Archive for December, 2007
December 29, 2007
Forbes Magazine rounds out the year by listing the 10 priciest U.S. home sales of 2007, but no, even with the world’s wealthiest man in residence, Seattle did not make the list. New York dominated these power sales with 7 of the top 10 sales:
1. $60 million, New York City. Developer Harry Macklowe purchased one floor (less one rogue unit) of the Plaza Hotel.
2. $56 million, New York City. Unidentified buyer purchased 9,200 sq.ft. of Plaza’s triplex penthouse.
3. $50 million, New York City. Leonard Blavatnik purchased a home at 15 E 64th St.
4. $42.4 million, New York City. Former CEO of Citigroup, Sanford Weill purchased a 6,744 sq.ft. condo in 15 Central Park West.
5. $41 million, New York City. Forget the Gracie Mansion (NY’s mayoral residence), Mayor Michael Bloomberg purchased himself a 10,821 sq.ft. townhouse at 1014 Madison. Since he currently owns the property next door, he’s likely to join the two into a 25,555 sq.ft. place.
6. $35 million, Carpinteria, CA. Hedge fund manager Bruce Kovner purchased this 3 acre property complete with Mediterranean-style villa.
7. $35 million, New York. Keith Rubenstein purchased at townhome 8 E 62nd St.
8. $35 million, New York. Dress designer Vera Wang sold her 14 room condo at 778 Park Avenue.
9. $33.5 million, Malibu. Celebrity couple Courteney Cox and David Arquette sold their 4,486 sq. ft. Malibu home to LA Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt.
10. $32.5 million, Beverly Hills. TomKat Cruise purchased a 13,000 sq.ft. Beverly Hills mansion which sits on 1.3 acres with pool and tennis court.
December 28, 2007
The last weekend of 2007 brings just a few open houses around the Eastside. Here are a few open houses in the 2,000 sq.ft.+ range, scheduled for this Sunday, if you’ve got the time to sneak a few last peeks in.
All homes open Sunday, December 30th, 1-4 pm.
BELLEVUE
14712 SE 45th Pl
4 br/2.5 ba, 2,820 sq.ft.
Price $797,900
MLS 27213318
11833 SE 62nd St.
4 br/2.5 ba, 2,400 sq.ft.
Price $649,999
MLS 27210174
KIRKLAND
13101 NE 133rd Ct.
3 br/2.75 ba, 2,500 sq.ft.
Price $624,900
MLS 27212895
December 28, 2007
Whether you’re getting ready to return to work after a family holiday, or holding down the fort at the ghost town that was once your workplace, chances are you’re a little restless. Need to get out? Why not visit an open house this weekend?
Sure, there aren’t many to choose from, but I’ve gathered up a few North Seattle listings for you.
Happy hunting! Homes are open Sunday December 30 from 1-4 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Price: $439,000
3253 NE 97th St
3 br/1.75 ba; 1,435 sq ft
MLS#: 27165900
Price: $475,000
7752 36th Ave NE
2 br/1 ba; 1,120 sq ft
MLS#: 27207393
Open Saturday December 29 from 1-4
Price: $475,000
8625 29th Ave NE
3 br/1.75 ba; 1,740 sq ft
MLS#: 27190960
Price: $899,950
4602 NE 105th St
4 br/2.5 ba; 3,060 sq ft
MLS#: 27205279
All information is from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.
December 28, 2007
According to the geeks at Wired Magazine this week, it’s technolust that spurred the housing boom. It seems wiring that 1920s bungalow to support the plethora of new-fangled doodads is just too much work so people are “looking for something cheaper, bigger, gadgetier, or merely free of other people’s cooties, [and] builders responded to that new demand. They built lots of homes and packed them with every new gewgaw a potential buyer might dream of.” According to Wired’s data, 74 percent of buyers want new construction.
Sitting on most of Seattle’s best real estate are plenty of tired homes and an innovative architect could find ways to make new technology work in the bones of old construction. Most basements I’ve seen have plenty of room for a server rack and if you’re going to pull down lath and plaster, might as well upgrade the electrical because while gadgets are going smaller and wireless they still need power.
Ironically a lot of the new construction I’ve seen doesn’t really look at all like an eHome. They seem to think stainless appliances and granite countertops are sufficient! Even hip high end condos are sorely disappointing on the technology front. I need a way to control temperature, lighting, sound, and video in every room at a minimum. The place should be fully wired with in-wall speakers pumping out my 200 Gigs of tunes and I should be able to get my videos and photos to display on every flat panel TV. Bonus points if I can control the house from my cell phone.
I’m not sure I buy that technophiles caused the housing boom but I do think there will be big changes in home building in the next ten years. “At MIT, architecture professor Kent Larson is working on designs in which the bones of a house — a skeleton of studs, beams, and trusses — are like the chassis of a car or a PC, and linked components like sensors and A/V equipment slot into integrated receptacles… ‘You’d move away from conventional construction, and builders would become assemblers,’ Larson says.”
December 26, 2007
Bargain hunting is sport in our household year round, but today, there are deals galore as the after Christmas sales begin in full force. However, if you’re not feeling aggressive today and want to avoid the headache and frustration of shopping malls and parking lots, you can play Shop-and-Seek online for the best deals.
One of my favorite websites, DealNews, brings you the latest and greatest online treasures right to your keyboard. Use this site year ’round to bring you the biggest savings on electronics and items for your home, including the most recent after Christmas deals like these (just to name a few):
Craftsman 5 Piece Slotted Tool Set - $5
7.5 ft. Moreton Fir Slip Christmas Tree - $18
Coupon for $10 off purchases of $50 or more at Lowes
Fireplace Tool Set for $4
While on the subject of deal hunting, take a gander at these most “bang for your buck” Eastside properties. I listed the lowest $/sq.ft values I could hunt up for each area. Happy bargain hunting!
BELLEVUE
1011 158th Pl. SE
4 br/2.5 ba, 2,700 sq.ft.
Price $460,000 ($170/sq.ft.)
MLS 27147706
On Redfin 136 days
ISSAQUAH
22731 SE 49th Pl
5 br/4.5 ba, 4,758 sq.ft.
Price $910,000 ($191/sq.ft.)
MLS 27102879
On Redfin 201 days
KIRKLAND
8817 NE 132nd St.
3 br/2.25 ba, 2,320 sq.ft.
Price $449,950 ($194/sq.ft.)
MLS 27184867
On Redfin 76 days
1906 5th St
5 br/1.75 ba. 3,500 sq.ft.
Price $689,500 ($197/sq.ft.)
MLS 27211378
On Redfin 15 days
REDMOND
16602 NE 91st St.
4 br/2.25 ba, 3,660 sq.ft.
Price $539,000 ($147/sq.ft.)
MLS 27200556
On Redfin 43 days
SAMMAMISH
931 210th Ave NE
4 br/3 ba, 2,810 sq.ft.
Price $488,555 ($174/sq.ft.)
MLS 27214764
On Redfin 5 days
WOODINVILLE
22678 NE Old Woodinville-Duvall Rd.
5 br/3 ba, 4,000 sq.ft.
Price $670,000 ($168/sq.ft.)
MLS 27204103
On Redfin 37 days
December 22, 2007
Some homeowners really get into the holiday spirit. In fact, for some, the holiday spirit hits them as early as March, when they start planning for their seasonal displays. If you want to see some homeowners gone wild, choose an evening and drive by these Woodinville homes:
Woodinville Wonderland, by Mark and Tracy Zembruski
54,ooo lights
23620 NE 183rd St.
Su - Thu, 5-11 pm
Fri-Sat, 5pm-12am
Penn Family Lights, by Dan and Kristin Penn
10,000 lights
Su-Th, 5-10pm
Fr-Sat, 5-11pm
19510 223rd Ave NE
Ken & Sue Gagnon
19520 NE 159th St.
Do you know of any other fantastic Christmas light displays? If so, please post a comment and tell us where we can find it!
WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!!
December 21, 2007
I’m pretty sure that this weekend might be a tough one for open houses, but a great one for shopping malls, as procrastinators like myself will be raiding the stores for last minute gifts.
There are a few open houses this weekend, including these four Eastside homes in the $500,000 range. Because of the holiday weekend, the hours on the open houses are all slightly different, so I’ve noted them on the listings.
BELLEVUE
16616 SE 21st Pl
3 br/2.25 ba, 2,020 sq.ft.
Price $574,500
MLS 27202022
Open 12-4pm
ISSAQUAH
1930 14th Ct NE
3 br/2.5 ba, 2,261 sq.ft.
Price $570,000
MLS 27186294
Open 1-4 pm
REDMOND
6006 153rd Ct NE
4 br/2.5 ba. 2,080 sq.ft.
Price $549,000
MLS 27180707
Open 12-3 pm
WOODINVILLE
20135 137th Ave NE
4 br/3.5 ba, 3,060 sq.ft.
Price $565,000
MLS 27204836
December 21, 2007
Open House Date and Time:
Saturday, December 22, 12-4pm
1002 W Mukilteo Blvd.
Everett, WA 98203
Coffee shop of choice: Espresso Milano is a quick 2 block walk east or an easy stop on your way to town. It makes a great stop as you head to the beach “the long way around” or when you stop at the fruit stand next door. They’ve been making great espresso for years.
Favorite restaurant in the area: Our first restaurant experience in the area was on the deck of Arnie’s in Mukilteo, taking in the sun. It remains a great place to eat, rain or shine, because the sound and bay unfold in front of you and the clam chowder is sensational!
Favorite place(s) to go: Howarth Park is one block away, and a walk through it is to track the seasons. A few years ago a storm made it a pedestrian only experience so we’ve also tracked the progress of Mother Nature restoring herself. We always cross the pedestrian bridge over the train tracks to the outlook and then descend to the beach or walk up the road to the other side of the ravine to a tiny park which overlooks the harbor and Port Gardner Bay. There are two wood benches initialed by years of lovers. It’s the perfect place to sit and share the blackberries picked on the way.
Best features of the home: Our home is above the Boulevard with a westerly view of the Sound from the living room, deck, and patio. In contrast the northern view is green – nuances of green even in winter from the cedar and fir trees and the 30’ noble fir in the corner of the yard. While the living area is open and angular with big windows, French doors, and abundant light, the backyard remains a favorite spot with us; it is private, planted with fruit trees and berries, rhodies and roses. It also has a terraced bluestone patio and a double view of the Sound and Port Gardner Bay. Our deck is great for summer sunbathing and dining. Sitting above the Boulevard further enhances the sense of privacy.
Favorite room: The living room is a great space for entertaining a crowd or getting cozy in front of a wood fire in the fireplace. It’s a bright and open area. The vaulted ceiling, angled corner, bay window, and brick fireplace add to the architectural interest. The fireplace would be the focal point if it weren’t so easy to look at the sky and trees, or the infinity of the islands across Admiralty Inlet.
Most Romantic Spot: The bench at the look-out near north the entrance to Howarth Park on Olympic Boulevard is a favorite with us. We talked about it in “Favorite Places.” While we haven’t carved our initials in the bench, we may have kissed there once or twice.
What’s in the neighborhood: Our neighborhood is a tapestry of single family homes and trees edged with the beach and creeks. Two waterfront parks are within walking distance, as well as Forest Park which has a remodeled pool. For the bike enthusiasts, the Boulevard has a bike lane. Two blocks east is a small business center which includes Espresso Milano, a fruit stand, a dry cleaners, a tackle shop, a 76 station, and a church.
What we will miss the most: We will most miss our neighbors. From the day we moved here in January of 1992 we have felt completely welcome and a part of this little community of four families. Over the years some have moved on while others have arrived. It’s been kind of a global adventure getting to know everyone and each is a gem. From sharing fruits and flowers to cat sitting and just generally watching out for each other this has been a wonderful place to land.
December 21, 2007
When you move into a new space you want to make it your own so it reflects your personality and style. Decorating can be daunting and sometimes you just don’t know where to start. The deluge of information from books, magazines and TV programs that try to demystify decorating is enough to make your head spin. Here are a few basic tips:
- Start with what you have – if you have some pieces that you love and want to use in your new place start with those and build out the rest around that. For stuff that just won’t work try selling it on Craigslist.com or Ebay.com and you might just make some extra cash for new things that will better suite the new space.
- Plan Color and Texture – designers often create a board on which they clip fabric samples, paint chips and pictures to create a mini version of the components of the room and choose colors. If you have too many colors you’ll get a clown pants effect, if it’s too monochromatic or neutral it will be dull and boring. Putting the colors of your concept together on a board will help you visualize how it will come together.
- Paint – a fresh coat of paint always makes a place look better. Paint color is easy to change so this is a chance to experiment and express you style.
- Large furniture – pick your large furniture pieces and be very conscious of scale. Many people cram giant pieces of furniture into little spaces because they didn’t measure ahead of time. In a showroom furniture doesn’t look as big as it does when you finally get it home. Neutral colors for the really big pieces like sofa or dining table are usually a good bet. You can add pops of color in other ways that are easier to switch out if you get sick of the color. A couch should last you about 10 years so if you buy a bright red one, are you sure you’ll love that shade of red that long?
- Accessories – with paint and large furniture picked out most of the hard part is done. Now you can have fun with color and express your sense of style and point of view. Again be conscious of scale but in this case make sure not to pick too many tiny pieces, pick some large and medium sized items for interest and variety. Create balance on fireplaces or end tables by using symmetrical object like two identical candle holders or vases.
- Plants – add a little green life to a room. Scale comes into play here as well – try a huge houseplant for major impact.
December 19, 2007
Selling a house is tough no matter what kind of market you’re in “but according to some Bay Area real estate agents, the shifting market is bringing out more wacko buyers”sfgate.
For me the most traumatizing aspect of selling a house is having total strangers traipsing though it daily. And just when you’re ready to relax after a long week at work, you have to clean up and clear out for the Open House on Sunday. During one such open house at the last place I sold, 4 pairs of my unmentionables went missing (yes 4!). Who does that? I later found out that some pervert had been going from open house to open house looting ladies lingerie among other things. Lovely!
Just recently a duo that could be the Thelma and Louis of real estate in New York got busted for stealing $70K worth of stuff from a Manhattan penthouse. Real estate pros will tell you stealing is nothing new. If I sell another home I’m thinking setting up one of those “Nanny Cam’s” wouldn’t be a bad idea. The first thing every seller should do is to remove all valuables before putting the house on the market. Some crooks have used open houses to case the joint and then come back later to burgle.
I was trading real estate horror stories with some friends last week and there really is some creepy stuff going on out there. In Austin, Texas a woman selling her home was killed a few years ago after she let a man in who was posing as a prospective buyer and asked if she could show him the house because he had no agent. I know at least two female real estate agents that have been accosted by potential clients. And of course there’s the agent and his girlfriend having their fun in a vacant property. Scarry stuff!
