Economic vitality is a key component of a city's health.  As real estate professionals, we have a vested interest in helping to build and maintain the the health and economic vitality of the towns and City's where we live and work.  In Issaquah, Washington, the Chamber of Commerce is working with its members to encourage the involvement and participation of the business community to help ensure the long term economic vitality of the Issaquah community.  A strong business community serves the community by providing jobs, a critical tax base, needed services and products for a community and a needed perspective for a city on how to achieve its desired vision for the community's long term plan.  The City of Issaquah, Washington is working to progress economic vitality in the community to s... 06/06/2009

This is it.  This is the weekend for the annual Tastin N Racin, limited hydro races on Lake Sammamish, Issaquah, WA. For the third year Realty Executives of Issaquah has supported this event and will have a booth at the event. This year the weather promises to be great.  We have been experiencing "summer" weather in the PNW - heat in the high 80's and NO RAIN.  (Sorry Activerain)  Realty Executives of Issaquah has been a participant in this event for the past two years and in those years the weather has been cold and damp.  Not this year, the forecasters promise sun and the high 70's.  Who Hoo! Visit our booth and learn the latest benefits for first time homebuyers.  Hear how you can still get zero down loans with NO PMI.  Realty Executives of Issaquah is working with the Washington Sta... 06/04/2009

Issaquah real estate is on sale!  This historic little burrough is well located adjacent to the thriving City of Bellevue and is a welcome respite for the City weary. As a result of Issaquah's proximity to Bellevue, Issaquah real estate tends to lag Bellevue in terms of valuations.  For most of us, that is good news.  Issaquah real estate is affordable and underrated.  Ready for its recovery, Issaquah real estate is poised for an upturn. With interest rates so low and tax credits for first time home buyers, this may well be the opportunity to build your wealth in real estate.  Now is the time to buy Issaquah real estate!  If you are interested in learning more about Issaquah real estate, please contact me for more information or visit my website at www.coldwellbankerbain.com/pamelahughes. 05/07/2009

Are you living through a short sale?  Representing the Seller?  It takes a ton of patience and skill to weather the endurance race mistakenly called a "short sale".  There is nothing short about it. My experience began with a listing that was inherited from a agent who had promised a Seller to perform a discounted commission - sale.  The house was beautiful in a rural neighborhood and at the time it was worth the $700,000 it was listed for.  The Seller was upside down with a negative amortization loan and no job.  It was either sell the house or give it back in a foreclosure.  Desparate moves resulted in a major price discount to create offers.  The price reduction resulted in a solid offer for $655,000 and began the path to the short sale. My inexperience in this situation began the fr... 04/15/2009

A local organization called Seattle Tilth is having a workshop this coming weekend in Issaquah to teach the public how to raise and keep chickens, they call it "City Chickens".  I love the idea of it because then you can have fresh eggs, composting material for your gardens, and chickens naturally want to eat all manner of bugs and slugs.  Thankfully, the majority of bugs they eat (and slugs) are non-beneficial to a garden so it's a great way to organically treat a yard for pests.  For years I have grown organic vegetables so when I saw that most municipalities will allow up to 3 chickens, even in the city, I thought this could be a great way to expand that practice.  Plus, Michael eats eggs all the time for breakfast.  I loved the idea of having more local food sources for us and our n... 03/12/2009

Man, it is tough out there...I just closed the hardest transaction (listing) ever.  I had a willing and motivated seller and we dropped the sale price by $100K to make the market.  Bang! Two offers in as many days.  We snagged a qualified Buyer and set for a 30 day close. Then came the inspection.  Sometimes the inspection just has to be the defining moment in the sale  Water in the crawl space and mice in the attic...ridge caps on the roof and a difficult Jacuzzi tub.  Sounds simple enough, but not so fast.  How about those failed window seals (4) and that defective water heater? Finally, we defined what would be perfection in this home and it looks like $7K would cover it.  The Seller says "we will do it all".  (whataguy).  The handyman fills the Jacuzzi to check it out and when he is... 01/05/2009

During the month of December 2008, REO in King County sold for an average 86.95% of the banks foreclosure amount or previous loan amount. Which banks closed with the biggest losses on individual properties? Here's the top 5 "Biggest Losers" of the month. #1. Jp Morgan Chase Bank Na (A WAMU asset) @ ..................................39.33%#2. Saxon Mortgage Services Inc sold a home for ..................................56.31%#3. Lasalle Bank National Association (A First Franklin asst) @ .................61.64%#4. Citigroup Mtg Series 2006-Amc1  (An Argent Mortgage asset) @ .........66.01%#5. First Franklin Mtg 2007-1 sold one of their homes for ........................66.83% Who were the biggest sellers of the month? #1. Countrywide with ...............8 units, ...................averag... 01/04/2009

     Issaquah, WA home sale statistics -Residential            2- Bedrooms          3 Bedrooms          4 Bedrooms          5+ Bedrooms          All Bedrooms          Active     #Units 20 152 190 56 418       Average List Price $705,716 $612,469 $867,486 $1,646,452 $871,372       Average Market Time 98 101 93 134 102       Average Square Feet 1304 2163 3239 4937 2983            All Off Market     #Units 3 36 35 5 79            Pending     #Units 1 13 14 5 33       Average List Price $735,000 $488,779 $573,839 $807,956 $580,686       Average Market Time 2 85 56 98 72       Average Square Feet 0 2126 2606 4243 2586            Sold     #Units 2 23 21 0 46       Dollar Value $729,000 $10,922,980 $11,710,270 $0 $23,362,250       Average List Price $396,975 $488,979 $573,601 $0 $523,611     ... 09/08/2008

If you are considering a real estate investment, or representing somebody who is, one way to analyze a deal is to be mindful of the exit.  With that in mind, I wanted to bring to light the market as buyers see it today.  They are no longer buying in to visions of what they couldmake a home look like and seem to have eased up on the 'do-it-yourself' mentality that was so prevalent during the last couple years. Not only have many people now experienced 'do-it-yourself' and found it's not for them, Buyers also have so many homes to choose from that there is no need to do work if they don't want to.  Honestly, who really wants to do repairs if they can just move right into the same house down the street?  Sure, the fixer might have a bit lower price, but they can probably haggle that differ... 07/07/2008

June 2008 -  Issaquah Residential   2- Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 5+ Bedrooms All Bedrooms   Active #Units 15 159 182 64 420   Average List Price $690,079 $611,859 $858,141 $1,443,330 $848,075   Average Market Time 92 82 95 100 91   Average Square Feet 1605 2165 3328 4717 3038     All Off Market #Units 4 30 45 6 85     Pending #Units 2 13 16 2 33   Average List Price $414,900 $485,179 $635,373 $586,500 $559,882   Average Market Time 60 45 69 19 56   Average Square Feet 1673 1899 2626 2715 2287     Sold #Units 2 17 29 4 52   Dollar Value $747,900 $8,773,291 $20,318,889 $5,000,500 $34,840,580   Average List Price $384,950 $526,247 $721,636 $1,345,988 $692,837   Average Sold Price $373,950 $516,076 $700,651 $1,250,125 $670,011   Average Market Time 73 121 98 168 110   Average Square F... 07/01/2008

NWMLS 500 May-08 May-07 %Change Median Prices $699,475 $689,075 1.50% Inventory 589 398 48% Pending 68 116 -41.40%   NWMLS Area 500 includes South Bellevue, Newcastle,Issaquah through North Bend directly below I-90.  Overall Area 500 has 41 weeks of inventory.  Inventory is slowly building in this area as we see absorption rates growing.  All price ranges are Buyers advantaged markets with the exception of $300k-$400k and the price range of $900k - $1mil, which are Balanced markets. Compiled from but not published or verified by NWMLS. 06/13/2008

Built Green Townhome, in sought after community of Talus. Open floor plan w/expansive windows. Gourmet kitchen w/designer tile backsplash, stainless appl, gas cooking, lots of cabinet space & granite eating bar. Adjoining Great Room w/living area facing gas frpl & dining Rm leads to balcony. Spacious Master Retreat w/12ft ceilings,soaking tub,dual vanity & walk-in closet. Downstairs Bd Rm w/ 3/4 bath & private patio.Garage on main level. Minutes from parks, trails,shopping & 1.5 miles fm I-90!   This unit is listed for $356,000  If your looking for that great deal than here it is!!! MLS#28077985 Doug Gracia 05/26/2008

Issaquah is an anglicized word for a local Native American name, meaning "the sound of birds". Another version of the name is said to have come from the pioneers, who, being impressed with the multitude of wetland birds, called the area Squak Valley. When the next wave of settlers came and asked for the name of area the Natives told them, "Is Squak."The city was officially incorporated on April 29, 1892 Initially a small mining town, this town has changed noticeably both in its appearance and economic focus. Issaquah was originally developed to service the mining industry on nearby Tiger Mountain, and began as the town of Gilman, Washington. As the mining deposits neared depletion in the late 1890s, other companies started to realize Issaquah's potential to support a lucrative lumber bu... 04/21/2008

Affordable Housing now available in the Issaquah Highlands.D.R. Horton one of America's largest builder has teamed up with ARCH to provide affordable housing in the heart of the Issaquah Highlands Community.Ashford at Vista Park - located in Issaquah Highlands.  The community offers more than one hundred 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums, starting from low to mid $200's.  I hope you can share this exciting opportunity with any of your potential clients.  To learn more about this affordable housing project, you can visit DR Horton's website at http://www.drhorton.com/corp/GetCommunity.do?dv=Y7&pr=44205  or my website at: http://www.yournwhomeresource.com/home-buyers-seminar.asp   04/08/2008

Real Estate Market Statistics Single Family ResidenceJanuary 2008 Area 500 (South Bellevue/Issaquah) was one of the Eastside areas where the median prices were down -13.1%   YOY listing inventory was up 51.6% and PENDINGS were down -48.3%LISTINGS: 426 (2007) vs. 281 (2006) +51.6%PENDINGS: 31(2007) vs. 60(2006) -48.3%MEDIAN: $630,000 (2007) vs. $724,975 (2006) -13.1%Compiled from, but not published by NWMLS By Greg PerryEastside Realtorhttp://www.425realty.com/ 02/21/2008

By Greg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.comSouth Bellevue / Issaquah For December 2007 Area 500 (South Bellevue/Issaquah) was one of the Eastside areas where the median prices were down -7.5%   YOY listing inventory was up 47.1% and PENDINGS were down -48.5%%LISTINGS: 378 (2007) vs. 257 (2006) +47.1%PENDINGS: 34(2007) vs. 66(2006) -48.5%MEDIAN: $599,975 (2007) vs. $648,750 (2006) -7.5%   Compiled from NWMLS, but not published by NWMLS. 01/09/2008

Did you know that Issaquah hasn't always been Issaquah.   Issaquah is actually a corruption of the correct name "isquow, " which means "sound of water birds"...So I suppose  Issaquah means "used to sound like birds but now sounds like development"?Issaquah also went by another name "Gilman" from 1892-1899.  01/05/2008

Monday - December 10th, 2007-- ANNUAL CHARITY BENEFIT -- "Easy and Elegant Entertaining" Sponsored by the - Issaquah Women's Foundation10am-5pm @ Pickering Barn (across from Costco)$5 DONATIONSHOPPING, SILENT AUCTION, FASHION SHOWS, TEA & WINE TASTING, CAFE'There will be people providing examples of ways to entertain easily and elegantly.Help you see solutions for making your gatherings fun and simple. You will also be given the opportunity to purchase some of the items at the benefit. __________________________________________________________________________What a fun way to spend a monday afternoon!Oh, by the way...if you are ever in need of more information about Issaquah, the local area,... tips about Real Estate -or- you would like me to research a few local agents who are highly q... 12/09/2007

Issaquah homes, like Issaquah itself, are becoming increasingly desirable.  The close-nit community, convenient location, and welcoming atmosphere make Issaquah homes the perfect place to live. The affordability of Issaquah homes makes them some of the most desirable housing in the region.  In July of 2007, nearby Bellevue's median home price was approximately $699,000, Sammamish's was $765,000, and Redmond's was $625,000.  The median price of Issaquah homes in that same time period, however, was only $489,000 - hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper than houses in neighboring towns, and yet only a few minutes away.  The town's location is one of Issaquah's many perks.  Close to the big cities as well as nature, everyone is just minutes away from their dream environment.   Technology ... 11/13/2007

For residential homes (not condos).Area 500 (South Bellevue/Issaquah) was the only Eastside area where the median prices were down --0.57% Last month in August this area's median prices were also down -4.26% marking its second straight month of price erosion. YOY listing inventory was up 32.07% and PENDINGS were down -33.33%LISTINGS: 523 (2007) vs. 396 (2006) +32.07%(Last month there were 493 listings)PENDINGS: 52 (2007) vs. 78 (2006) -33.23%MEDIAN: $640,000 (2007) vs. $643,676 (2006) -0.57% The median price for August was $669,000Compiled from, but not published by NWMLSGreg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.com  10/11/2007