Debra Sinick

Posts Tagged ‘Seattle’

, , , , ,

How Was The Kirkland Real Estate Market in October 2011?

In buyers, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate, market statistics, Real estate, sellers on November 17, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Number of home sales in Kirkland, WA

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!

, , , ,

Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry Needs Your Help!

In Kirkland WA on September 22, 2011 at 8:34 am

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.

Food donations on Seattle's eastside

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.

, , , , ,

Flowers, Shorts, and Boats in Kirkland-Is Spring Here?

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on April 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm

kirkland-highlands-springbest3kirkland-highlands-springbest2kirkland-highlands-springbest5kirkland-highlands-springbest6

This is what I love about the Seattle area and Kirkland.  The minute it’s warm and sunny, we don’t waste a second!

kirkland-people-springbest5kirkland-people-springbest3kirkland-people-springbest2kirkland-people-springbest1kirkland-people-springbest4

, , , ,

Downtown Kirkland, Washington Will Not Be the Same

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on October 20, 2008 at 12:30 pm

The Patricia Rovzar Gallery is closing its downtown Kirkland location. In Saturday’s snail mail, there was a letter from Patricia announcing the closing of their Kirkland gallery at the end of this month.  I will be very sad to see them go. Patricia, Eric and Leah helped energize the arts scene in downtown Kirkland over the last 16 years, presenting top-notch art to the Eastside.  I’ve known Patricia and Eric since the beginning. Not only was the art they represented fresh and innovative, they’ve always made the gallery a fun and friendly place to visit.   Patricia will continue with her gallery in their Seattle space.  The Seattle art gallery is located at 1225 Second Ave, Seattle, WA, 206-223-0273. I wish them all the best!

, , , , , , , ,

Celebrating Fourth of July in Kirkland, Washington with a Great Fireworks Show

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, WA on July 5, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Not able to see last night’s Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Washington in downtown Kirkland?  Here’s a few minutes of the great show.  It was the first time I had seen the show from the water and it was terrific.  My friends came by and picked us up on their boat and we had a front row seat.  Out on the lake, you could see some of the fireworks from the other shows over in Seattle on Lake Union, the WaMU Family Fourth and theJul-Ivars Fourth in its 44th year over Elliot Bay.

, , , , , , ,

Another Wonderful Sunday by Lake Washington in Kirkland, Washington

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on June 24, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Okay, so the real truth is the sun does not come out in the Seattle area often until late in the day. So when we hit the long days of the summer, we get some beautiful time with slightly gray days turning to some wonderful sunny afternoons and evenings.  Last Sunday was such a day that it merited a  stroll along “the boulevard” and the lake.  Lots of peopleand dogs were out enjoying the views of the water and Seattle, enjoying each other, and  generally relaxing.

 

, , , , , , , , , ,

A Wonderful, Sunny Father’s Day On Lake Washington In Kirkland, WA

In Bellevue, Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA, WA on June 16, 2008 at 2:56 pm

 

Not only is it sunny in Seattle, but now it’s photography season for me.  I’ve started doing my “summer outdoor” run all over the area.  It’s great to be outside and Seattle and Seattle’s Eastside cities are the perfect summer places.  

 On Father’s Day, I  jumped back on the MV Kirkland with my husband and Dad and took the afternoon Lake Washington cruise from the Kirkland docks.  You get great views of the Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Seattle lakefront. The tour is usually narrated by one of the Argosy Cruise staff. This week’s trip incorporated a bit more of the history of Kirkland.  There are always some little known facts revealed that make this an interesting tour.  If you buy a captains’ pass from Argosy Cruises, it allows you to take as many trips as you want for a year.  It ends up being an inexpensive way to get on the water, relax and enjoy the sun.  A great to have some fun on the water without having to own the boat!

 

  The Montlake Cut was hopping with boats coming in and out of Lake Washington.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Seattle/Eastside BNSF Rails and Trails News, Plus Upcoming Eastside Meetings

In Kirkland News, rails to trails, Kirkland WA on April 28, 2008 at 4:36 pm

 

There are a number of active groups on the eastside who are for smart transit and trails, but not wasting taxpayer money.  Find out about this issue.  If you live within one mile of the BNSF tracks, you will be affected.

 

   On May 1st at 7 PM, there is a meeting at the Houghton Fire Station in Kirkland, 6602 108th Ave NE with the Cascade Bicycle Club to review the issues.

 

  On May 5th, there is a meeting with the King County Council, 10th floor of the King County Courthouse Building, 516 3rd Avenue in which people are invited to voice their opinions. ( FYI, I do not know if the time or the place have been confirmed for this meeting.)

 

And lastly, on May 8th, The Eastside Trail Advocates will be holding a meeting at the Houghton Fire Station at 7:30 PM  to review the issues.  Become informed about what may happen so you can decide what is the right thing to do.

 

 

Here is a copy of some of the key testimony given by Shawn at today’s King County Council meeting:

 

KING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS                                                                                 Seattle, April 28, 2008

“ Leaving the option of using the corridor for commuter trains indefinitely open seems sensible to me.  BUT, what is most important is that WHEN that option is exercised, it be BASED on a reliable and impartial Economic Evaluation of ALL the major transit-related options available. That should include, at least, Buses, Trains on 405, Highway Tolls, Bicycles, and even Rollerblades.

 Such an evaluation does not need to be too long or expensive, given the information already obtained from previous studies and experiences on projects like the Sounder Train, the Monorail, and Bus ridership.  However, it must include a fair comparison of the TOTAL Short- and Long-Term COST-PER-COMMUTER associated with each transportation option.  It should ALSO include a BALANCED comparison of the local and regional recreational, health, and life-style BENEFITS that ALL, or Parts of the corridor, may offer to Eastside and King County communities.  Finally, the conclusions and recommendations of this study should, in my opinion,  be ‘certified’,  by neutral Business-Teams from 1 or 2 local universities,  that THEY ARE fair and complete’, in order to minimize further controversy.

Only THEN, should the top option, or maybe even the top 2 options, be submitted to the voters for final selection.  Any rush, at this time, to submit commuter-train ballot propositions, based on incomplete studies and narrow interests, will be justifiably viewed by the voters with suspicion.”

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, , , , , , , ,

The Googleplex Rises in Kirkland, Washington

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on April 3, 2008 at 10:15 am

Kirkland Google office March 2008

 Google’s new Seattle/Eastside space is rapidly going up just south of downtown Kirkland.  With 180,000 square feet and over 600 parking spaces,  it’ll be a magnet for thousands of high-tech jobs.   Google is helping to change the fabric of Kirkland from a quiet town along Lake Washington to a hub of high tech jobs.

Kirkland Google offices in March 2008

Here’s a YouTube tour of Google’s current Kirkland offices. Located in downtown Kirkland by Parkplace, there are already hundreds of Google employees working in Kirkland.

, , , , ,

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?

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.