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Your Guide to Homes in Kirkland, Washington.
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Clive Egdes206-251-1680
Specializing inKirkland Properties.
“Exceptional Service,Extraordinary Results”
177507
Windermere Real Estate/Central, Inc. 178176
4500 sq ft on two � oors, 12,000 sq ft lot, 5 bedrooms, 3.75 bathrooms, main � oor media room, den. Exceptional quality and � nishes throughout. Site � nished
brazilian cherry, granite counters,professional appliances. $1,450,000
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Price Reduced
Call Rich Rostadwww.richrostad.com206-841-8460
February Home of the Month
Supplement to Kirkland Reporter
February 2009
Get Ready –Spring is Near!The economic outlook
for real estate is never just black and white — you’ve got to look at the encour-aging signs — along with the bleak — if you want a realistic picture.
Despite these challeng-ing economic times, exist-ing home sales will be rising. Why? The answer, in a word: affordabil-ity. Currently, the most important factor driving home sales is affordability.
With home prices falling in many parts of the country and mortgage rates still near historic lows, affordability conditions have markedly improved. Even with rising unemployment, nearly 93% of households will have jobs.
These 93% of the working households (rather than 95% during good economic times) respond to home buying incentives. I say this because we have history as a lesson. Back in the prior recession (2001-2003) the economy shed nearly 2 million net jobs. Even during those years, existing-home sales rose from 5.2 million to 6.2 million just as jobs were being cut.
New home sales, likewise rose from 900,000 to 1.1 million. Mortgage rates were falling. Housing afford-ability increased. While those 2 million job cuts were painful, the economy still had 130 million job holders. And given the right incentives, they purchased homes.
Measures such as the recently enacted first-time homebuyer tax credit and a larger number of mort-gage loans that qualify for purchase by Fannie Mae
Debbie Walter
Realtor® - RE/MAX NW
See ECONOMICS, page 6
177509
Sarah ReedABR, CRS, e-PRO, SRES, GRI,
Platinum Producer
206-226-0226www.SarahReed.com
Mountain Views in Houghton!
Gorgeous newer 3 bdrm 2 bath, 2 car gar townhome at Taluswood super close to Microsoft, and Redmond Town Cen-ter. Brazilian Cherry Hardwoods, 9’+ ceil-ings, granite counters, stainless appl, fenced backyard with BBQ deck, hi tech wired & surround sound. Well managed & main-tained complex, pet friendly. Location & Luxury in one place. New Price $359,900
A New Year, a New Price....
Freshly updated, 2 bdrm top � oor end unit condo ready for the new owner. Olympic Mt views and gorgeous sunsets are yours to enjoy from the private deck and dining room. A stones throw from new Google complex, Starbucks, PCC. Private BBQ Deck, vaulted ceilings & wood burning � replace. Small & well managed 22 owner complex with huge pool, low dues, pet friendly. New Price-$265,000
The location you desire & the luxury you deserve! The most desired � oorplan in this contemporary complex, an unmatched location in quiet courtyard for maximum privacy. 2 large West fac-ing private patios take full advantage of the sun. Grand open, � owing � oorplan designed to maximize enter-taining. Stainless + Granite! Large Master Suite features Walk-in & spa inspired 5 piece salon w/giant spa tub to spoil you. 2nd bedroom is sizable w/walkin closet. 2 large full baths Den of� ce w/built-in storage & shelves. $689,000
Just Listed in Downtown Kirkland
Location + Value=Awesome Deal!You won’t � nd a nicer, lower priced newer 2 bedroom in such a cov-eted location. Quiet & sunny condo facing the greenbelt and sunsets. Spacious living room, nice big kitchen, tons of windows & storage, oversized bathroom, master with walkin closet. Security building. 2 Car Tandem garage & additional huge, secure storage unit. Just down the street from new Google & Microsoft, Costco, Downtown Kirkland waterfront. ADA capable. ARCH Housing Program guidlines apply. $239,000
Waterfront living at anaffordable price! Park your boat in front of your new abode and be ready to go! South facing 1 bed-room condo offers updated � oor to ceiling windows, granite counters, six panel cedar doors, cherry wood cabinets and tile � oors. Well managed small complex in terri� c Kirkland location. $369,000
Live on Lake Washington in 2009!Remodeled 3 Bed + 3 Bath in JuanitaTucked away on a quiet culdesac in a friendly com-munity. Great LKW schools, beaches, trails, and parks mo-ments away! Vaulted ceilings, hardwood entry, spacious living & dining rooms. Eat-in kitch w/hardwoods is open to the fam rm, skylights, 2 frplc, 2 car gar + shop. Bonus rm for home of� ce/4th Bdr + tons of storage. 2,120 sq.ft tri-level. Only $534,850
2 | A great place to call home Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009
What’s In, What’s Out with Home Buyers in 2009?Mark NashRealty Times
Mark Nash, author of four real estate books, has completed his annual survey of 839 real estate agents in all fifty states in the US and the eight provinces of Canada.
What’s in, what’s out with Homebuyers illuminates what’s popular or what sours homebuy-ers in both the home purchase or sale transaction and home decor. Compiled annually from-the-trenches, it offers a spectrum of tips that cover reality of buying a home and design no-no’s for home sellers and buyer must-haves.What’s IN
• Sidelined home buyers. Fami-ly or lifestyle additions or changes made in buyers households in the last three years are forcing those waiting out the market transition to finally get off the fence and say, it’s time for our family to buy the new home that suits our new needs.
• Home uplifts. Not a big renovation, but some new finishes that can visually holdover stay-put home sellers. Not a gut rehab to the studs new kitchen, but new flooring, countertops and appli-ances.
• Collaborative home pric-ing. The old days of home sellers configuring a homes price are out. What’s new is that the seller with
their agent look at closed compa-rables, set a price, then the buyer and their agent agree or disagree, but in the end, a mortgage lender and their appraiser will set the price, as they are assuming the most risk in the transaction.
• Balanced reporting by real estate and personal finance journalists. Consumers learned in 2008 that the ‘doom and gloom’ residential real estate market headlines don’t apply to all markets. What’s been lost in the foreclosure hype is that there are still stories of homes sell-ing in short market times (in as little as 3 days), homes selling at full price and some selling with multiple contracts on the table. Existing home sales will be 5.02 million versus 5.652 million for 2007, a decrease of just over eleven percent, considerably less that the recent correction in the U.S. stock market, plus a realistic view that over five million people purchased a home despite the headlines in 2008.
• Creative home seller financ-ing. Exhausted home sellers are turning to self-financing to move properties. Installment sale contracts and lease to own are the most popular and effective ways for sellers to begin to receive income from a property that has languished on the market in 2008.
• Property tax appeals. With home prices dropping, many
savvy home owners are appeal-ing their property taxes. This is especially attractive to those look-ing to sell their home in 2009. With a competitive marketplace, those with the most realistic taxes are more likely to offer buyers an overall lower expense in home ownership.
• House therapists. Divided partners in a home are increasing-ly relying on an independent third party (house therapist or coach) to bring household relationships to common ground on such prickly issues such as to stay or move, how much to spend on remodel-ing or decorating, or spending nothing at all. Third parties can outline the benefits and pitfalls of over-spending on a new larger home or weighing in on a spouses desire to over-improve for the neighborhood. With less eq-uity and with the financial stakes higher smart couples hire a home therapist to wrangle concessions and agreements out with their significant other instead of doing damage to their relationship by going head-to-head with them.
• Architectural overhead garage doors. After years of bland vanilla garage doors, the architecture has permeated the door most people look at the most. Traditional styl-ing has arrived with mullioned windows, faux wrought iron hinges and latches that provide the original non-overhead garage
door look. Contemporary looks now include the adjacent siding applied over the door for a seam-less look, much like the panels installed on refrigerator doors to complement cabinets in a kitchen.
• Loveseats. A pair or trio is gaining acceptance as the func-tional way to rearrange a living or family room. Consumers appre-ciate the ease at which they can rearrange them, move an extra one to another room, or provide long-term furniture flexibility in future homes. Plus, they’re tired of sitting miles away from others on over-sized sectional sofas.
• The master bed as a throne. With consumer spending down and more nesting at home, home owners are focusing on making their bed like an at-home luxury hotel experience. Posh linens, pillows and mattresses create a getaway without leaving home.
• Older war-horse appliances. Collectable, working appliances form the 1940’s through the late 1980’s have found a new niche among homeowners who appreci-ate their rock-solid construction and durability. Harvest gold double ovens from the 1970’s have been repainted a metallic red and go from boring to bold. Cold spot refrigerators from the 1950’s refinished in sky blue perks up the butler’s pantry in suburban home. And, the early 1960’s dryer that looks like it’s from a Jet son house
painted pink to match punches up the in-unit laundry room in a condominium.
• Dining chairs that don’t match. With consumers watch-ing their non-essential spending closely and electing to stay home to entertain friends, many have found a quick pick-me-up for their dining room suite, mis-matched pairs or single chairs. What’s OUT
• Fixer-upper homes. With larger down payments required by mortgage lenders and consumer credit cards mixed out, home buyers want a home in move-in condition.
• Foreclosure fluff. The fore-closure rate nationally in 2008 was just under 3 percent. In the Great Depression it was just over forty-percent.
• Home buyers endless “cir-cling” prospective short-list prop-erties. Overly optimistic thinking by buyers to circle a preferred property indefinitely, often for months, waiting for further price reductions or to wear out long weary sellers. This practice has backfired for buyers who practice this style of pre-negotiating. They often loose their short-list dream home and frustrate savvy price-right sellers. Ditto the bottom-feeder buyers.
• Indoor-outdoor carpet. • Track lighting.
177529
Modern simplicity, organic fusion, intoxicating volume - extraordinary lake views. Luxurious master w/balcony, � ex room, limestone-wrapped bath. Dream-inspired kitchen. Moon-litcovered deck w/stone FP, 1058 sf rooftop deck, trio of extra bdrm suites, roomy 4-car gar.
Smart wired for lights/sound/media. Ultimate theatre room. Private, lush bkyd & patio, backs to greenbelt. Custom designed by Robert Maloney Architects, expertly crafted by Duren
Homes. Refresh. Recharge. Renew. Offered at $2,495,000
Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009 A great place to call home | 3
Hello and welcome to Home ImprovementI am looking
forward to shar-ing with you the latest news and trends related to maintaining and upgrading your home over the coming months. Being in the home remodeling business contin-ues to be an interesting and challenging career for me and my team. Please join us for each new issue.
Owning a home has been, for most of my adult life, an achievable Ameri-can dream. I struggled to buy my first home over 40 years ago and have been owning, fixing, and enjoying my slice of the dream ever since, and for most of that time cooking one up for a client or two.
In this issue we’ll talk about three major areas of concern for any of us who own a home or are considering a purchase: routine maintenance, major repairs, and improvements to adapt your home to changing life stages.
For most of us, our home is our greatest asset and if we have lived there for very long, it’s a bit like our favorite pair of shoes. It fits our life, gives com-fort and protection, and with a certain amount of polish and repair will last a long time. Just like shoes, even the best built houses will not last forever, but there are homes in Europe that
have been continuously occupied for hundreds of years.
The path to a long useful life for buildings is a pattern of gradual up-grades and replacements. To cite one example, consider a gas fired furnace quite common in our area. Many of these units installed over 20 years ago are still in use, sending 20 to 30 percent of the energy we buy up the chimney. Combine these losses with poorly insulated leaky ductwork and half
of your gas bill is wasted! Worse yet these obsolete heating units often have cracked or corroded heat exchangers that threaten us with carbon monoxide poisoning. As technology improves and energy costs rise, it probably makes economic sense to upgrade your heat-ing system every five years. Meanwhile, most of us don’t even look at the fur-nace as long as warm air comes out of the registers and the thermostat works.
According to many experts, we should budget 3 percent of our home values for maintenance and routine replacements. That seems like a lot at first, but if we consider the useful life of the roof, the furnace, the deck, the kitchen and so on it may not be
so farfetched. Yet few owners spend nearly that much, and many younger, cash-strapped households go years with almost no repairs or upgrades. For the past decade such neglect has been “bailed out” by housing inflation, but it is no longer possible to pass on neglect to the next owner or pull “fix up” mon-ey out of miraculously growing equity. Just ask a neighbor who is trying to sell a home in this difficult market. Pro-spective buyers are very wary of taking
on a house full of deferred maintenance or worn out systems.
So far we have only talked about “staying even,” but growing (or shrink-ing) household size and other lifestyle changes can be strong motivations to expand or modify our home. For younger families with children there doesn’t ever seem to be enough space, and then they grow. And the number of us whose parents are moving in con-tinues to grow steadily. Home offices, entertaining, hobbies and the like all compete for space and features.
These situations often bring up a major family decision -- whether to move to a different house or stay and remodel. In future articles we will look
at these options in detail, considering the economics as well as the various design and construction services it takes to expand or renovate part or all of your current home. What we can say today is that remodeling is sometimes the best way to keep what you value most, whether that is the school dis-trict, neighborhood, view, or something more personal. For example, several clients have remodeled their parents’ old homestead so the next generation could continue to live there.
As “irrational exuberance” is replaced by honesty about housing values, I believe our motivation to move will be tempered by a desire to better care for and enjoy the family homes where we already live. And we can expect well-crafted investments in home mainte-nance and upgrades to pay off in better prices and shorter time on the market when it is time to sell.
Our current exposure to the fore-closure crisis and its impact will pass, and the lessons learned will ultimately strengthen our economy and the wealth of our nation, a nation of home owners.
Len McAdams is President of McAd-ams Builders, Kirkland based Design/Build Remodeling company, for over 30 years. He can be reached at 425-822-6555 or www.mcadamsbuilders.com
Len McAdam
“According to many experts, we should budget 3 percent of our home values for maintenance and routine replacements...”
177503
put our knowledge ON YOUR SIDE CBBain.com/homesSO
LD
Lake Washington Lifestyle $699,000End unit with spectacular Lake Washington views, Waterfront living at its best. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1100 sqft unit. New Kitchen, 2 view decks. Enjoy the ever changing views of water & sky. Close to all of the down-town activities. Dock & Moorage available for up to a 40 foot boat.
TeriLane, [email protected]
View Townhome In Wine Country $539,500Fantastically � nished 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath perched over Woodinville and the Sammamish Valley. 2-car garage, hardwoods, granite & stainless Kitchen counters and lots of light. HOD only $90. Backyard perfect for pets. Open Sat and Sun #28165559
Debra [email protected]
Walk To Google $839,0004 bdrm. 3 bath. Reverse � oor plan w/master on main. Remodeled through-out with all high end designer � nishes. Abundance of light from huge picture windows & skylights. 2 private entertainment size decks. Slab granite & SS appl. Dead end street. Walk to everything Kirkland has to offer. #29010391
NW Contemporary - Houghton $839,950Just staged by the “SELL THIS HOUSE” television show!!! IMMACULATE 3 BR, 2.5 BA home w/views of the Seattle skyline, mtns & lake! High ceilings, hw fl rs, upgraded appls & fi xtures throughout! Open, light & bright home! 2-car garage & gorgeous landscaping. 5 piece master bath, walk-in closet, jetted tub! #28182551
ErinAllen, [email protected]
4 | A great place to call home Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009
Real Estate Sales in Kirkland, WADecember 16, 2008 - January 15, 2009
Residential Housing in 9803311708 NE 98th St $300,000128th Ave NE $395,0008021 124th Ave NE $715,0007010 126th Ave NE $727,0008008 122nd Ave NE $732,00010612 106th Pl NE $755,0006125 133rd Ave NE $775,0004611 108th Ave NE $880,000432 11th Ave W $1,050,00
Residential Housing in 9803410219 NE 129th Ln $270,00010645 NE 116th St $345,50014346 113th Ave NE $359,9009305 NE 128th Ln $362,5009812 NE 130th Pl $369,50013500 131st Pl NE $378,50013822 127th Ave NE $379,000
14252 120th Pl NE $388,00013825 128th Ave NE $395,00014146 117th Pl NE $399,00012426 93rd Ave NE $435,00011704 NE 148th Pl $525,0008028 NE 126th St $920,000
Residential Housing AveragesAverage. List Price - $567,695Average Sales Price- $538,905
Condos/Townhomes in 980336333 Lk WASH Blvd $255,00011312 124th Ave NE $300,000820 3rd Ave $303,000300 7th Ave S $407,500108 2nd Ave S $500,000225 4th Ave $560,000 735 1st St S $600,0005404 Lk Wash Blvd $855,000
Condos/Townhomes in 9803412604 NE 119th St $167,00014331 124th Ave NE $175,00012415 NE 130th Ct $178,00012527 NE 117th Pl $180,00012728 NE 144th St $220,00011313 N 128th St $226,00010219 NE 129th Ln $270,0009812 NE 130th Pl $369,500
Condos/Townhomes AveragesAverage. List Price - $356,695Average Sales Price- $538,905
Kirkland Real EstateNext Issue DateMarch 4, 2009
Windermere Real Estate, NE Inc.
Ken Nash 206-919-3167 (Direct)
See all of my listings online atwww.KenNash.MyWindermere.com 11411 NE 124 St. Suite #110
Kirkland, WA, 98034
Light-Filled, East of Market, Lake View Home - $1,000,0003330 Sq Ft/3 Bed/2.5 Bath/Formal Living & Dining Rooms/Family Room Den/Bonus Room/3 Car Garage/2 Decks & Patio
New Construction: West of Market Craftsman - $1,294,9505 Bed/3.5 Bath/Formal Living & Dining/Den/Master w/ Fireplace & Deck Great Room Style Nook, Family Room & Open Gourmet Kitchen
West of Market Home, Rose Point Beach Rights - $750,0003 Bed/1.75 Bath/Lake Views from Living, Dining & Kitchen/Family Room Meticulous Landscaping/Breezeway/Patios/2 Car Garage
Portsmith Penthouse with Panoramic Lake Views - $1,050,0002 Bed/1.75 Bath/Formal Living, Dining & Family Rooms/Gourmet Kitchen Unsurpassed Building Amenities/Across from Kirkland Marina
177815
SOLD
Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009 A great place to call home | 5
and Freddie Mac and through the FHA pro-gram will further bring homebuyers to the mar-ketplace.
Take this week’s mort-gage market numbers: Applications for pur-chases of homes were up 8.1% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America’s national survey.
Purchase applica-tions using FHA-insured mortgages — the hottest game in town — were up by 15.2%! Part of the reason for the application jump: Mortgage rates continue to hover just half a point over 40-year lows.
Fixed rate, 30-year loans last week averaged 5.125% according to the survey. Fifteen year fixed rates averaged just 5.00%.
If you’ve been wait-ing to get through the elections and closer to warmer weather before beginning the search to buy your first home, you may want to start now with a game plan.
The traditionally busy
spring real estate season is just around the corner, meaning competition looms, even in a market like we have today. There are things you can do as a potential homebuyer to get a head start.
So with that in mind, the competition to buy may be tougher than the average buyer thinks. It’s already gaining momen-tum in some regions.
There are some things you can do to improve your chances of landing in a home, including:
• Get a copy of your credit report. Potential lenders will view your credit history - how much debt you’ve accrued, how many accounts you have open, whether your payments are made on time, etc. - to determine whether they’ll give you a loan. There are three credit reporting compa-nies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. You should get a report from each company to make sure they’re accurate and clear up any problems before you apply for a loan or make an offer on a house.
• Determine how much you can afford.
Don’t consider how much a bank will approve you for, but how much you can afford given your other bills, expenses, and
long- and short-term savings goals, including retirement, college for the kids, vacations, etc.
• Figure out how much you have for a down payment. NAR says first-time buyers typically make a down payment of 5%-10% on a home pur-chase, and 24% of down payment funds were gifts from relatives or friends. If that’s not an option, there are many FHA loan programs that accept 3.5 – 5% down payments.
• Research on the Internet. Look at the Multiple Listing Service to find houses you like in neighborhoods you’re
eyeing. This will also give you an idea of how much sellers are asking for listed homes.
• Start interviewing agents so you’ll have a good one when the time comes to start looking. Get referrals and select someone who knows your market and the neighbor-hoods you prefer. A good agent will notify you as soon as a home that fits your criteria goes on the market and stays on top of the listings on a daily
basis and calls you the minute a good match shows up, especially in communities where homes still sell quickly. Remember, it is impor-tant that you choose an agent that you trust and will be comfortable work-ing with. You will want an agent that will be work-ing FULL TIME for YOU and in YOUR best interest.
•Pin down the basics, specifically the neigh-borhoods you like that will accommodate your family’s needs, includ-ing commute to work, schools, recreation, shop-ping, and, most impor-tantly, are in a price range you can afford.
• Have an open mind. It’s easy to start looking at houses and get discour-aged because you don’t see anything that matches your vision of the perfect house. But be open to a home’s potential. Remember carpet and flooring can be replaced, walls can be painted, and a dreadful kitchen can be updated. Think about whether the floor plan will work for your family.
Even though sales are expected to rise, the
increase would be more certain – and more robust — with an additional stimulus to boost home buying so Congress is working on a few great ideas. Removing the repayment feature of the homebuyer tax credit and raising the loan limit higher could help achieve the boost. Once housing gets moving, then the economy can get moving as well.
In conclusion, the best news out of our forecast is that affordability will continue to improve. NAR’s housing afford-ability index is expected to average 18 percentage points higher this year than in 2007. That is good news for potential home buyers and great news for the economy.
For further information or suggestions on future topics, please contact Debbie Walter @ www.DebbieWal-ter.com or (206) 930-8699. Debbie is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX NW Real-tors in Kirkland. Debbie is a member of the National Association of Realtors (a trade organization that pro-motes real estate informa-tion, education and profes-sional standards).
Debbie Walter, Realtor®
“Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!”CRS, GRI, ABR, SRES, Platinum Club & Hall of Fame Producer
Cell: (206) 930 - 8699RE/MAX NW RealtorsServicing the Greater Puget Sound Area
See All Available Listings at www.DebbieWalter.com
“Because You and Your Home Deserve the Very BEST”• Staging • Professional Photos • Virtual Tours
• Video Commercial • Beautifully Colored Flyers • Your Home Showcased on YouTube, Google, MSN & 62 other websites!
92% ofDebbies Listings Sell in Less Than 45 Days
Bellevue - $774,000
Beautiful/Elegant 5-Bed/3.5-Bath Home on Nearly Half- Acre Just Minutes to Downtown Bellevue, 405/520 & Microsoft Campus! New Roof, Furnace, Paint, Carpets & More! Incred-ibly Turn-Key with 2-Beds + 1.5-Bath on Main Level! MLS #28159963
Carnation - $474,950
Stunning Carnation 4-Bed/2.5-Bath/2300 sqft on level 1/2 acre. Open design with Great-Room concept, gourmet state-of-the-art kitchen with SS appliances/granite coun-ters. Master with 5-piece bath+walk-ins. MLS # 28199005
JustLi� ed
Issaquah - $510,000
165185
Kenmore - $399,950
JUST SOLD D� ireable Highlands
NewPrice!
Aw� ome Price
JUST SOLD
6 | A great place to call home Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009
Economicsfrom page 1
The traditionally busy spring real estate sea-son is just around the corner, meaning com-petition looms, even in a market like we have today.
Five Reasons Houses Beat StocksBlanche EvansRealty Times
Despite what Wall Street wants you to believe, owning a home isn’t the same kind of investment as stocks or bonds. What you get is a USE asset that depreciates over time, while it grows in market value. All you have to do is keep the home in good repair to max out your take.
Here are five reasons why you get more for your money with a house than a worthless sock puppet.Leverage
With stocks, you put in all your money for a little piece of a company. With a house, you put in a little money to get all of the house.Tax benefits
Uncle Sam knows that owning a home is a pain in the neck, that’s why you get subsidies. These are basically government bribes to get you to buy. What other investment can you put in 5 percent of the cost of the asset, reap all the appreciation and pay no capital gains? That’s right: live in your home two years, rent it for three, sell it, and pay no tax on capital gains up to 250,000 for singles, $500,000 for mar-ried couples. And you’re worried about paying too much?
And that’s not all - think about the benefits of fixed-rate mortgages, property tax write-offs, interest rate deductions, depreciation. Is this a great country or what?Control
When you buy stocks, you’re pay-ing some CEO 500 times the average worker’s salary for results you’d lose your job for. With a home, you have control - what you buy, how much you pay, and where you live. You can improve the value with repairs and updates. Compare that to getting heard at the next shareholders’ meeting.Lifestyle
Do you want to look at a dumpsite or your children playing in their own back yard? With a home, you’re purchasing a vantage point for yourself and your family. The neighborhood you want to be in, the size and style home that fits your needs. And the more wisely you choose, the better off you are. Value
Unlike our little sock puppet friend, your house will seldom become worth-less. Barring a catastrophe, your home will retain a major portion of its value, even in the worst of times. So don’t freak out about a losing a few percent this year. You’ll make it up. Housing has lost value only one year out of the last 35. It’s more normal to beat inflation by one to two percent.
Let’s get a little perspective here. You lost a greater percentage on the stock market this year than if you owned a house. You lost more on your SUV. And you sure lost more on your iPhone.
And keep this in mind -- when it rains, which would you rather have over your head, a roof or a stock certificate?
Real Estate Professionals
To advertise, call Mike @ 425.822.9166
See my list of Kirkland’s Hottest Buys at www.kirklandstyle.com!
(425) [email protected]
Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc 165246
Your community newspaper!Here are just a few of the many locations to pick up your copy
Kirkland Reporter Of� ce: 720 Market StreetKirkland Library: 308 Kirkland Ave.
Kirkland Community Senior Center: 353 Kirkland Ave.Kirkland Downtown Association: 111 Park Lane
North Kirkland Community Center: 12421 103rd Ave. N.E.
For home delivery, email [email protected] or call 1.888.838.3000.
165201
KEITH CHILDRESSREAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Your Local Advantage.206-390-9722 (Direct)www.keithchildress.mywindermere.com
Windermere Real Estate/SCA, Inc.
165231
G.G. Getz... Results!!!Associate Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, ALHS
425.822.5100cell 206.915.7777
Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc 165228
� inking Of Buying Or Selling?Todd and Candis Brink, CRS
425-821-3992• 2006 Five Star Real Estate Agents—Best In Client Satisfaction
• Life-long residents of Kirkland
www.ToddandCandis.com RE/MAX Northwest Realtors
165238
STACY [email protected]
165218
REALTOR®
Real Estate Center
VALERIe DALA
425-803-0294
objective information = informed decisionsTM
(Traditional homes and those with a twist of green.)
177280
Private tours of bank owned & short sale homes available.Private tours of bank owned & short sale homes available.
Melinda SkogersonVice President
Fine Homes Specialist 165230
Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, LLCFine Homes International Division
Bus 425-822-9600 Cell: 425-458-41425914 Lake Washington Blvd., Kirkland, WA 98033
An Independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Af� liates. Inc. An Independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Af� liates. Inc.
www.MelindaSkogerson.PNWrealty.com
Patrick O’Neil Sr. Account Manager(206) 930-2202 Offi ce Fax (425) 576-8187
14450 N.E. 29th Place • Bellevue, WA 98007Email: [email protected] 1
65236
165215
Realty Inc. and Assoc
Laura Westlund Realty Inc“Kirkland’s realtor for 30+ years”
1320 Market Street, Kirkland 98033425-827-6676
www.Laurawestlund.com
165225
Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009 A great place to call home | 7
Kirkland/Yarrow Bay O� ce3933 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Suite 100
425-822-5100Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc.
Natasha Bosch425-766-8019
www.kirklandstyle.com
Heidi Bright425-820-5343
www.bigdogrealty.com
G.G. Getz206-915-7777
www.gggetz.com
Kathryne Green425-766-1315
Craig Gaudry425-576-5555
Marilyn Carroll425-444-6910
www.marilyncarroll.com
Kathy Magner425-803-9457
Carlene Sandstrom206-910-366
www.carlenesandstrom.com
HOUGHTON $2,495,000Modern simplicity, organic fusion, intoxicating volume & extraordinary views. 4 bdrm, 5 bath, den, media/bonus, 4-car garage, 1058 sf rooftop deck, backs to greenbelt. 2 blks to the lake. www.kirklandstyle.com
NATASHA BOSCH 425-766-8019
DOWNTOWN KIRKLAND $1,575,000Piece-of -Art Contemporary with State-of-the Art View. Plunge yourself into the view & your toes into the lake! Seconds from Kirkland waterfront fun. 4010 sq ft of interesting curves & angles. 915 1st St S; Kirkland
GG GETZ 206-915-7777
177492
WEST OF MARKET $1,575,000Sunlight bathes this 4 bdrm charmer, nestled in a park-like setting w/amazing landscaped yard. Views of city, mtns, Lake WA & sunsets. Two-story entry, hdwds, media rm plus den, A/C. 2 Car Garage Alley Access.
KATHRYNE GREEN 425-766-1315
DOWNTOWN KIRKLAND $1,550,000Panoramic Views! Brand new condo alternative, elevator ready w/great room, large decks, 3 bdrms + of� ce. High-end Jet City Development � nishes throughout.
HEIDI BRIGHT 425-820-5343
PENDING
KIRKLAND TOWNHOME $664,950Downtown Kirkland location! Duplex/townhome with NO HOD! Mountain, lake & city views. 2,104 sq ft, 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths, 2 car gar. New SS, granite & marble interior. Elegant master ste w/5 pc bath.
CARLENE SANDSTROM 206-910-3662
KIRKLAND NEW CONSTRUCTION $799,000 Hurry! Last remaining home in Wexford Court. Award winning builder Hamish Anderson Custom Homes, Inc proudly pres-ents this new 4 bdrm, 3.75 ba, den/of� ce + bonus rm two-story home in a great close-in location. www.Gaudry.com
CRAIG GAUDRY 425-576-5555
DOWNTOWN KIRKLAND $675,000Townhome right in the heart of dwtn! Completely ren-ovated exterior. Multiple decks present a panorama of terr, lake, mtn. & city skyline views. 3 bdrm, 3.5 bth +/-2000sf + 2 car gar. www.marilyncarroll.com
MARILYN CARROLL 425-444-6910
WEST OF MARKET $1,999,000New, huge custom nestled on the largest & quietest of lots. Main � oor master, 15’ slab granite island kitchen, Great Room. Miles of gleaming hardwoods, Rec Room & Media Room. Minutes to waterfront beaches.
GG GETZ 206-915-7777
WEST OF MARKET $1,295,000Private home on rare 9,000 sq ft corner lot w/partial lake & mtn views. Chef’s kitchen opens to inviting family room w/stone � replace. 4 bdrms, w/5th bonus or bdrm option upstairs & den downstairs.
KATHRYNE GREEN 425-766-1315
HOLMES POINT $999,000Walk to Denny Park, gourmet chef’s kitchen, main � oor master ste w/5 pc Bath, lower level ideal for wine cellar/media room. Perfect for the most discriminating buyer. www.kathymagner.com
KATHY MAGNER 425-803-9457
NEW P
RICE
8 | A great place to call home Kirkland Reporter - February 4, 2009
