Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

A Place To Call Home

  A neighborhood can be every bit as important as the dwelling itself.  The 2009 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reported the results of a survey of consumers and real estate agents regarding top influential characteristics in selecting a home.  

• 64% believe Quality of neighborhood is one of the most important attributes in selecting a home.
• 50% believe Convenience to jobs is important.  Commuting costs are a key factor in neighborhood selection.  
• 43% responded overall Affordability of homes.
• 37% felt Convenience to family and friends to be important.
• 26% looked to Quality of the school district.
• 26% also cite Convenience to shopping.
• 23% were looking at Neighborhood design.
• 21% valued Convenience to schools.

Think hard about the features that matter most to you and your family.  Take a walk through the neighborhood that surrounds the home you're considering.  How are the surrounding homes maintained?  Is the area peaceful?  If you are interested in parks, a library, restaurants or shopping are they convenient?  Talk to the neighbors about the neighborhood and what it's like to live there.  Try to morning and evening commute.  As your agent, I am familiar with local communities and can help you identify a neighborhood that meets your needs.
 

Brain City (Seattle) 2nd Best City For The Next Decade

 The Editors of Kiplingers Personal Finance Magazine authored this article about the 10 best cities for the next decade.  Seattle is NUMBER TWO!  Hat tip to a special client, Rose Michaels.

2. Seattle, Wash.

Rain City? We'd say Brain City. Home to a well-educated workforce, a world-class research university, über innovators Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing, and a host of risk-taking, garage-tinkering entrepreneurs, Seattle crackles with creative energy. "We only have two products here: smart people and great ideas," says Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington.

Seattle is revising its tax, zoning and permit policies to make them more business-friendly. Meanwhile, this sophisticated Pacific Rim city has other qualities to recommend it, including great food, a glorious setting, an outdoorsy culture, and, yes, enough rain to keep the locals' complexions looking dewy.

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-best-cities-for-the-next-decade

City of Kirkland 2010 Special Events Calendar

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

City of Kirkland News Release Special Events Coming to Kirkland in 2010 Kirkland, WA – The following special events have been scheduled to take place throughout the City of Kirkland in 2010. Event applicants are in the process of obtaining permits from the City’s Parks and Community Services Department for their activities.  To receive email notifications about permitted events that have traffic impacts to Kirkland, subscribe to Kirkland Email Alerts at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/E-Bulletins and select “Neighborhood News.”  March 20:       Kirkland American Little League Parade May 8 & 9:   Kirkland Artist Studio Tour 9:         Kirkland Half Marathon 29:       Seattle International Film Festival – Outdoor Screening 30:       Kirkland Criterium 31:       7 Hills of Kirkland June 26:       Kirkland Karnival July 4:         4th of July Parade & Fireworks 16-18:  Kirkland Uncorked 18:       Classic Car Show 24:       Go Dog Go 24:       Ragnar Relay August 3:         National Night Out 28:       Dog Walk September 12:       Concours d’ Elegance 18:       Kirkland Triathlon 19:       Kirkland Kids Triathlon 26:       Race for Hope October 24:       Pace Race November 21:       Turkey Trot 27:       Tree Lighting Ceremony December 19:       12ks of Christmas On-going May 5 – Oct. 13:     Kirkland Wednesday Market May 14 – Oct. 8:     Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach June – Oct:             2nd Thursdays on Park Lane July – August:         Summer Concert Series For permit information contact, Sudie Elkayssi, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Kirkland Parks & Community, 425-587-3347.  ###

City of Kirkland Approves Annexation of Kingsgate, Finn Hill and North Juanita

At its December 15 meeting, the Kirkland City Council took action to accept the annexation of the Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate neighborhoods without requiring the voters in those areas to assume existing voter-approved debt.  In a 6 to 1 vote, the Council approved Resolution 4791 which expressed its intent to accept the annexation.  In a 4 to 3 vote, the Council approved Ordinance 4229 which formally accepts the annexation area to the City of Kirkland, makes the annexation area subject to zoning regulations adopted via Ordinance 4196 and sets the effective date of annexation as June 1, 2011.  To view the report to the Council and to video stream the meeting, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/council/Watch_Council_Meetings. 

Registered voters in Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate neighborhoods cast ballots on the proposed annexation in the November 3 General Election.  Because the City asked voters to assume the City’s outstanding voter-approved debt, two thresholds had to be achieved.  The first threshold, known as validation, was that the number of voters in the potential annexation area (PAA) voting on the annexation measure had to be not less than 40 percent of those who voted in the 2008 presidential election.  The King County Elections Office validated this threshold.  The second threshold was that 60 percent of potential annexation area (PAA) voters must have voted “yes” to the annexation measure.  The King County Elections Office certified the annexation election results as 59.94% in favor; 40.06% not in favor. 

Since the affirmative vote was over 50 percent, state law provides for the City Council to accept the annexation without requiring the assumption of voter-approved indebtedness.  Voter-approved indebtedness includes bonds approved by current city residents for parks and public safety major capital projects.

The Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate neighborhoods are identified as the City’s potential annexation area.  This largely residential area is approximately seven square miles, extending north of Kirkland to approximately NE 145^th Street. It would add about 33,000 people to the city’s current population of 48,000.  The annexation will make Kirkland the 12^th largest city in Washington and the 6^th largest city in King County.  For information about the City’s Annexation Study and to subscribe to receive Annexation Updates, visit www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/annexation.

The Eastside Real Estate (agent) Bubble

By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor

Just as Eastside median prices experienced a bubble, the Eastside real estate agent count experienced one, as well.

The following chart represents September numbers in the year indicated:

Eastside Real Estate Agents

 
 In 1998, the NWMLS had 2,276 real estate agents in the Eastside areas 500-600.  Agent counts modestly rose until 2002 where they started expanding in excess of  10% per year until the peak in 2007 with 5,485.  Agent counts immediately started withdrawing at the rate of approximately 10% per year for 2008 and 2009.  2009 started the year with 4,605 Eastside agents in January.  At September's end there were 4,498 agents representing a 9% decline year to date.

For combined residential and condo PENDING sales, the Eastside had 686 Pending sales in 2008 and 908 Pending sales in 2009 for a 32% increase, while Active listings fell 14% (5531 in 2008 vs. 4780 in 2009).  Months of supply in 2008 was 11.2.  In 2009, months of supply improved to 5.3%.

To understand NWMLS areas, see map:

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.   ###

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.

Kirkland Gallery of Garden Tour (and other Eastside information)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

 

Kirkland Arts Center presents the first annual Kirkland Gallery of Garden Tour Sunday, July 26, 11 AM to 4 PM

 

Kirkland Arts Center is pleased to announce the first annual Kirkland Gallery of Gardens Tour. This event, which takes place on Sunday, July 26, is a fundraiser for Kirkland Arts Center. Proceeds from the Tour support KAC exhibitions, outreach, education programs, and much-needed maintenance and improvements to our historic landmark facility, the Peter Kirk Building. The self-guided Gallery of Gardens Tour begins at 11 AM at Kirkland Arts Center, where ticket holders receive tour maps revealing the gardens' locations upon arrival. The four private gardens, rarely or never before open for public viewing, are all within 1.5 miles of our downtown location. Featured this year are FOUR DISTINCT GARDENS: A Northwest contemporary waterfront retreat featuring sun-drenched Mediterranean plantings beds, Asian-inspired shade gardens, and a hillside vegetable and fruit orchard perched above. An elegant European garden graced by stone terraces and formal fountains with a bounty of organically grown edibles at every turn.   An inviting certified wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden featuring over 300 species of native and Northwest climate-friendly plants and six unique water features scattered alongside a running creek.   A sustainable family garden complete with herb and vegetable gardens, livestock, and a barn and pasture that spread beyond the shadow of one of Kirkland's magnificent historic homes.   ADMISSION TICKETS Tickets for the Gallery of Gardens Tour are now on sale. Ticket prices are just $15 Advance / $20 Day of Event. Your ticket purchase is a fully tax deductible donation to Kirkland Arts Center. To purchase Gallery of Garden Tour tickets: visit us online call us at 425.822.7161 drop by one of our ticket outlets: Kirkland Arts Center Marenakos Rock Center (Issaquah) Ravenna Gardens (Seattle & Kirkland locations) Molbak's (Woodinville) Wells Medina Nursery (Medina) RAFFLE With each purchase of an admission ticket to the Gallery of Gardens Tour, you will automatically be entered in the Gallery of Gardens Tour Raffle. Win a Smith & Hawken teak bench (valued at $600), a truckload of mulch from De Jong Sawdust & Shavings, a gift certificate for The Heathman Hotel, and more. View more incredible prizes here. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased at $3 each, or a set of four raffle tickets for $10. Purchase your raffle tickets at the outlets listed above, or stop by the Arts For All exhibit at Kirkland Uncorked, July 17 to 19. SIGNED LIMITED EDITION ART POSTER Visit us online, in person at Kirkland Arts Center, or at our Kirkland Wednesday Market booth July 8 or 15 to view a special limited edition art poster by artist Bridgett Ezzard, created exclusively for the first annual Kirkland Gallery of Gardens Tour. Each poster will be signed by the artist. Sales of this limited edition artwork further support exhibitions and programs at Kirkland Arts Center. Kirkland Arts Center wishes to acknowledge the generous support of our Tour Sponsors, and YOU, for your support as attendees of our first annual Gallery of Gardens Tour!     I-90 Bridge Closures Coming in July Get ready for major delays starting July 5 as Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) construction crews tear out and replace cracked steel bridge joints on the I-90 floating bridge.  The westbound mainline lanes of I-90 will be closed for up to three weeks and all westbound traffic will be funneled into the two express lanes. It could take an hour or more to cross Lake Washington on I-90. Extra congestion also is expected on SR 520 and I-405 as drivers seek alternate routes. To help avoid congestion, drivers should consider carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus, shifting their work schedule or working from home. Drivers who leave before 6 a.m. will face the fewest delays. Project information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i90/homerhadleybridgerepair.

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.