Kirsten Robertson

Lately, Redfin has published, commented in and re-tweeted several articles and blog posts about the chasm between buyers and sellers. The company recently published data they compiled from seven U. S. counties showing that only about half of all homes listed in 2009 actually sold. The resulting articles from everyone from the WSJ to The Motley Fool, told a tale of sellers asking too much and buyers coming to the table with obscenely lowball offers.

So I thought we would weigh in on this for our 4 or so readers and I am here to tell ya… yeah, it’s happening, and in a big way. Surprisingly, with all we have been through in the last three years, sellers still have expectations that they are going to come out ahead even though we are hearing appraisers are still adjusting down in anticipation of a further declining market. Buyers, on the other hand, feel like they are catching a falling rock and want to make sure to mitigate potential losses. It results in a stalemate.

For buyers, in many cases, it’s no big deal. There is plenty of inventory out there and eventually a seller will come along who is desperate or more likely, reasonable. Buyers, after losing a few opportunities, eventually become reasonable too. My only word of warning is… if you find a really special house, like this one, don’t wait. Like Redfin, we are seeing buyers sitting on the fence, watching a particular house like a hawk, not wanting to make the first move. Problem is, if the house is cool enough, somebody will eventually make a run at it and then everyone rushes to the table and a bidding war ensues.

Been there…done that. Great for the seller, sucks for the buyer(s).

For sellers, I have a different tale of woe. Lately, I have heard story after story from sellers who received an initial offer they thought was too low, buyer went away and several months and price reductions later, end up accepting an offer much lower than the first one and kicking themselves the entire way to the closing table. The message here…if you have a bird in hand, be reasonable, listen to your agent (you hired them for this purpose, remember?) and try not to get hung up on recouping your investment.

The take-way..the market is what it is, you either accept it for what it is and deal accordingly or you wait it out.

If you are looking for modern homes in Seattle, let's face it, there is a lot to choose from. New, green, old, mid-century. But what if you want to live on the Eastside-in Bellevue, Kirkland or any of the surrounding areas? Maybe you are tired of the commute or you now have kids and want to live in one of the excellent school districts found on the Eastside. Where do you go? Which neighborhoods are the best?

Good news! We have moderns on the Eastside too! Not as many, admittedly. And not as many people over here "get it" so you will find your fair share of mid-century treasures with Home Depot shaker cabinets and even floral wallpaper. But we have our gems too, where someone has remodeled well, keeping with the architectural integrity of the home.

So which neighborhoods are the best? Well, Bellevue has the best selection of mid-century moderns. West Bellevue, Entatai and Medina are home to many mid-century treasures designed by the likes of Roland Terry, Paul Hayden Kirk, Al Bumgardner, Omer Mithun and others. From the small but beautiful Mithun-designed homes in Surrey Downs to gorgeous custom homes on the lake shore. Up in the Eastgate area, you will find an enclave of mid-century homes built to take in the spectacular views.

Contrasting the wide-reaching the views of Eastgate, Bridle Trails offers the nestled-in-the-trees feel of a forest home. Homes here are usually sporting some acreage as well. And in East Bellevue, you will find prime mid-century examples in Lochmoor overlooking Lake Sammamish, Glendale Country Club, Woodridge, Kelsey Creek and even Robinswood, a prime entry level area.

Kirkland on the other hand, has as many mid-century moderns as Bellevue has contemporaries. That is to say, that they are definitely there, and in no small numbers, but they are not the overwhelming majority. Kirkland, being a bit more hip and young, is home to many 80's,90's and present decade modern and contemporary homes. If you like glass block, Kirkland has lot's of homes that you will love. If you like clean contemporary lines, Kirkland has those as well. And if you want, cool, modern, green-built, you will find those too.

So it really all comes down to what you are looking for. But I am here to say that the Eastside is hip too. Come take a look!