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Sammamish, WA Real Estate News

Driving to look at some Brokers Open House's with my wife last week, this big fellow bounded across the road in front of us.   We see deer on a daily basis but this one really impressed us, he was majestic. I asked for my camera as we pulled alongside the road and got out to take the shot with my trusty 38mm lens.  I followed him down a driveway continuing to shoot.  He seemed annoyed but went about his business without paying me too much attention.  These are two of the trophies I came away with on my unexpected hunting trip.                              
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Anyone working with buyers in the past few months has probably been asked this question more than once.  With all the hype about the market declining, buyers are looking to get bargains right now.  So what should a buyer focus on?  The obvious answer is any listed property, all of the above.  Your needs as a buyer are unique to you and can't be pigeon holed into either bank owned or short sale's only.  In fact, for many buyers it's easier to rule these properties out than in.  Bank owned homes are a mixed bag.  Some are beautiful, even move in ready as a privately owned homes, but this is not the norm.  I've been in many bank owned homes in serious need of major repairs just to be habitable.  Homes in this condition may not qualify for conventional financing, and would require either a ...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
This months item of value is a comprehensive review of Identity Theft.  Most would be home owners are never aware of impact that Identity theft has on their ability to get a great rate and it may not allow them to even get a loan.  As you begin the home buying process it's important to ensure you aren't a victim of Identity Theft.  Here is how to prevent it from happening to you!   ATTEMPTS TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY ARE NOTHING NEW,BUT WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, SCAMMERS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED. LEARNING HOW TO QUICKLY SPOT THESE SCAMS WILL PREVENT YOU FROM BECOMING THEIR NEXT UNSUSPECTING VICTIM. TOP SIX SCAMS Mortgage Fraud There are many types of schemes, including foreclosure rescue, loan modification or reverse mortgage scams, and all contain some ...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
I was originally going to post some information on the reported extension of the homebuyer tax credit, but I thought is prudent to wait for more news to materialize about the details of the proposed extension and expansion of the first time home buyer tax credit. I first heard of the extension from a blogger on Active Rain. In classic fashion senators said it's a done deal. Leaving out that there are many issues still unresolved.  Here is where we stand as of October 29th.  The tax credit would be extended through the end of June.  The home must be in contract by April 30th, 2010 and close no later than 60 days.   Move up buyers would get a new tax credit: "Tax credit for move-up buyers will be less than for first-time buyers, but still significant. They will qualify for a credit of up ...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
As a Sammamish WA REALTOR I have seen first hand the effects of staging a home.  It is my recomendation that before you show your home to any potential buyer be sure to go through your whole house with your agent to finish the Staging process. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to help you start.  Follow these general tips and your home will look better than the competition. Staged Homes sell faster and/or for more money! INSIDE• Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. In general, a sparsely decorated home helps the buyer mentally ‘move in’ with their own things.• Rearrange or remove some of the furniture in your home, if necessary. Many times home ownershave too much furniture...
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As we've gone through the downturn in the economy, many of our colleagues and friends have left this profession for another.  For those of us who have hung in, put into practice the things that we know will work, we will emerge and bloom just like these flowers. LaConner Washington, April
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
As homebuyers approach the holiday season, the last thing on their minds will be the housing market.  For this reason, for some, November & December will proved to be the best opportunity to purchase their future home.  Every year home sellers that are motivated to sell, keep their homes on the market.  Many have moved out of the area, some are eager to sell before the holidays.  See in the charts below how the Inventory in Sammamish goes down and listing prices also take a hit.   The bottom line is in many cases buyers can use these factors to their advantage plus, this year, we have the first-time home buyer tax credit that is set to expire on November 30th.  The impact that this may have can be major, the once motivated buyers now don't have a time-line any more.  Creating an instan...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
Lights, Camera, Action! That's right - you must showcase it to show it!  In a buyer's market with stiff competion for a sale, sellers must do everything they can to get the advantage.  Pricing a house right is number one.  Work with a great REALTOR to review the facts when it comes to pricing a home. But...in today's market you need to be more than competetive - you need to be compelling! Once that you have established a competetive price, how does your house stack up?  Take some time, view the competition.  I will often take my sellers to see properties they are competing with.  After looking at 5-6 strong comparables you will be better prepared to "set the stage" in your house. It is all about staging.  Many have heard about staging a home.  Just turn on HGTV!!  Staging your house for...
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By Dan Tabit
(Keller Williams Bellevue)
I saw a blog post from Sam Debord about the greater Seattle market bank owned homes and began to wonder about my immediate market.  The city of Sammamish   is a 10 year old city east of Seattle that has grown very quickly the past few years.  How does our small market compare to the greater area.  Sam reported that in the greater Seattle market there are approximately 10,000 listings currently on the market, of those, 280 are bank owned, 2.8%.  Sammamish has a population of around 30,000 and currently shows 271 homes that are active or contingent.  Of that, only 7 are bank owned, and another 13 show up as short sales.  So, of our current inventory, 2.6% are bank owned and 4.8% are short sales. Overall, compared to much of the country, we are doing very well.  As compared to the greater ...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
Sammamish waterfront home with easy access to freeways, shopping, schools and Microsoft Campus.  Imagine living on one of the most desirable lakes in Washington state.  This lakeside retreat boasts sweeping views of Lake Sammamish and Mt Rainier. Custom built waterfront(Dock permit application pending), low footprint with the environment in mind.  This Sammamish waterfront home boasts the finest finishes in a scrumptious palette - Slab Granite, Italian tile, Acacia hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen w/ stainless Dacor appliances. Master suite includes gas fireplace, private deck, walk-in closet with organizers, custom tile work, double headed shower. Each bedroom has en suite bath w/ same luxurious finishes. Asking $1,000,000 Residence of Sammamish waterfront homes will enjoy all four sea...
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By Dan Tabit
(Keller Williams Bellevue)
The leaves are down and the trees seem lifeless, but the sky is vibrant and alive.    
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By Dan Tabit
(Keller Williams Bellevue)
As a full time agent, who promises and delivers full service to his clients, I have to confess I struggle with down time.  When am I off the clock?  What is a day off?  Can I turn off my blackberry, not check my email and ignore the leftover items from yesterdays to do list?  Last year I took the first extended trip without a lap top or even a cell phone in quite a while.  It was heaven, or at least up in the mountains close to it.  My brother, father and nephew and I went for a week of fly fishing in the back hills of British Columbia on a lake called Hi Hium (hi hume).  An 8 hour drive from Seattle north and east into the Canadian Okanagan, then about an hour off the paved roads up to a "resort" called the Circle W. (I highly recommend you check it out, the website is a bit rustic too...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
Sammamish WA Home Prices, Values, Market Data. October 16, 2009 Signle Family Properties   Median List Price: $624,500 Average List Price: $789,380 Total Inventory: 341 Price Per Square Foot: $224/SqFt Average Home Size: 3,076 SqFt Median Lot Size: 11,959 SqFt Average # Beds: 3.80 Average # Baths: 2.84 Homes Absorbed: 23 Newly Listed: 11 Days on Market: 187 days Average Age: 21 years     Condos: Median List Price: $267,500 Average List Price: $285,939 Total Inventory: 59 Price Per Square Foot: $228/SqFt Average Home Size: 1,281 SqFt Median Lot Size: n/a Average # Beds: 2.22 Average # Baths: 1.91 Homes Absorbed: 4 Newly Listed: 2 Days on Market: 179 days Average Age: 10 years   PRICE This week saw relatively little price change in home prices from last week. However, home prices continue...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
This Thursday I had the pleasure of watching the Sammamish WA city council candidates debate.  This month the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion of the hot button issues.  This November Sammamish residence will decide on 4 of the 7 positions for the City council.  The City Council Candidates are as follows: Position 1 - John James v. Erica Tiliacos Position 3 - John Curley v. Tom Vance Position 5 - Don Gerend v. Michael Rutt Position 7 - Tom Odell v. Jack Barry  The candidates spent about 30 minutes answering questions in a panel format.  The questions ranged from the Towncenter, to community center to the problematic crossover of falling city revenues and rising expenses. The last one is a major issue as the city of Sammamish gets the majority of it's revenue from ...
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By Dan Tabit
(Keller Williams Bellevue)
I didn't create this, I heard about it on the news.  Apparently someone is selling deeds to plots in Hell.  How they came to gain ownership of these plots and who you will owe, I'm not sure.  Check out http://pandemoniumrealestate.com/ for yourself and remember, its October and intended as seasonal humor.  Enjoy.
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
If your looking for that perfect pumpkin in King County try these Patches! Carpinito Brothers Farm: (253)854.5692 1148 N Central, Kent -Here, customers can enjoy finding their way through both our corn mazes, enjoy the sights on a tractor-pulled hayride or search for the great pumpkin on over 50 acres of farmland. We also sell seasonal vegetables such as fresh corn, squash and cabbage to accent this family-friendly atmosphere that operates until Halloween.      Fall City Farms: 425/222.4553 3636 Neal Rd, Fall City- September and October satisfy the summer anticipation of harvest. And Fall City Farms is vibrating with vegetables ready to awaken your palate to the taste of fresh and nutritious. In fact, if vegetables could talk, there would be quite a ruckus out in those fields these days...
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
What are some great things to do in Issaquah, Sammamish and Beyond? I know the object of Wordless Wednesday is no words but this is what your looking at.  Gilman Blvd.  Husky Stadium and Pine Lake Park!  Great place to call home!
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By Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
(Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue)
Sammaish Washington's own Sunny Hills Elementary School get's "Great School" award. The small but might Sunny Hills Mustaings have much to be proud of.  This year the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and the Washington Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International bestowed the mighty Mustaings the "Great School" award.  The "Great School" award was given to only 55 elementary schools. Sarah White the schools principal was quoted on Issaquah School District's website saying, "We are honored to be recognized with this award, and we are very proud of our students and our school," and "This is the result of a school community with staff and parents that are completely focused on the success of every child." Like all good schools Sunny Hills had help from the Parent Teacher Student Acco...
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