An Architect and a Real Estate Broker Walk Into a Bar...

Real Estate Sales for Seattle and Eastside – What’s Selling?

Diane — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:36:39 +0000

Sales stats by area and price range.

Condo – To Sell or Not?

Diane — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:52 +0000

Three is a lot of interest in obtaining FHA approval for condo projects, so that FHA loans can be issued for them. It would be nice if it were easier to get, especially in an area like ours (Seattle), which is expensive. FHA loans are great for first time buyers who may not have been working long enough to save a big down payment. The FHA loans require only 3.5% down. That, in combination with lower prices for condos make it a great first step in homeownership.

Unfortunately, one major issue keeps a lot of condo projects out of the running for FHA approval. FHA requires that the building be more than 51% owner-occupied.

These days, when condo values have been some of the hardest hit by real estate price declines, many people have opted to rent their units rather than book a loss. They are either waiting for a better price and can afford to do that, or they are underwater (unit is worth less than current market price) and don’t want to bring extra cash to the closing table.

This does not help already depressed values since being one of few owner-occupiers in a building is not a financial position most people will want to buy into, and certainly not with a premium down payment. However, any defect can be solved with price. If the price is right (low enough) someone will find it an advantage to take on that disadvantageous situation.

The way I see it, if a move is desired, one can either sell and embrace the market as one finds it, or pay cash to pay off the mortgage and rent for passive income.

What Sold in the Seattle Area Last Week?

Diane — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:15:08 +0000

All of your favorite areas, right in one posting.

Greater Seattle

Click to view the West Seattle Report

Click to view the Central Seattle Report

Click to view the Queen Anne Report

Click to view the Ballard-Greenlake Report

Click to view the North Seattle Report

Mercer Island

Click to view the Mercer Island Report

Greater Eastside

Click to view the Renton Highlands Report

Click to view the Eastside-South Report

Click to view the West Bellevue Report

Click to view the East Bellevue Report

Click to view the East of Lake Sammamish Report

Click to view the Redmond / Carnation Report

Click to view the Kirkland / Bridle Trails Report

Click to view the Juanita / Woodinville Report

What Sold in the Seattle Area This Week?

Diane — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:43:57 +0000

All Seattle areas in one post, with links to your favorite areas, in-city and suburbs.

Greater Seattle

Click to view the West Seattle Report

Click to view the Central Seattle Report

Click to view the Queen Anne Report

Click to view the Ballard-Greenlake Report

Click to view the North Seattle Report

Mercer Island

Click to view the Mercer Island Report

Greater Eastside

Click to view the Renton Highlands Report

Click to view the Eastside-South Report

Click to view the West Bellevue Report

Click to view the East Bellevue Report

Click to view the East of Lake Sammamish Report

Click to view the Redmond / Carnation Report

Click to view the Kirkland / Bridle Trails Report

Click to view the Juanita / Woodinville Report

Moving? A Checklist to Make it Smooth.

Diane — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:08:54 +0000

Click on the image to make it bigger and therefore useful.

2011 End of Year Seattle Area Real Estate Update

Diane — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:18:47 +0000

Last general update for the Seattle market this year via the link below. Year in review for 2011 will come out in January. Please contact me directly for detail or questions.

Diane Rae Jones EOY 2011 Newsletter

What Sold Last Week in Phinney Ridge, Greenlake, Ballard and North Seattle?

Diane — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:08:27 +0000

Home sale statistics by week and price range for Phinney Ridge, Ballard, Greenlake, Greenwood and north Seattle.

What Sold Last week in Magnolia and Queen Anne?

Diane — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:04:17 +0000

Real estate sales charts by week and price range for Magnolia and Queen Anne.

Eastside – What Sold Last Week?

Diane — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:01:39 +0000

Kirkland, Bridle Trails, Juanita, Woodinville, Redmond, Carnation, East Lake Samm - real estate sales stats by price range and week.

What sold South of I-90 Last Week?

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:52:26 +0000

Bellevue South, Newcastle, Renton in this set of charts showing sales by week and price range.