Date Archives: January 2016

Maple Valley Named to 40 Safest Cities in Washginton List

SafeWise.com posted its list of the 40 Safest Cities in Washington for 2015, and Maple Valley, WA--one of our favorite cities in South King County—made the list. With its close proximity to some of the area's most beautiful natural areas, a low crime rate and beautiful homes, Maple Valley is a great place to consider in your next move.

Low Crime Rate Lands Maple Valley on the List Two Years in a Row

Maple Valley has a low crime rate of 0.60 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 13.35 property crimes per 1,000. This means that those who purchase a home Maple Valley have a less than one in 1,000 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime.

Maple Valley Named on Best Places to Live in Washington

SafeWise.com was not the only site to notice the benefits of living in Maple Valley.  Only in Your State also named the town as one of the best places to live, citing its excellent schools and natural beauty that make it a great family-friendly location. Affordable real estate option also helped it land a spot on this list.

Are you looking for a great place to buy a home? NerdWallet named Maple Valley as one of the top five places in Washington for homeownership due not only to its safety but also to the affordable properties in the community. With a homeownership rate of over 83 percent and low property costs compared to the average household income, it is a logical choice for those looking to move to the Seattle suburbs.

A Family Friendly Community

Finally, Maple Valley has won numerous accolades for its family-friendliness. NerdWallet.com also named it among the Best Towns in Washington for Raising Kids. Businessweek Magazine called it one of the Best Places to Raise Kids, and Family Circle Magazine called it one of the 10 Best Towns for Families.

What makes Maple Valley so popular with families? Schools rank at the top of that list, with award-winning programs through the Tahoma School District. Low housing costs are another reason. Finally, the natural beauty of the area, centered on Lake Wilderness Park and the Lake Wilderness Arboretum, are a big draw. Because of all of this, the city is growing, seeing a 63 percent growth between 2000 and 2010.

If you want to get in on the growth and benefits of life in Maple Valley, contact Sheri Goldman and her team for help searching for Washington real estate in this thriving suburb. With experience in the local real estate market, SheriGoldman.com will help you find your home.

Conserve Energy and Save Money

Has winter brought higher energy bills to your home? Are you finding it difficult to keep your home comfortable without driving up your energy costs? We've created our list of six ways to save energy and money this winter.

1. Harness the Power of the Sun

On a sunny day, open your blinds to let the sunshine in, but only on south-facing windows. The sun streaming in the windows will provide natural heat for your home. Keep in mind that you should close the curtains or blinds when the sun is not streaming in to keep the heat inside.

2. Lower the Thermostat at Night

Add an extra blanket to your bed and lower the thermostat when you go to sleep. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save an average of 10 percent per year on heating costs if you adjust your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees at night. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to warm the house back up in time for your morning alarm, so you won't even notice the difference until your lower bills start to arrive.

3. Pay Attention to Furnace Maintenance

Have you had your furnace checked this season? Ensuring that it is clean and fully functional is an important part of keeping your home warm while saving energy. Also, make sure all vents and the furnace itself are clear from items blocking the path of air.

4. Pay Attention to the Water Heater

When was the last time you checked your water heater? Make sure it is set to a comfortable, but not-too-hot, setting of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water heating costs can drive up your monthly gas bills significantly, and most homeowners forget to check this particular cost.

5. Seal Up the House

If you have not already winterized your home, one of the best energy savings tips you can embrace is to look for leaks and drafts and seal them up. Caulk and add weather stripping around doors and windows and even insulation film on particularly drafty windows can help keep your heated air where it needs to be - in your home!

6. Insulate the Ductwork

Your ducts could be losing energy without your knowledge before it can be used to heat your home. Leaks in ducts are the first culprit, but also ductwork in cold areas of the home, like the basement, can be a problem too. Consider adding insulation after you have sealed the ducts to ensure that you are not losing heating energy through the ducts.

Winter is here, and the cold weather it brings. With these energy savings tips you can keep your Washington home warm and comfortable without driving up your heating bills tood. If you are considering starting the search for a new home, winter is a great time to start because there are fewer interested buyers, and therefore less competition. Contact our team at SheriGoldman.com for help.