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

Blue balloons should begin flying tomorrow in recognition of the National Realtor© Open House weekend and to point folks to those properties participating in the event all across the country. Not only is this a good time to showcase listings, but I’ve armed my actively searching Buyer clients with handfuls of business cards so that they can be comfortable touring homes, as well.

Which brings to mind the question of the real purpose of open houses. Of course, ideally an open house event might spawn a buyer for the featured property. At the very least, open houses can be a dynamite way to pick up a new client or two.

In the most recent couple of years, however, I’ve backed off doing open houses. Yes, I still do them periodically, but not nearly as often as I used to. Why? Because no matter how well prepared I try to be – advertising the event, bringing the cookies, doing the homework, preparing the give-aways – the hours almost always go by with little more than a nod from a passing looky-loo.

5621 S 232nd Street, Kent, WA -- Open 1-3pm Saturday 6/4/11

This should be an interesting event. In our area … at least for me … this Spring season has been busy busy with new Buyers and listings. So I’m sincerely hopeful that the increase of activity will manifest itself over the weekend. It’d be fun (yikes!) to be slammed with folks looking to buy, wouldn’t it?

I curious as to whether you’re participating as well. What do you expect to see this weekend?

If you’re in the downtown Kent Washington area tomorrow afternoon, drop by to see me at 5621 S 232nd Street. I’ll bring the snacks, you bring the questions!

Promenade North is the sought-after community within The Lakes with townhouse living that fits all your easy lifestyle preferences — let someone else do the yard work and care for the roof!

Your new townhouse sits at the end of a four-unit building, providing corner windows for fantastic light.  When you come home after shopping, enter the private attached garage, then take just one step into the covered entry and your front door.

Once inside, the well-designed interior shines. Wood-laminate floors lead straight through to the kitchen, guest bath and laundry, and to the open living and dining rooms. Recently updated, the kitchen features solid surface counters, new cabinetry, and sparkling white appliances. A large pass-through with eating bar separates the kitchen from the dining room — keeps the cook part of all the living room activity!

Moving on to the dining and living room, you’ll appreciate the ceiling fan, angled walls and ample windows. In the living room is a wood-burning Heatilator fireplace (the owner says it’ll warm up the entire space in just a few minutes!) On clear days, walk through the sliding glass doors and out to your own patio and storage unit.

The art niche at the top of the stairway is the perfect place to display your favorite art piece … and leads down the short hallway to all of the bedroom areas. At one end is the master suite — large enough for a king-sized bed — with ceiling fan, generous closets and its own full bath with double vanity. At the opposite end of the hall are two secondary bedrooms, plus the 2nd full bath.

Promenade North is a professionally managed association. Your dues, of course, support the common areas of the community such as all of the green lawns, landscaping, and so on. Also included in your dues are Earthquake Insurance and Water and Sewer use.

This lovely lovely condomium/townhouse is perfectly set for a new owner. It’s not a bank-owned or short sale property, so will be an easy close! Ask your Buyer’s agent to show you this home before it’s gone! Or, call me personally for a tour — Gabrielle @ 206.300.8421

Click or Scan for Virtual Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data provided by
See more information on Kent schools from Education.com

• Elementary {30}
• Middle {11}
• High {10}

Middle Schools in Kent, WA, 3

11 Middle Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Cedar Heights Middle School Phone: (253) 373-7620 19640 SE 272ND St, Kent, WA 98042	Public	7-8	707	20
Kent Phoenix Academy Phone: (253) 373-7200 11000 SE 264TH St, Kent, WA 98030	Alt.	8-12	314	21
Kent-Meridian High School Phone: (253) 373-7405 10020 SE 256TH St, Kent, WA 98030	Public	8-12	1937	20
Mattson Middle School Phone: (253) 373-7368 16400 SE 251ST, Kent, WA 98042	Public	7-8	680	20
Meridian Middle School Phone: (253) 373-7383 23480 120 Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031	Public	6-8	666	18
Mill Creek Middle School Phone: (253) 373-7200 620 North Central Ave, Kent, WA 98030	Public	7-8	820	18
Totem Middle School Phone: (253) 945-5100 26630 40TH Ave South, Kent, WA 98031	Public	6-8	574	15
Childrens and Academy Schools Phone: (253) 852-4949 318 5th Ave SO, Kent, WA 98035	Private	PK, K-11	50	6
Cascade Vista Baptist School Phone: (253) 854-8088 11517 SE 208TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Private	PK, K-12	118	11
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (253) 945-2084 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	2-12	8	-1
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (206) 433-2217 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	PK, K-12	0	0

Elementary Schools in Kent, WA, 3

30 Elementary Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Cedar Valley Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7649 26500 Timberlane Way SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	352	15
Covington Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7652 17070 SE Wax Rd, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	586	19
Crestwood Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7634 25225 180TH SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	485	19
East Hill Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7455 9825 South 240TH, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	510	17
Emerald Park Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-3850 11800 SE 216TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	534	19
George T. Daniel Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7615 11310 SE 248TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	464	17
Grass Lake Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7661 28700 191ST Place SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	441	19
Horizon Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7313 26741 144TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	525	20
Jenkins Creek Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7331 26915 186TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	331	15
Kent Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7497 24700 64TH Ave South, Kent, WA 98032	Public	PK, K-6	558	17
Lake Youngs Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7646 19660 142ND SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	471	18
Martin Sortun Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7314 12711 SE 248TH St, Kent, WA 98030	Public	PK, K-6	554	18
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7870 27710 108TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030	Public	PK, K-6	493	17
Meridian Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7664 25621 140TH SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	507	18
Millennium Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-3900 11919 SE 270 St, Kent, WA 98030	Public	PK, K-6	604	20
Neely O Brien Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7434 6300 South 236TH St, Kent, WA 98032	Public	PK, K-6	593	17
Panther Lake Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7470 10200 216TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031	Public	K-6	646	-1
Park Orchard Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7473 11010 SE 232ND, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	461	15
Pine Tree Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7687 27825 118TH SE, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	425	19
Scenic Hill Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7479 26025 Woodland Way South, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	503	18
Soos Creek Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7690 12651 SE 218TH Place, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	418	19
Springbrook Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7485 20035 100TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-6	387	16
Star Lake Elementary School Phone: (253) 945-4000 4014 South 270TH, Kent, WA 98031	Public	PK, K-5	474	18
Sunnycrest Elementary School Phone: (253) 945-4100 24629 42ND AV South, Kent, WA 98032	Public	PK, K-5	348	14
Sunrise Elementary School Phone: (253) 373-7630 22300 132ND Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	PK, K-6	572	20
Childrens and Academy Schools Phone: (253) 852-4949 318 5th Ave SO, Kent, WA 98035	Private	PK, K-11	50	6
Cascade Vista Baptist School Phone: (253) 854-8088 11517 SE 208TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Private	PK, K-12	118	11
Sunbeams Lutheran School Phone: (253) 854-3240 23810 112TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031	Private	PK, K-1	70	16
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (253) 945-2084 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	2-12	8	-1
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (206) 433-2217 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	PK, K-12	0	0

High Schools in Kent, WA, 3

10 High Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Kent Phoenix Academy Phone: (253) 373-7200 11000 SE 264TH St, Kent, WA 98030	Alt.	8-12	314	21
Kent-Meridian High School Phone: (253) 373-7405 10020 SE 256TH St, Kent, WA 98030	Public	8-12	1937	20
Kentlake High School Phone: (253) 373-4900 21401 SE 300 St, Kent, WA 98042	Public	9-12	1861	23
Kentridge High School Phone: (253) 373-7345 12430 SE 208TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Public	9-12	2289	23
Kentwood High School Phone: (253) 373-7680 25800 164TH Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042	Public	9-12	2148	23
Regional Justice Center Phone: (253) 373-7454 12033 SE 256TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Alt.	9-12	37	-1
Childrens and Academy Schools Phone: (253) 852-4949 318 5th Ave SO, Kent, WA 98035	Private	PK, K-11	50	6
Cascade Vista Baptist School Phone: (253) 854-8088 11517 SE 208TH St, Kent, WA 98031	Private	PK, K-12	118	11
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (253) 945-2084 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	2-12	8	-1
Children's Therapy Center Phone: (206) 433-2217 10811 SE Kent Kanlgey Rd, Kent, WA 98030	Sp-Ed	PK, K-12	0	0

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Look out over the neighborhood and into the distance from this corner-culdesac in the Kentridge/Glencarin area of Kent. Freshly painted with brand new carpeting and roof (to be completed prior to closing) = a clean, tidy, and move-in ready home just for you.

Along with the kitchen (complete with eating bar), the main floor of this classically-styled split-level home features large light-filled living and dining areas overlooking the neighborhood, along with three bedrooms, a full bath, and a 3/4 bath adjoining the master bedroom.

Downstairs is the gigantic family room (billiards anyone?) with its own fireplace and sliding doors leading to the flagstone patio and fenced backyard. You’ll appreciate the laundry & 1/2 bath combination, perfect for muddy, messy jobs! At the top of the 2-car garage are two extra rooms—rearrange doors and these two rooms can open to the laundry and family room, perhaps allowing for an additional bedroom? Be sure to verify all measurements, dimensions and sizes to your own satisfaction — it’s possible that these two extra rooms are not included in the home’s square footage.

Located in walking distance to Emerald Park Elementary and Kentridge High School; just a short bus commute to Meeker Middle School. Shopping and bus service is also close-by along with easy easy commuting to Highway 167, straight across the Kent valley and up the other side to I-5 and Sea-Tac airport. Downtown Seattle is approximately a 30 minute commute; with similar drive-time to Tacoma. … location, Location, LOCATION!

A one-year homeowner warranty, for your ease of mind will be provided by Gabrielle at closing free of charge to you!

NOT a short sale or bank-owned property — EASY, FAST PURCHASE FOR YOU!

Call or text Gabrielle at 206.300.8421 for a personal tour!

Click or Scan for Virtual Tour

That’s certainly and admirable goal and one I completely understand. Unfortunately, for most of the greater Seattle/Tacoma area, that can be a bit challenging when compared to the purchase dollars also in the equation. As reported this morning in our local paper, The Seattle Times, Seattle ranks 10th in the nation with the worst traffic according to the 2010 Urban Mobility Report published by the Texas Transportation Institute. Using our public transportation (the Sounder train and our bus services) can make our commutes more pleasant, but realistically, our public transportation is a bit limited. We lag far behind other parts of the nation (I’m thinking Portland!)

Since I’m a native of Seattle, I feel pretty confident in discussing the area … and comfortable when talking about commute times and options. I can tell you that, generally speaking, living to the north of Seattle is a more difficult, longer commute than living in the southern suburbs and cities. Emphasis on the word generally, however.

15-Mile Radius of Home -- and the surrounding areas of my real estate practice -- All about 30-45 minutes away

The commute on Highway 167, which bisects the Renton/Kent/Auburn valley and is the primary north/south connector route to Interstate 5 leading in and out of Seattle and Tacoma , is ugly most days. Both directions.

One of the requirements to obtaining and maintaining a mortgage or loan on your home is that it be adequately insured against unexpected disasters. It’s important to know that damage from floods or landslides are not typically included in normal homeowner insurance policies.

Evaluation of whether a home resides within a flood plain is part of the consideration in obtaining affordable homeowner’s insurance. This can affect the ability of a buyer to fulfill the terms of their purchase contract, as expensive insurance may negatively impact that buyer’s ability to qualify for the purchase of the home.

Similarly, the requirement that flood insurance be obtained can negatively impact the Seller’s ability to sell a home. A home that’s not insurable, or one that has what appear to be excessively high premiums, can be difficult to sell to anyone that must finance their purchase, limiting prospective buyers to cash only or seller-carried contracts.

In most purchase contracts in which I participate, I recommend that the buyer include a provision that their annual homeowner insurance premium be no more than 1/2 of 1% of the purchase price. Generally that’s doable, unless the home happens to reside in an area designated as residing in a flood plain — then prices skyrocket as the prospective homeowner must also negotiate flood insurance.

As geology, improvements to land, and technology change,  flood maps are updated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Your home, which previously was not within a flood prone area, may be now … or, conversely, perhaps it is no longer, affecting your  insurance rates.

In incorporated and unincorporated King County, those flood maps have recently been re-drawn and can now be viewed during one of the three public meetings listed below. Additionally, you can review the new King County flood maps online, obtain more information about these public meetings, and review the flood insurance studies by visiting the King County Preliminary Flood Insurance page.

City of Auburn
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
6 – 8:00 P.M.
Dick Scobee Elementary School
1031 14th Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002
253-931-4984

City of Renton
Thursday, January 27, 2011
6 – 8:00 P.M.
Renton City Hall
Council Chambers – 7th Floor
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
425-430-6400

City of Kent
Monday, February 7, 2011
6 – 8:00 P.M.
Kent Senior Activity Center
600 E. Smith Street, Kent, WA 98030
253-856-5150

Additional information about flood insurance in Washington State can be found at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Finally, be sure to periodically review the terms of your homeowner insurance policy. It’s critically important that you know exactly what is … and what is not … covered on your policy. Damage from flood waters, earthquakes, or extra coverage for all that nifty personal computing equipment you own, may require extra attention in the form of insurance riders.

For help with your homeowner insurance needs, please let me know and I’ll be delighted to refer you to an outstanding insurance professional.

Being held from 11am – 5pm at the Chase Homeownership Center, 16400 Southcenter Parkway, Suite 200 in Tukwila, homeowners should bring their most recent tax returns, W-2s, monthly bank statements, pay stubs and proof of tax, insurance, and homeowner association payments.

HURRY!

Hmmm. With that light admonition in mind, I decided that Real Estate Statistics for Kent, should, at the very least, be classified as “Engaging and Vital.”

Because I live in Auburn, am based out of my Maple Valley office, raised my family in Kent and live only a few blocks outside of the Kent city limits, keeping an eye on what’s happening just down the street is meaningful and useful to my clients.

So here goes.

Suppose you are a client of mine with a home in Kent. You’re considering putting the home on the market and want to know what it’s worth. Logical question, right? Now, as a responsible agent, just one of the steps I consider is what comparable homes in your area are selling for. That quick scan points to a number right around the $350,000 mark.

However, to fully help you consider your home’s marketing path, you must also consider what folks are spending money on in the area. Enter Engaging and Vital Statistic #1:

So … hmmm, what does this chart imply? Well, it certainly shows that your home at $350,000 is well above the average dollar amount for homes sold at any time during 2010 in Kent. As your agent, I’d then want to know “How many homes have sold for around $350,000 in Kent for the last six months?“

Let’s see what the next Engaging and Vital Statistic #2  has to say:

Okay, so it looks like there’s a dramatic difference in price points here. Granted this chart doesn’t narrow down numbers so that we can be completely precise, but here it’s obvious that a house worth $350k had better be priced under that $350k mark. Maybe $345k would be a better number as there’s a striking difference the number of homes sold priced between $300-$349,999 and those priced between $350k-$399,999!

Next question from my savvy potential seller – How long will it take to sell my house? Now, in a live listing presentation, I’d have narrowed down Engaging and Vital Statistic #3 so that it closely met the criteria specific to my pricing recommendation. In the following chart, however, take a look at how long houses are on the market before an offer is received and acceptable to both the Buyer and the Seller; i.e., before a house is Pending:

A quick review shows that WOW, it took a LONG time to get an offer before your home went pending in July — somewhere around 130 days! That’s the longest time since I began tracking statistics in Kent in 2004! However, don’t lose heart, my dear Seller — remember that your time on market will be less, because we’re going to price your home correctly right from the very beginning! Homes that have been on the market for 130 days have certainly had at least one price reduction, but most likely two or more.

So … if I get an offer, will the sale close? GOOD question! It’s surprising how often homes that went pending (remember — pending is an offer where everyone has agreed on all contractual terms) did not actually close. Sometimes it’s because financing failed for the buyer, sometimes the home doesn’t pass muster based on what the buyer wants. Sometimes things happen! … Engaging and Vital Statistics #4 and 5 display the number of homes that went pending … and the number of homes that sold:

Just over 76 homes were pending in July … but wait, it takes some time for houses to close after an offer.  Maybe 45 days or so. So let’s look at May and June. Looks like about 85-90 each month. …

… Looks like just over 75 sold (Sale Closed) in July. A few more in June. So approximately what? 8-10% of the homes that went pending did not close.

Looks like I’d (your agent) better be sure that I do my homework when you get a offer to be sure we’ve done everything possible to be sure your Buyer is qualified, that the lender will work hard to do their part, and that the selling agent (the one representing the buyer) is also committed to the transaction.

As you can see, basic statistics such as these tell a story. They help us understand what the “market” is doing specific to your area. They help us understand what some of the difficulties and challenges might be in a transaction.

Engaging and Vital Real Estate Statistics are … well … engaging and vital!

There’s GREAT potential here. A little TLC and you’ll have a wonderful home. Vaulted ceilings in living room, skylight over the stairs. Downstairs rec-room, plus a 1/2 bath. Big lot on greenbelt, plus HUGE 4-car tandum garage!

listing included courtesy of Dawn Rushton, RE/MAX Select R.E.