Perfect Sunset Hill Cape Cod - Just Listed!

New Listing!  Offered for $450,000

Bright light-filled spaces welcome you to this classic Cape Cod on a large corner lot in sought after Sunset Hill location.  It’s just a few short blocks to shops, restaurants, and all that Ballard has to offer. Built in 1945, this home has been well cared for and includes some fabulous updates. The main floor offers a convenient circular floorplan with fireplace, large picture window, beautiful hardwood floors, gas range, 1 bedroom and a full bath.  You’ll find 2 more spacious bedrooms upstairs and a fantastic new rec room and new bath in the fully finished basement.  Updated systems include plumbing, electrical, appliances, windows and a new high efficiency furnace.  A large yard with gardening space, fully fenced area including a patio and an oversized garage complete this very solid home.

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Buyers -- What is your Motivation?

There are just 5 short days left to have an accepted contract and still qualify for the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6500 credit for qualified current homeowners. I've been surprised that I do not know too many Buyers in the past month that seem motivated to take advantage of this opportunity. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that it is more important to find the "right" property then it is to rush just to get the credit, but when you've been looking for many months (some of my Buyers have been in the market for 10 months or more) and have found many great homes that would suit you perfectly but still haven't purchased, I think you really need to sit down and re-evaluate your motivation to buy at all. Are you looking for reasons to talk yourself out of homes that are a good fit? Or are you genuinely looking for that one special gem that is so radically different from everything else you've liked you will absolutely know that it is "the one" the moment you see it? Based on all the homes you've seen is this a realistic possibility? It may be, but are you sure you're not subconsciously sabotaging your home purchase by continually finding reasons NOT to buy? Instead of looking for reasons TO buy?

If you're a home buyer that has been in the market for a while now and has seen more than 50 homes, stop and ask yourself the above questions. What are you really waiting for or looking for? Interest rates will likely never be this low again in our lifetime, and Seattle prices are back down to 2004-2006 levels (depending on location and price points), AND the US government is willing to give you $8000 to buy a home!?!! It really isn't going to get any better than this folks. Trust me!
So you home buyers that have been "on the fence" for many months...I say get out there and start looking for reasons TO buy and stop looking for reasons NOT to buy!

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New Listing in Meadowbrook!

I just listed this very comfortable and convenient home in Meadowbrook. It is quite affordable at only $265,000 and a very easy commute to downtown Seattle, UW, or the East Side. And unlike most comparable new construction, this one has ALL of the appliances included and custom window shades as well...bonus! 1370 sqft of finished livable space plus an additional 200 sqft garage. It has 3 bedrooms, and 2.5 bathrooms (one on each level). There is a fenced yard space perfect for a patio, pets, or gardening.
More information can be found HERE.

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Tax Credit Extended! *ALMOST!*

Senators agreed yesterday to extend the popular tax credit giving first-time homebuyers up to $8000. The plan was set to expire at the end of November, but the new proposal will extend it to buyers who are "in written contract" on a home by April 30th, 2010, and they have until June 30th to close the transaction. Now to clear up some confusion, nothing has been signed around yet so it is not quite official even though Senators have agreed.

In addition to first-time homebuyers, the program is now proposed to be opened up to repeat buyers who have owned their home for at least 5 years. The credit would be slightly reduced for repeat buyers at a maximum of $6500.
Opening it up to other buyers besides just first-timers is a great move and will hopefully help to stimulate some other price points a bit.

And just in case you still don't know what all of this is about, here's the cute video again that explains it! Enjoy!

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