For the second time this year the Seattle Seahawks will host Monday Night Football. This is one for the record books because it could be the last time Brett Farve is in Seattle. Friends and I are heading to the game early because of the weather, its snowing like a mad man up here.Seattle is hoping to have Hasselbeck back in the line up and with our MVP in the backfield the Seahawks have a great chance at stomping the Packers. Last year these two teams faced each other for the last game of the season with the Packers winning. So the rematch will be held on our turf and in our house. No one tell Farve that it is really loud in Quest Field.Even though Green Bay is 4-6 they still have the potential be a threat to Seattle. Farve and Driver are the key players that can change the game so it i... 11/26/2006

Today a friend and I went into the big city (Seattle) to see the Bodies...The Exhibition. It was a unique glimpse into the inner workings of the human body and it left us with a better sense of understanding as well as a creepy feeling.There were many things that made this exhibit worth seeing: the level of detail, factiods on every exhibit and the extent of the exhibit. The beginning was laid out with the basics, then onto muscle structure, blood vessels, nervous system, reproductive systems and then finally the skin. It was a tad creepy but it was definetly a must see...read full atricle."Bodies...The Exhibition is a one of a kind exhibit showcasing the human body in a light that has never been done before. Bodies was shocking, impressive and definetly a learning experience." Toby 11/25/2006

Sunday will mark a turning point in the season for the Seattle Seahawks or the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams are on a 2 game winning streak and looking to make it 3. The Hawks are still missing their top two players and from what I have been reading on the Hasselblog, Matt's rehab is going well. My Spaces' buddy is predicting Pain for this game as well as is Goingbigger (my alter ego) and the whole Seahawks posse.Our backups have proven they can get into the endzone and score points throughout they game, even with Hasselbeck and Alexander still on the disable list. Last week, the Seahawks beat the St. Louis Rams (for the second time this season) with a Burleson punt return and a Josh Brown field with 9 seconds left on the clock. With a record of 6-3 and leading our division by two gam... 11/17/2006

The 5-3 Seattle Seahawks host the 4-4 St. Louis Rams in a NFC West Divisional showdown at Quest Field. Seattle is still missing their Probowl Quaterback, Matt Hasselbeck and MVP Running Back, Shaun Alexander but even without these to  players the Hawks show they can still win. Senca Wallace, starting QB, will have to playing a top game and using all the assets at his disposable.Last week Wallace made his second NFL start and he is a very diversified quarterback, running, passing and sometimes at the same time. There were multiple times when Wallace had to scramble out of the pocket, by time, and then pass for a first down. But what we have to avoid to win is penalties and bad decesions. The Hawks can't be having false starts and offside penalties and they have to be smart with the footb... 11/12/2006

Last night my friend Chris, his wife and I went to Benaroya Hall in Seattle for the Children's Hospital Fundraiser. Being my first time to there I wasn't quite to sure to expect but still excited to see what may unfold. The event was put on by the Sapristi Guild and Matt Messina & Orchestra preformed through out the evening.The fundraiser had a silent auction where there were some cool pieces and my favorite was a violin made of Italian Marble. Some of the other items where autographed UW football, dinner parties, pictures and clothing wear. There were also raffles going on and some one sitting in the row in front of us won a trip to Hollywood and a role in a movie. Pretty cool!Being a native of Washington, Matt Messina could really draw on what makes Seattle one of the best cities in t... 11/11/2006

A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal-the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on its exterior appearance.It's difficult to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do, because when we become accustomed to the way something looks and functions, we can't see its faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of the property as a home. It's a house-a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible.We work with Real Estate agents who offer "staging" as part of their marketing package. My company is contracted by the agent rather than the homeowner. The way in which t... 11/11/2006

This Monday night the Seattle Seahawks host ex-divisional rivals, the Oakland Raiders. Quest Field will be off the chain and the excitement will be oozing from all the Hawk's fans viens. It is going to get rough and roudy and it is my bet that will be very few Raider fans at the game. The Raiders won't have soon forgotten their preason 30-7 loss to the Hawks!The Hawks have an injury list that consists of Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander. This has made is hard for Seattle really to carry momentum from game to game. Seneca Wallace, back up QB, got his first start last week at Arrowhead Stadium. He threw for 3 TDs and moved the football real well. Wallace will have to have a similiar game this week if the Hawks are going to win.This also marks a home coming for one the Wahsington's all ... 11/05/2006

  Income trends and development restrictions have made Seattle one of the top cities safe bets for investors.Seattle   Average annual home price appreciation (1949-2006)*:   3.2%The newest graduate to join this elite class of super-expensive cities, Seattle is the least likely to hold its place. New zoning laws approved by the city council this year lift restrictions on building heights in the downtown core, and promise to generate $100 million worth of affordable housing.*National average: 2.3 percentBy Business 2.0 11/02/2006

Complaint accuses Zillow of misleading consumersCompany defends valuation serviceZillow.com has landed in the hot seat over claims that its home-valuation tool is inaccurate.The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit that promotes equal access to credit and capital for underserved communities, filed a 12-page complaint against Zillow on Wednesday with the Federal Trade Commission.It says that Zillow's valuation "mechanism is highly inaccurate and misleading to consumers." The complaint seeks immediate action from the FTC to stop Zillow from engaging in activities that it says deceive consumers. The NCRC also notes -- citing its own audit -- that Zillow is off the mark with its home value estimates more than two-thirds of the time."Zillow is placin... 11/02/2006

As I do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for my clients, I like to compare my results with what Zillow.com posts.  I’ve found the prices Zillow estimates to vary widely.  On occasion Zillow is close, but more commonly it is off.  I’ve seen discrepancies as much as $80,000.00 over the fair market value.  Recently, in a 12 page complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition revealed that Zillow’s Zestimates (as they’re called) are wrong over 67 percent of the time.  This shows a significant flaw in how Zillow calculates a homes value.  Zillow has an interesting idea, but to get an accurate assessment of the value of a home it is best to have a professional in the industry do a CMA in person.  Most appraisers will do this for a fee, and ... 11/01/2006

This is my first entry and I thought I'd share two statistical reports on property appreciation year-to-date in September.  To boil it down, the average home in King County appreciated 11% and in Snohomish County it appreciated 16%.  To view the fill reports go to: King County or Snohomish County.  So the next question comes to mind is, "What will happen in the future?"  I feel the forecast points to continued growth. This has to do with the strong fundamentals of the housing market. Job growth continues to rise with Microsoft and Boeing hiring Interest rates, are still historically low Population growth is increasing by nearly twice the national average In addition, King County's urban growth boundary is driving up the value of land. All of the vacant land within the growth boundary ha... 10/27/2006

Well it is defininetly that day of the week again and I could hardly keep my cool. The Seattle Seahawks are taking to Quest Field to battle the Minnesota Vikings. The Hawks are 4-1 and leading the NFC West with a over-time win against the St Louis Rams.This is the first home game is almost a full month so all the fans are going to be extra hungry and extra loud. Any Seattleites our there want to share a comment how loud the stadium is? Like, approx where you live (please don't leave an address), how loud the stadium is and what are your feelings about the Seattle Seahawks. Hope to hear from you and...GO SEAHAWKS!! 10/22/2006

Vegas has "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".NYC is blessed with "I (heart) NY"Hawaii is the "Islands of Aloha" And (drum roll)...  Metronatural.Huh?  Say WA!Metronatural (tm) is the new tourism slogan for the city of Seattle.  After 16-months and $200,000 the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau came up with Metronatural.   It's meant to convey a combination of a vibrant, urban city with the surrounding natural beauty of the Northwest.Okaaay.  Though, judging by reader responses in the online newspapers and tv reports, it's going to take some getting use to.  But, at least it's a bit less puzzling compared to the slogan that it's replacing:  And, Seattle really used it:  See-@-L  The State of Washington didn't fair much better with it's very short lived "Say WA" campaign which j... 10/21/2006

A few weeks ago there was a thread about doing an informal get together to ActiveRain members in the Seattle area.  I'm finally making an executive decision here and we're going to meet up the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 11th at Buckley's on Queen Anne.  Buckley's is a fairly quite neighborhood restaurant and pub.Anyways I'll be there, and ActiveRain members are invited to show up and talk, network and chat.  If you thing there is a good chance that you'll be there, please reply by commenting on this post so I can get an idea of who might be there.  Maybe we can start making some plans for that Las Vegas meet up, while we're there :)Hope to see you there...Update: Forgot to put a time on there, I plan on being there around 6:30 and will probably be there most of the evening.-Matt Heaton ... 10/01/2006

Sonnenblick-Eichner Co. has arranged $41 million of first mortgage financing for the 120-room Hotel 1000 in Seattle.  The boutique hotel, which is part of a mixed-use development downtown, opened in June. The first two years of the 10-year fixed rate loan are interest only with the balance of payments based on a 30-year amortization schedule. The financing was provided by an unnamed Wall Street investment bank. 09/30/2006

OMG this is a gem that will mark a season. The Seattle Seahawks square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in this weeks Sunday Night Football game. Boo Yaoo!! The top defenses are going to do 60 miinutes of battle against some huge offenses. I can't wait and I am having a Sunday night party at my place with tons of HAWK FANS!! The nachos will be hot, the TV loud while we watch another bludgening. I have posted some stats and predictions over at the Seahawks Blog. Swing over and take a peak!! 09/28/2006

Today the Seattle Seahawks host division rivals the Arizona Cardinals. Even with all the star players now on the Cardinals they will still have a very difficult time putting points on the board in Quest Field. The combination of talent on the Seahawks and the crowd noise Arizona will have to play really good to be competitive. The Cardinals did win there home opener last week but this is our home opener and it has been over a year since another team won in our house. My prediction is it is going to be a blood bath. Shaun Alexander needs to get the football more times this week. Having less the 60 yard during the game was very uncharacteristic of #37 but today I have a feeling, maybe cuz im hungry, that Shaun will be back to his young self. Hasselbeck will cannoning the ball like normal ... 09/17/2006

Recently, the NWMLS revised several forms including the Purchase & Sale contract and addendums.  I've highlighed a few of the important changes below; for more information, please visit my blog @  Seattle Housing Buzz.Purchase & Sale Contract (Form 21)Possession Date - option defaults to closing, may fall on weekend or holidayComputation of Time - clarifies based on days, not hoursAttachment of Legal Description - must be attached to the offer, otherwise offer is not bindingAssignment - must be agreed to by both parties in writing Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 17)Revised the proximity to farming statementFinancing Addendum (Form 22A)Type of loans - Buyer must now state if loan is a Second or BridgeClarifies that downpayment is from other than financing sources Buyers obligation to p... 08/18/2006

July saw an increase in condo inventory in the Downtown, Belltown & Pioneer Square areas from 89 to 131 active listings. Pending sales also increased 8.9% from 35 to 39. Interestingly, with the increased inventory, buyers had more choices and it resonated with them as the average days on market fell from 78 to 52 days. Additionally, 76% of newly listed units were sold within 20 days upon coming on the market (however, new construction presales listed in the MLS may have accounted for this). The average sale price reduced slightly ($466,500 to $463,700) with the average sale price approximately 2% less than the list price. On the other hand, the median price increased 4% to $416,000. The total dollar volume of all closed sales dropped from $18,195,600 in June to $12,056,400 in July. Inf... 08/01/2006

April saw the beginning of an uptick in inventory for houses outside the urban working areas. In the seventeen counties covered by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, most saw double digit gains in the number of listings; some jumped as much as 25%. And home prices continue to appreciate as well. The median price for a single family home in Western Washington was $359,950, which represents a 12.5% increase.In May, pending sales were up 11.5% over April due to larger inventories in outlying areas. Neighborhoods close to the job centers of cities like Seattle and Bellevue continue to be hot, resulting in high competition and multiple offers in many areas. In King County, the median price for a home was almost 17% more than the same time last year. Condo prices in King County were up a... 07/18/2006