November 28, 2018
Bringing Your Plants Inside for Winter

Posted in Living by Guest Author
Winters in many parts of the Western U.S. can easily see temperatures that dip down below freezing. For many gardening homeowners, this can be troublesome when precious plants are concerned. Covering your plants with sheets may not be enough to save a plant from succumbing to freezing temperatures. Check out these ways to bring your plants inside for winter:
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November 26, 2018
The Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Contractor

Posted in Living by Guest Author
Constructing or remodeling a home is a complex, expensive endeavor. Ideally, everything goes as planned, and when the dust clears, the homeowner can settle in and enjoy the new home — and never think about the building process again. But what happens when, nine months after the owner moves in, the floor develops a crack, the dishwasher begins to leak or the shower water won't...
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November 21, 2018
How to Stay Safe During the Holidays With Design and Planning

Posted in Living by John Trupin
While many people look forward to the arrival of a jolly red-suited visitor one night this winter, for all of us the holidays are a gift and a danger. All of us want to stay safe from burglary, and there's nothing paranoid about taking a bit of extra time to stay safe. The holidays are a time for relaxation, peace of mind, and sharing love and affection. From old-school security tricks to new...
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November 19, 2018
Go for Gold This Thanksgiving

Posted in Living by John Trupin
We're in the thick of autumn now, with Thanksgiving just days away. That means it's time to start considering how to best showcase your home before the calendar shifts fully into winter. One of the cheeriest bits of fall is the shifting colors that bring a canopy of rustic rainbow hues to a walk through the neighborhood. You can bring that cozy feeling inside yourself with some golden-dipped...
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November 15, 2018
Helping Homeless Youth Stay Warm From Head To Toe!

Posted in Windermere by Marilou Ubungen
With the onset of winter, Windermere offices throughout the greater Seattle area came together this month to host another “We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive for YouthCare, a nonprofit that provides critical services to homeless youth. This drive is a part of Windermere’s #TackleHomelessness campaign with the Seattle Seahawks which aims to raise money, donations, and awareness for the...
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November 14, 2018
Windermere Foundation to Donate $25,000 to California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund

Posted in Windermere Foundation by John Trupin
Like much of the nation, we’ve been heartbroken by the horrifying images and statistics rolling in as California suffers from the worst wildfires in the state’s history. For our staff, agents, and franchise owners who live and work in the affected areas, it’s a threat to their clients, their families, and their communities. Everything that Windermere is is thanks to the hard work and...
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November 12, 2018
5 Home Improvements That Will Boost Your Property Value

Posted in Selling by Guest Author
A home is the largest investment most people will make in their lifetime, so when it comes time to sell, homeowners often wonder what they can do to get the most return on their investment. Many have the misconception that remodeling is the way to go, but that isn’t always the case. Rather than going all-in on upgrading your home, you should know which home improvements are worth it, and which...
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November 08, 2018
Montana Real Estate Market Update

Posted in Montana Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
According to the Labor Department, Montana added 7,400 non-agricultural jobs between September 2017 and September 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 1.6%. For perspective, the U.S growth rate is about 1.7%. The state experienced pretty substantial monthly increases in employment over the last few months and I hope this will continue even as we see a slowdown in employment in the...
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November 07, 2018
Oregon and Southwest Washington Real Estate Market Update

Posted in Oregon and Southwest Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Oregon added 42,000 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing a very solid annual growth rate of 2.2%. In the second quarter Gardner Report, I stated that job growth in Oregon was starting to taper, but since then the state has made adjustments to figures from the last three years that now suggest job growth was stronger than originally reported. The Southwest Washington market...
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November 06, 2018
Idaho Real Estate Market Update

Posted in Idaho Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Job growth in Idaho remains fairly strong. Over the past 12 months the state has added 22,000 new jobs, representing a solid growth rate of 3.1%. In August, the state unemployment rate was 2.8%, down from 3.1% a year ago. The state is, essentially, at full employment, and it appears my forecast predicting that Idaho would add just over 20,000 new jobs in 2018 will likely come true.
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