About Seattle's Capitol Hill

Fun Seattle Local Blog -

Dana Landon writes a really entertaining Seattle blog filled with amazing fun fashion and food around Seattle - her latest post was on the July 4th Vegan BBQ at Quickie's on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Some might not know I am a vegetarian, but I also grew up on meat and the idea of a BBQ without having to worry about the meat juice or smoke getting on my food sounds heavenly.

Quickies also has a location in the U District, and I would recommend the visit if you get the craving... Nothing like vegan home style meals.

Capitol Hill has so many awesome places to be entertained, but even just a walk down the street makes you really feel like you are living the Seattle dream.

Some of my favorite spots -

Portage Bay (Roanoke Park), Volunteer Park, Byzantion Greek

Looking to Live In Seattle's Capitol Hill?

Capitol Hill homes are beautiful - especially the old historic Seattle mansions, but I also love all the Green townhomes they have been building lately. Some of the condos in Capitol Hill are also very cool because many are old houses converted or old 1930s apartments that have been upgraded and converted. Check out Capitol Hill and make sure to check out some of these spots and Dana's blog:)

Seattle's own, Press Condominiums, are holding an auction to sell the remaining 18 units that are still unsold. Beverly Hills-based real estate auctioneers Kennedy Wilson, will be conducting the auction, held at the Grand Hyatt Seattle, 721 Pine St. on December 13th.

The starting bids for many of these units are nearly 50% less than what comparable listings are selling for. Minimum bids range from $185,000 for one-bedroom units and $255,000 for two-bedroom units. (http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/realestatenews/archives/154792.asp) For all the details on the minimum bids, the process by which to put in a bid, and the floor plans of the units available, check out the Press website at; http://www.presscondos.com/auction.html.

Capitol Hill offers a truly unique experience that is hard to replicate anywhere else in Seattle. The Press Condominiums is surrounded by many bars, restaurants, and shops that are sure to fill your hearts desire.

It is a very good idea to look at the co-op or condo board meeting minutes as soon as you are thinking you maybe interested in a property. That way, you can find out what the association is looking at in the way of repairs which could mean some very expensive special assessments. You can also see how the reserves look and how well run the association is run.

For you Listing Agents, I would suggest you get the bi-laws, and board minutes scanned so that you can send them out as soon as someone shows an interest in the property. This can save everyone a great deal of time.

Wallingford, Green Lake, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

The Montage (website) is the newest condominium addition to the Pike/Pine corridor on Capitol Hill. The 6-story, 23-unit building is located at 1422 Boylston Avenue, just around the corner from the HoneyHole.

Montage includes a mix of open one-bedroom, one- and two-bedroom homes ranging in size from 661 to 1,121 square feet. Homes on the “Terrace” level have expansive decks that range up to 375 square feet, providing excellent outdoor living/entertainment space.

Home prices begin at $340,000 for one-bedrooms and range up to $690,000 for a two-bedroom penthouse unit.

Home features include:

• Stainless steel Bosch and Kenmore Pro appliances, gas range
• Cherry or walnut hardwoods and carpet flooring
• Slab quartz and granite countertops
• Gas fireplace
• Parking & storage
• Pet friendly
• Roof top deck
• BUILT Smart construction

Montage’s interior finishes appear above average for this price point on the Hill. Unlike larger developments, Montage does lack somewhat with common amenities. However, homeowners will be in the center of Capitol Hill’s urban flavor - restaurants, cafes, street side retail and boutique stores, pubs, a QFC a block away and close to major bus routes.

Last month exhibited the second consecutive decline in Capitol Hill's median condo price in both month-over-month and year-over-year results. At $313,000, the median price is down 4.3% from the same period last year. Unfortunately, the outlook portends more of the same as Capitol Hill has the highest absorption rate in Seattle at 8.6 months.

The number of active condo listings increased 47% over March 2007 to 336 properties. Additionally, fewer condos are being sold with a 57% drop in the number of pending sales, compared to March of last year.