Attractive 3br. on bright & sunny corner lot! Swedish finished hardwood floors on the main level. Remodeled kitchen w/granite counter tops, built-in wine rack, under cab. lighting. Imagine cozying up to brick fireplace in the LR. Custom deck with built in's just off the DR. Lower level FR, fully-fenced, landscaped yard & garden area, Fresh paint inside and out, newer energy efficient windows, gas H20 & new furnace! 2 car gar., close to parks, schools, shopping, freeways. Come and see it today.

Imagine easy to maintain acreage with privacy, space, but yet only 10 minutes to Bellevue with all the eastside amenities. Then this single level Norway Hill custom built home will be just right for you. Hardwoods throughout the main level, private bath off the master bedroom, oversized dining, living, and family rooms make it easy to entertain or cozy up with a fire. Enjoy the sunrise with a cup of joe from the deck that overlooks the grounds. A/C, cul-de-sac, paved circular drive, RV parking, Northshore schools, garden space, and the Tolt trail being a few steps away all add to this unique opportunity.

Desire to be just blocks from Green Lake? Imagine craftsman details w/moderne expression that meet at this front porch entry townhome. Urbanites will enjoy the radiant in floor heat, Chef's enclave w/ slab counters, stone backsplash, gas downdraft and stainless. Living area w/solid cherry, gas FP & deck. 2 oversized bedrooms, a vast utility room + a nicely tiled bath. Top floor owners suite w/spa like ba. & tons of closet space! 1 car gar.

Imagine Queen Anne's best value Built Green urban townhome, Dwell magazine meets Seattle's hip & warm architectural style. Central, walk to shopping, parks, coffee, & restaurants. Borders Seattle's P-Patch community gardens. Featuring: Espresso stained floors, radiant in floor heat, gas fireplace, stainless appliances, honed quartz countertops, sustainable cork flooring & glass tile backsplash grace the kitchen. Garage + Tons of natural light. Best value on the hill, don't wait!

No better value in Startup! Livable 2br. fixer with tons of opportunity. Nice sized corner lot with city water. Ski cabin? Buy and rent? Buy and remodel?

Comfort Zone

The colors you choose for your home accessories should be given careful consideration. Hues that make you happy will make your spaces shine. And, a little humor makes everyone feel right at home. If you tend not to take yourself or your surroundings too seriously, you will instantly lighten up the mood. 

Do a quick survey of your home and jot down some thoughts in a small notebook that can be your guide when you shop. Make sure you have everything you need to make each room comfortable. For instance, your nightstand should have the right reading lamp along with a proper place to stash your bedside books. You might
also treat yourself to a cup and carafe for water and a small tray for stray jewelry. In addition, now could be the time to update your alarm clock to one that looks as good as it sounds. 

It has been said that a room without accessories is like a suit without jewelry. When you fill your home with accent pieces, you complete the picture. So, put everyone at ease with some comforting accoutrements. You’ll be glad you did. Written by Jeanine Matlow 

Before you buy anything new, consider which accent pieces should go and which have truly earned a place in your heart. Often, what you part with will give you the greatest peace of mind. That’s because household clutter can lead to stress. 

Besides, being organized can look as good as it feels. Stylish storage pieces make everything easy to find. Leather bins keep magazines and catalogs at bay, while decorative boxes put paper in its place. Since electronics, such as computers, TVs, and stereos, have become less cumbersome, they free up space for the essentials, like CD and DVD holders. 

Candles are always comforting, and the endless choices continue to grow. For those who have little hands and paws at home, the new battery-operated candles offer a great alternative to traditional wicks. 

Pillows and throws are pretty enough to display every day. Add some to your sofas and chairs to encourage family and friends to sit down and stay awhile. Trays, which can be used for entertaining, are also perfect for paperwork that needs to be transported from one room to the next.

Mood lighting adds an element of warmth to any setting. The right mix of floor and table lamps can take a room from dull to high-drama with the flip of a switch. Proper lighting is also essential when creating a cozy reading corner or home office space. 

Surround yourself with family photos for that oh-so-familiar feeling. Just one look at the friendly faces inside your favorite frames is enough to make anyone feel welcome. Black-and-white photos have a classic feel while color adds a hint of fun. Whatever you decide, group the frames together for more impact. 

Greenery can help soften the hard edges in a room, such as corners and cabinetry. Whether you prefer the live or the silk variety, there is something about plants that puts people at ease. Books also add beauty to any space. Opt for the coffee table version or more literary finds. Either way, blending your books with other objects of interest creates a delightful display. 

Plates and cups can find their way outside the
kitchen. When arranged in creative compositions, they add comfort and charm to any space. Display a series of dishes along a wall and turn your teacups into containers for flowers. 

Upgrade your towels and linens for a little added
luxury each day. Go through the current stock in your linen closet to determine what has seen better days. Bed and bath products have become more affordable, so buying something beautiful won’t break the bank. 

Collections of any kind give your home that lived-in look. There is nothing more comforting to first-time visitors than learning something new about the people who live there. Pieces from the past provide that kick-up-your-feet feeling as their simplicity stirs thoughts of days gone by. It can be rewarding to rework your family heirlooms to suit your current lifestyle. So, go ahead and change an item’s paint color or its purpose. 

Troy Anderson 

206-588-8409 

206-940-2834 

troy@troysrealestate.com 

www.troysrealestate.com 

Keller Williams Realty 

As featured in 

Your Home and Lifestyle 

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

All measurements are approximate. 

Copyright 2010 Network Communications Inc.
All rights reserved. 

This is Troy Anderson with TeamTroy at Keller Williams Realty. Do you have two minutes to help me with a problem? (I will donate $5.00 for relief in Haiti)

I have been attending some great training and we're having a competition. I need to get at least 10 referrals in the next month in order to win! I was just curious, who do you know from church or work who wants to buy a home, sell a home, or invest in real estate that I could call today? Thanks for taking a moment to think about that!

Please, just forward me or call me with their contact info and I will call them right away.

Additionally, do you know anyone who recently tried to sell their home and has had trouble selling or keeping up with their mortgage payments? These people really need help, don't you agree?

I will donate $5.00 right away to help with earthquake relief in Haiti, for each contact you can provide me! Plus, if I am able to help them you will get my standard referral fee paid to you!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Brokers say it's a tough market, but point to several indicators for good activity during this year's first quarter. "The distance seems great, but the direction is a good one," observed NWMLS director Dick Beeson.

"With what our agents already have in the pipeline, I'm optimistic about a positive first quarter," said NWMLS director Meribeth Hutchings, the broker at Windermere RE/Lake Stevens. "We had a very strong December and the momentum seems to be there to keep things moving," she remarked, noting three agents were in the office on New Year's Eve writing offers.

Shrinking inventory, the extension of the first-time home buyer tax credit, and favorable interest rates are among factors brokers believe will sustain activity.

"Affordability has never been better," said Dick Fulton, a past chairman of the NWMLS board of directors whose career spans more than two decades. Fulton, the executive vice president at Coldwell Banker Bain, suggests would-be sellers list their property soon, rather than wait until spring, to take advantage of favorable conditions. With inventory much smaller than a year ago, sellers should benefit from more exposure to a good pool of buyers, he suggests.

Inventory area-wide is down about 15.6 percent from a year ago. At the end of December, brokers reported 32,152 active listings of single family homes and condominiums. For the four-county Puget Sound region, the number of active listings is down more than 18 percent, with Kitsap County reporting the biggest drop at 25.4 percent.

NWMLS members reported 4,711 closed sales during December, up 54.7 percent from the year-ago total of 3,045 when the holiday slowdown was compounded by record low temperatures and snow.

The median price for last month's completed transactions, including single family homes and condominiums, was $265,000. That compares to a year-ago sales price of $285,000 (down about 7 percent). Compared to January, prices are down about 2.9 percent.

For single family homes (excluding condominiums), last month's median sales price was $273,000. Twelve months ago it was $290,000, a difference of about 5.9 percent. Condo prices have dropped about 14.6 percent, from $263,475 to last month's figure of $225,000.

Dick Beeson, owner/broker of Windermere Commencement Assoc. in Tacoma, said the market is "chugging along," despite hurdles associated with the lending market, appraisals and foreclosures. "The hardest part of the process still remains the uncertainty of the lending market as banks continue to ratchet up the qualifications and criteria for borrowers. Appraisals are difficult because even if the value comes in at the purchase price many lenders do a second review of the appraisal and find fault with the outcome, therefore creating a problem for buyers and sellers." He also noted the large volume of foreclosures has driven down prices – something he believes will persist throughout much of this year.

Beeson also said he does not expect much sales action as a result of expanding the tax credit to qualifying repeat buyers because many owners have little or no equity in the homes to use to move up. "First time buyers will still lead the charge in sales," he suggests.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 24,000 brokers and agents. The organization, based in Kirkland, currently serves 21 counties in western and central Washington. Ferry and Clallam counties are now included in the monthly statistical reports.

Imagine Queen Anne's best value Built Green urban townhome, Dwell magazine meets Seattle's hip & warm architectural style. Central, walk to shopping, parks, coffee, & restaurants. Borders Seattle's P-Patch community gardens. Featuring: Espresso stained floors, radiant in floor heat, gas fireplace, stainless appliances, honed quartz countertops, sustainable cork flooring & glass tile backsplash grace the kitchen. Garage + Tons of natural light. End unit don't wait.

Imagine Queen Anne's best value Built Green urban townhome, Dwell magazine meets Seattle's hip & warm architectural style. Central, walk to shopping, parks, coffee, & restaurants. Borders Seattle's P-Patch community gardens. Floor plan is 1 bedroom + den/flex. Featuring: Espresso stained floors, radiant in floor heat, gas fireplace, stainless appliances, honed quartz countertops, sustainable cork flooring & glass tile backsplash grace the kitchen. Gar + Tons of nat. light. END UNIT, don't wait.

Imagine Queen Anne's best value Built Green urban townhome, Dwell magazine meets Seattle's hip & warm architectural style. Central, walk to shopping, parks, coffee, & restaurants. Borders Seattle's P-Patch community gardens. Floor plan is 1 bedroom + den/flex. Featuring: Espresso stained floors, radiant in floor heat, gas fireplace, stainless appliances, honed quartz countertops, sustainable cork flooring & glass tile backsplash grace the kitchen. Gar + Tons of nat. light. END UNIT, don't wait.

Dramatic price drop on Stunning Northwest Contemporary 5 Star Built Green on premier Phinney Ridge street w/ views. Gorgeous exterior & interior boasts warm natural wood tones against rich color accents. Wrap around porch w/ large view decks add over 1000 sq. ft of outdoor living. Open floor plan w/ striking exposed three story staircase. Grand yet cozy, three bedrooms up. Family rm and 4th bed in daylight lower level. Radiant floor heat, non toxic finishes. Truly a dream home!

Come live the true Seattle Lifestyle'' in Wallingford. Enjoy views of Lake Union while sipping coffee on one of your 4 decks. Pamper yourself in your top-floor private Master suite including a sitting area and your own sundeck. Remove the stress of the day in your walk-in shower or relax in your Jacuzzi bath. Enjoy many dinners with friends in your large, open Chef's kitchen. The separate lower level is great for guests coming to town. Close to shops, restaurants, and Burke-Gilman Trail.

At Children's Country Home, we offer a home for medically fragile children providing expert care with dignity and compassion. We provide 24-hour healthcare services in a loving, family centered home guided by the values of dignity, compassion, sharing and stewardship.

Learn more about us and watch our movie!  Listen to our special song, Amazing Life 
when you visit our Photo Gallery!

View photos of the staff, the kids and 
our beautiful home and surroundings.

DONATE NOW

Vision House provides homeless families a place to stay & provides support services that are needed to build long term success and self-sufficiency.

Vision House gives families a place to call home.

Please join us for an informal evening of wine and appetizers as we hear about Vision House’s latest expansion - Jacob’s Well. Enjoy a special video screening and hear compelling stories of lives changed by the simple generosity of people like you. Join us, won’t you?

// KEYNOTE //

Martha Rose - Martha Rose Construction

// SPONSORED BY //

The Troy Anderson Team - The Troy Anderson Team

// VOLUNTEERS //

Mars Hill Church Community Group - Mars Hill Church Community Group

// WINE DONATED BY //

DeLille Cellars - DeLille Cellars

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence to April 30th, 2010. The new legislation also increases the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000 and individuals up to $125,000.

The act has also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers. An eligible repeat home buyer must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. It is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500. For first time and repeat home buyers, the tax credit applies only to primary residence homes priced at $800,000 or less. It is also available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

For more information, take a look at a side by side comparison chart of the new and old tax credit.

Please let the Troy Anderson Team help you with all your Northwest real estate needs

Selling Secret #9: Half-empty closets Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take half the stuff out of your closets then neatly organize what’s left in there. Buyers will snoop, so be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.

Selling Secret #8: Light it up Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery – it will make it more sellable.

Selling Secret #7: Play the agent field A secret sale killer is hiring the wrong broker. Make sure you have a broker who is totally informed. They must constantly monitor the multiple listing service (MLS), know what properties are going on the market and know the comps in your neighborhood. Find a broker who embraces technology – a tech-savvy one has many tools to get your house sold.

Selling Secret #6: Conceal the critters You might think a cuddly dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you’d be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or cat-lover. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean. If you’re planning an open house, send the critters to a pet hotel for the day.

Selling Secret #5: Don't over-upgrade Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Mammoth makeovers, not so much. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Get a new fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout.

Selling Secret #4: Take the home out of your house One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. Get rid of a third of your stuff – put it in storage. This includes family photos, memorabilia collections and personal keepsakes. Consider hiring a home stager to maximize the full potential of your home. Staging simply means arranging your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space.

Selling Secret #3: The kitchen comes first You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see one high-end appliance they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen.

Selling Secret #2: Always be ready to show Your house needs to be “show-ready” at all times – you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to be available whenever they want to come see the place and it has to be in tip-top shape. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there are no dust bunnies in the corners. It’s a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold.

Selling Secret #1: The first impression is the only impression No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But, when you’re selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.

The U of W Department Physical Therapy Clinic at Harborview Medical Center offers evaluation and treatment for persons with physical disabilities and those with impairment secondary to a neurological injury. After an accident or other traumatic event, the patients usually have little or no resources for even basic needs. The staff people (on their own time) solicit from their friends and family help of all kind. Sometimes the patients need shoes, sometimes they need coats.

However, we just caught word that they now have plenty of shoes, but are in need of coats and hoodies. If you happen to have some extras, feel free to drop them off at our office, and we will be sure to get them over to Harborview as soon as possible.

WE NEED YOUR SOAP AND SHAMPOO

Furthermore, one of their staff members (Elisa) has volunteered to head to Peru to help fit the needy with their own wheelchairs. This is an amazing program coordinated by Joni & Friends called Wheels for the World. At the end of last year they had provided over 52,000 wheelchairs to more than 100 countries. This is Elisa's third trip somewhere in the world with Joni. On this Peru trip she hopes to fill her luggage with toiletries and such to give away while she is there working. So, please check the closets, and bring all your hotel leftovers (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc) to our office as soon as possible.

Uganda is a country rich in history and culture but has been devastated with political unrest, savaged with an ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, and now faces an acute food shortage. Despite the millions of dollars spent and the thousands of aid workers, the problems continue to grow and persist.

The Troy Anderson Real Estate Team decided enough was enough and launched the first phase of Uganda Project. For the next 24 months, TeamTroy will donate $100,000 in real estate commissions. This money will provide seed money for the development of large and small-scale aquaponic projects in Uganda.

It is here that TeamTroy, Sojourn Ministries, and TeamFiveMorris have found shared and interdependent interests. As TeamFiveMorris focuses on the spiritual and physical needs of the Ugandan people, TeamTroy and Sojourn will meet the economic needs as well as assist with the immediate food crisis for orphans and families.

From the start, Uganda Project established clear objectives:

• Increase the local supply of high-quality fish and vegetables
• Provide sustainable profitability for small-scale farmers
• Safeguard the ecological integrity of the land
• Support social and economic development in Uganda

WANT TO HELP?

Since we are funding Uganda Project with our commission checks, the best way you can help is to choose TeamTroy for all your real estate needs. Secondly, you can pass the word and encourage your friends and family in the Seattle area to choose TeamTroy as well. (Please share, re-post or re-twitter this article as well.) Furthermore, if you would like to get involved even further, you can make a tax deductible donation here now. (Be sure to specify Uganda Project.)