By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 16th, 2011%
Converting Oil to Gas
After taking out enough buyers, I know the oversized oil furnace in the partially finished basement is a deal breaker. I also know the lack of outlets and light fixtures (outdated ones at that) means the electrical hasn’t been updated. A roof that has seen its last day can put a damper on things but usually that’s more obvious to a seller, a listing agent, and buyers so a roof credit or warranty is already put in place. I’ll address converting from oil to gas here since I hear that more than the other two as one reason for a lower than average offer or no offer altogether.
Look, there are plenty of homes in Seattle still using oil heat and sometimes if you don’t have a gas main in the street, then you’ll continue to be a Seattle home still using oil heating and cooking.
So first step is calling Seattle Public Utilities and finding out if there is a gas main under the street. If there isn’t, sometimes enough neighbors can pull together and get one. Next:
1) Equipment. A basic furnace is $1500 to $3,000.
2) Outside Hook Up. The gas company digs the trench $1000 to $1500. Now this may be waived the the city in their efforts to contract more new customers.
3) Inside Hook Up. A contractor pipes the as from the meter to the (new) furnace $500 to $1,000.
4) Line your Chimney. The moisture in gas can damage any masonry, lining your chimney is critical and will save you loads of money down the road. $750 to $2,000.
5) Decommission Old Oil Tank. $3,000 to dig it up or you can fill it in with concrete.
Grand Total: $9,500 to $10,000.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase “turn key” how and buyers (especially new home owners) want many of these upgrades done already. If you’re a seller who can’t or won’t get at least some of these done, then reduce your price. Buyers are savvy and they are constantly comparing your home to the next one that is “turn key”.
So to summarize:
Threat to value: Medium to high; up to 20%Have an inspection done before you list your house and fix the major things.
A roof that needs to be replaced could knock 15% off the value, she says. A heating and air-conditioning system that needs repairs could cut the value by as much as 20%, and an electrical-system problem is probably somewhere between 8% and 10%.
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 12th, 2011%
 Irwin’s Bakery Now In Green Lake
I’ve waited for this since February. My favorite Wallingford bakery and cafe is now in my neighborhood – Green Lake! Don’t get me wrong – I adore Zoka but the lines…the four seater taken by a single with a laptop…the bicycle group of 30 who stop for coffee after their 30 mile ride. Kudos. I’m a runner. 
Irwin’s Bakery and Cafe had a soft opening today – and the big celebration is this weekend, May 14th & 15th. I just couldn’t wait ’til then so I popped in there today to order my tall americano (with room), a blueberry muffin and an apple folder over. Okay so the muffin was for my daughter but I couldn’t help but sneak a bite. I witnessed a gal dolloping sweet icing on the fresh cinnamon buns while scanning the chalkboard menu, I heard the espresso grinder, um, grinding, and the taste – heaven!
The recent remodel rocks with an open yet organized floorplan. A hip Martha Stewart-isk color pallet line the walls and built in benches and tables is cool but different than the their Wallingford’s eclectic twist.
You must, must drop in to Irwin’s Bakery and Cafe at their new Green Lake home. Super convenient on the corner of 65th and Latona. Oh you might know it better when I say it’s across the street from the Latona Pub. See ya there!
Yearning for more Green Lake, Wallingford, and Tangletown real estate ins and outs? Contact me!
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 7th, 2011%
University District Real Estate Activity
The U-District is one of those killer neighborhoods in Seattle that is often overlooked. Nestled three miles from downtown Seattle, the U-District stretches from Ravenna to Portage Bay and I-5 to Lake Washington.
I can walk, drive, or bike through the U-District as a route to get home to my bungalow in Green Lake. Today I was driving on Roosevelt Way noticing more for sale signs (and sold signs!) popping up. So what’s the real estate activity in the University District like lately? It seems like buyers and sellers automatically think of this neighborhood as just for students, renters, or short term housing. Not so!
During the past 2 months, we’ve seen some serious activity.
28 Active listings right now and 18 of those are condminum units.
Average Price $256,000
9 Pending listings
7 Sold listings with the lowest home sold for $220k and the highest at $1.150,000 by a Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Realtor.
The University District has so much to offer like University Village where Seattle folks (students or not) can enjoy an urban shopping experience, an eclectic array of diners, restaurants, cafes, bars, the oldest Farmers Market in Seattle in the parking lot of the University Heights Community Center, and the best Thai Food Restaurant in town! And of course you have The Ave. Enough said.
On a walkability scale, it reaches the highest capacity. The proximity to surrounding venues, freeways, downtown Seattle, Eastside, is just beyond convenient.
For the latest trends, contact us with your questions. New construction townhomes just finished and Blakely Court next tothe U-Village are available now.
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 6th, 2011%
Cindo de Mayo in Green Lake
Looking for Margarita-ville? It’s on the corner of Green Lake Way and 2nd Ave NE in Green Lake. Another year (that makes it 10 years running) that Tacos Guaymas kicks off their Block Party.
This isn’t just any Block Party. These guys are serious! Party goes from 11am to 1pm complete with a beer garden, margarita bar and, of course, jalepeno eating contest. Sing with the mariachi band while sippin’ on margaritas and celebrate Mexico’s independence day!
3,000 sombrero-wearing, pepper-eating amigos partied here last year. Bring your water bottles to cool down cause this is going to be HOT!
Oh and if you’re strolling down Green Lake Way and like what you see, contact us for real estate home sales.
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