Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

King County Homes Continue Brisk Selling Pace

By Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor

Single family homes, for the 7 day period ending on 6/24/09, King County Pending sales continue to be strong with 575 residentail homes selling.

The Eastside areas had 185 pending sales, second best week of the year.

The Seattle Metro areas had 137 pending sales which was somewhat off the pace of recent weeks.

Here is a breakdown of King County areas, by week, with a 7 week average.

Definitions: Pending sales are all new pending catagories with a pending date during the state period.

Eastside: NWMLS Areas 500,510,520,530,540,550,560, 600.

In City: NWMLS Areas 380,385,390,700,705,701,715,720

Monday's Inspiration -- Resolve

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent, or hinder, or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

From City of Kirkland: Juanita Beach Closed (until further notice)!

Friday, June 26, 2009 

 

Kirkland’s Juanita Beach Swimming Area Closed Until Further Notice Due to High Bacteria Levels

Water samples taken by King County Department of Natural Resources from Juanita Beach show high levels of bacteria and, as a result, the swim area is closed until further notice.   The average of weekly samples taken as part of the County’s Swim Beach Monitoring Program exceed the County’s bacteria threshold, making the swimming area potentially unsafe for swimming or wading. The source of bacteria is not known at this time.  Resampling will occur early next week.  Updates regarding this closure will be posted to the City’s website at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us.   Beach swimmers are encouraged to call the City’s 24-hour Hotline at 425-587-3860 to check the status of the beach. To view other King County area beach closures go to http://green.kingcounty.gov/swimbeach/Default.aspx.   For more information, contact Marie Stake, Communications Program Manager at 425-587-3021.

Seattle's Eastside Transportation News (From WSDOT)

WSDOT I-405 Eastside Transportation News

Find out how construction on I-90 and other major Seattle-area routes might affect your commute this week

In this issue

• I-90 floating bridge to close on July 5 for major repair work
• Factoria HOV lane to close this weekend
• Gear up to tackle I-90 lane closures
• Give ‘em a brake this summer

 

I-90 floating bridge to close on July 5 for major repair work

Can you work from home or a flexible schedule? Travel to work very early in the morning? Take some vacation time?

If you answered yes and use westbound I-90, start making plans now. Everybody who crosses Lake Washington faces major congestion starting on July 5 when we completely close the westbound mainline lanes of the I-90 floating bridge.

We’re funneling all westbound traffic into the two I-90 express lanes while we make safety repairs to the bridge. Additional travel delays on westbound I-90 are predicted to be 30-60 minutes or more depending on how many drivers change how or when they commute.

It likely means severe congestion on westbound I-90 – worse than the hour-long commutes we saw from Issaquah to Seattle in May when we closed just the I-90 express lanes for similar work.

The best bet for commuters will be to set their alarms an hour or two early and leave no later than 6 a.m. on weekdays.

Some good news: While delays will be severe for two straight weeks, we are paying the contractor to finish by July 20. That’s more than a week earlier than the July 28 we previously planned.

For Mercer Island drivers: Plan ahead and choose which of the two westbound I-90 ramps you will use to get to Seattle. Only 77th Avenue SE and Island Crest Way will be open for westbound drivers.

During commute times, a detour will be posted for drivers to queue up to get to the 77th Avenue SE on-ramp. We hope this will keep traffic moving through the central business district and allow transit to access the ramp. See the detour maps online.

 

Factoria HOV lane to close this weekend 

If you’re heading to downtown Bellevue on northbound I-405 this weekend give yourself a little extra time to get to your destination.  The HOV lane between Coal Creek Parkway and I-90 will be closed from 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26 to 5 a.m. on Monday, June 29.  We’ll also close an additional lane each night Friday thru Sunday.  For specific closure times please visit our I-405 construction updates Web site. The closures will allow crews to pour concrete to connect the existing carpool lane to a different bridge that spans I-90.  

 

Gear up to tackle I-90 lane closures

With the westbound I-90 mainline closed July 5-20, biking across the bridge is a great way to avoid traffic congestion and get in a little exercise at the same time. Need some help preparing for the two-wheeled commute? Attend Introduction to Bike Commuting: It’s How We Roll at noon on Wednesday, July 8. It’s a free, one-hour workshop led by Cascade Bicycle Club and hosted by TransManage to help you learn the bicycling basics at the TransManage office in downtown Bellevue,  500 108th Ave NE, Suite 210.  To reserve your spot contact Melissa Burkett by Monday, July 6.  If you can’t make the class, you can go online for more information about commuting by bike across the I-90 bridge.

 

Give 'em a brake this summer

Construction season is in full swing and as we complete different highway projects on around the Puget Sound Region this summer, you'll see several crews working behind orange construction barrels – in some cases working just a few feet from live traffic. As a reminder, we’re asking you to give highway and maintenance crews a break.  Close to 99 percent of people injured or killed in work zone collisions are drivers and passengers. So slow, down, pay attention and give yourself a little more room between you and the car in front of you.

Bothell Listing -- Pristine 3 BR, 2 BA Juanita area Condo in Wild Glen

Bothell listing:
Gorgeous, spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo that is clean as a whistle!

Greg Perry | Windermere Real Estate/NE | 425-829-7012 14401 100th Ave NE Unit 901, Bothell, WA Pristine 3 Bedroom, ground floor, end unit Condo in friendly north Juanita. 3BR/2BA Condo offered at $259,950 Year Built 1980 Sq Footage 1,277 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 771,447 sqft HOA/Maint $280 per month DESCRIPTION Finally a gorgeous, spacious 3 bedroom condo that's so clean it sparkles! The elegant living room has many decorator touches including a custom wood burning fireplace. The master bedroom has its own master bath and walk-in closet. The kitchen is large and bright with plenty of white cabinets with large counters. You'll love the cozy patio with the privacy screen garden. Located just minutes from I405 and Juanita shops and services. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Fireplace Walk-in closet Living room Office/Den Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Guest parking OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Lovely living room with decorator touches. Kitchen is clean and functional with plenty of cabinetry and counter space. Beautiful patio area with privacy screen garden. Minutes from I 405 and Juanita neighborhood shops and services. Master bedroom with private bath and walk-in closet. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Lovey 3 BR End Unit Elegant living room. Bright kitchen. Dining room Master bedroom and bath. Patio with privacy screen Contact info: Greg Perry Windermere Real Estate/NE 425-829-7012 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 24, 2009, 11:14am PDT

City of Kirkland Tree Regulation -- Upcoming Amendment Meetings

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TREE REGULATION AMENDMENT MEETINGS   In November 2005, the City Council adopted Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 95 - Tree Management and Required Landscaping.  In fall 2008, the City Council asked staff to pursue amendments which involve 'minor' and 'moderate' code changes and/or policy implications.  Information regarding the proposed changes can be found on the City’s Tree Regulation Amendment project website.   The City is requesting feedback from developers, consulting arborists and other tree care professionals, the general public, and property owners regarding the proposed changes.    The meeting dates are:   Developers/Builders: Tuesday, July 7, 2009.  10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.   Consulting Arborists & Other Tree Care Professionals: Wednesday, July 8, 2009.  3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.   General Public/Property Owners: Tuesday, July 14, 2009.  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.   The meetings will be held at City Hall (123 5th Avenue, Kirkland) in the Peter Kirk Room (south entrance).   Please let us know which meeting you plan on attending.  If you cannot attend your respective meeting, feel free to email us your comments on the proposed changes.   The meetings are informal and are meant to obtain input on the proposed changes from the perspective of the various groups.  The information will be relayed to the Planning Commission and Houghton Community Council for their consideration.   Interested parties can be informed about proposed updates and opportunities for public participation by visiting the City’s Tree Regulation Amendment project website  and by subscribing to receive email updates.   Jon Regala, Project Planner jregala@ci.kirkland.wa.us 425.587.3255   Deb Powers, Urban Forester dpowers@ci.kirkland.wa.us 425.587.3261

Monday's Inspiration -- Responsibility

The 10 Cannots

By William J. H. Boetcker

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.

You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

Eastside Condo Statistics - May 2009

By Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor

May's pending sales volume was the best for Eastside condos since June of last year.  Pending volume has been steadily going up since March, but at same time more inventory has been coming in.

 

Median prices were also the strongest of the year for Eastside condos, rebounding from April which had the lowest median prices logged in for the year.

 

While May's median price was better, the price per square foot was down over $30.00 per square foot, which means you can buy more condo for the money this year than last.

 

The final chart shows the relationship between CDOM (continuous days on market) and the percentage between the list price and sold price.  Notice as the days on market increase, the LP/SP percentage falls.

 

Eastside = NWMLS Areas 500,510,520,530,540,560,600

 

Kirkland Annexation Community Meetings

Community Meetings June 18, 23, & 29; New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Handouts Available   The City of Kirkland is hosting three informational meetings on the proposed annexation of the Finn Hill, North Juanita & Kingsgate neighborhoods.  ·         June 18: 7-9 p.m., Juanita High School, Auditorium, 10601 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 ·         June 23: 7-9 p.m., Finn Hill Jr. High School, Gym, 8040 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 ·         June 29: 7-9 p.m., Kamiakin Jr. High School, Cafeteria, 14111 132nd Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034   Two new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) handouts have been posted online at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/annexation:          Parks, Recreation, Human and Community Services Utility, Solid Waste & Other Services

Monday's Inspiration: Time

"Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it."

"We can no more afford to spend major time on minor things than we can to spend minor time on major things."

"The greatest definition for concentration I ever heard is, "Wherever our are, be there!"

"You don't get paid for the hour.  You get paid for the value you bring to an hour."

"Time is more valuable than money.  You can get more money, but you can't get more time."

                                                                                        Jim Rohn