Don't get burned buying firewood!

Here are some great tips for buying and burning firewood this season:

Wood Burning Basics

Burn Only Dry, Seasoned Firewood Freshly cut wood contains up to 80% moisture, and must be "seasoned" (dried to 20-25% moisture content) before burning. Wood containing more than 25% moisture is "wet" or "green", and should never be burned in a fireplace or woodstove. If exposed to rain, a fallen tree will wet-rot before it ever dries enough to be used for fuel. To properly season firewood, cut it into stove-sized pieces and stack it so air can circulate and carry away the moisture as it evaporates through both ends of each piece. The woodpile must be sheltered to prevent rainwater from being re-absorbed, which reverses the drying process: firewood that is exposed to rain will rapidly become just as wet as it was when freshly cut. Wood must be cut into pieces and stacked out of the rain for at least 6-9 months to season properly. If no seasoned wood can be found, high-density compressed sawdust logs make an excellent substitute. Avoid burning mill ends in woodstoves, as the exhaust from even "untreated" mill ends has shown itself to be tremendously corrosive to metal. Burn The Wood Gases Most of the moisture content remaining in seasoned firewood consists of wood resins. As wood heats up in the fire chamber, these resins emit combustible gases which, when ignited in the secondary burn chamber, can account for as much as half the heat output of the fire. When green or wet firewood is burned, the extra water content turns to steam and mixes with the wood gases, preventing them from igniting and releasing their heat value. When the draft control is set too low and the fire smolders, the wood gases won't ignite in the resulting oxygen-starved environment, even if the firewood is properly seasoned. When the wood gases aren't burned in the secondary burn chamber, they escape up the chimney, taking their heat value with them and creating heavy creosote formation. Don't Let Creosote Build Up In The Chimney Creosote is a highly combustible substance which condenses in liquid form as wood exhaust cools in the chimney, and then solidifies as it dries. If ignited, creosote can burn for days at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to destroy the chimney and ignite surrounding combustibles. Creosote is very caustic; if allowed to accumulate, it will significantly shorten the lifetime of the stovepipe and chimney. A seasoned-wood fire that is given enough oxygen for proper combustion will reduce creosote formation in two ways, by consuming more of the wood gases while at the same time sending more heat up the chimney to reduce flue gas cooling. Practice Proper Chimney Maintenance Creosote should be removed from the chimney before buildup in the flue exceeds 1/4" thickness. Chimneys which vent properly operated woodstoves generally require cleaning once per year. If green or wet wood is burned, or if the fire is allowed to smolder, the chimney will require cleaning much more often, and should be inspected frequently. Creosote sticks like glue, and must be removed with a tight-fitting steel brush. Rattling tire chains down the chimney or pulling a bag of straw through the flue won't remove creosote, and neither will a chimney fire. Chimney fires burn away the resinous portion of the creosote, but the sooty husk remains: if this husk isn't removed after a chimney fire, smoke will filter through it, rapidly re-depositing fresh liquid resin. In a very short time, the chimney will be as bad as it was before the fire. Follow These Woodburning Tips If steam bubbles and hisses out of the end grain as the firewood heats up on the fire, the wood is wet or green, and needs to be seasoned longer before burning. If a wood supplier advertises his wood as "seasoned", or claims that it has been "down" for a year or two or ten, be skeptical. Ask if the wood has been cut into pieces and stacked out of the rain for at least 9 months. If it hasn't, it isn't ready to burn. Shelter the woodpile from the rain, but don't cover it completely with plastic tarps or store it in an enclosed shed or garage; air circulation is necessary to ensure proper seasoning. Never burn garbage, mill ends, or individually wrapped compressed sawdust logs in a woodstove. These contain chemicals which, when burned, are highly corrosive to metal. Unless the stove is EPA approved, never try to make a load of fuel burn longer than 6-8 hours. EPA approved appliances have built-in safeguards to prevent smoldering, but many older airtight can be adjusted to smolder along for extended periods, resulting in heavy creosote deposits. Operate woodstoves with their draft control wide open for 20-30 minutes each time firewood is added, or until the fresh load is totally engulfed in flames. This will send heat up the flue to help solidify the liquid creosote deposited by the previous load, while kindling the wood to start gasification of the resins for efficient burning. NEVER try to clean a chimney by deliberately starting a chimney fire. Have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once per year. If a chimney fire occurs, close the draft control on the stove completely to quench the supply of oxygen, and call the fire department immediately. Then, make sure the chimney is thoroughly cleaned as soon as possible.

Huge 6 Bedroom House in West Seattle

5203 45 Ave SW Seattle 98136
List Price 749,650
Listing# 27170788
Beds 6 / Baths 2.5 / Fireplaces 2
Year Built 1968
Covd Prkg. 2 Garage-Attached
Appx. SQFT 4800
Acreage 0.145
Lot Size 6300
*listed by Rich Bianchi

Huge 6 BEDROOMS and 4800 sq. ft. including garage. Great views of the sound, Olympics and territory. Slate entry, separate dining room, family room with fireplace off kitchen and 3/4 bath in large master suite. Finished basement with view, 3 bedrooms and rec room. Large double garage. Deck that's great for sunset view and BBQ's. Patio area and nicely landscaped yard.


If you would like to view this condo you can contact your agent, Me or Rich

Washington State 4th Best Place To Start A Business

According to CNN Money, Washington is the 4th best place to start a business due to our "Low taxes and low electricity costs..."

Top 3 include
1. South Dakota
2. Nevada
3. Wyoming

I had no idea electricity costs played such a huge impact on start ups.

2 Bedroom Home with a View in West Seattle

Click To View Video Of Home


List Price $424,950
Listing# 27200195
Beds 2 / Baths 1 / Fireplaces 1
Year Built 1941
Appx. SQFT 1490
Lot Size 5650

View!! This new remodeled home has a nice westerly sound view from both living rm & kitchen. Kitchen has new tile floors/granite countertops,the french doors lead to gorgeous new 2 tier deck that is over 400 sq. Ft! Spacious bdrms w/ cedar lined closets. Family rm/basement has good ceiling height, could be 3rd bd? Garage, just off kitchen has huge potential for family/game rm. Great floor plan, a must see. Beautiful backyard w/ ALLEY PARKING for 2 cars. Great privacy hedge in front yard.

If you would like to view this House you can contact your agent Me or Bunny

3 Bed / 3 Bad / 3 Fireplace Home in West Seattle

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List Price $1,299,999
Listing# 27118509
County King
Beds 3 / Baths 3 / Fireplaces 3
Year Built 2006
Covd Prkg. 2 Garage-Attached
Appx. SQFT 2200
Lot Size 9904
www.PatriciaHillis.com

If you would like to view this home you can contact your agent Me or Patricia Hillis

4 Bed 3 Bath Home in Madrona

421 31st Ave Seattle 98122
List Price $680,000
Listing# 27192521
Beds 4 / Baths 3 / Fireplaces 1
List Price 680,000
Year Built 1908
Appx. SQFT 1820
Lot Size 5000
(Listed by Rosemary Pham)

Price Reduced by $25k! This light filled beautifully renovated home offers comfort, privacy and convenience in the desireable Madrona neighborhood. Enjoy views of LK Wash from the front deck and outdoor entertaining on the back patio. Custom kitchen opens onto a formal dining rm and features stainless appliances, copper counter tops and lots of storage. 2nd flr has Master Suite w/walk-in closet, roomy guest bdrms and skylights. Well maintained yard is beautifully landscaped. More information at www.LakeWashingtonView.com

If you would like to view this condo you can contact Me or Rosemary

Superb West Seattle Seaview Location

$899,950

Spectacular Built Green Level 3, Energy Star new construction in Ideal Seaview area

Award Winning Builder

4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2992 sq ft, 6864 lot size

Gourmet kitchen has GE Profile Stainless Appliances
White wood cabinets, granite countertops

Large Adjoining Media room w/gas fireplace and wetbar, slider to trex deck for relaxing and entertaining

High Tech Wiring

Master bedroom has views of Sounds & Olympics

Master bath accented with travertine tile and jetted tub
Sellers offering 10K buyer bonus and 2K agent bonus

Contact: Patricia Shiras, Real Estate Advisor, ABR and LuxuryHome Specialist 206-714-3975

Hip West Seattle Junction Condo

One West Condo - West Seattle Living at it's Finest!
This is a delightful and spacious 3rd Floor, End Unit that gets the morning sun, enjoy the open floor plan with a partial view of the Sound and sunsets. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 992 sq ft w/b fireplace, very spacious kitchen, 2 decks, walk in closet in the master, secure garage, storage. Everything you need and want is within walking distance. Living in the Junction is so convenient you will love it there!!

Patricia Shiras, Real Estate Advisor 206-714-3975
Estella Petersen, Real Estate Professional 206-251-2585

According to the NAR - Seattle Real Estate to continue to Soar

There is a great article in the Seattle PI that talks a little about the national real estate scene and the local Seattle scene

From the Article
"Yun suggested Seattle will continue as one of the bright lights, which it's been this year. Median year-over-year home prices have risen every month save October, when they were down slightly.

But Seattle's strength may go beyond the usual reasons: a strong local economy and good job growth propelling housing demand.

Yun suggested that Seattle may be joining such cities as New York and San Francisco as "superstar cities" whose desirability attracts affluent newcomers who bring the buying power to continue pumping up housing prices."

Read The Article Here

Seattle/Tacoma - #1 Consumser of Coffee in the Nation

According to a new survey by HealthSaver
These are the most caffeinated cities when you take into consideration all caffeinated products

Most Caffeinated Cities:
1. Chicago
2. Tampa
3. Miami
4. Phoenix
5. Atlanta

Least Caffeinated Cities:
1. San Francisco/Oakland
2. Philadelphia
3. New York
4. Detroit
5. Baltimore

If you just look at coffee alone, the Seattle/Tacoma area tops as the number one coffee consumer in the nation, followed by Boston & Houston.

Most Coffee Consumption, Regular coffee & specialty coffee drinks:
1. Seattle/Tacoma
2. Boston
3. Houston
4. Chicago
5. Miami

From NeedCoffee & HealthSaver

One Bedroom First Hill Condo Close To Downtown

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Pictures of Building Lobby, Entertainment Room, Meeting Room & Fitness Center




412 11th Ave Seattle 98122 (unit 403) First Hill

List Price $295,000
Listing# 27139707
Beds 1 / Baths 1
Year Built 2002
Parking 1 Common Garage
Project Epic Condominiums
Appx. SQFT 712
(listed by JB Webster)

A bright and clean upper level one-bedroom unit with a nice balcony in a newer building recently converted to condos and loaded with special site features. Close to Freeway, Capitol Hill and Downtown

If you would like to view this condo you can contact your agent, Me or JB Webster

Newly Refinished 1 Bedroom Condo (Beacon Hill)

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2810 16th Ave S Seattle 98144 (Unit 204) Beacon Hill

List Price $259,950
Listing# 27187080
Beds 1 / Baths 1
Year Built 1930
Appx. SQFT 723
(listed by Rosemary Pham)

Great opportunity to own a newly refinished condo. One of the few classic brick buildings left in the heart of Beacon Hill! The interiors are impeccably retouched while maintaining all of their old world charm. Spacious and light filled, this corner unit has new appliances, refinished hardwoods, coved ceilings, original woodwork, and fun built-ins! Located across the street from future Light Rail, next to the Beacon Library and within minutes of downtown, I-5, I-90, 99. Stop by today!

If you would like to view this condo you can contact your agent, Me or Rosemary Pham

Dine Around Seattle - 30 for $30 is back

The popular 25 for $25 is back as 30 for $30(blame it on inflation).
Nov 1st thru Nov 29th
30 Restaurants 3 Course Meals for $30
The list of restaurants can be found here