Ben Kakimoto is synonymous with Condos and Lofts in the Seattle, Washington area.He is certainly a leader in his field.  As a Condominium Market Analyst and Real Estate Consultant Ben makes it his business to know all there is to know about Condo and Loft projects in his area, and to willingly share this information with the consumer.To keep the public informed, he started the Seattle Condominium and Lofts site (SCL), here you will find all you need to know about the various projects.This site provides a wealth of information. I love the Condo Calendar which keeps you posted on what is happening in the local condo market such as a grand opening or condo expo.  Searching for a condo is made easy, because the search is done by price range and location.  For both buy... 05/09/2007

The condo market for Seattle's Capitol Hill and First Hill neighborhood, just East of Downtown, performed below expectations in April.  While unit sales were up 5% compared to March, both the average and median sales prices were down, 11.9% & 4.8%, respectively.Year to Year figures displayed nominal change in values.  Compared to April of 2006, the average sale price decreased slightly by .8% while the median price increased 2.8% to $309,475.  On a positive note, the market realized considerable activity with an 44.1% increase in unit sales.  The increased inventory and sales likely kept prices in check.  Reported by SeattleCondosAndLofts.com.Source:  NWMLS, information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.   05/08/2007

Downtown Seattle's condo market is starting to sizzle.  Compared to March, condo unit sales were up a whopping 82%, likely spurred by resales from recently completed projects and the seasonal market change.  That's the good news.  On the flip side, average sale price decreased 4% while the median price rose 4% to $441,950.Compared to the same period in 2006, the downtown condo market performed quite respectfully.  The average and median sale prices rose 6.3% and 10.5%, respectively.  Reported by SeattleCondosAndLofts.com.Source:  NWMLS, information deem accurate but not guaranteed.  Figures are for NWMLS Area 701 which includes Downtown, Belltown, Denny Triangle, Pioneer Square and the International District.   05/08/2007

The Seattle condo market remained buoyant in April.  Unit sales were up 7.8% compared to the previous month, though values remained flat.  The average sale price dipped slight by -.4% while median price remained unchanged at $320,000. Though the month-to-month figures appear to plateau, compared to the prior year, Seattle's condo market is performing extremely well.  The average sale price increased 10.8% over the same period last year while the median price increased a very respectable 7.6% to $320,000.  Unit sales reflected a healthy increase of 14.7%. Reported by SeattleCondosAndLofts.com.Source:  NWMLS, information deem accurate but not guaranteed.   05/08/2007

In April Queen Anne's condo market performed below expectations.  Compared to March, unit sales were down 16% while average and median sold prices dipped slightly at -.5% and -.7%, respectively.  The April median price for a Queen Anne condo was $320,000. While the month-to-month figures were not stellar, the Queen Anne condo market is still performed well above the previous year.  Compared to April '06, average and median sold prices are up 6.8% and 4.9%, while unit sales were down 9.7%.  Reported by SeattleCondosAndLofts.com.Source:  NWMLS, information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  05/08/2007

Belltown - I went to a birhday party in Belltown this weekend and was amazed at the new constructionWeek last I was at a Christening in the corrider between Belltown and Capitol Hill and saw a great complex featuring T1 Ready.Clearly Downtown living and condos close to Downtown are many and varied as to location and costs.  Someone said "Do we really have enough people who want to buy these things?"  I think we are all starting to ask that question.Then I had a young man over to do some work at the house and he is renting a TWO BEDROOM directly across from Microsoft for only $625 a month!!  A TWO BEDROOM!  I was floored.Clearly rent vs. buy calcualtions would suggest renting is better for apartment style living without views or amenities. 05/07/2007

Downtown Kirkland, East of Market and West of Market.  I found some time yesterday to visit some Open Houses in Kirkland.Saw one on 9th Avenue that will likely be in escrow within 10 days.  Will be interesting to see if I'm on the mark on that one.  Odd floorplan, so it could go either way.  But I'm betting on the "in escrow" by next week.Saw one around the corner that clearly should not sell at that price.  Interior finishes are a huge turnoff and floorplan and view considerations are not enough to compensate.The surprising one was West of Market.  Seemed like too good of a value.  I'll have to check it out further and find out why it didn't sell right out the gate 20 days ago.  I'm wondering if West of Market is losing value due to traffic consideratins and East of Market is picking u... 05/07/2007

I get this Question all the time: I have heard that an occupancy standard of two per bedroom or two per bedroom plus one is considered reasonable. Is that correct?HUD has established a policy that presumes that a two-per-bedroom occupancy standard is reasonable; however, this presumption is not absolute and the policy notes other considerations to keep in mind. Other fair housing jurisdictions have adopted occupancy policies allowing more than two people to a bedroom. All the enforcement agencies, including HUD, still review a number of factors to determine whether an occupancy standard is overly restrictive. Simply establishing a two-per-bedroom standard without making a determination of its reasonableness for the specific unit involved may not protect you from a finding that the stand... 05/04/2007

If you're in Seattle this weekend, head over to the Montlake Cut for Opening Day of Seattle's boating season on Saturday, May 5th.  Opening Day has been a Seattle tradition since 1913.Sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, the Opening Day events have been held at the Montlake Cut since 1920.  The festivities begin bright and early with the U.S. Navy Band concert at 8:45 at the Seattle Yacht Club, followed by the Dragon Boat race and Crew races (21st Annual Windermere Cup) The highly of the day is the Opening Day Parade which begins at Noon with a blast of a cannon and the opening of the Montlake Bridge. 05/03/2007

Queen Anne Hill sits majestic as it overlooks the Emerald City below.  Originally home to many of the city's prominent citizens, Queen Anne still reflects its heritage with its many turn of the century mansions and Queen Anne style homes.  As the city grew, Queen Anne evolved and is now home to a diverse group of people, businesses and activities.Current condo developments in Queen Anne include a mixture of revitalized conversions (apartments to condos) as well as new construction.  Here's what's coming up in the neighborhood.Expo 62 - Expo 62 is the newest condo development, planned in the lower Queen Anne area next to the world-famous Space Needle.  This new project includes 114 homes.  Read more about Expo 62. 22 West Lee - This small boutique condo is one of the more upscale project... 05/03/2007

Wedged between Lake Union and Capitol Hill is Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, one of the city's oldest.  Eastlake contains a mixture of office & commercial space, apartments, condos and is dotted with single-family homes and well-established small businesses.  The neighborhood is a popular place to reside given its easy access to the University of Washington and downtown.While most of the new condo projects are focused around downtown and its core neighborhoods, developers have not overlooked Eastlake with three new condominium projects underway.Eastlake Lofts - The first of Eastlake's new projects, the Eastlake Lofts contains just 18 one-and-two story loft homes in the heart of the neighborhood.   Read more about Eastlake Lofts. Equinox Condos - Equinox is the most ambitious residenti... 05/03/2007

Part of Seattle's condo revolution includes the transformation of the South Lake Union and Gateway districts just north of downtown.  South Lake Union owes its revitalization from a sleepy light commercial district into a bio-medical and residential hub to the vision of Microsoft's co-founder, Paul Allen.  Allen, through his Vulcan Real Estate arm, envisions transforming the area by emulating Portland's population Pearl DistrictAllen initially began acquiring land in the South Lake Union area in the 1990's in support of the community-based Seattle Commons Park initiative.  Voters, though, said no to creating a major in-city park.  The rest is history.So what's underway in the South Lake Union & Gateway districts?Carbon56 - A low-rise conversion in the shadow of Vulcan's popular 2200 com... 05/03/2007

Contact UsCleanPaintHaul 206-501-3035One Stop Property Services * Qualified Professionals * Competitive rates* Fast turnaround Location: Seattle, WA      Complete Commercial and Residential ServicesOne Stop Property Services Qualified Professional        Many things can get broken, worn out or in need of repair during the life of a lease and the property.  Unless it requires an expensive specialist like electrical or plumbing, a general handyman is usually a more cost effective way to fix them.  Each repair has particulars and we cover your specific needs including but not limited to: Drywall Screens Closet doors hinges, tracks and hangs Caulking around bathroom and kitchens Loose or out of alignment door latches and hinges Gates and fences Leaky pipes Repairing/replacing kitchen and ba... 05/02/2007

Seriously.  People spend way to much time worrying about which lender to use and not nearly enough time on which loan program to use.If you have a credit score of 750, 20% down and your loan ratios are in line with lender expectations, you can choose from any lender who has the best costs and rates.However, if your credit score is 640 and you have no money down and no money to pay your own closing costs...DIFFERENT STORY!  You are now looking for the type of lender who can protect you against sub-prime loan practices.It really is not a case of one lender being best for all people and all circumstances.  The best lender for one of my clients is NOT the best lender for another one of my clients.It all depends on the buyer's qualifications or lack thereof.  Higher costs may in fact be appr... 05/02/2007

I recently wrote a blog article on Rain City Guide highlighting the fact that Microsoft Area Properties sell 5 times faster than other property in the area.I am happy with the appreciation rate here in Kirkland where I live, as I have a "view property" and view property will pretty much alway do well relative to non-view property.But if you don't have a view or can't afford a view, clearly buying property near Microsoft is always going to be a good investment.  Everytime I turn around, Microsoft is adding more office space and more employees.  Even if they someday downsized, enough people would still want to live close to Microsoft to keep that market hopping and popping.It is not enough to just look for "the house you want to live in".  LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION should be first and ... 05/02/2007

We read so many articles regarding "Rent vs. Buy" scenarios.Honestly, it's all moot isn't it?  For most people, renting vs. buying is not about whether or not it makes financial sense at all. When people are look for a property to buy, RARELY if ever do they consider renting instead of buying.  Most people who have ever owned property consider going back to renting property.We're just too used to doing whatever we want with our properties.  We're just too used to being home owners.  Unless we find ourselves "in between" such as just after a divorce or a new job, renting really isn't an option we consider.Maybe we should.  But truth is, we just don't.  For me it would be a huge downer, a total self esteem issue, to rent vs. buy.  Maybe I'd spend less per month, but I'd know that somewher... 05/02/2007

A Rambler without a basement - First TierA Rambler with a basement - Second TierA Rambler with a DAYLIGHT basement - Third TierA small "tri-level" - Fourth TierA "split entry" home - Fifth TierA "split entry" home with a walkout basement - Sixth TierA 2 Story Home - Seventh TierA 2 Story Home with a full basement - Eight TierA 2 Story Home with a full Walkout Basement - Ninth TierA 2 Story Home with a full Walkout Basement and a 3 car Garage - Tenth Tier All things being equal as to location, homes should value in this manner.  Somewhat because of the cost to build each and somewhat because of the desirability of each out there in the open market.  You might reverse that in an over 55 community :)  But let's assume the buyers to be not looking for "retirement" type housing options.So yo... 05/02/2007

The Phinney Ridge neighborhood is located just up the hill from Seattle's famous Green Lake Park and encompasses the city's Woodland Park Zoo.  The neighborhood provides fantastic views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, tree-lined streets and both quaint and funky businesses.Like neighboring Greenwood and Green Lake, Phinney Ridge has seen a number of new condominium developments over the past several years, including the Infinity (2002), Ridgemont (2003) and the Roycroft (2005).  The newest condominium project is Fini, a 5-story building currently under construction on the top of the ridge.  The project includes just 51 homes, an expansive roof-top deck and is expected to be completed in early 2008.  Read more about the Fini.   05/01/2007

Seattle's urban core neighborhoods have seen the lion's share of new condo development.  Quietly, though, Seattle's north end Greenwood neighborhood has been experiencing its own condo renaissance of sorts.For the past two years a number of condominium projects have taken shape around the neighborhood's business district at the junction of Greenwood Ave and N 85th Street.  It's a good thing too as new residents will enjoy the many small businesses, antique shops, cafes and restaurants.  Businesses include fan-favorite Gorditos, Olive You, Antika, Tully's, Romios, Safeway and Cat City, PAWS' cat adoption facility. So what's happening in Greenwood?Sapphire Condos - Greenwood's newest condo project, the Sapphire provides an affordable option featuring 60 stylish homes.  Residents will enjo... 05/01/2007

The Green Lake neighborhood in North central Seattle is centered around Seattle's most active recreational spot, Green Lake Park.  The lake is ringed by a 2.8 mile path popular with a diverse group of patrons including joggers, bicyclists, rollerbladers and those wishing to take a casual stroll. For years Green Lake has moved along slowly in respects to real estate development.  However, since 2004, the condominium market in the neighborhood has taken off and it's now undergoing a significant transformation.  Here's a look at what's going on in Green Lake. The Greenlake - The Greenlake was one of the first major condominium developments in the Green Lake neighorhood.  Completed in 2004, the 6-story complex includes 106 homes just two blocks from Green Lake Park.  Read more about The Gre... 05/01/2007