Parenting Truths!

• If you have trouble getting your children’s attention, just sit down and look comfortable. • Money isn’t everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch. • Vacation is a time when parents realize that teachers are grossly underpaid. • The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left. • There would be fewer problems with children if they had to chop wood to keep the television set going. • Those who say they “sleep like a baby” don’t have one. • The best thing to spend on your children is time.

How To Invest As You Age

Financial investments should change as you move through the stages of your life. Consider these strategies to make better use of your hard-earned money. During your 30s and 40s: These are years of increasing income and increasing demands for your money, particularly providing for your children. • Life insurance is relatively inexpensive at this stage of your life. Buying a policy also is a way of providing for your family’s future. • 529 plans offer tax-advantaged savings for your children’s education. For details, which vary by state, go to www.savingforcollege.com. • Annuities can be a good addition to an IRA or 401k retirement account, and usually have tax-deferred options and guaranteed life income. During your 50s: Prepare for a well-funded retirement during these years. • Remove all risks from your retirement plan. Think about a retirement date and your ability to meet that date. Reduce investments in such things as your employer’s company. • Take advantage of slowing expenses. You are at the top of your earning power, and big expenses, like children living at home, are likely reduced. Consider paying off your mortgage or increasing your investments. During your 60s and beyond: This is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. • Test living on projected income before stopping work. If your expected retirement income will be 70 percent of your current paycheck, set aside 30 percent now and see what it’s like to live on the rest. Apply for Social Security and Medicare. Visit these sites to help you make important decisions about these programs: www.socialsecurity.gov and www.medicare.gov.

Spring Home Buying Season Has Started

Are there any secrets to finding the right home at the right price with the right financing? Lots of homebuyers waste time and money by not doing their homework before going home shopping. Here’s what you should do: • Analyze your NEEDS before you start looking. Make a list, including price range, size, general location, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. • Know what you WANT in your next home. List the features you’d like to have and rank them in terms of importance. If you have a spouse, set your priorities as a couple. • Understand how much home you can afford. Become familiar with your “payment-to-income ratio” and your “debt-to-income ratio,” two guides bankers and mortgage lenders use to determine how much loan you can afford. • Work with an experienced agent. An experienced agent can help you avoid pitfalls and will be there to represent you and your best interests. I have worked for Coldwell Banker since 2000 and earned my Managing Brokers license in 2003. Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to call me at 206-226-0565. davidfrasch@msn.com

Seattle Stairway Walks

Spring is almost here so it’s time to get outdoors and burn some calories. There are 650 public stairway walks in the city. When I was a kid we would hang out at “the Stairs.” Our stairs were in Cedar Park on 130th and went from the bluff down to the Burke-Gilman. It would sure be fun to check off all 650! You would get in shape no question www.seattlestairwaywalks.com

How to Be More Grateful

We would all rather be happy if given the choice. In some cases, our state of happiness can be a conscious choice we make to focus on the positive things in our lives. Learning to be grateful in your daily life is a surprisingly effective way to improve your health and overall happiness. The benefits of being grateful can be huge. Studies show that people who are more grateful sleep better, feel healthier, have higher self-esteem, have more energy, and experience less stress. Staying grateful isn’t always easy, but with all these physical and mental benefits it’s absolutely worth the investment of your time. Here are some easy ways to practice gratitude on a regular basis. Try out a few of them to see which suits you best. • Keep a “gratitude journal” to jot down 1-2 things you’re grateful for daily. • Actively work on cultivating positivity by looking for a bright side to negative situations. • Pay someone an unexpected complement each day. • Talk about 2-3 positive moments from the day during nightly dinner conversation. • Offer a heartfelt – not routine – “thank you” for a mundane task, such as someone holding a door open for you at the store. • Say out loud what you’re grateful for, even if you’re talking to yourself. • Put a picture of your family, or whatever you’re most thankful for, somewhere you’ll see it multiple times a day. • Donate your time to a favorite cause. Monetary donations are great, but donating your time is even more effective at making you feel grateful.

Happiness is the Key to Success

Albert Schweitzer once wrote, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Here are seven steps you can take today to achieve more happiness and success in your life: 1. Believe In Yourself. Identify your natural talents and abilities. Do what you enjoy and what you do best. Truly successful and happy people find joy in their working lives. Invest your time in what you do best. Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. 2. Develop a Vision. First, define your path and start working your plan. Write down a vision for yourself and your life. Be specific. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your life to look like in 5 years, 10 years? 3. Develop Good Habits. Happy and successful people choose good habits. If you’re watching too much TV, chronically late, or eating poorly, make a commitment to change your bad habits into habits consistent with your goals. 4. Show Gratitude. The happiest people are also the most grateful people. Count your blessings frequently and you’ll quickly start seeing a change in yourself and the world around you. 5. Take A Chance. Seize opportunities! Success and happiness does not come to those who sit and wait for it to be brought to them. 6. Give to Others. Studies reveal that the happiest people are also the most generous. Do, say, or give something nice to another and see how your own life improves. 7. Take Responsibility. You hold the key to your future. Take responsibility for your actions. Choose the work you like to do, and do it well. Ultimately, you are the master of your fate. You choose your own future by the decisions you make and the actions you take.

5 Ways To Strengthen Your Immunity Against Colds & Flu

Don’t let a COLD or FLU get to YOU this season. The human body has many ways to naturally fight infection, but you need to give it all the help you can. Here’s how to boost your immunity and fight off those nasty germs:  Eat healthy food. Load up on fresh fruits and veggies like leafy greens. Avoid sugar because it can interfere with the enzymes you need to boost your immune system.  Supercharge your body. Your body can naturally kill a virus. So spring into action during the first 24 hours to combat illness. Once you feel a few symptoms, start drinking filtered water, broths, and soups with lots of garlic, onions, and spices. Take supplements like echinacea, vitamin C, and elderberry.  Breathe clean air. Avoid smoking, air pollutants, indoor dust, and ash from fireplaces that can irritate the lining of your nose and throat.  Avoid sick people. It sounds obvious, right? But it’s easy to forget. Try not to be in the same room, breathing the same air as someone ill for long. Wash your hands frequently and disinfect everything they touch.  Get a flu shot. The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention recommends that everyone who is at least 6 months old get the seasonal flu vaccine. It protects against 3 flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.

What was Redlining?

Although informal discrimination and segregation existed in the United States, the specific practice of redlining began with the National Housing Act of 1934 which established the FHA. The implementation of this Federal Policy allowed the withholding of mortgage capital to purchase homes within 293 cities and created “residential Security Maps” These maps were outlined with Type A, Type B, Type C and Type D neighborhoods. Type D neighborhoods were outlined in red and they were generally black neighborhoods within the inner cities. FHA standards were written that if banks wanted to receive insurance for their loans it instructed banks to steer clear of “inharmonious racial groups”. Seattle’s redlined neighborhoods included the Central District, Rainier Valley and South Beacon Hill. Sellers in these redlined neighborhoods could not sell for true market value because buyers had restrictions on financing. Federal-reform bills called for major changes to these restrictions in 1975 and by 1977 redlining was no longer practiced.

Walk Your Way to a Long Life

According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control the most beneficial exercise we can do on a regular basis is…walking! All you need is a good pair of shoes and few hours a week to do a simple aerobic conditioning activity that really works. The benefits are substantial – walking helps your heart, lungs, circulatory system, and controls body weight. The positive impact of walking is similar to that of running or jogging without stressful wear and tear on your joints, knees, and shins. If you don’t follow any other exercise program, just simple outdoor walking could add many healthy years to your life.  A Brisk Walk Is Best. You should be able to carry on a conversation and have your breathing slightly elevated.  It’s Easy—Just Walk 20 Minutes A Day. Start slowly, and then build up to longer, faster paced walks. Stretch your muscles (especially the calves and hamstring muscles) before and after you walk. For the best benefit, make a commitment to walk everyday. A recent study in Germany found that walking just two hours a week can cut your risk of heart disease in half!  Walking Relieves Stress And Invigorates Your Mind And Body. Walking will make your heart stronger, improve your lung capacity, and the efficiency of your breathing. Walking circulates more oxygen through your body and is very effective in lowering your blood pressure. A regular walking routine can be your best preventative medicine – greatly lowering your risk of stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and even depression.  People Who Walk Live Longer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an 11-year study of 2,896 adults in their late 50’s who had been diagnosed with diabetes. Researchers found those subjects who walked just two hours a week had a 39 percent lower death rate from all causes! They speculate that if every healthy person in the United States walked briskly just 30 minutes a day, the incidence of many chronic diseases would go down 30 to 40 percent. So grab your shoes and get walking…your body will be glad you did!

Achieve More, Work Less

Many believe the more hours they work, the more they achieve, but productivity plummets after working 50 hours in a week. Take action with these tips to get the most out of your work day.  Set time rules. Note what isn’t working with the way you spend your time (such as too many distractions from technology), then set guidelines to protect it. For example, if reading e-mail first thing in the morning throws off the rest of your to-do list for the day, make a commitment not to open it until a certain time or until other tasks are completed.  Take breaks. Productivity app DeskTime found that the most productive people work for 52 minutes then take a break for 17 minutes.  Focus your energy. Avoid spreading your attention too thinly. Instead, work in bursts by focusing intently on a single task or project, and then relax completely for a set amount of time (15 minutes usually works well).

Find a Hidden Gem at Schmitz Preserve Park

Have you ever wondered what the Seattle forests looked like? Well the last of our untouched old growth forest is located in West Seattle! Former parks commissioner Ferdinand Schmitz was watching our forest rapidly disappear and decided to act. His 1908 donation allowed a small piece of it to remain as nature intended. Enjoy!

Ideas for Winter Activities

Seattle winters are kind of long so anything we can do to break up the grind and get outside is always welcomed and needed. • Ski Season is at its peak. Great way to spend the day! • Hit the range to work on your swing or take a lesson or three. • Go see a Washington Huskies Basketball game. • Enjoy a day at the Pike Place Market without the crowds. • Plan a trip to the ocean beaches. Offseason can be wonderful! • This is an outstanding time visit some of our great museums. • Cross country ski at Suncadia, rentals available at the Inn. • Bike the 48th Annual Chilly Hilly on February 23th. • Learn about coffee at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. • Take the kids or grandkids to The Pacific Science Center.

Relationship Tips

A happy, healthy relationship with your significant other doesn’t ride on fancy flowers, heart-shaped chocolates, and an annual celebration on Valentines Day. In fact, sometimes it's the small things that mean the most in a relationship with your loved one. Start small with these ideas. Set the smartphone down. Offer your undivided attention with time set aside for the two of you – no phones allowed! Perhaps this is over dinner in the evenings,or on a once-a-week date night out (or in). Say thank you. Don’t take your partner for granted. Acknowledge and appreciate even the small things like cooking dinner or doing the dishes. Do something he/she likes to do. Embrace your partner’s differences. Next time you choose a movie together or look for a weekend activity, get out of your comfort zone and try something that’s not generally your style. And, the time after that, encourage your partner to do the same. Dress up. When you go out for a date night, dress up. Don’t fall into the familiar comfort rut. Even break the budget once in a while and try that fancy new restaurant you have been hearing about.

The Value of Having a Buyers Agent

I recommend getting a Buyer’s Agent because the agent will be specifically representing you, and, because a Buyer’s Agent generally gets paid by the seller, you pay no commission. A Buyer’s Agent will take time to help you find the type of home you want, in the location you want, and the properties that fit your particular needs and desires. Research by the National Association of REALTORS® reveals that buyers find their home faster when they use a Buyer’s Agent. A Buyer’s Agent can also help you with financing your home. The agent will determine how much you can afford and help you become pre-qualified to purchase a home. Getting pre-qualified puts you in a stronger negotiating position by letting the seller know you are serious and able to purchase the home. You can hire a Buyer’s Agent by signing an agency agreement, which is legal and binding. With lower home prices and historic low interest rates now is a great time to be thinking of a home purchase. If you have questions about Buyer Agency, or if you are buying or selling a home and need competent and caring representation, please call me at 206-226-0565.

How to Deal with Unlikeable People

Despite your best intentions to get along with the people you meet, occasionally you’ll encounter someone you simply do not like. If this happens to you, here are a few tips on how to proceed with tact.  Focus on the positive. Even though this person has habits or characteristics that drive you crazy, don’t focus too much on these negative attributes. Try to find something positive to focus on instead. Though this might be difficult, it will likely help you tolerate this person a bit better.  Be kind. It’s true what they say: Act the way you would like to be treated. You don’t need to go out of your way to be friends with an unlikeable person, but at least be nice. If you are polite and kind to him, perhaps his actions will eventually reflect yours. Also, don’t talk badly about him behind his back. Try to be truly kind. This is to help you stay positive and perhaps let go of the negative feelings completely. Love your neighbor as yourself!

Is Microphilanthropy For You?

Charitable giving comes in many forms, but the latest trend is toward microphilanthropy, which involves direct interaction between individual donors and projects. This giving is popular because donors can give small amounts that make a big difference and choose where their money goes. Some examples include DonorsChoose.org, which funds specific project requests from teachers in U.S. public schools; GlobalGiving.org, a marketplace that connects donors to 1,000 pre-screened grassroots charity projects around the world; ModestNeeds.org, which assists families who are unable to pay their monthly bills; and Kiva.org, which is peer-to-peer micro-lending to the applicant of the donor’s choice. You can check out these organizations, get tips on setting your philanthropic goals for 2020 and research more than 5,500 other charities by visiting www.charitynavigator.org, an independent charity evaluator.

Visit Stickman Leather at the Pike Place Market

Shawn Bettinger has been handcrafting leather bags and leather goods since 1986. He utilizes only the finest #1 grade domestic leather. Each piece is a commitment to craftsmanship and durability. I have had the pleasure to tour the Renton studio and watch the master at work. I am proud to recommend a local artisan at Pike Place! stickmanleather.com or email him shawn@stickmanleather.com

Properly Pricing a Home in Today's Market

In a hot real estate market, an overpriced home may sell easily. However in a softer market, an overpriced home may sit on the market for months. How long is too long? Well, it depends on the specific market. In general, if a home is on the market more than 3 months with no serious buyer interest, it’s usually a sign of an overpriced home. The first buzz of activity usually occurs in the first month a home is on the market. During that time, there’s lots of activity: scheduled showings, REALTOR® tours and open houses. If agent activity is slow, it may indicate that agents think the home is overpriced and not worth showing to their clients. If your home is on the market longer than 6 months, and you have no buyer interest, there is either something wrong with the home, or it’s overpriced. What are the tell-tale signs that your home is overpriced? The first thing to examine is other properties in the neighborhood. If your home is priced well above these properties without some specific reason, it may signal a problem. Second, how long has your home been on the market? If it’s longer than 3 months with no buyer interest, it’s time to think about a serious price reduction. Finally, if you priced your home by taking your purchase price and added the cost of any remodeling, you may be disappointed. The value of your home is not determined by how much you have invested into it, but what the market is willing to pay. Be careful not to get “upside down” on your home by spending beyond its market limit with remodeling improvements. If you’re thinking of buying or selling soon, and require competent and caring representation, please call me at 206-226-0565.

Summer Weather in Seattle

Did you know we have the best summer weather in the whole country? I think the word is getting out; we are a fast growing city and experiencing a boom time for tourism. As the northern most big city in America (farther north than Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal) we have 16hrs of daylight at the summer solstice. You can tee off before 5:00am and play until almost 10:00pm! While most of the country is baking or sweltering we enjoy an average summer high of only 74 degrees and average low of 54 degrees. Open those windows at night and close them in the day and you will not need air-conditioning! We get above 90 degrees only 3 times a year on average and have hit 100 degrees or above only three times. 103 degrees is our all-time record high temperature - 7/29/2009. How about all the Seattle rain?!? We get on average only 3.15 inches of rain in the summer months while most of the country gets afternoon thunderstorms and seasonal monsoon weather. ENJOY!!!

Beat Those Student Loans!

Even if they’re financially savvy, a lot of Americans continue to carry student loan debt with them for years after they’ve graduated from college. Use these strategies to shake off that heavy financial burden: • Make it a priority. Yes, you have a lot of bills to pay, but focus on paying off student loans so you can turn your attention to saving for retirement. • Create a repayment plan that works. Make sure the date your student loan payment is due works with your monthly budget, and consolidate your loans so you only need to make one monthly payment. • Focus on variable private loans. The interest rates on these loans can quickly change, so pay as much toward them as possible while also putting at least a minimum monthly contribution toward fixed-rate federal loans. • Sign up for auto-deductions. If you opt for auto-deductions, you won’t accidentally miss a payment date. Plus, all government and some private lenders charge a slightly lower interest rate if you pay this way.

Cash Safety Net

Even in the most stable of times (great economy, good health, and a steady job) it’s wise to create a cash safety net. Your emergency fund should cover at least six month’s of living expenses. Living expenses include rent or mortgage, debt and car payments, medications, groceries and any other fixed expenses you incur each month. You can get an excellent estimate of your living expenses by keeping a simple budget in a personal finance computer program such as “Quicken” by Intuit. Your emergency fund should be liquid and immediately accessible. Keep the money in a CD, savings account, or money market account (if you want higher interest). It is not for impulse buying or vacations. You can target the money for emergency car repairs, medical bills, or a short spell of unemployment, but remember to make repayment a top priority. Look for a bank account with zero maintenance fees. Many banks will eliminate maintenance fees if you maintain a set minimum balance. You can also avoid bank charges by linking a checking account to a savings account or interest-bearing checking account.

Best Way to Find Reputable Contractors

We’re getting ready to remodel our home. What’s the best way to find a reputable contractor without being taken to the cleaners? Complaints about home improvement contractors are one of the most frequent grievances received by the Better Business Bureau and the office of state attorneys general. So you are wise to ask this question. Here are five ways you can improve your chances of finding a reputable contractor: 1. Get referrals from other building professionals. Ask professionals who you know. For example, ask your plumber, roofer, painter for recommendations. Since they work with other contractors on other jobs, they know who’s good and who is not. 2. Get references. Get three customer references from the contractor for similar projects that were completed in the past two years. Check these references carefully, and maybe even see the work that was done. Ask them if they would hire the contractor again. 3. Check the contractor’s license, insurance, and permits. Make sure they are in order. Contact the Registrar of Contractors in your area. 4. Get a written cost estimate with specific details, schedule, and the projected completion date. This is one of the most important aspects, just remember if you request changes when the work is being completed it will cost more and you should get those changes in writing as well. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home and need competent and caring representation, please call me at 206-226-0565.

At Last: A Good Reason To Exercise

After age 40, human brains shrink by about 5% every 10 years. A study reported in ScienceDaily.com suggests you can slow this deterioration with aerobic exercise, which appears to “dramatically increase the size of the left region of the hippocampus.” This part of the brain plays an important role in storing memories and connecting them to our emotions.