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“Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” --Thomas Edison
“The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time." --Abraham Lincoln
"The crisis of yesterday is the joke of tomorrow." -- H.G. Wells
By Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
Every spring, as the flowering plumb and cherry blossoms bloom, another rite of spring takes place in Juanita. Opening day of little league baseball.
I have come to realize that spring baseball in Juanita could just possibly be one of the coldest times of the year, and the Juanita beach baseball fields one of the coldest places on earth. There something special about the mix of a 38-42 degree evening with 10-20 mph winds whipping straight off Lake Washington.
Generations of parents and grandparents have put on their spring baseball uniforms right along with the kids. Long underwear, polar fleece and a heavy parka. The loving spectators bring a pad for those icy aluminum bleachers and finally cozy up in a blanket and change from a baseball cap to a stocking cap to watch America's summer pastime.
The kids on the other hand must be mutants. They're out there in their
uniforms. Short sleeved baseball jerseys and baseball pants. The only visible sign that one can tell they might be a little cold is the second baseman who starts jumping and an alert coach who know his signs........the kid needs to go (and quick). Coach makes a quick mid inning substitution and the 2nd baseman trots off. A few minutes later he announces to his replacement that he's back and reclaims his post. Nobody bothers to alert the scorekeeper to update the book.
And speaking of mutants, there is always, always some big dude who has on a jersey and shorts. Shorts! for crying out loud. He stands around for 6 icy innings somehow trying to convince everyone he's not cold. What is it about guys who wear shorts 365 days of the year? I don't get it.
When the summer hot days do finally come, and we're standing in line to pick up an order of fish and chips at Spuds, you'll often see people staring through the window at those baseball fields. People often say we don't remember pain. From the look on their face as they start to involuntarily shiver, I wonder.......
By Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
For over 10 years, I've met with my real estate colleagues in monthly small groups. These groups are "mastermind groups" and include good agents (from all companies) and lenders (mortgage initiators). We have one thing in common....we have a desire to make our systems and businesses better.
The main focus of our discussions is to mastermind ideas on how to build business by referral. We explore ways to deepen relationships with our clients and ways to give better customer service. The accumulative effect of these monthly mastermind meetings is nothing short of incredible.
In our meeting today, the lenders in our group actually dominated the discussion in many ways. They are frustrated. Changing rules and guidelines are driving them crazy. Banks and underwriters are changing programs at the drop of a hat. They are getting clients started into programs just to find the program disappear and that leaves them scrambling to find suitable replacement programs. Their biggest source of frustration is the inevitable "bumps in the road" that their clients may interpret as their (the mortgage initiator's) fault.
If you're looking for a loan, this is a time to work with an experienced professional. There are good loans available with great rates....if you qualify. Work closely with your lender. Communicate closely on your loan lock. Be responsive to their needs, and if they need something from you act quickly. And above all, give them some grace in a time when the industry is scrambling to make sense of new rules and guidelines.
Drop me an email, or give me a call and I'll be happy to refer you to the best!
By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor
NWMLS Area 530, East Bellevue has improved from a Buyer's advantaged market to a BALANCED market. Residential absorption rates averaged over the last seven weeks show that 530 is holding 23.7 weeks of inventory. The last 3 weeks have shown strong inventory absorption, especially in the lower price ranges.
Like other Eastside areas, high end homes (over $900,000) continue to be soft. In the last 7 weeks, there were only 3 sales in the price range above $900,000 out of an average of 55 ACTIVE listings. Nothing in this area over $1.5 million sold during this period. Area 530 is holding approx 75 weeks of inventory above the price tag of $900,000.
Inventory below $600,000 has improved to 16.7 weeks of inventory putting this price closer to becoming a Seller's advantaged market.
1-12 weeks = Sellers advantaged market
12-24 weeks = Balanced Market
24 weeks + = Buyers advantaged market
Statistics compiled from but not verified by NWMLS.
Vegetables, fruits and flowers. Every week we see them laid out in beautiful displays
in the supermarket grocery stores.
But there's something special and satisfying about buying produce and flowers from the small, local growers in a local farmer's market. They seem fresher....we're supporting small grower....more care and organic methods are used.
Farmer's Markets are alive and well on the Eastside. Spring marks the opening of these markets all across the Eastside. Here's a list of a Farmer's Market near you!
· Bellevue Farmers Market
1717 Bellevue Way N.E.
Thur. 3pm—7pm: May 15—October 9
· Carnation Farmers Market
SR 203, Tolt Ave. & Bird St.
Tue. 3pm—7pm: May 13—September 30
· Crossroads Farmers Market (Bellevue)
156th Ave. N.E. & N.E. 8th St.
Tue. Noon—5pm: May 27—October
· Issaquah Farmers Market
1730 10th Ave. N.W.
Sat. 9am—2pm: April 12—October 11
· Kirkland Wednesday Market
Park Lane E.
Wed. Noon—6pm: May 7—October 15
· North Bend Farmers Market
Si View Park, 400 SE Orchard Dr.
Thur. 4pm—8pm: June 26—September 11
· Redmond Saturday Market
7730 Leary Way
Sat. 9am—3pm: May 3—October 25
· Snoqualmie Farmers Market
Maple & SR 202
Sat. 10am—2pm: June 7—September 27
· Woodinville Farmers Market
Hwy 202 & Woodinville-Redmond Rd.
Sat. 9am—4pm: May 3—October
By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor
"It's spring fever... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" --Mark Twain
"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again." --Sarah Ban Breathnach
"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies." -- Nadine Stair
"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" -- Robin Williams
Redmond Real Estate Statistics
By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor
Residential Absorption Rates, averaged over the last 7 weeks, show that NWMLS area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) is holding 30.5 weeks of inventory. (300.4 Active listings vs. 9.9 Pending sales).
For homes priced over $1,000,000 during this period, there are 63.8 Active homes with a sales rate of 0.7 Pending sales per week. This means in the above $1,000,000 inventory has 91 weeks of inventory.
Homes under $1,000,000 show an average of 236.6 homes with 9.2 selling per week for 25.7 weeks of inventory.
Lower priced homes in Area 550 are rapidly absorbing, yet at the same time inventory in the high end is increasing. (25.7 weeks under $1,000,000 vs. 91 Weeks over $1,000,000)
Here is the breakdown by price range, averaged over 7 weeks:
0-12 weeks = Seller's advantaged market
12-24 weeks = Balanced Market
24 weeks + = Buyer's advantaged market
$0 - $299,000 4.4 Active 0.3 Pending per week 15.5 Weeks Inventory
$300,000 - $399,999 7.3 Active 0.4 Pending per week 17.0 Weeks Inventory
$400,000 - $499,999 34.3 Active 1.6 Pending per week 21.8 Weeks Inventory
$500,000 - $599,999 39.4 Active 1.9 Pending per week 21.2 Weeks Inventory
$600,000 - $699,999 44.6 Active 1.4 Pending per week 31.2 Weeks Inventory
$700,000 - $799,999 43.3 Active 1.9 Pending per week 23.2 Weeks Inventory
$800,000 - $899,999 38.9 Active 1.6 Pending per week 24.7 Weeks Inventory
$900,000 - $999,999 24.4 Active 0.1 Pending per week 171.0 Weeks Inventory
$1,000,000 -$1,499,999 34.4 Active 0.6 Pending per week 60.3 Weeks Inventory
$1,500,000 -$1,999,999 12.3 Active 0.1 Pending per week 86.0 Weeks Inventory
$2,000,000 -$2,499,999 7.1 Active 0.0 Sales
$2,500,000 -$2,999,999 7.0 Active 0.0 Sales
$3,000,000 -$4,999,999 3.0 Active 0.0
Overall, in the last 7 weeks, there has been only 1 (one) sale for homes priced above $1.5 million.
Overall a couple of factors hurting high end sales are the lack of good jumbo loan products (which currently is starting to correct) and relocating, out of state buyers who are having a hard time selling their homes in California and other areas across the country to be able to make a purchase.
Kirkland’s Easter Egg Hunt: Have Basket, Will Gather
Free March 23 Event Marks 34th Anniversary
Since 1974, children from the Kirkland community have been racing to gather as many candy treats as they can at the annual Easter Egg Hunt. This year’s event, provided by Kirkland Parks and Community Services Department and Kirkland Kiwanis will be held on Sunday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m. Hunters will be amazed at the 26,000 foil wrapped chocolate egg treats that will be scattered among the grasses of Peter Kirk Park, 202 3rd Street in Kirkland.
Children ages four and under will begin at the playground area; those ages five through seven will start from Lee Johnson Field; and those ages eight through twelve should meet at the grass area west of the QFC grocery store in Park Place mall. Bring a basket, and prepare to hunt! Enjoy music, socializing, and special springtime visitors. The goal of this event is to strengthen community image and sense of place. Please call (425) 587-3300 for more information.
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2008
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Park, 202 Third Street
Fee: FREE
Event Flyer
