Many first time buyers dream of that traditional 2 story home on a dead-end/cul-de-sac street where the lots are larger than a postage stamp and there's a little architectural variety to the neighborhood. Today my team and I listed this very cute 3 BR home in Maple Valley's Eastwood Forest neighborhood.
Built by Polygon homes in 1993, it features a Formal Living and Dining Room and spacious Family Room off the Kitchen/Nook area. The 2nd story boasts the Master suite with private bath and walk-in closet as well as 2 bedrooms served by a main hall full bath with Tile floors.
Recent updates include newer roof, lighting, laminate flooring, wood 6 panel doors as well as replacing the furnace within the last few years. Currently being offered at $229,950, this sale is a short sale, but is well worth a buyer's wait for bank approval!
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Seattle Short Sales (try saying that three times fast) seems to be the theme of the week. Our team has closed 2 this week, will close another sale tomorrow, signed an extension on a listing currently in escrow and I'll be bringing two new Maple Valley Short Sale listings on the market today and tomorrow.
It's not surprising that short sales are becoming a larger part of the real estate landscape here in the greater Seattle area. According to Realty Trac, one in every 37,000 homes in King County has received a foreclosure filing notice. Some smaller communities such as Snoqualmie (1 in every 159 homes), Maple Valley (1 in every 394 homes) and Auburn (1 in every 447) have a higher concentration of homeowners facing foreclosure. These owners are beginning to understand there are alternatives to foreclosure and in some cases, advantages to selling their property as a short sale, versus letting the bank take it at auction.
We pride ourselves on continuing to help Seattle area home owners successfully sell their homes in order to avoid foreclosure.
Home buyers in Maple Valley and across the Country got one step closer to getting the first home buyer's tax credit extended past the November 30 deadline.
The Senate has approved the Homebuyer Tax Credit and we now await a vote in the House of Representatives.
Industry experts feel it's likely the bill will pass and then will be signed into law by President Obama.
I haven't read the bill, but according to a release by the Washington Association of Realtors, the $8000 credit would be extended to April 2010 (sooner than the June date which had been floating around) and will also include a $6500 credit for buyers who have lived in their homes for at least 5 years.Whether they will need to purchase that home as a primary residence or be able to use the credit for investment properties remains to be seen.
Stay tuned!
Many of us are so busy worrying about whether we'll remember to set our clocks back on Saturday night, that King County's property tax deadline may accidentally be forgotten. Normally, property taxes are due on October 31, but because this date falls on the weekend, homeowners who either own their properties outright or have opted out of escrow impound accounts will need to make their payment online or have their mail postmarked no later than Monday, November 2 in order to avoid a penalty.
Payments can be made out to King County Treasurer and mailed to:
500 Fourth Avenue, Room 600 / Seattle, WA 98104
If you've misplaced your coupon or are unsure what your 2nd half balance is, you can look up your tax account here.
Make sure you include your property tax id number on your check. The County website also has an option for e-check/online payment, but only if the payment is being made by Monday.
Late payments can only be mailed.
As Mark Twain once said:
With home values having declined significantly since the assessment period for which we are now paying, my guess is there will be more than a few tax payers grumbling a la Mr. Twain.
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Broker, Owner, Wife, Mom, Friend & generally Fun Person(if I do say so myself) Serving South King & North Pierce Counties. Specializing in Single Family Residential marketing & sales since 1990!
Almost 18 years ago I decided to enter the Real Estate Industry because I loved the house hunting process and was excited about the opportunities and challenges presented by being self-employed.
I was bitten by the "house-hunting bug" as a young girl when I would go through the Sunday papers with my parents, looking for open houses. My father, Mike McCormack was an NFL football coach and we had moved several times throughout my childhood before finally settling in the NW when he took a job with the Seattle Seahawks. I came to view house hunting and the moving process as an adventure, and although it can sometimes be stressful and inconvenient, I love the process as much today as I did back then!
More than anything, I believe my role is to serve as a real estate advisor for my clients...to offer advice and options in order for them to make informed, educated decisions. I specialize in the greater Maple Valley market which is defined by the Tahoma School District boundaries.
Nestled beside the picturesque Cascade Foothill Mountain Range, approximately 20 miles Southeast of Seattle, Maple Valley Washington is a growing community rich in History and recreational opportunity. Skiing and hiking are only a 45 minute drive away at,Crystal Mountain, or Snoqualmie Summit. Boating and jet-skiing on Lake Sawyer, or swimming at Lake Wilderness are some favorite warm weather activities.
The greater Maple Valley area is defined by the Tahoma School District boundaries and also includes Hobart, Ravensdale & part of Renton. The City of Maple Valley, which incorporated in 1997, is where you'll find traditional subdivisions and retail shops. The rural portion of Maple Valley falls within unincorporated King County and is comprised mostly of homes on acreage. Population is approximately 29,600 (City of Maple Valley approximately 17,000). Median age is 33 and median income is $74,781.
View Complete Maple Valley Demographics.
The Maple Valley housing market is comprised predominantly of single family homes in a variety of settings...homes in traditional neighborhoods, homes on acreage, equestrian properties, lakefront homes and new construction. View information on Maple Valley neighborhoods.
If you're moving to the Seattle area, you may want to learn a little more about Maple Valley. Many area residents, priced out of the Bellevue, Issaquah and Remond Housing Market, moved a little farther South and found an area with a variety of homes ranging from Waterfront to Acreage to New Construction which were more affordable PLUS a School District with the highest test scores in South King County.
What Colleen's Clients Say....
"We wanted to express our gratitude to you for a completely worry-free purchase and sale. From the no-pressure sale, to the very effective marketing of our home, your attention to detail made the entire process pain-free! You anticipated each element with precision, accuracy and, most importantly, caring. We felt as though we were going through this overwhelming process with a friend at our side, and theat eased stress levels considerably."
The Forman's, Maple Valley WA
"Not only did I appreciate knowledge of the market and the area, I really appreciated your warm personality and strategic thinking..."
R. Asay, Auburn WA
"We chose you as our agent because of a personal recommendation from our friends who had seen your work before and they were right...you handled everything in a very professional manner but with a down-to-earth approach and a nice personal touch that we really enjoyed. We felt confident in your guidance and honesty.. So thanks for going the extra mile and for everything you did...
G & L Malmrose, Kent WA
"Colleen really knows the area inside and out, from builders to schools. She is also very knowledgeable when it comes to all the details of buying and selling. Our house sold in under a week for full price...due in part to her marketing skills....There is no doubt we would use Colleen again "
The Marottas, Maple Valley WA
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