Burien Real Estate

Are you registered to vote? Check your status

Know any people who need to register to vote?

An important date is coming up: October 4th…the deadline to be registered to vote in the upcoming election.

Know anyone who needs to get registered???

Did you know that even if you are registered, your voter registration may be marked as Inactive? Take these three actions to make sure as many people as possible are part of this historic election:

Click here to register to vote or change your address. You may need to reregister if you’ve moved or changed your name. Encourage your unregistered friends to visit this site.

Click here to make sure your voting status is set to Active.

When you do get your ballot, send it in as soon as you can. In the primary, a surprising number of ballots were unintentionally postmarked after the deadline.  We learned a lot from the Primary on August 19th. We learned that hundreds of thousands of voters were placed on Inactive status. Some were made Inactive because they moved and didn’t update their address. A handful of people were made Inactive out of error.

This will only affect a small fraction of voters in Washington State.  But the more steps we can take right now to prevent this, the better.

Whichever side you’re on, remember: in 2004, the difference between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi was only 133 votes. Every vote and every voter counts!

Message courtesy of:

Donald Fillius
Associate Broker/Licensed Instructor
Windermere Real Estate Fauntleroy
Seattle Magazine Best of 2006/2007 5-Star Agent
206-919-5191

Hey Paison has been nominated for Evening Magazine’s “Best of Western Washington”

Our favorite Italian Sandwich Shop has been nominated and is in the running for Evening Magazine’s, “The Best of Western Washington”.

Hey Paison is in the lead, but we need your vote to keep in that way.  Click on the picture to cast your vote.  You will need to log in to place your vote.  The category is ’sandwich shop’.

Poggi Bonsi has fish shaped pitchers that Gurgle!

I got this info from the Poggi Bonsi Blog.  What else can you find on their blog, here is a list of some of the goodies, so bookmark it and check back often.

Cooking & Entertaining
Recipes
European Ceramics
French Ceramics
Italian Ceramics
European Gifts
Pylones
European Linens
Events
Italian Olive Wood
Store News
Testimonials and Contest Winners
Travel Stories

Years ago, GurglePot™ creator Matt Ellison attended his brother’s wedding in a small village in Southern France. Since there were no hotels in town, all the guests were hosted by local French families. Matt’s hosts spoke no English and he spoke no French which made dinner conversation a challenge. Long stretches of awkward silences were compounded by the fact that French dinners can last for 3-4 hours. There was, however, one saving grace…a fish shaped water pitcher that “gurgled.” Matt found himself drinking more water than wine so the silent room would be filled with the “gurgling” and unite the table with smiles.

Inspired by the lighthearted affect of the pleasant gurgling sound, Matt returned home and began sculpting his own version.  Now Matt ships these colorful pitchers from his Lake Tapps, Washington warehouse. Poggi Bonsi now carries a selection of these whimsical GurglePots™. Pour, listen and enjoy!

Your Garden Store in Burien-Grassroots

Grassroots Nursery in Burien is one of those places that I always walk by really slowly because there is so much to try and take in.  It may look small from the outside but it goes way back and is packed with everything you need for your garden, flowerpots and yard.  Plus great gifts and unique retail items.  For instance, I just purchased a cute vase as a house warming gift for my new neighbor, who hand delivered invites to everyone in the neighborhood and held a huge party so she could meet all of us.  She was a lovely host, and I love Burien! 

Back to Grassroots, owner Tina Larson is the Burien expert on Garden Planning, Garden Care and customized pots.   Because Tina has over 15 years of experience her services can book out, so plan in advance. 

Your Burien Garden Expert says, “it’s time to plant now for next year!”  If you need color in your life, call or visit Grassroots because many items are clearance right now!

The store has a great selection of gifts for the gardener (like Bionic gloves, the only gloves developed by a hand surgeon, the same gloves Cisco wears), Mt. Vernon, WA company Moon Valley Organics gardener’s skin care and Crabtree and Evelyn Gardener’s Collection Hand Care and some cool home decor (like the imported French Look hand blown lamp in the window) and gifts from made in the USA Oberon Design with a great selection of hand tooled leather and pewter accessories (checkbook covers, journals, portfolios, jewelry, etc.)  and Napa Home and Garden’s garden relic collection featuring hand fashioned terra cotta garden pots and garden ornaments with an aged mossy patina. 

Grassroots is located at 913 S.W. 152nd St.   206-242-5552

Hours are Mon 12 – 6 and Tues – Sat 11-6 with reduced winter hours beginning January through March.  Grassroots is only a few minutes from the Sea-Tac International Airport in the Olde Burien Shopping District.

Feng Shui-Bring harmony into your life!

What exactly does harmony mean?  One definition I found in the dictionary that I like is: a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties; congruity of parts with one another and with the whole.

All you real estate agents out there, this would be a great gift to clients that are moving into a new home or clients that need help in staging their home to sell.  She works in Seattle and the surrounding areas.

Danielle Veranda is an expert and has many years of experiece in her knowledge and training in Feng Shui.  She is a master of the subtle energies that are affecting your life right now.  I know it can sound a little shi-shi or foo-foo, but it’s not.  After we built our house and decorated it with expensive things, there were aspects of the house that just didn’t feel right.  I would spend hours moving furniture and re-arranging everything, but to no avail it still didn’t ‘feel’ right.  Now let me tell you, it wasn’t a lack of talent or taste on my part!  It was in desperate need of a Feng Shui consultant!

What is Feng Shui?  Here is a excerpt from Danielle’s new and still a under construction website www.pugetsoundfengshui.com

Feng Shui is a body of knowledge based in the science of natural law.  This study of patterns in nature and their impact on our surroundings can be applied to all aspects of our lives.  When these natural principals are applied to our home and businesses, positive changes occur, often when other solutions were not effective.   Feng Shui principles work at the source of an issue, whether it is financial, health or relationship oriented.

You don’t have to understand it, it just works.  I’ve since moved from that home but I have been able to take and use some of the principles that Danielle taught me into my new home.  Friends and family always comment on how ‘cozy and comfortable’ my home is.  It didn’t happen by accident, it happened by Feng Shui.

You can contact Danielle through her website or call: 206-850-6289

Interest Rates Today

Courtesy of Ben Lenderman: 

The big news this week was of course the U.S. Treasury takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Rates surged on the news and put us at levels we haven’t seen since early in the year.  At one point we were at 5.625% on the conforming 30 year fixed.  We’ve since stabilized a bit since then.  It will be interesting to see how the market responds on a longer term basis to the takeover.  In the meantime there are other positive signs for rates like oil prices dipping and inflation indicators on the downswing.  We could be in for some good rates up until and perhaps through the November election.  Time will tell. 

All rates are based on a principal and interest payment and a 1% loan origination fee.Conforming
30 year fixed – 5.750%
5/1 ARM – 5.625%

Burien Open Houses-Updated 9/12 and info on new temporary tax credit

Click here for details on the two open houses that are available in the Burien area this coming weekend.  One home is right in the heart of Seahurst on 21st.  It’s within walking distance to St. Francis of Assisi and is brand new construction.  The other one is a really cute manicured little home, near downtown Burien.  Great for a first time home buyer. 

Here is a informative article from Queen Anne Living Undressed about the new $7,500 tax credit available for first time home buyers.  To find out if you are eligible, read the whole article here and see if you qualify.

Burien Heating and Furnace Maintenance-Special Offer with Brennan Heating!

*Brennan Heating has won Puget Sound Energy’s Top Contractor Award 5 out of the last 6 years!

Despite these beautiful Indian summer days we are having, winter really is just around the corner.  Get your heating system or gas furnace serviced before the onset of cold weather.  By having your furnace in optimal working condition and efficiency, you will save money and the potential hazard of spending a night in the cold.  Beat the rush and act now, you will be thankful you did.  I’ve used Brennan Heating and air conditioning company for 20 years and have referred them to all my friends and family.  They have exceptional customer service and do high quality work. Call today and ask for Murphy, tell him BurienUndressed sent you and you will receive $25 off your service check and maintenance!  This offer is only good through October 15th.

Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning, HVAC Contractor

206-248-7900

Burien Open Houses

There are 9 homes open for previewing this weekend (9/6 & 9/7).  This is a big increase over the past summer months.  Starting price around $250k and then on up to just over 1.1 million.  Click on the picture to take a look or get directions and details.

Burien Arts-A-Glow Art Walk, Parade and Music

Burien Town Square will be participating in the Burien Arts A-Glow this Saturday. They will have local jewelry maker Jeanine James from Des Moines in the sales gallery from 10am-6pm. Stop by and say hi and visit other local artist’s along 152nd street this Saturday, September 6th.  For information on the new  Burien Town Square visit here.