I had one of those . . . → Read More: Dear Curious in Green Lake]]> Have you ever walked, biked, drove past a house a million times on your way to work and thought to yourself “I wonder what that house looks like inside?”.  As soon as you see a for sale in the yard, you immediate make a b-line to the colorful flyer hoping to find a price, just out of curiosity of course. 

I had one of those today.  This really cool, perfect starter home in Green Lake has been on the market just a short time which is on my way to Duke’s Chowder House one block southwest.  I’m very smitten of the beautiful fir tree in front for privacy, convenient alley, and an acutely maintained yard.

Once I walked up to the welcome mat, the house is better than I imagined.  Clean, mid-century lines, updated kitchen with eating nook, two bedrooms + full bath up and a completely refurbished lower living space including a cozy fireplace around the oversized sofa, another bathroom and extra storage.  The soft carpet under my feet compliment the twist of  a modern edge throughout the home.  It’s a nice touch of the old and the new – which translates Green Lake homes to a “T”.  

Great home, great price – under $500,000 – and close to everything in east Green Lake.  You can walk your kids to Daniel Bagley Elementary (Montesory to 5th grade) on 80th Street, get some amazing Pho Vietnamese soup, or just kick it at Green Lake park in the wadding pool.  Perhaps you’re in need of a 3 mile jog with your dog.   If you do, grab a beer on the outside deck at Duke’s Chowder House on your way home to this totally efficient Green Lake home. 

Will you be impressed as much as I was?  Give me a ring or email and I’d be happy to show you the thoughtfullness of this home and why I think it’s such a great deal.

My client is pregnant with twins.  And while this new experience is super exciting for her and her husband, the four story townhome is not so much exciting.  There is literally a bedroom on every floor.  Not screaming practical here. 

Time to stock up the car with plenty of bottled water and m&m’s. 

They live in the uber-urban neighborhood of Wallingford and didn’t want . . . → Read More: Twins!]]> Twins!

My client is pregnant with twins.  And while this new experience is super exciting for her and her husband, the four story townhome is not so much exciting.  There is literally a bedroom on every floor.  Not screaming practical here. 

Time to stock up the car with plenty of bottled water and m&m’s. 

They live in the uber-urban neighborhood of Wallingford and didn’t want to venture too far away since schools are a major focus now.  So my checklist reads:

1. Great Schools
2. Walkable and Safe Neighborhood
3. Practical Floorplan with Four Bedrooms, 2,000 sq ft.
4. Easy Commute to Work
5. Updated
6. $500,000 to $600,000 Range

Do any of these ring a bell? 

Green Lake Beach

First we look in Greenwood because of an amazing 2011 home just built.  Almost a perfect fit: 4 out of 6.  Bonus: Two car garage!  Overall, the neighborhood wasn’t for them.  No sidewalks (one of those things I keep hearing about Greenwood) and walkability was poor.  And I’ll give it a 5 out of 10 on the school-meter.

We look in Ballard.  Too far West for commuting purposes.  Plus they weren’t familiar with the neighborhood and I think this psyched them out a bit. 

Wallingford was up next.  They found some wonderfully updated bungalows in this uber-urban neighborhood.  They were shocked by the price per square foot and really – when you’re having twins plus a nanny – you want square footage.

I guess I left the best for last.  Green Lake was our final destination.  Bingo! 

Wallingford Park and Wading Pool

It was a Sunday afternoon and I was at an open house for my own Green Lake listing.  She and her husband went to an Open House and fell in love with it.  Who said Open Houses don’t sell houses?  We wrote it up the next day.  They can walk to PCC, Green Lake Park is across the street and when they get hungry they can walk to Duke’s, Blu Water Bistro then Ben and Jerry’s for dessert.  Daniel Bagley Elementary is one of the top desirable k-5 elementary schools and they also have a Montessori.  If private schools are more your thing, St. Joseph’s is right up the road on 80th Ave.

Happy Mommy.  Happy Daddy.  And soon to be Happy Twins this Fall.

My Favorite Yellow Castle

Congratulations if you are one of the lucky 26 people who can call Green Lake home.  The month of May turned out to be a successful month for sales in this paddle-boarding, bike-riding neighborhood.  The previous two months – even more successful!  Crazy to imagine 87 homes . . . → Read More: Welcome to Green Lake, New Home Owner!]]> Welcome to Green Lake, New Home Owner!

My Favorite Yellow Castle

Congratulations if you are one of the lucky 26 people who can call Green Lake home.  The month of May turned out to be a successful month for sales in this paddle-boarding, bike-riding neighborhood.  The previous two months – even more successful!  Crazy to imagine 87 homes were sold in the last three months – all of which have 1, 2, 3…5 each in a household.  I know of a couple households which sold their Green Lake home only to move two blocks away.  It’s nice to know growing families want to stay here.  So let’s look at the numbers in a glance:

March 2011 - Booming!  34 homes sold with an average of 84 days on the market.  Okay – that last number is not so great.  Probably just people getting out of the winter hibernation.  We want  days on market to be more like 30.  Homes were also selling on average for roughly $423,000….better (if you’re a seller) than the average price today. 

April 2001 – Sweet!  27 homes sold with an average of 49 days on the market.  Okay – better!  People thinking ahead for summer and school changes.  Homes were selling on average for roughly $406,800…better (if you’re a buyer).

May 2011 – Looking ahead!  26 homes sold with an average of 41 days on the market.  Okay – getting there!  More sun, longer days.  Homes were selling on average for roughly $397,500….really better (if you’re a buyer).

So what if you’re a seller?  Yes, the average prices have come down in the last three months IF YOU’RE LOOKING AT AVERAGES.  See the thing with averages are there might be a million dollar home that sold…which happened in March ($1,225,000 to be exact) which then shoots up the average. 

Southwest Flare

 Then you look at April and the highest house sold was $698,500..which went OVER asking price.  Yay!  In May it looks like $785,000 was the highest house sold.  

If someone were to ask me what the average price of a Green Lake home is, I would say a solid $500,000 with 3 bedrooms /2 bath, garage, and logical upgrades on a great avenues like Corliss and Bagley.

Corliss Ave

Tangletown has really sprung into action too.  Tangletown is known around here by mostly the locals.  Here’s the equation:

Dive bar/nice bar/ to die for sushi,/cafe complete with free wi-fi/ hip salon/dentist/ dry cleaner, and of course you got your quick market + many zig zag residential (walkable) tree lined streets = tangletown.  

Oh yeah, and it’s four blocks from the lake.  Bam!

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 . . . → Read More: Cindo de Mayo in Green Lake]]> 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. 

“What’s THAT?”, asks a client.

I’ve been getting that question since 2008.

“Oh, that’s The Hole”, I reply. 

The Hole has made its bed in Green Lake since 2008. Vitamilk used to occupy this entire 3 acre city block until they sold it to some developers that year. 

Unfortunately the developers had a major fall out with the main tentant (heard . . . → Read More: New Construction in Green Lake]]> New Construction in Green Lake

“What’s THAT?”, asks a client.

I’ve been getting that question since 2008.

“Oh, that’s The Hole”, I reply. 

The Hole has made its bed in Green Lake since 2008. Vitamilk used to occupy this entire 3 acre city block until they sold it to some developers that year. 

Unfortunately the developers had a major fall out with the main tentant (heard it was Whole Foods or maybe Metropolitan Market) and the site has sat empty for all these years.  And sits.  And sits. 

2011 brings promise!  It’s been reported that PCC has stepped up to the plate and will be the main retailer anchoring the ”the hole” in Green Lake.  Above PCC will live about 295 apartments.  Might be competition with Circa, which is the other apartment/mixed use building,  replacing my beloved Alberton’s years ago. 

The Hole will be starting their new construction soon and the new 55,000 mixed use space will become Green Lake Village slated for completion in 2013!

Green Lake is so pretty this time of year if the weather is cooperating.  I had the great pleasure of walking in the bright sunshine yesterday under ideal conditions.

I walk Green Lake or Lake Union almost every day.  Green Lake is just under 3 miles and Lake Union is about 6 miles.  Green . . . → Read More: Green Lake Heating Up]]> Green Lake in Seattle

Green Lake is so pretty this time of year if the weather is cooperating.  I had the great pleasure of walking in the bright sunshine yesterday under ideal conditions.

I walk Green Lake or Lake Union almost every day.  Green Lake is just under 3 miles and Lake Union is about 6 miles.  Green Lake is good for a slow stroll, a jog, bike, strollers, skates, blades, hula hooping blades, wagons, and just about any other thing you can imagine and it is nice because if you feel like going around twice, it is easy to do so.  It usually takes me about 45 minutes to walk around the lake rain, snow, or shine at a fairly brisk pace.  it is flat for the most part and has great scenic sites along the way.

I now count myself among one of the lucky who get to live within walking distance from the lake, but there is ample parking if you need to drive to get there.

If you are interested in Green Lake real estate, let us know – we would be happy to show you this wonderful Seattle neighborhood!

You don’t want to miss this wonderful home at this wonderful price!  $874,950 / 4 beds . . . → Read More: Open House Today In Green Lake From 1-4pm]]> Fabulous new price for a one of a kind Green Lake home. Meticulous finishing work, ample two car garage, and a  gorgeous great room. Plus an extra master suite perfect for the nanny, out of town guests, or a teenagers getaway!

You don’t want to miss this wonderful home at this wonderful price!  $874,950 / 4 beds / 4.25 baths / 3600 sq ft

8552 Densmore Ave North
Saturday April 2nd 1-4p

I toured all the . . . → Read More: It’s spring fever in February!]]> It’s spring fever in February!   Green Lake, Tangletown, Wallingford, and Ballard-areas are all fired up with fresh, new listings that are flying off the shelf.  Just as the for sale signs are speared into the ground, the buyers and their agents are making offers.  One, two, three days on the market for some of these ripe listings. 

I toured all the new listings in these areas on Wednesday (two days ago) and three are pending inspection.  Pending inspection doesn’t necessarily mean other buyers are out of the running.  They just have to take a back seat in the form of a back up offer.   Home prices across the board ranging from $449,000 to $849,000 are being snatched up and if you blink, you might just miss out.  

What’s the motivation all of a sudden?  Well, the motivation has always been there.  It’s the inventory which has been a bit stagnate.  Inventory is up, school is back in session, the big holiday plans and vacations have happened and now it’s back to routines and work. 

For more Seattle neighborhoods, visit Cooper Jacobs Real Estate’s home page and find the map you’re looking.  Condos, houseboats, scheduled open houses for any area you’re looking for can all be found here.

The fair will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Not only is this a great time to get ideas for your home, but you . . . → Read More: Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Associations 14th Annual Home and Remodeling Fair-Sunday January 30th]]> If you are looking for ideas for your home and  are conveniently close by, say Phinney Ridge, Greenwood or Greenlake; Sunday January 30th is the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Associations 14th annual Home and Remodeling fair.

The fair will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Not only is this a great time to get ideas for your home, but you may meet some new or old neighbors as well. Supporting local can lead to opportunity in building your personal community; whether that be in Phinney Ridge or one of the many other awesome Seattle neighborhoods.

At this years fair there will be over 90 exhibitors, everything from designers, architects, green building experts, consultants, permit experts (that is always a good person  to know), home equity loan experts, as well as many others.  Door prizes too donated by the exhibitors.

Additional Information:
Complete List of Exhibitors
Presentation Schedule

Phinney Neighborhood Center
Blue Building
6532 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103

Admission
$6 for PNA members
$9 for general public
Children 12 and under are admitted free

For more information about this event and the Phinney Association, please go to www.phinneycenter.org