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.

Different Styles of Walkways For Your Home

There are so many different styles of walkways that you can create for your home. You can make them as simple or as intricate as you want. You can do it yourself, or hire it done. The choices can go on forever. Here are a few pictures of different types of paths.

Stones set in ground with grass growing around them

Subway tile style stones with either sand or grass growing around them

Boardwalk style path made from wood

Pavers that fit together to create a pattern

Gravel path lined with rocks

Pavers that allow grass or groundcover to grow around them

Simple poured concrete path

More pavers with gravel in between the spaces

Poured concrete with a stone pattern stamped on top

Colored bricks set in a pattern

Summertime in Seattle

Year after year Seattle has been voted one o the best cities for summer. The polls and surveys have been based off of weather, things to do, vicinity to water, sporting events, festivals and more. 

The weather the last couple weeks has been amazing and if this is what we have to look forward to then it is going to be another amazing summer. 

Some ideas for summer fun are....

Boating at Greenlake

Hiking/walking Discovery Park

Shopping at one of the fantastic farmers markets

Go to a music festival

Check out the Woodland Park Zoo

So take advantage of the sun and warm temperatures. Go enjoy the views Seattle has to offer and explore all the fun things there are to do!