Ashley Berg *Seattle's Green Real Estate Agent*

As usual, I set out today to do my weekly rounds of getting to know what is on the market. As a Certified Ecobroker, my passion is Green Real Estate. How can you not love something that is better for the environment? After all, as a mother, it is my duty to try to leave this earth a better place than when I found it. In that regard, I have a strong belief in the good of building green and of the importance of educating my clients, in hopes they too will see the benefits of living green.

Getting a 5 Star Built-Green certification is no easy task. Of the 25 5-Star homes in King and Snohomish county, 19 of them are by Martha Rose, a pioneer in sustainable building. As I pulled in the driveway of her new development, Queen City Eco-Village at the Homestead, on Greenwood Ave N. in Shoreline, Martha was actually there working on the landscaping. She came right up to me and introduced herself, letting me know if I had any questions, that she was the builder. Lucky me, I thought to myself, to meet someone that I hold with such high regard. Her work is amazing and I encourage each and everyone of you to go and take a look.

It is up to us working in the Real Estate community to educate our buyer's about the benefits of living green. Living in a Martha Rose home is like living in the Cream-of-the-Crop.

Yes, you heard me correctly. Mountlake Terrace, WA is revitalizing their downtown. I bet most of you didn't even know there was a downtown. Or there are some of you that have been there and laugh, thinking to yourselves "They call that a downtown!" Yes, as a resident here in Mountlake Terrace, the latter expressed my opinion. But with reasonable home prices and and easy commuting to Seattle, it is a great choice to buy a home.

Commuting will get even better with the new Transit Station that is currently being built and is set to finish in the first quarter of 2009. The Mountlake Terrace Transit Station will have a four-story, five level parking garage with a capacity of 660 cars. The parking garage is being constructed on the lower portion of the old Park & Ride along I-5. The city is renovating the upper parking lot to accommodate 230 cars, for a total about 890 spaces.

The facility will include large shelter areas, a glass elevator, landscaping and many security features. This project is being coordinated with Sound Transit's Freeway Station that will connect to the MLT Parking garage by a pedestrian walkway that will bridge over the freeway. A definite commuter upgrade!

Being a member of the MLT community, I recognize the importance of supporting locally owned businesses. I do, however, feel a bit guilty as I tend to go to Lynnwood to do most of my shopping. I know this is not putting money back into the MLT economy and perhaps this is why our downtown is a good example of what some may call a "sleep town." I would love to have more options. We did just get a new Thai restaurant and this made me HAPPY, HAPPY! So, I am pleased to say that I think a new town center will definitely create new energy and revitalize this "diamond in the rough" town. If there are any future home buyers out there frustrated by pricey Seattle homes...you should definitely consider Mountlake Terrace. Hey, you never know, we could be the next Mill Creek. Just look at home prices there and the impact their town center has done for their community. Or maybe I shouldn't be giving away my secret and I should just start buying up properties all over town and cash in when the MLT town center is fully developed and prices start going up. :) You should know, I am joking. My job as a Realtor is to help my clients to make good investments and I think MLT is a great future investment. However, I believe it is a great LONG-TERM investment. MLT will not revitalize itself overnight but even now it is a great place to live. We also have wonderful parks and an award-winning recreation center that boasts an awesome pool!

A passage from the Community Livability Chapter in the City of Mountlake Terrace's Comprehensive Plan reads...

"Imagine the Future...At the heart of the neighborhood--and the community--is the town center (or downtown) a central pedestrian-oriented business district. "Town Center" is a thriving and vibrant area, where many business/residential buildings are located. New development is compact and walker-friendly, similiar to a traditional downtown. Businesses include restaurants, coffee shops and local services, as well as retail and offices. Parking is adequate but not visually dominant from the street. People can easily hop on transit to connect to other destinations. Attractive landscaping brings in greenery and helps absorb rainfall..."

Sounds wonderful to me! I can hardly wait.