Spring Cleaning is here… Get ready for Renton’s Spring Recycle Day, May 9, 2009!

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Reba Haas

The latest utility mailing brings us news of Renton’s Spring Recycle Day set for May 9, 2009. With drop off at the North parking lot of Renton Technical College from 9am to 3pm, this should be a busy day in town for anyone clearing out shrubs/trees from their yards, and for getting rid of some of the larger items in a household that traditional waste management doesn’t pick up regularly.

You can find more details at www.rentonwa.gov

Keep in mind that hazardous waste is not accepted and that you can find information on how to dispose of these types of items at www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ and for info on recycling computers and TV’s go to www.ecyclewashington.org

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Renton Tech brings Eldercare classes for families to Valley Medical Center on April 25th, 2009

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Reba Haas

Many of you know that Team Reba will be hosting classes at Renton Technical College starting next week with topics ranging the entire real estate spectrum. One area of clientele that we do specialize in is working with is active seniors, as noted by the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation that I carry. In the past, we have held estate planning classes and included real estate and lending elements into it but I was given a notice by RTC’s director of community education that they’ve got a great program coming up that I thought would be even more wonderful to support because it gets into areas that are outside of our expertise. I’m going to post the content of his notice below:

“Dear Community Education Lifestyle Instructor,

As an adult you may already know about the topic of “caregiving” . . . it can be very challenging taking care of others. In this regard, I’m sending you this letter so you can help “spread the word” to those people you know who you think might profit from attending the college’s April 25^th Eldercare School. Thanks for your help.

We all have someone—a neighbor, a parent, a friend, a teacher, an employee, or church member — who is struggling with the issues aging. Maybe the water was turned off because Dad forgot to pay the bill. Or Mom got burned by a grease fire because she left the range burner on.

On Saturday, April 25th, Renton Technical College will host its second Eldercare School at Valley Medical Center for anyone who is concerned about a loved one, or just wants to prepare before a crisis situation hits. Keynote speaker Liz Taylor, former Seattle Times columnist on aging and founder of Aging Deliberately, will introduce basic eldercare issues such as the basic building blocks of caregiving, finding ways to pay for care and learning the rules of caregiving. Liz’s morning session is followed by an array of breakout sessions.

The morning and afternoon breakout sessions are 60-minutes in length. During each time bloc there is a choice of sessions on family dynamics, caregiving resources, aging healthfully, and learning about legal and financial issues. Please reference the attached pdf for a more complete listing of breakout sessions. Cost for the entire day—lunch included—is just $25 a person and $40 for couples.

We would very much appreciate it if you would help us spread the news about this important event designed to provide caregivers, family members and others the support they need to help their loved ones as they age. This subject impacts so many people.

Thanks very much,

George Lanegraff
Director of Community Education
Renton Technical College”

Many of our readers know that my parents survived a horrible car accident 2 years ago. My father has since been limited to a nursing home for the majority of his care, so this is a topic that is near and dear to me. It’s imperative to know what to look for PRIOR to beginning the search for a suitable caregiving environment so that you can make better decisions about what you see while touring facilities. Plus, learning the skills of how to take care of yourself while providing caregiving is enormously useful too. For years I had read Liz’s articles in the Seattle Times so I am thrilled to get an opportunity to promote her ongoing work outside of that arena.

For anyone interested in attending this fantastic program, please go to this link to get details and to be signed up: RTC Community Education Calendar and click the following link to access the registration form.

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Let’s sit down over a couple of beers from Two Beers Brewing Co.

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Reba Haas

Last weekend, Michael and I went to support a friend’s appearance with his band, Ambience, at a South Lake Union event that was sponsored by the SLU Chamber of Commerce and promoted by the folks at Vulcan who would love for you to buy one of their condominiums in this up and coming downtown area. At the event several local vendors were displaying information about their businesses to those attending with the biggest focus being on the Arthur Murray dance school who was hosting the space. One of the vendors we met was Joel VandenBrink of Two Beers Brewing Co, a Seattle based brewer who is just beginning to reach out to the local pub communities to distribute product.

According to the gentleman we spoke to, their beers are in several north end Seattle pubs such as 74th Street Ale House, Sully’s Snowgoose Inn up in Phinney Ridge, and more. I recommended that he head south a little bit too and hit up Whistle Stop Ale House in Renton as well as Columbia City. I was reassured that they’re going to be doing just that along with a tour of Tacoma pubs in the next 1-2 weeks with one, The Red Hot, already drafting and there is one location on the Eastside too. The link above will give you all of their current distribution spots.

We were able to sample the Echo IPA and the 20:20 Blonde, and were duly impressed. I also liked that on the little flyers that were handed out the following notes were printed:

Take some time.

Look at the world.

Gain a new perspective.

Along with those great tag lines, when I asked Joel about where the name came from, he said, “it’s the idea that anyone can sit down across the table from another person over a couple of beers and talk about anything.” Now, that concept is something I can drink to. Cheers to you, Joel, and good luck with your budding brewing business!

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Fin N Bone can satisfy your food and your online cravings at lunchtime with free WiFi

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Reba Haas

One of my favorite restaurants in Renton is the 3 year old Fin N Bone owned by Jerry and Yelina Jackson. As I was researching a place to have lunch with a staging/design colleague of mine, I learned that they offer free WiFi at their place. I am sooooo thrilled! Jerry brings some southern style cooking to the restaurant but it’s also married with many NW flavors. Last fall I was loving his TurDuckEn, the Turkey, Duck and Chicken dish where all 3 of them are stuffed inside of each other along with stuffing. It was wonderful and some of the best comfort food I’d had in a long time.

They’ve got meeting spaces that can be rented, but I’m excited to hear that WiFi is there so that I can have smaller luncheon appointments where we can access internet as needed. Today I’ll be coaching this colleague/friend on how to use social media networking to promote her staging classes. Andy Capelluto of School of Staging, also an AR member, has had the benefit of title companies helping to promote her classes and staging designations in the past but that has changed some with the title companies altering how they offer courses. So, she’s soon to learn tips and tricks of the trade.

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Need a copy of an oil tank decommissioning report?

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Reba Haas

Since there is an abundance of older housing stock in the City of Seattle, it’s not uncommon to have the question of whether or not an oil tank is on a property. To determine if a tank has been decommissioned it is possible to contact the local Fire Department and have them look up the address to the property and see if one has been filed. In this case I called the Fire Marshall’s office for the City of Seattle.

The Seattle Fire Marshal’s Office is located at:

220 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104-2608

Phone: 206-386-1450
fax: 206-386-1348

Business hours are:

Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Most decommissioning reports have only been in place for roughly the past 10 years so if it was done earlier you may not have a record available to you. I’ve found that most municipalities are similar in process to this method of investigation so depending on where you live, you’ll want to contact the fire department responsible for your area whether in city limits or in an unincorporated area.

Most reports are faxed and not emailed, so be sure you can provide a fax number to whomever you speak to. Some lenders require a copy of decommissioning reports so be prepared to give a copy to your mortgage company/broker/lender, escrow and other parties as necessary.

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Real estate classes from Team Reba now at Renton Technical College

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Reba Haas

It’s official! We’re in the catalog of classes for the Spring Quarter at Renton Technical College. There are 8 great classes to choose from that range from buying and selling homes to analyzing investment property, diversifying investment portfolios to include real estate, short sales/foreclosures, a women’s focused class (this one to be held at Renton’s own Red House wine bar & restaurant), and a panel discussion of how best to protect your property assets using LLCs or other methods. All classes but the “women’s night out” to be held on campus.

You can find the classes at this link to the online PDF document at RTC on page 14 of 19 in the “Real Estate” section:

http://www.rtc.edu/StudentServices/ClassSchedule/files/LifeStyle.pdf

http://www.rtc.edu/StudentServices/ClassSchedule/files/CommEd_RegistrationForm.pdf

We hope to see you there!

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New listing with MIL in Seattle’s Lakeridge community – Open house on 2/1/2009 from 1-4pm

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Reba Haas

Welcome To Your New Home With Wonderful Privacy & Lake Views!!

Location: Lake Ridge

OPEN HOUSE SUN 2/1 @ 1-4PM….This 1950′s rambler with daylight basement has just completed a cosmetic update and is ready for a new owner. Wonderful privacy up on the ridge of Lakeridge Park overlooking trees to the west and partial views of Lake Washington to the east. New items include: countertops and flooring in kitchen along with all new appliances, carpet in Master bedroom, landscaped yard, new tile on carport deck, new interior lighting on main floor and more! Beautiful and open main floor layout.

Photo Gallery

Information

Contact Information

My Pic

Rebecca Haas

425-970-3697

Pricing

Price: $430,000.00

Property Location

10509 Rustic Rd S
Seattle, WA 98178

Links

VIRTUAL TOUR

Team Reba Blog

Team Reba Site

Features

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3.5

Parking Spaces: 1

Year Built: 1955

Lot Size: 9272

School District: Renton

Square Footage: 2500

Agent Name: Rebecca Haas

Broker: REMAX Metro Realty

MLS #: 29014980

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2217902

All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

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Burn ban expanded to King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Reba Haas

Message from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Stage 1 burn ban called for King, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties; remains in effect for Pierce County

January 18, 2009 – Due to stagnant weather conditions and increasing air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is expanding a Stage 1 burn ban to include King, Kitsap and Snohomish counties effective 12:00 PM, January 18, 2009. The ban in Pierce County issued Friday remains in effect.

Stagnant weather conditions are entrenched over the Puget Sound area and expected to persist through Wednesday night. These conditions greatly increase the potential for air pollution to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive population groups. The Clean Air Agency is closely monitoring these conditions and will take additional actions as necessary if conditions degrade to unacceptable levels.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

*No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

*Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.

No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20- minute start-up period.

*All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas. Burning of storm and flood damage debris is also prohibited.

*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

This ban is in effect until further notice.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. You can check conditions and forecasts at http://m1e.net/c?89487606-2LuFIG7kBpWNo%403906342-qhoH/zvQHCPCE

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

This is the first burn ban of the season and the first since a new state law went into effect lowering the air-quality trigger for calling a burn ban. The trigger level was lowered to align with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standard for fine particle pollution, which was tightened in 2006 to better protect public health.

For additional information visit pscleanair.org.

# # #

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health and improves air quality by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.

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Team Reba brings real estate classes to Renton Technical College in Spring 2009!

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Reba Haas

We are extremely excited to bring a series of new and some of our most popular classes to a new venue this year. As some of our clients and readers know, the organization Discover U closed its doors about this time last year so we lost one of our classroom venues. Now we have partnered with mortgage originator Paul McFadden to offer these 8 great classes for the public at Renton Technical College. All but one will be held at the RTC campus. We hope you’ll be able to join us, starting in April, and soon these will be on our Team Reba website where you can sign up or be directed to the RTC site for sign up there. We’re still waiting for details from them for that final piece since they’re still in Winter session. Check back for details!

Why Women Should Buy Real Estate

June 4 7-9pm

Location TBD

Whether you want to build a nest or a nest egg, it makes sense to consider real estate as part of your financial plan. Learn tips on how to research the right home or neighborhood for you, how to choose the right type of abode for your individual needs and best tips for navigating the process of buying.

Join us for a “girls night” devoted to preparing you for one of life’s biggest purchases, beyond fabulous strappy sandals.

(Wine, snacks, & espresso available for purchase.)

Short Sales & Foreclosure – Demystify the Process

May 16 10am-Noon

The financing and housing crisis has hit Washington residents with 1 in 10 homeowners owing more than their home is worth. What does this mean to you as a homeowner, seller, or potential investor buyer? Learn what a Short Sale is and how it relates to and differs from a foreclosure? How do Short Sales work? What are the timelines for each? And more importantly, if I’m involved in one what can I expect? The class will demystify the process and give you the knowledge you need to navigate one, as a buyer or seller.

Selling Your Home In This Market

June 20 10am-Noon

Recent changes in the local real estate markets have forced sellers to amp up their selling skills. Learn what to expect from buyers and how to craft a “WOW!” marketing plan to bring a quality offer quickly on your property. Learn about new laws affecting your obligations for legal disclosures and how to overcome the inevitable hurdles of contract contingencies.

Getting A Loan Today

April 18 10am-Noon

Media coverage today leads us to believe no one can qualify for a home loan. Nothing could be further from the truth. Learn how you can prepare yourself to get the best loan for your situation.

The importance of credit scoring, how it is determined, and what you can do about it

The loan approval process-from start to finish including qualifying factors

New and renewed loan programs:
- Low down-payment options (FHA, grants, gov’t bond)
- Energy efficient (Green Loans)
- Conventional and non-conventional financing

Diversify Your Portfolio With Real Estate

April 18 6:30-8:30pm

Now is the best time to review and rebalance your investment portfolio. With property prices down and reasonable financing options still available, it’s worth considering how real estate can fit into your investment strategy. This course will cover several elements including:

What mix of investments is appropriate
Tax savings and investment strategies to ensure a comfortable retirement
How to compare monthly returns of slow to faster turn around projects.

Real Estate Investment Analysis

May 5 6-9pm

In this “No-Fluff Real Estate Investment” class, you’ll discover how to do the financial due diligence necessary to make your real estate investment a profitable one. Learn the basics of financial analysis, taxation and planning from a financial analyst experienced in public and corporate accounting, taxation, financial management and analysis.

Should I Buy or Sell Now?

April 7 6:30-8:30pm

It’s not uncommon for buyers and sellers to feel lost in today’s market place with all the confusing and sometimes conflicting messages in the media. Join us as we cover current, local real estate market and financing data which can help you decipher for yourself if now is the right time to make your move.

Ask the Experts – A Panel Discussion for Real Estate Investors

May 19 6:30-8:30pm

Have you ever wondered if you should put your investment property into an LLC but haven’t known who or what to ask? We’ll have experts in estate planning, real estate law, and a CPA who can answer your questions on the best ways to protect yourself and your assets. A moderator will help lead the discussion as well as open Q&A session.

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2 degrees of separation pops up again, this time at a new pizza place

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Reba Haas

I’ve been talking about this for many years, writing about it again as recently as August 2008, and I’ve found that the more I get into deep conversations with people we learn that there are closer than 6 degrees of separation between us. They don’t even have to be “deep” in the realm of really intimate personal details but more about experiences, hopes, dreams, etc.

Last night was a perfect example.

My partner, Michael, and I decided to stop by two neighboring listings of mine (about half mile apart) and walk our dogs between the two and then hit a new local pizza place called Pizzeria Pulcinella on Rainier Ave S in Seattle in the Lakeridge neighborhood on our way back. While sitting and enjoying our meal, I struck up a conversation with a young lady, Julianna, who happened to be one of the 2 daughters of the owners. Over the course of several questions I asked regarding the restaurant, I also threw in a couple of more personal questions such as, “since you’re in college, are you planning on joining the restaurant industry like your parents, or will you do something else?” She replied that she preferred to go into teaching.

Many of my good friends are teachers so I prodded her with more questions which eventually uncovered the focus for her degree is educating special needs kids. Her reason for being so interested in this very specialized area? She had been a caregiver about 3 years ago for a young girl with special needs who had died at the age of 16. This young lady’s name who had passed is Devin. The experiences that Julianna had with Devin were so profound that she decided to dedicate her future to working with more children of special needs.

The connection? Devin was a friend to one of our client’s children, Alex, who also just passed away in November of 2008. We had just attended his life celebration only 3 weekends ago. Julianna knows both of the mothers, and so do we. Alex’s mom, Vicki, is one of our clients and she got us involved in the fundraising efforts of CTC Kids (Children’s Therapy Center) which is just for kids with the most severe disabilities and who have more extreme special needs than those of mainstream kids. We’ve been proud supporters for about 3-4 years now, and while we didn’t meet Devin, she had just passed away before we attended our first fundraiser – which made for a very emotional event since her mother, Susie, got up to speak after a very moving video that had been produced over that past year. We’d just seen Susie again at Alex’s life celebration so it was interesting to have run into this other connection so soon after. I made sure to pass on to both Vicki and Susie the news of what Julianna was up to and they both were so excited to see my email note to them and to know that their children had had such an impact on another human being/person who had helped care for them.

Seems those skills I use to help clients figure out their hopes and dreams and how those translate into their future are also good for finding close connections.

For me, it was tremendously heartwarming to hear what this young lady had to say. To think, it was only about an hour of off and on conversation that got us to the realization that we had more in common that Michael’s love of this family’s other restaurant (Vince’s in Renton) and pizza. These are the kinds of connections that really make a local place turn into a special place in my mind and heart.

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Team Reba Real Estate

Seattle real estate and related wealth management topics

Category Archives: Renton

Spring Cleaning is here… Get ready for Renton’s Spring Recycle Day, May 9, 2009!

Renton Tech brings Eldercare classes for families to Valley Medical Center on April 25th, 2009

Let’s sit down over a couple of beers from Two Beers Brewing Co.

Fin N Bone can satisfy your food and your online cravings at lunchtime with free WiFi

Need a copy of an oil tank decommissioning report?

Real estate classes from Team Reba now at Renton Technical College

New listing with MIL in Seattle’s Lakeridge community – Open house on 2/1/2009 from 1-4pm

Burn ban expanded to King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties

Team Reba brings real estate classes to Renton Technical College in Spring 2009!

2 degrees of separation pops up again, this time at a new pizza place