Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland Real Estate, Freddy Delgadillo with Realty Executives

Is Sonoma Villero Condominiums getting a remodel?

I received an email from the WSDOT asking me to provide my point of view on a possible re-sale impact of a sound wall being built in Sonoma Villero Condominiums, Bothell, WA.

Here is a brief summary of what they asked me:

"We are doing some work for the owners of the Sonoma Villero condominiums and would appreciate your input into the potential sales impact associated with a right of way project. We see from mls listings that you have sold a number of units in that complex within the last 18 months and so would be familiar with the location.

WSDOT plans on building a sound wall along the west side of the condominium complex. The wall will be constructed to mitigate for increases in traffic noise associated with widening 405. It will also have an impact on the view and light.

Do you have any thoughts on how this will impact the potential sales prices or selling times of the units affected, and could you point us to any examples of similar situations you know about? "

Here is the answer that I gave to the WSDOT.

It will affect the re-sale value of town homes that are currently on the west side of community. The buildings that are mostly affected by this change would be #6, #7, #8, #9, #11, #13, and #16. The wall would reduce the natural splendor that you see from the living room, dining room, and kitchen from the buildings mentioned above. The tall lush trees give a buffer to the buildings from the freeway. If the trees are to be removed, the view will then be a tall 20-30 ft wall and I'm sure that would affect the value of those buildings, let alone it would reduce the overall value of the community as a whole.

The homeowners that currently live in these units would have never bought if they had known that the greenbelt that they're used to might be gone due to the WSDOT building a noise barrier wall.

I understand that the wall is to prevent noise coming into the units, but the wall would buffer the sound and push it upwards, therefore making the noise hover over the buildings and onto other parts of the community. It's loud enough down by I-405, but it would be louder overall as noise carries at farther distances.

Also, the wall is not very eye appealing, its not like a mural or something, its just a large Gray wall; very boring. The WSDOT should make a few cosmetic modifications.

I feel that the sellers that currently live next to I-405 will be the biggest financial losers in all of this. Their condos will be on the market much longer and at lower price points all to accommodate future buyers and persuade them to live with the noise.

Here is a snap shot on the current market trends in Sonoma Villero from Jan 01, 08 -Aug 23, 08

Active Pending Sold Avg. Active Price (currently) Avg. Sold Price

# 12 # 3 # 8 $269,396 $292,181

Below is a rendering of a possible remodel that can & will happen at Sonoma Villero based on findings from WSDOT, (its just a matter of time).

Freddy M. Delgadillo / Realtor

425=941-8688 (Direct) & 425-642-8273 (Fax)

www.Freddyshomes.com

Representing Sonoma Villero Home Owners Since 2000.

For more information on Sonoma Villero, go to my website or email me your request.

The Blue Angels bring traffic to a halt in the Seattle / Eastside area as I was driving Thursday morning from Kent to Bellevue for an appointment. I showed up 30 minutes late, all because everyone wanted to look at /for the Blue Angels flying above. Don't take me wrong I'm a huge fan of the Blue Angels, I first saw them in San Diego when I was nine years old, but seriously lets be courteous to others on the road.

I mean as I drove north bound on I-405, people kept slamming their breaks and pulling their heads out of the window trying to see where the Angels were. If I knew that the Angels were flying overhead at a certain time and that the I-90 Bridge was closed, I would have managed my day differently. I guess this is why I'm blogging about it now.

Click here to view the Blue Angels official website.

Here is a picture of a freeway sign showing the time line when the roads will be closed.

If you're curious as to when the Blue Angels will be flying over Seattle and the Greater Eastside look below.

August 1-3

Friday: 12:45pm-2:40pm (practice run)

Saturday: 12:45-2:40pm (look up as its show time)

Sunday: 12:45-2:40pm (look up as it's the last air show)

The Blue Angels showing their talent

The big Blues, leaving their rooster tails in the sky.

Check these guys out... wow! talk about training and perfection.

The six angels taking to the sky

CeFiore makes some of the best-frozen yogurt I have ever tasted. I was in Kirkland a few days ago and decided to stop by and pick up a mid-size cup of their new favor "Acaiberry". WOW! It was just awesome, exactly what I needed to quench my palate.

I was on my way to church and decide to buy one to go for my friend Misty that is expecting any day now. So I thought, "hey my wife loved it when she was pregnant so why not buy it for Misty".

I ordered the Acaiberry Yogurt, Kelsey, a bubbly energetic girl that loved working there, helped me. She asked what I wanted for toppings and I ordered raspberries, coconut shreds, and blueberries. That's how Dionne (my wife) loved eating them so I got that.

When I arrived at church I gave it to Misty and she was just beside herself. She said "I have never tasted yogurt this GOOD"! I then told her, I know... me neither, with a big smile on my face.

I would highly recommend this place, the prices are very reasonable and the yogurt is unreal.

Click here for a map so you can guide yourself this summer to CeFiore for awesome yogurt and ice cream.

What is Acaiberry?

Acaiberry is grown in the Amazon rainforest. CeFiore took the Sambazon's organic Acai and developed a new flavor for frozen yogurt. It's very healthy and all natural to eat.

My favorite deserts form CeFiore.

1. Acaiberry Yogurt
2. Raspberry - Pomegranate Yogurt
3. Green Tea Yogurt

Try these other dishes;

1. Snow Ice
2. Hibiscus Tea

CeFiore / 111 Lake Street S, Kirkland, WA 98033 / 425-889-5860

The information within this statement has been secured from source we believe to be reliable, we have no reason to doubt it, but we do not guarantee it. The prospective buyer / reader should carefully verify to his/her own satisfaction all information containing herein.

Here is a view of downtown Bellevue from my office off NE 8^th street. I see this view every morning as the sun rises and people are going to work. In the evening I get to experience some of the most beautiful views that Bellevue has to offer.

I labeled some of the buildings that can be see in the picture. Stay tune for more pictures of these amazing buildings as they can be seen from all around the greater Eastside area.

A- The Bellevue City Center

B- The Meydenbauer Center

C- The Key Center

D- The Bellevue Transit Center

E- The Symetra Building

F- The Bravern Condominiums

G- The Bellevue Plaza Center

H- NE 8^th Street

You can see five cranes currently working in downtown just in this picture. Two of the cranes are on Bravern Condominiums as they are working diligently to finish on time for the GRAND opening coming late winter.

Have you been to the Downtown Bellevue Park? Amazing what you see here, view of downtown buildings, Bellevue Square (shopping mall), sculptures of art, Bellevue condos being built on every corner and just happy people enjoying the sunny day.

I'm seating under a school of trees just center of the park. The trees can be seen from every direction and are one of the many symbols that represent the Bellevue Park. (on the right you can see the "Bellevue Towers")

I'm facing west, trying to work on a tan but most importantly enjoying the sun in the Pacific Northwest as I blog.In front of me facing West, is open country with ample room to run and play.

To my right is the North entrance to the park which you can see JP Penny and Bellevue Square Mall.

Behind me is the East entrance to the park, the tower on the left is the Westin Hotel, and to the right are the Bellevue Towers.

To my left is Meydenbauer Bay, high end shopping boutiques, and the South entrance to the park. New condos coming soon as you can see the crane in the background.

I went to the car to grab a candy bar and my bottled water and as I was walking back to my bag, I noticed a Bride and Groom having their pictures taken. I went up to them and ask if I could take a picture of them as I have never seen any newlyweds at the park, and I come to the park often. Thank you guys for the opportunity, I wish you both the best the world has to offer. Congratulations!

If you're planning on coming down to the park, I recommend parking on the south entrance as it has more parking stalls and close to the heart of the park.

I'm sitting here typing this blog and I have three dogs trying to see what I'm up to. They seem friendly but too hyper for me, they must have just taken a "dog nap".

People are great with keeping their dogs on leashes but there are those that don't care and let them roam freely. To each their own.

A group of children are playing hide-and-go-seek around those tall trees in the center of the park. The sounds that they make remind me of my son Judah.

Two friends hanging out and enjoying the park after riding their bikes

These guys are ready to ride again after relaxing their feet in the water. Thanks guys.

Many activities are represented at the park. Here are just a few going on right now...

• Soccer
• Biking
• Football
• Frisbee
• Baseball / throwing the ball
• Volleyball
• Running / Jogging

And for those of you that want a more relaxing non-strenuous activities you have...

• Walking
• Reading
• Meditating
• Sunbathing
• Enjoying a picnic
• Sleeping

I just found out that every Saturday at 5pm, a group of dog lovers meet and let their dogs play with other dogs. The dogs are friendly and like to get in peoples business, I find it funny.

It seems like everyone enjoys a quick game of "Throw-the-Frisbee" as it can be seen happing just about anywhere in the park. A group of guys invited me to toss the Frisbee with them. WOW! The force and speed that the Frisbee travels is unreal. These guys must play in a local Frisbee team or something. They thru the Frisbee to me a few times and every single time I dropped it. I need to work on my "A" game. It was fun to join in and be involved. Thanks guys. J

Stay tuned for more of what Downtown Bellevue Park has to offer. If you would like to know more about a specific area of the park, feel free to send me an email or add a comment on my blog.

Thank you.