Pet Lovers Are Welcome!!

Pet Friendly Real Estate

No one shopping for a new home wants to walk into a house and smell the animals that live there, however the days of being asked to hide the fact that you have a pet are long gone.  Some real estate companies are not only allowing pets, they’re catering to them.  In fact Pet friendly agents have found one another on a growing social platform called the Pet Realty Network.  The network launched in 1997, now boasts 300 members who pay $30 annually to be included in the directory and can add to its pet friendly listings.   Even home builders are touting pet-accommodating floor plans, such as pet nooks in mudrooms, heated window perches, scratch proof flooring and custom-built cabinets for food bowls. “Its quite amazing what some people are doing now and what they are demanding,” says Rhona Sutter, Founder of Pet Realty Network.  “Its something buyers really think about now when they build. Pet Friendly has come into the forefront of consideration.” 

 The reason for this pet friendly craze in the real estate world?  Well nationwide, dog ownership is climbing, fueled in part by millennials who are postponing marriage and child-rearing and getting pets instead.  The American Pet Products Association found in its most recent pet-owner study that 44 percent of American households, or more than 54 million, own at least one dog, up from 38 percent, or 35 million, in 1990.  Its not just millennials driving this new trend, ProMatura, a Mississippi real estate research and advisory firm specializing in age-qualified housing, surveys seniors every year on what they want in their housing communities.  In last years survey, 43 percent of respondents indicated they thought a dog park was essential or desirable, up 33 percent from the previous year.  Apartment and condo developers from New York City to Washington State are incorporating pet amenities like grooming stations, day boarding facilities, dog-walking services, veterinary clinics, miniature dog parks, and even rooftop dog walks with special cleaning systems.   Real estate agents now have to show themselves as pet friendly weather it is through networking, marketing or even how they stage the homes.  No matter were you are or for whom you work, you will now have to take into consideration all the members of the family even the furry ones. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

4245 Roxanna Lp SE Lacey, WA 98503

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/TXLFK6

Beautiful Townhouse in The Pointe on a corner lot. Great space for easy living and entertaining. Open floor plan with Living, Dining and Kitchen on the main level, Hickory Laminate wood floors. Kitchen is the heart of the home with many upgrades, Maple cabinets, Granite tile counters, and back splash, large kitchen island. 2 bedrooms upstairs each with their own bathroom. One car attached garage, fenced back yard, sprinkler system and security system. Close to restaurants, and shopping.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.25

Square feet: 1,375

Price: $184,995

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3301393 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 887443

10706 Clark Rd SE Yelm, WA 98597

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/KSLNQU

Meticulously maintained home in the Heart of Yelm. Gorgeous hardwood floors. Granite slab counters. Light & Bright! Spacious flr pln. 2 fireplaces. Air conditioning! Perfect entertaining patio w/mountain views & built-in BBQ. Additional dwelling. Shy 3 acres w/mature manicured landscaping & sprinkler system. Fully fenced. Shop w/wd stove & bth, pole barn & 2 RV covered parking plus greenhouse, raised garden beds & orchard. Walking distance to local theater & amenities.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4.75

Square feet: 2,832

Price: $449,000

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3301384 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 887912

Get Bang for your Buck!!!

Return on Investment

Remodeling and replacement projects can add value to your home, but some projects recoup their costs

better than others. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, small and exterior projects return the most value for your money.

The project that offered the best value overall was a steel entry door replacement, which recouped 101.8 percent of its costs when the home was sold. The steel entry door is consistently the least expensive project named in the report, costing about $1,200 on average. The second best value is the addition of a manufactured stone veneer, which can recoup 92.2 percent of its original cost, but be prepared to invest at least $7,000 for the improvement.

 

Replacing a garage door can return 82.5 percent for an upscale project and 88.5 percent for a mid-range project. Replacing your home’s siding with fiber cement will return 84.3 percent of the costs, while replacing vinyl siding recoups 80.7 percent. Adding a wood deck will return 80.5 percent and replacing wood windows earns 78.8 percent.

A minor kitchen remodel is a strong bet to add value to your home. An investment of $19,226 can return 79.3 percent of its costs. A major kitchen remodel recoups 67.8 percent and a bathroom remodel returns 70 percent.

  

To find out which home improvement projects bring the most value, talk to a CRS REALTOR® who knows the local market, housing inventory, and what buyers want in a home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Address not provided Yelm, WA 98597

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/AAX3B5

Custom Home. Quality details on design and construction. Hexagon shaped main living area w/over-sized windows framing picturesque views. Soaring ceilings. 9' doors. Radiant heat Natural Birch hardwood floors throughout w/4 zones. White trim pkg. Self-close cherry kitchen cabinets. S/S Bosch appliances. Gas range. Gorgeous granite slab counters. Luxurious Master Suite w/steam shower, slipper tub, Travertine tile. Covered deck w/skylight. Auto GenTran system. Porte cochere entrance.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 2,218

Price: $489,000

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3287079 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 885491

Working from home can Work!

Home WORK

According to a recent study by Telework Research Network, 30 million people work from home at least once a week, and that number is expected to grow by 63 percent over the next five years. While dedicating an entire room for a home office is ideal, it’s not always practical. With smaller laptops and office furnishings and Wi-Fi connections, work areas can be set up anywhere in the home. Before setting up a workspace at home, here are a few ideas to consider.

Adequate storage. Storage solutions don’t have to be fancy or expensive, but they do need to be tailored to hold everything you need, including reference books, office supplies and files.

Sufficient lighting. Tasks like reading or drafting require lighting that shines directly on the work. For task lighting, use energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs and a dimmer switch to control levels.

Reliable power. Many older homes may not have sufficient power or may lack grounded outlets. An electrician can do a wiring inspection and upgrade outlets and circuits as needed. A strong Internet connection is also important. Make sure your DSL or cable modem is functioning well and can handle a demanding workload

Work surface. The type of work you do will determine the size of work surface you need. A longer, wider area is better for spreading out papers, while a smaller desk may work best for reading documents and making phone calls. If you use a printer every day, place it within easy reach.

Seating. If you sit for long periods, invest in an ergonomic chair. Though it may cost more, it can provide better comfort and support for your back.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

9929 Dragt St SE Yelm, WA 98597

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/TR6ET7

Move in ready! Open main floor concept with Kitchen, Living rm, Dining area. Lots of light creates an airy space. Kitchen w/island & eating bar - great for entertaining! Generous sized lndry rm w/pantry & shelves. Plenty of storage! 2nd flr landing for TV/office - bring your imagination! Spacious Master Bdrm w/bthrm & walk-in closet. Additional bdrms all have walk-in closets. New carpet throughout upstairs! Fenced back yard w/two apple trees. Located near schools, shopping. Easy commute to JBLM.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 1,824

Price: $189,000

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3270788 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 882011

17647 Happy Lane SW Rochester, WA 98579

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XFALFR

Beautifully remolded rambler on a little over a 1/2 acre! Completely updated & ready to move in! Newly painted inside& out new roof. Lg rm w/wood burning stove, french doors &new carpet. Chef's kitchen w/Hickory cabinets, Stainless Steel appliances & brkf bar. Huge family room w/ sky lights & ceiling fans. Large fenced backyard w/ outbuilding, play house? Storage is endless! Over sized attached 2 car garage & detached RV garage/shop w/power! Mature landscaping, room to garden,water features!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 2,100

Price: $269,000

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3268339 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 879391

14471 100th Ave SE Yelm, WA 98597

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/D2JHYG

Shows like New! Open concept Great room & Dining room w/ laminate hand scrapped wood floors. White doors & trim package, vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has Alder full height 42" cabinets w/ crown molding on upper cabinets, tile counter and slate backslash. All appliance to stay. Main floor Master Suite w/ bathroom & walk in closet. Upstairs had 2 additional spacious bedrooms & full bath. TV wall mounts through out the house. Located near schools, shopping & medical facility. EZ commute to JBLM

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 1,452

Price: $189,000

For more information about this property, please contact Cynthia Schmier at (360)400-3475 or cschmier@remax.net. You can also text 3268337 to 67299.

See more listings at: cschmier.remax-pacificnorthwest.com

MLS ID: 881712

Stuck in a Rut? Spruce it Up!

ACCESSORIZE IT­

If your home décor seems stuck in a rut, updating your accessories can bring more spice to your living space. When accessorizing your home, follow these simple tips and tricks from HGTV and HouseBeautiful.com.

   Highlight a few favorite accessories at one time. While it’s fun to collect different styles of pillows, artwork and collectibles, displaying them all at one time can overwhelm the room. Try showing only 20 percent of your prized accessories at a given time and change them regularly throughout the year.

   Highlight a focal point in the room. Perhaps you have a uniquely designed fireplace mantel or a treasured area rug that you want to showcase. Select a piece of artwork to complement the rug, or display a few photographs or your favorite figurines along the mantel.

   Choose a color scheme and theme. Before buying accessories, decide on one or two colors that will add visual interest to each room and complement your furniture and wall colors. If your furniture and walls are neutral, choose bold colors for your accessories to create a vibrant look. Accessories can also play up a theme of a room.

   Group similar items. To create a consistent, balanced look, display accessories in small groupings. Some designers work by the rule of three. For example, a trio of matching mirrors lined up on the wall with a contrasting background can provide a dramatic focal point.

   Light up your space. Create instant impact by choosing light fixtures that complement the design style of the room. To create a certain mood, use wall sconces, an extravagant chandelier or recessed lighting. With the right accessories, your home can go from ­­stale to stunning in no time.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com