Death by Decor: 5 Telltale Signs a Design Trend Is All but Over
How do you tell if a design trend is on point or on its way out? According to Realtor.com there are five very easy ways to figure it out.
Take sliding barn doors, for example. A few years back, they were all the rage. By 2017, they were ubiquitous. And now? Now they’re just worn-out. The same might be said for other recent hall-of-fame fads such as Edison bulbs, succulents, and Mason jars.
So how can you tell a decor trend’s on the outs? For starters:
1. It’s all over HGTV
Call it the Chip and Joanna Gaines effect: When a trend’s in constant rotation on home improvement shows, you know it’s probably not long for this world.
“I know a trend is heading toward life support when I see it in mass market retail or it’s become ubiquitous on HGTV,” says Susan Matthews, a Realtor® with Carolina One Real Estate, in Mount Pleasant, SC. After all, she says, “These shows are filmed months in advance.”
Terence Michael, who (fascinatingly) works as both a mortgage broker and a TV and film producer in Los Angeles, couldn’t agree more: “Suddenly my set dressers want everything to be gold and brass and navy blue,” he says. But by the time the show actually airs, a previously current trend like that combo will be so yesterday.
2. It’s in all the catalogs
Love that reclaimed wood-meets-industrial look, but unsure if it’ll still be in style next season? For another clue that a design trend is on its last legs, just check your mailbox.
“When all the catalogs in your mailbox feature the same trend, you know the trend is dying a slow but comfortable death,” says Lance Marrs, a broker at Living Room Realty, in Portland, OR.
3. It’s permeated the big-box chains
Experts are quite unanimous on this one: When a trend’s filtered down to Target, Lowe’s, or Ross, you know it’s nearing the end.
For example, “I knew white subway tile was on the outs when it became the least expensive option at Home Depot,” says Justin Riordan, principal at Spade and Archer. (Ditto that for “anything Tuscan,” Harmon says, which she says is a mainstay of home improvement stores.)
Their take? If you can buy it alongside your toilet paper and La Croix, it’s probably no longer really on trend.
4. The price plummets
When a trend’s been there, done that, you’ll see it displayed en masse at discount retailers, Harmon says.
These closeout businesses do “opportunity buys,” Harmon says, meaning they’ll purchase a lot of product at a time because it’s been sitting unsold in a designer’s warehouse for some time.
“If the designer could sell the product at market to retailers full price, trust me, they would,” Harmon says.
5. It shows up beyond interior decor
When a trendy pattern such as the chevron or pineapples starts cropping up in multiple media (think home decor and clothing and office supplies), “it’s a sign of death,” Harmon says.
“It’s been selling well for a while so big retailers are splattering it on everything,” she says. “As soon as it’s done blowing up, it’s over.”
In reality, of course, trends do last longer than a single season.
“Every season, magazines want what’s new, but most people don’t shop that way,” Scott notes.
In fact, even the experts agree that following trends can be unsustainable; once everyone freaks out about, say, charcoal and eggplant, the pendulum swings back to light and bright. And then there’s the obvious: Changing up your home decor to follow every of-the-moment design whim can be exhausting and expensive.
Perhaps the best real-life advice, according to Realtor.com? Find a style you like, stick to it, and freshen it up when you get bored.
NEW TO MARKET: Developers Dream
Developers Dream
Calling all builders and developers! Incredible opportunity to build on a rare shy half-acre, flat in-city lot. Fantastic Northgate location just down the road from the light rail opening this fall and NHL practice arena! Established fruit trees & a pond on the lot make this a tranquil location to build your dream home, or homes! Currently there are two 2 bed/1 bath fixer uppers located on the property, both with utilities in place and separate gas/electric meters. Detached 2-car garage includes shop area with a wood stove. Private location w/ driveway already installed and a shed. Water, sewer, gas & electric already on property. Unbeatable location & immense value! Sold as-is.
11035 17th Avenue NE | Seattle, WA 98125
2 Bedrooms • 1 Bathroom • 1,150sf
Offered at $1,200,000
Ready for Autumn
My favorite time to stage and decorate is Autumn! The weather starts to turn cooler, families gather for one last outdoor dinner, and we get to decorate porches, kitchens, and more with everything pumpkin. And yes, pumpkin spice is delicious! What are your autumn happies?
NEW TO MARKET: New Rainier Vista
New Rainier Vista
Life is just better in Columbia City! This end-unit townhome at desirable New Rainier Vista is full of light with a rare 4-bedroom layout. Bright and open main level is made for entertaining - spacious living areas, covered deck, bamboo floors, full-size dining room (no cramped eating area here!) and a beautiful chef's kitchen with gas cooking, stainless appliances, and a center island. Three bedrooms upstairs including the owner's suite with vaulted ceilings, views of downtown Bellevue and the Cascades, a walk-in closet, and an ensuite bath. The lower-level bedroom makes for a great office or guest room with access to a beautiful fenced-in garden patio. A rare 2-car garage makes it easy to leave the car at home & stroll to nearby dining, shops, groceries, parks & light rail.
4327 Jill Place S. | Seattle, WA 98108
4 Bedrooms • 2.25 Bathrooms • 2020sf
Offered at $850,000
4327 Jill Place S. | Seattle, WA 98108
4 Bedrooms • 2.25 Bathrooms • 2020sf
Offered at $850,000
SOLD with Repeat Buyers
SOLD! Congratulations to my wonderful repeat buyers and their family on the purchase of this beauty. It was an honor to get to work with you again! Wishing you many happy memories in your new home.
The best part of this sale is that we did not have to compete! Yes, you read that right! I've been seeing a few more homes sit past their offer review dates and we were lucky enough to snatch this one up without competition or a bidding war. If you've given up on the market, let's talk. It's still very possible to get into your dream home!
Seattle’s Hot Housing Market
According to the Seattle Times, in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, nearly one in four homes is selling for all cash.
Between January and April, 23.8% of home sales in the Seattle area went to buyers paying all cash, according to an analysis of county property records by Redfin. The level of cash purchases is up slightly from about 22% in the same period last year and roughly 20% in 2019. Nationally, the share of all-cash home buys — 30% — hit a level last seen in 2014, when cash deals were soaring in the years following the housing crash. In many of those markets, of course, it takes a lot less cash.
Local brokers say the tech industry, boasting employees with high salaries and stock-option packages, is a driving force of cash purchases here. Cash shoppers looking for their own home or second homes are drawn to some of the area’s priciest neighborhoods, while investors may pay all cash to acquire midpriced rental properties that can turn a profit, agents said.
Double Listings at the Seaboard
Seaboard Condo, #1000
Bask in city views from this freshly painted, beautifully updated 1 bedroom loft unit at the historic Seaboard building, fully renovated in 2001! Live the good life with A/C, tons of storage, no rental cap, AirBNB potential, hardwood floors, built-ins and a tastefully appointed chef's kitchen complete with Viking gas range, stainless appliances, Subzero fridge, granite counters and an eating bar. Large windows and vaulted ceilings fill the space with all-day light. Chill up on the rooftop deck and savor stunning skyline views, then head out to explore some of Seattle's best dining, bars, nightlife, shops & more - all right outside your doorstep! Great investment potential plus concierge and in-unit washer/dryer. The city life is calling!
1500 4th Avenue #1000 | Seattle, WA 98101
1 Bedroom • 1 Bathroom • 1,106sf
Offered at $525,000
Seaboard Condo, #800
Live at the heart of downtown! Some of the city's best dining, shopping, and nightlife are right outside your doorstep at the historic Seaboard Building, fully renovated in 2001! This studio unit lives large and boasts stunning, tasteful updates: fresh paint, walnut plank flooring, high-end Subzero and Viking kitchen appliances, a walk-in closet, A/C and more. Tons of space to spread out and relax at your in-city retreat with ample sunlight shining through big windows all day. Watch the city come to life from your private balcony or the rooftop deck then head out to nearby restaurants, shops, bars, light rail and more. Dues cover W/S/G, no rental cap, AirBNB approved, and a helpful concierge! Live the good life in bustling downtown!
1500 4th Avenue #800 | Seattle, WA 98101
Studio • 1 Bathroom • 863sf
Offered at $499,000
SOLD: Phinney Ridge Craftsman
SOLD! Turns out I wasn't the only one who was enamored with this Wallingford gem. So were SIX buyers who all made offers! Congratulations to our repeat seller on a successful and quick sale!
Welcome to Phinney Ridge! Classic craftsman details mesh perfectly with modern updates & peekaboo views of the Olympics and Salmon Bay. Step into the sun-drenched main floor to find oak and fir floors, functional built-ins, a cozy wood burning fireplace and open living spaces including oversized dining area with room to host. Large kitchen boasts brand new quartz counters, tons of storage, gas cooking, walk-in pantry and spacious eating nook that opens out to the backyard. Rare five-bedroom layout also includes a bonus room and home gym on the lower level, giving you more than enough space to roam. Garden, play and soak up the summer sun in the spacious backyard complete with bocce court. Stroll to nearby Woodland Park, the zoo, top dining and more!
307 N 48th Street | Seattle, WA 98103
5 Bedrooms • 2.75 Bathrooms • 2,960sf • Built 1926
Offered at $1,300,000 | SOLD AT $1,600,000
PENDING IN 5 DAYS: Laurelhurst Condo
And just like that, we are pending after only 5 days on market!
Live the good life at the Laurelhurst! This incredibly spacious unit is move-in ready for the summer ahead! The open layout features hardwoods throughout and a massive living room with tons of space to host. The beautifully updated kitchen boasts white Silestone counters, updated appliances and tons of storage space. Two roomy bedrooms, including a primary with en-suite three-quarter bath and dual closets, plus in-unit laundry. Covered lanai is the perfect place to sip your morning coffee! Well-run HOA with designated parking, storage unit, game room and on-site gym. Great location just a short stroll to the Burke Gilman Trail, UW, Seattle Children's, U Village and excellent dining. Numerous transit options nearby. The best of NE Seattle is right outside your door!
4545 Sand Point Way NE #404 | Seattle, WA 98105
2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 1,262sf
PENDING IN 5 DAYS AT $549,000
Seattle: Properties for Sale Receive Up To 30 Offers
According to HousingWire, a large number of residents in Seattle and the Puget Sound region work at high-paying jobs for companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, to name a few. Most of those workers saw their net worth increase in the past year, and they chose to invest much of that new money into real estate.
That’s why, says Realtor.com, the average asking price for a home in Seattle is around $750,000 — up 3.4%, year over year. The median sale price is even higher, at $795,000 with winning offers at 10% to 20% above asking price with up to 30 offers per home. It’s definitely a seller’s market! To combat this, buyers should make sure they have all of their financial ducks in a row before considering home shopping.
If you’d like more information about buying or selling a home, give me a call at 206.778.3829 and let’s walk through your options!
NEW TO MARKET: Laurelhurst Condo
Laurelhurst Condo
Live the good life at the Laurelhurst! This incredibly spacious unit is move-in ready for the summer ahead! The open layout features hardwoods throughout and a massive living room with tons of space to host. The beautifully updated kitchen boasts white Silestone counters, updated appliances and tons of storage space. Two roomy bedrooms, including a primary with en-suite three-quarter bath and dual closets, plus in-unit laundry. Covered lanai is the perfect place to sip your morning coffee! Well-run HOA with designated parking, storage unit, game room and on-site gym. Great location just a short stroll to the Burke Gilman Trail, UW, Seattle Children's, U Village and excellent dining. Numerous transit options nearby. The best of NE Seattle is right outside your door!
Join us Saturday, 6/12, from 11am to 1pm for an open house or send us a note/give us a call and we'd be glad to schedule a private tour.
This one won't be around long...
4545 Sand Point Way NE #404 | Seattle, WA 98105
2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 1,262sf
Offered at $549,000
Sold in Seattle
This one sure was a charmer! Today's real estate market is not for the faint of heart when it comes to buying. It can be downright frustrating to be beat by the competition time and time again. There's no time like the present to need an agent who can think outside of the box and who knows how to write a competitive offer to pull out all the stops to get you your dream home! (Even if that means offering way before the offer review date like we did on this gem...) I'm here if you need me!
It is an honor and a privilege, and honestly the highest compliment I can receive, to get to work with clients a second time around. Congratulations to my awesome repeat buyers on the purchase of their new abode. What a beauty it is! Wishing you many happy memories in your new home.
NEW TO MARKET: Phinney Ridge Craftsman
Phinney Ridge Craftsman
Welcome to Phinney Ridge! Classic craftsman details mesh perfectly with modern updates & peekaboo views of the Olympics and Salmon Bay. Step into the sun-drenched main floor to find oak and fir floors, functional built-ins, a cozy wood burning fireplace and open living spaces including oversized dining area with room to host. Large kitchen boasts brand new quartz counters, tons of storage, gas cooking, walk-in pantry and spacious eating nook that opens out to the backyard. Rare five-bedroom layout also includes a bonus room and home gym on the lower level, giving you more than enough space to roam. Garden, play and soak up the summer sun in the spacious backyard complete with bocce court. Stroll to nearby Woodland Park, the zoo, top dining and more!
307 N 48th Street | Seattle, WA 98103
5 Bedrooms • 2.75 Bathrooms • 2,960sf • Built 1926
Offered at $1,300,000
NEW TO MARKET: Thackeray Place NE
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, May 16th from12;00pm to 3:00pm
Thackeray Place NE
Shaded by trees, surrounded by gardens and set in the perfect Wallingford location, this cute-as-a-button craftsman is the perfect mix of classic details and modern updates, with a fully legal ADU with Murphy bed and 3/4 bath, perfect for guests, detached office, studio, or AirBNB! The main home is beautifully updated with sparkling hardwoods, A/C, built-in shelves, open living spaces and more. Bright and open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, butcher block island & deck ideal for summer BBQs. Upstairs, two bedrooms including huge master with vaulted ceilings & dual closets + full bath. Full-height, unfinished basement ready for your creative touch. Updates include plumbing, electrical, windows & more. Stroll to Gasworks, Burke Gilman, shops & dining!
4207 Thackeray Place NE | Seattle WA 98105
3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 2,150sf • Built 1919
Offered at $999,000
It's monthly stat time!
King County here's how you stacked up in April 2021 vs. April 2020:
2,047 more new listings this year in April. (We have Covid to thank last April for what seems like a large differential this year.)
1,545 more closed sales this April.
Average days on market down by 3 days to just 13.
Inventory down from a 1.7 month supply to a .6 month supply.
Median sales price up by $95,000 to $750,000.
Inventory did not change from March to April this year and we definitely feel it. Bidding wars still continue across the board with many sellers taking early offers before their review date even has a chance to arrive. Though I feel like I'm seeing a bit more inventory start to appear this month, it's getting snatched up equally as fast.
I say it every month, but NOW is the time to sell. There hasn't been a market quite like this in my 16 years of selling, so trust me when I tell you, you likely won't be disappointed with the results. If you've been considering a move, I'd be glad to chat!
Springtime Switches: Ways to Make Your Space Ready for Spring
This last winter was particularly hard for a lot of us, but spring has landed with a glorious splash of sunshine. Houzz has a bunch of wonderful ways to welcome springtime into your home. From the simple act of opening a window or clearing off a countertop to a quick refresh of your living room, adding a pop of color or painting something white - there are myriad of options that you can choose from to make your home springtime ready.
Snohomish Market Snapshot
Snohomish County friends, let me paint you a picture...
Your housing inventory levels dropped in March to their lowest point yet! In February, they showed a .5-month supply, but are now down to a .3-month supply. This means it would take .3 of a month to sell EVERYTHING currently listed across all price points. When you think about how large the county is, this is mind boggling.
If you have a home to sell in the county, NOW is the time! These inventory levels along with the high demand are creating some of the craziest bidding wars I've seen in my 16 years of real estate. Thinking of selling? It's GO time...seriously!
In other news...
Days on market were sliced in half YOY
Median sales price increased by $100,538 YOY
If you've been on the fence about selling, let me be your guide to show you how much equity you may be sitting on. I think you'll be pretty happy with the results!
#snohomishcountyrealestate #remaxhustle #laureninthecity
#workhardbenice #forsaleinsnohomishcounty #snohomishcountyhousing
SOLD in 8 Days: Greenlake Vintage
SOLD: Greenlake Vintage
Vintage charm + modern updates within blocks of Green Lake? Yes, this is the one you have been waiting for! Bask in abundant natural light thanks to lots of windows and a large kitchen skylight. Desirable details include a functional layout, sparkling hardwoods, an updated kitchen with breakfast bar and eating nook, and a flexible bonus room in the fully finished basement great for play or work from home! Three spacious bedrooms, two full baths and an oversized utility room with extra storage. Get excited about spring in the tranquil backyard, complete with deck, raised beds and room to BBQ or relax. Rare 2-car garage + ample driveway parking for at least 3 extra cars. So many great spots within blocks: Green Lake, dining, PCC, library, and transit. Come home to Greenlake.
2316 N 80th Street | Seattle, WA 98103
3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 1,580sf | Offered at $825,000