For those of you looking for a great gift Idea.  I would like to share with you one of my favorites.  If you haven’t gone out to see a local hockey game yet, YOU SHOULD!  My wife, my 8 yr old son and I really enjoy going to the Thunderbirds games.  You will see lots of action; all of the seats are good, with lots of fan interaction at the breaks.  Chuck a puck is one of our favorite things to do come break time.  Here is how it works.  They drive a car out to center ice and you throw these orange pucks trying to get it into the sunroof for a chance of getting your name pulled to get a key that might open the trunk of the car.  At the last home game of the season they line up all 36 key holders and the one who has the key that opens the trunk wins $10,000.  My son loves Cool Bird who co... 04/23/2007

The Seattle Weekly this week published an article by Sue Peters: "Poetic Engineering; Will the new 520 bridge be one 'where you turn off and want to go over it again'?".  There are a group of  Montlake neighbors who are concerned with the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT ) current proposal for what they and others see as an potential eyesore in the making.  The Group, lead by Rob Wilkinson, is going against the traffic and have a design proposal of their own for WSDOT to consider, and helping to get the word out is their website at:  BetterBridge.org  It is interesting comparing the different proposals, and if you go to the WSDOT site you can also see a "demonstration" of what could happen to the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (the 520 bridge over Lake Washington)... 04/23/2007

The Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture is hosting lunch time concerts at Seattle's City Hall.  The concerts are free and a great diversion from the office.   The Jim Knapp Orchestra Thu., May 3, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby Top Seattle instrumentalists perform works by recent Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Jim Knapp. A prolific composer/arranger, Knapp's big band compositions resound with lush textures and round harmonies.   Quinton I. Morris & Friends Thu., May 17, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby Metropolitan Opera soprano Indra Thomas and celebrated Seattle pianist Byron Schenkman join acclaimed violinist Quinton I. Morris for a performance of classical and contemporary music. Raised in Seattle, Morris founded The Young Eight, a string octet of African American string p... 04/21/2007

Seattle's condo renaissance is in full-swing.  The Emerald City is enjoying a rejuvenation of its downtown core neighborhoods with a condo renaissance.  New zoning laws, a strong economy and positive population growth have provided impetus for new construction and conversions projects which the city hasn't seen in decades.  It's an exciting time to condo in Seattle.Here's a partial list of new & conversion projects around the downtown core neighborhoods:Downtown / Belltown / Denny Triangle:Madison Tower - completed Fall 2006, hotel/condo2200 Westlake - completed Fall 2006, hotel/condoThe Cosmopolitan - completed Spring 2007Tobira - 2007 conversionStadium Lofts - 2007 conversionMosler Lofts - Summer 2007 completion dateTrio -  Summer/Late 2007 completion dateThe Parc - Summer/Late 2007 c... 04/21/2007

In a declining refi and home buying market (even though we are still OK here in Seattle), you should always be on the lookout for new ways to differentiate yourself, and your business, right?Well, I've got one for you.It's easy. It's simple. And your clients will love that you offered it to them...What is it? It's an at home (or starbucks of choice) closing!We've never had a client (we are mobile notaries public) who didn't like signing at home. In fact, in over a 1000 loans, I've never had someone complain about our fee. 99% of borrowers we meet with are thrilled that they didn't have to reschedule their lives to fit into the 9-5 escrow office hours.It's simple to offer. The fee can be directly on the HUD, or if you really want to impress your borrowers, pick up the tab yourself! Don't... 04/19/2007

04/11/2007

The one month figures from February to March 2007 showed a different picture from the First Quarter figures. As expected with seasonal market fluctuation, the number of sales increased in March. However, the core neighborhood values took a hit in March from the prior month.The the decreased property values may raise some concern.  Though the one month change, in and of itself, is not as meaningful as trending which reflects upward motion.Price per square foot:  Prepared by Ben Kakimoto, Seattle Condos and Lofts.Source: NWMLS & Trendgraphix. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 04/07/2007

Seattle’s first quarter 2007 condo sales figures exhibited a healthy market performance compared to the same period last year. The chart below shows Sold information for city-wide condo sales as well as selected downtown core neighborhoods. Overall, the number of unit sales as well as valuation reflect positive movement in the market. Prepared by Ben Kakimoto, Seattle Condos and Lofts. Source: NWMLS - Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 04/07/2007

There are many indicators to gauge the state of the housing market - new construction, the economy, job growth, appreciation and so forth. Well, add another barometer. Sources indicate two new real estate offices will open in Belltown soon - a 2nd Windermere office and a Re/Max office.  No doubt, the condo boom opportunity is enticing more entrants by Realtors to the urban market.   John L. Scott Real Estate was founded in downtown Seattle 76 years ago.  Your downtown John L. Scott agents are well-versed with the urban real estate landscape. Learn more about Seattle's condo and loft properties.   04/06/2007

I was reading the Seattle Times this evening and I came across an article about the 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. If you live in this area then you know how important the 520 Bridge is for the daily commute. The Bridge is one of two that span Lake Washington connecting Seattle to the vibrant Eastside. Citizens in Bellevue (an affluent suburb), Redmond (the home of Microsoft) and Kirkland (another affluent suburb) all depend on the bridge to make their daily trips to and from the city. Built in 1963 to relieve traffic from the I-90 bridge that spans the lake a few miles south, it has meant a lot to the infrastructure of our highway system.  Well this little article came with some great new video that the state has paid to have made up. The video, which the state has uploaded to Yo... 04/05/2007

 Late last week another Seattle Real Estate Agent in my office got a call on a listing of hers from an unrepresented buyer, a buyer not working with an agent. My colleague asked me to meet with the buyer since she (rightly) prefers to represent her Seller 100% and not act as a Dual Agent, representing both the Seller and the Buyer and not providing either with their best representation. I met with the Buyer and his wife at the house, they looked the house over, while I accompanied them answering their questions. They also asked to see the house that was listed across the street, and since I had the listing information about that house, we went to view that one as. Afterwards we talked in the driveway of the first house, mostly me answering their questions about real estate in general, t... 04/04/2007

The Emerald City (aka Seattle) is experiencing a renaissance that is redefining the downtown skyline and livability of its core neighborhoods.  And, it's occurring with a  "big bang" making it an exciting time for all residents, condo-owners or otherwise.Since 2006, over 30 new condominium & lofts projects have been proposed for the next 4-5 years.  While not all proposed projects will pan out, many will, adding upwards of 10,000 new housing units to the downtown core.  And, that does not include Paul Allen's Vulcan Real Estate's ambitious plan to reinvent the South Lake Union district, which over the next 15 years may add thousands more units.The new projects will redefine Seattle's skyline.  Not since the office building boom of the 1980s have we seen so many cranes dotting the skysc... 04/04/2007

Brix: April 13th, 6-8 PM Brix is unveiling their redesigned presentation center at 700 Broadway Ave E. Buyers can now view a full-scale model home and chat with the developer & architect. Refreshments including locally-brewed Elysian Beer will be served. Equinox: April 14th & 15th, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Equinox’s Public Grand Opening is slated for April 14th & 15th at their presentation center at 1500 Eastlake Ave (enter on 2nd level from Galer St). Buyers can view scale models, bath & kitchen vignettes and finishes. Refreshments will be served. Azul Flats: April 14th & 15th, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM The Grand Opening for Azul Flats in Fremont will be held the weekend of April 14th at 120 NW 39th St. This conversion includes 30 studio, one- and two-bedroom units ranging from the mid-$200,000s... 04/04/2007

Well yesterday was a perfect day to take off work and go catch the opening day of baseball season at Safeco Field. The Seattle Mariners spanked on the Oakland A's, HECK YEA, with a 3 run home run from Richie Sexson. It was so much fun to take the day off work, well I worked from home and made breakfast, and enjoy a lazy morning with the bright blue sky in downtown Kirkland. My friends and I are all hoping that the Seattle Mariners have a great season and by the looks of it seems they just may. GO MARINERS!! 04/03/2007

Montlake, one of Seattle's Urban Villages...                        ...is where I have been spending a lot of time these past few weeks.  I am working with some out of state clients to prepare their house to enter the Seattle Real Estate market later this spring.  It has been an interesting project for me and it will be exciting to see it to it's conclusion later this spring/summer.     The Montlake neighborhood lies just south of the University of Washington across from the Montlake cut, north and down the hill from Capitol Hill, east of Portage Bay and Eastlake, and west of the Arboretum and Lake Washington.  It has great accessibility to Downtown Seattle, as well as Bellevue and the Eastsidevia the 509 freeway which runs through Montlake...in an interesting way.  The freeway is mostl... 04/01/2007

Espresso Vivace announced they will be moving their flagship store to the new Brix condominium project on Broadway. Vivace will be the anchor tenant with a 2,200 sq ft store."The new flagship Espresso Vivace Roasteria at Brix, which will take the place of the Denny Way Roasteria, is expected to take the art of coffee a step further - into the design of the coffee bar itself. The interior will not only bring in design elements of both the Sidewalk Bar and the Roasteria, but also will feature a mural under the main bar dedicated to Espresso Vivace’s history on Capitol Hill. Vivace is nearly as famous for its drink-topping coffee art patterns, including its caffe latte rosetta, as it is for its pioneering research on coffee-making techniques." The current location at Denny & Broadway is ex... 03/30/2007

Warning! Zero Dow Loans ain't what they used to be.  If you are purchasing with zero down, much has changed in the last few weeks.  Credit scores needed to purchase zero down have been raised from 580 to 620 for the most past, and rates are often higher than they used to be. Make sure you know if your zero down is or is not "subprime".  Just because you have a high credit score, does not in and of itself tell you that it won't be subprime.  Could be the ratios pushing it to subprime.  So be sure you know what you are getting yourself into in terms of monthly payment BEFORE you enter into a contract to purchase. Obtain a full Good Faith Estimate BEFORE you write that offer and not after the fact.  You will need another one after you have an executed contract and lock the rate, as the "i... 03/27/2007

Seattle is truly a "A" class city, who wouldn't live here? Job market, rich culture, diversity, still affordable housing market (compare to other major metropolitan areas in the country), four season weather, all year green trees, water, mountain, lakes, and winter snow all are in one place.         Seattle's 100 years old Pike Place Market  Seattleites love boating; boating business is booming here, it is a big as a Miami, Fl. You can find out more about boating on   http://seattleboatshow.com/  This is Seattle's Fish Harbor; it is number two in the nation after Alaska    Who says there are no beaches in Seattle? City of Seattle is built on hills, but still you can find some nice beaches around the city. 03/25/2007

As I was writing my newest condo review post on my condo blog, it struck me that I had more to say about the condo / hotel projects planned or under construction in Seattle. So much so, my mind started to rant and I thought it best to let it out here rather than on Seattle Condos and Lofts.In writing my the post for AVA - a 38-story condo/hotel project, I had counted eight new condo/hotel projects in the downtown core. These include the newly opened Madison Tower (Hotel 1000) and the 2200 (Pan Pacific), those under construction - Olive8 (Grand Hyatt) and Four Seasons, and those on the drawing board - 2nd & Pike, 600 Denny (Hyatt Place), 1 Hotel and AVA (Executive). The question is, has Seattle reached a saturation point with increased hotel rooms through hotel expansion (e.g. the Sherat... 03/24/2007

Though the Seattle Animal Shelter is a city-run facility, the funds for necessary veterinarian care for homeless and uncared for pets brought to the shelter are provided through Help The Animal Fund.  Supported by donations, Help The Animal Fund holds fundraising events throughout the year from bake sales to the Furry 5K Run at Seward Park. A unique opportunity has become available through the Cash for Critters program.  Cash for Critters takes in empty ink jet & laser cartridges and digital phones, and in turn, provides cash for non-profit animal organizations.  The good folks at Metro Dog will be facilitating the program on behalf of the Seattle Animal Shelter.  Please see the Cash for Critters website for acceptable cartridges and drop them off at Metro Dog.Photo:  Shamrock is an Ala... 03/23/2007