Back to Fall 🍂
Back to Fall 🍂
Cooler walks, changing leaves, a little disco, and a real estate market that keeps us on our toes.
September always feels like a reset. Back to school, back to routines, and somehow back to fall already. Summer felt especially short this year, but I'm leaning into the cooler days and changing leaves. I've been enjoying cooler walks and watching the garden change, and trying to give it a little refresh before the really cold weather arrives.
There's something about this time of year that makes me want to get things back in order. The garden needs some attention after summer, the cooler weather makes walks so much more enjoyable, and everything starts to feel just a little more settled. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, but the changing leaves are definitely helping.
My Favorite Local Things
These are a few of the spots that make this corner of the world feel like home. If you're new to the area, or just need a good fall outing, start here.
Lincoln Park
Forest trails, a long waterfront walk, and views across the Sound. This is peak fall-walk territory, and my favorite place to clear my head.
Uncle Eddie's
A friendly neighborhood public house in South Park with hearty breakfasts, great sandwiches, and the kind of vibe where you end up staying longer than you planned.
Seahurst Park
Burien's hidden gem: wooded trails that open up onto a beautiful stretch of Puget Sound beach. Bring a jacket and stay for the sunset.
Highline Heritage Museum
The stories behind the neighborhoods we call home, right in Burien. A great rainy-day outing, and you'll never look at your street the same way.
White Center HUB
Our newest community gathering place, bringing health and community services together with affordable homes. It's been years in the making, and it's so good to see it open.
When "We're Going to an Open House" Turns Into 13 Offers
Sometimes the best decision is knowing when not to chase.
One of my close friends loves surprising me with texts that basically say, "We're going to this open house today. I'll let you know if we want to put in an offer."
I actually love these impromptu prods. There's something fun about getting the text and jumping into action.
Well, the latest one turned into an offer… along with 12 other offers.
We ultimately lost out to an all-cash buyer who was willing to pay well above what we felt was the home's market value. Of course, my friends were disappointed. But they were also relieved that they hadn't chased the price just for the sake of winning, especially on a house that still needed some work.
Getting the house isn't always the same thing as making the right decision.
Sometimes my job is helping clients go for it. Other times, it's helping them recognize when it makes sense to let someone else "win."
What I'm Seeing in Real Estate
More choices, more nuance, and the occasional 13-offer house.
The market right now is a great example of why the headlines never tell the whole story.
Buyers have more choices in many parts of our market, and some homes are taking longer to sell or requiring price adjustments. At the same time, the right home (priced well, in a desirable location, and attracting the right buyers) can still generate serious competition. My friends' recent 13-offer situation is a pretty good example of that.
For sellers, this means pricing and preparation really matter.
For buyers, having more inventory doesn't necessarily mean every house is going to be easy to get.
More than anything, this is a market where I think having a plan, and knowing what your limits and priorities are, matters more than trying to "beat" the market.
Disco for a Good Cause 🪩
One of the things I love about Rotary is finding ways to bring people together while doing something good for our community. This month, apparently, we're doing that with disco.
Rotary Benefit Concert
Sunday, September 27 · Tim's Tavern, White Center
5:00 Doors open · 6:00 Disco dance lesson · 6:30 Blue Velvet Groove
Tickets $25 at timslivemusic.com ·
Benefiting the Burien–White Center Rotary
Grab a friend, dust off those dancing shoes, and come join us. Bell bottoms optional, but obviously encouraged.
Let's Talk It Through
If real estate is on your mind, I'm always here to talk it through. You don't have to be ready to buy or sell tomorrow. Sometimes the best place to start is simply figuring out what makes sense for you.
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