Tomorrow, we will meet at our office at 12207 NE 8th Street in Bellevue at 10 a.m. All agents will arrive with their own list of all of the Broker's Opens in Bellevue West EAST of the Office toward Microsoft.  Agents should plan to see at least six properties in the two hours or so that Broker's Opens are held. Everyone's list should have stars next to the properties that they want to see most. Between 10 and 10:30, we compare notes and agree on a list and route, and then we carpool over (so come with your car cleaned out in case you are one of the drivers) in caravan style.  Do a little research on the properties beforehand.  Are they REALLY new on market?  Were they on the market prior to this week, cancelled, and then relisted?  If the list is long, put the new on market properties f... 01/16/2008

In the current real estate market climate, selling a home is exceptionally more difficult than it would have been a few years ago when investors were snapping up multiple properties a minute and sellers could demand a lofty price tag and actually get away with it.  Today, it’s not quite as simple as the market glory days but that also doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Finding someone willing to buy a Bellevue home or a property elsewhere is possible, particularly if you keep one valuable thing in mind: the price being asked is strictly a belief and it does not mean that a buyer will share that same belief. Think of the whole home sale as a time sensitive competition of sorts in which there is a little over seventy days to “guesstimate” a price capable of enticing a buyer.  Before the ... 01/15/2008

This is truly a high flying incentive!!John F. Buchan homes is offering a private jet membership with the purchase of a Buchan home priced for $1.2 million plus until the end of the month. The package has a value of approxiamtely $100,000 and can to be used to fly on several private jets.The executive vice president stated in the The Bellevue Reporter, "offering a jet membership is a way to take the customer's lifestyle to the next level. With the jet membership, families can be out the door and in the air without the wait"!!Last year the Buchan homes gave class C Mercedes with a home purchase.It appears washers, dryers and Plasma TVs can be included and not incentives for this home builder!!!! 01/13/2008

By Greg PerryEastside Realtorhttp://www.425realty.com/East Bellevue Real Estate Statistics  December 2007 Single Family homes (not condos) Area 530 (East Bellevue) median prices were up 12.3%.  YOY listing inventory was up 139.8% and Pending sales were down -17.1%.LISTINGS: 211 (2007) vs. 88(2006) 139.8%PENDINGS: 34 (2007) vs. 41 (2006) -17.1%MEDIAN: $589,500 (2007) vs. $525,00050 (2006) +12.3% compiled from but not published by NWMLS 01/09/2008

By Greg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.comSingle Family Homes ( not condos)West Bellevue Real Estate Statistics -- December 2007Area 520 (West Bellevue) median prices were down -8.3%. YOY listing inventory was up 90.7% and pending sales were down -40.7%.LISTINGS: 164 (2007) vs. 86(2006) 90.7%PENDINGS16 (2007) vs. 27 (2006) -40.7%MEDIAN: $1,099,000(2007) vs. $1,198,000 (2006) -8.3%compiled from but not published by NWMLS 01/09/2008

To a large extent I am writing this for my agents at BRIO.  I have to say I am surprised to be seeing signs of a good year this early in January. In the last 24 to 48 hours I have been contacted by 4 couples interested in buying property and 4 who are selling property.  (that's 6 altogether as 2 of the buyers are also sellers).  One investor and three who are looking for homes to live in.  I must say I am very pleasantly surprised.  I thought 2008 was going to be a much tougher year, but I honestly can't remember a year when I've had this much contact so soon after New Year's Day. Of course it's my hope that all of my agents will wake up to new business sitting in their email the way that I do.  The key is to spend more time knowing your craft and less time worrying about new business. ... 01/04/2008

The bad news is, you probably aren't.  The GOOD news is, you have until February 7th to get there.If you Google "Bad Feng Shui" images, you will get the above photo of Steve Ballmer in his office at Microsoft.Whether or not you believe in Feng Shui, at least consider this.  Why not try it?  What do you have to lose?I'm going to give you a few examples of how to best use Feng Shui in your office.  PICTURE THIS!  Close your eyes and picture this scene:You are having dinner.  Your wine glass is FULL.  There is a waiter standing at the ready to pour you some more wine.  But your glass is so full, and it never empties, and so he never gives you more wine.So the first step to the Feng Shui of MORE business in 2008 is to move all "dead files" OUT of your office.  Kind of like removing dead lea... 12/28/2007

Long time no post, I know.  I've had my hands full moving to our new digs at 12207 NE 8th in Bellevue.  Realty Executives consolidated their two offices, and we picked up their space.  In a lot of ways it was an easy move given the space was already used as a Real Estate Office, and we picked up the space with everything in it. The logo puzzle below was done so I could determine the new color scheme of the office.  I kept the yellow and ditched the Kelly Green top border, bringing in a deep red border with the yellow walls.I didn't build any walls this time.  In fact I knocked one down.  I've been able to keep up with my blogging at Rain city Guide and even managed to get a post up at my blog.  But my postings here on Active Rain pretty much stopped while getting the office ready for th... 12/26/2007

  Attention Bellevue Agents and customers!! I wanted to let all of you know about the Bluecow Espresso stand in Bellevue Washington between 140th and 20th street. Yolanda Pepe , barista and owner, has been operating Bluecow for 6 years now and let me tell you....she makes the best lattes that I have personally ever had. She uses a premium roast blend, Batdorf and Bronson.   My goal today with this blog is to let all of you coffee lovers on the Eastside know that if you have not already been to her stand, now is a great time to try something NEW! Yolana truly has a passion for coffee and takes so much pride in her little shop. When I find a place that inspires me, makes me feel good and I know is a quality product, I think that it is important to let others know about it.  Her shop is in... 12/05/2007

Bellevue waterfront homes are incredible.  Located on either Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish, Bellevue waterfront homes offer both the convenience of the city and the beauty of the country. One would be unable to find a Bellevue waterfront home that is not universally recognized as gorgeous.  Typically built at over 3,000 square feet (and oftentimes at 4, 5, 6, or 7,000), these houses embody the qualities most people have only dreamed of in a house.  Bellevue waterfront homes are usually covered in windows, allowing residents to watch beautiful sunrises over Lake Sammamish or the purple sunsets and sparkling Seattle lights over Lake Washington.  Since Bellevue waterfront homes are generally built on large lots, residents never have to worry about a lack of privacy. Personal docks, eno... 11/13/2007

A favorite area for both canoe paddlers and fisherman, the sunken forest of Lake Sammamish stimulates even the non-dreamers imagination.  Did you know that the spooky old growth forest in Lake Sammamish is attributed to a major seismic event that happened over 1,000 years ago?  Apparently there was an event so large that it moved an entire forest down the slopes of the south end of the Lake depositing an entire stand of old growth to the watery grave. If you've never seen the sunken forest pick a good day and take a short paddle from Vasa park, or further south from Lake Sammamish State park. 11/09/2007

Back in March Greg wrote an article about what he considered to be the top 10 buyer turn-offs.  My clients and I just had an experience on Saturday that inspired me to re write the list!  Yes ladies and gentlemen this is 425realty.com's new and improved TOP 10 BUYER TURN-OFF'S...Completely inspired by one single listing.  10.  Keep your heat on during cold Sunday afternoons.  There is nothing worse than when you walk into a 48 degree house on a 51 degree day.9.  Mud on Downstairs floors.  Its been raining.  Your kids been playing TONKA trucks in the back yard... get a clue.8.  Stickers on hardwoods.  Something about stickers and the residue they leave behind that just screams white trash.7.  Rotten sushi on the kitchen table, as well as open cereal boxes.  When you walk into the eating... 11/08/2007

Seattle is seeing an explosion in new condominium construction which is transforming the city's skyline. Not to be out done the eastside's largest city, Bellevue, is experiencing its own condo renaissance.  Located across the lake from Seattle, Bellevue's downtown is a construction war zone with new condo and office towers under development.  Here's a brief look at new Bellevue condos that are under construction or planned.  Bellevue Towers Bellevue Towers will be comprised of two striking 42- and 43-story glass-enclosed towers. Home to 535 units, Bellevue Towers will provide residents with a eco-landscaped garden and lawn, fitness club & spa, a grand room for entertaining and media rooms. Bellevue Tower is aiming for LEED Gold certification.   European Tower Located close to the Braven... 11/04/2007

I used to teach yoga….yes, I am a yuppie.  However, due to relocation to a new state, a busy job and the newly found joy of motherhood, my personal fitness took a back seat.  I even tried my hand at personal training for a few years, that and a few other gym memberships that I never use (I’m sure many of you can relate), I just got downright lazy.  Not that I gained a lot of weight when I moved up to the beautiful Northwest, I simply didn’t make time to take care of myself….until now.  I’m so excited, I have finally found a yoga studio that inspires me! Shakti Vinyasa Yoga located just off of Main Street in Bellevue is that place for me (they also have a studio in Ballard).  Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga is their trade, and they happen to have some of the BEST instructors I have come acro... 10/26/2007

You know when you find a special place; you always want to go back.  Gilbert’s On Main is one of those places.  Located on at the end of Main Street in Old Bellevue, pass by on a Saturday morning during the summer and the sidewalk is full of al fresco diners feasting on breakfasts both large and small.  The atmosphere is one of both the everyday neighborhood hangout and special destination for those who may not be lucky enough to live around the corner.  The food is a conglomeration of various cuisines, but the best way to categorize it is GOOD (and American, but REALLY good)…which is a great way to have your food described.  From humongous servings for breakfast to bagel sandwiches and crepes (served Mon-Fri in the afternoons), Gilbert’s has a little (or big) something for everyone.  ... 10/25/2007

On Friday, I took another "Friday Fieldtrip" with one of the agents, to see if there was anything we could do to change the look of a property for sale, to give it a fresh face. BEFORE Besides lowering the price from $705,000 to $699,900, so that people looking up to and not more than $700,000 could see it, we did a little rearranging.AFTER Taking photos from a bit more distance, gives potential buyers looking at homes on the internet a better feel for how the rooms flow from one to another.  AFTERWhile the large painting which we found in the garage and had been painted years ago by the owner's mother, is not the focal point of a single room.  By placing it where it is, it became a focal point of the main living space, tying together the rooms from which it could be seen. AFTERBy seein... 10/15/2007

For residential homes only (not condos)Area 530 (East Bellevue) median prices were up 10%. Last month this area was up 25.32%. YOY listing inventory was up 31% and Pending sales were down -26.87%.LISTINGS: 262 (2007) vs. 200(2006) 31%(Last month there were 236 listings)PENDINGS: 49 (2007) vs. 67 (2006) -26.87%MEDIAN: $601,495 (2007) vs. $546,950 (2006) +10% The median price in August was $612,500.Compiled from but not published by the NWMLSBy Greg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.com 10/11/2007

For residential homes only (not condos)Area 520 (West Bellevue) median prices were up 19.64%. Last month this area was down-4.65%. YOY listing inventory was up 32.92% and pending sales were down -54.05%.LISTINGS: 214 (2007) vs. 161 (2006) 32.92%(Last month there were 191 listings.)PENDINGS: 17 (2007) vs. 34 (2006) -54.05%MEDIAN: $1,675,000 (2007) vs. $1,4,00,000 (2006) 19.64% The median price in August was $1,353,000.Compiled from but not published by NWMLSBy Greg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.com  10/11/2007

 I wanted to send a special Thank You to Ardell DellaLoggia!Ardell DellaLoggia -Brio Realty Broker - http://www.activerain.com/ardell My name is Jason Schweiger. I am a licensed agent and was recently recruited by Brio Realty http://www.briorealty.com in Bellevue, Washington. Ardell was a soughtafter Broker and has become the new Broker at Brio Realty. Since coming here, the support she has given me, the office, and all of our agents needs to be recognized....  I have been an agent for many years in a couple of states (Washington and Nevada) and through the different brokers, I have never seen someone with so much enthusiasm and support, than Ardell. She has made great changes to Brio, made sure her agents are informed, supports her agents and keeps us all striving for more! We, as agen... 10/01/2007

For Single Family Homes (not condos)Area 530 (East Bellevue) median prices were up 25.32%. Last month this area was up 9.89%. YOY listing inventory was up 55.26% and Pending sales were down -28.40%.LISTINGS: 236 (2007) vs. 152 (2006) 55.26%(Last month there were 205 listings)PENDINGS: 58 (2007) vs. 81 (2006) -28.40%MEDIAN: $612,500 (2007) vs. $488,750 (2006) +25.32Information compilied from, but not published by the NWMLSBy Greg Perry, Eastside Realtorwww.425realty.com 09/15/2007