Debra Sinick

Archive for March, 2008|Monthly archive page

, , , , , , ,

No Name Change for Kirkland, Washington’s Juanita Bay Park

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on March 31, 2008 at 9:21 am

Back in February I wrote a post about a group hoping to change the name of Juanita Bay Park to Juanita Bay Wildlife Refuge.  The name change did not pass the city council vote. 

The proponents of the name change thought it would reflect the “nature” of the park more accurately.  In addition, the proponents wanted to make the distinction more clear between Juanita Beach Park,  a park with a sandy beach and picnic tables located just around the corner on Lake Washington, and Juanita Bay Park

Juanita Bay water lilies

 Why didn’t the name change pass?  Rumor has it people were concerned  public use of the park would change with the park being called a refuge.

, , , , , , , , , ,

Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands through March 28th, 2008

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, Weekly market update on March 28, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Update post-it

Active Listings:   24(24)

New listings:  1(1) 
Re-listed properties: 7(0)
Sold subject to inspection:  0(1) 

Pending:  1(2)

Closed Sales:   1(1)

Contingent sale: 0(1)

Number of Price Reductions:  0(1)

Cancelled listings 1(0)

Expired Listings 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market  0(0)

Price increase  0(0)

Back on market 0(0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:   0(0)

$350,000-$499,999:   2(3)

$500,000-$749,999:    6(5)

$750,000-$999,999:  11(10)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:   2(3)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   3(3)
———————————–
Average Price: $945,394($962,900)
Median Price:   $868,775(875,300)

Market: 46(97)

Highest Priced Listing: $2,299,950 ($2,299,950)

Lowest Priced Listing: $440,000 ($440,000)

My analysis of this week’s real estate buzz (through midday Friday):

There’s one true new listing and 7 new construction homes that have been re-listed.  This has affected the days on market calculated by the Multiple Listing Service, however it should not have had an affect.  When a property is re-listed it should include the cumulative days on the market, so agents and buyers know the actual time a home has been for sale.  (Something seems rotten in Denmark! Wm. Shakespeare)

There were no offers on homes this week that were agreed upon between buyer and seller.   One home is now a pending sale and one home sale is closed. 

New listings:

$795,000 remodeled daylight rambler with a view, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths

Re-listed homes:

7 new construction homes over in Solus of NE 95th.  Price ranges are from $868,550 to $908,550.

Homes receiving offers:

None this week

Homes sold contingent:

(The buyer has to sell their home as a condition of the sale.)

None this week.

Homes that are pending sales:

(home sales in which the inspection has been satisfied)

$722,000 Highlande Creste two story with a basement, 2810  square feet, 4 bedrooms/3.5 baths.

Price reductions:

None this week

Closed sales:

(Homes in which the new owner has moved in!)

$650,000 midentry home with an original list price of $759,950 and final list price of $699,950. Sold for 15% below the original list price.

Cancelled listings:

$1,200,000 Martha’s Vineyard home with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths.  Listed for 328 days.

___________________________________________________

Town homes/condos

6  town homes currently on the market

New listings:

$605,000 Kirkland Highpointe 3 bedroom/2.5 baths with 1898 sq ft and a lake view.

Sold subject to inspection:

Pending:

Price reduced:

Closed sales:

No new activity in the above categories.

, , , , ,

Where Did Amazon Fresh Go On Seattle’s Eastside?

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, services on March 26, 2008 at 6:03 pm

Amazon Fresh is Gone

I was driving down Central Way in Kirkland, Washington this morning and noticed Amazon Fresh was gone.  When did that happen and where did they go?

They just arrived in September of last year.

Amazon Fresh

From the Amazon Fresh website, it looks as if the company has eliminated the plan for grocery pick up.  The plan is to deliver groceries on people’s door step. I know they’re still here as I just saw an Amazon Fresh truck in Kirkland the other day. 

Any news on Amazon Fresh’s game plan?

, , , , , , , , , ,

Rails or Trails by Kirkland’s Highlands? It May Be Up To You

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails on March 24, 2008 at 10:59 pm
BNSF Rail line
Concerned about what could be happening on the BNSF rail line that runs along Lake Washington around the perimeter of Kirkland’s Highlands? You should be.  
I’ve written a lot of pieces about the trails and rails on this blog and watched the trails/rails issue evolve over the last few years.  We’ve gone from a trail to who knows what at this point in time.  For a look at what DMUs, Diesel  Motor Units may look and sound like if they are going by on the BNSF track, take a look at these YOuTube videos from Brian and Emily’s blog. Last week  I attended a meeting of concerned citizens in Houghton about the trail/rail issue.  The rail line impacts many  Kirkland residents from Bellevue on up through Juanita. The group is advocating for a trail on the BNSF line and has formed The Eastside Trail Advocates.   The group is not against better transportation, but wants to ensure transportation improvements make sense.  There doesn’t seem to be any ridership studies done for a commuter train, but there’s a lot of talk about developing a commuter line.  A critical piece is missing here. Is the cart before the horse?

Here are some key points: 

  •  King County Executive Ron Sims supports dual use of the BNSF right of way. Keep the right of way for a future commuter rail line if needed, with interim use as a trail with the rail lines pulled out.
  • A Puget Sound Regional Council study is also for rail banking. Rail banking is the public acquiring of rail lines for trails with the possible future use as a rail line.
  • The Port of Seattle is scheduled to purchase the rail line from mile 5 down in Renton to mile 39 up in Woodinville in April of this year, with a fall closing.  Boeing and BNSF cut a deal to keep Mile 0-mile 5 open for Boeing to transport fuselages.
  • An Eastside Transportation Partnership has formed with members of Sound Transit, WSDOT, and the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The trail advocates are concerned about:

  •   The best use of tax dollars
  • The real cost to build this rail line, its stations, and parking.
  • Safety and street traffic, as many intersections and paths to schools cross over the rail line.
  • Crossing Tracks by Peter Kirk Elementary
  • Destruction of neighborhoods.
  • Noise and pollution if diesel trains are used.
  • The lack of population density along the rail line when compared to the I-405 corridor.
  • The loss of a trail, a potential fabulous amenity for all Eastsiders.

No matter what your opinion, get educated about the rails/trails issues.  If you are in support of the trail, log onto Eastside Trail Advocates and lend your support.

, , , , , ,

Easter Sunday’s Wild Waves on Lake Washington in Kirkland, Washington

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on March 23, 2008 at 9:52 pm

What started out to be a gloomy, rainy day ended up being gorgeous, sunny, and windy.  And boy was it windy on Lake Washington!  I was walking down Lake Washington Boulevard with my husband and the dog and was treated to a beautiful sight over by Kirkland’s David Brink Park.

Kirkland David Brink Park Waves III

Kirkland David Brink Park waves II

Lake Washington at Kirkland’s David Brink Park

Kirkland David Brink Park waves IV

Kirkland David Brink Park waves V

, , , , , , , ,

Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands through March 21st, 2008

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, services on March 21, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Update post-it 

Active Listings:   24(25)

 

New listings:  1(1) 
Sold subject to inspection:  1(1) 

 

Pending:  2(0)

Closed Sales:   1(1)

Contingent sale: 0(1)

Number of Price Reductions:  3(1)

Cancelled listings 0(0)

Expired Listings 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market  0(0)

Price increase  0(1)

Back on market 1 (0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:   0(0)

$350,000-$499,999:   2(3)

$500,000-$749,999:    6(5)

$750,000-$999,999:  10(11)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:   3(3)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   3(3)
———————————–
Average Price: $962,900($961,464)
Median Price:   $875,300(873,550)

Market: 97(87)

Highest Priced Listing: $2,299,950 ($2,299,950)

Lowest Priced Listing: $440,000 ($440,000)

My analysis of this week’s real estate buzz (through midday Friday):

There’s one new listing and one property back on the market because of a failed sale. One home received an offer, two homes are pending, and one home sale is closed. 

New listings:

 $500,000 remodeled two story in Edwards Place with 1600+ square feet.

Homes receiving offers:

$869,000 two story on NE 100th with 3200+ square feet, built in 2001. On market for 18 days.

Homes sold contingent:

(The buyer has to sell their home as a condition of the sale.)

$722,000 Highlande Creste two story with a basement, 2810  square feet, 4 bedrooms/3.5 baths.

Homes that are pending sales:

(home sales in which the inspection has been satisfied)

$440,000 1 1/2 story home buildt in 1963, backs to Extreme Makeover Home, remodel potential or land buy. On the market for 227 days.

$699,000 Highlande Creste, 2800 square foot two story with 4 bedrooms/3.5 baths.

 

Price reductions:

$545,000 in Hidden Hills for a tri-level, down about $5000 or 1%.

$649,950 down from $674,950 for a home in Waterwheel Park with the garage converted to living space.

$699,900 Highland Creste, two story with a basement, originally priced at $765,000.

Closed sales:

(Homes in which the new owner has moved in!)

$569,950 remodeled mid-entry home sold for Full Price in 8 days.

___________________________________________________

Town homes/condos

5  town homes currently on the market

New listings:

Sold subject to inspection:

Pending:

Price reduced:

No new activity in the above categories.

Closed sales:

 $595,000 town home in High Pointe,  2300 square foot town home with 3 bedrooms/ 2.5 baths, and a view.      Original list price of $628,000.  Home sold for 6% below the original list price.

, , , , , , , , ,

The City of Kirkland Will Be Ready for a Disaster, Will You?

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on March 20, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Kirkland City website disaster buttons

If there’s a disaster in Kirkland, will you know what to do?  I wrote about the city’s  website focus on disaster preparedness in The Kirkland Reporter about a month ago.  Here’s the information from the article about the new and improved disaster preparedness component of the city website.

The city showed it is currently preparing for “the big one” –or even a “small one” — by last summer hiring Stephanie Day, a long-time city employee, to fill the position of emergency preparedness coordinator. Stephanie has worn a number of hats at the city and brings years of experience to the table.

She and Robin Paster, community education and information specialist, recently rolled out the new and improved version of the emergency preparedness link on the Kirkland city site.  Day’s first order of business has been to update the emergency preparedness link on the city Web site. There’s a lot of disaster preparedness information scattered all over the internet and it can be a daunting and a time-consuming search.
In an attempt to consolidate this information, the site will have two components: one section for before a disaster, and a second for critical information during and after a disaster.  From the city’s home page at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us, find the “Disaster Preparedness Tips” button. The black button will lead you to a great “one-stop shop” for disaster preparedness and relief information. If you’re at a loss as to how to prepare for a disaster, here’s everything you’ve wanted to know. All sorts of information can be found here, such as recommendations for assembling or purchasing a disaster preparedness kit, sheltering in place during a disaster and pet preparedness. So kick back and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Spend some time on the Kirkland Web site and get ready for a disaster. It’s never too early to be prepared, but it can be too late.

The site also includes links to the Regional Public Information Network (RPIN), Federal Emergency Management Administration, local Ham radio operators, the National Weather Service and other pertinent sites.


During my meeting with Ms. Day, I asked if she had any interesting safety tips to pass along to Kirklanders. Here’s some of what she recommended:

Keep small bills in a safe place
in case of an emergency. Imagine
spending $20 for water if all
you had was $20 bills.

Keep a wrench in a plastic bag
(to prevent rust) next to your
gas shut-off so you’ll be ready
to turn off the gas if needed.

However, don’t shut your gas
off unless you hear or smell
something. You can’t turn the
gas back on without the utility
company’s assistance — and it
could be a long wait!

Keep at least half a tank of
gas in your car at all times.

Take that heavy family heirloom
off the top shelves.

Grandma’s vase could be a
missile during an earthquake.

Bolt or strap heavy furniture
to the wall to prevent it from
toppling.

Know where your water shutoff
is located.

Have at least one corded telephone
in your home. A cordless
phone or cell phone may
not work during a disaster.

The second part of the emergency preparedness site is the new red button labeled Emergency Bulletins. This will take you to the section of the Web site specifically dedicated to information regarding actual emergency events, such as the Dec. 2-3 flooding. All information relating to a specific disaster will be consolidated in this section. During an emergency, townspeople will be able to find out where to go for shelter or whom to contact about home damage.
Here’s a final thought many of us do not think about: In a disaster, the police and fire
departments will respond to the most serious and major disasters. They don’t have the resources to take care of everyone all at once. It will be up to you as an individual to take the first step and be prepared. If you are in your home or car, you may be on your own for a few days. In a major disaster, you may need to fend for yourself
for up to a week.
This link: www.govlink.org/3days3ways/business.html, is another site that can help you prepare. So head down to your favorite coffee bar and grab that grande latte with two shots and spend some time learning what you need to do to be prepared.
It’s up to you.

, , , , , , ,

Seattle, Lake Washington, and Mountain Views From The Kirkland WA Highlands

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on March 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Morning view of the Olympic Mountains

Mt Olympus winter morning

Sunset Olympic view.

Mt Olympus sunset view

View of the Seattle skyline from the Kirkland Highlands

Seattle skyline at sunset

 And people think it only rains around here!

, , , , , , ,

There is More Going Green in Kirkland, Washington than Saint Patrick’s Day

In Built Green, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate on March 17, 2008 at 2:08 pm

Here is some “green” news in Kirkland, WA. Both articles are important, so here they are straight from their source.

The first is from Kirkland E-Updates:

  Betsy Adams – Education/Outreach Specialist

Green Groceries

A normal trip to the grocery store involves hundreds of decisions that have a real environmental impact. Make a few simple changes in your shopping habits to have a positive impact on the world:

•Buy locally-produced organic foods
•Look for items without extensive packaging
•Buy recycled products & paper products containing post-consumer waste
•Use a reusable shopping bag to carry your groceries

Call (425)587-3812 or email recycle@ci.kirkland.wa.us for a free reusable shopping bag.
Want to make your own bag? Check out www.morsbags.com

Local Litter Pickup

Spring’s a-springing! Now’s a great time to spot and pick up litter, before new spring leaves hide it. Consider taking a bag with you on walks to collect trash and litter that you see along the way. You’ll help protect wildlife, improve water quality, and make your community a little bit more beautiful.

Save the Date!

April 19th 
-Invasive Plant Removal @ Cotton Hill Park (9 to 12)
-Residential Recycling Collection Event @ South Kirkland Park & Ride (9 to 3)

April 22nd – Earth Day

April 22nd, May 6th, May 20th
-Natural Yard Design
A series of free workshops on how to design a yard using natural yard care practices. Topics include garden design, managing pests without harmful pesticides, building healthy soils and reducing water usage. For more information or to sign up, please contact Betsy Adams.

—————————————-

This just in from Marie Stake, the city communications director:

Kirkland’s Green Building Program Recognized by Master Builder’s BuiltGreenTM 

Kirkland, WA –  In January, the City of Kirkland launched a pilot Green Building incentive program that offers priority permit processing to encourage sustainable building in the construction of new single family residences.  Yesterday, the program received a BuiltGreenTM Hammer Award in the category of “Built Green Advocate, Public Sector” presented by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Kirkland Mayor Jim Lauinger and the City’s Green Building Team accepted the award at the 2008 BuiltGreenTM Conference and Expo held in Seattle, Washington.   “This award recognizes the City’s commitment to sustainability,” notes Mayor Jim Lauinger.  “Kirkland values its natural resources and this program helps to protect them.” Two Kirkland businesses were also honored.  CamWest Development, Inc. received a Green Hammer Award in the category of “Builder, Large Production” and David Manning, Marketing Manager for Triad Associates, was honored with the BuiltGreenTM Pioneer award.   To be eligible for the incentive, plans for new single family development must achieve a level of four or five stars under the BuiltGreenTM program or a silver or better rating through the LEED® for Homes program.  For more information, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/kirklandgreen, email greenbuildingteam@ci.kirkland.wa.us or call 425-587-3225.

The City of Kirkland is making a great attempt to Go Green are you?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

, , , , , , , ,

Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands through March 14th, 2008

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, Weekly market update on March 15, 2008 at 2:45 pm

Update post-it 

 Active Listings:   25(24)

New listings:  2(2) One is a re-listed home
Sold subject to inspection:  1(2) 

Pending:  0(2)

Closed Sales:   1(2)

Contingent sale: 0(1)

Number of Price Reductions:  0(0)

Cancelled listings 0(0)

Expired Listings 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market  0(0)

Price increase  0(1)

———————————–

0-$349,999:   0(0)

$350,000-$499,999:   3(3)

$500,000-$749,999:    5(5)

$750,000-$999,999:  11(9)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:   3(3)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   3(3)
———————————–
Average Price: $961,464($981,983)
Median Price:   $873,550(878,993)

Market: 87(91)

Highest Priced Listing: $2,299,950 ($2,299,950)

Lowest Priced Listing: $440,000 ($440,000)

My analysis of this week’s real estate buzz (through midday Friday):

There’s one new listing and one re-listed property this week. One home received an offer and one home sale closed. 

New listings:

$869,000 contemporary view home in Highland Point, 3370 square feet.

$799,950 (re-listed home) contemporary two story with a view and 2235 square feet.

Homes receiving offers:

$1,199,950  two story contemporary home with a basement and a fabulous lake and city view. 

Homes sold contingent:

(The buyer has to sell their home as a condition of the sale.)

None this week.

Homes that are pending sales:

(home sales in which the inspection has been satisfied)

Price reductions:

None this week.

Closed sales:

(Homes in which the new owner has moved in!)

$1,825,000 new construction on 112th with a view.  On the market for 178 days.  Sales price of $1,700,000, 7% below the original asking price.

___________________________________________________

Town homes/condos

5  town homes currently on the market

New listings:

Sold subject to inspection:

Pending:

No activity in any of the above town home categories.

Price reduced:

$659,000 town home on NE 87th with an original asking price of $745,000, 2500 square feet.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.