Cheryl Dillon Real Estate

10/30/2026

10/29/2026

🛣️ A private road can quietly add another household expense

Buyers spend a lot of time comparing price, finishes, and square footage. This is one of the quieter details that can matter just as much after you move in.

Ask how the road is maintained, who pays for grading, paving, snow response, drainage, and repairs, and whether there is a formal road maintenance agreement.

The road is part of your daily ownership experience even when it sits outside the house. The goal is not to make the home search feel complicated.

It is to notice the things that are difficult or expensive to change before they become your responsibility.

Would a private road change the questions you ask?

10/29/2026

Thinking about a home with a backyard cottage or in law suite in Seattle? Permitted ADUs can sometimes count toward your mortgage qualifying.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://cheryldillonrealestate.com/blog/can-adu-income-help-you-qualify-in-seattle-

Have questions about buying a home or what your home might be worth in today's market? I'd be happy to help.

📞 425.954.5622

🌐 https://CherylDillonRealEstate.com

Seattle home prices can stretch your budget, so every bit of qualifying income helps. If your place has an accessory dwelling unit or you plan to add one, you might be wondering whether that rent can count toward your mortgage. You are not alone. In this guide, you will learn when ADU income can be

10/28/2026

🚙 A shared driveway deserves more questions than most buyers ask

Buyers spend a lot of time comparing price, finishes, and square footage. This is one of the quieter details that can matter just as much after you move in.

Find out who owns it, who maintains it, how costs are shared, whether there is a recorded agreement, and what happens when repairs are needed.

Shared access can work beautifully when expectations are clear. The goal is not to make the home search feel complicated.

It is to notice the things that are difficult or expensive to change before they become your responsibility.

Would you ask to see the maintenance agreement?

10/27/2026

🅿️ Your car may fit the parking space and still make daily life miserable

Buyers spend a lot of time comparing price, finishes, and square footage. This is one of the quieter details that can matter just as much after you move in.

Check stall width, turning radius, guest parking, tandem arrangements, storage conflicts, and how easy it is to enter and exit when neighboring spaces are occupied.

Parking inconvenience becomes a repeated cost in time and frustration. The goal is not to make the home search feel complicated.

It is to notice the things that are difficult or expensive to change before they become your responsibility.

What issue would be a deal breaker for you?

10/27/2026

A smaller home sounds simpler, yet it does not always mean a smaller payment. Before you sell to downsize, weigh the full cost of the next home, the timing of the sale and purchase, and what you want more of. Here are eight things to consider.
👉 Read the full blog here: https://cheryldillonrealestate.com/blog/thinking-about-downsizing-in-greater-seattle-8-things-to-consider-before-selling
Have questions about buying a home or what your home might be worth in today's market? I'd be happy to help.
📞 425.954.5622
🌐 https://CherylDillonRealEstate.com

A smaller home does not always mean a smaller payment or a simpler life. Here are eight things to weigh before you sell to downsize in Greater Seattle, from the full cost of your next home to taxes, timing, and community.

10/26/2026

🪜 The attic hatch should not require moving half the house

Sellers naturally focus on cleaning, staging, and price. Some of the details that make a transaction easier are much less obvious.

Clear the path to the attic access and make sure stored items, shelving, or furniture are not blocking it.

Simple access makes inspections smoother and reduces unnecessary friction. Small preparation steps can reduce questions, protect the showing experience, and give you more options when something needs attention.

Could someone reach your attic access in two minutes?

10/25/2026

🏡 Buyers usually compare bedrooms, bathrooms, price, and commute.

I also want them to compare friction.

Where do groceries enter the house?
Is there a place for wet coats and muddy shoes?
How many stairs are between the car and kitchen?
Where does the dog go outside at 6 AM in the rain?
Can two people get ready at the same time?
Where will packages sit?

These details sound small until you repeat them every day. A home that supports your routine can feel larger and easier than a home with more square footage and awkward flow.

During your second showing, stop admiring the finishes for five minutes and walk through an ordinary Tuesday.

What daily routine would you test during a showing?

10/24/2026

🎃 Two free downtown Halloween traditions are coming up.

Downtown Bothell hosts Trick or Treat on Main Street on Friday, October 30 from 5 PM to 7 PM with more than 30 candy stops. Downtown Edmonds hosts its Halloween Trick or Treat Night on Saturday, October 31 from 5 PM to 7 PM, with downtown businesses handing out treats and a festive community atmosphere.

These are the kinds of local traditions that make fall in the Pacific Northwest so much fun.

Want this month’s local event lists?

DM me KING for North and East King County or SNOHOMISH for South Snohomish County and I’ll send them to you.

10/24/2026

Home values cooled, so why did your property tax bill go up? In King and Snohomish counties, Washington's budget based system means your assessed value helps determine your share. For 2026, King County's second half payment deadline is November 2, while Snohomish County lists October 31. Learn more at the

👉 Read the full blog here: https://cheryldillonrealestate.com/blog/your-home-s-value-dropped-so-why-are-your-property-taxes-higher
Have questions about buying a home or what your home might be worth in today's market? I'd be happy to help.
📞 425-954-5622
🌐 https://CherylDillonRealEstate.com