The Kahler Team

Beautiful Townhouse in the Heart of Issaquah!

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:29:36 -0800

470 SE Andrews St #B
Issaquah, WA 98027
3 Bed Townhome Heart of Issaquah

Home

Virtual Tour

Photo Gallery

Property Map

Financing

Request Showing

Contact Me

Erika & Corey Kahler Broker

Erika:	425.985.4192
Corey:	206.910.4654
Website:	Visit Website

Price	:	479,000
Bedrooms	:	3
Bathrooms	:	2.5
Square Foot	:	2,201
Lot Size	:	6,534 sq.ft.
Community	:	Downtown Issaquah
County	:	King
Property Type	:	Condo or Townhouse
Year Built	:	2006
MLS Number	:	175221

click for more information and pictures

Property Description

Gorgeous 3 bedroom 2.5 bath Townhouse located in the heart of Issaquah and seconds from the freeway! No HOA Dues! Easy access to I-90. Just blocks from schools, restaurants, and shopping! Beautifully appointed with stainless steel appliances, slab granite counter-tops, oak floors, crown molding, master suite with fireplace, walk-in closet, and 5-piece bathroom. All in warm, designer colors. Fully-fenced yard with sprinkler system. 2-car garage! This move-in ready townhouse is a must-see! One-year warranty included!

Features List

NO HOA Dues!	3 bedroom	Updated
Heart of Issaquah	I90 Access	Stainless Steel

Equal Housing Opportunity.

The Cascade Team Real Estate : 22525 SE 64th Place, Suite 223 - Issaquah WA 98027 : 425.985.4192

Remodeled Mid-Century Modern Daylight Rambler in Bellevue, Wa

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:46:20 -0700

Bellevue - 1231 144th Ave NE - $399,000.00

Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 1.5Parking Spaces: 1Year Built: 1955Subdivision: EastgateLot Size: 7000School District: BellevueSquare Footage: 1840Agent Name: Corey Kahler and Erika KahlerBroker: The Cascade TeamMLS #: 108087Open House: 8/1/10 1-4Price: $399,000.001231 144th Ave NEBellevue, WA 98007View MapView More PhotosWebsiteVirtual Tour

This is a beautifully remodeled mid-century modern daylight rambler in Bellevue! You'll love the gorgeous GREAT ROOM with loads of natural light, hardwood floors, and vaulted ceiling. Fabulous NEW KITCHEN has new cabinets, butcher-block countertops, and stainless appliances. Both bathrooms have been FULLY REMODELED. Enjoy sweeping views from the 900 SQUARE FOOT DECK! There is a wet bar in the rec room! New carpet and fresh paint complete the picture this move-in ready home in a great location. A MUST SEE! One-year warranty included! For more information contact Corey Kahler at 206-910-4654 or Erika Kahler at 425-985-4192.

Corey Kahler and Erika Kahler206-910-4654 and 425-985-4192

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 3481687

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

Gorgeous Home in Bellevue with Unlimited Golf, Tennis, and Swimming!

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:57:16 -0700

$475,000.00 - 1512 179th Avenue NE, Bellevue

Bedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2Year Built: 1966Subdivision: Tam O'ShanterLot Size: 10707Garage Size: 2School District: BellevueSquare Footage: 1905Agent Name: Corey & Erika KahlerBroker: The Cascade TeamMLS #: 54303Open House: Sunday 4/11 1 PM-4 PMPrice: $475,000.001512 179th Avenue NEBellevue, WA 98032View Map

Don't miss this gorgeous house in a popular community! Buyer Bonus: $7,500 and initial Membership fee for Tam O'Shanter Country Club paid! Golf course, swimming pool, tennis, water polo, swims team, restaurant, etc. HOA dues on $206/mo give you UNLIMITED GOLF, swimming and all amenities. AMAZING! Check out www.tamoshanter.net! Beautifully updated, designer colors, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, cozy family room, extra insulation, nice landscaping, sunroom off master. Great schools! Free one year Fidelity home warranty.Range/Oven, Dishwasher, Sink Disposal, Fireplace, Hardwood Floors, Patio, Fenced Yard, Grass LawnVirtual Tour

The Cascade Team800.509.6905

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 3231711

Photo Gallery

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 3231711

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

Beautiful Townhomes in the Heart of Kirkland

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:42:24 -0700

$435,000 - Kirkland-9541 Slater Ave NE Kirkland,WA 98033

Bedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2.5Parking Spaces: 2Year Built: 2008Subdivision: Vista Forbes CondominiumsLocated on Floor #: 1Floors in Bldg: 2School District: LKWSquare Footage: 1900Agent Name: Erika KahlerBroker: The Cascade TeamMLS #: 84058Price: $435,000Homeowner Dues: $2209541 Slater Ave NEKirkland, WA 98033View Map

Come and see these luxurious new townhouses across from Forbes Lake in Kirkland! You'll be 2 blocks away from Forbes Creek Park and less than minutes from downtown Kirkland and Lake Washington! The prices are unbeatable and you'll fall in love with the gorgeous Great Room, the elegant Master Suite with huge Walk-In Closet and 5-piece Bath! It even has a Bonus Loft! The high-end finishes include maple hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, slab granite counters, custom cabinets, beautiful tiled backsplashes, lovely millwork, wood-wrapped windows. The quality of the construction is found both inside and out. You'll find double-walled construction for quiet and extra insulation, pre-installed wiring for HDTV HDMI, 5.1 surround sound, cable/satellite, 2 car attached garage, hardi-plank siding, and a 40-year roof! 10-YEAR WARRANTY!Downtown Kirkland is a thriving community with something for everyone! Situated on the shore of the beautiful Lake Washington, residents enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, unique shopping, art galleries, great restaurants, lovely cafes, wine shops, and a weekly farmer's market! Amenities include the Kirkland Performance Center, a teen center, a community center, a senior center, a wonderful library, a public pool, Heritage Hall, beautiful parks, and even sports facilities. You are going to love it here!Range/Oven, Full Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Sink Disposal, Microwave, Fireplace, PatioFree Market SnapshotWebsiteWeb Commercial

The Cascade Team800.509.6905

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 3367735

Photo Gallery

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 3367735

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

Remodeled Kingsgate Tri-Level! Buyer Bonus! $369,000! Sellers to pay up $4,000 towards closing costs!*

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:51:43 -0800

Beautifully remodeled Kingsgate Home! 12424 NE 149th St., Woodinville, WA 98072 This contractor-owned home in the popular Kingsgate neighborhood is move-in ready! Great Home at a great price! Great Room Floor plan with vaulted ceiling, skylights, and surround sound Remodeled Kitchen with gas stove and Tiled Countertops Entertainment-sized deck with hot tub Custom-tiled Shower in remodeled Master Bath Granite & Marble Counters Huge Workshop and Shed Cozy Den with wood burning Fireplace 3 bedrooms, 2 1/4 baths Award-Winning Northshore School District Neighborhood Pool and Swim Team Community Park with Tennis and Basketball Courts Low Homeowner’s Dues Convenient Freeway access One-Year Home Warranty! Backyard adjoins greenbelt! $369,000 1610 square feet MLS #29127194

Amazing Vacation Home - Only 2 hours from Seattle! $299,000 Harstene Island

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:25:55 -0700

table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%" height="100%">

Shelton- 299 E Pointes Drive ELocation: Hartstine PointeHartstine Pointe is one of Washington's best kept secrets! Located at the northern tip of Harstene Island in the south Puget Sound, this gated community offers something for everyone! And although it's an island, you don't have to take a ferry to get there; just take the bridge from Shelton. This beautiful, new spacious home is situated near the community clubhouse with an outdoor pool, library, gameroom, outdoor fireplace and playground, covered picnic area, and workout facility! The friendly, full-time, year-round staff maintains the extensive community facilities including miles of hiking trails, tennis courts, basketball court, marina, boat launch, horse-shoes, covered picnic areas with kitchen facilities. There is a lovely community garden and great activities. This 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home has a wonderful open floor plan with a Master Suite on the main floor, formal living and dining rooms, big kitchen and family room, stainless steel appliances, and a sunny den. Everything is immaculate and the decor is tasteful and contemporary. The lots are all round so that each one is surrounded by greenbelt! You will love this house so much, you'll want to live here year-round!InformationContact InformationThe Cascade Team425.396.4569PricingPrice: $299,000Property Location299 E Pointes Drive EShelton, WA 98584LinksFree Market Snapshot!WebsiteVirtual TourFeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2.5Parking Spaces: 2Year Built: 2007Subdivision: Hartstine PointeGarage Size: 2Square Footage: 2340Agent Name: Erika Kahler 425.985.4192Broker: The Cascade TeamMLS #: 29050913AttributesAppliancesRange/OvenDishwasherMicrowaveInterior AmenitiesVaulted Ceilings

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2424224

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2424224

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

You HAVE to see this!

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:24:43 -0700

Last night, a friend forwarded me this link. It's of a woman named Susan Boyle auditioning on Britain's Got Talent. I've since watched it about 10 times and have been thinking about it all day. It's truly AMAZING! Click on this link only if you want to be inspired... And make sure you have a tissue nearby! Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 (With Lyrics) Source: www.youtube.com

13320 87th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 -Beautiful Kirkland Remodel

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:58:58 -0700

Broker's open Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 - Coffee, Refreshments and Lottery Tickets for agents!

Location: Kirkland, WA Completely remodeled! New kitchen, slab granite (kitch & bath), stainless steel appliances, jetted tub. You'll fall in love with this bright, spacious home! Includes Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) perfect for MIL, home-based business, or income opportunity. ADU is a 1 bedroom apt and rents for $1000. Main house could make a great adult family home! Hardwood, new roof, new windows, fenced yard, mature landscaping, 2 fireplaces, RV or boat parking! Move-in ready! POSSIBLE LEASE OPTION! Information Contact Information The Cascade Team 425.396.4569 Pricing Price: $485,000 Property Location 13320 87th Avenue NEKirkland, WA 98034Links Virtual Tour Get a FREE Neighborhood Market Snapshot The Cascade Team Features Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking Spaces: 2 Year Built: 1962 Lot Size: 9647 Garage Size: 2 School District: Lake Washington Square Footage: 2430 Agent Name: Erika Kahler 425.985.4192 Broker: The Cascade Team MLS #: 29043703 Fireplaces: 2 Attributes Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Microwave Interior Amenities Fireplace Hardwood Floors Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2375383

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2375383

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

Huge Victory for Real Estate Professionals AND Consumers

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:01:59 -0700

On Wednesday, March 11th, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009. Among the bill's many provisions, is one that affects us all. Banks are now permanently prohibited from getting involved in real estate brokerage and property management. This obviously benefits us in that banks won't be able to squeeze us out, but it also benefits our clients. As agents, we work for them and watch out for their interests, instead of the banks' bottom line. The National Association of Realtors has fought for this for the past eight years. We should all celebrate this great victory! The NAR website has some great information on their website about this bill and what it means for real estate. http://www.realtor.org/banks_and_commerce.nsf/Pages/banks_in_real_estate?OpenDocument

Telecommuting: Saving Time, Saving Money, and Saving the Earth

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:48:42 -0700

Since most real estate agents are already technologically savvy and often work odd hours, telecommuting just makes sense. Corey and I work from home. Everyone in my company does. In Seattle, telecommuting is not only the "green" thing to do, it saves the company a lot of money in overhead, keeps us out of day-to-day traffic, and saves us all on gas and other transportation costs. . We have offices where we have team meetings and can meet with clients, but we don't have to be there on a daily basis. Each of us a provided a "virtual office." A couple of tools we use are "Docusign.com" (https://www.docusign.net) and "ExtremeFax.com" (http://www.extremefax.com). My company provides these to all of our agents. Docusign is a website developed by attorneys which allows you and your clients to sign documents online. It's easy to use and save your clients and you lots of time and gas. I don't use them to replace face-to-face contact, but when you are dealing with multiple counter-offers, it comes in really handy. Extremefax and similar services allow you send and receive faxes on your computer. It's environmentally friendly because it saves on toner and paper, saves money, and keeps your documents from becoming illegible after multiple faxes. I think the key to making telecommuting work, is staying in contact via email in fax with our brokers and fellow agents. Working from home may not work for everyone, but for us, it's fabulous! It may be perfect for you, too!

Staging Tip #3 – Refresh Your Walls

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:41:11 -0700

Recently, my 6 year old son’s best friend taught him a new trick. How to climb the walls. Literally. The hallway from the entryway to the kitchen is fairly narrow and the boys place one foot and one hand on either wall and climb up to the ceiling. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for my walls to look filthy. When is the last time you really looked at your walls? When you live in a house, wear and tear happens gradually and you may not even notice it a first. If you want to sell your house, it’s time to take a critical look at your walls because potential buyers certainly will! The first thing to do is to take a cleaner like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It really does work like magic, and no they did not pay me to say that! The generic ones work pretty well, too. I've got 6 kids so I've used them a lot. They are great at removing crayon, markers, dirt, and the occasional "what-the-heck-is-that?" Once you start, you may find yourself noticing all kinds of flaws; chipped paint on doors, cabinets, and moldings; nail holes where pictures used to hang, etc. Touch-up the paint, a little bit of putty, and “orange-peel” spray to re-do the texture, can do wonders towards making a room fresh and clean. Or you can do what I did. I painted the hallway in beautiful new color to match the entryway! Go for it! Just make sure the color is contemporary! But I'll save that for another post. Right now I have to go unclog a toilet! No, I'm not kidding!

Losers and Evildoers?

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:54:19 -0800

As if homeowners facing foreclosure are not under enough stress, people from both ends of the political spectrum have been quick to blame the current economic crisis on people who are in trouble. Kelsey Grammer calls them evil-doers. Rush Limbaugh calls them losers. President Obama says they got mortgages they knew they couldn't afford. As an agent who has worked with several distressed homeowners, I can tell you that at least for my clients, none of these ridiculous charicatures are true. I guess we expect that they should have had a crystal ball and predicted an economic downturn that would eventually cost them their jobs, cause their homes to lose value, and make it nearly impossible to re-finance out of their adjustable rate mortgages. This in spite of the fact that very few people in government saw this coming. I, for one, am very tired of the name-calling. When did it become fashionable to kick people when they're down? Enough, already!

"Hour of Power:" Get your kids to clean like "Jane and Michael Banks!"

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:53:23 -0800

As a busy real estate agent and homeschooling mom with six kids, people always ask me how I "do it all." Of course I don't "do it all." I don't even try. My husband and I work together and we focus on our family, our clients, and our business and not a lot of other stuff. Even at that, there is a lot to do, so we work hard to train our kids to work as a team, helping each other and helping us. Our kids get real self-esteem from what they can accomplish, but they often need inspiration to get started. A few months ago, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that needed to be done to get ready for Christmas when I had a "Mary Poppins Moment," and came up with the "Hour of Power" plan. The next day we tried it out, and we've been doing it ever since! The competitive aspect gets the kids to work fast and have a great attitude. It's like a "spoonful of sugar!" It is a blast and we get so much done! Here are the rules: Divide the family into two teams - one parent on each team. Assign specific rooms, areas, or tasks to each team. Everyone goes potty first. No bathroom breaks. (My kids tend to spend 20 minutes in the bathroom when it's time to do the dishes.) No complaining, arguing, or criticism - only encouragement, and "cheerleading"! Blast some upbeat music to get everyone going! Set the timer for one hour and work as fast as you can! When the hour is up, stop! Mom and Dad choose the winning team. The winning team chooses a family activity - (This way the whole family reaps the rewards of their hard work. For example, the winning team might choose baking a cake and watching a movie.) Sometimes we do "team uniforms." For example, the team doing the kitchen might put on aprons, and the team cleaning the family room can wear baseball hats. Sometimes we also do a "Power Burst" where each person gets a small area and we all clean for 15 minutes. This method is great for any family, but it's especially fabulous for a family with their house on the market! And no, you don't have to have six kids! Try it; add you own twists; and let me know how it goes!

Popcorn Ceilings: Work of the Devil?

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:56:15 -0800

There ought to be special place in hell for whoever invented popcorn ceilings. They're ugly, they're impossible to clean, they may contain asbestos, and they are a big turn-off to potential home-buyers. My personal favorite is when it has glitter in it! If you are trying to sell your home, I recommend getting rid of them. Popcorn ceilings distract potential buyers from the true value of your home. So what can you do? The first thing you should do is test your popcorn for asbestos! Asbestos was added to many popcorn ceilings because of its strength and fire-proofing qualities. It is very hazardous to your health. If left undisturbed, they shouldn't cause any problems. If the fibers are released into the air, they can be inhaled into your lungs where they stay and can eventually cause Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer. You can have them tested at a local lab for about $25.00. In the Seattle area, you can get more information from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. (http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-popcorn.pdf) If you DO have asbestos, here are some options: Hire a certified asbestos abatement specialist to remove the "popcorn." Have new drywall installed over the popcorn ceilings. One-quarter inch drywall does the trick. Paint over them using a spray-painter. Using a roller or brush causes pieces of the "popcorn" to fall. Not only is this messy, but it can release some asbestos into the air. (Be warned, if you try this option, you still have popcorn ceilings and they will be much harder to remove later!) You can remove them yourself, but you have to follow very strict regulations regarding both the removal and the disposal. I don't recommend this, but if you do decide to try it, make sure you get a permit and carefully research the proper procedures. Otherwise you could endanger the health of your family, yourself, and possibly risk legal action. If you DON'T have asbestos, you can still paint or drywall over them, but removing the "popcorn" yourself is messy, but not difficult. I did my master bedroom by myself in about 4 hours, start to finish! Here's how: Wear clothing you don't care about and cover your hair with a hat. Do one room at a time. Take all of the furniture out of the room. Trust me on this one. You may want to do this right before you put in new flooring. It's also a great time to give the room a fresh coat of paint. Cover the floor in tarps first, making sure to overlap them and cover the whole floor. Place a layer of disposable plastic film over the tarps, taping them together and to the walls near the floor. You can purchase this in large rolls from the paint supply section of local home improvement store. Using painter's tape, place the same plastic film about 10 - 12 inches down from the ceiling all the way around the room. This should overlap with the floor coverings. Now is when it gets messy! You have to start getting the ceiling wet. You can use a garden hose if you like. I purchased a fertilizer sprayer and filled it with water. (DON'T TRY TO USE ONE THAT HAS EVER HAD CHEMICALS IN IT!) Work section by section and give the water a chance to soak in before you start scraping. Use a long-handled drywall knife, and scrape off the "popcorn" which essentially drywall mud. Be very careful as it is very easy to nick the drywall. Gather all of the plastic with the "popcorn" inside into a ball in the middle of the room, put it in a garbage bag, and dispose of it. Note: This will be very heavy, so you may need help carrying it. Allow ample time for the drywall to dry out and, if you are lucky, the ceiling underneath will be mudded and taped, and with a little sanding, and possibly texture, will make it ready to paint. This is a great time to add crown molding! It's messy, but it's very satisfying and inexpensive. The room seems cleaner, the ceiling seems higher, and you've just added value to your home! Follow our blog for more tips on making your home market-ready!

Wow! Blogging is working!

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:22:07 -0800

I starting blogging this week and today I got an email from my broker saying that our website has already gotten 35 hits from my blog! I am so thrilled! Does anyone else on here track this information? What have you discovered?

Staging Tip #2 - Light the Way!

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:51:42 -0800

When I was in college, I spent my Spring Break working at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show (www.gardenshow.com/) During the set up for the show, I had a blast driving fork-lifts, Bobcats, and man-lifts. Each day, I watched the designers create amazing indoor gardens with flowers, trees, bushes, grasses, water features, outdoor living areas, cottages, and bridges. They were beautiful! Then, the day before the grand opening, when all the gardens were built, I spent the evening 30 feet up in the man-lift helping the lighting designer "set the lights." He used colored gels, created focal points, and carefully created light and shadow in each garden. I was stunned by the transformation. The room went from being pretty to being magical! At that moment, I understood the importance of lighting to design. Living in the Seattle area, there are a lot of overcast days, and dark homes are not as appealing to buyers. The first thing I do when setting up an open house, is to go through the house and turn on all of the lights. Home-buyers like houses that are light and bright, but many homeowners are unsure of how to make the most of their home's features. Here are a few tips to help you get started: Can lights, sconces, under-cabinet lighting, and updated chandeliers don't have to be expensive, but can add real value to your home. Place up-lights behind favorite plants or armchairs to add visual interest to a room. (You can find these for as little as five dollars at your local discount stores!) Look for dark areas in your home and add beautiful lamps. You can take these with you and they make your home warm and inviting. If you have track lighting, focus your lights on appealing art work or nice features of your house. Before you leave for a showing, turn on all the lights! I know you are used to turning the lights off when you leave, but leaving them on for a showing can really "set the stage" and help you make money! If you have a china cabinet, grandfather clock, or other furniture with built-in lighting, turn those lights on, too. Don't neglect the outside lighting! People will be driving by at night, and you can really increase your curb appeal by lining your flower beds or walkways with simple solar lights. Keep plenty of light bulbs around! Your bulbs will not last as long and you will want to have them on hand for short-notice showings. Highlight your home's beauty with lighting and follow our blog for more tips on staging your home to sell!

Kingsgate: Small Town Feel; Cosmopolitan Convenience

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:41:18 -0800

The charming Kingsgate Neighborhood (http://www.kingsgate.org/) of Kirkland/Woodinville is only a 10-minute drive away from Bellevue Square Mall and 20-minutes from downtown Seattle, yet it is a place where people get to know each other and neighborhood events are commonplace. What makes this neighborhood so wonderful and unique? Well, perhaps the number one reason is the community pools. These fully-staffed pools with adjacent parks and playgrounds create place for neighbors to gather and kids to play together. From Easter Egg Hunts, complete with giant Easter Bunnies, to Annual Barbeques with free food and lots of games, tradition and friendship are integral to the character of Kingsgate! The pools offer so much to their members. Besides being great places for summer fun, each of these outdoor pools also hosts a swim team. These teams compete in the Midlakes Swim League (http://www.midlakesswimleague.org/) and are open to kids ages 4-18! Each pool also offers private and group swimming lessons as well as adult lap-swim times Additional ammenities include: wading pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, and covered picnic areas. There is shopping area in the center of Kingsgate with an Ice Arena (http://www.kingsgateskatingclub.org/), a Grocery store, a number of stores, restaurants, banks, and salons, as well as the Kingsgate branch of the King County Library (http://www.kcls.org/kingsgate/). You are also about 3 minutes away from I-405 and the nearest park-and-ride facilities. To learn more about Kingsgate and other Eastside neighborhoods, follow our blog!

Staging Tip #1 - Follow Your Nose

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:44:05 -0800

How does your home smell? Inviting? Repelling? Nuetral? This is so much more important than you realize! Scent is powerfully linked to memory and mood. You want people to be in a good mood when they tour your house, and you want them to remember it! Last weekend, I showed many, many houses, but one in particular stands out for HOW BAD IT SMELLED! It was so bad my clients and I didn't even go through the whole house! The musty smell wasn't just annoying, it was a sign that the house might have a serious problem. On the other hand, I previewed a townhouse recently that smelled amazingly good! It was wonderful! I didn't want to leave. I took my time touring it, and I remember it for all the right reasons. The scent of your home doesn't show up online, but it speaks volumes to the people who come through the door. Here are some things you can do: Deal with the source of the smell! If there is something causing that smell, (animal waste, cigarette smoke, a diaper pail, mold, mildew, or just your garbage can) get rid of it! Don't just try to cover it up! Use cleaners that have a nice scent. A strong smell of ammonia for example, is not very pleasant! Plug-in air fresheners are inexpensive and can be wonderful. In fact, you can often find good air fresheners at the the dollar store. (I don't recommend scented candles or incense! No fire hazards please!) Just make sure you smell it before you buy it! The smell of fresh paint is not particulary nice. Try to paint several days before listing if at all possible. Bake! Not only does it make the house smell great, but a plate of cookies is a nice touch for an open house. Slice and bake dough works great. Try this simple trick. Pour a bit of vanilla into a saucer and pop it in the microwave for a minute. It makes the house smell terrific! Keep in mind that you may not really notice the smells in your home. Ask a your agent, or a friend you trust to tell you if there are any lingering smells that you might have missed. Don't overdo it! Some people are very sensitive to smells, and smells that are too strong can make people wonder what you are trying to hide! First impressions are vital when selling your home and how it smells leaves a lasting impression! Keep reading my blog for more tips on selling your home!

What is your best advice for married agents working together?

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

My husband and I recently decided to join forces in selling real estate and would love to here your best tips. What pitfalls should we avoid? What's the best decision you made in working as a couple? What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? What do you do to market yourselves as a couple? We'd love your input! We are strong believers in heeding the advise of those who have gone before ua! Thanks in advance! Erika Kahler

The Power of Staging: Unveiling True Potential

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:42:56 -0800

House hunting with my grandmother was always interesting. Before I was an agent, I used to pick up my Grandma on Sunday afternoons and take her to look at open houses. (We wanted her to move closer to us, but she didn't want to commit to an agent.) My grandmother is a brilliant woman when is comes to business and numbers, but her ability to visualize is non-existent. This became very clear to me when we visited a great house that had a grand piano in the living room. She surveyed the room and said, "There's just not much room with that piano in here." "Grandma, the piano doesn't stay with house," I responded. "Oh, I know," she replied, looked around again. Then she repeated, "There's just not much room with that piano in here." We went on like that for quite some time. The house was perfect for her. It was a one-story home, near our house and well-priced. In her head, she knew the piano wouldn't stay, but she just could not visualize it any other way. She didn't put in an offer. I have since discovered that most people are not great at visualizing. I, myself, can walk into a room and imagine all kinds of possibilities, and perhaps you can too, but we are in the minority. The same principle holds true for vacant homes. Recently, I was showing homes in a new development. The young couple I was working with looked at two model homes, both with the same floor plan, one furnished and the other unfurnished. They were shocked to realize that the furnished one seemed bigger! Having furniture in the rooms gave their eyes a means by which to measure the space. Follow my blog, and I'll share all kinds of staging tips to help you sell your home faster and for a better price!

The glass is half-full: The upside of a down market.

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:35:12 -0800

With all of the bad news in the economy, and gloom and doom surrounding the real estate market, it's important to point out the great news. Here are some examples of the silver-lining: The Seatle Area has been one of the toughest markets for first-time home-buyers for a long time. But with prices low, interest rates low, and and so many houses and condos to choose from, market newbies are finding that they are well-positioned to jump into the market. Additionally, investor clients have a golden opportunity to make income-producing real estate investments. High-end homes are selling at bargain prices. So, those with equity in their homes may find that this is the perfect time to "trade-up." For clients moving to the Seattle-Area from other markets, it has always been tough to find homes like the ones they were used to in their hometown. They often end up renting. Now ,some of those renters are realizing they can now afford to get into the market! Now is an excellent time for those who can, to buy! There are so many great deals out there! Jump in! Happy Bargain Hunting! Corey and Erika Kahler

Where do I start?

Corey & Erika Kahler (The Cascade Team) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:13:24 -0800

On the advice of my dear friend, BethAnn Long, I have signed up on Active Rain and set up my profile, and am ready to start blogging. But where do I begin? I love to write and I have a few ideas floating around in my head, but don't know the most effective way to start. How did all of you get started? Did anyone post something and later regret it? Did anyone have an especially successful first post? I'd love to hear your advice! ---Thanks!