After years of decline, homeownership is gaining momentum across the country. According to the latest data from the Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey the U.S. homeownership rate is 65%. Homeownership endures as the foundation of the American dream, and that’s why the home building industry is celebrating National Homeownership Month in June. Home ownership builds… We’ve all spent more time in our homes in the last two years than we likely ever expected to spend indoors. As such, you may have started to add some items to your to-do list around the house based on some of the conditions or elements that may be impacting your comfort and well-being. Enlisting… With increased home values, a growing number of homeowners are flush with home equity and are eager to reinvest in home improvements. COVID-19 sparked a demand for remodeling projects (e.g., home offices, gyms and outdoor living spaces) and those trends have continued even as the pandemic subsides. “Extended time at home meant home owners focused… Did you see that we only had five hours above 70 degrees this year before June? My garden believes it. What a wet, cool spring we had in 2022. I for one am ready for summer! Most garden veggies can be planted now without extra protection. Basil, cucumbers and both summer and winter squash can… Irons Brothers Construction recently received a 2022 Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry. Since 2005, GuildQuality, a third-party customer satisfaction surveying company, has powered the Guildmaster Award to recognize and celebrate home building, remodeling and contracting professionals demonstrating the highest level of customer service within the U.S…. Applications are being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Snohomish County Board of Equalization. The board is an independent body organized to hear appeals of assessments made by the county assessor and is comprised of five citizen members appointed by the Snohomish County Council, after recommendation by the county executive. The board provides an… Irons Brothers Construction President Joseph Irons and his team of employees and skilled volunteers this weekend are building their 16th free wheelchair access ramp, part of the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) philanthropic Rampathon program, now in its 29th year. This year’s ramp recipient, Laurel, has contracted a rare disease that has… This 1914 Greenlake residence was fully remodeled and repurposed, giving new life to the historic home. The homeowner’s plans emphasized maintaining the architectural character, while updating the entire structure to meet their family’s modern-day needs. Aesthetics were important to the lady of the house, who was active in the selections of millwork, finishes, and colors…. A home remodel can add value and comfort to your home. Once you’ve committed to modernizing your home, the first step is to find a professional remodeler. Online listings can seem endless. How do you know which expert will be able to provide exceptional service and quality craftsmanship? Some projects take considerable time and money… It’s planting season and vegetable and flower starts are showing up everywhere for purchase, from nurseries and hardware stores, to grocery stores and farm stands, and the increasingly popular pop-up plant sales put on by garden clubs and master gardeners. Store-bought starts are often sown thicker than should be transplanted (I’m looking at you, basil)…. Spring is a great time for fresh ideas and colors. It can also be a great time to give your home a quick refresh as well. And one of the easiest ways to rejuvenate your home is with a fresh coat of paint. New home design trends in recent years have emphasized wellness to match… One of the busiest years for remodelers was 2021, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and during a highly competitive home-buying market. Homeowners in 2022 continue to seek out the expertise of professional remodelers to help modernize their existing homes. Remodelers surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at the end of… Our clients loved the vintage charm of their 1970s-era home, but they didn’t love its dated functionality. Our challenge was to update and improve the kitchen and dining room spaces while at the same time maintaining and improving on the features that make the home unique and inviting. The greatest change we made was to… Retired life often conjures up the idea of living in a new place near the beach or mountains. While some people may choose that route, more homeowners are deciding to live out their golden years in their existing homes. The “age in place” approach affords homeowners the ability to live comfortably and independently in the… Frost one day and almost 70 degrees the next! These spring days are exciting either way. Out in the vegetable patch, lettuce, spinach and radishes can all be direct sown. Peas can still be planted, but not for much longer. I began starting my peas inside last year due to pest pressure from squirrels and… This homeowner approached our firm to design and build their outdoor living addition, after being referred by their immediate next-door neighbors, past clients of ours. This family of five in Lake Forest Park wanted an outdoor covered structure that would increase their access and enjoyment of the backyard. Another priority was hosting outdoor gatherings with… Bathrooms are usually the smallest spaces in our home. However, there is no shortage of decisions you’ll have to make if you’re ready to remodel your bathroom. Like other areas of your home, bathroom remodels (or two) can be a smooth process with careful planning and by working with a qualified contractor. Consider the following… So, everything in the kitchen must be moved out! Get started — the earlier the better. It’s time to pack the dishes and move any food items you keep in the kitchen to a good storage location – but remember, you will have to get into them at times during the remodeling project. Decide which… Inviting, accommodating and a feast for the eyes—wet rooms are showing up in more and more homes and wowing visitors at new-home showcases. Wet rooms—essentially open-concept or barrier-free bathrooms—are tiled continuously from floor to ceiling and across the floor surface, giving a sleek, unified appearance. The shower is open to the room or enclosed in… With prices going up on goods and services across the board, you might be looking for ways to lower your household expenses. Now is a great time to think about making some home improvements so you can save money on your utility bills throughout the year. With approximately 13% of greenhouse gas emissions coming directly… It kind of feels like March is arriving on a wave with all of the rain we have had the last few days. It’s a bit soggy out there! But the good news is that crocuses and daffodils are starting to bloom. I have a feeling spring will be here as soon as this storm… The ongoing pandemic has put a renewed focus on the air we breathe. If you are spending more time at home this year, keeping the air in your living space as fresh and as free of pollutants is critical. Common indoor pollutants are from sources that release gases or particles into the air such as… Regular maintenance is key for living comfortably in your home. A tidy yard and checkups on home appliances are a good start, but it’s also important to monitor your home periodically for water damage. A variety of issues can cause water damage, especially in older homes, and can show up at any time. If water… During the month of February, local Windermere offices are partnering with Music4Life to collect musical instruments — as well as cash donation to repair them — for students in need. Musi4Life is a nonprofit organization that collects old, used, or nonfunctioning instruments and works with local music repair shops to fix them up to be… Welcome to another wonderful year of gardening. February may not have a lot for you to do in the dirt, but there is still plenty to be done inside and out. On nice days, consider adding a couple inches of compost to garden beds if you didn’t get around to it in the fall. Healthy…
Sponsor spotlight: Homeownership benefits our community
Sponsor spotlight: How to create a healthier home
Sponsor spotlight: Home remodeling boom continues post-pandemic
Hands in the Dirt: MLT gardening tips for June 2022
Sponsor spotlight: Irons Brothers among top customer service leaders in residential construction industry
Snohomish County seeking applicants for Board of Equalization
Sponsor spotlight: Irons Brothers Construction builds wheelchair ramp for woman in need
Sponsor spotlight: Giving new life to historic home in Seattle’s Greenlake neighborhood
Sponsor spotlight: Top five questions to ask when hiring a remodeler
Hands in the Dirt: MLT gardening tips for May 2022
Sponsor spotlight: Color trends for your home in 2022
Sponsor spotlight: Three tips for remodeling in 2022
Sponsor spotlight: Unique kitchen retains charm with added function
Sponsor spotlight: Home expert designations make a difference
Hands in the Dirt: MLT gardening tips for April 2022
Sponsor spotlight: Redesigned backyard space gives family year-round enjoyment outdoors
Sponsor spotlight: Pro tips for a smooth bathroom remodel
Sponsor spotlight: Tips for setting up a temporary kitchen during your remodel
Sponsor spotlight: Wet rooms are today’s choice for beautiful, usable bathrooms
Sponsor spotlight: Low-cost energy-saving solutions for your home
Hands in the Dirt: MLT gardening tips for March 2022 — and a seed swap Saturday
Sponsor spotlight: Protect the air quality in your home
Sponsor spotlight: Top signs your home has a water problem
Sponsor spotlight: Provide music for all — donate your musical instruments at Windermere offices in February
Hands in the Dirt: MLT gardening tips for February 2022