Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

A Working-for-you Milestone! Our first 200 Posts!

Just like an odometer on a car, the Working-for-you posts on www.425realty.com  just keep on ticking off numbers.  Today we hit our first 200 posts on our main weblog page. 

Writing articles for our blog has been fun.  We've written  great tips for Buyers, Sellers and investors.  We've included home improvement articles.  Brian's "Friday Did you Know? series has been outstanding.  Sometimes we're serious,  sometimes we muse. Most of all, we stay local....on Seattle's Eastside with great neighborhood information and local real estate market information.

We're especially appreciative for our regular and loyal readers that follow www.425realty.com, and especially the comments that help to make this blog a conversation.

We're just getting started are looking forward to making the content and information in www.425realty.com more valuable and more useful every day.

As with any milestone, it's fun to reflect.  We've selected a few of our favorite posts from our first 200 for your review.  If you didn't see them before, we hope you enjoy them now.  Here' some of our favorites:

Update Your Lighting Fixtures .. Cost vs. Value Big Bang For the Buck!

The Experience Of It All

Success Is Not By Chance, It's By Choice

425Realty.com's Top 10 Most Offensive Buyer Turn Offs!

A Tour of Kirkland's Peter Kirk Park (By cub reporter Kai)

Moving Checklist -- 2 Weeks Before You Move

What Did I Forget Today?

I Love This Real Estate Market!

Old Fashioned 4th of July Neighborhood Picnic -- Kingsgate, WA.

Hattie, the Flying Cairn Terrier

We also like all of our "Featured Articles", "The Secret"...Working Efficiently with Buyers ,     Selling Your Home: 5 Critical Areas to Squeeze Out the Last Dollar , and Pricing your home to sell .

We're like the direction that www.425realty.com is taking.  We're Working-for-you to make www.425realty.com the "Voice of Seattle's Eastside".

If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can make www.425realty.com better, or want to highlight your favorite post, leave a comment!

Moving Checklist -- Two Weeks Before you Move

This is part two of our moving series.  Moving is just another one of the stresses associated with buying or selling a home.  Proper preparation can alleviate a lot of the stress and make your transition much more enjoyable.  If you missed it, check out part 1 of our moving series "Moving Checklist--One Month Before you Move" here.

Here is a checklist of things to do one to two weeks prior to moving:

• Switch utility services to your new address.  Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscriptions, telephone, and cable of your move.
• Arrange for help on moving day.  Time to cash in with the friends and family!
• Confirm travel reservations
• Reserve elevator if moving into an apartment
• Have appliances serviced for moving. 
• Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving
• Plan ahead for any special needs for infants, elderly or handicapped
• Close bank accounts and have you refunds wired to your new bank.  Before closing, be sure there are no outstanding check or automatic payments that haven't been processed.
• Collect valuables from safe-deposit box.  Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand carry them to your new address.
• Check with your insurance agent to ensure you'll be covered through your homeowners or renter's policy during the move
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator.  Place deodorizer inside to control odors.
• Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule so you may be reached if needed.

If you have any other good tips, please comment and let us know! 

Friday's Did You Know? Bellevue's Strawberry Festival

I know you know Bellevue square sits on old strawberry fields, and if you don't visit this post ...but did you know that Bellevue used to hold an annual Strawberry Festival?  The First Strawberry Festival was held back in June of 1925 behind the main street school.  The festival lasted three days and was held until 1942 when the onset of WWII forced the Japanese Strawberry farmers into internment camps.  In 1987 the festival was revived by the Bellevue Historical Society.

Things to do for mom in Kirkland

There are many reasons Kirkland is one of the very best places to live, not only on the Eastside, but in the country!  My wife stumbled across this fantastic information at The Red Tricycle blog about things to do for mom's with their kids in the city of Kirkland.

Play:
Parkplace Cinema: Baby's Day At The Movies
404 Park Place - 425.827.9000
www.kirklandparkplace.com/cinema.htm
The Parkplace cinema opens its doors to parents with babies every other Friday. Unlike other "child-geared" cinema programs, all screens are open, not just one, so there's a lot of choice for parents and kids alike. Doors open at 9:15 am; shows start at 9:45am.

Peter Kirk Open Air Pool (and Wading Pool)
202 Third Street - Pool Hotline: 425.587.3335
www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/
Great for those hot summer days and right next to Peter Kirk Park for post-swim picnics! Also next to Kirkland Parkplace if you prefer to dine in a restaurant. Pool offers open swim, wading pool, swim lessons, party packages, swim under the stars and more. Check schedule for open swim times.

Pump It Up: Drop-In Playtime
11605 NE 116th St - 425.820.2297
www.pumpitupparty.com
Jump, Jump, Jump Around at this inflatable play world! Drop-In Play on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings and Family Jump Night on Fridays in July & August. Birthday parties and playgroup packages available too.

Summer Concerts for Kids at Marina Park/Downtown Kirkland
Every Wednesday at 10:00 am from July 10-August 22, 2007. Bring a beach blanket (and some sand toys) and prepare for Little One to get wet as the beach and a fountain are right there! Bring the stroller and hit the farmers market on Park Lane before you head home for a nap. Full Schedule here

Kirkland Libraries & Story times (Check here for story times & special events)
Downtown Kirkland Library (Walking distance to Parkplace, Peter Kirk Park, and the Pool) www.kcls.org/kirk/kirkhome.cfm
-Kingsgate Library www.kcls.org/kings/home.cfm
-Parkplace Books-425.828.6546 - Hatch a Reader Program, Every other Friday at 10am-call for schedule.

North Kirkland Community Center
12421 103rd Avenue NE - 425.587.3350
Drop in play �indoor playground� Mid September-Early June (call for schedule) is perfect on a rainy day! Picture an entire gym filled with plastic cars & toys! $2. -Classes for all age ranges including art, music, and dance.
Facility rental available for birthday parties
Outdoor playground
More info on all their programs: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Community_Centers.htm

Northwest Aerials: Drop In Programs
12440 128th Lane NE - 425.823.2665
Drop-in structured classes M-TH for Wiggle Worms (15-35mos) at varying t(check current schedule). Open Gym (for 2.5 & up) drop-in times Mon & Weds 12:15 - 1:30pm. Use the foam pit, trampolines, balance beams and more! Open gym is suimes pervised but not a structured class. Parents to remain with kids. Also, check this place out for birthday parties, swim lessons, gymnastics, & dance!

Artsy Fartsy
Kirkland Performing Arts Center
350 Kirkland Ave - Box Office: 425.893.9900
www.kpcenter.org/cgi-bin/by_genre.cgi?id=3
Music, dance, comedy, theater, and Children�s performances too! Check the schedule for upcoming performances.

Art Walk
On the second Thursday of each month, Downtown Kirkland's art galleries are open from 6pm-8pm.
More info at: www.explorekirkland.com/kirkland_arts.cfm?content=69

Evening Summer Concerts
Every Tuesday and Thursday night from July 10-August 23 (2007), you'll find live music in Marina Park. Bring a picnic! (Also check out the Wednesday Kid's Concerts at 10am). Full Schedule here.

Parks We Love
Tot Lot Park - Often referred to as "Turtle Park" 111 9th Ave (East of Market St) Fully fenced & gated! A perfect park for toddlers-especially if you are chasing more than one!
Amenities include: Sandbox (bring your own toys), small climbing structures and slides, one bigger slide, swings, a "truck" to pretend-drive, 2 springy/ride-on turtles, and the main turtle (bring chalk to decorate him).
Phyllis A. Needy Houghton Neighborhood Park 10811 NE 47th St Another one perfect for Toddlers! Also fully fenced and gated.
Amenities include: Sandbox, smaller climbing structures with slides, swings, a springy/ride-on vehicles & dog, a maze, picnic tables, and a bathroom. There's also a paved path circling the interior of the park and a paved basketball court-great for bringing your tricycle!
Houghton Beach Park 5811 Lake WA Blvd While this one can get packed with teens in the afternoon, they are usually over on the grassy area or the dock. It's definitely quieter in the mornings and Little One will love digging in the sand & playing on the playground toys! Bonus: Kidd Valley is across the street-pick up lunch on your way home or have a picnic!

For addresses and directions, plus a list of all parks in Kirkland: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Online_Parks_Guide.htm

For more to do in Kirkland and the Seattle area visit the Red Tricycle blog! 

What is Escrow?

By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor

The Escrow company assembles all the components of a real estate transaction, then processes and records the transaction, transferring ownership from the Seller to the Buyer. The escrow agent is a disinterested (neutral) third party acting on behalf of the buyer and seller under the guidelines set forth by the State of Washington - Department of Financial Institutions.

• The Purchase & Sale Agreement is drawn up between buyer and seller.
• The Escrow company receives a copy of the Purchase & Sale Agreement, along with copies of the buyer's loan application and the title search on the prospective property.
• The Escrow company then reviews and clears title on the prospective property while awaiting the buyer's loan documentation.
• The Escrow company prepares all closing documents according to the escrow instructions, which are received from all related parties.   
• A licensed escrow representative from The Escrow company facilitates and oversees the signing of closing documents with the buyer and seller (in separate meetings). At this point, The Escrow company receives funds from the buyer to close the transaction (a cashier's check or bank wire). 
• The signed closing documents are then forwarded to the lender for review. Upon satisfactory review, the lender releases the file for recording. 
• The title company records the deeds to the property with the County Courthouse. 
• The lender balances the prospective account and forwards funds to The Escrow company for disbursement.  
• The Escrow company receives recording numbers from the title company and distributes proper funds to related parties.
• Closing has occurred and title (the property) has changed ownership.

Friday's Did You Know? Woodinville has always Rocked!

  Did you Know? That this week, back in 1969 Led Zeppelin, The Doors and Santana played what was at that time, the Pacific Northwests biggest rock concert. The Seattle Pop festival was held at Gold Creek Park in Woodinville and hosted over 40,000 fans that came in from Seattle, and other parts of the Northwest. 

The concert was one of the last pop concerts the Doors performed and is remembered in this article.  A quote from the article gives a good idea of the environment Gold Creek Park became.

"The tension there was high. Only a chickenwire fence separated the stage -and us - from 40,000 rock fans, fronted by a phalanx of screaming teenyboppers who had come out from Seattle for the day just to see Morrison. Black Panthers recruited by promoter Boyd Grafmyre patrolled along the fence, politely asking the jammed-in kids not to crash the stage."

Other artists who performed at the festival included Chuck Berry, Black Snake, Tim Buckley, The Byrds, Chicago Transit Authority, Albert Collins, Crome Syrcus, Bo Diddley, Floating Bridge, The Flock, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Guess Who, It's A Beautiful Day, Charles Loyd, Lonnie Mack, Lee Michaels, Rockin Fu, Murray Roman,  Spirit, Ten Years After, Ike & Tina Turner, Vanilla Fudge, and the Youngbloods.

I love this real estate market!

I'm having fun!  I'm having a great year!

I love this market!

Let's face it. Fishing for clients was pretty easy the last couple of years.  When the fish actually jump into the boat as it's drifting down the river, you don't have to be too good.  The trouble with "easy", is that "easy"  can be harder for professionals.

The market is turning, and I love it!  Now it takes a little skill to hook land a fish.  We're entering into a professional's market and I couldn't be happier.  This "harder" market is better for professionals.

I'm receiving more referrals for both Buyers and Sellers.  Friends know their friends need professional help because they sense the market is turning.

In yesterday's market, we really didn't have to be all that precise on pricing a Seller's house.  No problem....if we missed on the low side, the market immediately swept it to market value.  If we missed on the high side we knew because if we didn't get in offer in the first week we knew to lower to price.   And condition?  Who cared!  Buyers were happy to offer on anything decent. 

In today's market, we have to be the shiny penny.  Market times have increased dramatically. We have to price precisely. I'm researching and presenting market information in the way Sellers can understand to enable them price their homes to sell.  Sellers need to pay attention to every detail....(and they realize this more every day)....and they're  hiring professionals to guide them.  No longer can agents or Sellers afford to be lazy if they expect to get the house sold.  It takes being on the ball in this market to get the job done.

In yesterday's market when working with Buyers, most of my skill and expertise was used to merely acquire the property that they had their heart set on.  The skill set was all about winning multiple offer wars.  It was hard to make a Seller blink.

In today's market, the Buyer is starting to realize that for the first time in several years, they have choice.  Buyers have the luxury of taking more time to make a good decision.  I'm finding that I can truly negotiate for the financial benefit of a Buyer, often to the point where it's the Seller that blinks first.

I love this market.  It's becoming a professional's market.  Sellers and Buyers are starting to understand that and are looking at agent qualifications at a deeper level.   It's fun working on the other side of the table of and matching wits with  another professional who is skilled at representing their client while I'm skillfully representing mine.  It's fun working against lazy and inexperienced agents as I score huge victories against them on behalf of my clients.  It's especially fun working with Buyers and Sellers representing themselves.  They're leaving huge money on the table and don't even realize it.

Yes, this is a fun real estate market and I love it.  We're in a professional's market!

By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor
Kirkland, Washington

Working-for-you Helpful Handy Hints! Vinegar!

Vinegar for Personal Care

The bath:  Ad half a cup of vinegar to warm bath water when bathing.  It will soften your skin and clean the tub!
Hair conditioner: Vinegar helps remove the sticky stuff shampoo can leave behind.  One tablespoon will do it.
Dandruff treatment: Massage a few tablespoons of vinegar into your scalp.  Let stand a few minutes, then rinse.
Dry skin repair: Smooth a little vinegar on cracked, dried skin to help it heal.

Vinegar for Cleaning

Glass cleaner: Spray on full strength vinegar and wipe windows dry with crumpled-up   newspapers.
Car cleaner: Use full strength vinegar to polish care chrome with a cloth, and see it shine!
Clean drinking glasses: Soak drinking glasses in warmed white vinegar for a few hours to remove the film.
Clean the washer: Run a gallon of distilled vinegar through the rinse cycle to rid it of any soap scum.
Unclog drains: pour boiling white vinegar down clogged drains to wash the clog right out!
Deodorize the garbage disposal: Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. Run cold water.
Clean the microwave: Heat 1/4 cp of vinegar and 1 cup water in the microwave.  This will loosen food and odor.
Remove smoke from clothing: Add a cup of vinegar to bath tub of hot water.  Hang clothes above the steam.
Natural air deodorizer:  Vinegar is a nutural air freshener when sprayed in a room.
Remove rust: Soak rusted tools overnight in undiluted white vinegar.
Brighten fabrics and remove lint from laundry: Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Remove perspiration stains from clothing: Apply one part vinegar to four parts water, then rinse.

Eastside Real Estate -- Condo Market Statistics -- June 2007

Eastside Real Estate -- Condo Market Statistics -- June 2007

Like residential Single Family Residences, June 2007 Eastside condo inventory (NWMLS areas 500-600), rose substantially from last year (June 2006).  Overall in these areas there were 840 ACTIVE listings in 2007 and 543 ACTIVE listings in 2006 for an increase of 54.70%.  Total Eastside Pendings were 382 for June 2007 and 432 for June 2006 for a decrease of -11.57%.  Eastside Median prices for SOLD units were $334,990 in June 2007 against $274,425 for a staggering 22.07% increase! Year to date, the condo Median prices are up 12.10%.

Area 500, So. Bellevue/Issaquah had the largest hike in median prices at 32.7%.  Area 550 Redmond was the only area that was under last year's median price at -5.63%.

The biggest inventory gain went to Area 530, East Bellevue, which went up a whopping 187.88%!  Area 550, Redmond stayed about even in inventory last year with a 1.49% gain.

West Bellevue, Area 520, had the biggest increase in Pending sales at 30.56%.  Area 600, North Kirkland/Woodinville/Duvall was off -48.62% from last year's sales.

Here is the breakdown by area:
NWMLS Area 500 (South Bellevue and Issaquah south of I90)
Median prices were up 32.07% ($349,975 this year vs. $264,950 last year)
Inventory was up 59.65% (91 vs. 57)
Pending sales were up 17.95% (46 vs. 35)

NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island)
Median prices were up 23.86% ($449,000 vs. $362,500)
Inventory was up 128.57% (16 vs. 7)
Pending sales were up 50 (3 vs 2)

NWMLS Area 520 (West Bellevue)
Median prices were off -24.5% ($412,500 vs $$545,600)
Inventory was up 82.98% (47 vs. 36)
Pendings were the same 00.00% (50 vs. 50)

NWMLS Area 530 (East Bellevue)
Median prices were up 10.80% ($297,500 vs. $268,500)
Inventory was up 187.88% (95 vs. 33)
Pendings were down -1.8% (54 vs 55)

NWMLS Area 540 (Sammamish and Pine Lake Plateau)
Median prices were up 10.77% ($359,900 vs. $325,000)
Inventory was up 45.93% (197 vs. 135)
Pendings were up 13.51% (84 vs. 74)

NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation)
Median prices were down -5.63% ($334,950 vs. $354,950)
Inventory was up 1.49% (68 vs. 67)
Pendings were down -34.00% (33 vs. 50)

NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland)
Median prices were up 25.82% ($379,900 vs. $302,000)
Inventory was up 60.95% (169 vs. 105)
Pendings were down -11.94% (59 vs.67)

NWMLS Area 600 (No. Kirkland/So. Bothell/Woodinville/Duvall)
Median prices were up 12.33% ($250,500 vs. $223,000)
Inventory was up 28.26% (118 vs. 92)
Pendings were down 6.2% (56 vs. 109)

Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor

These statistics are compiled from the NWMLS, and are not published by the NWMLS.

Hattie, the flying cairn terrier.....

Here's a potential horror story for pet lovers!

We live in a 2 story house and have about a 20 foot drop to the deck from the back windows. This afternoon, our girl Hattie, alerted to the neighbors dog from the back of a chair against the window. She jumped against the window screen -- it popped out-- and she went flying through the window.

There is good news, here. Last year, we built a patio cover, and she landed on it. Whew! Val (my wife) was in the the room, and jumped on the cover to retrieve her. What could have been disastrous turned out to be an elevated heart rate.

We keep our windows open more this time of the year.  For any pet owners who have second story windows...... pet proof them!

The first pic shows where the screen landed.  That's about where Hattie ended up.  The second pic shows a barrier that we blocked the window with (they are 12x12 metal storage cube panels).

Val and I own 3 cairn terriers, Kula, Kona and Hattie.  Kula has a Rally obedience title and is competing in Agility trials. 

Kona is an AKC Champion and holds a Senior Earthdog title.
Hattie is only 3 points away from her AKC Championship (15 needed) and is competing in earthdog events.  To see more, visit our cairn terrier website www.croftersdream.com