About Covington's Foxwood

Everyone seems to be speculating when we are going to recovery from this market condition mess. Yesterday, I heard that we in Washington State are about 6 months behind whatever is happening in California regarding market conditions. So what is the market condition in California today?

Today I read an article in the Realtor® Magazine Online about Housing Recovery. To summarize it inshortly, it's not going to happen unitl the next decade-so they say. Have we bottomed out? The majority I've heard is that we have, but who knows.

It is always interesting to hear what everyone's opinion are about our market condition in the State of Washington as well as in our local cities.

There are three key things that you should remember when staging your home to sell.

• Odors
• Noise Control
• Lighting

Odors
Pet, unusual cooking spices, and smoking odors can take up to a month to eliminate. Smoke odors can be tough to erase. Give yourself the necessary time for the odors to dissipate. Clean your carpets or change it (don't forget changing the pads too), drapes, linesn, air filtes and clothing.

If it is cooking odors, you want to clean the cabinets, floors, and stove top to remove spice residue. Sometimes drapes need to be cleaned or replaces.

A fresh coat of paint is your best defense, but don't forget to wash the wall first if it is from cigarette smoke.

Avoid the musty smell of a vacant home by strategically placing a few plug-ins around the house. Make sure the scents coordinate and isn't too overpowering. I suggest vanilla.

Antiques and older furniture can give off odors. Remove it or try scented candles to top it off.

Noise Control
This one is difficult to mask, but try anyway. When a house is near a freeway of major road, it is difficult to sell in a soft market. Try a fountain by the front door and in the backyard to distract outside noise. When you are shoing the house, elevator or "easy listening" music should be playes.

Noisy neighbor? Close the windows.

Lighting
Light the place up! Energy saving bulbs make your house appear dull and drab. Change these if you are using them. Make sure all room have enough lamps. All lights should be turned on when people come to see your house, even during the daytime. Old dated, yellowed or dust ridden lamp shade should be replaced. Don't forget to remove the plastic shields off from the shades.

Mother earth gave us the best lighting of all. Pull the blinds and open the shades and let the sunshine in.

Well, this may sound like of a strange Title, I didn't know what else to call it except just that.

When putting a home on the market, this is the first thing you notice when entering a home. As a listing agent, I have dealt with pet odors, and very strong cooking odors. I usually recommend leaving carpet freshner in the carpet for 24 hrs, then vaccuum it up, and repeat process. This has worked for my clients always. On the other hand, smoking odors in a whole different entity by itself.

I am always hearing stories from other agents about smoking odors being the toughest one of all to get rid of. I just know that the carpet freshner isn't going to cut it.

First of all, if you are going to change carpets, don't forget to change the pads too. Second, if you are going to paint the walls, don't forget to wash the walls first. Third, remove all upholstery furnitures, and wash all window coverings.

What do you do when you did all of the above and you still are smelling cigarette smoke when the house is vacant and has been repainted, stripped, and cleaned, with new carpets? I don't know! Anyone out know of a solution out there?

It is that time again to take advantage of the FREE Networking Breakfast in the City of Covington. Join Chamber members as they network and listen to fun, interesting speakers.

Location: Radcliffe Place, 13510 SE 272nd Street.

Date & Time: April 15, 2009. 8:00 am - 9:00 am.

Cost: FREE

Hosted By: City of Covington Chamber of Commerce Members.

There are some new great events here for you to take advantage of at the Covington Library. Check it out.

Wee Ones Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Newborn through prewalkers with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to bond with your baby through books.

Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Story Time will be held in the Story Time room

Young Toddler Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: For walking babies/young toddlers (or waddlers) up to 24 months with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to start your child on the...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Held in the Story Time room.

Study Zone
Event Type: Study Zone (K-12)
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Grades K-12
Drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors.
High School Math on Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
Age(s): Teens, Children & Families

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.


Age(s): Children & Families

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.


Age(s): Children & Families

Toddler Tales Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Nurture a love of books as you and your toddler enjoy reading, rhymes, songs and movement activities.
Age(s): Children & Families

Preschool Pizzazz Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 4 to 6 with adult, younger siblings welcome
Help your preschooler get ready to read! Enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.

Age(s): Children & Families

Anime and Manga Club
Event Type: Teen Programs
Date: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Start Time: 4:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Teens in grades 6-12
Do you love Anime or Manga? If yes, then join this club.
Age(s): Teens

Spanish/English Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Everyone welcome, children must be accompanied by adult
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Registration not required.

Covi Adult Book Group
Event Type: Book Clubs
Date: Thursday, April 09, 2009
Start Time: 2:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Please join our friendly afternoon book discussion. This month we will discuss The Soloist by Steve Lopez. This is a nonfiction book soon to be a new film by director Joe Wright. New mem...
Age(s): Adults

Super Saturdays Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Enjoy stories, songs and activities that tickle the imagination.
Age(s): Children & Families

TechConnect
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Come to an interactive open house and learn the many ways KCLS technology can connect you to reading, recreation, entertainment and lifelong learning pursuits. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will be...
Age(s): Adults

Laughter Club
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Monday, April 13, 2009
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Please join us for a half hour of laughter and stretching exercises. Come reduce your stress by laughing. No jokes, just simulated laughter which stimulates more laughter. All you need is a willingnes...
Age(s): Adults

Talk Time
Event Type: Talk Time
Date: Monday, April 13, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Free conversation class to improve basic English. Meet people from around the world and learn about American culture.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Registration not required.