Seattle Real Estate Up Over 20% From A Year Ago According to Latest NWMLS Press Release.

Like divorce stats, etc. (ask me about my theory on Elvis Vegas weddings sometime if you want a different discussion altogether), I think all numbers are skewed, but the latest NWMLS report from the close of the 2011 December Seattle real estate market would suggest otherwise.  Without me going into the fact that I disagree with my friend OB (who happens to be the President of Windermere) on whether or not we have already turned a corner as he says we have in this latest report, here is a piece of the NWMLS news release:

“Healthy marketplaces” emerging with shrinking inventory, favorable financing

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 4, 2012) – Home sales finished the year much stronger than they started, with 

pending sales for the fourth quarter outgaining the first quarter by more than 3,000 transactions for a 21 

percent increase, according to new figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

A year-over-year comparison shows December’s pending sales (mutually accepted offers) rose more than 

20 percent from a year ago. Northwest MLS brokers reported 5,237 pending sales last month, up from the 

previous year when they recorded 4,359 transactions.

Last month’s pending volume exceeded the number of new listings (4,604) for the second consecutive 

month. The last time such an imbalance occurred was November 2006."

As I have stated before, you all know I am a highly positive person, but this is hardly turning a corner.  I agree that we are heading in the right direction, but we haven't gotten far enough to have turned a corner.  Less inventory just makes it appear this way temporarily.  The banks have been holding off on plenty of REO inventory and we still have that mountain to get over before we can truly be out of this latest Seattle real estate market shift.

So what do you do if you want to sell your house?

Sell it now!!! Not to sound like a typical real estate agent who just wants the listing, I swear.  Here is why: 

There is a historical low amount of inventory (especially in neighborhoods like Queen Anne or Magnolia!!!!)  and also ridiculously low interest rates, but even that is not my reason why if you want or need to sell you need to do it ASAP.

There are buyers waiting for your homes to buy them. This is not my reason either.  

Here is the real reason - the dirty little secret no one is telling you:

 If you think prices will go up in Spring 2012 and you are waiting for that, then I highly suggest you sell now because when those foreclosures start truly being released rather than just the trickle we have seen so far, the prices will reflect it and there will be far more competition to deal with. In short, you will have waited too long.  

Call me or email me if you want to talk further about it.  It merits a discussion if you need to sell, otherwise hang back and wait for the Seattle real estate market to absorb the floodgate of foreclosures and make another shift towards the positive. It will be a couple years at least, but it will happen. 

Queen Anne, Are You Ready?

Winterfest Ice Skating at Seattle Center

I don't ice skate a lot - almost never, but what a great way to celebrate the holidays!

My daughter decided that for her birthday, she wanted to go ice skating and I told her that there was no where to skate around here.  She of course had already done her homework and pointed out that we could ice skate practically under the Space Needle if we wanted to.  

In fact, Seattle Center has Winterfest going on right now and there are lots of events including...ice skating.

From the Seattle Center website:

Winterfest Ice Rink Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2012 Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 8pm Friday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm Fisher Pavilion, Prices Vary Glide into the season with the greatest of ease. For novice or Olympiad ice skaters, the Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6– 12, $2 children ages 5 and under. Admission fee includes skate rental. Cash only. Admission is free only to patrons wanting to watch and not ice skate. Special hours: Dec. 24 closes 4pm, Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 31 closes at 11:30pm

Ice Skating at Seattle Center was something indeed!  It was especially significant for my daughter who has grown up hearing stories of her great grandparents having their first dates ice skating at the Seattle Center.  The Winterfest Ice Skating Rink is a in Fisher Pavilion and very crowded, but a pretty amazing winter experience overall.

Seattle Center is the heart of Seattle local events.  It is a great place to explore and a wonderful part of Uptown (Lower Queen Anne).  If you are interested in Queen Anne homes or other Seattle neighborhoods that are close by Seattle Center, then let me know and I will show you my favorites!

Winterfest Ice Skating at Seattle Center

My daughter decided that for her borthday, she wanted to go ice skating and I told her that there was no where to skate around here.  She of course had already done her homework and pointed out that we could ice skate practically under the Space Needle if we wanted to.  Seattle Center has Winterfest going on right now and there are lots of events including...ice skating.

From the Seattle Center website:

Winterfest Ice Rink Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2012 Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 8pm Friday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm Fisher Pavilion, Prices Vary Glide into the season with the greatest of ease. For novice or Olympiad ice skaters, the Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6– 12, $2 children ages 5 and under. Admission fee includes skate rental. Cash only. Admission is free only to patrons wanting to watch and not ice skate. Special hours: Dec. 24 closes 4pm, Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 31 closes at 11:30pm

Ice Skating at Seattle Center was something indeed!  It was especially significant for my daughter who has grown up hearing stories of her great grandparents having their first dates ice skating at the Seattle Center.  The Winterfest Ice Skating Rink is a in Fisher Pavilion and very crowded, but a pretty amazing winter experience overall.

Seattle Center is the heart of Seattle local events.  It is a great place to explore and a wonderful part of Uptown (Lower Queen Anne).  If you are interested in Queen Anne homes or other Seattle neighborhoods that are close by Seattle Center, then let me know and I will show you my favorites!

Queen Anne Real Estate in Seattle, WA

Seattle real estate inventory is low in many neighborhoods, but Queen Anne actually still has some great homes and condos to choose from. The range of housing in Queen Anne is vast - co-ops to condos to townhomes to homes to Mansions and estates. There truly is something for everyone on this Seattle hill!!!

If you are interested in Queen Anne real estate, I am happy to show you some of my favorites on the hill!

As the 2011 market season comes to a close, we thank each and every one of you – our sponsors, local businesses, patrons, vendors and volunteers who were instrumental in producing a very successful season. QAFM is a unique community-managed market and your support shows what we can accomplish together. Despite getting a late start this year, the market continued to thrive and to grow. We, as a whole, provided access to Washington farmers and their fresh, healthy food, hosted food education programs for children and adults, offered a rich variety of ready-to-eat meals and a diversity of free musical programs, all while being a gathering place for our community and greater Seattle. Our impact on the local economy is substantial and we are proud of our results this season.

• Hosted 41 vendors (59% farmers/41% prepared food)
• Average customers per market – 2513 (74% increase over 2010)
• Average vendor sales per market – $22, 231 (9.0% increase over 2010)
• Three jobs created and filled by QA residents
• 25 volunteers donated 299 hours.
• 1857 pounds of food donated to Trinity Methodist Saturday Soup Kitchen and Queen Anne Methodist.
• Donated booth space 21 times to 13 non-profit organizations
• Introduced EBT-matching program to double the value of food stamps
• New web site designed and content re-created
• New Facebook site introduced (450 “friends” reached in 4 months)
• New Twitter feed introduced (225 followers secured in 4 months)
• Hosted 30 chefs and food educators
• Brought in 21 musicians for 29 performances
• Featured two Tae Kwon Do and Yoga classes, and a community Talent Show

Queen Anne Farmer's Market Adds Delight And Color To Thursdays!

QUEEN ANNE AVE & WEST CROCKETT ST :

THURSDAYS 3-7:30

Runs June 2nd - October 6th

Finally the weather is cooperating so the Queen Anne Farmer's Market was an absolute delight to go to tonight!

You can find out more about the Queen Anne Farmer's Market by visiting their website :

http://www.qafma.org

Queen Anne Living

Queen Anne in general has an excellent Walk Score and the shops and restaurants along Queen Anne Ave make this Seattle neighborhoods a top pick for many people relocating to Seattle from other areas.  Add in the close proximity to Downtown Seattle, and Queen Anne Hill is worth a look. After all, Queen Anne was the choice pick for early Seattle business men from the late 1800's and  is still one of the most desirable Seattle neighborhoods.

If you are interested in Queen Anne homes for sale or learning more about Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, please feel free to get in touch with me - I am happy to show you my favorite Queen Anne hot spots and also the lovely Queen Anne real estate if you find yourself looking for Queen Anne Realtors!  (courtney@cooperjacobs.com  206-850-8841)

Queen Anne view homes- checking out Seattle's best views....

If you are interested in having a Seattle home with one of the most amazing views, then you should really consider looking at some of the beautiful Queen Anne view homes for sale right now.

Click on any of the Queen Anne homes for sale below to find all Queen Anne listings in the MLS, including many amazing Queen Anne View Homes (This page has all MLS listings from all Seattle real estate companies and is current from information swept from the NWMLS for changes every 15-20 minutes).

You can find all Queen Anne real estate here including Queen Anne view homes or other Queen Anne listings on the Southwest slope, Southeast slope and other parts of this fabulous Seattle neighborhood.

 Queen Anne Real Estate in Seattle WA - Find Queen Anne View Homes For Sale

If you are looking for a Queen Anne Realtor or are interested in viewing any of these Queen Anne view homes for sale or other Seattle real estate, please feel free to get in touch with me: Courtney Cooper, Realtor, 206-850-8841, courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Queen Anne Homes For Sale - 5 Tips To Sell It Faster And For More Money:

The goal is to sell your Queen Anne house as quickly and as profitably as possible.  Have the home Staged by someone your Realtor recommends.  (Note:  Make sure that your Queen Anne Realtor does recommend this as an option or call another one who does.).  Also make sure your Realtor can get your home on the internet in MANY places and hire a professional photographer.

Go through some of these tips as a good seller to sell your Queen Anne home more efficiently:

De-clutter:  Make four distinct piles if it is easier: Trash, Return, Donate, and Might Need, but in the end, just get rid of it!

Clean!!!  Seems basic, but...  Cleaning your house for sale goes well beyond dusting, mopping and vacuuming. You must clean it like you mean it. You must minutely examine every square inch of your house and restore it to near-new condition. An advantage of a well-cared-for house is that you’re less likely to receive a low offer. When buyers can’t find faults they focus less on how much money they can squeeze out of you and start thinking that the house is right for them. If you don’t have the time to clean then you should hire a professional. It’s a smart investment

Repair:   Buyers expect a trouble-free home. They want to buy a house, move in and start enjoying it right away. They don’t want to waste time and money fixing up the place. If you don’t repair your house, it will be seen as a fixer-upper and you will not be able to attract the right kind of buyers, nor will you get the price you want for it.

Know whether you need a pre-listing home inspection and understand the difference between repair and renovation can save you money and headaches. 

Renew:  Renewing and Revitalizing are very different than remodeling, which is usually expensive and delays the selling of your house.  Start with improving your curb appeal, follow up with lighting, and painting. Only then can you start staging your house for sale. 

Show It Off:  Put away your meds, close your computer, and put away jewelry.  Make your beds, air out the house, and leave.  The most important part is to leave after you have prepped it because buyers can not visualize themselves in your home if you are there and it makes them uncomfortable. 

Let us know if you need help buying or selling your Queen Anne Real Estate - we look forward to talking to you!

Historic Mansions in Seattle

Seattle has some of the most gorgeous and significant historic mansions and I always love touring them and showing them to perspective buyers.  Seattle mansions are in many different neighborhoods, but I particularly like the historic beauties.

Many clients refer to the movie Money Pit when I am showing these types of homes, but in most cases, Seattle's historic mansions for sale are in very well cared for and preserved states. 

 My favorite historic mansions in Seattle are in Capitol Hill, Roanoke Park, Washington Park, Laurelhurst, and Queen Anne.  I love the Queen Anne mansions along Queen Anne Boulevard.