Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

Introducing the Seattle/Eastside Million Dollar Challenge!

Windermere Real Estate/NE, Inc, of Kirkland, Cobalt Mortgage of Kirkland and dozens of community sponsors have created the Million Dollar Challenge!  We are working to add One Million Dollars into our local economy by helping 125 first time home buyers receive the $8,000 government First Time Home Buyer tax credit.

We're holding a community sponsored First Time Home-buyers Seminar on Saturday, September 26th at 10:00am.   The event location is the Lake Washington Technical College Auditorium.

Here a quick introductory video.  Additional details can be found at www.1-MillionDollarChallenge.com.

Lynnwood Listing! Gorgeous Sunny Rambler!

By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor

Greg Perry | Windermere Real Estate/NE | 425-829-7012 20528 21st Place W, Lynnwood, WA Sunny, pristine Lynnwood rambler has countless custom touches, from elegant moldings to a deluxe potting shed with commercial SS sink and counte 3BR/1.5BA Single Family House offered at $299,950 Year Built 1964 Sq Footage 1,394 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,276 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This charming, sunny rambler is in a word...gorgeous! This property is pristine,with countless custom touches from elegant moldings to a deluxe potting shed with commercial quality SS sink. The large kitchen has painted cabinetry and slate floors that spill into the family room. Living areas have hardwood floors throughout. Both the full and 1/2 bath have been updated. Lot is large, fenced and level. Located close to Alderwood shopping. Rarely will you find a nicer house to call your home. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Fireplace - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Dining room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Attic - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area - garage OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES - Oak hardwood, slate and tile floors. - Elegant crown mold, door casing, baseboards and chair rails. - Lovely decorator interior colors. - Updated bathrooms - Large kitchen with custom tile counters. - Roomy family room with slate floors. - Large flat and fenced back yard. - Potting shed area with commercial quality SS sink and flex faucet. - Lovely brick patio in back yard. - Cozy outdoor sitting area in front yard. - Close to Alderwood Mall and other shopping ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Exterior Living room Kitchen Family room Molding detail. Potting shed Contact info: Greg Perry Windermere Real Estate/NE 425-829-7012 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Aug 20, 2009, 8:01pm PDT

City of Kirkland Installs New Roadway Markings for Safer Bicycling

Thursday, August 20, 2009

New Roadway Markings Make “Sense” for Bicyclists Kirkland, Redmond, WA piloting new pavement markings for easier cycling     Kirkland & Redmond, WA – The neighboring cities of Kirkland and Redmond, in East King County, Washington, are becoming more bicycle friendly.  Both cities have recently installed new pavement markings to help cyclists trigger traffic signals and to help drivers and cyclists better share the streets.   Traffic signals sometimes don’t recognize the presence of bicycles.  The new markings help cyclists know where to stop so the signal can sense them.  The bicycle symbol is painted on the pavement and when the cyclist stops on it, the signal is activated.    In Kirkland, cyclists should keep their eyes out for markings at seven intersections between Carillon Point and Juanita. In Redmond, 150th Avenue NE from NE 40th to NE 51st Streets will bear the same symbols.     In addition to the sensors,  shared lane markings, also called sharrows, will be installed along the same Redmond streets.  Two large arrow heads with a bicycle indicate where the cyclists will travel on the roadway.  These markings, which will replace the separate bike lane in the future, are considered safer for both driver and cyclist.    Both cities are piloting the markings and may install more in the future.   To report signals in Kirkland that don’t detect bicycles, email publicworks@ci.kirkland.wa.us or call (425) 587-3800.  In Redmond, contact jpfundt@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2750.   ###

Important new rules for Home Inspectors!

Requirements for Home Inspectors are changing!  The following information was written and submitted to 425Realty.com from Jim Merritt, WIN Inspections Services.    Make sure YOUR Home Inspector is a licensed Home Inspector!

 

Licensing for Home Inspectors comes to Washington

Licensing for Home inspector in the state of Washington was signed into law in June of 2008.  The law includes qualifications for Home Inspectors including

120 hrs of approved educational courses, 40 hours of practical in the field training and the ability to pass a national and state home inspector examination.

Effective Sept 1 2009 all home inspectors must be licensed (RCW 18.210.020)

Further the home inspector license does not include a structural pest inspection. In order to obtain a pest inspection one must hire an inspector licensed by the WSDA as a structural pest inspector which is a separate license (RCW 18.280.190)

How do you know if you are using a licensed Home Inspector?   All advertising for that individual must contain “Licensed Home Inspector # XXX 

Licensing was enacted to protect the consumer, so remember to ask, so that you are receiving the services of a fully qualified and licensed Home Inspector!

Jim Merritt

WIN Home Inspection

Licensed Home Inspector #293

Structural Pest Inspector #66157

425-868-1408

jmerritt@wini.com

 

 

To learn more about Jim, please visit this link!

Important DEADLINE Information About the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit

Fire Safety Tips From the City of Kirkland Fire Department

Thursday, August 6, 2009

From the City of Kirkland Fire Department about INCREASED FIRE DANGER AND FIRE SAFETY TIPS When there is extreme heat for long periods of time, ground cover and vegetation become very dry and increase fire danger.  The Kirkland Fire Department offers the following fire safety tips to help you minimize fire hazards so that you can enjoy the warmer weather. Hot Weather Fire Safety Tips: ·         Do not use weed burners or other open flame devices. All vegetation burning (land clearing type) is prohibited under the current Puget Sound Clean Air burn ban. ·         If you smoke while driving, always use vehicle ashtrays; never throw cigarette butts out of the window. ·         Only use chain saws with spark arresters. When using stump grinders or other tools that can create sparks, keep the surrounding ground and vegetation wet while the tools are in use. ·         Place a fireplace hearth mat under your barbeque, so that coals or flaming embers do not ignite wooden surfaces or vegetation under your grill. ·         Never pour charcoal lighter fluid on a lit barbeque. ·         Report all fires to 911 immediately; so that the Fire Department can verify that the fire is completely extinguished. Recreational and Cooking Fires: ·         Due to the extremely dry conditions, the Kirkland Fire Department is discouraging all types of fires and asking people to act responsibly.  If you must have an outdoor fire, please be sure to take the following precautions: ·         Contain the fire in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds. ·         Keep the fire smaller than three feet across. ·         Make sure the fire is located at least 10 feet from ground vegetation or overhanging branches. ·         Make sure the fire is attended at all times by an adult with immediate access to a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose. Be fire safe and practice these tips so that you can enjoy the weather and avoid fire emergencies.

King County Real Estate Highlights -- July 2009

Overall, July activity in King County was strong.  County pending sales came in at 2,217 (vs. 1855 in 2008) up 19.51%.  Closed sales count came in at 1,725 (vs. 1,562 in 2008) up 10.56%.

King County median prices were down 13.71% from 2008 coming in at $384,000 (vs. 445,000 in 2008).

For the Eastside, NWMLS areas 500-600, there were 521 closed sales (vs. 512 in 2008), up 1.76%.  Eastside pendings were up 22.10% coming in with 663 (vs. 543 in 2008).

The median price for the Eastside was $515,000 (vs. $597,475 in 2008), down 13.80%.