Homeward Bound | August 2017

Want to Meet More Neighbors? Take Your Dog for a Walk!

As most of you know, August is National Night Out. This annual event encourages neighbors to connect and exchange information.

No matter how long you’ve lived in your neighborhood, it can be challenging to meet a lot of your neighbors. Neighborhoods are only as good as their neighbors. In a world where so many people recognize neighborhood cars over the faces of people who live around us, there’s a lot to be said for making an effort to connect with the people who live up and down the block. So how do you make those first few casual connections which can lead to meaningful bonds?

One of the best ways to meet people is on foot. Want to get to know and be known? Get out there on foot. A routine morning or evening walk is a perfect way to say hello and stop for a chat. Don’t wear headphones. Be open to conversations. Observe who’s out and about and use compliments and open ended questions to spark a little small talk. Another great ice breaker is to take your dog with you. Dogs can be an excellent way of meeting more of your neighbors.

Are you in need of a buddy to take for a walk? Consider adding a dog to the family. Meet Chuckles! (I love her name!) She’s an energetic 4 year old who loves to go on walks. She does need to work on her leash manners, however she is house-trained. She would do best as the only pet in the house. She prefers people over other dogs and cats are just way too tempting to chase.

With Chuckles at your side, you’re bound to meet lots of new neighbors!

And summertime is probably when food banks need your help the most. That’s because children are on break from school and their families have to provide the meals that they normally would get through school meal programs. Six out of seven low-income kids who eat a free or reduced-price school lunch do not get free meals during the summer because they don’t participate in summer meal programs.

So what can you do to help? Does this mean you should go out and buy a bunch of fruits and vegetables to donate to your local food bank? Or maybe donate some extra produce from your home garden? No. The best way that you can help families in need is to donate money to your local food banks. Food banks have agreements or partnerships with distributors/suppliers so that they are able to stretch your donation dollars to purchase more items, usually in bulk. For example, a one-dollar donation—to a food bank hub like Feeding America—can provide 11 meals to families in need. And 68 percent of the foods distributed are healthy foods that align with the USDA Dietary Guidelines.

Kitty Hall is Back!
Kittens Take Over City Hall
Monday 8/21
11am—1pm
600—4th Ave, Seattle

For cat lovers around Seattle, Kitty Hall is the most magical Seattle Animal Shelter event of the year. This is a great opportunity to get your “kitten-fix”. Where else can you play and snuggle with adorable kittens? Last year’s event drew over 500 people. The goal of the event is to promote cat adoption and awareness for the need of kitty foster homes.

This is the fourth year of Kitty Hall. It has become such a popular event that at least five other animal welfare organizations in the US have “copycatted” Seattle and created their own Kitty Hall events.

Thinking about adding a kitty to your family? There are several cats available, but check out these beauties:

Molly is a very sweet older gal who was found as a stray in very poor condition.
It’s a miracle she survived on the streets, given she is completely deaf.
She’s a lucky girl!

Miss Grey was also a stray found on Capital Hill.
She is a happy cat who enjoys attention and people.
She prefers to be the only pet in the home.

Carmen is a regal beauty with a big personality.
She’s very social and likes to chat with her favorite people.
She’s a lap kitty who loves to snuggle.

The Birds and The Bees

OK…apparently I am not very good with the birdy birth-control! Meet Henley. He’s 13 days old in this photo. He was an accident. Our third accident for 2017. As most of you know, I prefer to hand feed our pet pigeons after they are a week old so that they are tame with us as adults.   Luckily for me, I have a business partner who embraces my passion for my pets. I bring Henley to the office with me every day so that I can feed him during the day.   He’s a little cutie and has been a hit with my colleagues who are amazed at how fast he’s grown.

Your referrals help improve the lives of local shelter animals…

Steve and I are happy that we can help out the Seattle Animal Shelter. If anyone you know is considering making a move, wanting to buy or sell their home, please refer them to us. They will receive excellent care and service. And as you know, we back our performance for both buyers and sellers with our Performance Guarantees.   Not only will your friends and family receive our award winning service, but we donate a portion of our commission to support the Help The Animals Fund. It’s our way of saying Thank You for your loyalty and trust! So YES! your referrals help   local shelter animals.

We want to make it easy to refer your friends, neighbors, associates or family members considering making a move. Here are your options:

1. You can go directly to BrennerHillRewards.com and provide your referral
2. Email Sandra with your referrals at sbrenner@windermere.com.
3. Of course you can always call or text us directly! We would love to hear from you. Steve 206-769-9577 or Sandra 206-271-7100

You and your referrals mean the world to us. Please know we are extremely thankful for you being a part of our business.

With much appreciation —Sandra & Steve

While house-hunting is still tough, we are seeing an easing. We think the summer doldrums that typically begin in August have arrived a bit early. This summer may prove to be a great time to buy. As you all know, Steve and I guarantee in writing that our clients will love the home they buy or we will sell it for free within the first year of their closing date. So who do you know that is considering making a move that would benefit from that kind of peace of mind? We would be honored to have your referrals!

Our Performance Guarantees

Life moves fast for some and we are eager to make the home buying and selling experience a smooth and rewarding one. Over the past decade we have helped hundreds of families sell their home and/or buy another. We have met some wonderful, loving, caring people. People like you!

All clients receive the following guarantees!

Your Home Sold Guaranteed, or We Will Buy It!*

Learn more at BrennerHillGuarantee.com

If You Are Not Satisfied With Your Home Purchase We Will Sell It For Free – Guaranteed!*

Learn more at BrennerHillBuyerGuarantee.com

Your Referrals Help Improve The Lives of Local Shelter Animals.

Learn more at BrennerHillRewards.com

*certain restrictions apply on guarantees, call for details.

Why We Support the Seattle Animal Shelter

As you all know by now, I am a huge animal lover! My home life includes 11 pet pigeons in an outdoor aviary, a ring neck dove and Pionus parrot in my home office, two 3 year old cats and, thankfully, a very easy-going husband! Most of the pigeons are rescues, the dove is a rescue and our 31 year parrot was adopted 11 years ago, and, of course, our two crazy cats were adopted from the Seattle Animal Shelter and PAWS. I am a huge believer in giving animals a second chance.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is, for the most part, a no-kill shelter. Meaning, they will not   euthanize an animal because of space or time.  They rely heavily on volunteers and donations. Please help us to help improve the lives of these shelter animals!

We donate a portion of every transaction to the Help The Animals Fund. Donations to this fund are put to work in numerous ways to promote animal welfare. The top priority is to rehabilitate animals that are the subject of cruelty and neglect. Donations to this fund pay for veterinary care for shelter animals along with promoting educational outreach to prevent homeless, unwanted and abused animals. This fund also supports the shelter’s foster and volunteer program ensuring that each animal receives loving care while at the shelter.

With much appreciation – Sandra & Steve