The SECRET"  .........to working efficiently with BuyersBy Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor Eastside Real Estate I've always enjoyed working with Buyers.  Some of my most enjoyable moments in real estate have been assisting Buyers.  Yet, many of my real estate colleagues at the best get extremely frustrated with Buyers, or don't like to work with Buyers at all (only list properties).  As embarrassing as this is to admit, many agents sing the mantra, "Buyers are liars".  I've witnessed agents get a Buyer lead, quickly run listing sheets off the computer, seat them in the car and run off to go show properties.  After many miles driven and homes shown, the Buyer can't make a decision and agent and the Buyer are frustrated.  Why?  I believe the Buyer does not have enough information or knowledg... 04/15/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirkland RealtorKirkland WA Kirkland/Totem Lake:  HOV changes in April 22 - new ramps open, lane realigned From WSDOT:  On Sunday, April 22, we plan to open the new HOV ramps on the south side of the NE 128th Street in Totem Lake. At the same time, we'll return the southbound HOV lane to its normal alignment between NE 126th and NE 100th streets. As we get closer to the date, please check our construction update report for information on lane closures required for this switchover. After we implement these changes, any vehicles carrying more than one person will be able to enter southbound I-405 and exit northbound I-405 at NE 128th Street, avoiding the congested NE 124th Street interchange. Southbound HOV users will also be able to exit at NE 85th Street again (we restric... 04/12/2007

Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor Kirkland/Bridletrails NWMLS area 560 had 121 ACTIVE condos with 16 PENDING sales for the week end April 4, 2007.  This gave the area a 7.6 weeks supply of inventory.Condo's under $600,000 are red hot, while over that price point, market times increase dramatically.  The seven week period started with 2 condos priced over $2,500,000.  2 of them pended the week of 3/14, leaving 2 remaining on the market.Here is the seven week chart for Kirkland condos. 04/11/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirkalnd Realtor For the week ending April 7, 2007, NWMLS are 560 Kirkland/Bridle Trails had 263 ACTIVE residential (no condos)listings and 19 PENDING listings.  This gives area 560 13.8 weeks of standing inventory (it will take 13.8 weeks to sell all inventory at the current rate of sale).Inventory under $700,000.00 is selling quite briskly.  Over $700,000, market times are longer.  7 week averages for the price point of $$1,250,000 to $1,5000,000 has the most inventory at 29.6 units for the 7 weeks period with an absorpton rate of 34.5 weeks (averaging less than 1 unit/week).Kirkland areas East of Market, West of Market, Downtown and Houghton have all experienced a tear down, rebuild boom which has created a swell in inventory.  Prices over $1,000,000 in area 560 curren... 04/11/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor, Kirkland WA On January 25, we made our first post on 425realty.com.  Our vision was to be "The Voice of Seattle's Eastside".  Yesterday, we made our 100th post!It's been a fun experience.  I knew we needed (and always had) a web page, but really wondered what value  "conventional" web pages represented.  I came to the conclusion that conventional web pages are just electronic business cards, and the best might qualify as an electronic personal brochure.  Since we really had few visitors and virtually no leads, conventional web pages were not exciting at all to me. A weblog (blog), on the other hand can be updated daily, thus becomes "content rich".  I love to write and am a disciplined person, so it's easy for me.It was my partner (and son), Brian, who i... 04/11/2007

The Kirkalnd real estate statistics for March 2007 are in.  These are for residential sales only (no condos).The Median price rose to $714,950, up from $649,990 in March 2006 for an increase of +10%.Inventory units rose to 290 units from 246 units last year +17.9%.Pending units fell to 82, from 89 units last year -7.9%.  In all price ranges, Kirkland has approx. 3.5 months supply of inventory.Statistics are for NWMLS area 560, which includes Kirkland neighborhoods of Bridle Trails, Rose Hill, Yarrow Hill, Houghton,Downtown Kirkland,East of Market, West of MarketBy Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor, Kirkland,WA 04/10/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor, Kirkland WA Here are the Eastside real estate condo statistics for March 2007.Median prices for condos on the Eastside rose to $322,738 from $276,712 for a whopping increase of 16.6%.  ACTIVE inventory this year was 535 units, up from 427 last year (+25.3%).  Pending units for March was 405, last year was 404.  For the year, Pending units are 1,021, up from 925 last year (+10.4%). Eastside real estate statistics from NWMLS areas 500-600.500=I90 corridor/Issaquah,510=Mercer Island,520/530 Bellevue,540 Sammamish, 550=Redmond/Carnation, 560=Kirkland, 600=North Kirkland,Woodinville, Duvall 04/10/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor, Kirkland WA The March 2007 Eastside real estate statistics are in!  For residential sales only (no condos), median prices rose from $610,825 last year, to $671,385 this year (+9.9%).  Inventory rose from 1,707 units last year to 2,126 units this year for an increase of +24.5%.  Pending units dropped from 918 last year to 826 this year for a (-10.0%) decrease.For combined residential and condos, there were 2661 ACTIVE listings and 1271 PENDING sales for 2.2 months supply of inventory.  February 2007 had 2.4 months supply of inventory.   In March 2006 there was 1.6 months supply of inventory.Eastside King County real estate statistics are for NWMLS areas 500-600500=I90 corridor/Issaquah,510=Mercer Island,520/530=Bellevue,540=Sammamish,550=Redmond/Carnation... 04/10/2007

  425 Magazine, which was launched in November 2006,  is the first Eastside publication to journal the Eastside lifestyle.  I received a copy of the inaugural publication, and it's actually well done.  Typically, it features an Eastside home and an example of Eastside landscaping.  And, what would a lifestyle magazine be without food and dining.  There was a good article about the construction in Bellevue and a tour of Woodinville.  They didn't lack advertising as many notable lifestyle companies placed nice ads.Their branding statement is "425 INSIDE. OUTSIDE. EASTSIDE. " Their slogan appears to be "There's more to being an Eastsider than living on the Eastside".  Their writers have done an excellent job weaving words into lifestyle statements.  Here's an example: "What is 425?  It's a... 04/09/2007

By Greg Perry, Kirland Realtor Eastside real estate is buzzing.  March stats are just coming in.  I'm not posting any of those stats here, just some of the activity that I've experienced in the last week.  Later in the week, I'll be posting the March eastside real estate stats.First of all, our office transactions have gone from about 15-20/week to 40-50/week in the last few weeks.In the last week alone, I received calls from 2 different past client couples who want to upgrade their home (sell and buy).  Another good client wants to start looking at investment properties.  I received 3 Buyer referrals, one of which got started and 2 days later had a home in escrow.  I also met a couple on a sign call, who wants to relocate from the Sammamish plateau to the Kirkland area.  We received a ... 04/09/2007

March real estate statistics by Greg Perry, Kirkland RealtorKirkland Real Estate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2007  Northwest MLS Brokers Report Last Month' s Pending Sales Surpassed February by 16 Percent KIRKLAND, Wash. (April 5, 2007) - With warmer temperatures, the residential real estate market seems to be heating up around Western Washington, according to the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Figures released today show its members reported 9,340 pending sales of single family homes and condominiums during March, the highest volume since August 2006, when brokers notched 10,022 pending sales. Inventory continues to rise - and so are prices. Brokers added 12,073 news listings of single family homes and 2,208 new listings of condominiums to the NWMLS inventor... 04/06/2007

Buyer's quick tipsBy Greg Perry, Kirkland RealtorKirkland Washington real estate    As we are out looking at and comparing the different homes for sale, keep good notes.  After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home.  It's fun to create a rating system to help you compare homes.  Some Buyer's keep audio notes and it's very common to take digital photographs to help you remember the different house features. When making your selection, look beyond the cometics.  This is often the best way for a Buyer to get the best deal.  Often these homes have longer marketing times and the Seller will need to accept a lower offer.  We'll need to make sure the house is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs.We should look at addition... 04/05/2007

The Citizen agent....The Citizen AgentBy Greg Perry, Kirkland WA RealtorIn a conversation with our office broker today, we chatted about the concept of "The Citizen Agent".  How important it is to be involved with living and building within our communities.  Agents that not only make a difference to the clients we work with, but agents who see the bigger picture of community and do a part in making the community a better place to work and live.   I've been thinking about the title "Citizen Agent" all afternoon.  I haven't completely formulated my thoughts on the subject, however, giving back has always been a big part of the company (Windermere) that I am licensed with.   Giving back has also always been important to meIn our office, we constantly talk about the Windermere foundation an... 04/03/2007

Kingsgate Homeowners to hold annual Easter egg hunt.  By Greg Perry Kirkland Realtor     Kirkland real estate.The Kingsgate 1 and 2 community is holding their annual Easter Egg hunt on April 7 at 1:00 am.  They are looking for neighbor volunteers to help.   On April 14, they are holding their annual garden work day.  1 and 2 homeowners can earn a $50 dues rebate check for 4 hour worked (one per household).  They'll be planting and moving plants, trimming hedges and other garden work.  Bring your gloves and shovels! For more information go to http://www.kingsgate1.org/  The Kingsgate 3 and 4 community is holding their annual Easter Egg hunts on April 6 (agest 10-13) and on April 7 (ages 0-9).  Their annual park and pool clean up day will be held on April 21.  For more information go to h... 04/02/2007

Update your lighting fixtures. Cost vs. Value biggest bang for the buck    by Greg Perry Kirkland Realtor Nothing dates your home more than outdated lighting fixtures.  Nothing brings your home current faster than new lighting fixtures.  Lighting fixtures are the most overlooked area in preparing a home for sale.  If your home was built only 10-15 years ago, chance are, you should consider changing out some or all of your fixtures before putting your house on the market. We get used to them.  In fact, most homeowners don't stay current with lighting trends.  Our fixtures are functional, they look fine.  We don't give them a second thought.Your Buyers, however are dreaming.  They are going to new construction models, and the Street of Dreams.  They're looking at magazines, going to home ... 04/01/2007

 Tonight after showing a property, my husband and I went to downtown Kirkland for an evening out.  We decided to try the Wilde Rover Irish Pub and Restaurant, which has a live band on Saturday nights.  It was only 8:30 pm, so we avoided a cover charge.  The band "Weatherheads" started with a Beatles song at 9:30, and heated up to a slew of 60s & 70s rock‘n'roll favorites.  In no time at all there were dancers getting in some aerobics out on the dance floor.  It was a mixed-ages crowd, friendly, and I am so glad smoke free now.  They have excellent food, and when the weather gets nicer, a really pleasant outdoor eating area.  This is one of the few remaining night spots with live music and dancing in downtown Kirkland, at 111 Central Way.  This is a fun place to go if you want an evening... 03/31/2007

Juanita Bay Park Wildlife sanctuary     By Greg Perry Kirkland Realtor     Kirkland WA real estateLocated in Kirkland, this lovely Lake Washington 144 acre park is one of the finest bird and wildlife sanctuary's on the Eastside.  It gets use from dreamers, photographers, walkers, joggers, artists, wildlife observers and bird watchers. Easy paths through the park lead to wide boardwalks that take you through wet meadow, swamps and wetlands.  You'll want to keep your eye out for squirrel, beaver, skunk, turtles, snakes and much more.  Bird lovers will see many species from raptors, water fowl and songbirds in their natural habitat.   You'll also enjoy the big water views!One of the parks most spectacular features is a wide, paved path that takes you through the five different habitats.  B... 03/30/2007

I really like shopping at my local Kirkland Safeway store, Live Search Local: Safeway Stores located at 12519 NE 85th St, Kirkland WA  98033.  It is actually located on Rose Hill, in Kirkland.  I guess that I am partial to Safeway because I have learned their products, their specials, and their similar layouts in Safeway stores from Alaska to Arizona.  The employees at the Kirkland Safeway store nearly always call me by name during checkout.  They usually ask me if I want help with my groceries out to the car.  That is rare customer service these days.Best of all, they are not pretentious.  They offer good service at a fair price, which is what most people with bills and mouths to feed need.  It is always nice to chat with one of the local high school kids on the way to my car.  If you ... 03/30/2007

Kirkland Neighborhood Profile -- Bridle Trails       Greg Perry Kirkland Realtor     Kirkland WA real estate    Located in the heart of where Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland meet is the community of Bridle Trails.  In its heart is an Eastside gem, Bridle Trails State Park. Not generally well known outside of the Bridle Trails community, this one of a kind 500 acre park boasts over 28 miles of equestrian/pedestrian trails in a deeply forested urban setting.  Close by Bridle Trails residences have a unique rural feel in the heart of the Eastside suburbia.   Most lots are at least an acre in size and many of the properties support a horse or two with a barn.  Top end house values in Bridle Trails exceed $2,000,000.      Bridle Trails State Park, however is facing some challenges.  It's desi... 03/30/2007

The new face of JuanitaBy Greg Perry, Kirkland WA RealtorKirkland WA Real EstateOf all the eastside areas, Juanita, just north of downtown Kirkland has undergone perhaps the greatest transformation.  Just a few short years ago, Juanita really had no identity.  Dominated by a very old and somewhat ugly strip mall and vacant lot, the area was quite unattractive.  A "European Village" idea was created for Juanita Village, a mixed use commercial and residential area in the heart of Juanita.  Here resident's basic needs are met for both goods and services.  Nearby, Juanita Beach Park has been recently taken over by the City of Kirkland.  Little league baseball fields, tennis courts and expansive grass play-fields serve area residents.Greg Perry Kirkland Realtorgregperry@working-for-you.com 03/29/2007