home is as important as ever when it comes to homes for sale. Staging has a valuable role to play in traditional showings and virtual ones.

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You've browsed the listings for Seattle homes for sale, and you've finally found the house that you want to call home! However, it's in a community with a mandatory Home Owners Association, and now you've got to decide whether or not the pros and cons of an HOA meet your lifestyle. Our brokers understand that an HOA is not for everyone. Even though you may have found your dream home, certain rules and regulations required by the HOA may prevent you from living the way you desire. Let's look at the common pros and cons of HOAs.

Pros of HOAs

• Homeowner Associations Provide & Maintain Great Amenities
  Do you love swimming on occasion but not enough to keep up with the responsibilities of a swimming pool? Then an HOA might be for you. Along with pools, many HOA neighborhoods feature amenities like clubhouses, tennis courts, basketball courts, event rooms, pet cleanup stations, dog parks, and host events for the community. 
  
  
• Your Home Will Likely Retain Its Value
  Buying a home is an investment that you want to protect. Because of their many rules and guidelines, homes within an HOA maintain a great appearance that makes them desirable to new buyers.

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Our Brokers are getting ready to enjoy another spectacular 4th of July around Portland and Seattle. When it comes to Independence Day, our area goes all out: We have some of the most memorable events anywhere in the United States.

No matter whether you've just moved in or you're still looking around, you'll enjoy the warm welcome that these two cities and their surrounding communities can offer. There's something for everyone around the 4th of July. From kids to adults, everyone will be left wide-eyed!

Looking for the best way to enjoy the holiday? We are taking a look at 10 events throughout our Pacific Northwest communities:

1. Seafair Summer Fourth – 2101 North Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
   Situated at Gas Works Park not far from Seattle homes for sale is the Seafair Summer Fourth celebration. This 4th of July favorite is one of the biggest fireworks displays in the area. You'll thrill to a custom musical score while enjoying brews from the beer garden and some of the city's most beloved food trucks. Live entertainment will be on hand, too!
   
   

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