By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on April 18th, 2013
 Urban Hikes have always been a fun pastime for me. Whether it’s with my family or just solo, here are some easy going hikes to check out the next time in your Seattle wondering what to do.
St. Edward State Park. Oh my gosh – this place is huge! With over 315 acres, you will be lead through a secluded forest then emerge to the shoreline of Lake Washington – about a half a mile – or choose a more challenging trail with more mileage. The huge Castle Park is a great place for kids to end the hike and burn any extra energy left over. St. Edward State Park is located in Kenmore at 14445 Juanita Drive N.E.
Lincoln Park. West Seattle has oodles of coolness. Volleyball on Ali Beach, sunsets that will knock your socks off, and one of the best pizza places around (Pegasus). It’s also home to Lincoln Park. It has about 4.6 miles of walking and running paths, bike trails, picnic tables randomly throughout the hike up to the upper bluff for a killer view. Lincoln Park is known for a great place to soak up the in-city nature abundance. 8011 Fauntleroy Way S.W.
Discovery Park. The next time you’re hanging around Magnolia, then Discovery Park is a must see. It’s the largest park in Seattle with 534 acres (whoa) and seven miles of trails. Ponds, meadows, forests, saltwater beaches, and yes hiking trails. The beach hike is about 1.5 miles from the parking lot. The North Beach trail is a more rockier than the South Beach trail which is good for little kiddos and lots of sand. 3801 Discovery Park Blvd. P.S. Don’t leave Fido home. Dogs L.O.V.E Discovery Park.
Carkeek Park. My all time favorite. I go to this park ALOT. I love to hear the trains whiz by occasionally on the Burlington Rail Road. Even more, I love to see the swarm of kids run to the edge of the park to catch a glimpse of the train in time. Mr. Bubbles shows up quite often in his purple van and, well, blows bubbles for kids to pop. A sandy beach for the most part but usually windy so be sure to bring a kite. Or you can watch the kiteboarding dudes on the water. This park has about 220 acres of awesome trails, bridges, wetlands, bluffs with views and good old fashion fun. Park at QFC off of Holeman Street and take a cook hike into Carkeek Park to take in the full experience. 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Road.
Don’t feel like driving to one of these parks? There are plenty of opportunities for real estate nearby.
Molly Cartwright
206-841-6800 / molly@cooperjacobs.com
By Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor, 206.850.8841, courtney@cooperjacobs.com, on March 31st, 2013
Green Lake Home Owner Selling Tips: If you are thinking about moving right now, there are some different approaches you need to take to be successful. We have a list of qualified Green Lake buyers waiting for the right house to come on the market. You won't have any trouble selling your house. No one can argue that fact right now.
Inventory is low and it is common to have multiple offers numbering in the teens.
The issue is making sure you take full advantage of the the situation by maximizing the terms to your benefit.
Some of the considerations
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Where are you planning on moving and what are the market conditions there? If you plan on purchasing a Seattle home in Green Lake or another hot neighborhood, then you should be well prepared for making a competitive offer. Many people like to sell before moving, but in today's market if you have the ability at all to purchase and then sell your Green Lake home, then you have a safety net of making sure you secure your new home before you sell your current one.
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Pricing: We can get you far more money then you probably imagined for your home. That is just the reality of the situation right now. Let us know what your timeline is and we can give you a better idea of price as well as provide you with a detailed market analysis to show you what is going on on a day to day basis. Real estate changes daily and it is important to rely on an expert on the street.
Inspections, Preinspections, disclosures. Be prepared for buyers to preinspect your home before making an offer. This is so they can safely waive their inspection and offer you a stronger contract. Many buyers are also just waiving the inspection without preinspecting. In addition to a traditional structural inspection, many buyers are having a sewer scope performed on homes they are putting offers in on. Be prepared to possibly disclose newly discovered information about your home as a result of things that could come up in negotiations if you accept an offer subject to inspection. Choosing an offer that has either completely waived the inspection or has waived it based on a preinspection protects you from the possibility of having to disclose additional information you may not otherwise have knowledge of.
There are more things to consider. I am happy to sit down with you and discuss your particular situation to help you gain the biggest return on your hard earned investment.
Green Lake is a wonderful Seattle neighborhood – if you are interested in Green Lake homes for sale, please let us know what we can do for you. We have excellent Green Lake listing agents and also some of the very best Green Lake Realtors for buyers.
courtney@cooperjacobs.com
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on January 19th, 2013
Is Seattle’s real estate turning into E-Bay?
 It’s a fact that Seattle’s real estate market is looking more like spring time in the Pacific Northwest; not the quiet winter month’s people tend to expect. Buyers are out in full force and it’s not unusual to have 100 buyers through a Saturday or Sunday open house. This is simply due to supply and demand: low inventory of homes for sale. Are buyers frustrated or has it become the norm? Is Seattle real estate turning into E-Bay?
I couldn’t help but smile when my client asked me if the property I was showing him was going to turn into an E-Bay auction. The property was a luxury home and on the market for less than 24 hours. I simply told him “yes”. I then followed by “but what do you have to lose?” If you don’t try then you’ll never know.
Here’s the deal: buyers will either see a new listing (priced accordingly) and the listing agent delays reviewing any offers after 6 days of market exposure. Or buyers will see a new listing where the listing agent omits this remark and its first come, first serve. I’ve sold several homes by just being first in this instance. It saves buyers a lot of money and anxiety. Thankfully I’ve had buyers who are accessible and are motivated to meet me at the property very quickly. If you run into the first scenario, however, chances are the property will most likely go to “the highest bidder”. So how do you get there?
Have a buyer’s agent who is on the ball and can educate you about the market. I’ve seen things selling for about 7% over list price or about $50k. Obviously buyers need to have their finances together. I haven’t seen an FHA in a long, long time. Everything is conventional or cash now. Good thing interest rates are crazy low right now. Get the home pre-inspected IF IT MAKES SENSE TO. If it’s a short sale, probably don’t need to get it pre-inspected. Buyers: if you can’t go enough above the list price (and this is where a good buyer’s agent comes in) then don’t waste $300 to $500 for a pre-inspection. There are other terms and conditions and of course every situation is unique. Feel free to contact me if you’d like more market conditions or making your offer stand out.
I don’t see buyers getting frustrated, at least not the buyers I’m working with. I see more buyers making more offers and if I didn’t know better, I think they’re enjoying the excitement.
Oh and my client with the E-Bay question got the house of his dreams, with multiple offers and his family moves in next month.
See ya next time,
Molly Cartwright, Broker and Green Lake resident
molly@cooperjacobs.com
direct 206.841.6800
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on December 9th, 2012
Today, another broker in my Cooper Jacobs office (the amazing and talented Kim Mulligan) and I decided to make a last minute dash to a new Magnolia listing before the showing appointments begin tomorrow. But this isn’t just any Magnolia listing. This home has made history. 
It’s one of those homes that just resignate with you. You feel lucky to say you’ve been there. In fact, as I’m sitting here writing about it, I’m still walking through the house in my mind. I want to know more about this house. I visualize living in this house. I want this house!
 Okay, so I don’t have $3.2M to buy it. But if I did, I totally would buy it.
This Magnolia home is the distinguished “Admiral’s” house, a designated City of Seattle Landmark and nominated for the National Register of Historic Places which is owned by the Navy. And you guessed it, the Admiral lived here once upon a time.
It’s situated on nearly four acres of privacy and unobstructive southern views that stretch vastly both East and West. EIGHT bedrooms (no small task for 1944 year built) with butler quarters, a west wing/east wing and a even a ballroom. Everywhere I looked, I felt there was a story to tell. Beautiful lines, natural light flooding each room, and comfortable – every room (and there’s alot of them!) is well thought out. This one won’t last long.
More pictures and information can be found HERE. If you’d like a private tour, please contact me at molly@cooperjacobs.com or 206-841-6800. Qualified buyers only please.
Property listed by Staci Baldwin and Courtney Cooper through our Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Platinum Properties Division for Seattle’s most extraordinary estates.
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on December 4th, 2012
Wallingford Home Sales
While Wallingford’s population is greater than Green Lake or Phinney Ridge, it had fewer closings for the month of November, showing buyers and sellers just how tight the inventory continues to be in the desireable Wallingford neighborhood.
Wallingford saw ten home sales in the month of November with a median price of $585,000, an uptick from the month before. The highest sale in November was $1.049,000.00 and the lowest sale was a $169,000.00 condo. I have plenty of reasons why it’s the right time for a seller to list their home right now in Seattle’s NE and NW neighborhoods.
More of your questions happily answered by emailing me at molly@cooperjacobs.com
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on November 28th, 2012
Green Lake Inventory of Active Homes
Let’s take a look at the 30 active Green Lake homes right now on the market. Inventory is tighter now than it was a year ago. In fact 53.3% less homes are on the market today than October 2011.
Searching the entire database of active homes in Green Lake, I found just three condos and the rest were single family homes. The lowest price being $189,000 and the highest of $1.25M brings the median price in Green Lake to $449,600.
I generally like to price homes by cost per square foot. By doing so the average cost per square foot is around $252.00.
Here is a snapshot of the 30 active Green Lake homes:
More photos and details on these active Green Lake listings can be found at our information rich website www.cooperjacobs.com or
“Representing home buyers and sellers in Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods”
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on November 25th, 2012
Green Lake Pathway of Lights Returns this Saturday, December 8 2012
Green Lake Community Center and Seattle Parks and Rec are continuing the tradition! Join our Green Lake community this Saturday December 8th from 5:00 to 8:00pm for the Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Rain or shine this event won’t disappoint! Admission is free and you’re encouraged to bring a luminaria or candle. Local musicians will perform at four sites around the lake:
- The Green Lake Community Center on the east side
- The Green Lake Small Craft Center (the Aqua Theater) on the south side
- The Bathhouse Theater (Seattle Public Theatre) on the north side
- The Arch on the east of side of the community center/pool.
Warm drinks and treats will be available at those locations, as will donation bins for nonperishable food items for Northwest Harvest.
* Musicians and volunteers wanted *
“Representing home buyers and sellers in Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods”
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on November 10th, 2012
The clock is ticking and you might have some investment decisions to make. Starting in January 2013, the capital gains tax will increase. So that means if you sell real property and exceed $250,000, you’ll be paying an additional 3.8% on the profits.
Selling your large real estate investments before December 31st might be a smart idea and you’d be avoiding the increase hike in capital gains for next year. However you’ll also be raising your tax bracket for overall taxable income this year.
I would strongly urge you to consult your tax attorney whether this applies to you and which choice is the right one for you.
“Serving home buyers and sellers in Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods”
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on November 9th, 2012
Last month’s housing inventory around western Washington fell to its lowest level since February 2006, according to statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The MLS report covering 21 counties also shows year-over-year prices on closed sales area-wide increased by double-digits for the first time since March 2007.
 Brokers reported 6,000 closed sales of single family homes and condominiums last month, outperforming the year-ago volume by 1,236 transaction for an increase of nearly 26 percent. Last month’s activity in the areas served by Northwest MLS marked a rebound from September when members reported 5,535 completed transaction.
Prices on October’s sales were up 10.4 percent compared to twelve months ago. The median price for last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condominiums (combined) was $251,625; a year ago the figure was $228,000. The last time the multiple listing service reported an area-wide double digit hike in prices was March 2007 (up 11.3 percent).
Prices for single family homes, which accounted for more than 86 percent of October’s sales, rose more than 11 percent, while prices for condominiums jumped 16.6 percent.
The brisk sales activity is creating imbalanced markets in some Northwest MLS counties. Area-wide there is less than a three month supply of homes based on the pace of pending sales when matched with inventory. (Many industry experts consider 5-to-6 months as the indicator of a balanced market.)
At the end of October, five counties in the MLS system have less than four months of supply:
| County |
Active Listings
|
Pending Sales
|
Months Supply
|
| King |
5,437
|
3,400
|
1.60
|
| Snohomish |
1,960
|
1,325
|
1.48
|
| Pierce |
3,539
|
1,383
|
2.56
|
| Thurston |
1,218
|
320
|
3.81
|
| Clark |
213
|
54
|
3.94
|
| NWMLS total (21 counties) |
23,115
|
8,312
|
2.78
|
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on November 5th, 2012
How To Buy When You Already Own
Do you own your home or condo but want to sell it and buy something with more space, a different location, or perhaps a view? 
One option is to take out a HELOC. A Home Equity Line of Credit (ask me for a lender with great programs of these right now) lets you take out a certain percentage of your home’s equity to use as a downpayment on your new home. To find out how much equity you have, contact a Realtor, like myself, to research the value of your home (it changes ALL the time). If you have a certain percentage of equity, you can qualify for a new loan. And if you’re preapproved for your new home loan, I can get the home you want to sell prepped for the market pronto!
Another option is a bridge loan. A bridge loan has some ramifications though. They generally tend to have higher interest rates and need to be paid back in a specified amount of time. It’s like a short term loan on your current property to buy a different property. It’s all about timing with a bridge loan. You can find out more about bridge loans HERE.
You can always make an offer contingent on your home selling. This is perhaps the option offering the least amount of risk. Of course with our current market today, properties are moving fast and a contingent offer isn’t as clean as an offer with a definitive close date, for example. But if are you a homeowner considering the contingent offer option, consider the right list price and a home in tip-top shape, it won’t take long to sell.
molly a. cartwright | seattle realtor
cooper jacobs real estate, llc
206.841.6800
“Serving home buyers and sellers in Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods”
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Urban Hikes have always been a fun pastime for me. Whether it’s with my family or just solo, here are some easy going hikes to check out the next time in your Seattle wondering what to do.
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