Debra Sinick

Archive for the ‘seniors’ Category

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Latest Real Estate Buzz in Kirkland WA’s Highlands, August 9th, 2010

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, seniors on August 10, 2010 at 9:35 pm

Kirkland Highland’s real estate buzz is back after a short break on my part, so this post covers three weeks of real estate sales  activity.  The most activity in The Highlands over the past few weeks happened with price reductions and homes coming off the market.

We do, however, have a sale for a home over $1.2 million, something that was more the norm in the past, but something we’ve not seen for quite awhile.

The real estate statistics below reflect the activity in The Kirkland Highlands since July 12th. All data is taken from the NWMLS through Monday of this week.


View Larger Map

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 corridor. The neighborhood has the best of both worlds, a little isolation without any through traffic, but just seconds from everything.

Numbers in parentheses are from the last report:

Active Listings: 23 (23)

New listings: 3 (2)

Pending inspection: 0 (1)

Pending: 0 (3)

Closed Sales: 2 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 5  (2)

Price increase: 0(0)

Homes off the market that did not sell: 6 (2)

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0-$349,999: 1 (0)

$350,000-$499,999: 6 (8)

$500,000-$749,999:  13 (12)

$750,000-$999,999: 1 (1)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999: 2 (2)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999: 0 (0)
———————————–
Average Price of homes for sale: N/A with new MLS system*

Median Price of homes for sale: N/A with new MLS system

Average Days on Market:  N/A

Highest Priced Listing: $1,299,000 ($1,375,000)

Lowest Priced Listing: $330,000 ($360,000)

________________________________

Closed Sales:

Sales price: $399,900 Last asking price: $419,900 Original asking price: $600,000, sold in 563 days for 34% below the original asking price.

Sales price: $1,265,000 Last asking price: $1,295,000 Original asking price: $1,295,000, sold in 24 days for 3% below the original asking price.


KIRKLAND HIGHLANDS TOWN HOMES:

4 town homes for sale

1 new town home listings

1 pending

2 canceled, so are off the market

1 sold

Sales price: $522,000 Last asking price: $524,950 Original asking price: $545,000, sold in 56 days for 4% below the original asking price.

Peak in the number of King County homes and condos for sale in 2009:

7-27-09  13,861

Start of 2010:

9,726

Now:

8-9-10  14,414   So far, the highest number of homes in King County for sale in 2010 was two weeks ago, when the number hit 14,639.

* The statistics portion of the new NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) is currently not working.  Our new system is having the kinks worked out.  Stay tuned!

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There’s A Cost to Seniors if The Utility Tax Increase Does Not Pass

In Kirkland WA, seniors on October 15, 2009 at 10:03 am

Did you know there were 65 legislative bills regarding senior issues up before the legislature earlier this year?

Senior issues need to be kept front and center with our state legislature and city governments.   There are too many seniors who are vulnerable and have no one to advocate on their behalf.  From my past involvement with The Kirkland Senior Council, I’ve tried to continue advocating for seniors.  If the utility tax of approximately $72 a year, $6 a month, does not pass, it will affect the ability of the City and The Kirkland Senior Council to advocate for seniors.

Because it’s an issue I’m passionate about, I’ve written articles both for Kirkland Views and The Kirkland Reporter which explain a little about what might change for seniors if the utility tax does not pass. Please check the articles out and consider voting for the utility tax increase.

One reason to vote for the small tax increase is to stabilize the revenue stream coming into Kirkland city coffers.  The other reason is to continue advocacy programs for one of our most vulnerable populations, seniors.  Most importantly, vote, and vote for the utility tax increase.

What do you think?

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What Was Last Week’s Hot Price Range for Selling a Home In Kirkland?

In Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, seniors on June 15, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Kirkland Real Estate Activity 6-10-09

Kirkland Real Estate Activity 6-10-09

What was the hottest price range of the week in Kirkland, south of NE 116th?

This chart is updated weekly by (Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc., using MLS data) to show the price ranges of the homes sold each week.

Here’s how it’s set up:

The colors show who has the advantage in a particular price range. 

  • Green means the buyer has the advantage with many homes to choose from and not that many selling.
  • Yellow means the number of homes for sale and the number of sales in the price range is balanced between the buyer and the seller.
  • Red indicates a sellers’ market where the seller may have the advantage as more homes are selling when compared to what’s available.

Down the side of the chart, the home sales activity is broken down into a price bracket of $99,999. All the homes priced between $400,000-499,999, as an example, are put together in one price category in the chart.

Across the top, the chart is broken down into real estate activity by the week.

If you take the $400-499,999 line and follow it across the chart, you’ll see what has happened each of the last seven weeks.  There are three columns under each week. On the left side of the column is the number of homes for sale in Kirkland.  The middle column shows how many homes sold that week, and the final column under the date shows the months supply of homes for sale.  In other words, if no other homes came up for sale, it would take an average of 5 months to sell all the homes in the $400-499,999 price range.

The last section shows the 7 week average of each category, the number of homes for sale, the number sold, and the months supply.

The color yellow, which stands for a balanced market between buyers and sellers,  has been few and far between on these charts.  It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen a balanced real estate market anywhere. Most columns have been green, marked with a buyers’ advantage, for a very long time. It’s been an even longer time since we’ve seen so much read, a buyer’s market, too.

Week of June 10th, 2009:

Hottest price range for the week: $1,000,000-1,499,999.

  • Most number of home sales $1,000,000-1,499,999, 4 homes sold
  • Most number of homes for sale $1,000,000-1,499,999  78 homes for sale.

It’s interesting to see the price range with the most number of homes for sale also received the most offers this week.  In most of the lower price ranges, there were two homes that sold this week.   The turn-over for home sales in Kirkland is still on the slow side, although more homes sold this past week than in recent weeks.

Hey, but mostly, it’s gorgeous and sunny here in Kirkland, so things are looking good!

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Celebrate Seniors in Kirkland, Washington on June 11th

In Boomer news, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, seniors on June 3, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Celebrate aging? A concept we sometimes have trouble wrapping ourselves around,  but aging well and having fun by following your passion is happening everywhere and right in Kirkland.  Next week Merrill Gardens in Kirkland is celebrating healthy aging with a senior art show.  The art show is a great example of positive, healthy aging.  Here’s the full article I wrote for The Kirkland Reporter about positive aging and this show:

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
- – - – Satchel Paige

To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am.
- – - – Bernard M. Baruch

I greatly admire those who have aged wisely and successfully, those that take the time to enjoy life and have fun. It’s the silver lining of aging.  It’s the wonderful gift of aging, if you take advantage of it.

Successful aging? Who thinks of successful aging?  So often conversation runs to the difficulties seniors face.  I’m guilty of that.  Many of my conversations with friends have revolved around aging parents, their medical care, living arrangements, and safety.  It’s easy to overlook the positive aspects of aging.   The positive aspects of aging?   Yes, the freedom aging provides.   If your body, mind, and pocketbook allow it, you can do any number of things.  Do you travel, volunteer, continue learning, spend time with family, pursue a new career or stay in your present career?  Do you follow your passion?

This month, The Kirkland Senior Council and Merrill Gardens are celebrating those who follow their passion and pursue their artistic dreams. As one of the group’s projects for the year, The Senior Council chose to highlight successful senior talent. The Council launched a program called “Art is for Seniors, Too,” and actively solicited local artists for the show.   These local artists, who happen to be seniors, have submitted art work to be exhibited at a show opening on June 11th from 6-9 PM in the lobby of Merrill Gardens, 201 Kirkland Avenue, in downtown Kirkland.


View Larger Map

There’s a great body of work:  about 30 paintings, 7 photographs, 8 wood pieces and 6 quilts in the show. The show represents a group of 15 very busy, active, and engaged people. The show will be up in the lobby of Merrill Gardens through June 17th.  Awards will be given for the art presented in the show.  There’s a people’s choice award, so you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorite piece of art.

Art is a great expression that deserves our support.  Take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate people who are having fun and aging successfully.

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Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands Through May 28th, 2009

In Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, seniors, Weekly market update on May 29, 2009 at 4:15 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.  (Wednesday this week!)


View Larger MapThe 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.

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.

Active Listings: 32 (30)

New listings: 2 (0)

Re-listed properties:  1 (0)

Pending inspection: 0 (0)

Pending: 0 (0)

Closed Sales: 0 (0)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions:  1 (1)

Canceled listings 1 (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)

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0-$349,999: 1 (1)

$350,000-$499,999: 7 (6)

$500,000-$749,999:12 (12)

$750,000-$999,999: 8 (7)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999: 3 (3)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999: 1 (1)
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Average Price of homes for sale: $709,016 ($717,922)

Median Price of homes for sale: $710,950 ($713,250)

Average Days on Market: 91 (92)

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

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

Townhomes/condos

3  town homes listed

1 town home sold and closed

Forbes Creek town home with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths.  It was priced at $339,950 and sold in ten days for full price.

The number of homes for sale in The Kirkland Highlands is starting to creep up as we are now firmly in the 30+ range of homes for sale.  The Kirkland Highlands  hit 30 homes for sale two weeks ago for the first time in months.   The price range of most homes for sale in The Kirkland Highlands, as you can see from the numbers above,  falls between $500-$1,000,000.

The home that has been relisted as a new listing, is now priced more than $50,000 higher than the old listing.  This is a newly built home.

One piece of real estate news that is  mortgage rates have gone up to about 4.91% per a report on Thursday’s MSNBC. At the same time, we must also remember an interest rate in the high 4′s or low 5′s is still incredible and at historic low’s.  Putting this increase into perspective, rates are still absolutely phenomenal.  I expect the increase in rates may affect refinances more than new buyers.

Enjoy the sun, have a great week, and help clean up Cedar View Park in the Kirkland Highlands on Sunday.


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Weekly Real Estate Buzz in The Kirkland Highlands Through March 11th, 2009

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, seniors, Weekly market update on March 13, 2009 at 4:15 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: 27 (26)

New listings: 2 (0)

Re-listed properties: 0 (0)

Pending inspection: 0 (0)

Pending: 1 (0)

Closed Sales: 0 (0)

Contingent sale: 0 (0)

Number of Price Reductions: 1 (2)

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)

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0-$349,999: 3 (2)

$350,000-$499,999: 6 (7)

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

$750,000-$999,999: 9 (8)

$1,000,000- $1,499,999: 1 (1)

$1,500,000- $2,999,999: 1 (1)
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Average Price of homes for sale: $698,726 ($694,831)

Median Price of homes for sale: $725,000 ($692,000)

Average Days on Market: 168 (168)

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

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

Townhomes/condos

1 Active town home listed

As I mentioned last week, we’re starting to see more homes priced below $350,00o in The Kirkland Highlands.  This week there are three homes in this price range. Look for home prices to fall in this range as the year progresses.  On the eastside, sales numbers are creeping up for the homes priced below $500,000.  In fact, more homes sold in February for  under $500,000 than we’ve seen in years.

I anticipate more homes coming up on the market as spring is the time most home owners think about moving.  If you decide to make a move, make sure you plan accordingly and are ready to go on the market only when your home is in top-notch condition.

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The Kirkland Senior Council Needs You!

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, seniors on October 15, 2008 at 10:55 pm

The Kirkland Senior Council is looking for volunteers.  It’s a great organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors in Kirkland.  Can you volunteer to help this great group?  I’ve been a member of the council for the past three years. 

I wrote an article about my experience in this week’s Kirkland Reporter.  Applications can be found on the City of Kirkland website.  The deadline for submitting an application is October, 31, 2008.  You don’t need to be a senior to volunteer, only someone interested in helping seniors.

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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

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Are You a Kirkland, Washington Senior Looking to Learn More About Computers?

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, seniors on September 4, 2008 at 9:37 am

If you live in Kirkland, Washington, here’s your chance to learn more about computers. Different rates apply for seniors, non-seniors, Kirkland residents, and non-residents. Below is a copy of a news release I just received from Betsy Maxwell of the Parks and Community Services Department:

 

Address:        123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033

Contact:         Betsy Maxwell, Parks & Community Services Department

Phone:           425-587-3362

Web:               www.ci.kirkland.wa.us

 September 4, 2008

Older Adults Need Little or No Experience for Kirkland Computer Classes

Kirkland, WA – Older adults seeking to learn basic computer skills have a variety of courses this Fall to choose from offered by Kirkland Parks & Community Services.  Starting September 8 through October 6, several classes of Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Windows XP and Beginning Word will be offered at the Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Avenue.  Senior, non-Senior, resident and non-resident fees apply and limited registration is available.  Registration is available by calling 425-587-3360 or logging onto www.MyParksandRecreation.com. 

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