THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SERVE YOU!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Greenlake seafair.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Recipe: Mac & Cheese ............................. 2

Spring Cleaning What To Do With Your Stuff ...................... 3

Chinese Culture Drives Design ................. 4

Defending Homeownership ....................... 4

What’s Up with Solar Power? .................... 4

Current Market Stats.................................. 5

Keep Water at Bay: Protecting Your Home ............................... 6

Frenzied Market Frustrates Buyers ........... 6

Bat Dog Retires ......................................... 8

JUNE/JULY 2015

Below are some guidelines you can use to plan for your next Summer BBQ. Guests will always eat and drink more at night than during the day.

Cocktails Punch: 1 Gallon per 10 guests Mixed Drinks: One 1 liter bottle of alcohol makes 22 mixed drinks Wine: 1 bottle of wine per 8 guests Ice: 2 lbs per guest Typically, guests will consume 2 drinks in the first hour, and 1 drink every hour after that. Don’t forget a large number of lemons and limes.

Hors D'oeuvres & Appetizers Hors d'oeuvres only party: 4 to 6 bites per hour. Cocktail hour preceding a larger meal: 6 bites per guest is a safe estimate. Dinner party with plated appetizers: 10 ounces of leafy greens for an appetizer salad will feed 10 guests.

Main For protein-centric parties: 6 to 8 oz. of meat or seafood per guest For hamburgers, consider making homemade smaller patties so guests can mix and match proteins.

Condiments Ketchup: One 20-ounce bottle Mustard & Relish: One 10-ounce bottle each

Side Dishes Pasta salad: 1 cup per guest Baked beans: 1/2 cup per guest Potato Salad: 7 cups serves 10 Coleslaw: 5 cups serves 10

Desserts Individual desserts (like cookies and watermelon slices): 2 per guest Larger cakelike options: 4 oz. per guest Pre-slice your cakes or serve messier desserts or ice cream (also 4 ounces per guest) in cups.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-

parties/articles/barbecue-party-calculator.html?oc=linkback

Would you like tickets to a Mariner’s Game? I have 2 tickets to give away!

Just call, text, or email me your name on or before Monday, July 6!

Only one name per house hold please.

All names will go into an M’s hat for a totally random drawing on Tuesday July 7.

These are Terrace Level seats and I will try to get your first choice

of a game you would like to attend!

Let’s play ball!

Rick Hampton (425) 623-5060

Cell Phone App: rickhampton.agenttapp.com

Ingredients

2 frying chickens, cut into pieces

Flavorless cooking oil to brush on the cooking rack

Grand Marnier Marinade

6 Tablespoons Grand Marnier

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup think soy sauce

3 Tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons Asian chile sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon finely minced orange zest

2 whole green onions, minced

Advance Preparation

Rinse the chicken, pat dry and place in a bowl. Set aside the cooking oil, if grilling. Combined the marinade ingredients and mix well. Add half the marinade to the chicken and coat the pieced evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Reserve the other half of the marinade which will become the grand Marnier sauce.

To Grill

If using a gas or electric grill, preheat to medium (350 degrees). If using charcoal or wood, prepare a fire. When the gas or electric grill is preheated or the coals or wood are ash covered. Brush the cooking rack with the oil, then lay the chicken skin-side up in the center

of the grill. Cover the grill and regulate the heat so that it remains at a medium temperature. Grill the chicken for about 12 minutes on each side. The chicken is done when the breasts register 160 degrees and the thighs register 170 degrees on a meat thermometer (the juices will run clear when the chicken is prodded deeply with a fork). As the chicken cooks, brush on the remaining marinade.

To Serve: Transfer the chickens to a heated serving platter or 4 heated dinner plates. Spoon on the Grand Marnier sauce and serve at once. Source: Hot barbeque by Hugh Carpenter & Teri Sandison

Quick and Easy Dessert Idea:

Fresh Strawberries dipped in Oikos Vanilla Greet Yogurt!

Healthy, but feels like your are indulging yourself!

Page 2

RECIPES: GRAND MARNIER CHICKEN

I have compiled an extensive list of professionals that encompasses a wide range of services. If you are in need of any contacts for services ranging from Arborists

to Zoologists, I can connect you with a respected expert to meet your needs.

Call Me to Locate Your Professional!

NEED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE?

Terrific Trivia: How many people were living in the U.S. in 1776?

A. 250,000 B. 1 million

C. 750,000 D. 2.5 million

DID YOU KNOW...

Tips to Help You Feel Good To feel alive and rejuvenated, take

your shoes off and walk on dewy grass.

Laughter is powerful. It relieves tension, relaxes your muscles and is highly contagious.

Fresh air is free so swap the city for the countryside.

Long-term stress is not good. Be happy.

Dance in the street and sing in the shower.

Green means go (especially when it comes to fresh food).

Be worldly and travel lots…expand your mind and your taste buds.

Seaweed is a true wonder food.

Enjoy real food (things that perish).

Don’t walk in the shade. Look left, look right and cross over to the sunny side of the street.

All vegetables are good. Eat more.

Escape with a good book – reading does wonders for the soul.

Beware of “energy drinks”. A fake fix can make you feel more tired.

Eat in company and make it an occasion, it’s much more enjoya-ble.

It’s not a treat if you eat it every day. Spoil yourself occasionally.

Snooze after lunch. Walk after dinner.

Stretch stress away.

Don’t sit for too long. Run, skip, hop and swim.

Don’t eat things you need to Google. Source: www.academictips.org/interesting-

facts/26-feel-good-facts/ Be the first to call me with the

correct answer for a prize!

Page 3 Windermere Bel levue Commons

10 TERMS EVERY HOMEBUYER SHOULD KNOW

Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): A mortgage with an interest rate that can change over time. It typically has a low, fixed initial interest rate and then may adjust regularly either up or down depending on market conditions. It can’t exceed a set rate cap.

Closing costs: Fees from buying a house from both the lender and third parties like inspectors, attorneys, surveyors and title insurance companies. These typically add up to 3%-6% of the total home price, though some of these charges are negotiable.

Down payment: When you’re buying a home and financing it with a mortgage, most lenders require you to put down a certain amount of cash upfront, usually 5% to 20% of the total price. Your mortgage covers the amount remaining after the down payment.

Escrow: A neutral, third-party account that protects the money of both buyers and sellers until real estate transactions are finalized. For example, if you choose to make a deposit with an offer on a home, it would go into an escrow account first rather than directly to the seller. Once you’ve bought a home, escrow accounts are also typically used to hold money for homeowners insurance and property taxes until payment is due.

Interest: Money your lender charges you for cash you borrow, indicated by an annual percentage rate, or APR (for example, 4%). Your interest rate will depend on your credit history and how much you can afford for a down payment.

Fixed-rate loan: A mortgage with an interest rate that won’t change over the course of the loan. The rate may be higher than an ARM, but you’ll never have to worry about it increasing.

Principal: The amount of money you borrow. Note that you end up paying significantly more than this amount because of interest.

FHA loan: A mortgage offered through the Federal Housing Administration that has less strict credit and down payment requirements compared with conventional loans. It’s ideal for people with less-than-stellar credit who aren’t able to qualify for conventional financing. The tradeoff: Along with paying monthly mortgage insurance fees, you’ll also pay a hefty upfront premium.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI): If you don’t put 20% of the home’s price in a down payment, some lenders require this insurance to lessen their risk. It’s typically paid with a monthly fee added to mortgage payments. You can often cancel it once you have a certain amount of equity in the home.

VA loan: Mortgages for qualified current or former members of the U.S. military. These typically offer more favorable interest rates and require low to no down payment. They’re offered by financial institutions but backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Home buying can be confusing, but knowing this important lingo will make it easier to navigate the process.

One of the most interesting trends we’ve tracked at GeekWire over the past few years is the arrival in Seattle of what we dub the Silicon Valley tech giants. Huge companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, Apple and Alibaba all have established engineering centers in the Pacific Northwest.

But it’s not just big Bay Area tech companies that are looking at the Pacific Northwest. So are many tech workers who are starting to feel the pinch of skyrocketing housing prices.

According to Redfin, twenty five percent of Bay Area residents are now looking for homes outside of the Bay Area. That compares to one in seven residents who did so in 2011.

And where are these folks looking to live?

Redfin’s analysis finds that Portland and Seattle are hot destinations. In a blog post, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman writes:

People are leaving the Bay Area because they can’t afford to stay, noting that the median price for a Silicon Valley home now tops $1 million, more than double the price in Seattle, Boston or Portland.

But even with big salaries for Silicon Valley tech workers, Kelman

writes that the pay doesn’t always keep up with the insane housing prices.

For example, the median pay for a software developer in Seattle is $100,000, while in San Jose it stands at $112,000. Not that big of a difference.

With the median home sale price of $565,000 in Seattle versus $1 million in the Bay Area, it is no surprise that tech workers are choosing to vote with their feet and investigate opportunities in Seattle, and to a lesser extent Portland.

This is going to be a fascinating trend to watch, creating perhaps more of the “Valley-ification of Seattle.” That could have serious impacts on every aspect of life in the Northwest — from traffic (already a mess) to housing prices (soaring) to recruiting (competing with the best and salary expectations from those in the Valley). Many in Seattle are already sick and tired of this trend, but the Redfin analysis indicates that things might get even worse.

Could a new wave of anti-California sentiment take over Seattle?

Redfin’s analysis indicates that the Silicon Valley transplants may be coming in droves.

Buckle-up Seattle.

The next few years could be a wild ride. Source: www.geekwire.com/2015/a-silicon-valley-

exodus-redfin-analysis-finds-that-bay-area-residents-increasingly-looking-for-homes-in-seattle-and-portland/

A SILICON VALLEY EXODUS...

Page 4

“DO’S & DON’TS” TO HELP KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE WHILE YOU TRAVEL

DO make sure all doors and windows are locked and fastened. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.

DO examine your house from the street and make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible from the street. If a passerby can see your belongings, so can criminals.

DO secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track to prevent an intruder from forcing the door open.

DO secure doors with glass panels with deadbolts on the inside that can only be opened with a key.

DO have your lawn maintained if you will be gone for more than a few days.

DO lock the door to your attached garage. If the garage door lifts on a track, a C-clamp tightened on the track next to the roller can prevent the door from being opened.

DO make it appear that you’re home – use timers on lights, radios, and televisions.

DO keep the perimeter of your home well-lighted.

DO leave the air conditioner on. A silent compressor on a hot day is a good indication you aren’t home.

DO ask that person to put your trash containers out for pick-up and put them back again when they’re empty and park their car in your driveway occasionally to give your home a more lived-in look.

DO unplug the power to your automatic garage door to keep thieves from opening it

with a universal remote.

DO keep track of all the keys to your home and make sure they’re in safe hands. Locking your doors is important, but up to 50 percent of burglaries involve the use of a key.

DO frost or cover your garage windows, burglars won’t be able to tell if your car is gone.

DO consider installing a home security system, and make sure it is activated when you leave. Recent studies have shown that homes without a working home security system are 300% more likely to experience a theft.

DON’T leave a message on your answering machine saying you are on vacation.

DON’T leave clues that you are away. Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your newspaper and your mail instead of stopping ser-vice, which lets

people know that you are gone.

DON’T close your blinds when you leave on vacation if you usually keep them open. The more normal your home looks, the better.

DON’T post the details of your vacation for the whole world to see. Refrain from discussing your trip on social networking sites. It’s like setting up a sign letting criminals know your house is ripe for the picking!

DON’T leave a portable GPS in your car when

you use long-term parking at the airport. It’ll alert thieves that you’re not home and give them a convenient map to your house.

DON’T hide a key outdoors in a protected spot, either. Burglars know the best hiding places better than you do.

Source: www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/07/dos-and-donts-to-keep-your-home-safe-while-on-vacation-

plus-enter-to-win-a-home-security-system.html

More than half of the U.S population will take a vacation away from home this summer. According to FBI statistics, most communities will experience a 10 to 18 percent increase in home burglaries during the months of July and August. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 9 out of 10 home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take simple steps to burglarproof their homes.

Rushing out the door to begin enjoying a vacation can cause people to over-look several easy ways to ensure their homes will be protected. Taking the necessary precautions to protect your home while you’re away will save you those nagging worries so you can thoroughly enjoy your trip!

Here are a few simple “Do’s & Don’ts” to help keep your home safe while you travel:

Fireworks 7.4.15 Many of these are all-day events.

Bellevue - Downtown Park 10:05 p.m. Edmonds - Civic Stadium 10 p.m. Everett - Port Gardner Bay 10:20 (last year) Federal Way - Celebration Park 10:15 p.m. Kent - Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m. Kirkland - Marina Park 10:15 p.m.

Lakewood - JBLM 10 p.m. Newcastle - Lake Boren Park 10 p.m. Renton - Coulon Park 10 p.m. SeaTac - Angle Lake Park 10:15 p.m. Seattle - Gas Works Park 10:15 p.m. Tacoma - Ruston Way 10:10 p.m.

Source: www.events12.com/seattle/july/

WHERE TO CATCH FIREWORKS THIS YEAR...

Windermere Bel levue Commons Page 5

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing and the lawn mower is broken.”

- James Dent

Number of Homes

Median Sales Price

Average Market Time

Number of Homes

Median Sales Price

Average Market Time

East of Lake Sammamish

807 $625,880 47 days 738 $575,000 49 days Up 8.8%

West Bellevue 142 $1,772,500 32 days 139 $1,425,000 48 days Up 24.4%

East Bellevue 269 $620,000 22 days 253 $559,000 27 days Up 10.9%

South Bellevue/Newcastle/Issaquah

409 $710,000 39 days 256 $611,000 43 days Up 16.2%

Kirkland/Rose Hill 292 $800,000 29 days 234 $662,000 35 days Up 20.8%

Redmond 313 $600,000 47 days 262 $594,500 45 days Up 1%

Mercer Island 117 $1,160,000 47 days 142 $1,155,500 58 days Up .04%

Woodinville/Juanita/Bothell/Duvall

668 $508,000 44 days 588 $499,975 44 days Up 1.6%

Renton 396 $415,750 58 days 334 $400,000 55 days Up 3.9%

Kent 502 $302,250 54 days 396 $265,000 56 days Up 14.1%

Ballard 740 $575,000 18 days 714 $488,725 24 days Up 17.7%

Central Seattle 343 $670,000 24 days 299 $649,950 40 days Up 3.1%

West Seattle 666 $437,750 31 days 591 $385,000 38 days Up 13.7%

N. Seattle 457 $564,000 23 days 434 $490,050 26 days Up 15.1%

Queen Anne/Magnolia

252 $716,900 31 days 252 $710,000 36 days Up 1%

N. Bothell/Maltby 709 $489,000 62 days 525 $449,800 51 days Up 8.7%

Lynnwood/Mt. Lake Terrace

763 $399,950 52 days 613 $360,000 52 days Up 11.1%

Mill Creek/Everett 1,083 $346,000 51 days 822 $325,000 51 days Up 6.5%

Monroe/ Snohomish

422 $299,975 56 days 377 $270,000 68 days Up 11.1%

*All data compiled from information supplied by Northwest Multiple Listing Association on 6/05/2015 Accuracy of information herein is not guaranteed. This information was only taken of single-family homes, and does not include condominiums or vacant land.

LOCATION Year-to-date 2015 Closed Sales thru May

Year-to-date 2014 Closed Sales thru May

PRICE CHANGE %

You may have heard that 104,000 taxpayers had their information hacked through a security breach at the IRS. Now some of these folks are unable to get a mortgage loan. Know that at Caliber we take security very seriously – please call us to confirm how this may affect the home loan process as every loan file must have some form of third party verification from the IRS.

Read the full story here http://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/safeguards-needed-for-tax-transcripts/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_left

Please call Sheila Bryan at 425-605-3110 for details.

Sheila Bryan – Mortgage Banker NMLS 175890 Caliber Home Loans, Inc. NMLS 15622

For allergy sufferers in particular, a mattress in grubby condition can make for unpleasant nights. Rest easy again by giving your mattress a proper cleaning at least once per season.

STEP 1 Remove all bedding so that the mattress sits alone on the box spring or bed frame, then vacuum the mattress all over, using the appliance attachments to help you do a thorough job. Pay close attention to the crevice around the seam that runs along the mattress’s perimeter. Here, you’re likely to find the greatest amount of gross buildup. For the record, any vacuum can probably do the trick, but experts do recommend HEPA-rated cleaners, as they can draw out even the tiniest particles.

STEP 2 Now’s the moment to spot-clean any stains you encounter.

For stains left be-hind by vegetable oils, grease, food spills, and chocolate, use a paste made from

baking soda, salt, and water. Cover the stain with the

mixture, then let it set for half an hour. Next, brush away the dried paste and wipe down the area with cool water.

Finally, dry the moist spot with either a hair dryer or a fan.

Hydrogen peroxide works well to remove stains created by crayons, beverages, blood, or urine. Dilute the chemical by mixing it with an equal quantity of water, then dab the stained area with the solution. Next, brush the area gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let it dry for five minutes, then dab again with the solution.

STEP 3 Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress to deodorize any lingering smells. Let it sit for an hour or so, then vacuum up the powder.

STEP 4 Does your mattress need to be flipped? Many today (e.g., pillow-top models) are designed to be one-sided. If yours is two-sided and you haven’t recently flipped it, do so now. Besides helping your mattress wear more evenly, flipping prevents too much dirt from building up on any one side. Once you’ve flipped the mattress, repeat Step 3, sprinkling baking soda on the side that’s now on top.

STEP 5 (optional) If the weather is warm and sunny, give the mattress a sunbath: Take it outside in order to capitalize on the sun’s natural germicidal effects. But don’t just set the mattress on the porch; prop it up on a pair of clothing racks or by any more expedient means, being sure that your chosen supports are clean. Before replacing the mattress pad, sheets, and bedcovers, wait for the mattress to cool down a bit. Never air-out the mattress on a humid day, as the moisture could later lead to the growth of mold.

Source: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-mattress/#.VX7870aPzR8

Page 6

HOW TO: CLEAN A MATTRESS

U P D A T E

Wash and dry your sheets and pillowcases once a week—that’s all it takes to sleep in clean comfort, right?

Wrong. You’re forgetting the mattress!

Plenty of hair, sweat, dead skin, dandruff, dust, dirt and even food particles can accumulate in the mattress’s crevices….ewww!

Windermere Bel levue Commons Page 7

House prices are rising and bidding wars are breaking out in many markets. Here’s how to get what you want without overpaying.

Houses are selling fast and prices are going up. Sales of existing homes nationwide are expected to reach the highest volume since 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors.

In the first quarter, median sales prices of single-family homes were at least 10% higher than a year prior in 51 metropolitan areas, according to the trade group.

A shortage of homes for sale is helping to drive the market higher, experts say, along with a gradually improving economy and a growing concern that a period of historically low interest rates may not last much longer.

Competition among buyers can be fierce, and some are aggressively wooing sellers in an attempt to stand out.

Some strategies to help you in this process:

Study whether prices in your city are being driven by low inventory, which could be a warning sign, or a solid economy, which could sustain prices.

Set a budget and stick to it. And see if new homes may hit your local market soon, which could cool things down. Keep in mind that it could still be a good time to buy. Mortgage rates remain near historic lows and home prices could keep rising.

Buyers should also factor in how long they plan to keep a home, because short-term volatility may not matter for a long-term owner.

Supply and Demand

In a market balanced between buyers and sellers, there are enough existing homes available to satisfy demand for six to seven months, according to the Realtors association.

Listings have grown scarcer in many big cities. In Seattle, there were 8,465 homes listed for sale in April, down 23% from a year

earlier, according to Redfin, a national brokerage based in Seattle.

Under Construction

Try to determine if the local economy is strong. If jobs are growing, incomes are rising and people are moving into town, that could be a sign that price increases are sustainable or that more houses will soon come onto the market.

Ask experts in your market what they are seeing. If construction activity is strong, you should be able to find evidence without too much trouble.

Winning and Losing

Bidding wars were more common in the first quarter than they were a year earlier in several markets, including Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Oakland, Calif.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle, Wash., according to Redfin.

Buyers often need to move quickly, which can add to the frenzy. In Denver, Houston, Oakland and Seattle, more than 40% of the homes for sale in the first quarter were in contract within two weeks, according to Redfin.

As a result, buyers should figure out how much they can afford to spend ahead of time. Consider getting a preapproval from the mortgage lender you select.

That doesn’t mean you should borrow the full amount for which you are preapproved. Be sure the monthly mortgage payments will leave enough left over for living expenses

and emergency funds. Think about how you would cover the cost if you were temporarily unemployed.

Once you set a budget, stick to it. Be prepared to walk away if prices get too high.

Consider looking at houses that aren’t selling as quickly. The owners may be more willing to lower the asking price. But get a thorough inspection to make sure you aren't buying a house with serious flaws.

Self Defense

Buyers who are eager to purchase a home are also waiving rights that are standard in sales contracts, experts say.

In addition to promising to plow ahead even if an appraisal values the house below the purchase price, buyers are agreeing to forego the option of dropping out if an inspection shows the need for costly repairs or if they are unable to get a mortgage.

These kinds of contingency clauses, as they are known, are meant to protect buyers. If you agree to drop them, you could end up forfeiting your deposit if

you back out anyway.

There are other risks, too. If an appraisal comes in low, buyers could have to put up fresh cash in a hurry in order to go through with the deal. That’s because lenders typically reduce the loan amount if a house is appraised at less than the purchase price.

If, for example, a buyer agrees to pay $400,000 for a house, but the appraised value is $380,000, the buyer could have to pay the seller an additional $20,000 out of pocket.

The risk is that prices don’t continue to go up—or, even worse, drop.

If you do decide to waive contingency clauses, try to determine how nasty the financial surprise might be.

A good rule is to have a plan and stick to it.

Source: www.wsj.com/articles/a-home-buyers-guide-to-a-sellers-market-1432318613

A BUYER’S GUIDE TO A SELLER’S MARKET

BANG! A blast of black smoke and the smell of gunpowder fill the air as a seasoned crew of scallywags and swashbucklers storm your way! It's a high-humored heist by the Seattle SEAFAIR Pirates. The salty troupe's shenanigans and formidable float, the Duck, have become synonymous with SEAFAIR revelry. The Pirates,

originally members of the Washington State Press Club's Ale & Quail Society, banded together in 1949 to promote Seattle and Seafair while having fun and serving the community. Despite their bad-guy image, the Pirates make dozens of appearances annually to hos-pitals and nursing homes. During the height of Seattle's SEAFAIR Celebration, they appear at several events and parades each day.

The 40+ Pirates are an elite troupe who carefully selects their members based on their ability to mix well with the public and for their unique musical or theatrical talents. The Pirates come from many professions and are tested for a year to ensure that they can deal safely and entertainingly with the public.

Seafair Pirates 2015 Ports of Call

6/27 Alki Beach Landing 10am-5pm, West Seattle Alki Beach

6/28 Seattle Pride Parade 11am-3pm, Downtown Seattle

7/11 Mercer Island Summer Fest 10am-5pm, Luther Burbank Park

7/12 Kent Cornucopia Days 2pm-4pm, Kent

7/25 Seafair Torchlight Parade 7:30pm-9:30pm, Downtown Seattle

Source: www.seafairpirates.org

SEATTLE SEAFAIR PIRATE HISTORY

Rick Hampton 1200 112th Ave NE, Suite B100

Bellevue, WA 98004 rhampton@windermere.com

425-623-5060