By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on June 15th, 2010%
Green Lake Neighbors: Isn’t it funny how each neighborhood in a metropolitan city has zig zag borders and fuzzy lines? Are you one of those who lay in the “middle”?
 Green Lake Bar & Grill People tend to get possessive, don’t we. Yes, I’m guilty too. But Seattle’s neighborhoods are so tightly woven together, it’s hard not to know what’s going on in more than 3 neighborhoods at one time.
Since Seattle went to mail-in ballots, we can only assume the safest way to know which neighborhood you live in is to locate the closest public school. This Fall the Seattle Public School District will be utilizing a new assignment plan. Students will be attending the closest local public school to their home. The reason? Schools need to adhere to budget cuts. Less time driving a school bus saves us a cool $2.2 million bucks.
So the next time you’re searching for Green Lake properties in the MLS, make sure it’s in the Green Lake public school zone. THIS is a great site where you can find the boundry for your child by typing in your home address.
 Green Lake Elementary
I cannot leave without a quick look at the real etate action in Green Lake! There are 68 handsome bungalow and craftsman style Green Lake homes that are actively on the market. Some might say they’re in Green Lake, but we know it’s a close call. Median days on the market is a cool 53 days for a 3 bedroom $384,950 beauty! There are Green Lake townhouses and condos available too but at these prices, a single family residence makes it so affordable.
Green Lake is active and full of life! Let us show you with your next visit to the Green Lake neighborhood.
 Green Lake High Ropers Practicing
By Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor, 206.850.8841, courtney@cooperjacobs.com, on June 15th, 2010%
 Green Lake Blog: Let’s go ahead and look at the current Seattle Green Lake (Greenlake) real estate market for June 2010:
Well, even though we all woke up to a lovely gray day, Green Lake real estate is moving and that is what I want to touch on for this beautiful non summer June day. As expected Green Lake MLS listings are up due to the fact that this is prime Seattle real estate selling season. There are 67 Active residential listings in the Seattle MLS for Green Lake right now excluding town homes (Green Lake Town houses are dealt with separately for my purposes although some agents sneak them in as “multi levels” instead of townhomes as they should be for residential property type.).
Side Bar: Green Lake Neighborhood: Where is it and what are the borders? Now because as we have said before Green Lake has subjective borders depending on who you talk to, the Seattle MLS community Green Lake is what I am using to get the numbers. Until someone comes up with some concrete non shared Seattle neighborhood borders and until agents who have listings that are clearly in Licton Springs or Greenwood stop marking them as Green Lake, I have to include them all in the numbers. I know that the general feeling is that if you can walk to Green Lake (the actual Green Lake park with the loop in it), you are in Green Lake – I also think that is a subjective approach, but I agree with it.J
OK – Back to Green Lake Active MLS listings (but feel free to let us know where you think the Green Lake borders are). The Green Lake listings of homes for sale in this neighborhood range in price from $337,157 to $1,300,000 with a median list price of $499,950 which is about what I expected. The average  square footage of these is 1950 square feet and the average dollar per square foot is $252.95.
Pending Green Lake properties: There are a variety of Pending statuses – Green Lake homes that are Pending Inspection are subject to inspection. Pending- Back Up Requested is when the agent or seller have a contract but are looking for back up offers.
Another Side Bar: To me,
Pending BU Requested is the most ridiculous status and highly abused. Of course as listing agents we are ALWAYS looking for a back up offer so you should only really use this status if you think things are going to go down the drain with your current buyers. Instead there are many Seattle real estate agents who use this status a common practice most likely just to try to attract unrepresented buyers. If your listing agent is using this tactic you should ask them why. What is common when this status is used is that your current buyer who you have a contract with to buy your home will see the status in the public real estate sites and get mad. They will get upset that you do not trust them to close the deal or do not have confidence in them and as a result start to get second thoughts on following through with the purchase. It is a backfire trap and really does not help you unless your current buyer is that shaky on financing or commitment.
Back to the homes that have offers on them – There are currently 19 Pending homes waiting to close, 3 Pending BU Requested homes, and 13 Pending Inspection homes for a total of 35 Pending Green Lake homes under contract. They range in price from $249,000 to $1,250,000.
Green Lake Real Estate Sold Update June 2010: In the last 30 days, 13 Green Lake homes for sale have closed in escrow according to data I compiled from the NWMLS. These homes ranged in price from $330,500 to $963,000 with a median of $428,888 and average days on market of 38 days. The average dollar per square foot of these sold Green Lake homes was $233.24. Median list price on these was $509,648 and median sales price was $508,065.
Overall Green Lake real estate numbers? 115 Green Lake residential properties, $243.29/per square foot average, median price of $523,114. Let us know if you are curious about what your home is worth – realestate@cooperjacobs.com
(You can usually find Molly running around the lake if she doesn’t answer her phone right away and Courtney walks the lake at least twice a week).
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 18th, 2010%
Do you own at least 4,000 square foot lot in Seattle? Then you could have a second dwelling on your property. It’s just one of many dedicated Green Building Projects in Seattle.
DADU are Detatched Accessory Dwelling Units. They’re also called Backyard Cottages which sounds … not so “detatched”. Backyard Cottages is a way to give more BANG for your BUCK by emphasizing the blueprint for your lot. These create minimal waste (since they are prefabricated) as well as a short build time. Super efficient and efficient on the pocket book too. They start at $98,000.
Come see award winning designers and architects for some of the most innovative backyard cottages in the city. Seattle City Planning Commissioner, David Cutler, will also be there.
When: Monday May 24th
Time: 5:30pm
Where: 7601 Greenwood Ave. N
Cost: F*R*E*E
Call (206) 790.2852 for more information, sponsored by Method Homes.
Meet over 35 designers in one place!
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on May 15th, 2010%
 Seattle reached 69 degrees today. Translation: Hookey-time. You’d think it was Orange County or something. Dozens of Seattlelites streamed to Seattle’s ever popular Green Lake neighborhood on foot, bike, car, and Vespas to take in the warm temps today. Duke’s Chowder House, sitting right atop the crowded north end of the lake, was busy serving bloody marys and fish and chips all day on their outdoor patio.
I, too, was one of the many who bravely wore shorts and flip flops but not before slathering on SPF 30.
Summer officially begins on June 21rst but days like these in Seattle makes you appreciate the natural beauty encompassing us all the time. It just takes a sunny day with no rain to really see it sometimes.
Green Lake is not the only neighborhood flooding with folks getting a workout while getting a tan. But I have to tell you, it’s the best people watching you’ll ever see. Roller skaters (yes skaters) practice their routines (or whatever you call them) near the community center. Boombox playing with 80′s tunes of course. Inline skaters, stroller-city, dog walking galore, volleyball games, pick up basketball, fishermen trying to hook, line, and sink it….oh the list goes on.
Experiencing Green Lake makes you stay in Green Lake. 78 active Green Lake real estate mls listings (not including Green Lake condos and towhomes) right now. Green Lake is one of the best communities in Seattle with great schools, friendly baristas, beautiful Northwest scenery, the local bathhouse theater, and one of a kind century old craftsman homes to townhomes that make you feel as though you were in Whistler. Let us know if you want to see any Green Lake homes for sale or want more info about this Seattle neighborhood!
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on April 28th, 2010%
Good Housekeeping: 5 Points To A Sale of your Green Lake Home
We have seen a lot of Green Lake homes sales in the Seattle MLS through the years and the homes that always sell faster and for money have one thing in common in most cases. They all follow the seller tip guidelines below. We thought we would go ahead and share them with you in case you are thinking about selling your Green Lake home.
The goal is to sell your Green Lake (Greenlake) house as quickly and as profitably as possible. To do that sellers need to Stage the home – not just have it Staged professionally, but all the items that go along with that. Here are four-steps designed to maximize the value of your house:
- De-cluttering Tips
- Repairing Tips
- Cleaning Tips
- Revitalizing Tips
- Showing Tips
De-cluttering Tips
Make four distinct piles: Trash, Return, Donate, and Might Need.
It would be overwhelming if you tackled the whole house at once. Delegate the work to other family members accordingly and go at it. Put checkmarks next to each completed room. It’s important to know you’re making progress. Golden Rule – Consider hiring a garbage collection agency or rent a commercial garbage bin if you have a lot to throw away.
Repairing Tips
Green Lake Buyers expect a trouble-free home. They want to buy a house, move in and start enjoying it right away. They don’t want to waste time and money fixing up the place. If you don’t repair your house now, it will be seen as a fixer-upper and you will not be able to attract the right kind of buyers, nor will you get the price you want for it.
Know whether you need a pre-listing home inspection and understand the difference between repair and renovation can save you money and headaches. Golden Rule – Repair cracks in the foundation immediately.
Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your house for sale goes well beyond dusting, mopping and vacuuming. You must clean it like you mean it. You must minutely examine every square inch of your house and restore it to near-new condition. An advantage of a well-cared-for house is that you’re less likely to receive a low offer. When buyers can’t find faults they focus less on how much money they can squeeze out of you and start thinking that the house is right for them. If you don’t have the time to clean then you should hire a professional. It’s a smart investment. Golden Rule – Clean the area around your fireplace and then the fireplace itself.
Revitalizing Tips
Revitalizing is not remodeling, which is usually expensive and delays the selling of your house. Revitalizing starts with improving your curb appeal, follow up with lighting, and painting. Only then can you start staging your house for sale. Golden Rule – Home Office: Move your filing cabinet into the basement.
Showing Tips:
You’ll need to dust the undisturbed rooms once in a while but you can see how this strategy ensures your house is always ready for showing with minimal efforts. For the rest of the living space create three to-do lists:
- A weekly must-do checklist
- A daily must-do checklist
- A final checklist before the open house
Golden Rule – Put away personal valuables. Turn off your computer.
Full service Green Lake Realtors help with all of the above.
Often we are asked to go through a Green Lake home and give the seller a check list of some of the items above. We also usually hire a Stager and a housecleaner on your behalf. Selling Green Lake real estate requires knowing what Green Lake buyers want. Curious what YOUR Green Lake home value is and what’s been selling in the neighborhood?
Contact us and we can help or at least answer any questions you might have.
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on April 23rd, 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.
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
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on March 12th, 2010%
Getting Ready To Sell In Green Lake: 2010
Green Lake Real Estate Is Looking Up…
in one of the most popular neighborhoods to live within Seattle city limits. With its proximity to downtown, the University of Washington, Phinney Ridge ’hood, Wallingford AND the benefit of a 2.8 mile walking trail around the lake, not to mention all the great shops there, makes it a very popular place to live.
Are you thinking about selling in Green Lake? Then there’s something you should know.
40 homes have SOLD since January 1, 2010 45% of these sold in under 30 days with the seller getting 99% of asking price.
What does it take for your Green Lake home to sell?
1. Location. 70% of buyers look at location first. Green Lake ranks in the top 10 of Seattle’s neighborhoods.
2. Size and number of Rooms. 45% of a buyer’s decision to buy depends on number of bed/baths. It’s a tie between 3 and 4 bedrooms for an average Green Lake home.
3. Price and Terms. 40% of active buyers are looking for a fair and reasonable price. The average Green Lake home is $467,000.
Currently 75 homes are available in Green Lake; of those 26 are Green Lake Townhomes.
Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services specializes in Green Lake homes. Contact us for your complimentary home evaluation.
Molly@CooperJacobs.com
By Molly Cartwright, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Molly@CooperJacobs.com, 206-841-6800, on February 12th, 2010%
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!
By Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor, 206.850.8841, courtney@cooperjacobs.com, on September 25th, 2009%
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.
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!
By Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor, 206.850.8841, courtney@cooperjacobs.com, on July 26th, 2009%
 In the Northern part of Seattle, you can find homes in the amazing neighborhood of Green Lake! Green Lake official neighborhood boundaries are pretty much on the North and West side of the lake itself (between I-5 and 99 and 85th and 50th), but I consider all the homes that surround Greenlake to be in the neighborhood of Green Lake or to at least have that same feeling. The fact of the matter is if you are within a few blocks or more from the lake then you are in Green Lake real estate zone or close enough. Our Seattle neighborhood boundaries are “flexible”.
So why does everyone want to live by this lake?
The actual Greenlake park is pretty wonderful with large open spaces and a loop that surrounds the lake itself. It is roughly three miles long and quite an asset to have close by! This is why other close by neighborhoods can seem to mash into Green lake a bit.
 Besides the lake itself, there are shops and restaurants galore all near the heart of this great neighborhood and it is also easy to commute from here in all directions. Green Lake is a great choice for University of Washington commuting, too!
Homes in this North Seattle area of Green Lake include some wonderful choices and interesting real estate! Green Lake townhomes, condos, bungalows, and newer Built Green options are all here! You can find homes anywhere between 1900 and new construction in Green Lake, but many tend to be 1920 ans 1930 built homes. Some are in original condition and falling apart, but luckily most of the homes in this area have been lovingly restored! Townhouse developments here are thoughtful and there are a lot of green real estate options as well. Just wanting to get into a condo? There are some great Seattle condos in Green Lake!
Other Seattle neighborhoods with homes close to this Green Lake?
Parts of Wallingford, Greenwood, Licton Springs, and Phinney Ridge are all very close to Green Lake and offer some great Seattle real estate. Maple Leaf and Ravenna are both right over the freeway from Greenlake. If you are on the edge of any of these close together North Seattle neighborhoods, then you can also enjoy Green Lake without much effort!
Let us know if you are interested in this Seattle neighborhood or others nearby…
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