New food truck park opening in Ballard

Food trucks have become more and more popular in Seattle over the past few years. Now Ballard is opening a food truck park. It is a piece of property that has been a vacant lot that is being transformed into Ballard Bites and Brews. It hopes to be open by April and will add more interesting food as well as local favorites. This location plans to have four food trucks that will rotate in and out keeping variety available. This food truck park plans to have bathrooms and ample seating which is somewhat unheard of at food pods in other Seattle neighborhoods. Keep an eye out on the corner of 15th Ave NW and NW 50th St. 

Ballard Bites and Brews has a Facebook page that is updated frequently so make sure to check it out to see when the new digs will be open. 

Winter projects for the home

Winter is a great time for interior home projects. All those things you noticed during the summer that you couldn't quite get to, now's the time. 

Replacing light bulbs

Cleaning the insides of windows

Changing out your faucets and shower heads to low flow

Touching up the trim that's has been dinged up

Deep cleaning your carpets

Painting rooms

Organizing

These are just a few ideas of things to do when cabin fever starts to kick in. With the shorter days we spend more time indoors and by just doing a small project or two you can start checking those things off your list. 

Concrete countertops

Concrete countertops are a newer trend in many kitchens. It is a product that is fairly flexible in the respect that you can choose the color, and also have it fitted in custom areas easily.  

There are even newer products now that let you recoat your Formica countertops with a thin layer of concrete to achieve concrete tops (this is definite the thriftier way about it). 

Concrete counters are pretty solid and are not to susceptible to staining.  

Is it a good idea to loan your kids money to buy a home?

With the housing market being so hot especially in places like Seattle the younger generation is finding it harder and harder to buy a home. 

Some home buyers use their saving or 401k's to get into a home but the younger guys out there don't always have this option available to them. They need to be more clever about their down payment and sometimes turn to family to help them. Whether it is a loan or a gift there are different ways to go about giving them the money. 

An interesting article was published recently explaining the different advantages and disadvantages to giving your kids money for a home. It explains the minimum federal interest rate. It brings up good points on what makes more sense financially for you. If you would like to read more go check out the link below.

http://www.interest.com/mortgage/news/should-you-lend-your-child-money-to-buy-a-home/

Ballard seafood festival

Ballard Seafood Featival is celebrating it 40th year this year. Come on into the heart of Ballard and hang out. It happening Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. The weather should be perfect. There is tons of food to come enjoy and also lots of other vendors to support. The music should be great too. If you would like more info go check out their website seafoodfest.org You can see all the options as well as hours and directions. 

I mentioned the weather... Check out the forecast!!

If 88 is a lillte hot for you there are many restaurants with indoor seating around the festival. 

Whatever you choose to do I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone is having a fun and relaxing day. 

Happy 4th of July 

Different types of exterior trim

During the summer many homeowners in the Pacific Northwest think of doing exterior home updates. Since we have mild summers it is easy to work outside and you can make many changes to give your home a face-lift. You can paint the exterior, replace the roof, update the window and door trim, redo the landscaping. Really the possibilities are endless...

Here are a few pictures of window trim to give you an idea of the different looks and feels it gives to homes.