Month: March 2017

My curiosities, buildings, real estate and Everett

Carl Setzer

I noticed a classic older building in downtown Everett the other day. The building doesn’t look bad at all, but it’s completely vacant; not even the storefront spaces are occupied.

These are things that capture my attention.

I’m pulling a blog post together about this particular property, as it’s pretty interesting. Well, to me, at least.

Buildings and the politics around them fascinate me.

With this, Everett has begun to  intrigue me. There are some very lovely structures and neighborhoods, with some significant regional history. With these sorts of buildings, a thriving arts scene and solid proximity to Seattle, we have some amazing potential up here.

Around 35 miles north of Seattle, with access to the Sounder Trains and buses, along with Snohomish County’s CT bus fleet, centering from the Everett Station, accessing Seattle is pretty easy and convenient. The Eastside is a little less easy, but not too much so. Microsoft’s Connector buses make their way up here (Snohomish and Mill Creek…maybe with enough lobbying, the Everett station can get a stop, too), and there’s Sounder and CT buses that head to Microsoft’s Commons and the Overlake Station, and downtown Bellevue. Within a few years, and the lightrail system gets fully launched, Everett’s interconnection with the greater Seattle economy will be solidified.

Everett does have a lot to offer, and the way the region’s developing, it will be far more interconnected and accessible to the rest of the region soon.

There’s a lot of opportunity for the forward thinking folks.

Everett’s Farmers Market Season Coming Mother’s Day

Carl Setzer
2017 Everett Farmer's Market Opening Day

As someone who adores are area’s farmer’s markets, this email delights me. The start of local market season is a great deal of fun for me. Seeing all the people, with all the vendors, one of kind craft goods and locally grown food is simply a delight.

Also, Everett’s markets are a great success story. They continue to grow and expand, and work to ensure the whole community is able to take part, helping ensure that local produce is not just a middle/upper class experience.

 

24 Years Celebrating Fresh and Local from Washington

everettfarmersmarket.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those home shows on TV, and real estate reality

Carl Setzer

Finally made it to taekwondo yesterday and the gym today. This after a several week sabbatical of sorts. Was fighting a nasty cold for a few weeks, then sprained my ankle at taekwondo. Now, that sounds better than the full description. I sprained my ankle, at taekwondo, after my third JUMPING JACK! Jeez…I’m a black belt who can land jumping back kicks, and I lose my ability to walk normally from jumping jacks. Ugh!

Anyway, I’m slowly coming back up to speed, and didn’t push myself that hard tonight. Spent about 1/2 hour on the treadmill watching one of the real estate shows. This one is about buying fixers and flipping them.

I’ve seen the show before, and recognize the hosts. I admire their work, find the subject interesting. But…BUT…elements of the show boggle me. Today there was one moment where the project was nearly derailed because, in Torrence, CA, there’s a code preventing powerlines from crossing above pools. I get that, and it makes sense. What doesn’t, though, is how no one discovers this until the concrete patio has been poured. How did they get permits without having this addressed? Maybe California is different, and the grant permits after you build. But that seems quite daft.

The other thing this evening, which almost caused me to truly laugh out loud, was this shot where a host discovers a rat in this nasty, messy bank repo property. Now, don’t get me wrong, many of these houses have rats. When I was working for a real estate company selling bank owned properties, we had many. However, the rats were never, EVER a pristine white. Nor were they demure, like the one in the ad. The ones I’ve seen would hiss and snarl at you, and quite possibly chase you.

Anyway, that’s just my experience ruining the suspension of disbelieve. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the shows. Just now that those shows aren’t, well, “exactly” realistic. So, having a team of folks who knows what they’re doing might be a worthwhile investment.

Growth, Development and Lynnwood, my Suburb north of Seattle

Carl Setzer

Went walking this evening. It’s been nice walking in the evenings these past two nights; last Friday I gave my left ankle a mild sprain. That frustrated me as I was starting to do jumping jacks. JUMPING JACKS! I’m a black belt in taekwondo and am limping after jumping jacks. Sigh…

Anyway, it’s nice seeing the stars. Orion’s Belt crisp and clear in this night’s air. 

On part of my walk there’s some new construction. Working in the industry, I take notice of such things in my neighborhood.

Now this lot (if you know Lynnwood, it’s on 60th between 176th and 173rd, just south of Meadowdale high school) was a single family home on a decent sized lot, which had been there forever, or so it seemed. I walked by that house daily from junior high through high school; no changes.

Well, the house is now gone, and 5 houses are going up. Five! And they’re 5 bedroom homes as well. Well, I’m pretty sure it was 5, but it was hard to read the sign in the dark, and I didn’t want to use my phone as a flashlight. Just seemed kinda weird.

Anyway, the surrounding houses are mostly mid-20th century three bedroom ramblers. Nearby are some larger split levels from the 70s and 80s. These new homes are quite a shift from the existing ones. But that’s what’s bring built in my town right now. All around, and in some large plat developments, too.

Makes me wonder what the future holds for Lynnwood. I’m expecting many more older homes will get replaced buy these larger homes on smaller lots. What will it look like in a couple years? That’s anyone’s guess. How many will get absorbed by growth, vs how many folks holding out against the incoming tide? There’ll be some hold outs. Perhaps many. But I expect there will be a gradual attrition that will snowball at times. Eventually, my funny little suburb will be as glitzy and shiny as Bellevue. BMWs, glad towers and McMansions.

It’s the way of things,  I guess.

Any of you going to #Seattle’s “Network After Work” Event this Wednesday, March 22

Carl Setzer

Hey Seattle-based chums,

Any of you planning on attending “Network After Work Seattle at Amber“? It’s Wednesday evening right by Pike Place Market.

For me, driving to downtown mid-week/evenings is a bit of a pain. Back when I worked at Starbucks it was easy (it’s only a few minutes north, and, ostensibly, on my way home). Even when I was at Microsoft, heading into downtown was pretty straightforward. Marysville, though…well, with traffic, construction and all the other events in my life make these sorts of things challenging.

So, let me know if any of you are planning on going, or even just thinking of going.

A rainy day quote for this Saturday 

Carl Setzer

This quote’s been on a card adhered to my refrigerator for quite some time. The photo is one I took today, capturing today’s perpetual rain. With a little post-production embellishment. 

Life is not about how you survive the storm; it’s about how you dance in the rain.

It would be easy to let the dreariness deep into your marrow, poisoning your soul. I find my solace outside, in the wind, rain and cold. With filtered sunlight upon my skin, I persist in motion. That drives the depressive beast to silence. At least temporarily.