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| Rooftop hot tub with a city, lake & mountain view! |
Friday, February 28, 2014
Nice View Condo Just Listed for only $245,000!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Mid-Century Home Just Listed in Madison Valley!
Just listed yesterday is this cool mid-century home in coveted Madison Valley. List price is $465,000. I love the vaulted ceilings, retro fireplace, and beautiful eco-friendly bamboo flooring!
Three bedrooms, 2 full baths, a large living room, kitchen, and dining room that flows out onto the deck complete the main level. Downstairs there is a good sized rec room which could also be used as a 4th bedroom. Or, remodel and make this your romantic master suite with cozy fireplace! Lots of possibilities to add some personal touches and value to this home, but the seller has provided a beautiful blank slate for you to work with!
Come visit this home and say hi to me today (1/25) from 12-3pm as I hold an open house!
104 31st Ave E, Seattle.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Adorable Home in Mt. Baker Just Listed Today!
Please come see this beautiful home at the open house this Sunday, Jan. 26th between 1-4pm.
3841 37th Ave S, in Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Spacious & Affordable Home - Just Listed in North Seattle!
Situated on a dead-end street, this home boasts privacy, a large lot, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, plus a rec room, and office/den or 5th bedroom. A large 2-car garage is a rarity this close-in to Seattle's downtown as well! Hardwood floors, fresh paint, newer carpet and a newer roof make this home move-in ready!
Close to Northgate, Lake City and easy access to I-5, Downtown, UW make this a great convenient location in North Seattle! Just wait until Light Rail is expanded to Northgate as well - then this area will be booming!
For you gardeners, there is a large terraced backyard just waiting for your personal touches. Eat Asian pears right from your own tree as you BBQ on your oversized deck as well!
Truly a great home at a great price!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Unique Live/Work Townhouse Just Listed Near Green Lake!
Welcome home to Green Lake Way Lofts! A unique live/work townhome close to everything!
Great flexible live/work spaces just steps to Green Lake, Wallingford & Fremont. The main floor flex space would make a great office space, art gallery, yoga studio, rec room, 3rd bedroom....you name it! This is a very cool space with high ceilings and bamboo floors. 2nd floor features modern kitchen, fireplace, living & dining rooms. 2 spacious bedrooms & a full bath/laundry complete the 3rd floor. Large windows fill the spaces with great light. 1 reserved parking space included. Wonderful & convenient city-living in a prime location.
This 1600 sqft townhome built in 2010 is brand new on the market for an asking price of $450,000. Feel free to call/email for more details or to take a look!
More photos here
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Cute & Affordable Home Just Listed for only $200,000!
I just listed this cutie of a home today in Mountlake Terrace. This would make an awesome home for a first-time buyer or someone looking to downsize. Two bedrooms, one bath with beautiful bamboo floors, double-pane windows, newer roof and appliances. Large, level & fenced yard with garden area and patio offers lots of possibilities. Partially finished garage has a bonus shop/hobby room and laundry area. Super convenient access to freeways makes commuting a breeze. Priced at only $200,000, this is the one you've been waiting for!
More Photos
Friday, June 28, 2013
Waterfront Living on Lake Bellevue - Just Listed for $320,000!
This bright 2-bedroom condo features a large open floor plan and soaring vaulted ceilings. Enjoy the master suite complete with view deck and cozy fireplace. Bonus room upstairs with skylight would make a great office or rec room. Enjoy the 2 fireplaces and 2 view decks in this great 1558 sqft home! Community features include clubhouse, pool & jacuzzi with a view! Add your personal touches to really make this unit shine!
Just Listed for only $320,000! Homeowner's dues of $483 include water/sewer/garbage, earthquake & flood insurance, common area maintenance, etc.
Open House this Sunday from 1-3pm. 4 Lake Bellevue Dr. #203
More Photos
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Adorable Fremont Home Just Listed!
Located in the heart of Fremont it's just steps to restaurants, parks, the zoo, the Burke Gilman trail, Green Lake, and more. Flooded with natural light and beautiful hardwood floors, the main floor consists of large living and dining rooms, an efficient kitchen, 2 cheery bedrooms, and a full bath. The upper loft has 3 large skylights and would make a great master bedroom, office or art space, or even a rec room. Fresh paint throughout with nothing more to do than to enjoy the privacy of a house and the low maintenance condo lifestyle - Truly the best of both worlds!
Priced at only $350,000 this one makes living in a fun neighborhood close to downtown affordable.
Here's a PDF flyer and a link to additional photos.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Awesome Wallingford Condo Just Listed!
Wow, I've been way too busy and neglecting this blog yet again. Busy with lots of Buyers and Sellers this time of year...it's one crazy market that's for sure!I spent the last couple of weeks getting a great 1+ bedroom condo ready for the market in Wallingford. Brand new listing as of today - $240,000, 777 sqft, 1 bedroom + bonus room (currently used as office), 1 bath.
3333 Wallingford Ave N. Unit #102
Welcome home to Tavona in fabulous Wallingford!
Just steps to the Burke Gilman Trail, Gas Works Park, multiple restaurants, pubs and coffee shops! This well-appointed 1+ bedroom unit boasts 13-ft ceilings, stainless appliances, granite counters, a bonus room and is ADA accessible. Step out to the lovely courtyard with BBQ & outdoor lounge chairs. Large laundry/utility room is great for extra storage and 1 secure garage parking space is also included. A prime location for an easy commute anywhere in the city!
Here's a PDF flyer, and a link to additional photos and neighborhood info/photos. Feel free to contact me for a showing or more info!
Thursday, April 04, 2013
NWMLS Market Update: April 2013
NWMLS, Kirkland, WA, April 4, 2013 –
Brokers added 9,332 new listings to the Northwest Multiple Listing
Service database during March, but pending sales topped that number to
further crimp inventory and trigger competitive bidding among buyers who
are flocking to open houses.
“All price ranges are feeling a lift,”
reported Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Professionals
in Tacoma. Northwest MLS director John Deely echoed that comment: “We
are seeing many homes in Seattle meet and exceed pre-bubble price
levels,” stated Deely, the principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker
Bain in Seattle.
“The recovery continues on a slow and
steady pace in most areas and surging hard in others,” concluded Darin
Stenvers, vice chair of the MLS board.
Northwest MLS figures show
year-over-year prices jumped 14.9 percent for the 21 counties in its
service area. The median price for last month’s closed sales of single
family homes and condominiums (combined) was $258,500, rising from
$225,000 for the same month a year ago. Twelve counties reported
double-digit gains, led by Ferry (up 70.9 percent), San Juan (up 47.3
percent), and Island (up 36.1 percent).
Prices for single family homes increased
14.3 percent, while the median sales price for condos, which accounted
for about 12 percent of sales, surged 19.6 percent. Two-thirds of last
month’s condo sales were in King County; prices there leaped 28.6
percent, increasing from $175,000 to $225,000. The price of a single
family home that sold in King County jumped from $330,000 to $392,000
(up 18.8 percent).
Brokers reported 5,745 closed sales last
month for a 13.9 percent increase from the previous year when they
tallied 5,044 completed transactions.
“The market continues to be incredibly
competitive with at least one in four buyers paying cash,” noted MLS
director OB Jacobi. “For those not paying cash, the average down payment
is between 20 percent and 50 percent,” he added.
Jacobi, the president of Windermere Real
Estate Company in Seattle also reported the vast majority of home sales
right now have multiple offers, and “it’s no longer restricted to the
urban markets — the outlying areas are now experiencing the same thing.”
Brokers say even distressed sellers are receiving multiple offers for their homes.
“As one of my brokers told me, when you
have 12 offers on a short sale, it pushes the price of the home up to
market value. This is clearly reflected in the appreciation we continue
to see in prices across the board,” Jacobi stated.Stenvers, the branch
manager at John L. Scott’s Bellingham office, also noted the impact of
distressed homes (including bank-owned and short sales) on the market.
“They are not going away, but have slowly leveled off, leaving room for a
sustainable return to the ‘normal’ market volume of 2001-2004,” he
reported. “This should help the market to continue its recovery, but
appraisals will remain a looming concern for buyers until comparable
sales can close,” he added.Inventory is depleted area-wide, with only
18,500 active listings in the MLS system at month end. That total is
down by almost 6,400 listings year-over-year for a 25.7 percent drop.
Counties with the largest declines include Clark (down 46 percent),
Snohomish (down 43.8 percent) and King (down 42.4 percent).
System-wide, there is less than a
two-month supply of homes, with the tightest selection in Snohomish
(0.93 months), King (1.03 months), Clark (1.81 months) and Pierce (1.68
months) counties. In general, analysts consider four-to-six months of
supply to be normal.
The upward spike in prices is largely
the result of limited supply. “Whenever we get down to a severe shortage
of homes for sale, we get double-digit home price appreciation,”
observed J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate.
Demand continues to outpace supply,
creating high absorption rates, Deely stated, adding “Open houses are
drawing large crowds.” For example, he reported several open houses from
the past weekend experienced traffic exceeding 50 people per day.
“Fortunately, Kitsap is the eddy to
Seattle’s fast-current market,” said Frank Wilson, Kitsap district
manager for John L. Scott Real Estate and a member of the Northwest MLS
board of directors. “Our homes are still selling nicely with a medium
amount of multi offer activity and a ‘normal market’ spring ramp-up,” he
added, with a note of caution about rapid price jumps and low
appraisals.
“Price appreciation is a two-edged
sword. Too much, too fast will land us where we were a few years ago.
Slow and steady appreciation is what we are seeing now and hopefully in
the future. This will allow the average income earner in Kitsap to still
be able to qualify for a home,” Wilson stated. He also noted
“significant investments” being made in that county by businesses such
as Harrison Hospital and Safeway. “Investments like these are not made
unless the businesses are bullish on the future growth of Kitsap
County.”
The South Sound market is responding to
trends elsewhere, according to Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at
RE/MAX Professionals in Tacoma. “Buyers are everywhere and sellers are
strategizing when, how and at what price to come on the market,” he
commented, but said both parties sometimes have unrealistic
expectations. In addition, he said “multiple offers create additional
issues for brokers, buyers, appraisers, and lenders.”
“Many buyers are still clinging to the
idea that they have the upper hand in the real estate market. Well they
do and they don’t,” Beeson remarked. Buyers have the upper hand when
sellers want to list for “absurd prices and refuse to repair serious
flaws in their properties,” he explained.
Thinking that banks and short sale
sellers and their corresponding underlying lenders are easy pickings and
will accept any price is also flawed, according to Beeson, whose
analysis shows about one-fourth of inventory is still made up of
distressed properties. “With banks experiencing considerable pressure
from Congress and the public not to foreclose, more short sales and
fewer foreclosures are anticipated,) he suggested. Rising prices “could
take some properties past the short sale price at which they started.
That’s good for all of us,” he added.
“With sales trending upward and listing
activity trending downward, it’s no surprise inventory seems to be
hitting new lows,” said Mike Grady, president and COO of Coldwell Banker
Bain. “Homeowners and investors appear to be holding out for property
values to increase,” he added.
Pending sales are mirroring the shifts
in market conditions. Volume area-wide was up only 3.9 percent from a
year ago, rising from 9,126 mutually accepted offers to 9,482.
Five counties – Ferry, Grays Harbor,
Island, King, and Snohomish — reported fewer pending sales than a year
ago, likely a consequence of the limited selection.
“The old supply and demand equation is
fully in play,” observed Stenvers. Citing data from the chief economist
for Stewart Title, Stenvers said the pressure on rental markets will
continue to drive buyers back into home ownership for the next 15-24
months, magnifying inventory shortages. He said the northern regions of
the state (encompassing Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties)
are experiencing declining inventory and rising sales consistent with a
recovery.
Stenvers also noted most economists
agree it’s not a matter of if interest rates will go up, but only a
question of which quarter of 2013 the rise will occur. “If inventory
stays low and interest rates climb, buyers may feel they missed out on
the bargain they are looking for and sales my slow again by the end of
the year,” he surmised. Nevertheless, he pointed out with home sales
expected to return to 2003-2004 (pre-bubble) levels, and median prices
not yet reaching those same levels, “homeownership is still very
attractive and remains a solid investment.”
__________________________Copyright © 2013 Northwest Multiple Listing Service
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This material may not be copied, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior permission.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A Sense of Urgency in the Seattle Home Market
I'm experiencing this first-hand in the entire Seattle metro area in pretty much all but the highest price points. Some agents are recommending very large earnest money deposits ($50,000+) and waiving all contingencies, including financing. I can't in good faith support this practice, especially if the buyer is indeed planning to finance the purchase. It is just too risky, and with how rapidly our prices seem to be increasing there is a high likelihood that the appraisal on the home (selling for substantially over the asking price) will not come back high enough to justify this price. This would mean the Buyer may need to bring in cash to make up the difference, or risk losing both the home and their earnest money since their loan will not be approved with the low appraisal. There are other ways to make your offer strong and to give a Seller good reason to accept your offer that includes a financing contingency. If you are needing to obtain a loan to purchase a home, you should really never waive the financing contingency. There is no reason to if your agent is familiar with how the standard NWMLS financing contingency works and can explain to a Seller how it can benefit them as well.
Every transaction and offer I have been involved with this year has been a multiple offer situation, even when you're the very first buyer (submitting an offer within 30 min. of the home being listed in the MLS), it seems you will likely still be dealing with competition. Please make sure you've got an agent that knows all the ins and outs of how to best structure your offer to make it as strong as possible but still keep you protected. And if you're a home seller, please make sure your agent knows exactly what is happening in your local market week-to-week and is experienced in dealing with these multiple offer situations. It's really not the kind of market you want to hire a rookie or part-time agent in, regardless of whether you're buying or selling.
To all the people in the greater Seattle area trying to purchase a home right now....Hang in there! It is a tough market and it's easy to feel discouraged or beaten up, but the right home is out there for you! It might just take a little longer than you originally expected!
And to all the homeowners who have been considering selling - We have not seen a better time to sell since prices began to fall in 2007, and we have never seen such a discrepancy in supply and demand! You may be very surprised at how much your home may sell for in today's market in just a few days! I'm happy to provide a free, no-obligation market analysis to anyone who's curious.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Beacon Food Forest
Way to go Beacon Hill! I was driving by last weekend and checked it out and there was a large neighborhood work crew getting it ready! Yay for community!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
SeattlesHomes has a New Home Search!
Please understand we're still working out a few bugs with the rest of the site so if you see something wonky do let us know! Or if you like the new search we'd love to hear that too!
Saturday, March 09, 2013
New Homes & Live/Work Units Under Construction in Greenwood
It's good to see lots of new construction back in the neighborhood!
A Greenwood fixture prepares to say goodbye!
Everything is 40% off so get in there and wish them the best with the next chapter in their lives and take home some great finds! We will miss you Antiqua, but thank you for the many years as a great Greenwood community business!
I wonder what will take its place? Any businesses out there looking for a very cool space in a prime location?
Friday, March 08, 2013
Rare In-City Vacant Land Up For Grabs!
Due to the great success from the auction of the old fire stations last year, Seattle City Light has decided to also auction off 4 plots of vacant city land that used to home old sub-stations. What??? You mean there is actually vacant land in close-in Seattle? Yep! A rare opportunity for sure.
One lot is zoned for multi-family possibilities and the other three for single family homes. They are listed with Colliers International and each have a minimum bid price. Starting bids vary for each lot but are as low as $286,000 and go up to $650,000 for the multi-family lot. They are expected to sell around 20% over the starting bid price. More info can be found here: http://www.seattlecitylightproperties.com/
View City Light Parcels in a larger map
One lot is zoned for multi-family possibilities and the other three for single family homes. They are listed with Colliers International and each have a minimum bid price. Starting bids vary for each lot but are as low as $286,000 and go up to $650,000 for the multi-family lot. They are expected to sell around 20% over the starting bid price. More info can be found here: http://www.seattlecitylightproperties.com/
View City Light Parcels in a larger map
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Unique "Grow Community" on Bainbridge Island
There are homes for sale starting in the $300's and homes for rent as well. There are multiple models and floor plans to choose from and you can even add an additional room or outbuilding for extra live/work space or storage.
Personally I love this sustainable community-oriented idea but realize it's not for everyone. It should do well being located right near the heart of Winslow and a short 35-min. ferry ride from downtown Seattle. What do you think of this idea?
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
New Greenwood Fred Meyer opens - what do you think?
I can't deny that I was very sad to see my beloved Greenwood Market (a Town & Country Market) close its doors last spring, but I tried to keep an open mind about the improved Fred Meyer that was to take its place. My dogs and I used to walk to Greenwood Market literally daily...sometimes more than once per day since it was so close to both my house and office and had such a great selection of local and organic products. Plus the staff were so friendly. I knew them all by name and we frequently chatted and exchanged recipes. I've been a bit lost for the past year with no local grocery store within 2 blocks of my house. I know, I was spoiled having such a great store so close! :)
While I haven't explored the new Fred Meyer in its entirety yet, I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by a few things in the grocery department. There is an awesome independent cheese shop inside the store. I'm a cheese-a-holic so this is a very good thing and also very dangerous for me! ha! They also seem to have a much better selection of organic produce than the other Fred Meyer stores around town. It seems they are making an effort for more local products as well, but I'd like to see them increase this even more. Kudos though for the marked improvements over the other stores and a step in the right direction!
I'm curious what the rest of the neighborhood thinks about the new store? There were some heated debates and mixed emotions about the closing of Greenwood Market when Fred Meyer decided not to renew their lease, even some people claiming they would boycott FM because of this. I'm curious if anyone's views have changed now that the new store is here and it seems they are making an effort to be a very positive addition to the community. A great move on their part was for their grand opening they donated $5000 each to local non-profits: the Greenwood Senior Center, Greenwood Food Bank, Greenwood Library, the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club, and PAWS. Way to go Freddies! Let's keep up the community involvement!
Friday, January 25, 2013
New Development Potentially in the Works for Greenwood!
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| Photo Courtesy of KomoNews.com |
I'm excited at the possibility of this 2-block area (between 1st & 3rd) being developed by Security Properties (whose previous works include "On the Park" in Ballard and "Epicenter" in Fremont).
Mega-apartment/condo complexes aren't my favorite development, but it is definitely better than what is currently there - an abandoned graffitied building and trash-littered lot. What excites me the most is that Security Properties' other projects have all included mixed use commmercial/residential complexes with a grocery store as the base. Could this mean there's a chance for my beloved Greenwood Market to come back across the street from its former location? Or a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods could be cool too! :) We've got plenty of Safeways and QFC's in the hood already and the new mega Fred Meyer just across the street - let's get something more geared towards organics and local products! :) It could do great things for the Greenwood neighborhood and community!
It sounds like Security Properties is planning to move forward with plans but is waiting to find out if the proposed rezone for the south side of 85th is approved or not in late February before solidifying the plans. For more information read the full article from Komo4 News.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
Green Lake Pathway of Lights - Dec. 8th
Don't miss this year's Pathway of Lights at Green Lake this Saturday, Dec. 8th from 5-8pm. This is always a fun community event for the whole family with music, hot chocolate, and of course lights! Dress warm and bring your kids and furry kids! Costumes and glow-sticks encouraged!Please visit https://www.facebook.com/GreenLakePathwayofLights for more information!
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