Backyard Cottages in Seattle

I wrote a blog earlier about Backyard Cottages in Seattle or Detatched Dwelling Units.  Since then, I’ve had numerous questions about them. 

Whether you are considering a Backyard Cottage on your at least 4,000 square foot lot as a rental property, for an elderly family member, or a grown child you need to know the max square footage the structure can be is 800 sq ft.  This includes any carport, attached garage, or storage. 

You can decide to go through a contractor and architect or get a panelized or modular fabricated design.  Fabricated is the fastest, and designed much like building blocks.  Panelized takes a little more time and can be more customized.  

It’s no secret adding a Backyard Cottage on your property can add extra monthly income.  However there are some costs involved.  Here is a link to a handy worksheet that breaks down Hard Costs and Soft Costs.  Example of a Hard Cost is demolition or site preparation.  A Soft Cost is a mortgage, or fees for utility hookups.  Which aren’t cheap, by the way!  Seattle City Light  recommends separate electricity meters.  This will save you way more money in the long run.

Make sure you save room for a parking space for your Backyard Cottage – this is a requirement!

For more information regarding Backyard Cottages and self help steps to diagrams, permits, and more – this site wins, hands down.

Check back frequently to www.cooperjacobs.com for our Backyard Cottage listings in Seattle City Limits.

Green Lake Real Estate Home Values: April 2010

Green Lake Real Estate Home Values: April 2010. Green Lake real estate has never been so affordable! It’s Spring!  And it’s tax credit season – well at least by April 30th.

Let’s take a look at the current Green Lake real estate market for single family residences (no Green Lake condos or Green Lake townhouses).  There are 59 active Green Lake MLS listings,  13 pending homes, and 10 sold homes in the month of April.  8 out of 10 Green Lake homes sold did so in less than a month.  The other 2 were multi million dollar homes and they took 120 days.

Green Lake

Average sold price in Green Lake right now for April 2010 is $343,333 for a two bedroom.  $501,650 for a 3 bedroom, surprisingly lower for a 4 bedroom at $437,000 and finally for 5 bedrooms and up it’s on average $800,000 and up.

Of course there are many reasons to make Green Lake your next home.

There’s the 2.8 mile paved loop on the inside or the 3.2 mile dirt loop on the outside of the lake’s parameters.  Turn Pike Pizza is amazing and one of a kind, even though the name sounds too familiar.  Super Jock and Jill sports apparel and #1 running shoe retailer of all time.  SPUD Fish n Chips – they must have grandfather rights cause this place has been a staple of Green Lake since 1940 and it’s considered a historical sight.  Okay, so if that’s not a reason to live in Green Lake then…

Maybe you’ll enjoy Mockingbird Books next to Rosita’s:  the all-time favorite kids place to eat while Mom or Dad suck down a margarita.  And those all those who wondered if there was a popular bar in this 35′s something 2.5 kid neighborhood…yes!  You can’t miss the nightlife (which begins at 2pm) at the Little Red Hen! So you see, Green Lake has both major franchises like Starbizzle and Title Nine Sports.  But it also has Urban Cafe (where you get a FREE coffe with cake or pie!) and Skinlogic.

I live and breathe Green Lake.  Why?  Because for me, it’s safe, affordable, awesome location, great schools, and I can run 2.8 miles and grab a Zeeks Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream right after.

Interested in knowing more about Green Lake? Living in Green Lake since 1996.  Molly@CooperJacobs.com

Green Lake Blog: Condo Market VS Townhouse Market

Green Lake Blog: Condo Market VS Townhouse Market.

I was curious what the latest and greatest were on the Green Lake condo vs. townhouse market.  If you’re in the market to buy either a condo or townhome, chances are you have your eye on both types of housing structure.

Okay, so let’s look at the Green Lake CONDO conditions first:

Currently there are only 16 ACTIVE listings looking to get sold.

Ranging from $179,000 for a 1987 2 bed/2bath unit to a gleaming 2003 $639,000 unit with views. 2 bed, 2 bath, 1522 square feet of living space and just steps to the lake! These pedestrian lifestyle condos are loaded with amenities anywhere between granite and garages, creative storage, and rooftop decks. The average number of days on the market is 99.

8 condos SOLD in the last six months! Average days on the market is 31. And of these 31 days, the seller received 97.3% of their asking price. Between 31 and 60 days, seller received 99% of asking price. Bottom line: Priced right = it will sell. But the inventory is low low low for condos in Green Lake and only 8 selling in the last six months tells me people are holding them or renting them.  Many of the buildings originally planned for condo living coverted to apartments so this would explain the inventory lack of inventory.

So let’s look at Green Lake Townhouse stats. Currently, a whopping 23 lovely townhouses for sale in Green Lake.

The prices range from $259,000 to $540,000. And just like the range in pricing, so are the range of homes. From brand new structures with views, eco-efficient uses, and modern twists with 2 bed 2 bath and 1256 square feet of luxury to an adorable 1000 square feet townhome with private fenced areas and priced right! All walking distance to Green Lake which supplies an endless array of sport activities, a very popular community center, restaurants, bars, cafes and local merchants.

How many sold townhouses within the last six months in Green Lake?

Answer: 55
These don’t include pending sales (which are just about to close). To including pending sales that figure bumps up to 64.  Out of 55 solds, 33 were in the $300,000 to $350,000 price range.

Average Days On The Market: 45
Percent Of Original Asking Price: 99.5%
Average Square Footage: 1549
Average Sold Price: $353,091
Which gives us a grand total of roughly $227.00 per square foot on average.

It’s a healthy condo and townhouse market in Green Lake!

Green Lake Real Estate: Looking Around The North End Of The Lake

Seattle’s Green Lake Neighborhood is having a bit of a real estate shortage in my opinion.  I have great buyers wanting to get into homes that are nicely updated on the North End of the Green Lake and right now there is only really one choice.

Green Lake Seattle

Seattle Buyers like choices and Green Lake is a great one! I know of a couple Green Lake homes coming on soon hopefully, but that doesn’t help right now so I keep looking.  Why do my buyers like the North end of Green Lake in particular?  Zeeks Pizza?  Well maybe, but it is also just the perfect spot for being close to all thie nice little shops and places like Zeek’s and Ben & Jerry’s, the pool, tennis courts, wading pool, and easy access to the great Green Lake loop!

What better spot to live and enjoy all that Green Lake has to offer and still have easy access to I-5 for commuting plus great neighborhoods like Phinney Ridge and Greenwood right there!

Green Lake homes: There are only a few homes right in that sweet spot South of 80th and North of E Green Lake Dr N – right around my favorite street in Seattle: Orin Court.  This little corner of Green Lake catches the best light and offers amazing perks in my opinion!  Check it out here:  Green Lake real estate You can also find other great information about Seattle real estate – happy hunting!