Congratulations on Your New Home!
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!
Houses are Affordable in Maple Valley, WA!
Seattle is a gorgeous area, full of lakes, mountains, and lots of green spaces. Just to the east of Seattle, directly across Lake Washington, are Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and other communities, commonly referred to as Washington’s high-tech corridor. Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and a batch of other big tech name companies make their home in our Seattle and eastside areas. We love them to death … but they DO increase home prices in the area. 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!... [Read more...]
Maple Valley Summer Sales
Now that summer’s coming to a close (well at least on the calendar), I thought a wrap up of Maple Valley home sales activity might be due. For reporting purposes, I’ve only included transactions that post a mailing address of Maple Valley, which includes the largest hub of homes in the local Multiple Listing Service are that includes those short drives into Ravensdale & Hobart, along with Black Diamond and then waaay out into Kangley and east all the way to the mountains. Here’s how things looked over the summer: Of interest, especially, was the little 380 square foot cabin... [Read more...]
Relocating? Consider Seattle-Tacoma Region Traffic When Choosing A Home
I absolutely love getting a phone call from a Buyer looking to relocate to the Seattle-Tacoma area. One of the early questions when talking to someone moving to the area involves where they will work and how long they’re willing to commute. Almost always, the answers are something similar to “I’m being transferred to ____________ (downtown Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma) and don’t want to drive more than about 20-30 minutes.” That’s certainly and admirable goal and one I completely understand. Unfortunately, for most of the greater Seattle/Tacoma area, that... [Read more...]
Flood Maps Affect Home Sales and Purchases
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... [Read more...]
Charming Rambler on Shy Acre
Eastern exposure for morning sunlight. This rambler sits on .93 acres and the large front yard has a circular driveway for easy access and plenty of room for all your gardening ideas. This charming rambler, tucked away in a beautiful country setting in the Tahoma School District, is offered for the first time by the original owners. Formal living room, dining room and separate family room with corner wood-burning stove. Vaulted ceilings add spaciousness! Large island kitchen with eat-in area includes center island, pantry and sliding glass door access to oversized deck overlooking the back of... [Read more...]
Congratulations Margaret & Jim on Your New Home!
Delivering keys to new homeowners today produced BIG smiles and a few hugs all around. Congratulations Jim and Margaret!!! Thanks again to a flawless team: Marilyn Brown at First American Title & Escrow — I’m so glad we can count on you. Beth Jensen at Cobalt Mortgage — Right on time and delivered as promised; the buyers and I were thrilled! Dave Jagosh — Your inspection services were JUST right!
What are Houses Selling for in Maple Valley?
When setting up a listing presentation for potential sellers, one of the important pieces is a look at how today’s average home prices compare to average home prices for the last few years. Many of the sellers with whom I’ve interacted lately in Maple Valley bought their homes in the last five or six years. Comparing what they paid for the home then with what average prices look like now is one step in determining listing price. Notice that prices in October of 2010 are below prices for October since 2004! (yikes!) … But looking over the last few months, prices actually seem... [Read more...]
Hey Buyer! Motivated Seller Here! Price Reduced AGAIN!
Quiet & Peaceful perfectly describes this idyllic property located in Ravensdale. The current owner says deer and elk come by to visit now and then, along with other forest creatures! Of course, with 2.28 fully-fenced & gated acres, you’ll have plenty of room for your own raise critters, to garden, park your toys, or just enjoy the lovely waterfall and pond. This 1536 sq ft home features a gigantic living room & dining room—both with bay windows, nicely appointed kitchen and laundry, plus three bedrooms. While there’s the true master bedroom, located at one end of the... [Read more...]
HURRY! — JP Morgan Chase — Strugging Homeowner Event TODAY
Buried deep in the newspaper yesterday was an announcement that JPMorganChase Bank is holding an event TODAY, September 30th, for homeowners struggling to make their house payments for Chase and EMC mortgages. 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!
Move In By The Holidays & Have GORGEOUS Land, Trees, Privacy & Easy Living!
Quiet & Peaceful perfectly describes this idyllic property located in Ravensdale. With 2.28 fully-fenced & gated acres, you’ll have plenty of room to raise critters, garden, park your toys, or just enjoy the lovely waterfall and pond. This 1536 sq ft home features a gigantic living room & dining room—both with bay windows, nicely appointed kitchen and laundry, plus three bedrooms. The master bedroom, located at one end of the home features a private 5-piece master bath, complete with soaking tub. And just down the hall is another huge bath, also with double sinks, soaking tub, and... [Read more...]
Tedious but Crucial Real Estate Statistics for Maple Valley, WA
Similar to the Boring but Invaluable Statistics for Auburn posted yesterday, Maple Valley, WA where my office resides and located about 15 minutes northeast of Auburn, has it’s own set of Tedius but Crucial Statistics. Tedious but Crucial Statistic #1: As with much of the area, home prices have fallen a bit in Maple Valley for the last few years. However, encouraging is that since February, prices have actually risen slightly: February March April May June July $ 287,729 $ 271,727 $ 271,158 $ 305,186 $ 308,423 $ 311,281 Average Sold Prices in Maple Valley Moving quickly... [Read more...]
Thanks to Everyone — Another Sale Closed!
Mission accomplished! The Seller of this little wonderful little house left a legacy for the new Buyer family — “Here’s a place where you can raise your own young children, with places to run and play and shout and sing. We loved it and know you will too.” This transaction was simple and surprisingly quick! With particular thanks to Erik Reault of Cobalt Mortgage who put together a very fast and efficient FHA 203k rehab loan, and thanks to the cooperating agent on the transaction, Jeff Kissick. Thank you both for a job well done and your great communication. And, of course,... [Read more...]
Maple Valley Fixer — Soooo Serene!
Looking for serenity and quiet? The hooting of an owl serenaded us while taking these house photos! Backed by the Cedar River Watershed and edged by an empty lot, this home is perfectly sited for a peaceful retreat after a long day! The current owner is a mason and her skillful tile work is evident throughout the house and yard. You’ll need to finish up much of the home. As an example, the master bedroom remodel was started years ago, but circumstances didn’t allow completion. The home needs flooring, windows, furnace or wall heaters, kitchen cabinets & counters, trimwork, and more. But... [Read more...]
