Almost everyone is aware of the great work that Habitat for Humanity does for our communities in helping to provide affordable housing for families able to contribute sweat equity in the construction of their homes. The Seattle Chapter is an successful partner in that noble cause.

Funding is always a challenge for non-profs. One way the Seattle Chapter is meeting this challenge is by recently opening an Outlet Store. The way it works is that contractors, retail stores, developers and the general public donate items to the store which they then sell at a significant discount from retail prices. You can find appliances, building supplies, cabinets and fixtures, flooring, furniture... virtually the same kind of things you might find at a big box store only on a bit of a rotating basis. The donated items run the gamut from brand new to unused to gently used to on their last legs and are discounted accordingly. You can view a small sampling of theri current inventory here.

I've spent a couple of days volunteering at the store and I can tell you that the staff is very accomodating and professional. It's a friendly, fun place. If you don't live in Seattle you might check online to see if your community has Habitat Outlet.

The next time you have a home improvement project consider that you can find real bargains at the Seattle Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store, your used items, in good working condition, can be donated to Habitat for Humanity and that all of this helps to increase funding for this cause while decreasing waste in our landfills.

Not everything can be about real estate. My daughter, Carly, is a member of the 5th ranked WSU Women's Rowing Team (that's Washington State University). Last week the varsity 8 beat their cross state rivals, the UW Huskies (my alma mater), on the Husky's home course, RESULTS. Carly was in the varsity 4 boat which took a close third, good for her first outing of the year in a 4 person shell.

This week the team is headed to Stanford for a two day regatta, DETAILS. I wish I could be there but the Seattle real estate market appears to be picking up somewhat and I've got appointments Saturday and Sunday (plus who'd want to miss what may be the coldest April 19th and 20th in Seattle's history. They're predicting snow. Yea). 

If you've got a rower in your family I'd love to have you share your thoughts. Hanging with my kids last weekend on the Montlake Cut made for a near perfect Saturday moring. The Husky in me hates to say it but, GO COUGS!