Realtor vs. Agent vs. Broker - Definitions and Differences - 04/30/09 12:27 PM
The term Realtor has become ubiquitous in the public for defining all kinds of real estate professionals.  Although it's the commonly used term, it's not appropriate in many cases.  This should serve as a guide to buyers and sellers as to the definition of these real estate professional designations.
Agent:  A person who represents you in a real estate transaction.  This is a very generic term.  It literally means that you have an agency relationship with that person.  There are many types of agents.
Salesperson:  In Washington state, this is your most common type of Agent.  A salesperson is licensed by … (3 comments)

Calling all Lake Union Writers... - 04/29/09 11:19 AM
The Seattle Floating Homes Association and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) are looking for writers whose works have been inspired by or are related to Lake Union.  If you know of a local writer who has written something informative about Lake Union or if you recall an article, novel, or historical writing about the area, you can contact either group to submit the piece.
Lorraine McConaghy is the main contact at MOHAI for submissions.  Both groups are looking to publish pieces in newsletters and upcoming features on Lake Union's history.
 Ships on Lake Union, Seattle. Staff Photographer Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 1936
 
… (0 comments)

Blue Ridge - Seattle Views of the Puget Sound - 04/28/09 11:03 AM
Blue Ridge, in Northwest Seattle, has some of the best Puget Sound views in the city.  This small neighborhood just north of Ballard and Crown Hill is a pocket of pristine homes and manicured yards. The waterfront homes are usually separated from the Sound by a narrow shore and train tracks.
The streets are sidewalks are maintained well, and it's a wonderful neighborhood to walk on a sunny day.  The traffic is almost non-existent, the neighbors are friendly, and there is a real pride of ownership in the area.
Blue Ridge Real Estate - Waterfront Homes For Sale
… (0 comments)

Snohomish County, WA attached home sales shoot up 66% in March - 04/23/09 11:42 AM
Attached home sales were up 66% percent from February to March 2009.  This increase in real estate sales is significantly higher than the increase in 2008, and a great sign for the condo market that had been slow throughout the winter.
Much of the market activity can be attributed to builders delivering financing incentives, lower prices, and government tax credits available to buyers.
Snohomish County WA Homes For Sale
… (0 comments)

Snohomish County, WA Home Sales Up 55% in March - 04/22/09 11:24 AM
Residential home sales in Snohomish County, WA showed a huge increase from February to March, with a 55% increase in total sales.  The surprising increase in real estate sales is being attributed to the combination of lower prices, low interest rates, and income tax credits available to first time home buyers.
The increase in Snohomish County home sales mirrors the increases in Seattle and King County, as the entire Puget Sound region has seen healthy gains in real estate sales and lower inventories.
Seattle, King County, Snohomish County Homes
… (0 comments)

King County Real Estate Sales Jump in March - 04/21/09 09:52 AM
King County and the Seattle area's latest statistics show a big jump in total sales numbers in March 2009.  Residential sales volume was up 30% from February to March, and attached home sales volume was up 45%.
The numbers we saw in February represented the usual cyclical increases in Spring for home sales, but the March numbers look like they are influenced by more than just the season.  First time buyers and mid-range buyers are definitely getting back into the market.  Even though prices are still down somewhat, this kind of sales volume will begin to stabilize the market prices.
 
… (0 comments)

Inexpensive waterfront homes in Shoreline - 04/20/09 11:51 AM
Seattle-area residents looking for inexpensive waterfront homes can start their search in Shoreline.  Prices on the Puget Sound are fairly high, but less-well-known locales like Echo Lake create great opportunities to own waterfront without blowing your budget.
Echo Lake is a small body of water on the North end of Shoreline near Highway 99.  There are waterfront condos as low as $150,000 available.  For buyers who want a dock, somewhere that they can kayak, or just a place to set a beach chair and relax, Shoreline can create a great chance to own your own part of the waterfront.
Shoreline Waterfront Real … (0 comments)

Windermere Waterfront Homes on the Market - 04/16/09 06:38 PM
The Windermere neighborhood in Northeast Seattle is associated by name with a local Northwest real estate brokerage.  The neighborhood is not big, and when homes come on the market, they are usually snapped up by one of the local residents or someone who has been "lying in wait" for a chance to live in Windermere.
Waterfront real estate prices are high, but many of the waterfront homes have larger lakefront footage than in neighborhoods to the North.  There is currently only one home for sale in Windermere on Lake Washington, at just under $5 million.  Homes over $2 million, in general, have been … (0 comments)

Magnolia Waterfront Homes For Sale - 04/15/09 05:48 PM
Magnolia's peninsula off the Western side of Seattle is almost an island - No one drives through Magnolia, only to Magnolia.  The sunsets and views of the waterfront on the Puget Sound are beautiful, and the neighborhood is peaceful and quiet.
Homes on Magnolia's waterfront are not often on the market, but there are a couple right now with some very unique features.  Starting at $2.5 million, these homes are not in reach for most, but those looking for a secluded spot to live on the waterfront may want to take a look.
Magnolia, Seattle waterfront homes for sale
… (0 comments)

Leschi Waterfront Homes - Prices Stay High - 04/15/09 12:24 AM
Waterfront Homes in the Seattle area have held their ground over the past few years, and the Leschi neighborhood doesn't look any different.
There are a handful of waterfront homes available in Leschi, and they are all over $2 million.  The Lake Washington waterfront is picturesque, and the proximity to downtown Seattle and I-5 are perfect for commuters.
Leschi Waterfront Homes For Sale
… (0 comments)

Belltown waterfront condos - Inexpensive downtown Seattle waterfront - 04/14/09 11:30 AM
Belltown is at the North end of downtown Seattle, and doesn't have a lot of waterfront real estate, but there are a handful of condo buildings that are technically on the water.
At the moment, there are just 2 condos in Belltown listed as waterfront, but they're both surprisingly affordable.  Both come in under $320,000, which is below the median price point in Belltown overall.  These are smaller condos (a 1 bedroom and a studio), but this is entry-level pricing for Seattle waterfront living.
Belltown waterfront condos for sale
… (0 comments)

Laurelhurst Waterfront Homes For Sale - 04/13/09 10:58 PM
The Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle rarely has a true waterfront home for sale.  When they do come on the market, the highly-sought real estate in this area is usually purchased quickly, even with the high-end prices. 
There is currently just one waterfront home for sale in Laurelhurst.  It's a $6 million property with more waterfront footage than you'd believe.  There are a limited number of buyers for this kind of real estate, but at this price I'd imagine an extremely unique property like this will move in a short time.
Laurelhurst Waterfront Homes For Sale
… (0 comments)

Seattle Waterfront Homes Hold Value - Feb '09 vs. Feb '08 - 04/09/09 09:58 PM
Waterfront homes have long held their value better than the other homes, on average.  The Seattle area's most recent statistics are keeping with that trend.
Waterfront home sales in King County for February 2009 held almost the same median price level as February 2008.  Median prices went from $451,000 to $446,500, a decrease of about 1% according to the NWMLS.  Although the total number of sales was down from 25 homes to 14 homes for the month, sellers stuck to their prices and it looks like it paid off for many of them.
Days on Market actually went down from a median of … (0 comments)

King County Waterfront Prices Up in '08 - 04/07/09 10:45 PM
King County, Washington's waterfront home sales have followed Seattle's sales trend of bucking the pricing downturn.   According to the NWMLS, while total number of waterfront home sales were down, prices were almost unchanged.
King County waterfront residential house, townhome, and houseboat prices were down just 4.9%, and condo prices were up 3.8% in 2008 vs. 2007.  The two practically cancel themselves out, leaving King County waterfront prices flat for the two year period.  This, of course, has to be taken in context with the steep drop in total number of sales, with house sales down 39% and condo sales down 43%.
Again, … (2 comments)

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate Prices Increase '07 to '08 - 04/07/09 04:53 PM
I've pulled some interesting statistics from the MLS for sales of waterfront real estate in Seattle.  While the total number of waterfront home sales was down significantly in 2008 vs 2007, median prices actually increased in 2008.  Waterfront residential properties (houses, townhomes, houseboats) had a median price increase of 9.6% (to $1,057,500), and condos had a median price increase of 6.6% (to $437,500).  The total number of waterfront homes sold in 2008 was down 50%, and total number of waterfront condos was down 13%.Much of this can probably be attributed to three factors:1)  Waterfront homeowners, statistically, have more disposable income and assets than … (0 comments)

Pending US Homes Sales Jump - 04/06/09 11:01 AM
Pending home sales moved up 2.1% in February, according to the Pending Home Sales Index.  With affordability up, first time buyers are becoming a larger part of the buying market. 
While this increase isn't big, it's at least a positive sign that buyers are picking up the distressed properties on the market and starting to stabilize the inventories.
… (0 comments)

Waterfront Condos on Lake Union - 04/03/09 11:58 AM
If you've always wanted to live on the waterfront in Seattle, but thought it was too expensive for you, there are opportunities.  With waterfront home prices at their lowest point in years, it's a good time to take a look.
For example, there are waterfront condos on Lake Union in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seatle as low as $335,000.
Watefront condos in Bellevue are starting as low as $269,000.  That's actual first-time buyer pricing for a home on Lake Washington.
This may not sound like a deal, but Madison Park Waterfront Homes under $2 Million haven't been seen in a while.  … (0 comments)

Seattle Floating Homes and the DPD Update - 04/02/09 11:56 AM
The Seattle Floating Homes Association has gotten an update of the Seattle DPD's upcoming regulations for floating homes and houseboats.  So far, there are some sticking points that hopefully can be hammered out in the coming months.
The Seattle SMP (Shorelines Master Program) Revision Citizen Advisory Committee is attempting to bring floating homes and houseboats into line with conforming codes for real estate.  Many issues such as float size, float depth, setbacks from shore, and impact on habitat are on the table.  While the owners are aware of the need for regulation, their obvious interest is in preserving the unique lifestyle on … (0 comments)

 
Sam-debord-waterfront-sign-closeup3 Rainmaker_large

Sam DeBord - Seattle Real Estate Broker

Seattle, WA

More about me…

SeattleHome.com -Coldwell Banker Danforth

Address: 222 Wall St #100, Seattle, WA, 98121

Cell Phone: (206) 658-3225

Email Me

2009 $10MM+ Sales

Top 10 King Co. Sale

Managing Broker

Realtor

206-658-3225


Seattle Waterfront Homes - Seattle Real Estate news, including waterfront homes, water view homes, floating homes, and houseboats.

Sam DeBord and Brian Wiegand
SeattleHome.com
Seattle Real Estate Brokers
Coldwell Banker Danforth
(206) 658-3225

Seattle Homes For Sale
Bellevue Homes For Sale

© Seattle Homes, LLC: - Sam DeBord, Managing Broker, Realtor Coldwell Banker Seattle: Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Sam (at) SeattleHome.com



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate on ActiveRain.