Archive for February, 2008
February 29, 2008
Friends of Magnuson Park have filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers to
save the fragile wetland ecosystem of Magnuson Park. Under currently issued permits, the area would be filled and turned into lighted sports fields — a violation, says the group of the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act.
The citizen group is fighting the permits on a number of grounds, from expense to energy conservation to wildlife preservation, to name only a few.
On their website, the group says they only filed the lawsuit “after exhausting all other options.”
Are you a Magnuson neighbor? Wetlands or ballfields? If you were buying a home nearby, which would you prefer?
February 29, 2008
Walkscore.com is an interesting little website that gives you the quick and dirty lowdown on the walkable amenities around a particular house or neighborhood. You can use this website to get a list of the names and distances to grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, schools, coffee shops, bars, hardware stores, etc. that might be around any specific address that you enter. Walkscore.com also rates the walkability of a home by calculating an index number, known as the “Walk Score,” based on the distance to walkable locations near an address, though it doesn’t take into account all factors. The Walk Score scale is:
90 - 100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.
50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!
You can use this site to see what’s around any potential home that you’re considering buying, or you can use it to see what’s around your current home. Even if you think you know what’s around your home, take a look, you might be surprised. Heck, I just found out that my neighbor is running some sort of auto parts business out of his garage, though I’m fairly sure that this is not ok per our neighborhood CC&Rs!
While you’re there, take a look at the few celebrity homes that are listed on the site. Brad and Jenn couldn’t walk too many things from their pre-breakup home, but did you know that Bill G. can walk to his local Circle K for a slurpee? (It’s only 0.89 miles down the road from his Medina digs. )
February 29, 2008
Open House Date and Time:
Sunday, March 2nd, 12-3pm
6214 145th St SE
Everett, WA 98208
Seller’s Comments
Coffee shop of choice: The Spotted Cow
Favorite restaurant in the area: La Palmera
Favorite places to go: Azul, Central Market, Mill Creek Town center, Willis D. Tucker Recreation Center
Best features of the home: Well maintained and located in Cul-de-sac with spacious kitchen, open floor plan, cathedral ceilings, large windows and skylights (for bright interiors). Located minutes from express bus to Seattle and all amenities.
Favorite rooms: The master bedroom and the kitchen.
Most romantic spot: Next to the fire place, of course! Azul is the most romantic spot outside of the house.
What’s in the neighborhood: Friendly neighbors, parks, school and brand new grocery store within walking distance.
What I will miss the most: Everything, but mostly the location, friendly neighbors, and the bright interiors of the house.
February 29, 2008
Open House Date and Time:
Saturday, March 1st and Sunday, March 2nd from 1-4pm
2202 42nd Ave SW
Seatle, WA 98116
Seller’s Comments
Coffee shop of choice: Start with Revolution Coffee and Art. Of course, there is also Starbucks within walking distance…this is Seattle.
Favorite restaurant in the area: Salty’s (a Seattle legend) with incomparable views of the water and the City has to be one of our favorites. Also, Duke’s Chowder House, Jak’s Grill in the Alaska Junction, and the list goes on…
Favorite places to go: Alki beach for evening strolls, Hamilton Viewpoint Park to relax and enjoy the view, and Hiawatha Playfield to play some tennis on nice summer days.
Best features of the home: Immaculate yard, natural gas runs to fireplace, cooktop range, laundry and hot water. New high tech cat5 and RG6 cabling to each room.
Favorite rooms: Our favorite room would have to be the living room with fireplace roaring on a dark rainy night.
Any remodeling since last sale price: Yes. Everything has been updated and upgraded. Come enjoy the charming period details of this home but with all the modern conveniences.
Most romantic spot: It has got to be the beach. Second most romantic would be one of the many wonderful viewpoints in and around the neighborhood.
What’s in the neighborhood: The Admiral neighborhood is listed in Seattle Magazine as one of the top neighborhoods in the City. Easy access to Downtown, Alki, restaurants and the Admiral shopping district. Living in this neighborhood you’ll enjoy a very friendly community, pride of ownership, and an unbeatable location.
What I will miss the most: The neighborhood. This is truly a wonderful walking community. With that, it is just an 8 minute drive to downtown or 25 minutes to Redmond.
February 29, 2008
Open House Date and Time:
Saturday, March 1st and Sunday, March 2nd from 1-4pm
2331 N 60th St
Seattle, WA 98103
Coffee shop of choice:
Zoka, a 10 minute walk southwest to an area of neighborhood shops called ‘Tangletown’ .
Favorite Restaurant in the Area:
Eva, also in Tangletown. A fantastic Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar.
Favorite place(s) to go:
Favorite gathering place: Either the Elysian brewery in Tangletown (fantastic locally brewed beer as well as excellent food), Luau in Tangletown (funky Polynesian cocktails) or the Latona Pub (lots of local character and great desserts, on the corner of 65th and Latona).
Best features of the home:
Open and bright main floor, spacious bedrooms upstairs, and a fully finished basement with good ceiling height. The house is in immaculate turn-key condition.
Favorite room:
Dining room – very open and bright, looking onto the greenery of the backyard.
Any Remodeling Since Last Sale Price:
Almost all fixtures in the house – lighting, bathrooms, etc. New top-of-the-line hot water heater, designer paint throughout, storage/shelving units downstairs.
Most Romantic Spot:
Summer evenings outdoors on the patio
What’s in the neighborhood:
Great schools (John Stanford, Daniel Bagley, etc), Green Lake park, Tangletown, Ravenna shopping, easy access to I-5 and 99, and a completely residential feel.
What I will miss the most:
The amazing combination of great neighborhood, great location for commuting, easy access to Green Lake, and a completely turn-key Craftsman house.
February 29, 2008
Open House Date and Time:
Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd from 10am-4pm
12600 166th Ct.
Woodinville, WA
Coffee shop of choice:
There are 2 Starbucks in downtown Woodinville; one on the corner of 175th across from Jamba Juice, and another next to the Albertson’s. There is also one inside the Kingsgate Safeway on 124th just down the street. We go for the amazing scones!
Favorite restaurant in the area:
There is just about any type of food, style of dining, and price level in the area. One of our favorites is Racha Thai in Woodinville. There are also several good Mexican restaurants, starting with Mi Terra. For Italian food, it’s the Pizza Bank across from the Kingsgate Safeway. We also love Jet City Pizza, Hana Sushi in Bothell, Chan’s Place next to TJ Maxx, Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Redhook Ale Brewhouse and Bigfoot Bagels. And if you want fine dining, damn the price, there’s the critically acclaimed Barking Frog across for the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.
Favorite place(s) to go:
Sammamish River Trail: This trail is great for walking, jogging, biking, skating. You see great wildlife and there are plenty of blackberries, apples and other fruit in season! This trail extends from Marymoor Park in Redmond, and connects with the Burke-Gillman, so you can go all the way around the top of Lake Washington into the University District! Summer concerts at the Chateau Ste. Michelle are also a treat!
Best features of the home:
The floor plan of this home is very functional, open and light, with above average size bedrooms. Some highlights are: The Master bedroom is big and open, so it’s a private get away and very restful. The sunken Living room and formal Dining room are perfect for entertaining. And during the nicer weather, the back patio off the family room is great for enjoying the outdoors.
Favorite room:
Great for movies and baseball, it’s the room with the big screen, surround sound, and close proximity to popcorn and refreshments: The Family room.
Any Remodeling Since Last Sale Price:
We put in a beautiful Saltillo tile patio when we first moved in to enjoy the outdoors and our little slice of nature. Also a little tool shed for garden tools.
Most Romantic Spot:
Probably a walk hand-in-hand along the river on the Sammamish River Trail on a nice warm evening. Or dinner and a movie in Woodinville or Redmond.
What’s in the neighborhood:
This is a great neighborhood close to shopping, schools, public transportation, libraries, wineries, the Woodinville Mall, the Sammamish River Trail, movie theatres, great restaurants, easy access to 405, and only a half hour from downtown Seattle.
What I will miss the most:
A nice, quite neighborhood where you can enjoy your home, or still just drop down the hill into Woodinville for shopping, dining or entertainment.
February 29, 2008
Open House Date and Time:
Sundays March 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 1-4pm
618 E 35th St.
Tacoma, WA
Coffee shop of choice:
We love Neighborhood Coffee & Espresso; it’s a fantastically cool new place built inside an old house.
Favorite Restaurant in the Area:
This is tough! For quick, clean, authentic Mexican food: Café El Antojo. For high-end steak and seafood with an incredible view: Stanley & Seafort’s. For trendy bar & grill selections: Alfred’s. Unmatched Southeast Asian and Satay: Indochine. Take a look at the Holgerson House site for more at http://folks.harbornet.com/kalik.
Favorite place(s) to go:
Downtown Tacoma, it sits just at the bottom of my hill! Catch the light rail at Freighthouse Square and in seconds hop off at the museums (Glass Museum, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum), see the latest cool stuff in the galleries and shops on Pacific Ave and Broadway like Grassi’s and Seven Muses, browse books at University Bookstore, do some wine tasting at Vin Grotto, or take in a film at the Grand Cinema. Then hop back on the light rail for your return trip and pick up some of the planet’s best cinnamon rolls at Peggy’s Cinnamon Rolls in Freighthouse Square. A heavenly day and all without a car!
Best features of the home:
Victorian gingerbreading, high ceilings and turn-of-the century woodwork. Dance with the flowers in the “outdoor ballroom”. Tall windows let in lots of natural light to chase away the blues. The workshop/studio with unusually high ceilings and makes working on your projects both relaxing and fun.
Favorite room:
The parlor. Laying down on a chaise lounge in the bay, drenched with multi-colored light from the stained glassed windows and a view of the yard, reading a great novel, it’s sweet!
Any Remodeling Since Last Sale Price:
Yes, electrical and plumbing upgrades, attic re-insulation, lighting additions, kitchen and bathroom improvements including stainless steel fixtures, new flooring, custom breakfast counter, powder room, new range, landscaping galore, basement cobbing for the European flair, new back door, security system reinstalled, exterior painting refreshed on north, west, and south sides, crown molding in main bedroom, and new cable installation.
Most Romantic Spot:
The landmark Stanley & Seafort’s just down the street takes the cake! A frequent place for popping the question.
What’s in the neighborhood:
Neighborhood Coffee & Espresso, The Mottet Library, Fergie’s Restaurant, Rogers Off-Leash Park, McKinley Park and Top of Tacoma Bar & Grill to name a few.
What I will miss the most:
The neighbors and citizens of McKinley Hill and the Dome Bluff. Some of the most down-to-earth people I’ve met who passionately love their neighborhood and put their hands together to get what needs to done and help each other out. This is the kind of neighborhood where the community is seen as our common living room and people at the coffee shops are more than eager to become your friend.
February 28, 2008
The old Ballard Denny’s (previously Manning’s) on 15th and Market was voted in as a landmark last week by the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board. The story even picked up national news coverage, presumably because the building is so ugly distinctive.
The Newsweek article, titled, “Is Googie Good?” examines the merits of the 1950s and ’60s architectural craze, as well as the impact on the would-be developers of the property.
The landmark status is particularly bad news for the property’s owners. The real estate company Benaroya purchased the property in 2006 for $12 million. Now, their plans to develop a condominium complex are on hold as they begin to appeal the decision, a process that could take weeks, months or even years. “Here we are, having gone through the better part of a year without making any gains on the property,” says Jack McCollough, the company’s land use attorney. “With the time value of money and market changes, it can have quite a serious impact on us.”
Volunteer activists have taken on the project. Says Newsweek, “They have even worked with a local architecture firm to draw up plans for how a new condominium complex could incorporate this building, allowing for both development and preservation.” The Benaroya company is opposed to this solution.
What do you think? Would a restored Googie diner adjacent to your condo be retro chic or retro-cious?
February 28, 2008
The last week of February brings in more price reductions on both single family homes and some condos too. Here are the most recent Eastside price reductions, $25,000 or more.
To check out what else dropped in sales price during the month of February, see also last week’s price reductions and the week’s before that and the week’s before that… And while we’re at it, I’m all about finding out what’s useful and interesting to you real estate fanatics out there…anybody have suggestions for other Eastside (my neck of the woods) categories/lists of property that would tickle your fancy? If so, please leave me a comment and I’ll check it out–gracias!
BELLEVUE
14715 SE 24th St, #204
2 br/1.75 ba, 899 sq.ft.
Reduced $70,050 to $318,950 ($355/sq.ft.)
MLS 27112368
3222 110th Ave SE
5 br/3.5 ba, 3,080 sq.ft.
Reduced $60,000 to $1,275,000 ($414/sq.ft.)
MLS 28019971
14715 SE 24th St, #203
2 br/1.75 ba, 896 sq.ft.
Reduced $54,050 to $304,950 ($340/sq.ft.)
MLS 27112241
1014 111 Pl SE
5 br/2.5 ba, 2,860 sq.ft.
Reduced $50,000 to $748,000 ($262/sq.ft.)
MLS 28002466
ISSAQUAH
1609 28th Ave
4 br/2.5 ba, 3,498 sq.ft.
Reduced $80,000 to $900,000 ($257/sq.ft.)
MLS 28014367
2570 NE Daphne St*
5 br/4.5 ba, 4,373 sq.ft.
Reduced $50,000 to $1,394,950 ($319/sq.ft.)
MLS 27150134
* Looks like Buchan made some group price reductions on these new homes. If you’re interested, see MLS 27148217, 27148619, 27211578, and 28022546.
65 Mt. Olympus Dr SW
4 br/2.75 ba, 3,230 sq.ft.
Reduced $26,950 to $598,000 ($185/sq.ft.)
MLS 27198984
KIRKLAND
802 16th Ave W
4 br/4 ba, 5,211 sq.ft.
Reduced $196,000 to $2,499,000 ($480/sq.ft.)
MLS 27130001
9820 NE 116th St
3 br/3.5 ba. 2,567 sq.ft.
Reduced $60,000 to $699,900 ($273/sq.ft.)
MLS 28005476
11510 NE 107th Pl
4 br/3.5 ba, 2,810 sq.ft.
Reduced $26,550 to $722,000 ($257/sq.ft.)
MLS 28002016
REDMOND
21422 NE 79t St
5 br/4 ba, 3,700 sq.ft.
Reduced $49,950 to $1,150,000
MLS 28013695
9120 209th Ave NE
4 br/1.75 ba, 2,050 q.ft.
Reduced $30,000 to $467,500 ($228/sq.ft.)
MLS 28021972
16141 Cleveland St, #311
1 br/1 ba, 720 sq.ft.
Reduced $25,000 to $314,900 ($437/sq.ft.)
MLS 28016642
WOODINVILLE
18515 182nd Ave NE
5 br/3 ba, 3,030 sq.ft.
Reduced $25,000 to $650,000 ($215/sq.ft.)
MLS 27189556
February 26, 2008
Hey homesellers! The weather’s getting better, the sun is/was shining, and house-hunting season is upon us! So while you’re getting your home ready for sale, inside and out, consider these 5 relatively quick and easy painting projects to spruce up your home:
- Transform old, outdoor furniture into new. Give a fresh new coating to weather-beaten outdoor furniture. Do you have outdoor wood tables or adirondack chairs that are rotting away in a corner of your yard or garage? Have you seen worn old wood furniture at a yard sale? If so, with a coat of paint, these newly painted items can make your yard pretty as a picture!
- Paint your front door. Think about colors that will complement the exterior color scheme of your home. Choose an inviting complementary color to add warmth and style to your home.
- Touch up the dings and scuff marks on interior walls. Though it may no longer be noticeable to you, these marks might be the first indicators of wear and tear on a home that newcomers see, distracting them from your house’s full potential. Clean up, touch up, or repaint walls where necessary to revitalize a room.
- Rejuvenate worn, tired cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. Whether you want to give a room a new look, or minimize the wear and tear of old cabinetry, kitchen and bathroom cabinets (or even dressers or bookshelves) can be improved with a coat of paint.
- Paint out distractions in a room. Heater vents, pipes, and other functional items can be a distraction in a room. Paint them out by painting them the color of the wall behind the item to make them less obvious to the eye.
And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, here are 5 more things to do with a bucket of paint…5 fixer-uppers in Bellevue that you can take on!
1115 160th Ave SE
3 br/1.75 ba. 1,420 sq.ft.
Price $399,950 ($282/sq.ft.)
MLS 28019020
16612 SE 10th St
4 br/1.75 ba, 1,700 sq.ft.
Price $412,000 ($242/sq.ft.)
MLS 28019378
1808 146th Ave SE
3 br/2 ba, 2,040 sq.ft.
Price $444,500 ($218/sq.ft.)
MLS 27177580
1011 158th Pl SE
4 br/2.5 ba, 2,700 sq.ft.
Price $445,000 ($165/sq.ft.)
MLS 27147706
3419 SE 166th Ave SE
3 br/1.75 ba, 1,900 sq.ft.
Price $479,500 ($252/sq.ft.)
MLS 27172755
