Weekend Planner

Here's your link to a list of all the Open Houses in West Seattle this weekend. After that, pick one or two of the other fun events below.

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS 

This Saturday and Sunday, from 10A-1P both days, I will be holding open a truly unique, 3+ bedroom Victorian-style home in Fauntleroy, West Seattle, just up the street from Endolyne Joe's. The address is 9252 44th Ave SW, MLS #259212. List price is $399,000. Listing broker is my Prudential colleague, Bruce Butterfield. Come see me and pick up a coupon for a free ice cream cone from West Seattle's own, Husky Deli!

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
WED-SUN Display of hundreds of 2012 cars, trucks and SUVs plus concept cars and more at CenturyLink Field Event Center. www.seattleautoshow.com

AUBURN VETERANS DAY PARADE & OBSERVANCE
SAT The largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi! Includes a military fly-over, marching bands, honor guards, military marching units and vehicles, veterans units, drill teams, community and scouting groups, as well as floats, antique cars and more in downtown Auburn. www.auburnwa.gov

HMONG NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
SAT Celebrating the Lunar New Year by welcoming the prosperity of the coming year with music, dance and more at Seattle Center. www.seattlecenter.com

CULTURAL CROSSROADS
FRI-SUN Two stages of ethnic entertainment, international bazaar, Lego and Dolls of the World display at Crossroads Bellevue. www.crossroadsbellevue.com

POLISH HOME HOLIDAY BAZAAR
SAT-SUN Bakery and dessert bar, delicatessen, dinner served or take-out, Polish crafts, books and more at Polish Home Association in Seattle. www.polishhome.org

GREEN SEATTLE DAY
SAT This event is the kick off to our planting season and is a celebration of our neighborhood parks and committed neighbors. Volunteer at one of 15 parks around Seattle. http://greenseattle.org/events/2011-events/november/green-seattle-day-11-5

TACOMA SKI SWAP
FRI-SAT Tacoma Ski and Snowboard Mega Sale. Clean out your closets and sell your old gear and bring in the New for 2011 at University of Puget Sound. www.tacomaskiswap.com

ISTANBUL'S GRAND BAZAAR TURKISH CULTURAL CELEBRATION
SAT Turkish performances, marketplace, traditional food and exhibits at Sammamish City Hall. www.ci.sammamish.wa.us

LA CONNER ARTS ALIVE
FRI-SUN Downtown La Conner is filled with art, music, poetry and food at over 50 galleries, shops, museums and restaurants. www.laconnerchamber.com

END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
SUN Turn back the time at 2 AM Sunday, 11/06/2011. It’s also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

NEW MOVIES
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
Tower Heist

Survey Reveals 5 Home Buying Myths

Survey Reveals 5 Home Buying Myths

Overall, today's home buyers tend to be fairly knowledgeable about the real estate market, but there are still a few points of confusion in the process, as revealed by a new survey conducted by Zillow of 1,000 potential home buyers.

• Appreciation: About 42 percent of home buyers believe home values will appreciate by 7 percent a year. Reality: Historically, home values in a normal market appreciate by 2 to 5 percent in a year.
• Mortgage insurance: 41 percent of buyers think they will have to purchase private mortgage insurance, regardless of the amount of their downpayment. Reality: Buyers only need to purchase PMI if their downpayment is less than 20 percent of the home’s purchase price.
• Appraisals: 56 percent of the buyers said the purpose of the appraisal was to determine if a home was in good condition. Reality: That’s the purpose of a home inspection; an appraisal estimates fair market value.
• Home owner’s insurance: 37 percent of home buyers said that buying home owner’s insurance is optional. Reality: Lenders require homebuyers to purchase homeowner’s insurance.
• Ownership: 47 percent of home buyers said a prospective buyer owns a home after the purchase contract is signed. Reality: The purchase and sales agreement is the beginning of the closing phase, but it can be a long process until they finally take ownership.

How many of these did you believe?

Source: Daily Real Estate News, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011

What's this?

I've been seeing this on a lot of sewer drains the past 6 months or so. Any idea what the black stuff is and what it's supposed to accomplish? Is it some sort of filter? Seems as if it would cause problems in a serious rain storm.

Progress on "Denny Park West"

The grass is growing, a Big Toy is installed, the asphalt is laid for the tennis courts, and a (miniature, it seems) ball field is in place. Yep, things are starting to take shape in the park that the City doesn't want to give an official name. Here are my latest photos.

Nothing to do this weekend? You've GOT to be kidding!

WEEKEND PLANNER FOR OCTOBER 28, 29, and 30 OPEN HOUSE EVENTS SKIFEVER & SNOWBOARD SHOW FRI-SUN  Up to 70% off Ski and Snowboard Gear plus entertainment and discount lift tickets at the Washington State Convention Center.  www.skifever.orgISLAND RETREAT ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKET SAT  30 vendors of antique, vintage, artful and handmade goods, everything you need to refresh your home for the changing seasons at PORT Event Center in Anacortes.  www.retreatvintagemarket.com HARVEST & HALLOWEEN EVENTS: DIA DE MUERTOS SAT-SUN  Traditional sand painting, art exhibit, music and dance performances, short films, food, craft activities, display of alters representing regions of Mexico, community altar for all to display photos, flowers, notes and items to remember loved ones at Seattle Center.  www.seattlecenter.com/festal MARIS FARMS IN BUCKLEY ONGOING  Haunted woods, pumpkin patch, corn maze, food and fun for all.  www.marisfarms.com APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL SAT Help make apple cider and apple butter, sale of fresh apples, cider, and produce, farm tours, kids' activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, 10 a.m. Saturday, Dog Mountain Farm, 7026 Tolt Highlands Road N.E., Carnation; $5 www.dogmtnfarm.com/calendar.html KELSEY CREEK PUMPKIN PATCH SAT-SUN Pumpkins for ages 18 months to 9 years old, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Kelsey Creek Park, 410 130th Place S.E., Bellevue; $5 includes pumpkin; no registration needed (425-452-7688) PUMPKIN EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE SAT-SUN Ride historical Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad 45 minutes each way from Elbe depot to pumpkin patch at Mineral Lake; "Great Pumpkin" helps pick out pumpkins (one per passenger); games at lake, food for purchase, 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 54124 Mountain Highway E., Elbe, Pierce County; $20-$25, reservations advised www.mrsr.com DR. MAZE'S CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH ONGOING Mazes, farm animals, pumpkins, produce, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday; $7/corn maze; explore the corn maze and pumpkin patch with your flashlight, 6-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through October, $9; Dr. Maze's Farm, 15410 NE 124th St., Redmond; $9 www.drmazesfarm.com CARPINITO PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE ONGOING Pumpkin patch, 9 a.m.-dusk daily, corn maze, 9 a.m. to an hour before dusk daily, South 277th Street and West Valley Highway, Kent (253) 854-5692 or www.carpinito.com FAIRBANK ANIMAL AND PUMPKIN FARM ONGOING Farm animals, pumpkin patch, Tiny Tot Maize Maze and Hay Tunnel, harvest theme, nothing scary, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through October, 15308 52nd Ave. W., Edmonds; $2.50/person admission, pumpkins $1 and up  www.fairbankfarm.com REMLINGER FARMS PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL ONGOING Steam train, pony rides, farm petting zoo, kiddie rides, corn maze, u-pick pumpkin field, wagon ride, farm market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through October, Remlinger Farms, 32610 N.E. 32nd St., Carnation; $14.16-$16.61 www.remlingerfarms.com FALL FESTIVAL AT CAMP KOREY ONGOING Corn maze, pumpkin picking patch, hayrides, s'mores, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through October, Camp Korey, 28901 N.E. Carnation Farm Road, Carnation; free; $7/corn mazewww.campkorey.com/grow FALL FESTIVAL AND PUMPKIN PATCH ONGOING Hay-bale maze, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through October, Fox Hollow Farm, 12031 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E., Issaquah; $8 www.foxhollowfamilyfarm.com/events/fall-festival FALL CITY FARMS ONGOING U-pick pumpkin patch and farm stand, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays through October, Fall City Farms, 3636 Neal Road, Fall City; cash or checks onlywww.fallcityfarms.com PICHA'S PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE ONGOING Pumpkin patch, corn maze, nothing scary, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 3-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Oct. 30, Picha Farms, 6502 52nd St. E., Puyallup www.pichafarms.com CARLETON FARM PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE ONGOING Pumpkin patch, farm market, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through October; Day Maze, 10 a.m. to one hour before dusk daily, $4.50-$6.50; Night Maze: The Haunted Swamp for ages 12 and older, 7-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Kids Play Areas Saturdays-Sundays, $5/per child, Kids Train, $3, Carleton Farm, 830 Sunnyside Blvd. S.E., Everett www.carletonfarm.com PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE, SWAN'S TRAIL FARM ONGOING Pumpkins, petting farm, corn maze, farm market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October, The Farm at Swan's Trail, 7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish; free admission, fees for some activities, $6/corn maze www.thefarm1.com BOB'S CORN & PUMPKIN FARM ONGOING Corn mazes, farm stand, pumpkin patch, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October, free hayrides to pumpkin patch, kids' train ride, snacks, corn cannon, playground, pony rides, Fridays-Sundays, night maze, 6-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Bob's Corn, 10917 Elliott Road, Snohomish; free admission; corn mazes $3-$10 (360-668-2506 or www.bobscorn.com CRAVEN FARM PUMPKIN PATCH ONGOING Pumpkin patch, farm animals, corn maze, Harvest Market, 9:30 a.m.-dusk daily, through October; hay rides, weather permitting, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Craven Farm, 13817 Short School Road, Snohomish; free admission, fee for corn maze and some other activitieswww.cravenfarm.com BAILEY FARM PUMPKIN PATCH ONGOING Pumpkin patch and u-pick garden, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October; food vendors, Pumpkin Barn hay fort and kids play areas, wagon rides, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Bailey Family Farm, 12711 Springhetti Road, Snohomish; free admission, weekend activities $2-$3www.baileyveg.com FOSTER'S PRODUCE AND CORN MAZE ONGOING U-pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, kids' activities, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through October; pumpkin launcher, wagon rides Saturdays-Sundays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Foster's Produce and Corn Maze, 5818 SR 530 N.E., Arlington; $5.50/corn maze, $1/hay maze fosterscornmaze.com MINDER FARM CORN MAZE ONGOING Corn maze, farm stand, 4-7 p.m. Friday, 9-7 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday through October, 1000 Glud's Pond Road N.E., Bremerton; $5-$8 (360-479-0880) GORDON SKAGIT FARMS AUTUMN MARKET ONGOING Heirloom pumpkins, squash, cider, apples, gourds, pumpkin patch, corn maze, Halloween displays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October, Gordon Skagit Farms, 15598 McLean Road, Mount Vernon www.gordonskagitfarms.com PUMPKIN FEST FRI-SUN Pumpkin catapults compete, pumpkin patch, hayrides, hay maze, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October, $2/person admission; seasonal fare and items at local restaurants and merchants, Hunter Farms, 1921 E. Highway 106, Union www.visitunion.com HAUNTED HOUSES & MORE: BASTYR HAUNTED TRAILS FRI-SAT Spooky activities for children under 8 years, 5-7 p.m., and ages 8 and older, 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore; $3-$20www.bastyr.edu/news/news.asp?NewsID=2559 THE NIGHTMARE AT BEAVER LAKE ONGOING Nighttime city park walking path of scares plus pavilion haunted house maze, proceeds benefit charities of the Rotary Club of Sammamish; Family Scare, 7-7:45 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Oct. 26-31; Full Scare, 8-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 8-10 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 26-27; 8-11 p.m. Oct. 28-29; 8-10 p.m. Oct. 30-31, Beaver Lake Park, 25201 S.E. 24th St., Sammamish; $8-$15www.nightmareatbeaverlake.com DARK HOLLOW HAUNTED FOREST ONGOING Walk on dark path with ghoul, for ages 10 and older, proceeds benefit youth groups, 7-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, non-scary family walk, 5-6 p.m. Saturdays, Royal Arch Park, 20821 Maple Valley Hwy., Maple Valley; $15-$20; $3 off with food bank donation; $5/Family Walkwww.DarkHollowHaunt.com FRIGHT FEST ONGOING Scream Factory Haunted House, dance party, rides, entertainment, 6-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 5-9 p.m. Sundays through October, including Booville scare-free zone for ages 10 and younger with activities, trick or treat, 6-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 5-7 p.m. Sundays; Wild Waves and Enchanted Village, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S., Federal Way; $24.99, $10-$20/parkingwww.wildwaves.com KIDS & FAMILY ACTIVITIES: DELRIDGE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL FRI Games and treats for ages 12 and younger, 6 p.m. Friday, Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way S.W., Seattle; free (206-684-7423). FAMILY FUN, GREEN LAKE FRI Family music, games, pumpkin carving, 5 p.m. Friday, Green Lake Community Center, 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; free (206-684-0780 or www.seattle.gov/parks) FREAKY FALL FESTIVAL, RAVENNA FRI Come in costume for carnival games, crafts, jumpy toy, for ages 12 and younger, 6 p.m. Friday, Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E., Seattle; $3/person (206-684-7534). GHOULISH THINGS GLOW IN THE DARK, MAGNOLIA FRI Bounce houses and tumbling in the dark, for ages 6-1, 6 p.m. Friday, Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., Seattle; $3/child (206-386-4235). BURIEN NIGHT OF THE PUMPKIN FRI Celebration of Halloween and Day of the Dead, come in costume, carnival games, crafts, bonfire, Day of the Dead altars, music, storytelling, 6 p.m. Friday, Burien Community Center, Fourth Avenue Southwest and Southwest 146th Street, Burien; $4 www.burienparks.net HAMLIN HALLOWEEN HAUNT FRI Spooky songs and stories around a campfire, hay wagon rides, games, come in costume, bring a flashlight, 6 p.m. Friday, Hamlin Park, 16006 15th Ave. N.E., Shoreline; free (206-801-2600 orwww.shorelinewa.gov/parks) HAUNTED INDOOR MINIATURE GOLF FRI-SUN Miniature golf in the dark with special effects, for ages 7 and older, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, with Halloween theme, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, $3-$4; South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue (425-452-4240) BAINBRIDGE GARDENS PUMPKIN WALK FRI-SAT Nature trail with 300 lighted, carved pumpkins, harvest maze, music, bounce house, food vendors, 6-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Bainbridge Gardens, 9415 Miller Road N.E., Bainbridge; free admission, suggested cash donation for attractions benefits Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Clubwww.bainbridgegardens.com PUMPKIN BASH, BITTER LAKE SAT Games, entertainment, jump toys, wear costume, for ages 2-10, 6 p.m. Saturday, Bitter Lake Annex, 13040 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle; game tickets 25 cents; canned food bank donations requested (206-684-7524) HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL & SILENT AUCTION SAT Carnival for ages 1-8, silent auction, train rides, bake sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Shoreline Cooperative Preschool, 816 N.E. 190th St., Shoreline www.shorelinecooperativepreschool.org ISLAND WOOD HOWL-O-WEEN SUN Pumpkin carving techniques and inspirations, tales of ghosts and goblins, haunted pumpkin-patch trail, 1 p.m. Sunday, IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island; free, preregistration required www.islandwood.org/events/howl-o-ween LI'L SPOOKY THINGS, MAGNOLIA MON Activities for ages 5 and younger, 10 a.m. Monday, Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., Seattle; free (206-386-4235) TODDLER HALLOWEEN, GREEN LAKE MON Dress in costume, bring a bag, for ages 1-5, 6 p.m. Monday, Green Lake Community Center, 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; $2/person suggested donation (206-684-0780) TODDLER PUMPKINPALOOZA, HIGH POINT SAT Pumpkin painting, games, wear costume, for age 1-5, 10 a.m. Oct. 27, High Point Community Center and Field, 6920 34th Ave. S.W., Seattle; free (206-684-7422) GHOSTOLOGY EVENT, MONTLAKE SAT "Ghost tour" in the dark, wear a costume, for ages 10 and younger, 6 p.m. Oct. 27, Montlake Community Center, 1618 E. Calhoun St., Seattle; games 25 cents each (206-684-4736) AUTUMN HARVEST CARNIVAL, TUKWILA SAT Kids' costume contest, craft activities, games, food available, 6 p.m. Oct. 27, Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila; $3/advance or $5 at the door, per child (206-768-2822 orwww.tukwilawa.gov) NEW MOVIES: IN TIME PUSS IN BOOTS THE RUM DIARY Happy Halloween my friends!  And remember, the Real Estate Market doesn’t have to be scary.  In fact, the real estate market is quite good right now.  Sales have doubled in our area from last year to this year and we are experiencing a shortage on inventory. Plus, interest rates are in the low four percents. Of everyone you know, can you think of anyone who would want to buy or sell a home right now?  Give me a call, send me a text or an email.  I’d love to hear from you. 206-708-9800