Free Recycling Event at Windermere Yarrow Bay
Here’s your chance to get a jump on Spring cleaning! Clean out all that stuff that’s hard to dispose of properly. You know all that stuff you never use that’s cluttering up your garage. Bikes, appliances, electronics and more are being picked up and recycled next Saturday, the 25th at Windermere’s Yarrow Bay office in Kirkland. Come on down!
Kirkland Real Estate Sales Through January, 2012
There were only 155 homes for sale in Kirkland in January. It’s easy to see from the chart that this number means there aren’t a lot of homes for sale in Kirkland right now. The lack of supply should enhance the prospects for those sellers whose homes are priced right and show well. The good homes should sell more quickly this year.
In January, 26.5% of the supply of homes sold, which is similar to the high percentage of sales in the April and May of last year. Not as many homes actually sold in January, but not as many homes were on the market either.
Median pricing in Kirkland went from $534,000 to $522,000. Median pricing is based on the sales that happened in January and is a result of what sold that particular month. On average, it took only 62 days for the homes to sell last month and most homes sold within % of the original asking price.
We’re excited to see how this real estate market will turn out this year. It should be the best Kirkland real estate market in 5 years, but don’t expect prices to go up by much, if anything.
If you would like information about your home, please contact Brooks or me and we’re happy to help you.
Kirkland Real Estate Sales Through Dec, 2011
In December, 2011, there were very few homes for sale in Kirkland. Ninety fewer homes were for sale than in December, 2010. Looking at October, 2010, when 356 homes were for sale, will give you an idea of how dramatically the decline has been in the number of homes for sale.
I thought the percentage of sales, the absorption rate, would be higher this month than it is because there were so few homes on the market. Apparently, buyers decided to focus on the holidays rather than buying a home in Kirkland in December. Only 19% of the supply of homes sold, whereas 31% sold in November.
Median pricing in Kirkland went from $498,000 to $510,000. Median pricing is based on the sales that happened in December and is a result of what sold that particular month. It does not mean prices were up for the year. Median pricing in Kirkland was down to the mid $400,000′s for the year.
Looking back at 2011 in Kirkland real estate:
The above chart follows a typical pattern with more homes coming on the market in the summer. Almost every year, more homes are for sale in the summer than at the beginning or end of the year. That being said, if you plan to sell your home, consider putting it on the market before the middle of the summer. Your home will have far less competition.
If you would like information about your home, please contact Brooks or me and we’re happy to help you.
Kirkland Real Estate Sales Through November, 2011
Sellers are taking their homes off the market in Kirkland. Look at the difference between July and November. There are 100 less homes on the market in November than earlier this year and in November of last year. This is the lowest number of homes we’ve seen on the market so far this year, and for a number of years.
Median pricing in Kirkland followed King County, dropping considerably this month, from $530,000 to $477,000. Median pricing is based on the sales that happened during November and is a function of what sold that particular month. In addition, the statistics on pricing were greatly affected by a number of bank foreclosures and short sales. Non-distressed sales do not show such a huge drop in pricing. However, the numbers for all sales get lumped together when statistics are reported.
Thirty-one percent of the available homes sold last month. If the number of homes on the market continues to drop, then a higher percentage of homes may sell next month. Homes took on average 105 days to sell and sold within 92% of the original asking price.
Even though there’s a really low number of homes for sale right now, the above chart follows a typical pattern. More homes are for sale in the summer than at the beginning or end of the year. That being said, if you plan to sell your home, consider putting it on the market before the middle of the summer. Your home will have far less competition.
With fewer homes on the market, more affordable prices, and low interest rates, I expect homes will continue to sell even as we head into the holiday season. Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year.
A Cross Kirkland Trail? It’s now many steps closer to reality after last night’s unanimous vote by the Kirkland City Council to purchase the 5+ miles of the BNSF corridor that runs through the city. Thank you to the entire City Council and City Manager Kurt Triplett for having the foresight to preserve this piece of land for all of Kirkland to use in the future. The Cross Kirkland trail will connect our neighborhoods and shopping areas via a fabulous walking trail. It will be a terrific addition the Kirkland lifestyle, offering a place to walk from one end of the city to the other. Walking trails are a huge plus to many in today’s world as people try to find fun ways to get out of their cars and onto their two feet.
I’m personally excited and thrilled for the City of Kirkland. I started writing about this issue way back in the spring of 2007 because the corridor wraps around the northern and western boundary of our neighborhood. I’ve written 28 posts over the years about what was to be the latest and greatest with the trail. I’m looking forward to future posts, which will be about the plans to develop the trail along the corridor. Woo Hoo! See you out on the trail!
Fun on the what will be the future Cross Kirkland Trail
Walking Along What Will Be The Future Cross Kirkland Trail
Blocked Kirkland Storm Drain
We had a huge amount of rain come down our street on a really blustery day. Our street in the Kirkland Highlands ends in a cul-de-sac where the water was collecting by a clogged storm drain. The drain was filled with leaves.
November is the beginning of the critical season to keep the drains clear of debris because of falling leaves. Kirkland needs neighborhood volunteers to keep the storm drains clear and streets from flooding. Can you volunteer, adopt a storm drain and keep your street from flooding?
Kirkland Real Estate Sales Through October, 2011
Real estate sales in Kirkland have been been fairly steady over the last few months, despite what the media said about October’s sales. Tne news media focused on the drop in real estate values for all of King County. Median pricing in Kirkland followed King County, dropping considerably this month, from $592,000 to $501,000. But remember, these numbers are based on the sales that happened during October and is a function of what sold that particular month. We’ll need to follow the next several months to see if there truly is a trend here.
There is some good news here to temper concerns about pricing:
1. The eastside is in a better position, literally and figuratively, than many parts of King County. It has a stronger economic base and a better location:
What you see emerging in our local market is an East/West corridor,” (Stan) Humphries (of Zillow) said, with houses holding their value in Eastside neighborhoods with good access to State Route 520 and Interstate 90 for an easy commute to work.
2. Home prices are also becoming far more affordable. Right now home values are the most affordable they’ve been in 17 years. Home ownership may be cheaper than renting!
3. This past month there was a big drop in the number of homes for sale. This drop is a very good thing as it decreases the competition among home sellers.
Slightly over 25% of the available homes sold last month. A year ago, there were over 100 more homes on the market in Kirkland. If the number of homes on the market continues to drop, then a higher percentage of homes may sell next month. Homes took on average 99 days to sell, just slightly over 3 months.
With fewer homes on the market, more affordable prices, and low interest rates, I expect homes will continue to sell even as we head into the holiday season. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Kirkland, WA Real Estate Sales Through September, 2011
The number of homes for sale in Kirkland continues to be fairly constant, although the number dropped a bit this past month. I expect to see this number drop even more as we head to the end of the year. (Hard to believe, but we are almost there!)
In September, 21% or 57 homes in Kirkland sold.
Homes on average were on the market for 87 days.
As we’ve seen most months, there were several home sales that did not stay together. When I first reported the August home sales, 62 homes had sold. Eight home sales failed, leaving 54 home sales intact in August. This means 13% of the offers did not go through. Sales can fall apart over the inspection, financing or simply because a buyer has cold feet.
Kirkland is one of the faster places for selling a home on the eastside. This is a testament to the city’s prime location close to jobs here in Kirkland with Google in the Houghton neighborhood of Kirkland. Microsoft, is just down the road in Redmond, which is an easy commute for many people coming from Kirkland.
Image via CrunchBase
Image via Wikipedia
The variety of housing stock and price ranges bring a huge mix of people to Kirkland. Plus, the ambiance of the city, with its access to Lake Washington, is a big draw for many people.
Image via Wikipediapeople.
How are real estate sales in your neighborhood? Are they stronger than last year?
I’m here to tell you that Kirkland is a great place to live for a lot of people, no matter whether they are rich, not rich, married or single. You don’t have to be rich or single to live here and enjoy Kirkland.
Perhaps with the presence of a huge Google office and the games division of Microsoft, people feel Kirkland is filled with young singles.
If you drive around town, especially along Lake Washington Boulevard and by Marina Park, you’ll see people of all ages. Some are single and some are not. Some have families and some don’t. Stop by any of our parks and you’ll see singles, families, young kids, teens, young adults, and seniors hanging out and enjoying the day. The boulevard is a popular place for people to stroll, some with baby carriages, some with pets, some in groups, and some by themselves.
So Kirkland is filled with people of all ages, not just the young and single.
Having fun In Kirkland
Enjoying Downtown Kirkland
What about being rich in Kirkland? Sure there are waterfront properties, mega-mansions, and tony condos. But there are condos and homes in Kirkland that start at $45,000 for a one bedroom, 1 bath in Kingsgate to a waterfront property priced at$7 million that’s subdividable into 4 lots, two of them being waterfront. There is only one home priced above $5,000,000 and it really is several waterfront lots.
Kirkland is a wonderful place for a lot of reasons. Many of the reasons it’s wonderful is because there is such a variety of people who live in the city, even if you’re single! What do you love about Kirkland?
There are people in Kirkland who need your help. Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry is fast approaching and people are needed to collect donations at Kirkland area supermarkets. There are a lot of people who are in need of food at this particular time.
Hardly anyone has signed up for October 8th food drive. You only need to volunteer for 2 1/2 hours to collect the food. That’s all you have to do. Couldn’t you spare a few hours to help those who are in need?
Can’t make it to volunteer on October 8th? Go to the your favorite supermarket to shop and donate on either September 24th or October 8th. You can also donate throughout the month at a variety of sites all over the eastside. Remember the drive is a month long so there is a lot of time for you to give.
Collecting Food for Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry
Below is the text from Kari Page, Kirkland neighborhood coordinator regarding the food drive.
Local Mayors proclaim September 24-October 22 as “Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry”
The Mayors of several East King County cities will soon proclaim September 24 through October 22 as “Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry” as part of the annual “Day of Concern for the Hungry” campaign sponsored by the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County. The proclamations officially launch the annual “Share What You Can” campaign to benefit those served by local food banks and feeding programs. The emphasis is to fill food bank shelves with non-perishable food items as the school season begins. Donation centers include, various community centers, City Halls, and fire stations. In addition, on Saturdays throughout the month, volunteers will be collecting food at select grocery stores throughout East King County.
Last year more than 60,000 pounds of food and over $10,000 in cash donations were collected as part of this effort. These donations help local food banks meet the increasing demand for food assistance at a time when many organizations are experiencing significant funding cuts. In fact, Hopelink reported that in 2010 the demand was up by 12 percent and has risen by 47 percent over the past three years.
In participating communities, neighborhood associations, community leaders, faith organizations, businesses, hospitals, and schools are encouraged to rally by hosting food drives and fundraising events and volunteering at hosted stores.
For more information or to volunteer, please sign up at Kirkland’s volunteer link.
Kirkland Highlands Real Estate Buzz
Eastside Real Estate Buzz West Redmond Real Estate Buzz
