Archive for the ‘Capitol Hill’ Category
August 26, 2008
According to the Seattle Public Library’s Shelf Talk blog, Seattle’s oldest house is the Ward House on Capitol Hill. Built in 1894 by pioneer George W. Ward, it’s a perfect example of the Victorian Gothic style.
To me, beyond being our city’s oldest house, this place also represents a special kind of Seattle magic—respect for the past somehow co-existing with our vision of the future. Maybe since we’re such a young city, relatively speaking, we cherish what history we do have? Even when it stands in the way of progress?
Slated for demolition in the ‘80s, the house was saved by moving it from its original location on First Hill to where it now stands. Though saved for its historical significance, the move hinted at Seattle’s current fascination—recycling.
Cut to present day Seattle and Cynthia’s post about recycling a Fremont home. For every profit-motivated developer, let’s hope there also exists a something-other-than-profit-motivated Seattleite to temper the effects of rampant growth.
(FYI, I recall this house being for sale recently, but I don’t believe it sold–at least it doesn’t appear in Redfin’s Sales Records search.)
August 21, 2008
Live Labs, a division of Microsoft, released Photosynth today, generating lots of industry hoopla and buzz. There’s been so much buzz, in fact, the Photosynth site is temporarily unavailable, brought down by untold numbers of interested folks.
Photosynth lets you create a virtual representation of a given locale by uploading numerous photos that it processes into a seamless experience. According to the Live Labs Website:
You can share or relive a vacation destination or explore a distant museum or landmark. With a nothing more than digital camera and some inspiration, you can use Photosynth to transform regular digital photos into a three-dimensional, 360-degree experience.
The Photosynth technology seems perfectly suited to real estate and home tours. Prospective buyers can tour homes from the comfort of their easy chair, saving time, energy and gas costs.
Galer, over at Raincityguide.com seems particularly enamored of the possibilities. To hear him tell it, “Photo Synth will change real estate.”
I’m dubious if it’s that far-reaching a technology. Though I do agree it adds another high-tech tool to the real estate professional’s arsenal.
But as with all things Web, content is the key. Only time will tell if folks actually produce Synths regularly. If the interface is intuitive and the results easily achieved, Photosynth may make more headway into the consumer market than previous 360-technologies have (like Apple’s QuickTime VR.)
As someone who spends way too much time trolling real estate via the Web, I’m already a fan–and I haven’t even actually made it to the Website.
August 20, 2008
After 10-plus years in a single family residence, the thrill of home maintenance and yard work has begun to wane. These days, I’m easily enticed by the lure of maintenance-free condos. (O.K., condos aren’t really maintenance-free, but I wouldn’t be the one maintaining it.)
I could accept the possible noise, space and privacy issues of condo living–my hearing’s going, I’ve been in the mood to down-size for a few years, and my life is way too dull to generate much outside interest. The one condo complication I’ve yet to make peace with though is the impact on my dogs. I’d feel guilty forcing them from a spacious back yard to a place with little, if any, outdoor space.
One possible solution is to live near a dog park. Dog parks offer not only exercise, but also a chance for socialization–for you and your puppy. Seattle has a few dog parks, but not nearly enough. (And many of its off-leash areas occupy distressed locations under the freeway, next to the freeway, on top of the freeway: all too noisy for me, but seemingly acceptable for my dogs. I guess for dogs, sniffing butts is more important than relaxing environs?)
Magnuson Park, on Lake Washington, is an exception. It’s big, spacious and has water access. It’s also about a 25 minute drive from the city center.
Capitol Hill’s off-leash area, Plymouth Pillars Park, is a tiny little triangle at Boren and Pike. Though small, my dogs love it. Fifteen minutes there, mixing it up with other spastic pups, mellows them out better than an hour-long walk.
If you’re a dog-owning condo-shopper, you may want to consider these places. They all accept dogs (though some have weight restrictions) and they’re all just a bone’s throw from Plymouth Pillars: convenient location for you and your pooch.
1420 Terry Ave #1101 Seattle, WA 98101
2 Bedrooms, 1.75 Baths, 1,103 sq./ft.
Price: $650,000
1323 Boren Ave #604 Seattle, WA 98101
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 516 sq./ft.
Price: $239,950
1616 Summit Ave #308 Seattle, WA 98122
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, 732 sq./ft.
Price: $313,500
303 E Pike St #411 Seattle, WA 98122
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 796 sq./ft.
Price: $375,000
August 15, 2008
Short on cash but long on renovating skills? Then you may want to consider a fixer. Buy cheap (sorta–there’s currently a fixer going for 1.5 million) and reap the rewards of sweat equity. Here are some fixer listing in central Seattle worth a look-see:
2222 E Mcgraw St Seattle, WA 98112
Beds: 3 Baths: 1.75
Price: $585,000
1533 33rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122
Beds: 6 Baths: 4 Sq. Ft.: 3,580
Price: $1,499,000
331 23rd Ave E Seattle, WA 98112
Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 1,180
Price: $289,950
August 14, 2008
A million dollars is a lot of money, and it buys a lot of house—even on Capitol Hill. You won’t get a mansion, but you will get a classic Seattle home.
Current million dollar listings offer 3-4 bedrooms and formal day rooms with plenty of old world charm and craftsmanship (with the exception of a more modern ‘80s home). You can also expect high-end kitchens and baths–sweet, sweet living.
The big decision you’ll have to make is view or walkability. Live close to Volunteer Park and stroll to the 15th Ave. amenities along tree-lined streets reminiscent of old Seattle; or live further north, on the Western slope, and experience breathtaking views. (We should all face such dilemmas, eh?)
Here are today’s million dollar single-family listings on Capitol Hill:
812 E Prospect St Seattle, WA 98102
4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 2,610 sq. ft. $/sq. ft. $383
Price: $999,500
506 17th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112
4 Bedroom, 4 Baths, 3,600 sq ft $/sq. ft. $272
Price: $979,950
907 E Howe St Seattle, WA 98102
4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, 4,110 sq. ft. $243/sq. ft.
Price: $999,000
701 16th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112
3 Bedrooms, 2.25 Baths, sq. ft. unknown
Price: $1,025,000
1646 21st Ave E Seattle, WA 98112
3 Bedrooms, 3.25 Baths, 2,940 sq. ft., $349/sq. ft.
Price: $1,025,000
August 11, 2008
Max, of Sacramento Real Estate Statistics, has added our fair burg to his Flippers in Trouble (FIT) blog series. Max culls the current listings to identify flailing flippers in Sacramento, Phoenix, and now Seattle.
According to the Flippers in Trouble FAQ, Max defines a FIT as, “…somebody who bought a house within the last two years and is selling it now for less than what they paid.” I like the economic simplicity. The tagged listings certainly aren’t all failed flips, but they do represent dollars lost in real estate.
Organized into galleries, the FIT listings make an interesting and useful compilation. I imagine beneath every 30-40% loss a story of woe–or greed gone wrong. A compendium of the bubble burst, as it were.
It’s sort of ironic that the site is also perfectly suited to bargain hunters: one person’s loss parlayed into another’s gain. Gotta love the market system, eh?
Luckily for Seattle, the loss numbers here aren’t anywhere near the numbers in Phoenix or Sacramento. If we’re near the end of the market woes, Seattle will have mostly held its own. If not, we’ll be sliding a bit longer. . . with lots of big hills around to increase the momentum. Check back with Max now and again to see how reality unfolds.
August 8, 2008
While walking the dogs this morning, I witnessed no less than five Providence workers parking their SOVs on my neighborhood streets. Hospital workers are now parking as far north as Union and as far south as Fir.
I also overheard a snippet of conversation: “Took me an hour-and-a-half to get from Auburn yesterday.” My initial thought at hearing that was, “Maybe if you and your friends took the bus or carpooled, it would only take you 45 minutes from Auburn. Fool!” (Then I remembered irritation causes stress and disease, and that I should love my fellow citizens. So I offered a “good morning” as I passed by.)
This morning’s invasion reminded me of a recent post on the Central District Website highlighting the same issue: residents prevented from parking near their homes because commuters in SOVs crowd the available spaces. The post references a Seattle P-I article detailing the city’s proposal to limit residential parking permits. Depending on your neighborhood, you’ll be allowed 1-4 parking permits per household.
It seems commuters are the problem in the CD. On Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, it’s more bar-goers and simple density issues. All those new townhomes with inaccessible, tiny garages put lots more cars on the streets than the single family homes they’ve replaced.
Welcome to the big city, eh? I don’t know that the new permit limits will solve the problem, but they’re a start. My block currently doesn’t even require permits, which is why the Providence folk park there. Before limiting the residents, I’d prefer to see more limiting of non-residential parking. Parking for an hour or so while you run some errands is fine; parking for 8 or more hours each day isn’t.
August 4, 2008
Every so often, it’s interesting to take a peek at what you can get for your money. Today’s magic number is $500,000, and for that kind of money, you can get yourself some pretty cool digs around town.
Urban living on the Eastside in Bellevue’s Washington Square:
10610 NE 9th Pl, #500
1 br/1 ba, 683 sq.ft.
Price: $499,950
Lot Size: Zippo–It’s a condo!
Year Built: 2008
MLS 28084926
Wine tasting on weekends in Woodinville:
16860 128 Pl NE
3 br/2.5 ba, 2,000 sq.ft.
Price: $500,000
Lot Size: 5,941 sq.ft.
Year Built: 2001
MLS 28129544
Room to run in Redmond:
9743 159th Pl NE
4 br/1.75 ba, 2,658 sq.ft.
Price: $499,000
Lot Size: 9,800 sq.ft.
Year Built: 1977
MLS 28044794
A Kirkland cul-de-sac:
11332 NE 129th St
4 br/2 ba, 2,300 sq.ft.
Price: $499,900
Lot Size: 10,000 sq.ft.
Year Built: 1974
MLS 28058639
An Alki Beach cottage:
2252 Bonair Pl SW
2 br/1 ba, 1,930 sq.ft.
Price: $499,000
Lot Size: 2,720 sq.ft.
Year Built: 1927
MLS 28132024
A brand new Belltown beauty:
81 Clay St, # N427
2 br/1.5 ba, 944 sq.ft.
Price: $499,000
Lot Size: Zippo–it’s a condo.
Year Built: 2008
MLS 28107444
Captivating on Capitol Hill:
525 Belmont Ave E #4F
1 br/1.75 ba, 961 sq.ft.
Lot Size: Zippo–it’s a condo!
$499,950
Year Built: 1965
MLS 28067716
Charming in Fremont:
4002 Linden Ave N
3 br/a ba, 2,230 sq.ft.
Price: $499,000
Lot Size: 3,400 sq.ft.
Year Built: 1924
MLS 28119904
July 31, 2008
This morning, I noticed several new FSBO (For Sale By Owner) listings on the MLS. The sheer number piqued my interest. I quickly realized they all appeared courtesy of By Owner Homes and Land.com, one of the many Web-based FSBO sites. Mystery solved.
While exploring several of the listing, I was reminded why FSBO listings typically leave me cold: lack of comprehensive information (that, and over-pricing). While searching for my first home, I looked-at several FSBO homes. It was a very frustrating experience. I found the owners I encountered to be inflexible, with an unrealistic view of their home’s value.
I can forgive the emotional attachment of the owners to their homes, but I can’t countenance the lack of information. Typical FSBO listings display the No Photo Available image at left and may or may not include even the most basic information.
For folks that use the Web to do their initial research, this lack of detail almost guarantees that the majority will pass on these homes. With a glut of homes on the market, most with photos and detailed data, where’s the incentive to view homes blind? (In fact, from the buyer’s view, FSBO listings hold no real incentives at all.)
I understand the lure of selling yourself: no agent fees. Traditional fees are up to six percent of the selling price. For a $500,000 home, that’s a whopping $30,000 out of the seller’s pocket!
Sellers do have other options though. There are new real estate services, like Redfin, that help moderate the traditional fees while still providing valuable marketing services. Some of the FSBO sites attempt it too, but usually without comprehensive details required by today’s savvy buyers.
If you’re an intrepid explorer, have lots of time to go down blind alleys and can negotiate better than most, then maybe FSBO listings are worth a look. For you folks, here are Capitol Hill area FSBO listings:
1124 14th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $575,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
821 16th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $699,950
5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
911 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $850,000
5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths
103 Bellevue Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 Price: $365,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
107 20th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $289,000
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath
1226 22nd Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 Price: $2,200,000
6 Bedrooms, 1 Bath
716 26th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 Price: $549,995
5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths
601 Belmont Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 Price: $549,950
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath
July 28, 2008
Mixed harmoniously among the stately homes of Capitol Hill, the apartment buildings of Frederick William Anhalt illustrate the style and quality of early Seattle architecture. Built during the 1920s and ‘30s, the tudor-esque brick and stucco buildings exude old world charm and master craftsmanship.
In recent years, several Anhalt buildings have gone condo. With their leaded-glass windows, hardwood floors and wrought-iron details, these modest-sized homes offer elegant spaces for singles and couples.
If you’re enamored of Capitol Hill, but have no need for a 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2400 square foot home, an Anhalt condo may be the ticket. Not only do you get a great space in a great location, but you also get an architecturally significant piece of Seattle history.
721 Boylston Ave E #102 Seattle, WA 98102
Price: $389,900
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, 857 sq. ft.
1201 E John #2 Seattle, WA 98122
Price: $458,880
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, 1,100 sq. ft.
