This week, around Thurston County.

If you pay your property taxes directly, check your second-half balance now. The usual October 31 deadline falls on a Saturday this year. Under Thurston County’s published weekend rule, the deadline moves to Monday, November 2, 2026.

I’d handle it before the weekend rather than make Monday exciting. If your mortgage company pays through escrow, check that the payment is being handled before making a separate payment yourself. Check the county’s payment guidance →

Freddie Mac’s October 22 release puts the 30-year fixed average at 7.32%, down from 7.40% last week. The 15-year average is 6.68%, down from 6.71%. These are national averages, not personal loan quotes. For a home you’re considering, ask your lender for the full monthly payment, including taxes and insurance. Those costs deserve a place in the budget, too.

See the latest Freddie Mac release →

Westside street corner · Kyle Knows Oly neighborhood guide

Say “the West Side” and you could be talking about quite a few different places. My West Olympia guide covers the urban area from West Bay through Harrison and Division, out toward Capital Mall and the residential neighborhoods farther west.

You’ll find older street grids, ramblers, hillside homes, attached housing and newer infill. Northwest Olympia, Southwest Olympia and West Bay each have their own identity. Goldcrest and Ken Lake / Lakemoor are worth looking at individually, too.

That variety is the point. Rather than decide whether you like “the West Side,” pick a few streets and try your normal routine. Drive the route you’d actually take, check the parking, and walk to the places you’d use.

Then look closely at the house: condition, drainage, yard upkeep and any association rules. Near the urban edge, confirm jurisdiction and utilities by address. A broad neighborhood name won’t answer those questions.

Explore the West Olympia guide →

Have you tried Greg Cuoio Park yet? Lacey’s October–December newsletter says its first 139 developed acres are open. There are nature trails, disc golf, a picnic shelter and a playground at 2711 Carpenter Road NE. Published hours are 7 a.m. until dark. This is the completed first phase; additional improvements depend on future funding. See what’s open.

If you’re comparing homes around Lacey, put a park stop between appointments. It’s a useful way to get a feel for the area beyond the driveway and living room.

For a rainy-day option: Lacey Museum’s free Spooky Boo Boxes activity runs during its Thursday, Friday and Saturday opening hours through October 31. Decorate a small treat box, then take a look around the museum.

The museum is at 4160 6th Avenue SE, Suite 101. Thursday and Friday hours are 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday is 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The activity is open to all ages. Check the museum event details →

In Alexandria, Virginia, there’s a little blue house at 523 Queen Street that is about seven feet wide. The local tourism bureau calls it the Spite House. This is a historic-home detour, not a new listing.

The familiar story goes like this: in 1830, John Hollensbury got tired of wagons and people using the alley beside his home, so he filled it with another house. Visit Alexandria repeats that account; the name has certainly stuck.

Most people would have started with a fence. Apparently, he had a different budget.

It’s still a private residence, so admire the photos rather than showing up expecting a tour. And whatever the origin story, it’s a good reminder that a floor plan matters more than the phrase “charming and efficient.”

Before you buy, bring a tape measure. Especially if you’re attached to your couch.

See the little blue house →
Historic-home feature · Visit Alexandria, April 16, 2026