Sales of Eastside waterfront homes in March showed a marked improvement in terms of sales volume.  There were 11 significant waterfront sales on the Eastside, including 8 sales over $1 million.  This is nearly three times the sales volume last year in march, and a 57% increase over the 7 waterfront real estate sales last month.  The waterfront real estate market continues to improve in the Greater Seattle market, and it seems to be a bit strong on the Eastside and Mercer Island.  We're seeing a higher number of cash purchases and homes selling in less than one month on the market. March 2011 Waterfront Real Estate Sales, NWMLS Address City Price Beds Baths SqFt 18184 SE 41st Place Issaquah $840,000 5 2.5 3,000 2955 224th Place SE Sammamish $895,000 5 3.3 3,313 8855 NE Juanita Lane Kirkl... 04/06/2011

  Affordable Child Care in Issaquah, WA       Are you looking for affordable child care in Issaquah, WA? Well look no further, Adventure Kids Playcare is here to save the day.     After spending countless hours trying to find babysitters and coordinate with their availability, my wife and I thought all hope was lost considering our minimal success. But then we heard of a little place in Issaquah called “Adventure Kids Playcare”. This child care service has been a life saver. It is both affordable and convenient and it is centrally located on Gilman Blvd. in Issaquah, WA.   Adventure Kids Playcare makes childcare easy, I know what you’re thinking, “no child care is easy”. Well guess again, they allow you to call ahead and reserve a time slot or if you need last minute child care, guess w... 02/23/2011

Homes for Sale in Issaquah Highlands Issaquah, WA       Single Family Homes in Issaquah Highlands In the month of January, there were 72 Single Family Homes for sale in the Issaquah Highlands. Of those 72 homes, 7 sold while 6 more were pending sale. There were 17 homes for sale that were newly listed homes in the Issaquah Highlands. The homes that sold brought in an average of 97% of their listed price. The most popular homes that sold were between 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3 bathrooms, In Issaquah Highlands the homes for sale are spending a median of 105 days on the market. Click here to view homes for sale in the Issaquah Highlands.     Condos in Issaquah Highlands   In the month of January, there were 41 condos for sale in Issaquah Highlands. There was only 1 reported sale during J... 02/22/2011

"Big Climb" Cancer Research Fundraiser Seattle, WA   Have you ever wanted to be part of something positive that might change the world? I know I have. That is why I decided to create a team for this year’s “Big Climb”, a fundraiser for cancer research.   What is it you ask? It is a big climb up the stairwell of the Columbia Center building in downtown Seattle, WA. It is 69 flights, 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation. This big climb comes to an end on the 73rd floor observatory. You can either choose to be a racer (timed) or a climber (untimed). Whether you are a racer or climber, the climb takes place at the same time but in two different stairwells with the same finish line. The purpose of the “Big Climb” is to raise money for cancer research to help find a cure for leukemi... 02/10/2011

Bellevue Short Sales: Loan Modifications can be a recipe for disaster Bellevue WA – The Star Tribune, a newspaper in Minneapolis, recently ran a story about loan modifications. Here is an excerpt from the article: “Many people who sought help under a federal program created to keep them from losing their homes are instead getting saddled with huge, unexpected bills. Thousands now face a stark choice: Go deeper into debt, or foreclosure. Lenders routinely approved short-term "trial" loan modifications that reduced payments for desperate borrowers under the umbrella of the Obama administration's Home Affordable Modification Program. But lenders continued to count the mortgages as delinquent or in default. Bellevue Short Sales: Loan Modifications can be a recipe for disaster Now instead o... 01/29/2011

A Fourplex in Issaquah WashingtonWe met back in May of 2010. A working couple. Ready to make a real estate investment. Since then we have looked at foreclosures, short sales, multifamily investment properties. Even student housing in a town an hour and a half away.The months rolled on.Finally I got a call last week. We would like more information on that fourplex in Issaquah that you presented to us at our very first meeting. I freely admitted I could not remember the property. He (an engineer) had done careful research. I looked it up and did my own research. It was a quality property in an attractive area. So my clients made an offer on a fourplex in Issaquah Washington.I went out and took this video before my clients made their offer on a fourplex in Issaquah. My rules of investing ... 10/17/2010

 As a GREEN REALTOR desgniee we understand what it means to have a "GREEN" home. When you boil it down being "green" means energy efficnet.  How "green" is your home? Don't know well if your serious about saving money and the planet you can get an energy audit!  If your looking for resources for energy audits check out RESNET. What is RESNET? An industry not-for-profit membership corporation A national standards making body for building energy efficiency rating systems Who recognizes RESNET Standards? Mortgage industry for capitalizing energy efficiency in mortgages Financial industry for certification of "white tags" Federal government for verification of building energy performance for: Federal tax credit qualification EPA ENERGY STAR labeled homes U.S. Department of Energy Building A... 10/01/2010

FHA Streamlined 203(k) OverviewThe Streamlined FHA 203(k) program is intended to facilitate uncomplicated rehabilitationand/or improvements to a home for which plans, consultants, engineers, and/or architects are not required. Due to the rehabilitation amount limitation of $35,000, eligible improvements are limited and can not include any major rehabilitation or remodeling, new construction such as room addition, repairs to structural damage, or site amenity improvements. (Repairs of this nature would be considered under the Standard FHA 203(k) Program which is not offered at this time.)Eligible Improvements: Examples of eligible improvements are listed below (this is not anall-inclusive list): Repair/replacement of roofs, gutters and downspouts. Repair/replacement/upgrade of existing ... 09/14/2010

Take a walk through this great Issaquah Home.  A Move-in ready private 4 BR 2.25 home on a cul-de-sac in Mirrormont. Currently asking $500,000 The home is surrounded by park-like landscaping, including trials, play-structure, rock patio & campsite! Eat-in kitchen with views of your elegant garden. Bright living room w/ skylight and woodstove. The family room w/ fireplace opens out to a new patio, perfect for entertaining. Bonus 900 sqft, possible attic loft! 2 car garage w/ workshop. Great community association with swim & tennis club membership available. See more details at: http://www.danedwardsrealtor.com/97428 07/09/2010

Home Sales Report for Issaquah WA. Median list price is $530,000 with a median sold price of $510,000. The 357 properties that have been on the market for an average of 151 days.Inventory and days-on-market are climbing, while the Market Action Index has been flat recently. The trends point to a weakening market. Supply & Demand - The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands neighborhoods we have still seen relatively strong sales.       For a complete list of homes for sale in the Downtown Issaquah & Issaquah Highlands Neighborhoods of Issaquah Washington real e... 07/06/2010

Last Saturday we staged this newly renovated home in Issaquah, WA.  It was fun working with our "weekend" crew, which includes my husband, Dwight, who occasionally drives our truck and helps us haul furniture when he's not working his day job as a CFO of a commercial construction company. Dwight is also our accountant and tax man, but his most important job is that of Starbucks runner.  Once all the inventory is unloaded from our truck, he's ready to take treat orders and head to the nearest Starbucks for refreshments for the crew.  Make mine a tall, non-fat, extra-hot latte or (when it's a warm day) a grande non-fat iced latte.  Thanks, Dwight!  We always look forward to working with you! Living Room:  Dining Room:  Kitchen:  Breakfast Nook: Staging by SISTERS Interior Redesign, Edmond... 05/25/2010

Foreclosure Avoidance Seminar When: May 22nd, 2010 - 10AM to Noon Where: Issaquah Public Library Space is limited - COST: FREE We will cover the definition of foreclosure, the reason to avoid it and some proactive solutions to avoid it. Learn about the national, regional and local foreclosure statistics. Break down the different stages of a home approaching foreclosure. Learn about help available for homeowners including, Loan Modification, Refinance programs and HAFA (Housing Affordable Foreclosure Avoidance) programs. The seminar will be approximately 90 minutes with 30 minutes for Q & A. Presenter: Dan Edwards with Northstone Real Estate, Inc is a REALTOR and Certified Distressed Property Expert and has helped many homeowners avoid foreclosure. A Certified Distressed Property Expert®... 05/05/2010

Home Sales Report for Issaquah WA. Median list price is $535,000 with a median sold price of $431,500. The 338 properties that have been on the market for an average of 198 days.With inventory trending up but days-on- market trending down and the Market Action Index essentially flat recently, conditions do not seem to have strong up or down pull. Supply & Demand - The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands neighborhoods we have still seen relatively strong sales.       As of 5/03/10 here are the real estate home sales stats for the all Neighborhoods in the Issa... 05/03/2010

Home Sales Report for Issaquah WA. Median list price is $530,000 with a median sold price of $500,000. The 335 properties that have been on the market for an average of 198 days.With inventory trending up but days-on- market trending down and the Market Action Index essentially flat recently, conditions do not seem to have strong up or down pull. Supply & Demand - The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands neighborhoods we have still seen relatively strong sales.       As of 4/26/10 here are the real estate home sales stats for the all Neighborhoods in the Issa... 04/28/2010

Issaquah WA median list price is $527,000 the median sales price was 637,500 with 322 properties that have been on the market for an average of 198 days. Demand measured by the Market Action Index is increasing and days-on- market is trending downward. Even as more properties come available, these are positive trends for the market. Supply & Demand - TThe market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands Neighborhoods we have seen relatively strong sales as home sales have been exceeding new inventory for several weeks.  As of 4/11/10 here are the real estate home sales s... 04/13/2010

Issaquah WA median list price is $526,000 the median sales price was 519,998 with 319 properties that have been on the market for an average of 218 days. With inventory trending up but days-on- market trending down and the Market Action Index essentially flat recently, conditions do not seem to have strong up or down pull. Supply & Demand - The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands Neighborhoods we have seen relatively strong sales as home sales have been exceeding new inventory for several weeks. As of 4/05/10 here are the real estate home sales stats for the... 04/07/2010

Issaquah WA median list price is $526,00 with 330 properties that have been on the market for an average of 214 days. Demand measured by the Market Action Index is increasing and dayson- market is trending downward. Even as more properties come available, these are positive trends for the market. Supply & Demand - The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks. Watch the Market Action Index for changes as it can be a leading indicator for price changes. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands Neighborhoods we have seen relatively strong sales as home sales have been exceeding new inventory for several weeks.    ISSAQUAH Real Estate Market Median Price Subscribe to my ISSAQUAH Market Intelligence r... 03/29/2010

Booking an airline flight is an exercise in the trade offs in value. For those who are value conscious they can fly stand by and get the least certainty of achieving their goal of arriving at their destination on time. In the middle of the value spectrum is coach where your seat is (relatively) assured, but service is minimum, and your experience in flight is not a high priority. At the top pf the cost spectrum is first class where you get top priority in seating, comfort, and in flight experience. The customer booking the flight makes their choice and gets the experience they pay for. Now imagine all the seats are the same price. What class would you fly? This is the world of real estate. If you are looking to hire a full service agent are you going to be flying stand by or first clas... 03/26/2010

Loan Modification program to get one more year. In a press release sent out yesterday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency the administration has determined that due market conditions they will extend the current Home Affordable Refinance Program(HARP) for one more year. "to support and promote market stability, and to encourage lenders and other mortgage market participants to fully adopt the HARP program, including the implementation of the October 2009 expansion of loan-to-value ratios (LTVs) to 125 percent, FHFA is authorizing the extension of HARP until June 30, 2011." EligibilityYou may be eligible for a Home Affordable Modification if you:• Own a 1- to 4-unit home that is your primary residence.• Got your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009.• Have a mortgage payment (including... 03/02/2010

Home Sales Report for Issaquah WA. Median list price is $535,000 with 300 properties that have been on the market for an average of 209 days. Inventory is up and Market Action is trending down recently. While days-on-market appears to be trending lower, the overall conditions are weakening a bit.  Supply & Demand - The market has settled in at a relative stasis in inventory and sales conditions. It's a Buyer's market that has seen prices trend lower. Expect that consistent up trends in demand will be required before price trends change significantly. In the Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Highlands neighborhoods we have still seen relatively strong sales. As of 3/01/10 here are the real estate home sales stats for the all Neighborhoods in the Issaquah, Washington area. The home sales and... 03/01/2010