RainCityHouses.com: Seattle Real Estate » seattle real estate 2008

Seattle Green Wannabe: Is it REALLY Built Green?

Tue, 06 May 2008 04:28:24 +0000

I love the green building going on around Seattle – I actually am working on my ECO Broker designation and love looking around at all of the different variations of “building green” going on in houses, townhomes, and condos. Most of the builders who claim to be green builders are completely legitimate with well thought out plans for green homes that not only are better for the environment, but also have thoughtful design. I have however come across some that just seem to be trying to ride the coat tails of the green trend. Luckily, they are the minority in Seattle!

I haven’t gotten all the way through my studies, but I checked out a development yesterday that has been sitting for a while. Suddenly, the entry sales sign changed and it was claiming to be “Built Green”. This bugged me because except for the really energy efficient siding on the houses, they really don’t seem to be very green. In fact, I know for a fact that the builder got into trouble by knocking over a bunch of trees without getting proper permits. I got inside and almost all of the floor was marble and the off gassing from the MDF made my eyes water.

I need to find the Built Green police and report this one! In the mean time, it is a good lesson to Seattle buyers who are looking to buy green. Buying green should not be about getting more customers in for a few buzz words, but rather changing the way people are living. Selling something that couldn’t possibly be that green in spirit really seems like bad business to me. Just my two cents.

Why I Am Loving Seattle Suburbs New Construction

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:57:05 +0000

I haven’t always been one of those Realtors who is hot on new construction. The plain truth is that in a stronger Seattle real estate market new construction wasn’t always the best deal. In fact, Seattle buyers who insisted on new construction usually paid a premium for it. There simply was not much in the way of negotiation.

Good things about new construction:

Wonderful big open floor plans
New Everything – nothing to fix
Maintenance up front is usually cheaper because all systems are new
Wonderful features designed for how we live now – bigger bathrooms, etc.
Builders are definitely starting to lean towards energy efficiency and Built Green aspects

Less Desirable points of new construction to some buyers:

Bigger price tag (negotiable!!!!)
Small Yard or no yard in most cases
Inconsistent architecture when new construction is plopped down in the middle of somewhere
Those funny retaining ponds
Some cookie cutter designs at times – definitely not custom in most cases

There is a very different story in Seattle new construction and Seattle suburb new construction now. If you are a non contingent buyer (meaning the sale doesn’t depend on you selling your current home) then you are in a window of golden opportunity right now! You can negotiate on price, perks, upgrades, and bonuses – plus get your closing costs paid in most cases. In addition, I like to make sure my buyers get a refrigerator and sometimes a washer and dryer of their choice!

Seattle suburbs new construction areas that have some nice developments right now:

Lynnwood, Everett, Snohomish, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Bothell, Redmond, Mill Creek Marysville, Lake Stevens, and Lake Forest Park

These are all in different price points – there are townhomes, too, but also larger homes. The developments I am touring have some nice features and are definitely worth a look if you are interested in Seattle suburbs new construction.

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Green Lake (Greenlake), Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Seattle Real Estate: Better Than Short Sales & Foreclosures, Here’s Where The Real Deal Is

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:03:56 +0000

Yes, we are in a buyer’s market in Seattle – that is obvious as the inventory has increased and the buyer pool is smaller. In addition, short sales and foreclosures have increased so much so that the NWMLS has had to come out with new rules for short sales. Buyers who are well qualified are out there looking for the best deal and I am noticing that the trend is to look for a Seattle short sale or foreclosure. Although the chance to earn instant equity may be appealing and there are many wonderful aspects to purchasing a short sale or foreclosure, this may not be your best deal.

These properties are in many cases distressed in more ways than one ranging from appliances that have been pulled out and sold to deferred maintenance issues, and even thousands of dollars in unpaid bills that run with the property. Short sales in addition have a very low percentage of success rate as far as making it to close before the bank sends them to auction. Unfortunately, from what I have seen recently, the banks are still unwilling to be reasonable in many cases. On top of that, there are usually more than one department at the mortgage company involved and the left hand doesn’t speak the same language as the right hand. It is great that the MLS has tried to put a system in to make short sales a bit easier, but I really think that until the mortgage companies put a clear system in place, there is going to continue to be a low percentage of them that actually reach the closing table. This is bad news for both buyers and sellers – and the banks, but so far, I am not seeing the banks concerned enough to change this.

I think the better deal out there right now is new construction. These properties are out there sitting costing somebody something to carry them. There are perks galore being offered on them and the cost of maintenance up front is very low. The cosmetics are perfect and the builders are able to play ball when it comes to negotiating. In fact, I am seeing that when it comes to negotiating price, new construction has a much better potential for getting the better deal! New construction isn’t for short term flippers – the price is right, but be prepared to sit on the investment until the development is sold out or mostly sold out. With all of the perks and special pricing going on, there is no appreciation until the builder is out of the neighborhood. For the owner occupied buyer, though, this purchase can be ideal for earning equity.

Short Sale News! New for April 2008:NWMLS Changes The Rules

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:21:41 +0000

Short sales are popping up more and more across the Seattle area. Buyers need to be aware of whether not a potential property is a short sale because the offer process is quite different.

Here is the NWMLS definition of a short sale:

“A “Short Sale” is a sale that does not produce sufficient funds to cover the existing monetary encumbrances against the Property, closing costs, real estate commissions, and other financial requirements of closing. Seller’s creditor(s) are those third parties who have an interest in the Property in the form of a deed of trust, some other security, or a lien (e.g. tax lien).”

See my problem with a short sale listing is that buyers go into the process without the full knowledge of how different it is from a “normal” transaction. The NWMLS has come up with a form to help, but making sure to use a short sale agent in the process is the best plan of attack. Short sales can be great deals, but knowing what is involved is key.

Knowing that a listing is a short sale is also key since there are no guarantees as to price or commission in a short sale. The offer is (or should be) always signed subject to lien holder approval. The lien holder almost always inevitably comes back with a higher price even if you offer the list price and they also usually come back with a lower commission amount for the two agents involved. False advertising all around in my opinion. The MLS is now stating that a short sale listing must be disclosed. This is a step in the right direction in my opinion.

Another really needed change: Short sale properties typically stay marked as “active” in the MLS while the approval from the lien holder is being obtained. This is frustrating for buyers out there and also bad for the MLS stats. I think the short sale numbers are actually seriously dragging down the area stats overall and the new rule is a helpful one in that. The properties with offers which are waiting for approval will be marked “pending – BU” until they go to “pending” and then “sold”. I am extremely pleased with this development which will be good for everybody. Other sellers in the neighborhood who may be waiting for a distressed property to come off the market before they put theirs on can now have an easier time without false lower priced competition.

Introducing Form 22SS:

The MLS’s short sale addendum for Washington state (Hallelujah!). It isn’t perfect, but it is going to help clarify a lot of the process and steps that have been unclear in the past. First of all the from states that the property is a short sale and that the lien holder has to approve the offer. The form then gives the seller so many days (default is 30 days) to get that approval. Mutual acceptance is explained as when the lien holder approval is delivered. 22SS Gives the buyer the option of checking a box to either say that the seller can accept other offers for lien holder approval while they wait for their answer or not. My advise on that to buyers is check the box that allows your deal to be the only deal in town. Of course, my advise for a seller is usually the opposite depending on the situation. Lastly, the new from gives the buyer the right to back out of the deal at any time prior to lien holder approval.

Seattle Real Estate: Crime in Seattle Neighborhoods: Looking for Crime Rates?

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:35:14 +0000

Thinking about relocating to Seattle and wondering about crime rates? Looking for information about what is a safe neighborhood? Seattle is full of wonderful neighborhoods and has amazing architecture on top of it, but make sure to check out the crime rates! Moving in Seattle should be fun, but at the same time you want to be safe.

Here is the link to the crime density map of Seattle for 2007 provided by the city of Seattle:

http://web1.seattle.gov/seastats/doStatistics.aspx

Each Seattle neighborhood has its own statistics and this map from the city is handy in letting you know the crime density per neighborhood. You can even break it down into crime density by specific crimes if that is more helpful.

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle real estate: 2008 Market Conditions in a Nut Shell..

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:01:50 +0000

Seattle real estate has softened, but we certainly are not “in the tank” as I read another broker put it.

Instead, the 2008 market is very different, and those who are used to the easy flow of the past few years need to step up to a different ball field. This includes all parties to the transaction!

Buyers
need to understand that there are some incredible deals out there right now! Prices are generally very good as sellers try to compete with short sales and foreclosures that are sneaking on to the market. Seattle buyers have been complaining about a seller’s market for years and now find themselves in a buyer’s market finally! Even with this combined with the lower interest rates, there is still some reluctance to pull the trigger! I personally think there could be a few reasons for this hesitation which include uncertainty based on our political climate, uncertainty in the economy, and also a general lack of confidence in the strength of the housing market. Well, I have no idea who will end up in office, but I can tell you that our Puget Sound Economy is generally very good and jobs were up the last time I checked. People are also still buying and selling real estate even if prices have come down in some areas. Seattle is still one of the most undervalued West Coast cities and we are a major metro. If you are on the fence, get off.

Sellers
– Price your home reasonably and please be open to a negotiation. It isn’t personal –it’s just business. The buyers in 2008 like your house a lot, but they have a lot to choose from and they want to negotiate. De-clutter it, have it professionally Staged by an accredited Stager, and make it easy to show. Don’t skimp on commissions either – this is not the time to be choosing any other REALTOR except for a FULL service REALTOR – oh and make sure they in fact are an actual REALTOR. Did you know that not all real estate agents and brokers are REALTORS? The term is REALTOR, not realtor – it is a proper noun – and REALTORS actually abide by a higher standard of practice including a code of ethics. You need someone with a high level of expertise in marketing your home. This is also not the time to try a FSBO – stick with a market expert to guide you through 2008!

Agents & Brokers:
Be free with your information – that is what 2008 and beyond is about. There is value in sharing information rather than guarding it. In the past, we have tended to keep our knowledge close to the vest and in this changing market the consumer is looking for answers well before they make a purchasing decision. Open, honest, and down to earth advice and guidance is a must for a new market.

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Real Estate: Short Sales In Seattle &The Seattle Suburbs…

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:33:22 +0000

Seattle real estate is in a buyer’s market, but are you looking for a way to get into a Seattle house even cheaper?

Seattle buyers: You might consider a short sale, but be prepared to wait and wait and wait. Not only will you not get an answer immediately when you put in an offer for a short sale, you will more than likely have to wait for weeks and weeks. The bank is in no hurry to sell you this house for $50,000 or more under market, and they also like to drag their feet to wait for a better offer. If you want the deal, you have to be very patient and understand what you are getting in to.

What is a short sale?

Simple Short Sale Definition: A Short sale is when the seller owes more than the house can be sold for in the current market, so the bank has to agree to write off the difference and sell the house for less than they are owed.. Coming up with an acceptable price for the bank when they are losing money on a loan can be tricky and requires someone who is willing to go to bat for both parties – the buyer who wants to get a good deal and the seller who wants to get out of a loan without a foreclosure on their record. It is also in the bank’s best interest because they want to save on the time and money it would talk to foreclose on a property that is in arrears.

The problem?

There are no guarantees that just because a house is listed for a certain price that it will sell for that price or even close to it. The listing agents list these short sale homes as “subject to lien holder approval” in the agent only remarks. I strongly think that this lingo should also be put in the public comments so that a prospective buyer is well aware that the price is not a definite and that even the sale is not a definite until a lien holder approves of it. In fact, in most cases if you put in a full price offer, the bank will likely counter back at a higher price than the property is listed at! Doesn’t seem fair does it? There is a difference between an approved short sale and a short sale. With an approved at least there is some guarantee of price range, but the fact of the matter is that most short sales listed are not approved short sales. It is just too difficult to get a bank to pin down a number without an offer in front of them!

Good news!

The good news is that a Seattle short sale can work out for all parties involved and benefit all! Make sure you are working with someone that knows how to do a short sale! Search for Seattle Short Sales.

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property realestate (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Green Lake (Greenlake), Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park) & other Seatle neighborhoods, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Seattle Real Estate: Penny Pinching Tips On Saving For A Down Payment

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:58:53 +0000

Seattle, down payments are back!

This is how our parents and grandparents bought a house, and now having a down payment is a must when it comes to qualifying for a good loan! But where to find the money? Well, the first thing you should do is talk to a good Seattle lender – find out if you qualify for a house based on your credit and how much you can afford. The lender will also tell you how much of a down payment you will need. This will give you a good goal number. Make sure to consider closing costs which can run anywhere from $4000 to $10000 in some cases depending on your loan. In this market, I have been successful at getting the sellers to pay for the closing costs most of the time. If money is tight, then tell your agent you want the seller to pay closing costs and focus on your down payment amount.

It is amazing how the little things add up! Obviously cut back on travel, credit card interest, etc., but what about these? Look everywhere in your life and you will be surprised at how fast you can save the money…

Here are some ways to trim out money: Over $10,000 in only a year and in most cases!

Cut the lattes – better for the environment anyway with all those cups that get used. Go back to the free office coffee or make coffee at home. Even buying a home espresso machine is better than going out every day. In most cases these drinks are well over $3.00 each, but even at $3.00 x 7 = $21/week x 52 = $1092/yr.
Cut out the Restaurant eating. It is not as healthy as cooking whole foods anyway. Let’s just say one night out/week at $30 x 52 = $1560/yr A note on this is that I have never seen a tab be that cheap at a restaurant, but for illustration purpose, this money adds up fast!
Brown Bag it to work – Wow this is huge – Yes those lunch breaks can be the highlight of the day, but $5 – $10/day adds up! $5 x 5= $25/week x 52 = $1300/yr and that is on the cheap side as we all know.
Cut the soda – Bad for you anyway. I lost 16 pounds in a few months simply by dropping soda – Diet Cokes. When you do stop in at a drive thru or anywhere else and order a soda, it adds a huge percentage to the bill. Most places charge well over a dollar for a soda and in many cases closer to two dollars! $1.50 x 7= $10.50 x 52 = $546
Meal planning before grocery shopping -
This is also huge! Plan your meal for the week. Making meals like spaghetti and burritos can save a lot of money through the week and also be great items for taking for lunches at work. Also – don’t shop while you are hungry! $600/yr minimum
Use the library – Stop buying books and CDs ($20/mo x 12 = $240/yr) – Libraries these days carry it all! Don’t order any more magazines or newspapers ($20 – $100/yr) and stop renting DVDs ($200 – $400/yr). Many library systems even have online ordering systems where you can order the movie you want much like Netflix. Total savings: at least $500/yr
Watch movies at home -
Those movie theatre tickets have gotten pricey and don’t even get me started on the food! When did we decide that it was okay to let them charge us $5 for a soda???? Why not pop some popcorn and watch a library rental at home? Even if you only go twice a month, those visits can add up! $30/visit x 2 = $60 x 12 = $720
Dry Cleaning – Reduce it by wearing things at least twice or wearing no dry cleaned items. It is bad for the environment, expensive, and I can’t figure out why they won’t recycle or reused those darned wire hangers!!!! $20-$30/week $20 x 52 = $1040
Beauty – What about hair cuts and nail appointments? Why not skip a hair cut every other time or draw them out by one more week? Doing your own nails could also add tons of savings! Go for lower maintenance hair and nails so that there is no need for root touch ups or nail fills. $600/yr minimum savings
Outside Services for home-
Housekeeping, lawn maintenance or care, window washing, bottled water, etc. can really add up, but cutting them out is big savings. $1000/yr minimum and a lot more in most cases.
Be more energy efficient - Switch to florescent bulbs, turn off lights, turn the heat down, and start seeing the benefits of reduced use. $500/yr minimum savings.
Cut your wardrobe budget – Most people have too many clothes in their closet already – I know I have some that collect dust! Why not dig out some of those oldies in a closet archeological expedition? Easily $500 in savings a year and probably over $1000 in some cases. $500/yr minimum savings
Cut out the gym – start a walking campaign and invest in a few free weights – this can save a minimum of $30/mo x 12 = $360
Wash your own car – Even at twice a month, those car washes add up! They range easily from $10 – $20! $10 x 2 = $20/month x 12 = $240/yr

There you go! Over ten thousand dollars in savings with a few changes and tweaks in lifestyle habits. I bet you can think of more! The $10k will be worth it!

Seattle Real Estate: Housing Choices out there are Astounding!

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:54:39 +0000

I absolutely love Seattle real estate – moving to Seattle is one of the best choices a buyer can make! Although the Seattle real estate market has softened up a bit, the Puget Sound in general has so much going for it to make it an obvious choice for relocation.

Different ways to purchase real estate and live in Seattle Neighborhoods & Seattle Suburbs:

Look for Built Green options out there – both in remodeled existing homes and also new construction.

Condos & Co-ops – Besides downtown, there are also many options through out Seattle neighborhoods and many condo complexes can also be found in surrounding suburbs.

Townhouses – Seattle townhouses are what I consider the current solution to bigger square footage on a smaller footprint – in the sixties and seventies a lot of split level homes were built because they were so economical and offered more square footage for less money. Townhouses are the new split level as far as economy goes, but styling has come a long way in three decades and Seattle townhomes offer stylish living and more square footage than condos in most cases. Check out different townhouse builders in Seattle and look at the finish work they offer. Little details in a townhouse makes a huge difference!

Lofts – Loft living in Seattle is a thing of beauty. Pioneer Square in particular has some of the most amazing lofts – old one hundred year old buildings that have been split up into condo lofts have soaring ceilings, gorgeous wood beams, and giant windows to look out on to the city. In addition, the roof top access can provide some of the best views of the areas. Storage and parking is at a premium, so look for buildings that offer both!

Houseboats – I love houseboats! I think there is nothing better than having a dock right outside your door and the lack of yard work to me is very appealing! Houseboats come in all different sizes and shapes – Houseboats at the end of the dock cost more because they have unobstructed views. Houseboats can be on docks that own the submerged land under them or on leased land. The type of ownership affects the price as well. There are CC&Rs and neighbors are in close proximity.

Houses – Houses come in all shapes and sizes and also in all ages – you can buy an in city Seattle oldie or a sprawling Seattle suburb house – Prices will vary and it is important to make a buyers check list as to what you are looking for!

Seattle has so many great choices and now that sellers are willing to negotiate, there are some great buys out there for the March 2008 Seattle real estate market.

Seattle Real Estate: Buying Houses with Redfin: At Least Let’s Be Honest, ‘Kay?

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:14:25 +0000

Seattle real estate has gotten trickier in recent months and I honestly believe that most traditional buyers need to work with a full service REALTOR. But if you are going to go with a company like Redfin who provides a different business model in return for lower fees in the form of a rebate, please plan on shelling out the extra money and paying Redfin to be your buyer’s agent.

I should clarify right now up front that I am not attacking Redfin. I am all for free enterprise and coming up with a different business model that does suit a small minority of extremely experienced and knowledgeable buyers. These buyers don’t want or need the hand holding and constant diligence that I can offer them before, during, and after a transaction. Fine.

I am not attacking this alternative business model because simply put, they are not my competition. The fact is when I was with a larger regional company I was already the real estate agent renegade because I have always given my own clients rebates in the form of closing costs, etc. alongside my FULL SERVICE. I opened my own brokerage partially so that I could do what I wanted to do for my clients without having to ask my broker for permission. I genuinely want to help my buyers financially to ease the stress of the transaction and improve their quality of life. So – before you call me greedy, please don’t.

The point is that even though I was going to help out my buyers financially, I didn’t decide to discount my service based on this fact by sending them out to call listing agents and making these other hard working agents do my work as a Full Service buyer’s agent. To quote another saying, I just don’t believe in building my business on the backs of others. In my opinion: it is a listing agent’s job to show the listing to a potential unrepresented buyer, but it is a buyer’s agent’s job to show a represented buyer a property. This is a point that can be argued back and forth in both directions to no end, so I will gloss over it for now except for this:

There is just too much potential liability associated with dual agency to not acknowledge that buyers and sellers should be represented separately and with this separate representation comes a clear delineation of duties on each side.

So that’s my opinion on the matter and here is my problem with some of Redfin’s clients:

Although I have seen it stated very plainly in black and white that Redfin absolutely does not encourage this behavior and I applaud them for doing so, every single Redfin buyer I have run into in the last twelve months has lied their pants off to me!!! It seems that even though they discourage misrepresentations to a listing agent, by charging touring fees after the initial free ones are gone, Redfin is still encouraging their budget conscience buyers to act in some really sneaky ways that may be out of character for them normally.

Seriously, I want to sell my listings to you, Mr. Redfin Buyer, but for goodness sakes, just tell me the truth!!! I am not stupid. Please don’t use a fake name, and then when I explain that I ID new buyers for my own safety, side step and break down and tell me the truth. In addition, this couple didn’t even show up when I agreed to open the house up!!! I am not some crazy gate keeper that needs to be lied to. Please don’t call me pretending to be interested in working with me as your buyer’s agent and ask me for all my professional contacts that I have worked so hard for (inspector, appraiser, lender, etc.). Please don’t pretend that you are unrepresented when you are a Redfin buyer because just like you can smell a real estate agent a mile away, I can smell a limited service buyer even more quickly.

I have no problem with you as a limited service buyer. I really don’t! Just tell me the truth.

Be honest that you don’t want to pay the relatively small fees that Redfin charges to show homes after your initial free tours are exhausted. It really isn’t that much money relative to the rebate you can get and it is the right thing to do. Or….hire a full service Seattle REALTOR. Just my two cents.

Seattle Real Estate: Too much money, Good investment, Progress, Poor Planning

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:44:26 +0000

So I just read in the Seattle PI about Children’s Hospital looking at buying out an entire condo complex for possible future expansion. According to the PI, Laurelon Terrace condominiums is a six acre complex with 136 units. Children’s reported price according to this article?

93 million dollars!

A jaw dropping 2.8 times the current value according to the PI! It isn’t a surprise that the majority of residents in the condo complex are willing to sell, but what does surprise me? There are some that don’t! I wish I had bought a couple of those condos a few years back – don’t you?

So how does this happen? In 1990 the state of Washington passed a measure which allows a condo to sell itself if at least 80% of the owners approve. That was not put in place for complexes built prior to that time, which are still under the 100% approval rule. So the neighbors at Laurelon who don’t want to sell still have a fighting chance of keeping their homes for now, but it seems according to the article that the condo board is looking at legal ways around that, too.

I understand someone not wanting to leave their home – take Edith Macefield for instance – the lovely woman in Ballard that refused to sell her home when she was offered something like a million dollars. I adore this woman, but driving by now and seeing her house swallowed up by giant concrete walls make me extremely sad. My favorite book as a child was The Little House and Ms. Macefield is the little house in real life. I wish the developer could have convinced her to let him move her house out to the country or somewhere with a lovely little view instead of the giant dark walls outside her kitchen window now. I lived in Ballard for a long time and I remember seeing her house in the middle of a parking lot for years and thinking how she must have lived there forever, but never did I think that Seattle would allow an older lady to have to finish out her long life in a house smothered by construction. I truly fault the city for what happened to Edith Macefield – I have no idea how it happened, but that building should have never gone up around her house.

So, progress happens in Seattle and although I love old Seattle and one of my favorite sites is www.VintageSeattle.org, I would much rather sell my home to an organization such as Children’s Hospital than a developer putting in a Trader Joe’s or whatever else is going in there. But then, we do love our Trader Joe’s too….hmmmm.

Seattle Neighborhood Real Estate: Sellers in Eastlake and Other Hot Areas

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:57:11 +0000

Feb 2008 Seattle real estate seems to be hopping – could have something to do with the amazing sunny weather we have been having, but hot neighborhoods include Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Fremont, Greenlake, Wallingford, East Lake, Queen Anne, Lake Union, and Eastlake! I put an Eastlake condo on last month and it got an offer in five days! This real estate sale in Seattle had nothing to do with luck. I gave my sellers a clear plan of attack and they took charge and listened to me on every point. I am still getting calls asking if this place is available to buy as a result.

Some of the basics – These Eastlake sellers did all things I asked them to do and followed my Seattle seller tips exactly! They updated some of the fixtures, cleaned the place completely, put in a few new touches, allowed me to put some Staging pieces in, and priced the place right! Our sale price was 98.76% of our list price and we closed successfully in about a month! Sellers who are serious about listing their houses and condos need to be very diligent in this market to make sure and follow a clear plan of attack when it comes to getting their home ready for the 2008 Seattle real estate market. Savvy Seattle buyers will respond as a result.

Want info on Green Seattle topics?

Seattle Built Green Info , Seattle Green Remodeling , Seattle Going Green Guide, Going Green in the Seattle Suburbs

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake, Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Real Estate – Going Green in Seattle neighborhoods and Suburbs! Rain Barrels, Dog Waste Solutions, and More!

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:20:17 +0000

Here are some more of my client and friend tips on going green in Seattle:

Jen says her cloth baby diaper service is awesome and she also uses canvas grocery bags. Here is a link to a Seattle cloth baby diaper service. There are pros and cons, but each site is very informative.
I noticed that Animal Care Center (one of the best vets in Seattle is Tracy Tomlinson) in Mountlake Terrace has some interesting posters up about Dog waste pollution and its impact on the environment. My friend recently mentioned buying or making a dog waste solution for her back yard.
I got flush the toilet less from both Rob & M – I would also add that buying a low flow toilet or dual flush model could go a long way. I personally have to recommend the Toto brand
Rob says cloth diapers, solar panels, fluorescent light bulbs and less toilet flushing. I also saw recently that REI among others are selling cool solar chargers for cell phones, etc.
Kathi likes rain barrels and I have to get at least two! Here is some info on attaching a rain barrel to your gutter system in Seattle. There are tons of Seattle rain barrel sources!
Dave & Brian: Unplug the chargers in the house or plug them in on a switched outlet that you don’t use much – save a ton of electricity this way because these electronics draw power even when not charging…
Sam: “My favorite “green” change was moving to reusable grocery bags. http://usa.envirosax.com/index.php has a line of cute, sturdy, and best of all, small bags that fold up and get tucked into a pocket or purse.”
John & Laurie:
1. Recycle 2. Drive our small economy car whenever we can 3. Compost grass clippings 4. Eco-friendly detergents for washing the cars

Want more info on Green Seattle topics?

Seattle Built Green Info , Seattle Green Remodeling , Seattle Going Green Guide, Going Green in the Seattle Suburbs

What are your favorite green tips for Seattle?

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced Seattle REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake (Green Lake Real Estate), Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood (Lynnwood Real Estate), Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park real estate, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Real Estate: Flood Insurance or Not?

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:06:41 +0000

On my way to Ocean Shores, WA recently, there were still remains of dirt and debris that had washed over the highway in the big December storms…. That latest blast of weather in December 2007 got me thinking about insurance in Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs again. Flood insurance, specifically, is what I want to look at and whether or not I should purchase a flood insurance policy for my Seattle, Washington area home.

Flood insurance wasn’t actually very accessible until the late sixties when a national flood insurance program was put into place. With this program came the availability of flood insurance for anyone who needed it and lived in a community that participated in the program. In addition, regulations in the form of floodplain maps were also put into place to provide specific levels of risk for any given area.. Flood coverage is required by your lender if you live in any of these high risk areas, but is not included on the standard home owner’s policy of the majority of real estate in Seattle and its suburbs.

This is a question each homeowner in Seattle and the entire Puget Sound should ask themselves. Do you live on low ground? At the bottom of a hill? Near a waterway? How is your property drainage? These are all factors which increase your risk of water intrusion and each homeowner should take the time to consult with an insurance agent and evaluate their own risk. I live on a hill and have sufficient drainage for my property. I keep my gutters in proper working order and also regularly monitor my weatherproofing plan. I do not have flood insurance. It is important to note that if you do decide to purchase flood insurance for your Seattle property, keep in mind that there is a thirty day waiting period in most cases.

Seattle Real Estate: Primo buying window getting smaller…

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:49:04 +0000

Seattle’s real estate market may be a bit soft right now, but the rates are incredibly low for qualified buyers and as a result the good Seattle lenders I have talked to recently are incredibly busy – and even backed up in some cases. Sure, there are going to be refinances in this mix of increased business, but the savvy Seattle buyers are out there in neighborhoods and suburbs right now trying to scoop up some deals before others realize that the market isn’t as bad as they thought! The truth is that Seattle has a booming real estate market in 2008 – it is just a very different market than we have seen in recent years. Seattle sellers, agents, and buyers need to adapt and stop looking to the media for “expert information” because the media seems to be gripping more of a doom and gloom Seattle bubble attitude. Instead, ask someone out there who is actually listing and selling houses in 2008! WAMU might be backed up because they cut their staff down to the bone, but other lenders are busy, too!

The weather is beginning to turn in Seattle – I always know when the woodpeckers start banging on my chimney to attract mates that spring is near! More and more buyers will be out as warmer days set in and with this will come some competition. Sellers should have their full service agents price their home competitively. They should pay the extra money and have an accredited Stager help them get their home ready for the market if their Realtor suggests it. Spring on its way doesn’t mean that Seattle sellers don’t need to put their best foot forward so that a buyer’s first impression is the best it can be. The 2008 Seattle market is still strong, but just trickier and it takes savvy on your agent’s part and on your part to sell your home.

Smart Seattle buyers who are out there right now: it is possible to get incredible prices, deals and bonuses from these sellers without completely low-balling them on your offer! Have your Realtor be aggressive, but write a strong offer and choose where you want to negotiate rather than beating down the offer from all directions. The window of primo opportunity is getting smaller as more buyers realize how enticing Seattle real estate is right now!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs in both North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle neighborhoods (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake, Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park) or Seattle suburbs (Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett) or other Seattle Suburbs!

Seattle Real Estate: Green Remodeling in Seattle Neighborhoods & Seattle Suburbs to Attract Buyers

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:42:42 +0000

Built Green in Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs?

In Seattle real estate, I have written about all the great Built Green properties in Seattle neighborhoods & Seattle suburbs before, but I thought it was pretty cool that the Master Builders Association in partnership with both King and Snohomish Counties also offer a Built Green Self Certification checklist for Seattle area remodelers, too!!! This is huge since I put all new energy efficient appliances in my house and also had Bamboo flooring installed throughout, but I also think it is so wonderful that Seattle buyers looking for a built green house can now look to existing properties for a Built Green rating!

Return on Your Investment?

Yes! Green for green! Seattle Built Green properties are popping up all over the place in the new construction arena. I think a great way to add value to your house before you decide to sell is to make sure that any remodels done are certified by this program as being green and better for the environment! It will add to your ability to market your home to all the savvy buyers out there looking for these types of properties, and it will be contributing to making Seattle real estate more green!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle neighborhoods(Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake, Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Suburbs Real Estate: New Construction Issues in Neighborhoods & Suburbs…

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:35:06 +0000

I was out looking at a lot of new construction this weekend and it is surprising to me how different the “standards” can be from builder to builder and development to development. If I were a builder or developer I would be out there checking out the competition and trying to beat it – especially in a market where supposedly there are fewer and fewer buyers for my product. I would make sure that each and every one of my built properties were staged up to my eyeballs by an accredited Staging professional and I would make sure that the agents that have ready, willing, and able buyers were able to use their NWMLS keypad to get into these Staged properties and sell them to their clients. The Seattle suburbs are loaded with some wonderful new construction properties, but weeding through them can be confusing. Housing projects – both big and small are springing up in some apparently random patterns and tracking down a consistent growth plan can be tough at times. More and more developments seem to be offering more of the a la carte upgrades and less of an actual yard. Lot sizes have gotten smaller and smaller over the years and buyers who want a larger yard will pay a premium for it with new construction in Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs.

Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle neighborhoods, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs! If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Relocation : Moving to Seattle Neighborhoods or Seattle Suburbs in 2008?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:00:42 +0000

Seattle Relocation Services for 2008: Finding a school. If you find that you will be moving to Seattle, then finding housing is only part of your list of things to do! Relocating to Seattle – whether it is a Seattle neighborhood or a Seattle suburb – is an exciting thing! There is so much to do here and some wonderful neighborhoods whether you are thinking about moving in city or to the suburbs. The 2008 Seattle real estate market is starting off strong and I anticipate being very busy if the last few months are a good indicator.

Seattle real estate is a good buy and a strong investment, but what about other relocation issues like schools? If you have kids then have you checked in to the schools in Seattle neighborhoods and also the Seattle suburbs? Sometimes finding Seattle school information might seem overwhelming. On top of providing various community profiles, my Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services company website also provides detailed school reports for Seattle and its suburbs! Once you find the schools you are interested in, you can also use another feature on the site to search for houses located around these schools!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs in North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake, Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline (including Richmond Beach), Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs! If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Real Estate: Neighborhoods: Ballard, Wallingford, Greenlake, Fremont Market Update 2008 – Townhomes

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:36:43 +0000

Seattle new construction neighborhood townhomes are a great way for a first time home buyer to get into the market with lower upkeep costs and usually no homeowner dues. These townhomes usually have a cute little yard and lots of decks for increased living spaces and wonderful views of our gorgeous city!

Here are the Seattle townhome market update figures for real estate in 2008 for the Ballard, Greenlake, Fremont, Crown Hill, Sunset Hill, and Wallingford neighborhoods in Seattle. This is on townhomes priced $500,000 and less.

There are 64 Seattle townhome listings on the NWMLS right now with a status of ACTIVE. These range from a 2 bedroom/1 bath to a 3 bedroom/3.5 bath with an average of a 3 bedroom/2.25 bath layout. Square footage ranges from 818 square feet to a spacious 2219 square feet with an average of 1531 square feet. They range in price from $309,950 to $499,999 with an average of $427,678. The average days on market for these townhomes is 73 days.

So what is happening in this Seattle townhome market? Well, while there are 64 listings to choose from, there are not a lot of new townhome listings coming on to the market. This is probably due to the recent media scare tactics which may make some sellers or builder hesitant to put their properties on the market right now. I have buyers who are very well qualified in this market, but the current inventory does not suit their needs for one reason or another, so we are actively looking for new townhome listings in this particular area of Seattle!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate neighborhoods and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle neighborhoods, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs! If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Sunny Seattle – We are a lucky city with great neighborhoods and parks! Check out Woodland Park!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:10:04 +0000

Wow, what a gorgeous morning we are having in Seattle – a little chilly, but a sunny blue skyline! Yesterday was MLK, Jr day and a perfect time to go take a walk around Greenlake for those that are lucky enough to have had the day off. I am thinking Greenlake or Car Keek personally. There are so many parks in Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs, really, that it is hard to choose just one to celebrate such a gorgeous day. The history of the Seattle Park System is fascinating! Reading about it, one will quickly realize just how lucky we are to have so many prime pieces of land available to the public. In the late ninteenth century, the city was very quick to scoop up prime pieces of private land even despite contraversy. Woodland Park for instance was purchased right around 1900 from the estate of Guy Phinney who has used it as some kind of fanciful outdoor adventure park – a Disneyland of sorts for that time because it was so far out of town! Many people think of Woodland Park as a zoo, but did you know that it is over 90 acres???? This is a great asset to our city and we are so lucky to have it! Even if you don’t want to go to the zoo, check out the rest of the park sometime!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle neighborhoods, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs! If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!