Month: June 2014

Ezell’s Coming Back To Lynnwood?

Carl Setzer

On my drive into the office today, I passed the strip mall on the north side of 196th (just east of 40th) and was pretty certain that I saw an Ezell’s Chicken sign. A few years ago, they closed their first Lynnwood store (on 76th & 196th; Ezell’s was still showing on this Google map street view [as of today, at least]). It looks like the store wasn’t performing, so they moved it to south Everett, which is now apparently closed (their website has one in Mill Creek). I started with their chicken years ago, and am fond of seeing local businesses do well. And how much better does one get than getting called out by Oprah as “the best”?

There is the possibility I read that wrong, but I’m pretty sure I saw the logo on the banner. It’s an interesting location, as it’s right across 40th from KFC, which has been in that location as long as I can remember. Perhaps that will help? Will it hurt? That area gets massive amounts of vehicle traffic, so that should help things.

Anyway, if I’m right, I wish them the greatest success.

A weekend of rocket fun

Carl Setzer

Last weekend, my son and I decided to build a model rocket, an Estes Taser. To fly the thing, we went to Edmonds Elementary’s play-field. I flew many, many rockets over the course of my youth. One challenge with rockets in this region, though: trees. Well, tress and wind. I estimate I lost a few hundred dollars worth of rockets over the years, making this a particularly spendy hobby. But, the boy wanted to and I really do have fond memories, so, what the heck!

Anyway, after the first launch cooked the parachute a little bit, preventing it from deploying properly, we did manage to get two more launches in. The last launch, though, ended with the thing crashing, cone first, into the earth, bending the tube significantly. And that pretty much ended the excursion.

So, the boy really wanted me to create a video, so here we go. I thought, afterwards, it would’ve been nice to add some music. Maybe at sometime in the future.

Below is the creation. Enjoy!

 

 

Living In Crazy Town

Carl Setzer

Well, so far today I’ve dealt with a couple surly callers. My favorite: another agent who was mis-directed to me. However, the property was one I was familiar with, in an area I knew pretty well, and the seller is the VA, and I’ve sold many so I figured “what the heck, I’ll help”. Plus, I know the team that did list it and they don’t generally take calls from random agents (there’s a formal process…they have an insane number of listings and really do need the steps to manage their workload). So, got most of the questions answered (one challenging one was whether this property was able to qualify for a USDA loan, but the map wasn’t loading. The main qualifying criteria is location based.) Spent 8 minutes on the phone answering questions, but when I told her that I couldn’t connect her to the listing agent, I got “well, I guess, thank you…f*#cking a$$hole” and a hangup.

Another chewed on me because I didn’t answer my phone. Of course, they didn’t leave a message, so I didn’t call them back after I got off the phone (shocking note: I was on the phone and didn’t HANG UP AND TAKE THEIR CALL!!! Ok, they didn’t say that…but…). There seems to be an assumption that I’m sitting around waiting for them to call.

Last of the crew cheerful: mad as a hornet that he had to follow the showing directions listed in the MLS.

And, so, back to it.

Mortgage Qualifications Ebb & Flow

Carl Setzer

Since the beginnings of “the financial crisis”, lending rules tightened massively. I’ve been hearing that these criteria have been loosening, at least slightly. Then I have these message in my inbox:

 

Loans

 

Not Tax

 

Though getting lending more accessible is desperately important to rebuild the housing market, I don’t want to see a return to the “fog the mirror” qualification process.

 

My sincerest hope is that we can find some type of middle ground. However, society and pendulum swings are massive forces to be dealt with.

Social Media Marketing Event in Everett June 25

Carl Setzer

Hey everyone,

This coming Wednesday June 25th, my office is sponsoring Tech Savvy Today. These speakers have all successfully used modern marketing, branding, and social media to build dynamic and powerful businesses. It’s a whopping $25, which gets you in front of some key thought leaders in this space. Not only do I recommend this, my money has been put where my mouth is (as the adage goes); I’ll be attending, too. Come join me! I look forward to seeing you there.

All the details are available here (EventBrite link)

 

Tech Savvy Flyer

Ruminations from my walk

Carl Setzer

I’ve long adored my walks. A magnificent way to get exercise and explore a community. Walking today in this place I’ve spent most of my life had deeper meaning than most. I reflected on my friends, on several issues I care deeply about, and on how this area is both the same yet different.

Also, I listened to the birds, looking at the flowers. I considered communication. How much information is being transferred. Dangers, sexual availability, food presence, territorial marking, all that and more, in these pretty sights and sounds floating across the air. Simultaneously. Really, when considered in this context, a late spring day is laden with data.

Such are the things that concern my mind. I hope each of you had an equally enjoyable day.

Father’s Day Weekend Fun Around Seattle, Edmonds

Carl Setzer

Well, it looks like a lovely, rainy Father’s Day weekend in Greater Seattle land. Which may be a bit of a bummer, but we Northwesterners know how to cope.

So, looking for some reason to brave the rain and depart the abode? I have a few suggestions. Oh, and let me clear, this isn’t even close to all inclusive.

  1. The Edmonds Arts Festival: this is currently in process (started this morning) and runs the entire weekend. Many events and performances on top of a ton of booths. Tomorrow you can leverage the Edmonds Farmers Market and build a full day of it.
  2. Looking for a unique gift for Dad? Just need to find something for the house? In Lynnwood, Trinity Lutheran Church has their Junktique on the 13th and 14th.
  3. Want to stay indoors? Well, you can head to the Seattle Center. Tons of stuff going on. And there’s a wide array of food choices in the Armory to make things interesting.
  4. Another indoor opportunity without heading into the City: the Hibulb Cultural Center is free for dads on Sunday.
  5. Here’s a fun and unique idea from the Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field: “In honor of all fathers, Historical Flight will offer member rides to fathers at one-half price with the purchase of a regular membership by an appreciative relative.”
  6. Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum has free admission for dads
  7. Don’t forget Puget Sound area staples:
    1. Take a walk-on ferry trip
    2. Hit the Everett or Fremont Farmer’s markets

There isn’t any reason to stay home (well, unless you want to). Don your rain garb and get out!