Lynnwood Undressed

Thank You Uncle Sam

Thank You Uncle Sam, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.

Look, there is an upside to all this bail out hoopla! You can go out and buy a house because the banks have money again.

I’d say that if you have been thinking about doing something, now is the time while the money is still cheap and home prices are still low.

Chances are that neither will be the case in about six months. If you buy now, when prices go back up you’ll have the equity to pay for the tax bill you’re going to get for bailing out the banks and freeing up the money. Let’s just call it your little middle class piece of the pie. So let’s get busy doing the happy dance!

Safety First - Always

To read the full Story

A momentary Lapse, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.

I caught the sad story this week about the Richland man who got buried in a trench and died just weeks before his retirement. The company he worked for was fined $1,500 for not having a safety plan in place. Obviously there is a whole lot more to the story but it seemed like a low number fine for the seriousness of the outcome. As it turns out, lack of a safety plan is not an uncommon occurance on job sites. Just one of those things that takes time and money and never seems to be a priority until after the fact. That’s where my friend Kurt Stranne of Apex Saftey Consulting comes in. He spends his time educating companies and their employees about the few extra steps in a job or on a job site that can make a lifetime of difference. Whether you are a small company with big plans or a large company with a lot of small projects going on, it is the attention to detail that makes all the difference in the safety of your most valuable asset, your people. Many of these lessons can and should be applied at home though, especially when you have workmen performing tasks around your home. Often times, if a handyman or construction specialist is off the clock or doing a side job, there are all sorts of interesting things that can occur in the blink of an eye. Kurt has posted some intesting pictures of things he has seen out in the field. They make you think about, what if?  Call Kurt or Visit his website, Safety Apex.com to get more information on how to protect yourself and others at home and on the job.

Claire’s Pantry Comfort Food and Familiar Surroundings

Claires Pantry, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.

T-Mobile

When an old friend of mine called me this morning to say he was in town and wanted to know a good place for breakfast I didn’t hesitate to tell him to meet me at Claire’s Pantry, a restaurant in Downtown Edmonds. I can’t tell you how many times I have uttered those words. Claires has been an Edmonds Staple for good food and familiar people for decades. Originally founded by the Petosa family it has since changed hands but never lost it’s character. My friend ordered a “light” breakfast of fritata with Egg substitute and was presented with 2 plates of food and toast on a third. Just up the street from the Edmonds Post Office and accross from the Bank of America on Main Street, it’s a great place to stop by on your way to anywhere via the washington State Ferries. You  can almost always find a local Realtor there as well.

The Waltons 1972-1982

The Waltons 1972-1982, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.

I don’t know why, but I woke up this morning with the Waltons on my mind. The Waltons?! I have been thinking a lot lately about the economy and where we may be headed as a country. It’s just random thoughts, like this one, but they do come and go. What struck me, and I really can’t fathom as to why, is that the Waltons began it’s run in 1972 and was set in 1934 (a difference of 38 years) and ended in 1981. It occured to me that whereas the period of the Depression, which was the backdrop of the Waltons seemed like ancient history at the time, it has now been almost just as long (36 years) between the start of the show and our current looming economic crisis. I just wonder sometimes if we are still at a place as a society where we would conduct ourselves with as much dignity in the face of adversity as was portayed by the characters in this iconic american story. Just something to think about…. Good night John Boy, Good night Jim Warner, Realtor

The Tides, They Are A’Changing

The Tides, They Are A’Changing, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.

There’s a cold wind blowin’ and many things we ought speak of are being left unsaid. I love this country and all that it stands for. I do however, have a growing concern that our leadership, such as it is, has left us ill prepared and uninformed of the brewing economic storm we must all face together. If people who cannot afford their house payments are living on the credit cards in their wallets, what happens when the cards run out and the banks come knocking.

There is much more going on in the banking system and the economy than the people in charge are letting on. We all know it, we can sense it. The concern is palpable in and among the populace. On this election day, think long and hard about your decision and vote your conscience, not your wallet, difficult as that may be.

It is time for every American to take stock of their situation and to take a measure of personal responsibility for contributing to the solution. Small changes can make a big difference. Tough times have always brought out the best in America. It’s time we all pull together and try to make the most of what is sure to be a long hard climb. Don’t look to the government to fix this, that’ll only make it worse.

I’m Jim Warner, Realtor and I take responsibility for this post and the opinion expressed

Hello world!

Welcome to A Blog About Our Community. This is our first post. We are honored that you found us. We at Keller Williams Realty and the ROCS Alliance hope  those who visit us here will find it a valuable resource to get to know the area and the people of South Snohomish County just a little bit better. For those in Alderwood Manor, North Creek, Martha Lake, Meadowdale and Scriber Lake - We hope to give your little corner of Lynnwood a bigger voice.  Watch us grow and please, post your thoughts on anything good happening in your world. Tell us about your friends and neighbors who are doing their part to make this a great place to Live, work, play & raise a family. Welcome All.