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Shawn’s Journal of Real Estate, Architecture + Design, and Intentional Living in the Pacific Northwest.


If Your House Doesn’t Smell Like Lilacs Right Now, You’re Doing Spring Wrong
A stylish guide to what’s blooming in the Puget Sound region right now—from peonies and lilacs to sculptural rhododendrons—and the local flower farms sourcing the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful spring blooms.


Think Selling As-Is Protects You? Why Form 17 Could Still Cost You Thousands. Here’s How to Protect Your Profit.
Selling a house as-is requires more transparency, not less. Under RCW 64.06.020, your duty to disclose is absolute. Learn how to navigate the Form 17 to protect your equity and your closing date.


The Secret Sauce for White Interior Paint: Why the Specific Shade Can Make or Break Your Sale
Choosing a paint palette isn't an aesthetic whim; it’s one of the most effective high-ROI home improvements. Discover the specific "Gallery White" swatches that work with the unique light of the Pacific Northwest.


A Strategic Guide to Distressed Real Estate Investment
Inflation and market shifts are bringing distressed inventory back to the table. If you are looking into distressed real estate investment, you need to know the hierarchy of risk and reward: Short Sales, Foreclosures, and Receiverships.


Greater Seattle Housing Market 2026: Are You Trapped in the Waiting Room?
Are you waiting for the perfect time to buy? The Seattle housing market in 2026 is moving fast. Discover why the 'Waiting Room' trap is costing you equity.


The Jewel Box Strategy: High-End Real Estate Positioning for Small Primary Suites
In the Seattle luxury market, square footage is a metric, but "feeling" is the currency. Discover how to use high-end real estate positioning to turn a compact primary suite into a high-value "Jewel Box" that commands a premium.


Legacy: Inside the $43M Lake Tahoe Estate of a Rock & Roll Legend
Explore 969 Fairview Blvd, a $43M Incline Village estate formerly owned by Rock & Roll legend Mike Love. This Lake Tahoe luxury real estate masterpiece features 10 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, and unparalleled privacy via 6 acres of conservation land. Discover the ultimate Nevada tax haven through a private introduction.


The Benchmark of NW Modernism: Analyzing the Rarity of a Roland Terry Original
This Roland Terry original in Bellevue’s Hilltop enclave is a definitive benchmark for midcentury modernism. Built in 1953 and meticulously updated, the residence captures the Northwest Regional vernacular through floor-to-ceiling glass and a low-slung, landscape-driven silhouette. Experience a rare piece of architectural history featuring panoramic views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline. A true collector's property for the design-conscious steward.


Get Out. The High-Stakes Case for Vacating Your House Before Listing.
Selling a home while living in it can make showings harder—and even affect the final price. Data shows vacant homes often sell faster and for more because buyers can imagine their own life there. If moving out isn’t possible, the key is making your home feel like a luxury listing: neutral, uncluttered, spotless, and ready for buyers to picture themselves living in the space.


Mary L. Davis’s Personal Midcentury Modern Masterpiece Hits the Market—for Under $600K
Rarely does a piece of architectural history hit the market for under $600,000. Designed and lived in by pioneering architect Mary Lund Davis, this award-winning Fircrest home proves that quality beats quantity every time. Explore the "collectible" home that defined a movement—and why its modest footprint offers a massive opportunity for the next owner.
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