In my area of south King County, we’d had a number of just wet little snow blizzards that melted about the time the flakes hit the ground. What I didn’t know, was that the worst of the storm was just laughing at me … waiting for me to go back into the house to finish my skeptical blog post.

For my area of the Auburn east hill, snow was late to arrive, but when it did, it was daggone serious. Now, remember you east coasters … we’re talking about the Seattle area here. We don’t get much in the way of snow. We may get a few inches here and there, close the schools for a day, and then melt off. There’s little snow equipment in the area, we live up/down on hills and the snow we do get is typically very very wet. None of that dry fluffy stuff that’s fun to ski … just Seattle “concrete.”

This time around was no exception. After fits and starts, snow really started to fall on Wednesday and it was wet wet wet sticky stuff. Great for making snow sculptures. That sort of thing.

Thursday morning around 7am, the power went out. A quick look outside said that it had snowed a bit more. With accumulations around 8 inches or so after it’d melted off a bit. Bummer—I wanted SNOW!—and an adventure! At my house, situated on a small community well, septic systems, electric heat, it was going to be a cold few hours – outside was around 28 degrees or so.

But, expecting the best and dressing in layers, we were prepared! Flashlights, generator, a full fridge and pantry full of food, bottles of drinking water and a bathtub full of water for the necessary stuff. Bring it on. We were ready.

HAHAHAHAHAAAA

Fast forward to late Thursday … it’s raining. That’s what was predicted. It was going to rain off all of our accumulations. No problem. What the weather folks didn’t know, is that the rain was freezing. Encapsulating everything and accumulating a deadly layer of ice on top of the snow. And it just kept on accumulating. By the time the rain stopped and turn back to snow on Friday, we’d gathered about an inch of solid ice on top of our snow layer. Stuff is falling off the trees everywhere. (Nothing like laying in bed listening … creeeekkkk, screee, schuuuuuckkkkk, CRASH!) Outside, it’s a winter wonderland with ice coating everything.

But then the snow kept on coming … again! Now there was about two inches of snow on top of the ice! Yikes! I had no idea. Friday morning I decided to let the dogs out front to avoid the broken tree mess in our back yard … and immediately after stepping off the porch all four legs splayed out on both dogs. Getting purchase and standing back up was a challenge for them.

By late Friday we were able to actually make it out of our driveway and back to the world and what a mess it was. Downed trees, downed wires, cars in ditches; it was total destruction. No wonder we had no power. Lines were down on both sides of our private road, huge trees laying everywhere.

But real estate calls just kept on coming. My cell phone kept ringing with people looking for houses. So on Saturday I decided to go ahead and make a showing appointment and give it a go. Yikes, what a further mess. Now our feeder road was totally blocked off, with power line trucks guarding the road so no one could get in or out. Lots of yellow caution tape. (Yay!! Maybe they were working on restoring power!) With lots of talking, we were allowed to carefully go around all of the barriers and trees and off to my showing. Only to be stood up by the Buyers. Sigh … but it was a fun adventure!

Here’s a shot of my favorite shade tree during the ice storm … and after. What you can’t see here is the line of tree trunks that are now just sticks. There’s gonna be a lot of tree removal again this year. I’m thinking that Mother Nature decided pruning was necessary so decided to help us get a start at it. We were very very fortunate – no real damage, but sure a lot of destruction. (And I was mighty glad to take a hot shower on Sunday when the power was restored!)

A few years ago I watched as the area was cleared and developed with streets, lights, and playgrounds, and then the real estate economy tanked and the property sat idle … until recently!

Unfortunately, it appears that the folks at MainVue homes have decided not to list their homes on our local MLS. Visiting both their Web and physical sites indicate that several homes have already been sold, model homes are available, and homes are for sale.

Marketing is driven specifically to consumers and Broker/Agent participation appears to be discouraged.

With registration either on the Web or in person, the builder will recognize that a particular client is represented by a Broker, but they’ve certainly not made it easy. Having worked with Quadrant, Soundbuilt, Kendall Homes, Richmond American, and Polygon in the last year, I’m a bit spoiled, apparently. Those folks welcome Brokers and encourage us to be of help to Buyers. I’m afraid that’s not the case at MainVue.

I love working with Builders. I’ve built my business offering outstanding customer service to both Buyers and Sellers. I’ve helped Buyers sell their existing home quickly so that they were able to buy a new construction home. I’ve directed them to financing that was far better than what they were offered by the Builder’s preferred lender. I’ve helped the Buyers actually get the option package that was advertised by the Builder, but then went missing in their Builder contract.

As a transaction progresses, it’s frequently necessary to indulge in a bit of professional and friendly nudging with the Builder to be sure that the Buyer ends up with the home of their dreams, while helping them with all facets of their home buying process. As a new construction homebuyer, you’ll have a lot of questions – at the time you choose your lot, your model and floor plan, and throughout the build. You need someone to look out for your interests. (By the way, Mr. Builder, I also kept Buyers happy, answering their questions, interfacing with your representatives, and keeping them out from underfoot so that you can do your job! You should want to work with me!)

When you’re ready to buy a home at The Bridges, please be sure to use a well-qualified Broker. If you choose to visit The Bridges on your own without your Broker, do so only once, and be absolutely certain those folks know you’ll use your own Broker for your purchase.

I’m delighted to be of service to you … and am happy to represent your purchase of a MainVue home – even if the Builder isn’t excited about working with Broker/Agents.

Be certain you’re well represented during this most important purchase! There’s a lot of money involved and you deserve the best!

My husband, the amateur weatherman, has been obsessively following the build-up to the “Megastorm” of decades, currently predicted for our greater Seattle region. We’ve been watching for days, experiencing a bit of snow here, and a bit of snow there. At our home in east Auburn, so far we’ve accumulated a couple of inches, which largely went away today even through additional flurries of wet heavy snow.

I grew up in Seattle and remember a few good-sized snow storms from my childhood; even one or two while raising our own children. This storm, however, is expected to dump somewhere between 12- and 18-inches in our yard, according to the “Futurecast” radar displayed on one of our local news sites, KIRO7. That’s a significant amount of snow. Significant!

According to AccuWeather, the history of great Seattle snowstorms is as follows:

1. Jan. 5-9, 1880: Est. 36.0″ with 6-foot drifts
2. Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 1916: 33.4″
3. Jan. 26-31, 1969: 30.7″
4. Jan. 12-15, 1950: 26.8″
5. Dec. 23-27, 1965: 14.9″
6. Dec. 30-31, 1968: 13.0″
7. Jan. 23-26, 1972: 12.6″
8. Jan. 25-26, 1950: 12.4″
9. Dec. 26-27, 1974: 9.8″
10. Nov. 20-22, 1985: 9.4″
11. Nov. 27, 1985: 7.6″

Twelve-to-eighteen inches. I’m expecting the roof to be fine, but I’m thinking the tarp-type carport under which we park our riding lawnmower and various “stuffs” to probably take a hit. We’ve brought pellets for the stove into the garage. The chickens are safely ensconced in their coop with plenty of food and water. The dogs are oblivious, but will love it. The cat? Well, we may have to hand-carry him out now and then to visit the kitty potty.

Twelve-to-eighteen inches, followed by rain. It should be exciting!

Much of Lakeland Hills is new(er) construction in a planned community with a variety of housing choices and prices, shopping, parks and entertainment. Here you’ll find apartments, condominiums (both attached and detached), along with single family homes.

A large portion of the newest homes … perhaps those built from about 2007 and later … sit on the typical new construction smaller lots, under about 6,500 square feet. Older neighborhoods with homes built in the ‘70’s or so may have yards that are a bit larger.

Because so much of Lakeland Hills is new, prices and sales have been impacted by the real estate downturn with new construction continuing to play a huge role in home sales in the area.

Prices in Lakeland Hills spiraled during the 2005-2007, falling significantly in mid-2008:

As with much of the south King County area (the majority of Lakeland Hills), somewhat due to the difficulty in closing short sales and bank-owned properties which have been a significant part of the area, new construction is starting to pick up, and certainly played an important part of closed sales in 2011.  

Here’s another look at the same information, sorted by type of sale rather than year: 

Considering a move to the area or thinking of selling your Lakeland Hills home? I specialize in the Auburn area — please don’t hesitate to give me a call, just to talk through some of the possibilities. I’m always delighted to be of service!

Here’s a quick look at the numbers:

Who says the economy still not improving!? Compare the numbers from 2008!

The next chart compares year end stats:

I’m jazzed! Look at that nice up-tick in closed sales!

So … what sold in Auburn in December?

Traditional sales are creeping up in number …. a really good thing, but equally good is noting that Bank-Owned property sales are also closing, getting some of those low, low priced homes off the market. I expect to see a gain in short sale property closings in 2012 as some of the big banks are finally getting their acts together and realizing that closing on short sales actually keep prices up a bit higher than foreclosing and then dropping the price even further.

One final quick note: remember that sales that close in a given month probably received offers in the previous month … typically about 45 days prior to the date of closing. Unless we’re talking about short sales, of course, which continue to take about 60 days or more to receive bank approval after an offer is presented to them and then another 45 days to close the transaction.

Five months in the making … and here it is! Congratulations, Gary! May you enjoy many many years in your new house!

And who wouldn’t – all that brand new space just for you, combined with an awesome view of Mt. Rainier and the foothills! Whoo hooo!!!

 There’s a mountain there … a BIG one. Darned clouds got in the way!

However, just a few miles southeast of Bellevue lies Maple Valley. Those of us in the area, believe Maple Valley is the best Bellevue suburb! After all, Maple Valley’s affordable prices, idyllic setting, mountain views, top rated and highly desired schools, and mix of new subdivision-style homes and acreage properties make it a logical choice for home ownership.

Maple Valley is located approximately 20 miles (approximately 40 minutes) southeast of downtown Bellevue, or approximately 15 miles from the Issaquah, Lake Sammamish area. A driving coomute to downtown Seattle takes about 50 minutes, while commuting to Tacoma can be a quick 40 minutes or so as well. (It can be confusing — you may have to see a map:)

Thanks to Google Maps

However, if you’re an eastside or Seattle worker, no doubt you’re well acquainted with those much higher housing costs. Maple Valley is perfectly positioned and poised to combat those prices while offering so many similar — and maybe superior — amenities: parks, lakes, golf courses, awesome schools, pleasant commutes, and a small-town persona with friendly faces.

A few interesting demographics:

• Maple Valley consists of an area approximately 5.6 miles square
• Most business are independently owned — no big box stores, although they’re not far away in the adjoining small city of Covington
• Population of just over 20,000 people
• Of all the residences in Maple Valley, 80% are homeowners
• Tahoma School District

Now then, why Buy in Maple Valley? Here’s a bit of information about houses currently on the market.  

So what does this all mean? Well … you’re likely to purchase a home that’s between 2000and about 2300 square feet, priced between $289,000 and $331,000. It’s also likely that you’ll be working directly with the seller or with new construction. Although it’s not obvious from the stats, I can tell you from experience that if you purchase new construction (and you can see that there’s a LOT of new construction in Maple Valley), you’ll be in a subdivision of like homes, with smaller lot sizes. If you step into homes that are older than about 10 years, you’re more likely to be on a lot size of better than a quarter-acre.

Click here for information about Summer Home Sales in Maple Valley.

Here’s how things looked over the summer:

Of interest, especially, was the little 380 square foot cabin right on Lake Wilderness that sold for $175,000. Gorgeous beachfront! Not to slight the 6,280 square foot bank-owned beauty on five acres, of course. It sold, unfinished, for $466,000. There are some real bargains out here!

Of the 156 homes, here’s how they broke down as far as type of sale:

It’s certainly felt like a much busier summer than we’ve seen for the past couple of years. Doing a quick check for the previous couple of years, it does appear that we’ve accomplished a bit of a gain: The summer of 2010 closed 148 single family home sales; 2009 closed 112! Small gain in 2011 — and I’m happy with that. The real estate market just needs to keep chugging away!

It’s Spring, which means Farmer’s Markets are “Springing” Up All Over!

I love shopping at local Farmer’s Markets. Just mingling amongst all the fresh produce, the local crafts, and flowers is inspiring. I always come away with the zeal to go home and weed. Or something equally as dirty.

Not to mention, of course, my reusuable shopping bag, full of goodies. Veggies, lettuces, fruits…even an occasional quart of fresh fresh milk. Yummy. We eat really well for a few days after my trip.

Near my home in Auburn, Washington are a few Farmer’s markets worth mentioning. I missed all of the grand openings this year, but I definitely stop by a couple of times a month for goodies!

Here’s the info you’ll need to visit. Click the heading for additional information.

 Auburn International Farmers Market

June 12 to September 25
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Auburn Sound Transit Plaza, 23 A St SW

The Auburn International Farmers Market boasts more than 40 vendors offering a variety of fresh locally grown farm-based foods, hand-crafted items, and concession stand that are restaurant-based but feature a home-cooked taste. The 2011 weekly market starts June 12 and runs through September 25. The market will again include free performances, guest chef demonstrations with farm-fresh ingredients, children’s activities, and classes on health, nutrition, and gardening. AIFM 2011 Special Events June 12 Opening Day ceremonies begin at 8:30am June 19 – Sound Transit and Metro Appreciation Day July 10 – Kids Day July 24 – The Dog Days of Summer | Complete with the annual Parade of Market Dogs August 7 – National Farmers Market Week | Vendor Recognition Day September 11 Remembrance Day September 18 – Senior Appreciation Day

Kent Farmers Market, sponsored by the Kent Lions Club

Saturdays, June 4 to September 24
Town Square Plaza — 2nd Avenue &b Smith Street