Thursday, December 21, 2017

Water Sports, Snow Sports, and Hiking Destinations in the Seattle Area


A Washington state real estate professional based in the Seattle suburbs of Kirkland and Sammamish, David “Dave” Leonti is a broker with Keller Williams Realty and, on the side, runs a house-flipping business. In his free time, Dave Leonti is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the region’s many options for water sports, snow sports, and hiking.

Water sports: Accessible via a short tram ride from downtown Seattle, Lake Union offers people opportunities to canoe and kayak while enjoying views of the Emerald City’s skyline. On the seacoast, many visitors to Alki Beach take to the water in rented kayaks or paddleboards.

Snow sports: Adventurous skiers have access to challenging runs at Crystal Mountain Resort’s Silver King Peak. From Silver King, skiers can see Mount Rainier, which, during the winter, offers excellent snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Hiking: Also a hiking destination, Mount Rainier maintains trails for hikers of all levels. Another spot favored by Seattle hikers is Mount Si, a 3,150-foot peak located less than 45 minutes from downtown.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Ways to Reduce Remodeling Costs


A real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty, Dave Leonti divides his work between finding properties that fit buyers’ criteria and remodeling and flipping homes. Possessing more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, Dave Leonti is skilled at creating a realistic budget and timeline for home remodels.

It doesn’t take much for a home remodel to exceed a budget. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce remodeling costs; the following are a few examples:

- Use light tubes: Light tubes easily slip between roof rafters and are a great option for increasing natural lighting within the costly process of installing windows. These items help sunshine travel from the roof into a small living space, such as a hallway, thus brightening them up.

- Buy supplies: In many cases, contractors offer to purchase supplies for remodels. However, these supplies may come from a single source and not be the most cost-effective. Instead, homeowners can purchase supplies on their own and search for the best deals available.

- Keep drain lines: Rerouting plumbing is extremely costly and may add several thousands of dollars to remodeling costs. For this reason, it is best if homeowners plan a remodel around their existing plumbing.

- Get imitations: Homeowners should strive to get the highest-quality supplies possible, but that doesn’t always mean they need authentic supplies. For example, hardwood floors made from real wood cost around six times as much as engineered wood flooring. If remodeling costs are high, look for imitations that offer lower prices.

Friday, November 3, 2017

How to Pick the Best Spot for a Beach Run


Based in the state of Washington, Dave Leonti is a real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty. In his free time, Dave Leonti enjoys running on the beach

Because of the work leg muscles and tendons have to perform to remain stable on sand, running on a beach is 1.6 times harder than running on hard surfaces such as pavement. This extra work makes running on the beach a great workout to burn calories.

For a good run on the beach, pick the right shoreline. The beach should be at least a mile long, not shortened by a jetty or river mouth. The beach should also be as flat as possible. 

Running on slanted surfaces burdens the feet and can lead to injury. Make sure the surface of the beach is clean, not littered with rocks, broken bottles, or broken seashells, which can cause injuries. 

Wet sand from a receding tide is the best for beginning runners since the sand is firm and steady. Running on dry, soft sand is more difficult. 

When your feet sink in dry sand after each step, pushing off for the next step is fatiguing. Your calves will have to work much harder to propel you forward. For this reason, experienced beach runners opt for dry sand.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Washington State Real Estate Market Yields Record Home Prices


Dave Leonti has worked in the real estate industry for over 20 years. He is a licensed real estate broker who also serves as a property manager and equity owner in Casa Dolce Homes, a professional house-flipping company based in Sammamish, Washington. In both capacities, Dave Leonti’s success requires a thorough understanding of the trends and prospects of the Washington State housing market. 

Currently, Washington State is experiencing record home prices, particularly in the Seattle area. Seattle leads the nation as the hottest housing market, with home prices increasing by more than $100,000 over the past year. On average, home prices across the state increased by over 12 percent in the first quarter of 2017, when compared with the same period in 2016. The latest data indicates that the median price for a home in Washington State is between $320,000 and $330,000, with Seattle single-family homes averaging around $700,000. 

The condition of Washington’s real estate market can be attributed to a number of factors. As job opportunities and income in the state rise, so do the population and demand for houses. Sellers often perpetuate the problem. With increases in demand, some confident sellers decide to hold on to their homes, in anticipation of the value increasing even more. Others who would otherwise sell are reluctant to do so because buying another home is no longer affordable. These factors have attributed to a dearth of inventory in a market where demand shows no signs of slowing down.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Real Estate Trends in Washington Show a Boost in Inventory


For more than two decades, Dave Leonti has worked in the real estate and construction industry. Dave Leonti divides his time between flipping homes and managing construction budgets as a project manager for Casa Dolce Homes and selling properties as a broker for Keller Williams Realty in Kirkland, Washington.

According to Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), a service that aggregates home listings for most of Washington State, buyers may have better luck finding a home during summer. In June 2017, NWMLS reports that 13,658 new listings were added. This is the highest number of new listings added in one month since May 2008, which had 14,176 listings added. 

However, total inventory for June 2017 is still lagging behind June 2016. Total active listings for condos and single-family homes reached 14,482 in June 2017. While this number seems significant, it is 14 percent lower than the total June inventory last year. Still, real estate professionals feel positive about the real estate market in the state due to the fact that total inventory increased by 16 percent between April and June this year.

On top of June’s increase in total and new inventory, brokers also reported a 3.4 percent increase in pending sales when compared to one year ago. However, this number does vary between counties. While King, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Pierce Counties experienced record-setting pending sale numbers, nine other counties in Washington saw year-over-year decreases in their number of pending sales.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Considerations for Staying Safe Outdoors in Winter Temperatures


A real estate broker with more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, Dave Leonti serves clients seeking homes in the areas surrounding Kirkland, Washington. Dave Leonti enjoys engaging in outdoor activities in his spare time and maintains a particular interest in water and snow sports. Participation in outdoor winter activities requires special attention to safety precautions specific to snow and low temperatures. 

Proper clothing is the imperative first step in winter safety, as it protects the body from the elements and helps it maintain heat. Clothing suitable for cold weather exposure includes water-repellent and windproof items that allow moisture to evaporate from the body and cover vital areas such as the extremities. Wool offers the best singular protection, although layering clothing is preferable when exposed to fluctuating temperatures. 

An understanding of the hazards involved with winter weather can also increase safety as it provides the opportunity to develop precautionary measures. For instance, hypothermia and frostbite are preventable conditions that can lead to considerable physical damage. Individuals who embark into the cold should learn to recognize early signs of hypothermia and the proper response, while also taking the steps to prevent it.