Woodinville, WA

If you are thinking about relocating to Western Washington, you should consider Woodinville.

Woodinville was once a small town that equestrian lovers called home. Now it's a thriving little city about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Seattle, 30 minutes to Boeing and 20-30 minutes to the Microsoft Campus. With shopping including Target, Costco and Barnes-n-Noble, spas, restaurants, a movie theatre, Molbaks Nursery and the wineries you never have to go far to find what your looking for. There is also a Golds Gym, and Ride Motor Sports and Three Rivers Marine & Tackle for the outdoor enthusiasts. This is a great link to the history and demographics of Woodinville.

Woodinville is well known for it's numerous wineries. Most notable are the

Chateau Ste. Michelle

An absolutely wonderful place to stay for a romantic get away is Willows Lodge. Pamper yourself and your partner with a couples massage in a room with a beautiful fireplace, candles and soft music. If your lucky you might even get real thunder to add to the ambiance!! The lodge is ranked #80 in the world and #12 in the US/Canada as best hotel. Situated on the Sammamish River with the Red Hook Brewery next door and the two wineries above close by, you'll have plenty to do. For the ultimate in dining try the Herbfarm Restaurant or the Barking Frog.

Willows Lodge

Feel like spending the day at the spa? Willows Lodge offers a luxurious spa as does Oasis Spa & Salon.

Other things to do in Woodinville include golf, biking and riding in a hot air balloon.

So are you hooked and ready to move here???

Woodinville is serviced by the award winning Northshore School District.

2006-07 WASL Results

Real Estate in Woodinville ranges from $175,000 for a condominium to $5.9mil for a beautiful estate.

Condominimum is 1 bedroom,.75 bath 697 square feet in downtown. $189,900.00

This home is 3bedroom/2.5 baths 2783 square feet $598,950.00

For $1,000,000 you could own this beautiful 4bedroom/3.5 bath 4705 square foot home.

This lovely home is $2,650,000 and has 5bedroom/5baths,
6748 square feet of living space on 15.39 acres of beautiful land.

This home consists of 5 bedrooms, 6.75 bathrooms and 13,000 square feet of livable space all on 4.5acres in the beautiful Hollywood Hill area of Woodinville. $5,900,000.00.

There is something for everyone in Wonderful Woodinville Washington. A sought after family community!!

For more information on relocating to this area or to view one of these or other homes, please call me to schedule an appointment.

Sandy Noll
Realtor, eAgent
Keller Williams Realty
425-890-0878
sandranoll@kw.com
http://www.letsachieveyourgoals.com/
http://www.sandynoll.point2agent.com/
www.realestate411.ning.com/profile/sandynoll
Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell Homes

NWMLS 600 Woodinville Real Estate Market Statistics
January 2008
Single Family Homes

Area 600 (No. Kirkland/Woodinville/Duvall) median prices were down -8.0%. YOY listing inventory was up 50.0% and Pendings were down -18%.
LISTINGS: 548(2007) vs. 365 (2006) +50%
PENDINGS: 77 (2007) vs. 94 (2006) -18%
MEDIAN: $459,950 (2007) vs. $499,950 (2006) -8.0

Compiled from but not verified or published by NWMLS

By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor
www.425realty.com

At 4pm sharp the Northshore School District Board posted the analysis that everyone was waiting for - which Woodinville school would be selected for closure. Clearly a topic that was near and dear to many based upon the fact that the website was slammed with hits and many people were delayed in getting the answer they so dearly wanted.

My sympathies go out to the parents of the children attending Woodin! In the end I hope that they will be better off, going to a school that has a better facility within a school district that is healthier financially - but change is always hard. I hope that all of the parents and children at the schools where they will be shifted to - will make your transition as easy as possible by greeting you with open, welcoming arms.

However - to all of the parents who breathed a collective sign of relief that it isn't "our school" please consider this a wake up call. We have a serious problem in our state with respect to school funding and it is up to all of us to stay involved and make a difference. Even if your school isn't being closed - your children may be shifted to another school and all schools will be filled to capacity which impacts all of our children (the draft reassignment chart directly impacts 700+ students).

Also, I hope you didn't miss the second point in the list of Staff Recommendations - next year another school may also be closed - so don't get too comfortable.

Today is the Legislative Focus Day - SEND an email or a letter to your legislator letting them know that The Education Funding System is Broken - they need to make this a priority. Don't know how to get involved? Please read my prior post - A Call To Action.

More information...
Northshore School District Analysis
Seattle Times Article on Closure
King TV News Coverage 2/12/08
Q13 Fox News Coverage 2/12/08

Are you paying attention to the media coverage of the Northshore School District budget shortfall?This shortfall will have an impact on every child in the Northshore school district (go to http://www.nsd.org/and scroll down for the details). Unfortunately for a large group of families, it will be a very personal impact if one of the Woodinville elementary schools are closed - impacting both the children from the closed school and the children caught up in the disruption caused by boundary line adjustment moves for the remaining schools.

Let your voice be heard! I want to applaud Nancy Hill of Woodinville for taking the time to write a letter to the NSD Board and Editor of the Woodinville Weekly last week to share her thoughts on this serious situation. While I did not agree with everything she proposed - she is engaged and actively trying to propose solutions. I especially liked her suggestion that we should shift to a "pay or play" system for school sports, assuming that we can make a major budget reduction as a result.

However, I am concerned that many parents appear to be more focused on retaining sports then providing a truly exceptional academic experience for our children. (I say this based upon the number of emails that have been sent to date to the NSD school board that have voiced that concern). If we have to make a choice - then in my opinion, I believe we must choose academics over sports and other extra curricular activities. We need to continue to provide high quality teachers and a variety of educational options so we can reach children who learn differently - whether it is a special needs program, PACE program, EAP program, honors program or a career and technical education program.

Our children need to be prepared so that they will have both the choice and opportunity to go to college, go to a vocational school, or go directly into the workforce and succeed. They cannot be expected to do that if we continue to cut the very environment, teachers and supplies required for their education.

So here is my challenge to you, because Individuals do make a difference!

• Get involved locally - at a minimum send an email to Budget@nsd.org and let the School Board know how you feel and what is a priority for your family. They especially need to hear from families that value academics and value a variety of learning environment because one size does not fit all for children.
  
• Get involved regionally - send emails or letters to your state representatives - tell them that the Education Funding System is Broken! We shouldn't have to make choices between academics, sports, music, and other extra curricular activities. If you don't know who to contact then go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/ and click on Find Your Legislator.
  
• Get educated and be an advocate. Attend the PTSA meetings when you are able, read the articles in the media, go to the district website and the national PTSA website. Talk to your friends. Washington state needs to step up and make sure our children are able to compete locally, nationally and internationally and to do that - we need an public education system that works!

Online Resources
Washington State PTA (legislative page)
Northshore PTSA Council

by Michelle Blue
Your Guide to Woodinville Community, Neighborhoods & Real Estate!