There are currently 13 homes on the market in the Lower Kennydale area with a total of 8 sales within the last 5 months.

 Avg. home price for homes on the market- $837,750

with an avg. of 140 days on the market

Avg. home price of SOLD properties is- $552,250

This information is to better understand our current market and to just get a very general feel on what is going on in the Lower Kennydale area. These numbers are much more severe in other areas. Still one of the best places to invest in a home for future growth potential.

Please call me at 425.246.7071 for more detailed information on our market trends.

                                                    Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park

Kennydale was one of many communities laid out in the Seattle area between 1898 and 1910 by real estate developer Clarence Dayton Hillman (1870-1935). Hillman. He would typically buy large tracts of land cleared by logging and sell it as lots. Kennydale was one of his first land developments and was started in 1898. He named Kennydale for his wife Bessie, whose maiden name was "Kenny."

This community has great history and great beauty in a canal on Lake Washington that gives 180 degree views from most anywhere in Lower Kennydale. Old whimsical tied in with modern, traditional is the theme this area projects. Many new and exciting developments in the Renton area that make Lower Kennydale one of the most attractive places to be in Western Washington.

With the new "Landing" retail and apartment community being built near Boeing field and right at the end of Lake Washington Blvd. There are so many ammenities within a mile or two of Kennydale.

Also, the announcement made at the end of 2006 that our heroic Seahawks would be building their training facility right in the Lower Kennydale community. The facility is finished and already for use for the 2008 season. What an exciting time for new things while taking a moment to remember how Lower Kennydale was originated in the early 1900's.

If you are new to the area or have further questions about Lower Kennydale feel free to contact me.

Danielle Blue

When investing in Real Estate many of you may or may not know where to start. Well, there are a few key points that are important to remember. Most important is "How is this property going to produce income for me?"

Key points I will comment on: Net operating income, Capitalization Rate and Cash on Cash Return 

The way to find your Net operating income is based on net cash generated before mortgage payments and taxes. An example would be- 4-plex that each unit pays 1,000 a month. $4,000x12=$48,000 annual -maintenance fees and possible water/sewer/garbage (avg. we will say $12,000.) So the net operating income = $36,000

So now...to find the Capitalization Rate, which is very important percentage that helps determine the level of interest you might have for the property. The Cap Rate is used to compare properties with different valuations and also to place value on a property based on the income it generates. Basically, we take the NOI and divide it by market value. An example would be (NOI of $36,000/ market value of $450,000=.08 or 8% Cap Rate. Keep in mind that properties have good value when they generally have a Cap Rate of 6% or above.

 Lastly, for Cash on Cash return ratios are best used for long-term investment properties. A properties annual cash flow/ net investment. How this would look....so lets say you invest $100,000 and your cash flow is $10,000 annually then your Cash on Cash return would be at a 10% rate. It is best to only look at this ratio when you have long-term properties. 

 There are other important factors to consider but you must know your Cap Rate when investing in Rental or any income producing properties. Make sure to know your market values through a REALTOR, like myself, before considering an offer. To simplify this to the extreme there are several software programs such as 

There are many different positions in life that we stumble upon. How do we get out of a bad place and get back on track. In our slowing economy many of you might find yourself in a "rut." What to do...well, I must say, now is the time to sink or swim people!! I live by a saying that my mother-in-law has had posted through out her house for years. 

     "If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always got"

 If you read this quote above and take it to heart, that could, maybe be your first step out. 

I went to a Tom Ferry conference today at Seatac and believe me when I say...there is no spilled milk for any of us in either the Real Estate field or any other profession out there to cry over. Opportunity is at YOUR and my door and it is a CHOICE we make everyday of our lives to get up and take advantage of what is right in front of us. It is opportunity and with thought and effort the idea of being stale or in a "rut" will soon pass. Life is not easy for most anyone, it is how you take your situation and make the most of it. Please just remember that even though things are not what they were 2 years ago in our local and national economy, does not mean that we stop, wait and moan. It means we take what we have and work with it.....and work with passion. 

 I know...cheezy, right? Take it as you will but I believe those who strive and stay positive will find their way out of that so called rut and succeed as not just a professional but also as a person. See you out there.

I have been focusing my energies on the Lower Kennydale area for about 2 years now and am happy to see how this great little community is growing and developing into a small Kirkland. The new Seahawks training center is just off Lake Washington Blvd and a BRAND NEW Renton Towncenter is being finished right near the Boeing plant Near Sunset. Developers are buying up the land to build beautiful new construction homes that take advantage of the amazing views of Lake Washington. I am writing this post simply to share with you the success this area is taking on and still carries an amazingly strong small town feel. Many of the community members have been happily there for decades but are also so warming and welcoming to the new faces arriving in town. There is a barber and salon off 33rd that has been thriving for over 30 years. Just entering this part of town makes you feel like you are in a beach town. Builders, investors and developers have plans to take this community to new heights.  Parks and sidewalks will continue to be apart of the growth. If you have interest in new construction homes and developing land. Please let me know because I have many projects worth discussing right now. More to come on the thriving Lower Kennydale community....

For anyone looking for a great Investment property as either a rental, second home or FIRST home, this is it!!

Welcome home to this serene, 2 bedroom, move-in ready Kirkland condo.  Charming bottom floor  end unit with a graciously large and open floor-plan.  Best value per sq. ft in all of Kirkland, PLUS   newly remodeled kitchen and bathroom!  Patio with shed and private grass area for entertaining, newer washer/dryer included, plus all electrical upgrades and designer paint throughout.

This very spacious unit is ready for comfortable living and offers a great investment opportunity.

Please call Danielle Blue @ 425.246.7071 for more information! 

Has everyone heard of the "Angel Network" that Oprah Winfrey developed several years ago? Well there is currently a home being built in Seattle for a family that both my Father and Brother have had an opportunity to be working on (both plumbers for a company based in Woodinville named Bates Plumbing). So about a week ago Oprah sent a rep out to choose 5 plumbers, 5 electricians and 5 carpenters to join her on stage and thank them for their efforts towards her house. My Father, Merlyn Blue Jr and my brother, Andrew Blue were selected to be flown to New York to be on her show. It is going to air Feb. 11th and I am inviting everyone to watch and see some wonderful hometown heroes that I can proudly call...MY FAMILY.

My Father has been a plumber for Bates for over 30 years so I think that it is time for him to get some good old recognition anyways. Go Dad!!! Go Andrew!!!  Make us proud!

Attention Bellevue Agents and customers!!

 I wanted to let all of you know about the Bluecow Espresso stand in Bellevue Washington between 140th and 20th street. Yolanda Pepe , barista and owner, has been operating Bluecow for 6 years now and let me tell you....she makes the best lattes that I have personally ever had. She uses a premium roast blend, Batdorf and Bronson.

  My goal today with this blog is to let all of you coffee lovers on the Eastside know that if you have not already been to her stand, now is a great time to try something NEW! Yolana truly has a passion for coffee and takes so much pride in her little shop. When I find a place that inspires me, makes me feel good and I know is a quality product, I think that it is important to let others know about it. 

 Her shop is in the Evans Plaza which is the same shopping area as Skate King. Mention my name and she happily will  give you a dollar off your drink! ENJOY and have a wonderful day out there!

Seattle, Wash.

Median home price: $395,000

Annual price change from 2006: 8.9%

Projected price change to 2008: 3.09%

Seattle continually bucks national housing trends. Price appreciation in the Emerald City has been strong over the last six quarters. Besides a very low unsold housing inventory and a strong sales rate, there are very few non-conforming loans, which lessens the chance of widespread foreclosures and delinquencies. While the market is slowing, the strong lending situation and sales rate bode well for the market.

So let's get moving! Our Seattle area market, particularly the King County, Eastside area is still thriving and is showing no signs of stopping. Yes....we all know that things are slower in terms of appreciation numbers, we have a few more listings in the bowl than the last few years, but so what...does not mean we are not still going strong.

 If we are really having global warming issues and hurricane numbers aren't expected to slow down. Well that is just one more reason of many that we will CONTINUE to have large numbers of people moving to Washington or at the least investing here. 

For those of you who do not know much about Washington....oh my goodness, what a place to be. We are soooo lucky here!  

 We have a winning economy, secure job market, awe-inspiring views of nature. This is the best place to be and I could not be happier with where we are headed.