Olympia Tribune

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Seattle Area Becomes Magnet for Design and Development Firms

Just how hot is the Seattle home market? So hot it tops the country in both bidding wars and price gains. According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in the city have seen double-digit growth for more than a year now. For over eight months, Seattle has led the nation as top city in the housing market.

The median home value in Seattle is now approaching $700,00. Home values have risen 15.2% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will increase 7.9% within the next year. Puget Sound is now also home to some of the top design and build firms in the US.

The Mine, a fast-growing home furnishings e-commerce brand, is owned by Lowe’s and calls Kirkland home—only thirty minutes from downtown Seattle. To stand out in the home improvement space, The Mine offers a unique Personal Concierge Service: complimentary one-on-one design consultations for everyone, whether they’re a do-it-yourself apartment decorator or a professional designer.

Their customer-first approach includes 3D imaging to allow consumers to interact with the product and feel confident in their purchasing decisions.

“We’re revolutionizing the design industry by making it easier to create the home you’ve always wanted,” said The Mine President, Michelle Newbery. “Personal Concierge is The Mine’s most cutting-edge brand concept. Whether you’re looking for a special item, scheduling in-home services or placing an order, we provide complimentary assistance for the entire customer journey, from design concept to project completion.”

The Seattle opportunity hasn’t been lost on Eugene Sherman Residential Design & Development. The design and development company believes location is always key, but increasingly, so is sustainability.

Eugene Sherman’s Newest Magnolia Contemporary

Their mission includes reducing and recycling demolition waste, installing LEED Certified 5-star energy efficient appliances and incorporating the latest in sustainability standards into each of their homes.

Eugene Sherman’s interiors aim for contemporary without sacrificing warmth and elegance.

Open space: Kitchen and dining areas of Eugene Sherman’s Magnolia Home

But location does matter. Eugene Sherman homes are located in Seattle’s most desirable neighborhoods. Low inventory is one of the factors in the steep rise of housing prices. Companies like Eugene Sherman realize busy buyers often want homes and yards that are easy to maintain and move-in ready.

According to founder Adam Salmon, “Regardless of the high demand for housing right now, I take the time to build each Eugene Sherman home as if it were my own personal residence; it’s in my DNA. We don’t cut corners to move on to the next project. It is just not our approach. I want to be proud of our homes ten or twenty years from now.”

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Brokers’  Stephanie McMahon and Shannon Vallentyne are quick to point out that while area prices continue to climb, Seattle is still relatively affordable compared to other West Coast gateway cities. Current market dynamics indicate demand for housing here will continue to outpace supply throughout the foreseeable future.

Over the next eighteen months, Eugene Sherman’s homes will be showing up in Seattle neighborhoods with high walk scores, located minutes from the crane-filled downtown.

Like Eugene Sherman, but on the south end of the Puget Sound, Gig Harbor-based Brett Marlo Design Build is also selling lifestyle. Company founder Brett Marlo DeSantis said, “We strive to improve our client’s quality of life by designing and creating functional, beautiful and healthy spaces.”

Brett Marlo’s Affordable, Adaptable Housing solutions feature homes on wheels

Brett Marlo’s model is deeply wedded to the Washington State love of nature ethos. DeSantis said, “We believe quality of life improves when our living spaces combine function and beauty using earth-friendly regional materials.” Brett Marlo Design Build projects often feature repurposed materials and her AAAH! brand of movable tiny homes are a great example of the company’s culture; right down to the blue-jean-insulation-stuffed walls.

Seattle homeowners are leading the way not only in snapping up property, but in making sure that, with sustainability in mind, growth trends continue for the foreseeable future.