REAL ESTATE KIRKLAND
MAY 2011
Your guide to Real Estate and home buying & selling
ment plan that is tailored to Those considering a home purchase today are inundated your condition and situation. They have training, knowlwith conflicting advice and edge, skill sets and access to opinions from the people they know – and even people equipment/tools that others don’t. they don’t know. This is even MORE true “Buy NOW!” when it comes to home own“Don’t Buy NOW!” ership, which is likely When one hears the largest financial such diverse opininvestment you and/ ions, where is one or your family will suppose to turn? My ever make. advice: look at facts, As a full-time statistics and data. professional Broker/ A good analogy: Realtor, we are often if you had massive asked many commigraines, would you seek the help of Debbie Walter mon questions from someone you met Realtor - RE/MAX NW both past and present clients. Because there in a coffee line or a is NO ‘one size fits all’ co-worker or your answer in real estate, you may best friend or your Motherfind it interesting to read the in-Law? Likely not. Most likely, you would seek two most popular Q&A’s of real estate: the help and advice of mediQ: “If it’s possible that cal professionals who would prices may still fall, why assess your specific circumshould I buy now?” stances, run comprehensive A: While price is the major tests and formulate a treat-
are still waiting, sorry - you missed it. Q: “When will I begin to see appreciation if I buy now?” A: That is like trying to answer “What is the weather like in the United States?”’ Appreciation varies by market just like the weather can vary by city. In fact, appreciation can even vary greatly in Kirkland’s own West of Market vs. Rose Hill vs. Houghton vs. Highlands vs. Juanita - so it’s important to look closely at local pricing trends in specific neighborhoods that you are most interested in. Nationally, all indicators show values will begin to rise this year as most markets have now ‘hit bottom and are flat-lining’ in regards to price - plus pending activity and closed sales are UP. NAR and other pricing experts project home prices to increase in the second half of 2011, reaching a cumulative appreciation of more than 10 percent between now and 2015. For markets like the Eastside, where we have
• Kirkland Resident for over 23 years.
• Very Patient with 1st Time Buyers, and Short Sale Sellers • Relocation, Investors, 1031 Exchanges
ABR, CNE, CRS, SRES, GRI, Platinum Producer
206-226-0226 www.SarahReed.com
484969
The Difference is in the Details
reasons people buy a home: a place to raise/educate kids, a safe place for a family, plenty of living space and a home which offers us control over the space we live. Now that is something you can share while waiting for your morning latte.
Debbie is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX NW Realtors in Kirkland and can be reached at (206) 930-8699.
Clive Egdes 206-251-1680
Windermere Real Estate/Central, Inc.
Clive@Windermere.com www.Kirklandhomelistings.com
Specializing in Kirkland Properties.
“Exceptional Service, Extraordinary Results”
Sunny End unit condo in North Rose Hill!
• 10+ years of Full Time Real Estate Service!
Sarah Reed
one of the highest average household income per capita combined with limited land supply (because of geographic limitations like water, trees, mountains, wetlands, protected species, etc.), in addition to a low unemployment rate – speculators predict our area will appreciate even greater. Most importantly, when it comes to home ownership factor in the four biggest
• Short Sales, Foreclosures, Bank Owned How May I Help YOU?
Lake Washington Waterfront Rental Live the good life on the water at Meydenbauer Bay! So close to everything-shops, cafes, galleries. Gorgeously remodeled 1,730 sq. ft. Top Floor 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit w/stainless appliances, slab granite, travertine floors in kitchen, breakfast nook, baths. Oversized master w/built-ins, spa inspired bath & walk-in closet. Huge 2nd bedroom. 5 Skylights. Laundry room & Costco sized walk-in pantry, Fireplace. Giant covered view deck for BBQs & sunsets, Pool, kayaks, bike storage, 2 reserved pkg spaces + storage unit! W-S-G incl. Avail June 1st. $3,450
Sunny & spacious end unit with tons of nice updates including black granite counters, tile floors, and vinyl windows. Huge, private covered BBQ deck with storage, wood burning fireplace, all appliances included. Outstanding location to enjoy all that Kirkland has to offer, or easy on the commuter. Tucked away with a view of the trees & sunsets, not other buildings. Nice, quiet complex. Reserved covered parking & abundant guest parking just outside your door. Low dues, and a well-managed association with good reserves. $118,875
Commuter’s Dream in Kirkland Great 2 bedroom, 2 bath, end unit condo featuring granite counters and an open floor plan. Lots of extra windows, and looking out to tranquil waterfall-fountain. Wood burning fireplace, large covered BBQ Deck, all appliances. Pool, spa, clubhouse & workout facility. Deeded, covered parking just outside your front door. Ideal for the commuter. Close to Lake Washington waterfront, parks, shopping, dining. Welcome home! Offered at $150,000
Eastside Brokers
484971
Top Two Q & A’s in Today’s Market
concern for anyone selling a home, a primary concern for a Buyer should be COST. That means a buyer should take into account what a monthly payment will be (in comparison to your gross and net income plus other debt obligations). In addition, consider the interest rate of your mortgage. Waiting for prices to ‘bottom out’ while rates increase can wind up costing a buyer MORE over the life of the mortgage. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, NAR, and Mortgage Bankers’ are all projecting interest rates will increase over the next several quarters. In fact, the industry has already seen an increase since last year when rates bottomed out around 4 percent. From 1971-2010, interest rates have averaged 6.5 percent whereas today’s 30-yr fixed rate is hovering around 5 percent. Lastly, there is no way to perfectly “time” the bottom. It’s like trying to “time” the stock market. In fact, once the data shows that the bottom has hit, it’s usually 3-4 months in the past and if you