Real Estate Queen Anne &Magnolia ws
It’s Not Just the Weather That’s Hot
June in Seattle, when temperatures were as hot as the real estate market
You already know that June was the warmest June on record in Seattle. Whew!
But it was also one of the hottest Junes for real estate sales in a long time. In Queen Anne and Magnolia, 83 homes sold in June. That’s 25% more than in June 2014 and more than any June since 2005. Prices are hot too. The median price for a home sold in Queen Anne and Magnolia in June 2015 was $842,000 vs. $775,000 in June 2014, an increase of 8.6%. Of the 83 homes sold in June in the two neighborhoods, 31 sold for more than $1 million, compared to June 2014 when 18 of the 67 sales were over $1 million. Wow, that’s a 72% increase in $1M+ homes sold.
Demand for homes in the Seattle area continues to sizzle as well with one explanation given recently by the Seattle Times: “New data points to a familiar scapegoat: Californians, specifically refugees from Silicon Valley’s brutal housing market.”
Not surprising, given home prices down there. The median home price in the Silicon Valley in May 2015 was $1M. (Yes, half the homes sold in the Silicon Valley area went for over $1M in May.) In contrast, the median price for Seattle homes in May was $589,500.
Whether tech home buyers
Kim Wesselman
Windermere real estate
are coming from California or are already here, high-tech job growth is certainly a factor in the hot real estate market. Job growth increases demand for houses and strong demand translates to an increase in home prices. Home prices in the Seattle area are growing faster than in all but five cities in the country. I’m not about to predict the rest of Seattle’s summer weather. But it’s safe to predict that the Seattle real estate market will stay hot for some time to come.
If you have real estate topics you’d like to hear about, please send your ideas and questions to kwesselman@windermere.com.
Kim Wesselman is Managing Broker at Windermere Real Estate. She has advised clients on buying and selling properties in Queen Anne and Magnolia for 12 years.
Please view Queen Anne and Magnolia Home Sales Statistics on page 2
Create the perfect outdoor kitchen space with these easy projects
TNhe weather is warm and that means entertaining season has arrived.
This year, elevate your gatherings with some unique twists. From serving fresh fare to creating cozy corners in outdoor spaces, you’ll transform your parties from average to amazing in a snap.
Delightful decor
Mother Nature provides the perfect backdrop for al fresco entertaining - you just have to add a few touches of color. Move potted plants into entertaining spaces for instant summer ambience. Alternatively, buy a few bunches of colorful carnations or daisies - both very affordable - and separate them into a variety of empty wine bottles for accessible elegance.
Marvelous Mason jars
Mason jars are endlessly versatile, particularly for outdoor summer gatherings. Use large jars to hold silverware and napkins
securely on the buffet. Small jars are perfect for serving individual portions of appetizers. For example, start with Simply Organic dip mixes - the basis of a wholesome summer snack you can feel good about serving. Layer some into the bottom of the jars and add in a few veggie spears like carrots, celery and zucchini. Voila - an instantly adorable munch-and-go snack option.
Lovely lighting
When the sun goes down the fun shouldn’t stop. Add a twinkle to your patio by grabbing the white string of lights from your holiday stash. A few strings overhead will set the ideal mood for after-dark entertaining. Finish by adding luminaries to tabletops and walkways for a beautiful glow. All you need is sand, paper bags and a few tea lights.
Superb seating
Guests will want to kick back and mingle, so encourage conversation by setting up seating that lets them relax. Cluster chairs together in groups of three or five
➧ ENTERTAINING, Page 2
ow that warmer weather is here, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible - and that includes mealtime. But what if your outdoor kitchen space is lacking? Worry not! There are several easy, affordable projects that can help you transform the area into the perfect cooking and entertaining area. Give these projects a try to recreate your space.
* Start with the grill. Your grill will be the focal point of your cooking area and you’ll need to determine whether gas, charcoal or propane is right for you. If expense is a concern, propane is a more cost-effective fuel than charcoal and it doesn’t require running any lines to your grilling area, providing you with the same grilling space and fewer expenses.
* Build a barbecue cover. Give your kitchen a beautiful outdoor shelter by building a barbecue cover from Western Red Cedar. This natural wood is resistant to rot, decay and insects, and it will look great no matter what the weather brings, turning a beautiful silver grey patina if left to weather naturally. In addition, building the cover is easy - simply follow the nine-step process found at RealCedar.com.
➧ DINING, Page 2
juliaeaton.axiahomeloans.com
I look forward to working with you!
Specializing in Home Purchases & Refinances for Over 20 Years.
Come see me for a no cost, no obligation home loan consultation today!
Jeanne Neal
S.A.F.E Licensed Mortgage Professional Lic # MLO-94009 206-200-8773
Jneal@salmonbaylending.com
www.SalmonBayLending.com
Queen Anne Home Sales
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2 Moscow Mules
Ingredients:
Simple syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup organic white sugar
1 teaspoon Simply Organic Cardamom (use 1/2 teaspoon for a milder cardamom taste)
Per drink:
2 ounces vodka (potato vodka if GMOs are a concern)
1/2 cup simple syrup
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1-2 bottles ginger beer
For the syrup: In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, whisk in the sugar and cardamom until dissolved. When the sugar is fully dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to fully cool before use. Optional for a smooth syrup: Once cool, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove any grit from the cardamom. This syrup may be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge.
For the drink: In a copper mug filled halfway with crushed ice, add the vodka, cooled simple cardamom syrup and lime juice. Stir. Top with ginger beer and garnish with mint leaves and a lime wedge.
Summer excitement with friends
ENTERTAINING, from Page 1
while maintaining open spaces for walking. Bring some plush pillows outside to create a cozy feeling that invites party attendees to get comfortable and stay awhile.
Grilled goodies
Grilled goodies and fresh fare should dominate your summer entertaining menu. Think outside the box to put clever new twists on familiar foods. For a tasty dessert that will have everyone raving, skewer fresh fruit like pineapple, peaches, bananas and figs and lightly sprinkle with salt. Then, grill the skewers to bring out the incredible rich, sweet flavors of the fruit. Serve alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Signature summer drinks
Lemonade and sweet tea have their rightful place in the summer entertaining drink rotation, but if you really want to make an impression, create a signature drink just for your event. Have fun experimenting with fresh fruit and distinctive spices to create fantastic flavor. According to the spice experts at Simply Organic, Cardamom - a rich, intensely aromatic spice - is trending right now and a perfect pair for your summer drink menu. Try this cardamom-spiced cocktail recipe at your next gathering: BPT
Turn your backyard into a summer sanctuary
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from Page 1
• Find the perfect light. Looking to make your outdoor kitchen an area everyone wants to be in, even at night? Forget the deck light and opt for ambient lighting options instead. Track lighting can be strung across your space easily to make the kitchen a welcoming environment. And if you want to be more unique, you can find simple instructions online for building wine-bottle torches or Mason jar lamps.
• A place for guests to dine. Enjoy the food where it was made by building a dining table and chairs from Western Red Cedar. Building a table is easier than you think, and red cedar can be finished anyway you like. This allows you to create furniture perfect for a more traditional or modern kitchen.
• Provide a little shade. Make those summer afternoons enjoyable and comfortable by providing some shade for your guests - and for the cook as well. Patio umbrellas are a helpful addition to any seating area. To cover a larger space, you could also opt for an all-encompassing retractable awning that will provide shade when you need it and peel away when everyone wants a little sun.
Many people mistakenly believe that outdoor kitchens are luxury items for only the wealthy, but that is no longer true. Any of the easy projects listed above can help you reimagine your space into the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. To find more beautiful options for improving your outdoor space, visit RealCedar.com.
BPT
DINING,
Cardamom Moscow Mule
