Neighborhoods & Market Reports

Flood Maps Affect Home Sales and Purchases

January 19, 2011 by Gabrielle

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.

Charming Rambler on Shy Acre

December 28, 2010 by Gabrielle

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 your .94 acre property. Private master suite includes tile counters and jetted corner tub!

Stay cool in the summer, warm in the winter with central air conditioning and heat pump. Home includes generator wiring, security system and is wired for speakers.

If you’ve always wanted a large yard for play and barbeque, room for gardens, and room for animals, that’s also located with easy access to major highways, this is the place! Come see it!

[srp_profile lat=”47.438753″ lng=”-122.005699″ address=”18127 252nd Ave SE” city=”Maple Valley” state=”WA” zip_code=”98092″]

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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.

(courtesy of Cindy Lowden, RE/MAX Select R.E.)

Hey Buyer! Motivated Seller Here! Price Reduced AGAIN!

November 12, 2010 by Gabrielle

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 home featuring a private 5-piece master bath, complete with soaking tub, double sinks & shower, the 2nd bedroom opens to another five-piece bath with yet two more sinks, shower and huge oval soaking tub! Could be two master suites in this home!

All of the windows and carpeting were recently updated and the owner just installed a Gen-Tran to guard against possible power outages. In addition to the detached 2-car garage, the owner recently built a roofed and concrete based shelter that could be used as additional parking–great for a boat or RV (he uses it for an outdoor exercise space).

Plus, there’s an outbuilding/loafing shed(?) is currently used for rough storage, with one end as a wonderful roofed and floored dog kennel, complete with dog runs. This building is a bit rough on one end, but certainly usable!

A previous owner had horses and the property has still has some cross-fencing. With just a little renovation, you’ll have great pasture areas!

Title Elimination is complete, plus the home is on a permanent foundation complete with tie downs and concrete pads. Act soon and you’ll be in your new home in 45 days!!

Drop by the virtual tour by clicking the button below, and then call for your own personal tour of this fabulous property. You’ll love it!

[srp_profile lat=”47.3579522″ lng=”-121.913761″ address=”32216 SE Kent-Kangley Road” city=”Ravensdale” state=”WA” zip_code=”98051″]

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Bank Rejected our Offer, Then Auctioned

January 23, 2010 by Gabrielle

Sometimes the decisions of banks make absolutely no sense in the short sale world. The bank rejected a solid offer on this house, then auctioned it for significantly less money. Go figure.

With almost 2000 square feet, you’ll love this rambler home with step-up bonus room in Timber Hills! Walk through the front door to the living, dining, kitchen, family, and laundry rooms, plus three bedrooms. In the master suite are an extra-long closet and recently updated ¾ bath with tile floor & walk-in shower.

Just four steps up and above the garage, is a huge 440 square foot bonus room, which could also be a very generous 4th bedroom with two deep walk-in closets. Don’t miss the pull-down attic stairs in the hallway leading to additional storage space! The home’s lower level is entirely comprised of an extra-deep double-door garage with openers, workbenches, shelves and storage.

Sliders just off the dining room lead to the fenced back yard, wonderful large deck with built-in benches, and patio. With minor repairs & new carpets, this home will be perfect for years of living. Offered as a short-sale property and priced to sell!

5-Acre Mini-Ranch

November 13, 2009 by Gabrielle

Got horses, goats, alpacas, mini-beef?

Close to Auburn, Lake Tapps and city commuting, this five-acre mini-ranch is the best value in the neighborhood and perfect for your equestrian or other animal pastimes.

From the moment you enter the property through the remote-controlled gate, you’ll both be charmed by the thoughtful touches surrounding the house itself, and completely impressed by the two huge shops! There’s way too much to describe here, but consider that the flower beds are surrounded by poured concrete edges, there are numerous little water features, the house is surrounded by a walk-around deck, and entered through a wonderful covered porch. Step inside to a sun-lit entry (complete with a sun-tube), and then on to the generous formal living room/dining room combination, and a family room with a free-standing woodburning stove.

This home was well loved and it shows. Set up as a warm haven after working out on your own five-acre parcel, you’ll appreciate all the little touches that make this it truly a home. As you come in from the back into the mudroom, you’ll find plenty of places to stash the boots, even a built in window seat with storage. The kitchen is well appointed with new(er) black appliances and loads of cabinets.

The master bedroom has a huge walk-in closet complete with loads of wire shelves & storage units, and a five-piece bath with tiled double-sink vanity and soaking tub. The 2nd bedroom is just off the family room and also has private access to the 2nd full bathroom.

Outside are five fenced and cross-fenced, hot-wired acres plus two shops, RV-size carport, barn with hayloft, 2-horse (only one stall) loafing shed, well house, a fish pond, your own private well and septic system.

Barn measures 42′ x 50′