Finding that home

Yes it is out there- the Seattle house of your dreams. If you have been driving around from one open house to another and still haven’t found it you may be getting frustrated with the whole situation. You know it’s not from lack of trying; this house just isn’t falling into your lap. Don’t give up. The house is out there waiting for you; you just haven’t been able to find it yet.

In many cases what you’re going to have to do is sit down with your Seattle real estate agent and go over a few more details about the type of house you’re looking for. Usually this rectifies the situation because the agent can then narrow down the types of houses you would be interested in and take you to see them. Perseverance is really the key when it comes to Seattle house hunting. The more communication you have with your agent the more likely you will be able to find your dream house very quickly.

Your Seattle real estate agent has access to all the houses in the area that are listed daily. Give your agent your home phone number, your work phone number and your cell phone number so that any time a house appears on the market he can get in contact with you quickly. Some houses go very fast once they are listed and it is critical that the communication lines are open between you and your agent at all times. In some cases you will have to drop what you are doing and go see a house on the same day if it is a very hot property that your agent thinks would really be suitable for you.

The more time and energy you put into finding your dream home the sooner it will fall into your lap. Try not to get discouraged and keep hunting. There is a house out there that’s perfect for you and your budget.

This Seattle real estate market update is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

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1. Finding that perfect piece of land in Seattle to build your custom home (12.2)
2. Getting Your Seattle Home Sold Quickly (9.5)
3. Finding The Right Shoreline WA. Real Estate Agent At The Right Office (9.3)
4. How to Find an Experienced Seattle Real Estate Agent (9.3)
5. Open Houses – Seattle Agent Representation (9.2)

Price and Inventory Levels for upper tier homes in Northeast Seattle

Price and Inventory Levels for lower tier homes in Northeast Seattle

Northeast Seattle Real Estate Trends as of March 5, 2012

The last week of February showed signs of housing inventory in Northeast Seattle to finally start to pick-up. This should be a welcome sign for buyers looking for housing in Northeast Seattle, inventory levels continued to shrink in both the upper and lower tier price ranges since December 20111 finally showing signs of reversing this downward trend with new listings increasing in both price ranges over the last 3 weeks.

Upper tier home sales, homes over $530k, in Northeast Seattle saw a steady increase in pricing from September 2011 to its peak in February 2012 where the median price was $650K before it prices ran out of gas and started trending downward to early March median price of $637k.

Certain neighborhoods in Northeast Seattle have seen multiple offers on some homes, milder weather conditions will start to bring more buyers out ahead of the spring buying market signaling to sellers it’s time to get their homes on the market.

Northeast Seattle’s neighborhoods experienced much of its growth in the 1940-1960s as the city limits started to push both the south and north boundaries further from the city’s core. Much of northeast Seattle is very walkable and very well designed leaving many wooded areas while the areas around them were being developed. The neighborhoods, almost always, were developed around a “playfield” or a family gathering place. Northeast Seattle’s neighborhoods; Maple Leaf, Pinehurst, Jackson Park, Lake City,Victory Heights, Cedar Park, and Meadowbrook all have residents with strong social and community ties.

This Seattle real estate market update is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

Homes for sale in Northeast Seattle

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1. Northeast Seattle sees upper tier home prices on the rise (33.4)
2. Northeast Seattle home market a tale of two different markets (33.3)
3. Northeast Seattle Real Estate-Tale of two different markets (26.8)
4. Northeast Seattle Wa. Price and Inventory comparison to Lake Forest Park Wa.(24.3)
5. Low Housing Inventory in NE Seattle (24.3)

It is the time of your life – retirement. You are ready to get started and look at your options. Do you stay in the Seattle home you are living in now or do you downgrade and get a condo or a smaller house? The choice you make will depend on your retirement plans, health and assets.

It can be difficult and demanding for retirees to have to upkeep, housekeep, decorate and pay the bills on a big home. Due to the hassles and costs involved in selling the Seattle house, most people who live in big and spacious homes tend to stay in their own home, even though they may not have the need for all the space. It is actually not that hard to downgrade your home when the need arises. It can even prove advantageous to you.

One of the best benefits of getting a condo in retirement is that you do not have to worry about maintaining a home or having to upgrade it in any way. The landlord or owner of the condo will be responsible for a lot of the major maintenance. The condo owner will care for the landscaping and regular building cleaning.

When you sell your property and downgrade in retirement, you can make the money from the profits of the Seattle home sale and can use it for vacations, for settling any outstanding debts or for investments. You may even wish to sell your house on the verge of your retirement and start renting a home.

Retirement should mean freedom and you need to look at your options so that you can truly make the most of it. If you want to start travelling and visiting friends and family at this point in your life, you should look at how your home will weigh you down. Downgrading your home may mean upgrading your freedom.

This Seattle real estate blog is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

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3. Seattle Condo Sales – Why Condos are Hot Right Now (9.6)
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Preparing for a Seattle open house

Having a Seattle open house is one of the best ways to sell your property. It gets potential buyers into your home and they can look around without feeling any pressure. There are some things that you can do to make your home look more appealing for prospective buyers. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for a Seattle open house.

1. Your home should not have any excess clutter. It can be hard to organize everything in your home, but your counter tops should be free of anything besides necessary appliances. Dishes should be cleaned and put away. Vacuum and sweep the floors. Think about how your home looks to someone who has never seen it before. People who see a neat and tidy house are far more likely to be drawn to it.

This goes for the outside of your home too. Keep all of your property in good shape. Mow the lawn and make sure that the yard is free of any debris like brush or leaves. If the paint or siding on the outside of your home is fading or peeling, get it replaced.

Double-check everything before the Seattle open house occurs. Take a quick walk through your home and tidy up anything you may have missed. It is a good idea to make sure valuables like jewelry or cash are safely stored away too. Most people are honest, but some might take advantage of being in another person’s home.

If you can, take out a couple pieces of furniture from the rooms. This creates the illusion of having more space. Also, turn on all the lights. It creates a brighter and friendlier atmosphere. Open all the curtains and shades to allow sunlight in. If you are using a real estate agent, ask them for suggestions that might be more specific to your Seattle open house.

This Seattle real estate market update is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth& Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Buying A Condo In Seattle

If you have been thinking about buying a condo in Seattle you may have a few questions about condo life in general that you need answered. Here is an overall view of what you can expect with condo living to help you decide whether this would be the lifestyle of choice for you or not.

Are there any fees involved?

Yes, you will have to pay certain fees as a condo owner. These fees will depend on a lot of different factors. Every condo has its own set of fees that are determined by the cost of running the buildings and all the amenities with it. For example, if you are living in a building with a pool, you will have to share in the maintenance costs for it, even if you don’t intend on using it. This is why it is so important to find a building with the right amenities that you will actually use so that you don’t end up paying for one’s that you never plan on using.

Can I make changes to the condo?

It depends on what kind of changes you want to make. Any structural changes are usually a no-no while painting the walls is usually permitted. This will all be laid out in the rules and regulations of the building you’re looking at. If you’re buying a condo in Seattle ask your real estate agent for a list of the condo guidelines to find out exactly what changes are allowed and what aren’t.

Are there a lot of rules to follow?

Again, this is determined by the owner and the management of the building. Some condos are very relaxed and have only general rules that are set up to keep all of the tenants happy overall. Some condos, however, have very strict rules in place and severe policing of these rules. A condo with stricter policies in place may be better for singles or couples that enjoy peace and quiet, while a condo with more relaxed rules would fit a family with young children or a pet owner better.

Do condos include parking?

Most condos have parking areas set up but some will require that you pay a fee to have your own parking spot. Some condos include a parking space in the price. You can ask your Seattle real estate agent about the specifics if you see a condo that you are interested in.

The city is growing at a remarkable pace and condos are definitely a growing trend.

This Seattle real estate market update is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth& Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

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