Debra Sinick

Archive for September, 2008|Monthly archive page

Here’s Some Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

In Kirkland News on September 27, 2008 at 7:18 am

Sustainable September has had some great information available at the Saturday classes that have been going on in Kirkland.  I’ve been to several of the free classes sponsored by Sustainable September and I’ve gathered some great information.  Check out this link to my eastside blog where I’ve listed things you can do, websites and phone numbers you can contact for more energy savings information.

Garage Sale in The Kirkland Highlands This Weekend

In Kirkland Garage Sale, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on September 26, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I just found out my neighbor is having a garage sale Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM- 5 PM.  There’s some great stuff out there.  Lots of garage sale fare, furniture, household goods, and lots of clothes.  Some of the clothes still have price tags on them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

9419 110th PL NE

9 AM-5 PM  Saturday and Sunday

Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands Through September 25th, 2008

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, WA, Weekly market update on September 26, 2008 at 6:45 am

(Numbers in parentheses are for last week’s data. This week’s data is reported through Thursday each week.)

Active Listings:  23 (24)

New listings:  1  (0)

Re-listed properties: 0  (0)

Pending inspection:  0 (2) 

Pending:  1 (1)

Closed Sales: 2   (2)

Contingent sale:0  (0)

Number of Price Reductions:2 (2)

Cancelled listings 2  (1)

Expired Listings:1  (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market: 0 (0)

Rented: 0 (1)

———————————–

0-$349,999:   0 (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 4 (5)

$500,000-$749,999:    8 (8)

$750,000-$999,999:  9 (9)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (1)
———————————–
Average Price: $735,007 ($730,275)

Median Price:   $699,000 ($694,475)

Average Days on Market: 111 (106)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,599,000 ($1,599,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $399,950 ($399,950)

The number of homes available in the Highlands continues to drop from the high of 29 homes for sale.  There are now 23 homes available in the neighborhood. None of the homes received offers that were mutually accepted, but one home has had its inspection contingency removed and is now pending.  Two home sales closed this week.  

$329,000 Original list price of $399,000, for a Forbes Creek Town home with 1530 square feet,three bedrooms and 2.25 baths.  It was on the market for 202 days and sold for 9% below the original asking price.

$935,000 Original list price of $999,000  for a remodeled home with a view and over 2000 square feet.  It was on the market for 35 days and sold for 7% below the asking price.

Town homes/condos:

4 active town home/condo listings

One listing was canceled and one home sold.

$374,950 for a Forbes Creek townhome of 1530 square feet and 2.25 baths. It sold in 58 days for 4% below the original asking price of $389,950.  It is similar to one of the single family closings above.  The location in the neighborhood, because of outlooks and road noise, and the condition of a home, can make a big difference in the sales price and market time.

Pedestrian and Bike Safety Is Big In Kirkland, Washington

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on September 24, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Take It or Make It Pedestrian Safety In Kirkland, WA

There have been signs and flags in Kirkland to remind pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers to be safe. New signs and lanes keep popping up in areas of high traffic.  The City of Kirkland, Washington is dedicated to a safe and fun walking program for people of all ages as evidenced by the commitment to great signage and new bike lanes.

Don’t forget to take a flag  to safely make it across the street when you cross at marked crosswalks.

Pedestrian Safety Flags in Kirkland Washington

Bike lanes have been newly created along some of Kirkland’s busy roads. New bike lanes magically appeared on 6th St South near the new Google facility and Kirkland Way.

 

Signs are posted to watch for seniors crossing the street just north of Juanita Village on 100th Ave NE.

Have fun out there and be safe!

What Were The Chances of Selling Your Kirkland Home in August, 2008?

In buyers, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers on September 19, 2008 at 5:52 am

Sellers had a 9% chance of selling a home in Kirkland in August, 2008.

(Click on the link above to see a chart with Kirkland’s real estate trends for the last few years.  The chart shows trends for Kirkland, south of NE 116th St.)

August, 2008        498 homes for sale,  47 sales, 9% chance of selling.

July, 2008              508 homes for sale, 51 sales, 10% chance of selling.

June, 2008             491 homes for sale, 81 sales, 16.6% chance of selling.

August, 2007         386 homes for sale, 55 sales, 14% chance of selling.

So far, the peak of activity in Kirkland real estate sales has been in June of this year.  July and August’s performances were fairly similar, about 5-6% below the month of June.  Both inventory and sales declined in August from July, but only by a small margin.

For a complete update on Eastside real estate, check out my eastside blog post.

Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands Through September 18th, 2008

In buyers, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, Weekly market update on September 18, 2008 at 1:18 pm

(Numbers in parentheses are for last week’s data, with the exception of this past week as the data in parentheses is from the week of August 21st. This week’s data is reported through Thursday each week.)

Active Listings:  24 (28)

New listings:  0  (1)

Re-listed properties: 0  (0)

Pending inspection:  2 (0) 

Pending:  1 (1)

Closed Sales: 2   (0)

Contingent sale:0  (0)

Number of Price Reductions:2 (1)

Cancelled listings 1  (1)

Expired Listings:0  (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market: 0 (0)

Rented: 1 (0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:   0 (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 5 (6)

$500,000-$749,999:    8 (8)

$750,000-$999,999:  9 (9)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (2)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (2)
———————————–
Average Price: $730,275 ($751,371)

Median Price:   $694,475 ($694,475)

Average Days on Market: 106 (97)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,599,000 ($1,632,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $399,950 ($349,800)

Two home sales closed this week, both at the high end of pricing.  One listing was rented and one listing was canceled, bringing the number of homes on the market down by 4 homes.

$907,000 Original list price of $989,000, final asking price of $919,000 for a two year old 3334 square foot two story with a view.  It was on the market for 262 days and sold for 9% below the original asking price.

$1,625,000 Original list price of $2,150,000 with a final asking price of $1,650,000 for a 4 year old two story with a view, over 4000 square feet.  It was on the market for 192 days and sold for 24% below the asking price.

Both of these homes sold for approximately $20,000 less than when they were built a few years ago.

Town homes/condos:

5 active town home/condo listings

One listing was canceled and taken off the market.

Kirkland’s Peter Kirk Community Center Hosts Falls Prevention Fair in Kirkland

In Boomer news, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, seniors on September 18, 2008 at 10:15 am

 

From my  inbox.  Here’s the memo from Kirkland’s Marie Stake:

 

Kirkland Hosts Falls Prevention Fair, September 23

 

Kirkland, WA  The Kirkland Parks & Community Service Department, Kirkland Fire Department and Kirkland Senior Council are hosting a free Falls Prevention Fair, Tuesday, September 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Avenue.  The fair offers free fall risk assessments, speakers, demonstrations, vendor exhibits and resource information.  The Fair is presented in partnership with Evergreen Healthcare, King County Fire & Life Safety Association, King County Fire Marshal’s Office, Massage Envy or Kirkland and Sear’s Miracle Ear.  For event information, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us or call the Peter Kirk Community Center at 425-587-3360.

 

The Kirkland Senior Council has chosen the fair as one of its yearly projects because the incidence of falls and the subsequent consequences are huge for seniors.  This is a great time for seniors to be evaluated and learn about the help that is available.  Do you have senior parents?  This fair is for you, too!

For more detailed information about the Falls Prevention Fair, check here  fall_prevention_flyer9987

Kirkland, Washington’s First Sustainable September Class Has Great Information

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, Remodeling on September 15, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Kirkland, Washington was filled with activity this weekend.  There was the dedication of the Cotton Hill Park trail, the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk, and the first of the Sustainable September classes at Kirkland’s City Hall. I decided to post the information I learned from the Sustainable September classes on my eastside blog. Check the post out for some practical information regarding eco-friendly building materials and landscaping.  If you are thinking of remodeling, the “built green” tips should get you on your way.

Don’t forget to stop by this Wednesday’s Kirkland Farmers’ Market for eco-fair and street dance.  Check the Sustainable September website for more information.

The Kirkland Highlands 15 Minutes of Fame in The Seattle Times

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Extreme Makeover Home Project, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate on September 15, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Did you see the article in last week’s Seattle Times highlighting the Kirkland Highlands?  I was out of town at the time, but have managed to snag a copy.  I thought the reporter, Linda Hughes, did a great job communicating the wonderful flavor of our community.  There’s a wonderful synergy here with neighbors helping neighbors with the development of Cedar View Park, the Extreme Makeover Home, and the work on the Cotton HIll Park trail.  

Plus, our quiet part of Kirkland is only seconds from downtown restaurants and galleries and the all important Lake Washington.

Here’s a copy of the article: Seattle Times Kirkland Highlands article

The highlights of the neighborhood  for me are:

  • The camaraderie of the neighborhood.
  • The eclectic feel of the streets and the homes.
  • The variety of housing styles and price ranges.
  • The proximity to downtown Kirkland restaurants, shops, galleries, and other conveniences.
  • Lake Washington nearby.
  • Easy commute to Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle.

Kirkland City Council May Take a Position On BNSF Rail vs. Trail

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails on September 15, 2008 at 6:05 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Tuesday, September 16th, The Kirkland City Council meeting will address the BNSF rail/trail issue, item 9c on the agenda.  Come to the meeting at Kirkland City Hall, The Council chamber, 123 Fifth Avenue at 7 PM, Tuesday.  This is another opportunity for the public to voice their opinions to The Kirkland City Council. The Eastside Trail Advocates will be there to support a trail along the line. Check out their site to learn more about the trail issues.

Dave Ramsay spoke eloquently about Kirkland’s need for walking trails at The Kirkland Highlands dedication of the Cotton Hill Park trail.  He uses this very trail for his walking commute to Kirkland’s City Hall. City Manager Ramsay said he envisions a city connected by urban paths so people would be able to walk through the entire community.  He believes walking is:

  • the magic bullet to health.
  • Promotes a sense of community.
  • Contributes to public safety.
  • Reduces car trips.
  • Enhances our environment.

I’m hoping the City Council listens to Dave Ramsay’s words. 

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