Hoo-ray for the red, white and blue!For over 30 years, the Kingsgate 3&4 has held an old fashioned 4th of July picnic and celebration in their community park.  Yesterday's weather was fabulous and parents and kids came out in droves. Potato race, Kingsgate 4th of July CelebrationFestivities start with the raising of the flag and the Star Spangled Banner and a kiddie bike parade around the block. To eat and drink there were hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, pop and beer.  Games included sack hop, 3 legged race, wheel barrel races, potato race, balloon toss and egg toss.Enjoy the photos of an old fashioned 4th of July neighborhood celebration. Lining up for the sack race, Kingsgate 4th of July celebration On the backstrech...sack race.  Kingsgate 4th of July celebration 3 legged race.  Kin... 07/05/2007

Owen and Alia, WE DID IT!  Your condo closed yesterday!This one was a toughie.  Owen and Alia purchased this condo from me in 2001.  They lived in it for awhile and were transferred to New York.  This spring they contacted me about Selling their condo.At first, it looked like their tenant might be able to make the purchase.  That would be cool....except that the tenant really never got her act together.  Finally they decided they could wait no longer and decided to list their unit.  The tenant had been given notice to vacate, but the Sellers did not want to wait until the unit was vacant.Now for the fun part!  The tenant would not allow us to use a lock box.  In fact, she demanded that she be there for every showing.  The problem was.....she would never make the unit available to show!... 07/03/2007

      I know it is here somewhere; I swear I just heard it. Or was that my regular voice, or my old Sargeants voice,     or my old radio voice , or was that my parents' voice?  Maybe it's my business or my old teaching voice.    Whatever....    The sum of us is the sum of all our experiences in life; and the practical knowledge that envelops our daily    work in Real Estate drives the voice that people see and hear. When our insides are the same as what we     show to that public, our blog voice becomes loud and clear.    To most of us this is not easy to figure out. We watch and read and listen to others that seem to have the    program of life together. It is like the TV program West Wing, when the President says he needs you to    jump off a cliff for him. No thinking involved, just ... 06/27/2007

ABC news recently reported that the Health and Human Service Department  has just ranked hospitals, based on their statistics, on which hospitals have the lowest coronary related deaths.  Kirkland's own Evergreen Hospital was one of only 17 hospitals in the US that ranked above average with a death rate lower than than average.If you haven't seen Evergreen Hospital lately, you won't recognize it.  Evergreen recently expanded over 570,000 square feet with a new multi-story hospital built adjacent to existing facilities.  My first ever visit to Evergreen Hospital was in 1979.  It was small 3 story building with the top floor completely unfinished for future expansion.To view the ABC report, click here! 06/24/2007

< Looking for something to do this 4th of July?  Look no further.  Here is a list of things going on in the Eastside during the upcoming holiday.  We have everything from Doing a fun run for a prize pie, to re enacting the Battle of Concord, one of the first battles of the Revolutionary war.Click on the city name for details of the events.Bellevue:  The Eastsides largest 4th of July Celebration!  Held in Bellevues Downtown Park with live music, food and fireworks.  The Bellevue Philharmonic Starts at 9:30 and fireworks start at 10:05.  There is free parking at Bellevue Square after 6p.Bothell:  A Kids parade, a big parade, and the Battle of Concord re enacted!  The Battle of Concord in Bothell comes complete with Red Coats and Muskets.. a must do!Carnation:  Run for the Pies!  Go for a ... 06/23/2007

2007 Windermere Community Service Day, Windermere Real Estate Northeast.  Our office project was the Northshore Family Center in Bothell.  June 15, 2007  Once a year, Windermere agents take the day off to give back to the community.  Community Service Day is well attended in our office.  We had over 60 agents and office staff work on this project. It rained like crazy during the event, but it didn't dampen our spirits!  The Northshore family center serves the needs of underprivileged families.By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtorwww.425realty.com 06/22/2007

Home inspections ... what should Buyers expect?By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor A buyers inspection has become a routine and reasonable part of the home buying process.  During the negotiation of setting price and terms, Buyers virtually always ask for the right to inspect their future home.  A good home inspection is one of the diligent steps that a Buyer uses to learn everything they can about the house, so that they can make good decisions.  The inspector is hired to find every flaw that he can find.  Some of these flaws are serious, some of the flaws are minor and can be fixed with routine maintenance.If the Buyer objects to the the findings of the home inspection, the contract gives him the right to: 1.  Rescind the sale and get the earnest money back. 2.  Request repairs and modifi... 06/19/2007

It's time to talk about Kirkland annexation.By Greg Perry, Kirkland RealtorThe Kirkland City Council would like you to join the dialog about annexation.Kirkland is considering the annexation of Kingsgate, Upper Juanita, and Finn Hill neighborhoods.  These areas are currently unincorporated (King County) and would vote as to whether these areas should become part of a larger city such as Kirkland.What are some of the benefits of annexation for those in the PAA (potential annexation area)?   The most obvious benefit is increased services.  Annexation would make Kirkland responsible for police and fire protection.  Because the city is a smaller confined and more controlled space, it would be easier and more efficient for Kirkland to provide these uniform services than King County. Local re... 06/18/2007

 Have The Urge To Dig? -- Call 811!By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor Sinking a fence post?  How about a mail box?  Maybe you want to dig a crater to plant a tree.  You need to dial 811!Dial 811 goes to the Utilities Notification Center in Washington.  If you dial 811 at least 2 business days before your project, utility crews will go out and mark the location of underground utilities.The law says that if you dig a hole more than a foot, you are required to notify the Utilities Notification Center.  The law is designed to protect you and the utilities.  The number one cause of natural gas incidents is weekend warriors with a shovel.  Hitting a gas pipe, water pipe, TV cable or underground wire could have severe consequences for you and your neighbor.Remember to make that call within 2 busi... 06/17/2007

By Brian PerryEastside Realtor One of my favorite stories of my Pappa (mom's dad) is about the time he so lovingly harvested some beautiful Swamp Lantern to bring home to my lovely Granny as a gesture of his love...So this Friday's did you know is about Swamp Lantern, or you may know it as Skunk Cabbage!  What is Swamp Lantern?  Botanical Description:  Odiferous perennial, height to 150 cm.  Large elliptical to lance-shaped leaves, net-veined, thin, tapering to short stout stalks up to 1.5 m long by .5 m wide.  Numerous green-yellow flowers on thick fleshy spike, hooded by large bright-yellow bract. Prefers low to medium elevations, wet meadows, forests, swamps & seepage areas.Did you know, that the the cooked roots and stalk were eaten by many tribes in the area.  The Skokomish steamed... 06/15/2007

Our work is not about houses. It's about people.We're in the business of selling houses. But more importantly, we're helping people find a place they can call home. Our commitment to service extends beyond each real estate transaction. Every year since 1984, Windermere associates have skipped work for a day to complete neighborhood improvement projects.Not only is Community Service Day a great opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work, it also gives us a chance to work together. We clean, landscape and repair parks, playgrounds, schools, shelters and community buildings. Each office selects a project that best serves its community needs.After all, real estate is rooted in our communities. And an investment in our neighborhoods gives us all a better place to cal... 06/14/2007

Time For Tournament Baseball In Kirkland!By Greg Perry, Eastside RealtorGenerations have played youth baseball at Lee Johnson field in Peter Kirk park.  Lee Johnson Field is one of the best places in the entire Eastside to play or watch a ballgame under the lights.  It's hosted many youth leagues and high school games.Everest Park is the home of Kirkland Little League. Here is the June tournament schedlule:City Championship Baseball TournamentDate: June 9th - June 17th   2007Location: Lee Johnson Field at Peter Kirk Park - 202 3rd StDescription: Youth City Championship Baseball TournamentTime: Evenings and WeekendsContact: Nicci Osborn at 425.587-3342 or visit http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/ - Events Baseball Calendar or http://www.kirklandbaseball.org/City Championship Baseball Tournamen... 06/12/2007

Kirkland: Outdoor Movies At The Beach! Mark your calendars.  The Kirkland Parks Department is presenting Outdoor Movies At The Beach.  Here's the summer schedule for watching movies under the stars:Grease  - Saturday - July 21  -  9:35pmWild America  - Friday August 24th -  8:30 pmCharlotte's Web  - Friday September 7  -  8:15 pmBring your family, plenty of blankets and low back chairs.  A $5.00 family donation is suggested.  Located at Kirkland's Juanita Beach Park in Juanita off Juanita Drive at 97th NE. gregperry@working-for-you.comwww.425realty.com 06/10/2007

Friday's Did you Know? -- Kirkland has first woman city councilperson! This Friday's did you know takes us back to the beautiful city of Kirkland, and a piece of its history.  Did you know...that in 1911 a woman by the name of Carrie Shumway (1858-1956) was elected to the Kirkland, Washington, city council. She was the first woman in the state to be elected to a city council.  Hey, it  looks like Kirkland has always been a little bit smarter than the rest!Click here to learn more about Carrie Shumway.www.425realty.com 06/08/2007

Support your local farmers!  Buy fresh produce, cut flowers, and plants every friday night at Juanita Beach park starting June 1 through October 5.  Every Friday night promises a different event from country music, dancing, kids games and  photography exhibits.  Don't forget to visit Spud's Fish and Chips! Juanita beach park is located at Juanita Beach Drive and 98th in Juanita.  http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/__shared/assets/Friday_Night_Market_at_Juanita_Beach_Park5989.pdf  06/08/2007

Eastside Real Estate Statistics -- May 2007 -- Break down by AreaBy Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor    Area 500510520530Median 2006$649,970 $1,088,000 $1,298,000 $543,250 Median 2007$689,075 $969,000 $1,495,000 $619,000 %6.00%-10.90%15.20%13.90%Active 2006307106144102Active 2007398130155152%29.60%22.60%7.60%49.00%Pending 2006128404288Pending 2007116354597%-9.40%-12.50%7.10%10.20%Area540550560600Median 2006$565,000 $623,475 $609,925 $489,999 Median 2007$596,000 $654,950 $799,950 $525,000 %5.60%5.00%31.20%7.10%Active 2006477230262346Active 2007764281341602%60.20%22.20%30.20%74.00%Pending 200627576108179Pending 200722893107150%-17.10%22.40%-0.90%-16.20% Area 500, South Bellevue and Issaquah, saw a 6% rise in median prices from last year.  Inventory shows a 29.6% increase and Pendings are down... 06/07/2007

   Eastside Real Estate Statistics -- May 2007By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor Despite building inventory from 2005 and 2006 all time low levels, the Eastside King County real estate market continues to be strong.  NWMLS areas 500-600 have 2.9 months of inventory which is historically still quite low.  May 2007 Active listings are 3584 and the area saw 1,247 sell Pending during the month.2001200220032004200520062007Active Listings4326450648613828252324413584Pending Listings990106812701457151813671247Months of Inventory4.44.23.82.61.71.82.9Agent Count2798290034023892447450495380Agent counts continue to rise as the Eastside saw an additional 331 net agents enter the market place to compete for the business.  Since 2001 the Eastside has seen the agent count run up 2,582 net real estate agen... 06/07/2007

Home Selling Tips -- Pressure Washing For Curb AppealBy Brian PerryEastside Realtor What a beautiful weekend we had on the Eastside last weekend!  The sunshine and heat got me motivated to play in the water. Noooo, not taking a swim at a Kirkland beach, or sailing a boat froma Bellevue marina, I'm talking about pressure washing.  What better way to beat the heat than with 750 psi of pure power...cut right into the dirt, shoot the mist and mud into my face fun!  As Greg mentioned in his article series "the five critical areas to squeeze out the last dollar" and "Stopped at the Street" curb appeal plays a big part of getting potential home buyers into view your home.  He does briefly mention pressure washing in the article, but I thought I'd throw down some more detail.   Pressure washing... 06/06/2007

Eastside Area Utilities and phone numbers:By Greg PerryEastside RealtorCity of Bellevue425-452-2977City of Bothell Utilities425-586-3256City of Duvall425-788-1185Brown Ferris Issaquah (garbage)425-392-6651Eastside Disposal425-646-2599City of Issaquah425-837-3050King County Water District #1 Yarrow Bay425-454-3730King County Water District #17 Hunts Point425-452-7215King County Water District #22 Beaux Arts425-454-3258King County Water District #23 Medina425-454-3619King County Water District #79 Kenmore425-486-3278City of Kirkland425-828-1124Kirkland Disposal425-828-1124Mercer Island Utilities206-236-5300Northeast Sammamish-Redmond425-868-1144Northshore Utilities - Kenmore425-398-4400Northshore Utilities - Kirkland425-823-6101Puget Sound Energy888-225-5773Qwest425-451-5350Recycling Cent... 06/06/2007

On February 22, we did an aricle on Lock Bumping.  It's been one of our most widest read articles.Here's a new rescource to learn more about lock bumping: http://www.lockbumping.org/  Public service site about lock bumping and how to protect yourself against it!Here's the link to our Feburary 22 post: http://www.workingforyou.typepad.com//realestate/2007/02/lock_bumping.html By Greg Perry, Eastside REaltorwww.425realty.com  06/01/2007