Debra Sinick

Archive for February, 2009|Monthly archive page

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Weekly Real Estate Buzz In The Kirkland Highlands Through February 26th, 2009

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, Weekly market update on February 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

The real estate statistics below reflect the real estate activity in The Kirkland Highlands for the past week and all data is taken from the NWMLS through Thursday morning each week.

The map shows most of the outline of Kirkland’s Highlands neighborhood.  The map address is simply for a street corner in the middle of the Kirkland Highlands.   For those  not familiar with the neighborhood, it’s a pocket of unique homes close to downtown Kirkland.  In some ways it feels like an island, because it’s separated on the east by 405, the south by Central Way (the main route to downtown) and the west and north by the BNSF railroad tracks.  The neighborhood has the best of both worlds, a little isolation without any through traffic, but just seconds from everything.


View Larger Map

Active Listings: 26 (24)

New listings:    1 (1)

Re-listed properties:   0 (0)

Pending inspection:   0 (0)

Pending:   0 (0)

Closed Sales:    0 (0)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 6 (1)

Canceled listings  0 (0)

Expired Listings: 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market:  1 (0)

Rented: 0 (0)

Sale Fail: 0 (0)

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0-$349,999:  1  (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 8 (8)

$500,000-$749,999: 7 (5)

$750,000-$999,999:  8 (8)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (1)
———————————–
Average Price: $696,965 ($704,296)

Median Price:   $697,000 ($697,000)

Average Days on Market: 161 (165)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,795,000 ($1,850,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $274,950 ($289,950)

Townhomes/condos

1 Active town home listed

1 Town home is off the market

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This week saw a number of price reductions.  Sellers are trying to meet or beat the competition and current market values by lowering prices. The Kirkland Highlands’ highest priced home for sale was reduced by $55,000 and is now $1,795,000.  At the other extreme, the most reasonably priced home for sale is now  an even better value with another price drop to $274,950.  As I mentioned in previous weekly updates, it’s been a very long time since we’ve seen a single family home priced below the $300,000 range.  Since home values are now back to late 2005 pricing, I anticipate seeing more homes in this price range in the near future.  These homes should be great draws to first time buyers who take advantage of super interest rates and the first time home buyer tax credit.  Here’s a link to a good article from The Seattle PI’s Aubrey Cohen about the state of real estate prices in the Seattle area.  Right now prices are back to 2005 levels.

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It’s Volunteer Time at Seattle/Eastside’s Hopelink

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, services on February 27, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Did you hear President Obama speak the other night? I was  impressed with the direction he plans to move the country.  I like his emphasis on education, health, and energy, all areas which are critical to our country’s  future growth.    His mantra is community involvement and activism.  I couldn’t agree more.  We hope and expect government to help improve the quality of our lives, but we as individuals must do our share to help.  It’s up to us as citizens to contribute collectively to our well-being.  On that note, here’s the information from the most recent Hopelink press release asking for volunteers the needs of the Kirkland/Eastside community.

Bellevue, Wash. – Hopelink, a 38-year-old nonprofit agency helping families, senior citizens and people with disabilities in east and north King County, needs more volunteers at its centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell and Carnation.

Hopelink relies upon volunteers for such jobs as sorting food in its food banks, helping adults learn to read or do basic math or study for the GED exams, delivering food to homebound clients, or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Last year, more than 1,950 volunteers donated nearly 60,000 hours to help Hopelink fulfill its mission of assisting people in need to make lasting change in their lives.

With the large-scale National Letter Carrier’s Food Drive coming up on Saturday, May 9, Hopelink will particularly need volunteers to help pack, receive, and sort food donations at area post offices and Hopelink food banks. Individuals, families and groups are invited to help with the large volume of food that the drive is expected to generate.

Hopelink continues to need new volunteers over age 16 and welcomes anyone interested to an orientation meeting to learn more about Hopelink and its many volunteer opportunities:

· Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Hopelink’s Adult Education Department office, 15015 Main Street, Suite 206 in Kelsey Creek Plaza (across from the main Hopelink center) in Bellevue. An afternoon orientation will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. An evening orientation will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

· Thursday, March 5, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Hopelink’s Bothell center, 18220 96th Ave. NE in Bothell.

· Wednesday, March 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Carnation center, 31957 Commercial Street in Carnation.

For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer. For information on how young people between middle school and high school age can help Hopelink, please visit http://youthlink.hope-link.org/ .

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Since 1971, Hopelink has helped homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities make lasting change in their lives. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency by helping people meet their needs for food, shelter,

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Weekly Real Estate Buzz for the Kirkland Highlands Through February 19th, 2009

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, Weekly market update on February 20, 2009 at 2:40 pm

The real estate statistics below reflect the real estate activity in The Kirkland Highlands for the past week and all data is taken from the NWMLS through Thursday morning each week.

The map shows most of the outline of Kirkland’s Highlands neighborhood.  The map address is simply for a street corner in the middle of the Kirkland Highlands.   For those  not familiar with the neighborhood, it’s a pocket of unique homes close to downtown Kirkland.  In some ways it feels like an island, because it’s separated on the east by 405, the south by Central Way (the main route to downtown) and the west and north by the BNSF railroad tracks.  The neighborhood has the best of both worlds, a little isolation without any through traffic, but just seconds from everything.


View Larger Map

Active Listings: 24 (23)

New listings:    1 (0)

Re-listed properties:   0 (2)

Pending inspection:   0 (0)

Pending:   0 (0)

Closed Sales:    0 (1)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 1 (3)

Canceled listings  0 (0)

Expired Listings: 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market:  0 (0)

Rented: 0 (0)

Sale Fail: 0 (0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:  1  (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 8 (8)

$500,000-$749,999: 5 (5)

$750,000-$999,999:  8 (7)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (1)
———————————–
Average Price: $704,296 ($694,420)

Median Price:   $697,000 ($669,000)

Average Days on Market: 165 (164)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,850,000 ($1,850,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $289,950 ($289,950)

Townhomes/condos

2 Active town home listed

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When I looked at last month’s statistics, I saw what may be a growing trend in Seattle/Eastside real estate.  Almost as many homes sold last month between $350-500,000 and as did for $500-750,000.  Because home prices have declined, we’re seeing some great houses in the under $500,000 price range.  These more affordable homes are attracting buyers.  I anticipate more homes selling below the $500,000 range, not only because more good homes are available, but because of great interest rates and the home buyer tax credit.  The sellers of the more affordable homes can then move up.

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Weekly Real Estate Buzz in the Kirkland Highlands Through February 12th, 2008

In Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, Weekly market update on February 19, 2009 at 3:31 pm

The real estate statistics below reflect the real estate activity in The Kirkland Highlands for the past week and all data is taken from the NWMLS through Thursday morning each week.

(Technical difficulties with this post, so I am re-posting it now!)

The map shows most of the outline of Kirkland’s Highlands neighborhood.  The map address is simply for a street corner in the middle of the Kirkland Highlands.   For those  not familiar with the neighborhood, it’s a pocket of unique homes close to downtown Kirkland.  In some ways it feels like an island because it’s separated on the east by 405, the south by Central Way (the main route to downtown) and the west and north by the BNSF railroad tracks.  The neighborhood has the best of both worlds, a little isolation without any through traffic, but just seconds from everything.


View Larger Map

Active Listings: 23 (23)

New listings:    0 (0)

Re-listed properties:   2 (1)

Pending inspection:   0 (0)

Pending:   0 (1)

Closed Sales:    1 (0)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 3 (5)

Canceled listings  0 (0)

Expired Listings: 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market:  0 (0)

Rented: 0 (0)

Sale Fail: 0 (0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:  1  (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 8 (8)

$500,000-$749,999: 5 (5)

$750,000-$999,999:  7 (8)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (1)
———————————–
Average Price: $694,420 ($700,330)

Median Price:   $669,000 ($669,000)

Average Days on Market: 164 (159)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,850,000 ($1,850,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $289,950 ($299,950)

Townhomes/condos

2 Active town home listed

One new listing:

Highland Creek town home

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$459,950 for a contemporary home with a view, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1000+ square feet.  First asking  price o $550,000, final asking price of $479,950 sold for 17 % below the original asking price in 182 days.

****This home was adorable and one of a kind with its styling and view.  However,  because of its size and lack of garage, it needed to be priced more along the lines of a condo with a view and no garage.  When the asking price came to that point, the home sold.

Inman News, a site which reports on real estate news, flashed a news report this afternoon that the home buyer tax credit is now $8000 for buyers who had not owned a home in three years. The New York Times had a more complete article about the latest with the compromise between the Senate and the House with the stimulus plan. I’m going to reserve judgement until the plan is passed and we actually know what we are dealing with.  However, it does sound as if the home buyer tax incentive has been almost halved and will be for first time buyers only.  I’m a disappointed, because I felt the $15000 credit for all buyers would jump start the housing market and give buyers and sellers some encouragement.

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What Were The Chances of Selling your Kirkland Home in January, 2009?

In Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers, Weekly market update on February 19, 2009 at 3:08 pm

Sellers had an 11% chance of selling a home in Kirkland in January, 2009.

The chance of selling a home is based on the absorption rate.  The absorption rate looks at the percentage of homes that sell each month compared to the number of  homes for sale.  So if there’s an 11% chance of selling a home in a particular month, it means  11 out of 100 home sellers accepted an offer on their home during that month.  This also means that 89 of the 100 home sellers did not get a mutually accepted offer. It’s important to be one of the small number of homes that gets the offer each month.  It can be done, homes are selling, but the homes that are selling are a great value in the eyes of the buyer.  These homes must be marketed with top-notch, gorgeous photos, video, staging, color flyers, on a gazillion web sites, and, last but not least, great pricing.

(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.)

January, 2009         392   homes for sale,  42  homes sold,    11% chance of selling.

December, 2008     387 homes for sale,    22 homes sold,     6% chance of selling.

January, 2008         385   homes for sale,   38 homes sold,   10% chance of selling.

The real estate activity in Kirkland seems to be a little different than the rest of the eastside.  The number of homes that sold in January, 2009 is actually higher than in January, 2008.  The increase in the number of homes sold is small, only 4, but better than we have seen for a while. In January, almost double the number of homes sold than in December.   This is good news for Kirkland.  My guess is buyers are coming back to the table because they are seeing more values in Kirkland home prices.

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Volunteer Opportunities in Kirkland

In Kirkland WA on February 11, 2009 at 11:47 am

Looking for volunteer opportunities in Kirkland? There are some great things you can do for the city, for your neighbors, and for yourself.  Kirkland is looking for a few good people to join some of its boards.

What’s your passion? This is a chance to take a personal interest and use it for the greater good.  There are a variety of positions open from the Cultural Council to Parks Board to the Design Review Board.

It’s also a great opportunity to have your voice heard. I volunteered for the Kirkland Senior Council for the past few years and found it to be a great experience.  It was wonderful to work to improve the quality of life for Kirkland seniors.  Involvement in the Kirkland Senior Council led to involvement in other things happening in the community.  Issues such as the Parkplace redevelopment and the BNSF corridor came next on my radar. I learned about these issues and voiced my opinion on this blog and at meetings.  I became more aware of things happening in the Highlands, attending  the Kirkland Highlands meetings.   The silver lining for me was meeting some great people.

As a volunteer, you have a choice as to how involved in our Kirkland issues you choose to be.  But the opportunities are there.  With so many changes happening in the city of Kirkland, volunteering is a chance to be more upfront and personal with some of the city’s changes.  If you check the city website, you’ll find information about the commission and board vacancies and how to apply.

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Climate Change in Kirkland? A Chance to Give Your Input

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on February 9, 2009 at 10:27 am

saving the world

Kirkland is involving its citizens in its move toward sustainable development, reducing our carbon footprint and climate change. Conversations are happening in which you can give your input on Kirkland’s future plans.  Here’s a copy of the press release from Marie Stake regarding the next chance for you to be heard and to hear about Kirkland’s plans.  I attended the first meeting a few weeks ago about how Kirkland and its community can work together for more sustainable and eco-friendly living and I was impressed with the group’s ideas.  Clearly, people in Kirkland are concerned about our environment and want to be involved in making changes.  The Eastside Business Journal also wrote about the upcoming event. I’m glad to see other blogs promoting this all important meeting.

Kirkland, WA – Climate change, global warming, and the greenhouse effect may or may not be on the minds of all Kirkland citizens, but the City is hoping to raise awareness and inspire action about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kirkland. Through a public participation event, participants will be presented with the City’s climate protection efforts and asked to prioritize what actions they are willing to take to reduce their carbon footprint (a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person).  Using automatic voting devices similar to those on television game shows, participants will answer questions associated with ways to protect the climate through commuting, energy efficiency, waste reduction and more.  The Climate Protection Community Conversation will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Kirkland City Hall, Council Chambers, 123 5th Avenue.  Due to a limited number of voting devices, reservations are being requested.  Please contact Erin Leonhart, Intergovernmental Relations Manager at 425-587-3009 or eleonhart@ci.kirkland.wa.us to register.  For information about Kirkland’s sustainability (“green”) initiatives, visit www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/kirklandgreen.

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Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands Through February 5th, 2009

In Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, Weekly market update on February 6, 2009 at 10:22 am

The real estate statistics below reflect the real estate activity in The Kirkland Highlands for the past week and all data is taken from the NWMLS through Thursday morning each week.

The map shows most of the outline of Kirkland’s Highlands neighborhood.  The map address is simply for a street corner in the middle of the Kirkland Highlands.   For those  not familiar with the neighborhood, it’s a pocket of unique homes close to downtown Kirkland.  In some ways it feels like an island because it’s separated on the east by 405, the south by Central Way (the main route to downtown) and the west and north by the BNSF railroad tracks.  The neighborhood has the best of both worlds, a little isolation without any through traffic, but just seconds from everything.


View Larger Map

Active Listings: 23 (24)

New listings:    0 (0)

Re-listed properties:   1 (0)

Pending inspection:   0 (0)

Pending:   1 (0)

Closed Sales:    0 (1)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 5 (2)

Canceled listings  0 (1)

Expired Listings: 0 (0)

Temporarily Off Market:  0 (0)

Price increase:  0(0)

Back on market:  0 (0)

Rented: 0 (0)

Sale Fail: 0 (0)

———————————–

0-$349,999:  1  (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 8 (7)

$500,000-$749,999: 5 (6)

$750,000-$999,999:  7 (8)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999:  1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999:   1 (1)
———————————–
Average Price: $700,330 ($708,640)

Median Price:   $669,000 ($697,000)

Average Days on Market: 159 (159)

Highest Priced Listing: $1,850,000 ($1,850,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $299,950 ($299,950)

Townhomes/condos

1 Active town home listed

This week has news about the increased tax credit for home buyers.  The Senate agreed to a $15000 tax credit, possibly for  home buyers.  This is big news and, hopefully, will get buyers off the fence.  We still need to wait for the full stimulus package to be passed and then we’ll see.

I’ve read different articles about whether the tax credit applies to all buyers or just first time buyers.  The majority of the articles I’ve seen have said the tax credit applies to all buyers, but I still see mixed reports about this in the media.

Here’s a link to an article in The Wall Street Journal on line.  Most of the readers were thinking favorably about the home buyer tax credit. It may encourage them to go out to buy a home.

What do you think about the tax credit?


Sunny Saturday on Kirkland’s Marina Park Dock

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on February 2, 2009 at 9:24 am

Enjoying the last sunny Saturday before Marina Dock repairs, people were out and about, enjoying the bright sunshine.marina-park-dock

marina-park-dock sunny day

As of Sunday, the city closed the dock for some anticipated repairs.marina-park-dock repair sign

It’s a great time of year to get all this done before this year’s boating season.

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