New Fed Fund Rate and other News! October 30th, 2008 2:48 PM Wow! The Federal Reserve has lowered the rate down to 1%. We have not seen this low of a rate since the technology bubble in the beginning of the the decade. There is talk that they might again lower in the ending of the year. This will help anyone that has a home equity loan on their home(s). With this move the Asian Stock Markets have rallied quite a bit from this downward move with our lowering of the Fed Rate. We just received a Bulletin in regards to VA Loans... any person who is eligible for a VA Loan and wants to refinance to pull cashout can now go to 100% of the appraised value. Where before you could only have a max of 36,000 cashout. This will help alot of people out there that needed this help. So depending on whic... 11/02/2008

I have never been a huge fitness fan........  I know it is important, but had the luxury of being tall and skinny most of my life - not strong and healthy, but fast forward to three kids later and I really needed more than the treadmill I adore so much to get in shape!  I hesitantly joined an amazing place called Super Fit in Lynnwood, WA (right on the edge of Edmonds WA).  I sent my hubby in as a guinea pig first to test the waters and liked what I saw.  I am two weeks into it now and loving it. My problem has always been motivation and quitting right when I get going strong.  This is not a problem at this Lynnwood WA gym because honestly, all I have to do is get my foot in the door.  They really do the rest and an hour of personal training goes by quite quickly!  Isn't personal traini... 10/31/2008

Holy Cow!   I had no idea that the newer Holiday LED Lights were so great!!!! They use a fraction of the energy of regular strings of lights and according to the info I found can last between 100,000 and 200,000 hours.   But this is the really cool part:   You can use up to 20 strings together on one circuit!!!!!!  I am constantly shorting out strings of lights because I piggy back too many together so this is good news! Other benefits? Cool to the touch and the whole string stays lit even when a bulb is out so no more guessing at that!  Where to buy? Bartell's!!!!  I love Bartell Drug Stores!  The recycle CFL bulbs for free starting this month and they sell these for $10-$15 for a string of 70 lights.  Go green for the holidays!!!!!   09/19/2008

From the Snohomish PUD website: "Because CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, all burned-out CFLs should be recycled and removed from the normal waste stream. Mercury is a health hazard and a new Washington state rule prohibits mercury-containing items from being disposed of with household garbage. Burned-out CFLs can now be recycled in two ways: at a Snohomish County Solid Waste facility or any Home Depot retail store. " Places to recycle your compact flourescent bulbs: Starting Sept 22nd, 2008 ALL 11 Snohomish County Bartell Drug Stores will accept them!  Home Depot - take them to the returns counter for recycling Snohomish County Solid Waste Facility on McDougall in Everett - (up to 12 tubes or bulbs for free) Go Green and use these wonderful bulbs, but be responsible when they bur... 09/19/2008

Seattle Relocation - Focus on Lynnwood, WA Moving to Seattle can be overwhelming!  Choosing a neighborhood or Seattle suburb is one of the many things that you will have to decide.  Seattle has so many great neighborhoods, but the suburbs are also nice for some of the wide open spaces they offer. If you do make the decision to relocate to one of Seattle's suburbs, I would highly recommend a close in suburb because of its close proximity to Seattle, but also because it is a more central location for commuting North, South, and to the Eastside.  Lynnwood, WA is a good choice because of its huge array of amenities - shopping, recreation, parks, and two great park and rides which are always being improved.  Lynnwood is right on I-5 and also has easy access to I-405 for commuting in all dire... 08/30/2008

Lynnwood summer ending so soon? Well, it looks like summer might be creeping off once again right when we feel like we finally got a little bit of heat - am I the only one here feeling this way?  Gardening is always a particular challenge for me with the shorter growing season here, but I also like to start things from seed. Trying to keep them going... I started my tomatoes from seed in January - I finally got one tomato last week and many more on the way..maybe.  Looking at all of the rain we have gotten lately makes me think I should wrap the tomatoes up to protect them from the early fall it seems we might get.  I have them in the warmest part of the yard and it might not be enough and I just can't bare another year of green tomatoes!!! Anyone else?  What are you doing to make sure ... 08/29/2008

Back in the day, as people came and went in their busy lives, they would certainly venture past the local crossroads store like Keeler's Corner in Lynnwood, WA or this one in Melrose, LA - on their way to anywhere. In order to be relevant on a continuing basis the storekeepers felt they needed to carry every conceivable item crammed in to any space left unfilled. Of course in they end they had to prioritize and make sure they provided the essentials, the things people in the community needed to have or they would risk becoming irrelevant. The irony was that whether or not one actually needed anything, you would generally make a stop either outbound or on your way home, to find out what the latest news in the community might be and pick something up anyway. These corner stores have long... 08/24/2008

The 2008/2009 school year is about to kick off!   School supplies are on sale and the new shoes are on display! Some schools have changed their schedules so make sure and check out the Edmonds School District website for details!  The lunch program has also had some changes for the new school year!  Here are the details for that:  http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/menus/0809FSletter.pdf Most schools have their supply lists online, so buying early is easy!   Good luck and have a safe year! Interested in Lynnwood real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com     08/23/2008

Thru hard work and persistence, Peter Lui achieves a goal to own a business and provide great service to his community                                                          Lynnwood, Washington --  Peter Lui, former Sr. Finance Manager, traded his business suit for a logo-ed uniform to own and operate a Dryer Vent Wizard, Safe Homes, Dry Clothes (DVW), franchise in Seattle Metro Area.   DVW services prevent dryer fires, keep dryers functioning properly and provide energy savings through dryer and dryer vent maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement and alterations.   When Peter decided he didn't want back into corporate America and wasn't ready to retire, he looked into franchising.  Having a high level of customer service experience earlier in his career gave him a wealth of experi... 08/23/2008

Wight's - Wight's Home & Garden in Lynnwood is one of my favorite places to go  - both for garden supplies and plants, but also for holiday decorations and gift ideas.  This store is beautiful and the plants are well cared for. Where to find it: 5026 196th St SWLynnwood, WA 98036 You can also find Wights online: http://www.wights.com I love getting my clients gift certificates or potted planters from Wight's!  Look at the color and design!  There is also one lady there who can tell you the name of anything  - even if you just bring in a leaf! 08/20/2008

I have seen cars and cash incentives with the purchase of a home. What about a Timeshare? Right now i have a listing in Washington state that includes a timeshare in Orlando, Florida as a buyer incentive. Of course it is not required but it it there if the buyer wants it. It has generated some interest but I was wondering what other people had done for buyer incentives with their listings and has it worked to generate more interest in the home? 07/14/2008

For anyone trying to get around in Lynnwood Wednesday morning, life was complicated by a big traffic clog on 196th with crews working to replace power poles.  I was actually on my way to an appointment and had to use some 'creative' driving practices to get inside the area that was roped off.  The rumor was that someone had hit the power poles on the corner of 196th and 52nd.  As usual, the truth was even better.  Turns out they were 'adjusting' the power lines when three less than structurally sound poles decided they were tired and started leaning out over the road. They were still working on it around noon when I snuck back out of the area, and I would guess there were there for a while yet after I left.  It would figure that the one time I didn't head out of the house with my camera... 07/10/2008

Ash Way Pet Supply in Lynnwood 16108 Ash Way #104 in Lynnwood. In Newberry Squareit is right across from the Park & Ride at I-5 and 164th St. http://www.Ashwaypetsupply.com/(425) 741-AWPS(2977) Have you been looking for a great place to find food, supplements and toys for your dog or cat in the North Lynnwood area? Then you really need to stop in and visit Ash Way Pet Supply. The owners started their business to provide their family pets with healthier food and treats and is garnishing a strong following. Their goals is promote longer healthier lives for pets with fewer trips to the vet which makes everyone happier all around! If you have a pet that is prone to itchy, flaky skin, is stinky/smelly, always sick or generally not healthy they can help with better food and supplements to en... 07/09/2008

Here are some of the things my recent buyers and buyer prospects have been interested in:  Green Built Properties that have been either Built Green or remodeled Green - there are a whole series of check lists I can help you with if you are interested in remodeling your home to be Green prior to selling it  - or if you are just interested in going green anyway... Counters...If you are going to go with a granite, buyers seem to like the slab better than the tile - that extra expense WILL most likely pay off.  Before hitting the granite aisle, though , check out greener counters.  I have seen many buyers oooohhh and awwwe over recycled glass and concrete counters.... Yards...Builders aren't putting in much of a yard anymore and buyers are still wanting them, so if you have any sort of yard... 06/05/2008

Logan Park was one of the projects transformed by Susan Black & Associates!  This is one of Lynnwood's finer parks and a great place to go if you get a chance.   It is five acres and has a playground and a baseball field as well as a trail around the entire thing and parking. Here is the address: 1411 Logan RdLynnwood, WA 98036 Read more about SBA and what they do: Seattle landscaping can be commercial or residential and SBA does it all.  Susan Black & Associates have been doing some of the very best landscaping projects in Seattle and are among the most respected firms in the city when it comes to Seattle landscape architecture.  They do some amazing projects and should be considered first when it comes to any project! I have had the pleasure of knowing Susan Black for years and am con... 05/19/2008

Lynnwood Wa is one of the great suburbs of Seattle WA with a lot to offer and easy close in access to both Seattle and Everett.  Lynnwood has a lot to offer, but one of my favorite thing there is the newly redesigned Alderwood Mall located right next to I-5.  Alderwood Mall is the go to mall for residents from Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Bothell, Edmonds, and beyond.  Some of the great places here:  Nordstrom with a Nordstrom Cafe upstairs, J Jill, Chicos, Apple, William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Gymboree, Macys, Disney, and more!   Brand new movie theatre, tons of restaurants, and wonderful play area for the little ones. Here's the address: 3000 184th Street SW, Suite 145Lynnwood, Washington  98037 Looking for Lynnwood WA real estate?  Check out CooperJacobs.com for fre... 05/19/2008

I know that the appraisal plays a major role in a buyer's ability to purchase a new house with a loan, but I never expected one of the latest I saw to make such a difference.  The appraiser accidentally marked that the property is in a declining market and the lender wanted more money down as a result.  I had to call a couple other appraisers and make sure I wasn't completely out of the loop on this one, but Snohomish County is NOT in a declining market.  If anything, I have had a ton of interest from buyers that call, so I was surprised to see the dreaded box checked. The original appraiser agreed to write up an addendum explaining his error, but unfortunately the underwriter had already seen the box marked declining market.  I am sure it looks like we are trying to pull a fast one so ... 05/16/2008

Last week, I got too much sun and this week I found myself in crazy white snowy conditions!  I had to drive north a bit for an event and this is what I got to drive back in!  I think I would like the sun back, please? VideoAd by Mixpo Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County.  Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs!  Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:   Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting - I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Green Lake (... 04/18/2008

Well the Seattle suburbs got over 50 this week in temperature.  The Mariners started playing and the buyers really began crawling out of the woodwork. This brokerage has been busy all year, but the last two weeks have been especially crazy!  If you are a buyer, then step on up and check out the playing field of increased inventory combined with lower interest rates!  It is a silver platter situation for a buyer finally in the Puget Sound.Sellers may feel like now is not the time to sell - this is absolutely not the truth at all!  Selling is still very simple for a Seattle area seller - it just takes a lot of extra care from your REALTOR - make sure that your home is priced well and presents itself in the very best light the first time.  The buyer pool is smaller than last year and you w... 04/02/2008

Seattle Suburbs to the North are a nice mix of good schools and more affordable housing.Price is usually a factor when looking at Seattle suburbs real estate. Generally the Eastside suburbs of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Sammamish tend to be on the pricier side. Some of the ferry suburbs (Bainbridge Island) should also be considered to be in the pricier category. Some of the immediate Northern Suburbs can have some more expensive neighborhoods (Lake Forest Park, Brier, Richmond Beach in Shoreline, Mill Creek) as well. Each of these Seattle suburbs also have some economical choices so they can also be a good choice in any price range.Check out the Seattle suburb schools.Look at prices and search for homes in these Seattle suburbs.Cooper Jacobs Real Estate...For all your Se... 04/02/2008