Tony Meier's Blog

Landscaping to Increase Property Value

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:59:38 -0500

About a month ago, I was interviewed for the Lowe's for Pros website on landscaping ideas to improve the market value and salability of a home. Below is the text of the article and here is the link:
http://www.lowesforpros.com/landscaping-to-increase-property-value

Landscaping to Increase Property Value

By: Jake Fowler
Issue Date: October 2009

For homeowners, curb appeal is critical for making a positive first impression on potential buyers. “They say statistically that 85 to 90 percent of the buying decision happens from the curb,” says Tony Meier, realtor at Windermere Real Estate in Redmond, Wa.

And since property value is a huge concern for many homeowners, landscaping contractors can suggest several options that will not only add value to their client’s home but save energy and money as well—making landscaping a worthy investment.

Cost-effective landscaping ideas
There are many landscaping options for the budget-conscious consumer that increase curb appeal and are easy to implement. “Neat and tidy are certainly key components,” Meier says. “Sometimes we’re trimming up shrubs, removing weeds in the beds and barking on top of those beds, planting flowers along the beds, cleaning up the lawns and applying edging.”

Whatever design options are used, Meier says it’s important landscaping additions never block vision of the house or front porch. “You want to expose the home, you want to have a feeling of openness just as you would with the interior.”

Understand local trends
Many cities in hot, arid climates offer programs subsidizing homeowners to use native plants and decrease their dependence on water, so drought-tolerant landscaping is a major trend contractors should discuss with their clients. In the Northwest, consumers are generally very conscious about not using chemicals in their landscaping. There are also considerations for areas dealing with winter weather. “If you can plant something seasonally that has some color that would be helpful,” he says. “I would suggest areas that have snow on the ground, maintaining that and trying to minimize [snow] during those seasons would be an important part of landscaping.”

Meier also stresses that most real estate trends are local, so contractors should focus on trends in their area to best increase a client’s property value.

Keep it simple
An overall trend that applies in all regions of the country is low-maintenance landscaping. Low maintenance options increase property value because people don’t want to deal with numerous problems right after moving in, Meier says. He also emphasizes to make sure basic aspects of landscaping look sharp before moving on to more complicated and expensive elements. “If you’re spending $2,000 on a rock wall and your grass looks like hell, you’re focusing on the wrong things,” he says. He adds that excessive hardscape, although visually pleasing, doesn’t always lead to material gains in property value.

Other cost effective ways to beautify yard space without adding costs involve replacing higher maintenance plants with native ones. For example, in most climates keeping a lawn green requires necessary maintenance and watering. But replacing lawns (or parts of the lawn) with native shrubs or ground covers can be inexpensive and help keep cost low.

Don’t forget the backyard
While the front of the home should be the priority, there are landscaping options for the back yard that can increase property value as well. “You don’t want your house to not be seen from the curb,” Meier says. “But if you can do things with plantings in your rear yard to increase your privacy with trees, that’s something that will help out with resale.”

Time is money
While Meier has seen properties sell for significantly more than the original asking price because of extraordinary landscaping, the real value of curb appeal is in the immediacy of the sale. “Some [landscaping] things that you do are not necessarily cost for cost, dollar for dollar value,” he says. “If you do this I can get this much more for your home. But if you do those things I can sell your home quicker, which in fact will mean more money to you as a seller.”

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Another Great Testimonial Came In Today...

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:07:00 -0500

"Tony, you really earned our respect. You even found someone to show us around when we could only come up on a weekend you were out of town. You always returned by emails and calls promptly. I really liked the fact that you read into what we were looking for in a home. You knew the areas well and even gave pointers about the commute times I could face for work. I appreciate all that you did and would refer you to a friend or family member in the future. Thank you for everything!!!"

Jennifer & Jeff Killingsworth

It was a pleasure helping Jeff and Jennifer! They relocated to the Seattle area from Southern California for her business. I helped them buy a great Issaquah home, which I know they will enjoy for many years to come! Here is a photo:

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

More Good News for the Seattle Area

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:47:17 -0500

The Wall Street Journal is optimistic on Seattle:

Which Cities Will See Biggest Rebound?
Which cities are likely to be the hottest post-economic downturn destinations for young, brilliant, and highly mobile workers?

The Wall Street Journal surveyed six trend-spotting experts and they chose cities based on economic diversity, lifestyle and their own personal prejudices.

Here's the top-10 list:

1. Washington, D.C. (tie)
1. Seattle
2. New York
3. Portland, Ore.
4. Austin, Texas
5. San Jose, Calif.
6. Denver
7. Durham, N.C.
8. Dallas
9. Chicago
10. Boston

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Sue Shellenbarger (09/30/2009)

Eastside Residential Pending Sales Continue to Rise!

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:58:33 -0500

This week's numbers show a continued rise in pending sales on the Eastside of Seattle. These represent the highest numbers in 2 years or more! Interestingly, short sales, pre-forclosures and bank owned homes made up over 25% of the pending sales last week. See the snap shot below.

Here is a look at the last 2 years:

If you have any questions about this information or want to know the pace of the market in your neighborhood, give me a call at 425-466-1000.

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Inventory shrinking, sales rising, prices stabilizing in some Northwest MLS areas

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:58:44 -0500

KIRKLAND, WA, June 4, 2009 - Waiting longer to buy a home is not likely to pay off, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service director Kathy Estey after reviewing reports summarizing May activity. Estey pointed to shrinking inventory (about 20 percent fewer listings than a year ago), double-digit increases in the number of pending sales (up 17.7 percent from a year ago), solid open house activity, and signs of stabilizing prices (eight of the 19 counties in the report show price gains since January) as indicators of an improving market.

Northwest MLS brokers notched 7,160 pending sales during May. That total out-gained the year-ago tally by 1,075 transactions (up 17.7 percent) and improved on April's total by 242 sales for a 3.5 percent increase. For the four-county Puget Sound area, pending sales jumped 21.5 percent from a year ago, rising from 4,526 to 5,498 transactions.

Buyers had fewer choices during May than at this time a year ago. At month-end, member-brokers reported 41,318 active listings throughout the NWMLS service area. A year ago, there were 51,817 active listings. Current inventory includes 11,278 single family homes and condos that brokers added during May. For the same month a year ago, brokers added 14,176 new listings to inventory.

Estey, the managing broker at the Bellevue Downtown office of John L. Scott Real Estate, said affordable homes inventory is down to the levels of a normal market and reaching for a sellers' market. "Multiple offers are common in the under $400,000 range when the home is priced well, shows nicely and is marketed professionally," she remarked. "Buyers who are waiting for prices to come down more have missed the bottom," Estey believes.

Close in markets are the most active, with rural areas still lagging, but Estey says there is now some activity where little to none had existed in the first quarter. She believes prices have adjusted and completed new construction is still a very attractive purchase. "Builder inventory is being absorbed and there are fewer incentives. In January builders were giving away the farm, by March it was only half the farm and now they may just give away a chicken or two in order to make the deal."

Prices are showing signs of stabilizing, according to NWMLS data. Prices area-wide are down around 10 percent from twelve months ago, but a comparison to January shows price gains in eight of the 19 counties in the NWMLS report. System-wide, prices for single family homes and condominiums that closed last month are up about 2.6 percent since January. (See chart, page5.)

In King County, prices dipped about 12 percent from twelve months ago and have declined about 3.5 percent since January, but a closer look shows considerable variation within sub-areas. Prices in southeast King County fell 20 percent from a year ago, but since January are down only about 2.8 percent in north King County.

Condominium activity remains slow. Pending sales are down about 15 percent from a year ago. The median sales price of $240,000 is about 7.7 percent lower than a year ago. Condos in King County sold for a median price of $270,450 last month, which compares to the year-ago price of $287,925, a drop of about 6 percent).

Demand for high-priced homes is also tepid. According to Estey, there are "amazing opportunities for buyers with good credit scores and 25 percent down payment in the $900,000- plus marketplace."

"What we're currently seeing is real estate's version of Back to the Future," said J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate. He believes the combination of historically low interest rates, adjusted lower prices, and the $8,000 tax credit has created advantageous conditions for buyers that haven't been seen in decades. He noted sales in the four-county area continue to see double digit increases. "The more affordable markets are seeing a major boost which is leading to higher sales in the mid-priced markets and causing some increases in activity in the upper end," Scott remarked.

While cheered by the more vigorous activity, brokers note short sales and foreclosures continue to be a drag on the market. Such properties, often sold at deep discounts, may take extraordinary time to close once there has been mutual acceptance of an offer. (Note to editors: see explanatory note, p. .5)

NWMLS director Meribeth Hutchings, broker/owner of Windermere Real Estate/Lake Stevens Inc., said her office represents the buyer of a short sale that has been pending since October. The buyers who hope to purchase the home in Mukilteo have been very patient, but are becoming less so and are ready to move from the small apartment where they have been living with two large dogs. "Every time we think we are getting close, the lender changes what they want," Hutchings stated.

Another NWMLS director, Pat Grimm, reported similar experiences with a short sale. "We just closed one in Montlake on May 28 -- after the parties to the transaction reached mutual acceptance on Feb. 10, said Grimm, the owner/broker at Windermere Real Estate/Capitol Hill. (NWMLS defines a short sale as a transaction that does not produce sufficient funds to cover the existing monetary encumbrances against the property, closing costs, real estate commissions, and other financial requirements of closing.)

Tacoma broker Dick Beeson of Windermere/Commencement Associates said he has several agents deeply involved in handling short sales since Pierce County is so hard hit. He estimates around 25 percent of all properties for sale are either bank owned or short sale, and one of every three pending sales is one or the other.

"Short sales play a big role in what many buyers are looking for," according to Beeson, who also noted these buyers often fail to realize the extraordinary length of time it takes to close a sale - generally twice as long as a conventional sale. "Many get discouraged after 60 or 90 days and withdraw from a sale, never having received notice form the underlying lender what they are willing to take for the property. Many properties end up going to foreclosure because of the inefficiency of the banks in providing answers to offers," Beeson commented.

The recent uptick in pending sales, both locally and nationally, is a hopeful sign that we're putting the worst of the market behind us, suggests Ron Sparks, managing vice president at Coldwell Banker Bain.

"As you would expect in a recovering market, not all neighborhoods are uniformly performing, and for home sellers particularly, there are plenty of challenges that remain." However, he observed, "In many neighborhoods where just a few years ago broad affordability had all but vanished, lower prices, flexible terms and very low interest rates are pushing inventory absorption for single family homes to levels not seen since 2007."

Sparks said multiple offers for the best listed properties are occurring everywhere, including Pierce and Snohomish counties. "Improving sales in one neighborhood helps dwindle inventory, and can push motivated buyers to search for homes in other neighborhoods. This process typically occurs before prices start to stabilize," he explained.

Has that stabilization begun? "As my old Magic 8-Ball used to tell me: signs point to yes," according to Sparks, who noted eight counties served by the NWMLS have seen price increases since January. "The sales volume in my Bellevue office is now roughly 10 times what it was in February, with expanded sales in almost every price category. Overall inventory levels have dropped substantially as well. Does this mean the optimal time for home buyers to take full advantage of favorable market conditions has passed? I'd probably defer that to the Magic 8 ball also..."Ask again later."

Recent fluctuations in mortgage rates have brokers and buyers alike wondering if rates will escalate as inflation worries return.

"While rates now are wonderfully low, waiting has cost buyers. Loans recently available for 4.75% are now 5.25%," according to broker Kathy Estey. On a $400,000 loan, that means the monthly payment rises from around $2,128 to about $2,253 - and increase of nearly $125. She believes it would be wise to act now for the best selection in the affordable homes. "Who knows if we will see rates of 5% or below again anytime soon," she wonders.

Commenting on a recent report from the National Association of Realtors showing a third consecutive month of improving pending sales, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said buyers are responding to very favorable market conditions. "Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market," he said. "Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by November 30 to get the credit, we expect greater activity in the months ahead, and that should spark more sales by repeat buyers."

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes approximately 28,000 brokers and agents. The organization, based in Kirkland, currently serves 19 counties in western and central Washington.

Statistical Summary by Counties: Market Activity Summary - May 2009

May 2009 Single Family Homes + Condos	LISTINGS	PENDING SALES	CLOSED SALES
New Listings	Total Active	# Pending Sales	# Closings	Average Price	Median Price
King	4310	5473	2801	1618	$423,875	$351,500
Snohomish	1759	2254	1160	666	$325,502	$299,950
Pierce	1632	2092	1196	643	$252,431	$225,000
Kitsap	531	639	341	219	$292,797	$240,000
Mason	182	209	73	56	$189,062	$161,405
Skagit	258	255	140	78	$251,548	$207,250
Grays Harbor	180	260	75	63	$139,161	$114,000
Lewis	152	196	78	40	$159,230	$138,150
Cowlitz	113	169	82	55	$194,685	$177,900
Grant	145	179	73	36	$166,956	$148,450
Thurston	521	629	406	214	$273,164	$247,000
San Juan	64	79	14	4	$464,750	$410,000
Island	253	232	107	86	$299,378	$248,500
Kittitas	152	159	48	38	$250,716	$170,000
Jefferson	84	91	34	12	$298,000	$294,500
Okanogan	86	68	27	17	$159,435	$140,000
Whatcom	496	622	311	179	$269,633	$250,000
Clark	106	167	64	57	$229,296	$206,900
Pacific	60	82	39	13	$157,333	$175,000
Others	194	321	91	60	$218,748	$214,000
MLS TOTAL	11,278	14,176	7,160>	4,154	$329,680	$280,000

4-County Puget Sound Region Pending Sales (SFH + Condo combined)
(Totals include King, Snohomish, Pierce & Kitsap counties)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2000	3706	4778	5903	5116	5490	5079	4928	5432	4569	4675	4126	3166
2001	4334	5056	5722	5399	5631	5568	5434	5544	4040	4387	4155	3430
2002	4293	4735	5569	5436	6131	5212	5525	6215	5394	5777	4966	4153
2003	4746	5290	6889	6837	7148	7202	7673	7135	6698	6552	4904	4454
2004	4521	6284	8073	7910	7888	8186	7583	7464	6984	6761	6228	5195
2005	5426	6833	8801	8420	8610	8896	8207	8784	7561	7157	6188	4837
2006	5275	6032	8174	7651	8411	8094	7121	7692	6216	6403	5292	4346
2007	4869	6239	7192	6974	7311	6876	6371	5580	4153	4447	3896	2975
2008	3291	4167	4520	4624	4526	4765	4580	4584	4445	3346	2841	2432
2009	3250	3407	4262	5372	5498

Washington State... one of the first few states to exit the recession?

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:36:09 -0500

If you read the new report from Moody's Economy.com and MSNBC.com you would think so!

They list Washington state as one of the last places to enter the recession and likely one of the first few out. They predect that five states including Washington will begin to recover in the 4th quarter of 2009. This is due in large part to our high tech industry and expect our employment to rebound in the 4th quarter of 2009.

Here is their map:

For full details on the article, go to:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30991972/

Pending sales in Western Washington rise with improved affordability, buyer incentives

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:03:21 -0500

KIRKLAND, WA, May 5, 2009 –Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported pending sales for April surged 11.4 percent compared to twelve months ago – and rose 21.3 percent from March.

Brokers reported 6,918 pending sales during April across the 19 counties that make up the Northwest MLS market area. That's up from the year-ago total of 6,208, and the March figure of 5,701 pending sales (offers made and accepted, but not yet closed).

For the four-county Puget Sound area (King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish), brokers notched 5,372 pending sales, the highest total since August 2007 and a jump of 26 percent from March.

Inventory is shrinking and prices are showing some signs of stabilizing, according to data in the latest report from Northwest MLS. The median price for last month's closed sales of single family homes and condominiums area-wide was $270,000. That matched the figure for March, but still lagged prices of a year ago (down 12.9 percent).

Inventory is down 18.3 percent from year-ago levels, with Clark, Kitsap and Pierce reporting the largest drops. Members added 10,824 new listings of single family homes and condos to inventory last month, down almost 20.5 percent from the year-ago total of 13,607 new listings.

Lower prices, record low mortgage interest rates, improving consumer confidence, the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit and other incentives for buyers are credited with spurring activity. Industry officials, noting activity is quite strong in the lower, more affordable price ranges, hesitate to declare a housing recovery is under way:

Dropping inventories and rising affordability are positive signs, according to Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist. "The housing market may be edging toward a bottom," he stated.
"April was a good market for new pending sales; we seem to be moving to a more balanced market," said NWMLS director Meribeth Hutchings, broker/owner of Windermere Real Estate/Lake Stevens, Inc.
"We need several months of sustained growth to demonstrate a recovery in housing, which is necessary for the overall economy to turn around," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors®.

J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, described the market as "bifurcated."

"Sales are up and prices have stabilized in the more affordable market," he explained, while noting the mid- to upper-end markets are experiencing entirely different conditions.

NWMLS director Kathy Estey agreed. "We had our best month since September," she commented, but said sales of homes priced at $1 million or more are still slow compared to the pace of a few years ago. Estey, the managing broker at John L. Scott's downtown Bellevue office, said sales of high-end homes lag in part due to limited availability of mortgages for homes priced above conforming loan limits. (The median asking price for homes currently offered for sale in West Bellevue, a market served by Estey's office, is more than $1.5 million.)

Another MLS director reported a "terrific increase" in first-time buyer activity in Seattle's close-in neighborhoods, calling it the best it's been in almost two years.

"We just had five offers on a Ravenna house priced around $400,000 and it sold for considerably more than the list price," said Mike Skahen, the broker at Lake & Company. He also said another one of his agents represented a client whose offer beat out 10 competitors. "I hope we're seeing the start of the spring selling season," something he said was lacking last year for the first time since starting his real estate career 33 years ago.

In King County, pending sales of single family homes (excluding condos) rose more than 25 percent from March. Of six "sub-areas" the MLS tracks within the county, North King County (encompassing Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore) and the Eastside areas had the strongest month-to-month gains. Compared to March, pending sales of single family homes for April shot up nearly 52 percent in the North King County map areas, and rose more than 35 percent on the Eastside.

Prices for sales of single family homes and condos that closed last month in King County continued to lag year-ago totals (down 15.3 percent), but edged up from March (up 4.5 percent). For single family homes (excluding condos), the median selling price for April's sales was $350,000, up 4.4 percent from March.

Condominium sales area-wide were down about 7.5 percent from a year ago, but up significantly (40.8 percent) from the previous month. In King County, which accounts for about six of every 10 condo sales, pending sales were down 8.1 percent from a year ago, but jumped nearly 42 percent from March.

Tacoma broker Dick Beeson of Windermere/Commencement Associates also reports the market there is warming up, evidenced in part by increased traffic at open houses and phone calls. Many first-time buyers are still unaware of the $8,000 tax credit, according to Beeson, who says it is stimulating marginal interest. "It is almost a serendipity to first-time buyers when they discover they qualify."

"Most everyone recognizes that real estate in our region is 'on sale,' and that's certainly validated in the latest report," stated Ron Sparks, managing vice president at Coldwell Banker Bain. Buyer demand has increased to 2006 levels in some notable area neighborhoods, according to an analysis by Sparks, who tempered his optimism by saying, "For the scale between buyers and sellers to balance, it's important that buyer demand begin to increase so prices can stabilize. The MLS report and comments from agents in the field tell us we're seeing some progress in that direction."

Sparks also said in his experience, "highly advantageous buyer markets are pretty rare," so when they appear, he's inclined to advise people confident in their financial position to take advantage of it. He extends such advice to his own children, he admitted, noting one of them just closed escrow and another just made her first offer.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said it should take a few months for the market to gain momentum. "This increase could be the leading edge of first-time buyers responding to very favorable affordability conditions and an $8,000 tax credit, which increases buying power even more in areas where special programs allow buyers to use it as a downpayment," he said in commenting on a new report from NAR that showed a nationwide rise in pending sales for March.

Statistical Summary by Counties: Market Activity Summary - April 2009

April 2009 Single Family Homes + Condos	LISTINGS	PENDING SALES	CLOSED SALES
New Listings	Total Active	# Pending Sales	# Closings	Average Price	Median Price
King	4123	13164	2646	1242	$417,500	$350,000
Snohomish	1579	5592	1111	535	$316,271	$290,000
Pierce	1556	6145	1238	580	$245,084	$225,000
Kitsap	539	1926	377	200	$294,353	$240,000
Mason	163	746	70	46	$138,542	$137,550
Skagit	267	1308	127	77	$261,968	$225,000
Grays Harbor	168	814	86	49	$143,465	$150,000
Lewis	140	710	72	40	$192,591	$174,951
Cowlitz	166	652	78	61	$187,488	$179,000
Grant	112	682	70	43	$166,568	$144,000
Thurston	494	1657	343	196	$246,875	$232,600
San Juan	57	457	11	4	$338,000	$226,000
Island	239	1040	109	68	$278,216	$244,450
Kittitas	136	553	52	30	$231,055	$196,000
Jefferson	84	533	24	22	$278,875	$213,750
Okanogan	68	343	21	16	$175,750	$149,000
Whatcom	521	1942	274	166	$279,088	$259,450
Clark	113	399	87	43	$219,781	$202,500
Pacific	63	396	21	15	$146,293	$135,000
Others	236	1088	101	45	$251,230	$224,500
MLS TOTAL	10,824	40,147	6,918	3,478	$316,979	$270,000

4-County Puget Sound Region Pending Sales (SFH + Condo combined)
(Totals include King, Snohomish, Pierce & Kitsap counties)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2000	3706	4778	5903	5116	5490	5079	4928	5432	4569	4675	4126	3166
2001	4334	5056	5722	5399	5631	5568	5434	5544	4040	4387	4155	3430
2002	4293	4735	5569	5436	6131	5212	5525	6215	5394	5777	4966	4153
2003	4746	5290	6889	6837	7148	7202	7673	7135	6698	6552	4904	4454
2004	4521	6284	8073	7910	7888	8186	7583	7464	6984	6761	6228	5195
2005	5426	6833	8801	8420	8610	8896	8207	8784	7561	7157	6188	4837
2006	5275	6032	8174	7651	8411	8094	7121	7692	6216	6403	5292	4346
2007	4869	6239	7192	6974	7311	6876	6371	5580	4153	4447	3896	2975
2008	3291	4167	4520	4624	4526	4765	4580	4584	4445	3346	2841	2432
2009	3250	3407	4262	5372

Redmond Garden Club - Annual Sale May 9th, 2009

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:44:38 -0500

My wife and kids love to go this event! Every year they come home with some great additions to our garden!

The Redmond Garden Club will be having their annual sale May 9th from 8am to 3pm.

The sale will be located at 14010 180th Ave NE, Redmond, 98052.
Follow the signs along NE 124th/NE 128th, Avondale Road, or Redmond-Woodinville Road

All kinds of greenery & goodies including:

Perennials • Annuals • Vegetable Starts • Shrubs • Crafts • Planters

Garden related “yard sale” items

Come early for the best selection!

For more information and to download a flyer go to:

http://EnglishHillOnline.com/RGC

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Sammamish Rambler - Updated 3 bdrm, 1.75 bth home in outstanding Timberline Neighborhood

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:07:38 -0500

20932 NE 44th St
Sammamish, WA 98074 - $390,000

Full details at SammamishRambler.com

This updated rambler is set back on a quiet street in Timberline - one of the top neighborhoods in Sammamish! The open floorplan is 1340 s.f. and features 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths on a 9,371 s.f lot! Many recent updates include - carpet, paint, six panel doors & white molding! The covered porch greats you… wood floors in the foyer welcomes you in. The living room is large and features a brick wrapped fireplace with gas insert and big windows overlooking the yard. Spacious kitchen with ample cabinet and countertop space. Adjacent dining area is light & bright and has vaulted ceilings and a slider opening to the deck - perfect for entertaining or BBQing. The master bedroom has “his & hers” closets. The master bath is completely remodeled in “top of the line” style with heated tile floors, double shower, new vanity & granite counters. Two additional bedrooms are very spacious. The full bath in the hall bath is oversized with a new floor. Large, entertainment sized deck looks out to the wall of green in the VERY private rear yard. Terraced beds and a large lawn make for a wonderful retreat - perfect for relaxing, gardening or play! Big laundry room w/sink & storage. Attached two car garage. Outstanding Lake Washington schools - Blackwell Elementary, Inglewood Jr High & Eastlake High.

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Monday’s Market Update – Eastside Residential

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:29:47 -0500

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

This week we will be looking at the Residential market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep in this in mind:

1. These are an average of the all price ranges in the area. Some price ranges are definitely moving faster than others! If you would like to know how things break down in a specific price range for an area, send me an email at tony@eastsidehomes.com

2. These numbers are a result of the sales activity over the last 7 weeks when comparing the number of active listing vs. the number of pending sales to determine what the market absorption rate is for a particular area.

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Most areas showed improvement over the last 4 weeks. Those that didn’t improve remained largely flat. Hopefully this trend will increase as we continue with the spring selling season.

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 31.9 weeks of inventory (was 43.4 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 62 weeks of inventory (was 75.3 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 42.4 weeks of inventory (was 50.2 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 28.8 weeks of inventory (was 31.3 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 43 weeks of inventory (was 42.8 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 33.7 weeks of inventory (was 35.1 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 48.4 weeks of inventory (was 47.2 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 29.2 weeks of inventory (was 35.7 four weeks ago)

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

English Hill Listing - Great room style rambler on a quiet cul-de-sac location

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:40:55 -0500

Great room style rambler with 2040 s.f., 3 bedroom, 1.75 baths and nestled in the back of a cul-de-sac on a .22 acre lot in Olde Morrison Place on English Hill!

17630 NE 129th Pl, Redmond WA 98052
Listed for $450,000

Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in Olde Morrison on English Hill, sits this inviting rambler home. The great room style floorplan boasts 2040 s.f. and features 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths on a .22 acre lot! The double door entry greats you… The bright and cheery foyer with expansive hardwood floors welcomes you in. The great room floorplan features an atrium in the middle with skylights above! The open design includes: Sunken formal living with large window overlooking rear yard. Formal dining area. Spacious kitchen with pantry, large breakfast bar and built-in desk. Nook with slider opens to deck - perfect for entertaining or BBQing. Family room with floor to ceiling brick hearth & fireplace. The master suite is well laid out with a walk-in-closet, large double vanity & double shower. Two additional bedrooms are very spacious. The full bath in the hall bath is oversized with double vanity. Large, entertainment sized deck with built-in seating. The shy quarter acre lot affords room for gardening, relaxing or play. Central air conditioning for those warm summer days! Laundry room w/newer Maytag frontload washer & dryer included. Attached two car garage. Outstanding Northshore schools - Sunrise Elementary, Timbercrest Jr High & Woodinville High

If you have any questions about this home, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Union Hill Listing - 3130 asf. Redmond Two Story with Basement on Private, Shy Acre Lot

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:49:21 -0500

Redmond Listing
By: Tony Meier

Union Hill Home in Redmond - $575,000

6501 229th Ave NE, Redmond

Nestled at the end of a private drive, sits this charming two story with daylight basement home. The gracious floorplan boasts 3130 s.f. and features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths with den & bonus on a private, west facing 40,510 s.f. lot! Recent updates include roof, exterior & interior paint. Sunken formal living room with built in shelves. Great room style kitchen, dining and family room. The updated kitchen has vaulted ceilings, skylight, new counters, gas range, built-in desk & breakfast bar. Formal dining room with hardwood floors. The family room has vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace and French door opening to huge entertainment sized deck overlooking rear yard. Powder room on main. Wonderful main floor master suite with walk-in-closet, new tile counters on vanity, shower & jetted tub. Two bedrooms & full bath upstairs. On the lower level... Spacious den with new floor. Huge bonus room with small kitchen and adjacent room with a closet - a full bath in the hall too!. The bonus room has a slider to the rear yard. The huge, west facing deck overlooks the private rear yard and is plumbed for gas BBQ - excellent for entertaining, relaxing or soaking up the sun! Lush trees & water feature make for a serene setting! Attached two car garage with storage possibilities above. Laundry room with sink and extra storage. Outstanding Lake Washington schools - Dickinson Elementary, Evergreen Jr High & Eastlake High.

If you have any questions about this home, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Why I still love Real Estate after 20 years…

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:12:45 -0500

In December 2008, I received a referral from Heidi Sheldon at Options for Seniors. She had just met with Neal McLaughlin and asked me to give him a call. Neal had flown into town from Georgia to help move his parents into assisted living, which is Heidi’s specialty. Neal needed to sell his parents home and wanted advice on staging and pricing. He also needed to find someone he could trust to handle the sale while he was back in Georgia.

Within a week of our first meeting, I helped Neal stage the home and the day returned to Georgia, the home went on the market for sale. Within week, I showed the home to a nice young family. They feel in love with the home and by the 13^th day on the market, I helped this family complete an accepted purchase and sale agreement for the home. The escrow went smoothly and we closed in the end of January.

Here is the testimonial I received from Neal and photo of the home:

“I was extremely satisfied with my experience with you, Tony. Your approach to the initial marketing with the attention to details and honest approach to market placement was outstanding. The marketing follow up with internet, fliers and feedback was great. Keeping the seller, me, up to date was very important.

Your dedication to a professional and personal approach to real estate transactions is apparent and quite obviously led to success with a quick sale.

Once again, I appreciate the service you provided for my parents and myself in the selling of their home. I wish you continued success.”

Sincerely,

Neil McLachlan

Here is a photo of the family who purchased the home. (Unfortunately their son was not with them, as he was off skiing) They asked me to take a picture of them in front of the sign, so they could send it off to all their friends. J

So what about this story makes me love my career? There are many things, but here are a few reasons:

1. The foundation of a referral is trust. When Heidi recommended me to Neal, she put her name to me. She did so, because over the last two years I have known her, I have given her good reason to trust me and my skills as an agent. When I take great care of her referrals, it makes Heidi look good and serves to deepen our relationship. It also gives her great confidence the next time she has the opportunity to refer me!

2. Serving people when they are in need. When Neal came to town, it was a very stressful time for him. He had to help his parents into assisted living (his mom was entering hospice), he had to sort through a lifetime of their possessions and decide what to ship to Georgia, what keep in the home for staging and what to dispose of. Neal also had to feel comfortable that he could manage the situation, while being in Georgia. I really enjoyed educating Neal as to the process and what he could expect. I also liked doing what I could to make this burden light for Neal. Lastly, following up on all the details, so Neal could sleep at night while being several states away.

3. Helping people achieve their dreams. I do not just sell houses; I help people to achieve their dream of home ownership! I love homes – they are where friends come together and where families are nurtured! Neal’s parents had lovingly cared for the home, while mostly original, it was in impeccable condition. The Buyer had fallen in love with the home and could see raising their family in it! It was great to be able to help someone else to purchase it, who was also excited to own it and would care for it as well as Neal’s parents did.

4. Positive feedback. We all want to know that what we do matters! Testimonials like the one Neal wrote, makes all the hard work worth it. Yes, I was paid well to sell the home, but if it were only about the money, I would choose an easier career. For me, it is knowing that I made a difference for my clients and that I stand out in my profession!

Fortunately, I am blessed with a stack of testimonials like Neal’s. For this reason and many others, I still love Real Estate sales after 20 years. If I can help you or someone you care about, with a real estate dream, feel free to contact me at 425-466-1000.

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:05:48 -0500

In memory of my Irish mother… I would like to share some of my favorite Irish sayings and blessings with you. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

An Irishman's Philosophy
In life, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you are well or you are sick.
If you are well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will get well or you will die.
If you get well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will go to heaven or hell.
If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands with all your friends
You won’t have time to worry!

Irish Diplomacy...
is the ability to tell a man to go to hell so that he looks forward to making the trip.

“May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.”

“May you never forget what is worth remembering,
Or remember what is best forgotten.”

A toast to your coffin.
May it be made of 100 year old oak.
And may we plant the tree together, tomorrow.

A Wedding Toast
Here's to lying, cheating, stealing, and drinking.
If you lie, may you lie together.
If you cheat, may you cheat the devil.
If you steal, may you steal each other's hearts.
And if you drink, may we all drink to your happiness.

An Irish Blessing
"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the palm of his hand."

If you would like to learn more about St. Patrick and the day that celebrates him, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Monday’s Market Update – Eastside Residential

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:56:26 -0500

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

This week we will be looking at the Residential market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep in this in mind:

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

All areas showed some improvement as compared to 4 weeks ago, except area 560 which slipped a little further into a buyer’s market. Area 560 showed an increase in listings and a decrease in average sales per week.

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 42.3 weeks of inventory (was 42.6 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 76.9 weeks of inventory (was 97.5 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 49.8 weeks of inventory (was 68.8 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 32.1 weeks of inventory (was 32.9 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 39.9 weeks of inventory (was 42.3 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 36.4 weeks of inventory (was 45.5 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 48.9 weeks of inventory (was 39.1 four weeks ago)

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 40.1 weeks of inventory (was 45.1 four weeks ago)

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Monday’s Market Update – Seattle Area Condo

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:39:52 -0500

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

This week we will be looking at the Condo market absorption rates for the Seattle Area over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep this in mind:

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 140 (West Seattle) = 45.3 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 380 (Central Seattle) = 66.5 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 385 (SODO/Beacon Hill) = 78 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 390 (Central Seattle) = 29.9 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 700 (Queen Anne/Magnolia) = 39.3 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 701 (Belltown, Downtown) = 51.5 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 705 (Ballard/Greenlake) = 36.1 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 710 (North Seattle) = 24.4 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 715 (Richmond Beach) = 28.2 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 720 (Lake Forest Park) = 30.5 weeks of inventory

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

English Hill Listing - 3 Bdrm, 2.25 Bth Two Story Home on a Quiet Cul-De-Sac in Redmond's sought after community of English Hill

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:41:00 -0600

Redmond Listing - $500,000 - Charming English Hill Home in Olde Morrison Place!
17633 NE 129th Pl, Redmond
2300 s.f., 3 bedroom, 2.25 bath two story home nestled in the back of a cul-de-sac on a west facing 7,850 s.f. lot in Olde Morrison Place on English Hill!

For more information and DOZENS of photos go to http://EnglishHillHome.com

Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in Olde Morrison on English Hill, sits this charming two story home. The gracious floorplan boasts 2300 s.f. and features 3 bedrooms, 2.25 baths on a private, west facing lot! Many recent updates include - high quality roof, exterior & interior paint, neutral carpets & rear landscaping! Sunken formal living room with vaulted ceilings and French doors to rear deck & yard. Formal dining room with ample windows. Spacious kitchen with serene views overlooking the rear gardens, includes a large breakfast bar, vaulted ceilings, skylights, built-in desk, huge walk-in pantry & attached nook. Large family room with plenty of room to relax features a beautiful brick fireplace and slider to rear deck & yard. Laundry room with sink off kitchen for your convenience. Generously sized powder room on main. Wonderful master suite with double door entry, walk-in-closet, large double vanity with make-up counter & double shower. Two additional bedrooms upstairs are very spacious. The full bath in the hall bath is oversized. Two cozy decks in the rear yard are private & surrounded in greenery - great for relaxing or soaking up the sun! Lush trees and planting beds make for a gardeners paradise! Attached two car garage with storage possibilities above. Outstanding Northshore schools - Sunrise Elementary, Timbercrest Jr High & Woodinville High.

For more details on the highly sought after Redmond neighborhood of English Hill visit; http://EnglishHillOnline.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Monday’s Market Update - Eastside Condos

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:02:55 -0600

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

This week we will be looking at the Condo market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep this in mind:

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 63.6 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 38 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 84.9 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 34.6 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 38.4 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 18.2 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 54.7 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 47.4 weeks of inventory

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Kirkland Listing - Charming 5 bd, 2.5 bth home just up from Juanita Bay in Kirkland!

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:14:28 -0600

Kirkland Listing - $400,000 - Charming Kirkland Home just up from Juanita Bay!
11827 104th Ave NE, Kirkland
2240 s.f., 5 bedroom, 2.25 bath home with big family room & den on a private, west facing 9,200 s.f. lot in Idylwood - just above Juanita Bay in Kirkland!

For more information and DOZENS of photos go to http://www.CharmingKirklandHome.com

Charming home in Idylwood just up from Juanita Bay! This spacious home is 2240 s.f. and features 5 bedrooms, 2.25 baths plus office/craft room on a private, west facing lot! Large living room with brick fireplace. Formal dining room with slider to rear deck and yard - perfect for BBQing or entertaining! Generous kitchen with breakfast nook and pantry closet - all appliances included! Master bedroom with large closet and attached 3/4 bath. Three additional bedrooms upstairs are all spacious. Main bath in hall with shower over tub. Huge family room with fireplace and slider to rear yard - perfect for relaxing or as a game room for entertaining! Large 5th bedroom on lower level is private retreat for guests. Office/craft room provides a great space to follow your passion. Half bath with attached laundry room - washer & dryer included. Well manicured yard is flat with a huge lawn for play! Attached two car garage with storage shelving. Outstanding Lake Washington schools - Bell Elementary, Kirkland Junior High & Lake Washington High. Easy access to Juanita Beach & Park, Downtown Kirkland, shopping, restaurants & I405.

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

TONY MEIER - 2008 FIVE STAR: Best In Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent!

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:38:27 -0600

Thank you to my clients who have nominated me as a 2008 FIVE STAR: Best In Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent! With 14,000 agents in the Seattle area it is nice to be recognized as one of the best in my field. Here is the official press release:

Posted: December 5, 2008

Seattle, WA (December 5, 2008) - In the December 2008 issue of Seattle magazine, the 2008 FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agents (SM) are announced.

Seattle magazine formed a partnership with Crescendo Business Services, an independent research firm, to identify the “best in client satisfaction” real estate agents serving the Seattle area. In May of 2008, Crescendo surveyed by mail and phone 29,000 Seattle area residents who had recently purchased homes. An additional 250 surveys were sent to mortgage and title companies, who are often best able to judge a real estate agent’s technical skills and knowledge.

On the surveys, recipients were asked to evaluate only real estate agents whom they knew through personal experience. They were asked to evaluate them based upon nine criteria, including, customer service, integrity, market knowledge, communication, negotiation, closing preparation, finding the right home, marketing of the home and overall satisfaction.

By June, stacks of surveys had arrived and Crescendo began carefully scoring and screening each nominee with both the Washington State Real Estate Commission’s database to make certain that licenses were up to date and that no disciplinary actions were pending. Before finalizing the list, nominated agents were reviewed by a blue ribbon panel of local industry experts.

The panel consisted of realty company executives, professional and trade association officers and others directly involved in housing-related businesses. Although panelists’ comments were incorporated into the final score, safeguards were built into the review process to reduce the ability of panel members to influence the composition of the final list on the basis of company affiliation.

This year’s list of “FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction” real estate agents represents less than 6 percent of actively licensed real estate agents in the Seattle area. We hope this list serves as a referral network for the 170,000 readers of Seattle magazine. Is this list exhaustive? Of course not. There are undoubtedly many other excellent real estate agents that are not on the list this year, but don’t be surprised to see them next year.

RESEARCH DECLARATIONS:

As with any research or recognition program, it is important that we provide you the following declarations:

· The 2008 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agents do not pay a fee to be included in the research or the final list of FIVE STAR:Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agents.

· The overall evaluation score of a real estate agent reflects an average of all respondents and may not be representative of any one client’s evaluation.

· The FIVE STAR Award is not indicative of the real estate agents future performance.

· The inclusion of a real estate agent on the FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent list should not be construed as an endorsement of the real estate agent by Crescendo Business Services or Seattle magazine.

· Working with a FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent or any real estate agent is no guarantee that the selected real estate agent will be awarded this accomplishment by Crescendo in the future.

· For more information on the FIVE STAR Award and the research/selection methodology, go to: . www.fivestarprofessional.com/reresearch

Kind Regards,
FIVE STAR Marketing and Sales Team
Crescendo Business Services

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Essential Facts for Today’s Market

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:59:06 -0600

One of the greatest benefits I have found for having a coach is perspective. As we move through life, it easy to focus on the negative news and lose sight of the big picture. Perspective can help bring things back to reality.

My coach at www.BuffiniandCompany.com assembled this information that I would like to share with you. Hopefully it will give you perspective too!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Essential Facts for Today’s Market

More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 – three years before the FDIC was created

- Only 14 U.S. banks have been taken over in 2008

There are 76 million households in the U.S. that own their home

- 24 million of these homes are free and clear

There are 52 million homes with mortgages

- 97.2% of these are not in foreclosure

- 93.8% of these homes are current on their payments

On a sobering note:

Over 20% of homeowners with a mortgage owe more than their home is worth

40% of all foreclosures are non-owner occupied

How did we get here?

Decade	Homes Sold High	Homes Sold Average
1970’s	3.9 million	3 million
1980’s	4 million	3.3 million
1990’s	4.9 million	3.9 million
2000’s	7.1 million	5.6 million

Resale numbers – the above does not include new home sales.

Sources: Wall Street Journal, Moody’s Economy.com, RealtyTrac, NAR, Forbes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching the news or reading the papers you may be led to believe that the whole nation is in foreclosure, but it is actually a single digit percentage of the homes. Unfortunately bad news is what grabs the nation’s attention even when it does not represent the whole story!

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Monday’s Market - Eastside Condos

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:29:44 -0600

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor

This week we will be looking at the Condo market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep this in mind:

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 47.8 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 50.8 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 45.2 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 25.1 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 27.1 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 32.2 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 46.2 weeks of inventory

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 45.7 weeks of inventory

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
425-466-1000
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Does the Current Real Estate Market Scare You?

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:39:07 -0500

Are you unsure WITCH way to turn?

There Is No Need To Worry!

The Real Estate Market Does Not Have To Be A Scary Place!

With two decades of experience, I know how to navigate the changing market successfully and profitably for my clients! If I can help you get your home SOLD or assist with the purchase of a new home, give me a call at 425-466-1000

Happy Halloween from the Meier Family!

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Market Update – Eastside Residential

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:24:51 -0500

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor

This week we will be looking at the Residential market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep in this in mind:

3. When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:

a. 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market

b. 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market

c. 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 44.3 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 71.8 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 68.2 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 27.6 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 35.7 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 34.7 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 60.1 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 39.9 weeks of inventory

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Time Change: We go back to Standard Time at 2 a.m. on November 2nd

Tony Meier - EastsideHomesBlog.com (Windermere) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:25:01 -0500

My business coach, David Meihaus from Buffini and Company sent me this great item on the value of time. Enjoy!

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE! May this reminder help you use it well!

The clock is running. Make the most of your time, and of today!

TO REALIZE THE VALUE OF:

ONE YEAR-- ask a student who has failed his final exam

ONE MONTH--ask the mother of a premature baby

ONE WEEK--ask the editor of a weekly paper

ONE DAY--ask a daily laborer who has 10 children to feed

ONE HOUR--ask two lovers who are waiting to meet

ONE MINUTE--ask a person who has missed an airplane

ONE SECOND--ask a person who has survived an accident

ONE MILLI-SECOND--ask the silver medalist in the Olympics