Changing Season and Fall Activities

 It's that time of year when the leaves are changing colors with a chill in the air and supermarkets are packed with pumpkins products. Jesse Tam, a short drive from Seattle is the frun day trip on Highway 2 to see the fall colors and landscapes to Leavenworth and Wenatchee.  Check our the town and join the activities to celebrating fall. 

 Here are some ideas for the whole family and age groups.  

• Go on a nature hike and make a game out of your hike with a ntaure bingo sheet. 
•  Support the local farms and business, go pick pumpkins and corn maze.
• Carve jack-o-lanterns
• Make your own local fun with finding fall leaves.
• Create an outdoor activity around the fire pit, share stories
• Visit and pick apples from an orchard or farmers market.
• Bake a apple or pumpkin pie.
• Make a list of spring bulbs to plant for next spring.
• Pack a picnic and visit the local parks.

Spend time outdoors and have fun while the days are longer and temperature is mild.  The local library may have maps for hiking trials. https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

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Housing Market is Slowing

The housing market slowed with increasted mortgage rates in the Puget Sound regions with Seattle, Bellevue will have more homes to chose from.  Jesse Tam, the eastside's multiple and over asking prices are leveling with some homes on the market taking long to sale. Inventory of single family homes and condominiums across the 26 counties served by Northwest MLS has not exceeded two months since January 2019 when there was 2.3 months of supply.    

The median price on last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condos increased 6.1% from a year ago, rising from $589,000 to $625,000. For single family homes only (excluding condos), prices jumped about 6.6% and condo prices gained more than 8.6%. In the four-county Puget Sound region, price changes ranged from a gain of about 2.7% in King County (from $789,000 to $810,000) to a jump of nearly 12.7% in Pierce County (from $501,500 to $565,000).  Snohomish County increased 9.3%.               

  Active listings have nearly doubled from a year ago, jumping from 7,948 offerings of single family homes and condos to 15,381 (up 93.5%). The addition of 11,805 new listings during the month contributed to the boost. Compared to June, the selection expanded by 1,976 listings (up 14.7%). Evidence of slower activity appears in the sales figures. Pending sales retreated about 24% from a year ago, dropping from 11,567 to 8,775 mutually accepted offers. The NWMLS report shows a nearly 30% yearover-year decrease in closed sales (declining from 10,919 closings to 7,645). Despite fewer sales, prices still rose, but at a slower rate. 

The median price on last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condos increased 6.1% from a year ago, rising from $589,000 to $625,000. For single family homes only (excluding condos), prices jumped about 6.6% and condo prices gained more than 8.6%. In the four-county Puget Sound region, price changes ranged from a gain of about 2.7% in King County (from $789,000 to $810,000) to a jump of nearly 12.7% in Pierce County (from $501,500 to $565,000). Kitsap prices rose 5.4% while prices in Snohomish County increased 9.3%.  Stay connected https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

Cruise Season Returns to Seattle

 The long awaited return of Alaska 's cruise season returns to Seattle with 14 ships calling western Washingon home this summer.  Jesse Tam, the first ship arrived Arpil 11th and will be a boost to local businesses and tourism in the greater Puget Sound region. The Port of Seattle will be hiring 350 workers needed to help with greeting visitors when they arrive at the airport. New workers will be required to handle with departure and arrival of the ships.There are full-time and part-time opportunties to fill the positions.

•  Carnival Cruise Line
•  Celebrity Cruise Line
• Holland American Line
•  Norwegian Cruise Line
•  Oceania Cruises
•  Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean 

The cruise industry is an important component of the Southeast Alaskan  economy. The past two years have been very difficult for local businesse in Alaska. We'll see more families traveling this year and our region will be on the lists, Seattle and Pacific Northwest is a favor summer detination.

Stay connected, thanks for reading https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/  Safe travels....

Explore the Trails

It's not too early to start planning for outdoor activities and leave greater Seattle's urban life to discover the various trails on the eastside. Jesse Tam, no problem to reach the trailheads without a car.  Did you know Metro created a program Trailhead Direct as a seasonal service to designated trails to help elevate congrestion and parking as well as those who do not drive. Check out these places on your next trip to help you plan https://trailheaddirect.org/ 

 Here are some things to remember when you ride the bus or take public transportation:

• Masks are required onboard and while waiting for your Trailhead Direct vehicle at transit centers.
• Please ensure you wear your mask over your nose and mouth and keep it on for the duration of your trip. Help us protect the vehicle operators and one another while en route to the trailheads.
• Respect the passenger limits onboard Trailhead Direct vehicles, and please observe the signage onboard to block seats to support physical distancing.
• King County Metro is disinfecting vehicles daily, and has installed safety partitions.

Plan ahead and check the schedules for updates and changes.  Take warm clothing as weather can change, water to stay hydrated and keep the surrounding area and trails clean.  Pack out everything that you bring in.  https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading, relax and enjoy the trails.

Monday Morning Reminder

 The beginning of a new year 2022 brings renewal and new pages to start looking ahead.  It makes us appreciate what difficult pandemic the past 2 years limited travel, friends, family....Jesse Tam, here's to challenges for us to strive ahead and be flexible with each daily task and flow.  A moment to reflect on the past and things accomplished, ideas and things on the bucklet list continues...

Monday morning make a new week to get things done and handle whatever happens.  How will you handle each situation can make a difference in keeping a positive attitude or learning ffrom the experience.

There will always be a wish lists and a list where we want to put way down to the bottom and hope it will be delayed.  We may not like to do some task, but it 's how we go about taking care of the situation.

Remember to stay focus, you can handle whatever this week throws at you.