Posts Tagged ‘homes for sale’
Unemployment and the Puget Sound
The Seattle Times reported our state unemployment numbers today. The report shows the unemployment rate for the State of Washington is 9.1% with the private sector adding 8,300 jobs for the month while the public sector shed 2,500 jobs. What the Troll found promising was the pickup in construction related jobs. According to the report, construction led the way by adding 2,400 jobs followed by professional and business services (1,700) and manufacturing (1,200). Of the jobs lost 1,100 were federal and 1,400 were at the state and local level. There were 307,000 unemployed in Washington with 217,000 receiving unemployment benefits.
In other news courtesy of the Seattle Times, the state’s ecology department overestimated oil related pollution levels in the Puget Sound by a huge margin. The ecology department reported to PBS Frontline in 2008 that Exxon Valdez spill levels were occurring in the Puget Sound on a cumulative basis every 2 years. That was wrong and is in fact dozens of times lower than what was reported. The news is great for the Troll who may actually take a dip at Shilshole this summer.…..if there is a summer.
The Troll
Easter Surprise
The Troll felt obligated to pass along an Easter story. The Troll and his lovely wife had a gathering to prepare for on Easter Sunday (25 of their best friends and family). The Saturdays preparation proved to be exhausting (yard work, cooking, cleaning, little league, swimming lessons). As the day came to its end we went up to bed and crashed. In a deep sleep the Troll was awakened by the backhand of Mrs. Troll who seemed in a panic. WE DIDN’T HIDE THE EGGS, she bellowed. And for once she was right; we completely forgot to hide the eggs that our kids had diligently and artistically decorated, furthermore we had forgotten to prepare their Baskets.
So there we were at 2:00 AM in a sleep deprived daze playing Easter Bunny. It took us about 20 minutes but the Trolls rallied and kept alive the delicate rouse of the candy wielding Lagomorphs. Was it all worth it? Of course it was, the Trolls children would believe in the Easter bunny for one more year. Speaking of the Troll children, the boy (7) is starting to raise doubts. He is asking questions like “Is the Easter Bunny the same size as a regular bunny or is he bigger like you?” I think he is going along because he likes the idea of free candy. The girl (4) and wise beyond her years still gleefully believes. Tragedy averted, for now!
Did you know the Easter Bunny came from what is now Germany? The Easter Bunny was introduced to the U.S. by German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 18th century.
The Tired Troll
Spring Market
Spring has sprung and it’s time to talk about some helpful tips on readying your property for the market. If it is curb appeal you are looking for try focusing on landscaping and exterior paint. Painting is less expensive than other types of projects and you can Do It Yourself! A clean yard is also a must. Make sure you mow, weed your planters and prune your bushes. Now is the perfect time as the ground is easier to work. Also, barking is easy and I’m not talking about your neighbors’ dog. You can cover some unsightly areas of your yard by simply applying ground cover. These few steps can keep some serious cash on the table when negotiating a sale.
Wallingford Realty Inc. has also teamed up with a local licensed and bonded builder for project’s that require more involvement. We can discuss sensible home beautification projects that current buyers crave. Let’s face it, you have to distinguish yourselves in this market and properties that are priced appropriately and have curb appeal can bring much more attention and possibly multiple offers.
The Troll