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Scenes from our Client Appreciation Day held on Saturday, April 18th. We had a document shredding trruck where clients could bring confidential papers, entertainment from Hot Dog USA competitive jump rope team and FOOD! A great time was had by all.
Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
www.425realty.com
Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
www.425Realty.com
For the 7 day period ending on 4/22, King County saw its best week for Pendings sales (532) since July of 2008 (537).
On the Eastside, listings priced under $500,000 has less than 3 months of inventory at the current rate of sale. Overall the entire Eastside, which consists of NWMLS Areas 500,510,520,530,540,550,560 and 600 had 5.5 MOI, improving from 8.3 MOI in the same week last year. This year 50% of the Pending sales were under $500,000. Last year 26% of the Pending sales were under the price of $500,000. This year we saw 5 sales for the week over $1.5 million vs. 13 sales for the same week last year.
For the Seattle Metro Areas of 140,380,385,390,700,705,710,715,720:
The weekly Months of Supply for the Seattle Metro area came in under 3 months of inventory at 2.6 MOI. Last year these areas had 5.1 MOI. A HUGE 75% of the Pendings were under the price of $500,000. Last year 56% of the Pendings were under the price of $500,000. There were no sales for the week over $1.5 million in the Metro area.
To see where the NWMLS Areas are, see map:
If you have been bad in Kirkland and have an outstanding delinquent traffic violation, here's a chance to lessen the impact to your pocket book!
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009 |
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Kirkland Municipal Court Offers Debt Reductions All Interest and 50% Collection Fees Waived During May Kirkland, WA – The City of Kirkland Municipal Court is joining more than 100 Washington State courts of limited jurisdiction in Debt Reduction Programs through the month of May. The programs are designed to help those with outstanding traffic tickets and fines by the courts and their collection agencies to waive interest and a significant portion of collection costs on tickets that are currently in collection. While each participating court program will differ slightly, most courts, including Kirkland Municipal Court, are offering debt reduction through May 31, 2009. Those with delinquent fines through the City of Kirkland should contact AllianceOne Collection Agency at 1-800-456-8838, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kirkland’s program provides for the removal of credit bureau ratings when the delinquent amount is paid in full. Kirkland’s program excludes all legal accounts such as garnishments. To view a list of participating courts, go to www.courts.wa.gov. The program assists citizens with regaining their driver’s license after being revoked due to unpaid fines and fees. Once tickets are paid in full and reported to the court, the court will notify the Washington State Department of Licensing to clear the driving record. The driver may be able to obtain a valid driver’s license 48 hours later if no other offense on the driving record prevents it. Drivers can confirm if their driving privilege is clear by visiting https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdDriverStatusDisplay/ and entering their driver license number. Washington’s district and municipal courts held a similar program back in October of 2002, closing more than 10,000 cases and collecting $1,850,000 in revenue.
Kirkland Wednesday Market Opening Day 2009 |
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from the City of Kirkland about TREE CARE & REMOVAL Trees are important to any community’s character. In Kirkland, our urban forest is a valuable natural resource that is protected. As a property owner in Kirkland, you are responsible for ensuring trees on your private property and trees in the public right-of-way adjacent to your property are cared for and preserved according to City codes. The best way to ensure this is for property owners to submit a Tree Removal/Pruning Request prior to taking any action with trees. Before You Prune or Remove a Tree Kirkland regulations require that a property owner submit a Tree Removal/Pruning Request with an arborist report prior to pruning or removal if:
*The City requires replacement plantings for trees removed in critical areas or if the removed tree(s) is one or both of the last two trees on a property. Photos, rather than an arborist report, may be sufficient for your request to prune or remove trees with obvious defects, diseases, or are causing physical damage to property. City Approval of Your Tree Removal Request There is no fee to submit your Tree Removal/Pruning Request. City approval will not be granted to prune or remove public trees solely for the purpose of enhancing views. Should pruning and/or removal occur without prior approval from the City, you may be subject to restoration, fines, or both. To Learn More or for Assistance For tree regulations and to download the Tree Removal/Pruning Request form, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us and search “trees and landscaping.” For assistance, call the Planning & Community Development Department at 425-587-3225. |
Here is a perspective on inventory movement by price range. You can see what happened in each general price range for the 7 day period ending on April 15, 2 weeks ago, 1 year ago and 2 years ago.
Seattle Metro: NWMLS Areas 140,380,385,390,705,710,715,720
In April 2007, the market was moving at a brisk Seller's advantage market pace with only 1.8 months of inventory. We started hearing the murmurings of the credit crisis during the 2nd quarter 2007. By July 2007, the supply demand ratios started changing quickly.
This spring's activity is much improved over last year. It seems that the switch was thrown 3 weeks ago as we have seen a nice uptick in activity as buyers are taking advantage of record low interest rates and the first time buyer tax credit. Inventory below $500,000 has Seller's advantaged market sales ratios for the last 3 weeks in the Metro market areas.
0-3 Months Seller's Advantage
3-6 Months Balanced Market
6 Months or more Buyer's Advantage
Pending means all Pending statuses with Pending date within the last seven days.
Eastside: NWMLS 500,510,520,530,540,600
King County's Eastside homes priced under $300,000 for the 7 days ending on April 15, came in with strong Seller's Market ratios (1.78 months). Overall, the Eastside Pendings were up from 138 Pendings 2 weeks ago, to 160 Pendings last week. Just like the Metro areas, Seattle's Eastside sales ratios are much improved from last year.
Sales above $1,000,000 continue to be very slow on the Eastside. There are just under 1,000 Active listings over the $1,000,000 price tag.
Overall for the week, the Eastside improved to a Balanced market for all price ranges, improving from 2 weeks ago and last year's sales ratios.
To see where the NWMLS Areas line up, here's the map:
Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
www.425Realty.com
Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor
www.425Realty.com
This Shoreline Rambler is clean and solid, but in need of some cosmetic updates. A rare opportunity to create a little sweat equity as you fix this place up for your tastes. It's situated on a good street on a large 1/4 acre lot!
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By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor
www.425Realty.com
From Zig Ziglar come these quotes on happiness:
Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being "silly." But the word "silly" comes from the old English world "selig," and its literal definition is "to be blessed, happy , healthy and prosperous."
The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now.
Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours.
I'm so optimistic I'd go after Moby Dick in a row boat and take the tartar sauce with me.
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Kirkland Welcomes New Fire Chief Chief Jeff Blake Retires, J. Kevin Nalder Joins City Team Kirkland, WA – The City of Kirkland, WA has hired J. Kevin Nalder as its new Director of the Fire and Building Department. Nalder has been serving as Deputy Chief with the Salt Lake City Fire Department since 2007; a position he achieved within the agency since his hiring in 1985 as a firefighter. As Deputy Chief, he has been responsible for the management and administration of the Salt Lake City International Airport Fire Operations Divisions, Operations Support Services Bureau (includes management of the Training Division, Apparatus & Equipment Division, Hazardous Materials Unit, Heavy Rescue Unit, and Water Rescue Unit), internationally accredited Fire and EMS Dispatch Center, Technology Division, Fire Prevention Bureau, and the Emergency Preparedness Division. Nalder joins Kirkland on May 1. Chief Jeff Blake, who has served as the department director and Fire Chief, retires on April 15 after 12 years of service to the City. “Chief Blake inspired the employees of the Fire and Building Department with a commitment to excellent service that the community of Kirkland can be very proud of,” says Nalder. “In order to ensure the continuity of excellent service, I will lead the department with compassion, integrity, and strong leadership.” Nalder’s first priority is to get to know department personnel, conduct a “listening tour” with City management staff and introduce himself to the Kirkland community. Nalder will be responsible for the various services provided by the Kirkland Fire & Building Department. Services include emergency services (fire suppression, response to hazardous materials incidents, medical assistance), fire prevention (plan review for fire code compliance, fire safety education, arson investigation), emergency preparedness and administrative support. The Fire Department’s Training Division develops relevant training activities and programs for the various department functions. For more information about the department, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us. “We were all very impressed with Kevin’s depth of experience and interpersonal skills,” notes Kirkland City Manager Dave Ramsay. “We feel that he will be a great match with our staff and the community.” In 2006, Nalder received a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Science in Public Emergency Services Management from Utah Valley University (Orem, UT) and completed Paramedic School from Weber State University (Ogden, UT) in 1990. He expects to complete the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy (Emmitsburg, MD) in 2010. Nalder, his wife, Lauren and their two children will relocate to the Pacific Northwest in the coming weeks. Nalder’s oldest son recently accepted a position as a Fire Protection Engineer in San Diego and his oldest daughter is attending graduate school at the University of Utah. “Kirkland is a perfect match for the lifestyle my family and I subscribe to; we are very excited to become members of this outstanding community,” notes Nalder. The national recruitment and hiring process was coordinated by Prothman Company and resulted in six candidates who were interviewed by various City staff. Address: 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 Contact: Marie Stake, Communications Program Manager Phone: 425-587-3021
Kirkland Recreation Offers “Move It” Fitness Pass Kirkland, WA – Unlimited yoga, aerobics, body and core conditioning can be part of your fitness routine this spring. With a “Move It” fitness pass from Kirkland Parks & Community Services Department, you pay a quarterly fee and can take as many strengthening, stretching and conditioning classes that your heart desires. Passes are now available for purchase and valid through June 13. Passes can be purchased by calling the North Kirkland Community Center at 425-587-3336, Monday through Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. or by logging onto www.kirklandparks.net (register for class #25500). Kirkland residents pay $87 and non-residents pay $104. All classes are held at the North Kirkland Community Center 12421 103rd Avenue NE. Spring classes include Pilates/Yoga, Early Bird Strength and Stretch, Early Bird Low Impact Aerobics, Fitter and Firmer, Total Body Conditioning, Circuit Training, Body Sculpting, Core Conditioning, Pilates/ Strength Work, Boot Camp, Core Conditioning and BYOB (Bring Your Own Ball). Day and evening classes are available. For more information, contact Tracy Harrison, Recreation Coordinator, at 425-587-3352 or tharrison@ci.kirkland.wa.us.
And from the WSDOT:
In this issue
We're almost there: two more weekends of work on SR 520 in Bellevue
The weather didn't cooperate last weekend but things are looking good for bridge approach work this weekend on SR 520 in Bellevue. If the weather is good we’ll be working this weekend on westbound SR 520 from 124th Avenue NE to I-405. While our weekend work is wrapping up, we're not done yet. We'll doing more nighttime paving throughout the summer. This weekend we’ll close the two right lanes of westbound SR 520 from 124th Ave NE to I-405 around-the-clock, leaving just the two left lanes open to traffic from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. We’ll also close the on-ramp from 124th Ave NE and the ramp from westbound SR 520 to northbound I-405. We’ll provide signed detours using the 108th Avenue NE and 148th Avenue NE on-ramps. Drivers should be prepared for increased congestion at the 108th Avenue NE and 148th Avenue NE intersections and on parallel city streets. Choose alternate routes to avoid significant delays during your weekend travels. As always, this work is weather permitting and could be rescheduled if the forecast calls for rain. NE 128th Street HOV ramps and overpass in Kirkland closed this weekend
If you're heading to the Totem Lake area of Kirkland this weekend plan ahead for a weekend closure of the I-405 HOV ramps at NE 128th Street. The HOV ramps and the NE 128th Street bridge over I-405 will be closed to all traffic from 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17 until 5 a.m. on Monday, April 20 while crews install an expansion joint and repair the pavement on the ramps. Drivers should plan ahead and follow the signed detour. You can find the latest closure information on our Web site.
Caution: Wet Paint
We all know to look out for "watch out for wet paint signs" on a bench or handrail after painters have been there. But what about reflective stripes, arrows and other lane markings on streets or highways?
From now until October, we'll lay down more than 4,500 miles striping on highway roadways and ramps between the King/Pierce county line and the Canadian border. The fresh coat of reflective paint applied during spring, summer and fall months will make it easier for you to see the road when the winter rains return.
If you see a striping crew while driving be sure to give them plenty of room and watch for wet paint signs and warning trucks. We use a fast drying, water based paint. However, you run the risk of damaging the stripes by removing the reflectivity and getting paint splatters on your vehicle if you drive over fresh stripes or change lanes when following a crew.
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Central heat
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