See our resources & guidance.
RESOURCES FULL - REFERENCE ONLY
RESOURCES FULL - REFERENCE ONLY
SEATTLE GUIDE
Welcome to the Emerald City! There’s much to discover between the mountains and the Sound, and in this complex city of small neighborhoods and big tech.
City Resources
- “Newcomer’s Guide” to Seattle
- Zoning Map
- Permit & Property Records - search for nearby development or past remodel permits
- ADUniverse for backyard cottage/accessory unit research
Seattle History
- Seattle Archives
- Museum of History and Industry
- Black Past in Seattle
- Historic Seattle - preserving and repurposing older buildings
REMODELING
From total redos to modest updates, there’s always something to do throughout the life of your home. Let’s arm you for success!
Fixes
- Average costs for local services—coming soon!
- Oil tank decommissioning, remediation, or removal—information from City of Seattle & local vendor, Filco.
- Sewer repairs, both methods/process and understanding City responsibilities.
- Hazardous materials testing for locally relevant items, plus places to test (NVL, Environix, Affordable Environmental).
Upgrades
- Cost vs. Value - Deciding what improvements are worth
your time & money - Earthquake retrofitting
- Drainage resources from King County & City of Kirkland
- Heat pumps & HVAC
- Rebate & credit programs - See Sustainability resources
- City zoning map & map of current projects
- ADUniverse for backyard cottage/accessory unit research
- Department of Construction & Inspections resources for remodeling & permits
- Tree info - what can you cut & what is protected
Best practices
- Protecting yourself when hiring a contractor
- Working with contractors
- Sustainability tips
- Local trade associations
- Ways to pay for upgrades:
- HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)
- Home Equity Loan
- Credit card, payment plan, or cash (ask for discount & know the risks)
- Windermere Ready (pre-sale “work loan”)
Interested in the most sustainable options?
MONEY & MARKET
Understand the local housing market and your place in it through data—then contact me for the context to help you make confident decisions.
Housing Market
- National real estate statistics / information from Keeping Current Matters
- Local statistics (NWMLS) & market updates (Windermere)
- Local economic outlook from Windermere's Matthew Gardner
- Seattle/King County Fannie Mae & Freddy Mac “conforming loan” limits
- City of Seattle rental resources, RRIO program, and Short-term Rental Regulations from the city / AirBnb.
Real estate finances
- Loan basics: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Guide to Getting a Home Loan
- Refinancing resources from Nerd Wallet and my preferred lender, Danny Meier.
- Preferred lenders for buying/refinancing/bridge loans
- Windermere Ready program (short-term loan for selling preparation)
- Current interest rates from Mortgage News Daily
SUSTAINABILITY
There are so many ways to save energy, lower utility bills, and live more safely within your home while reducing carbon emissions—and Seattle is a great place to level up your sustainability game.Seattle is known for its eco-conscious mindset. You can reflect this in your own life through sustainable upgrades and lifestyle choices made at home.
Energy
- Home electrification/decarbonization ideas
- Heat pump/HVAC tips
- Solar resources
- Electrical vehicle charging
- Insulation improvements
- Local programs, rebates & resources
Waste
- Composting
- Ridwell for non-recyclables
- Building waste
- Finding secondhand materials
Water
- Lawn alternatives
- Salmon safe programs
- Water catchment & recycling tips
- ?
Videos
BUYING VIDEO (3 MIN)
BUYING VIDEO (3 MIN)
BUYING VIDEO (3 MIN)
BUYING VIDEO (3 MIN)
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Eva Canary, Managing Broker
206.799.8285
eva@canary.homes
Windermere Real Estate Co.|Seattle - Eastlake
1177 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Windermere Real Estate Co.
Seattle - Eastlake
1177 Fairview Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
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