Looking forward to Kim having this open house in the office - If you want to know anything about Phinney Ridge or Green real estate, then this is the ladsy for you to talk to!  I am so thrilled to have her as one of our fine Seattle real estate brokers at Cooper Jacobs Real Estate!!!!  (Go Kim!!!)

Seattle Real Estate Up Over 20% From A Year Ago According to Latest NWMLS Press Release.

Like divorce stats, etc. (ask me about my theory on Elvis Vegas weddings sometime if you want a different discussion altogether), I think all numbers are skewed, but the latest NWMLS report from the close of the 2011 December Seattle real estate market would suggest otherwise.  Without me going into the fact that I disagree with my friend OB (who happens to be the President of Windermere) on whether or not we have already turned a corner as he says we have in this latest report, here is a piece of the NWMLS news release:

“Healthy marketplaces” emerging with shrinking inventory, favorable financing

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 4, 2012) – Home sales finished the year much stronger than they started, with 

pending sales for the fourth quarter outgaining the first quarter by more than 3,000 transactions for a 21 

percent increase, according to new figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

A year-over-year comparison shows December’s pending sales (mutually accepted offers) rose more than 

20 percent from a year ago. Northwest MLS brokers reported 5,237 pending sales last month, up from the 

previous year when they recorded 4,359 transactions.

Last month’s pending volume exceeded the number of new listings (4,604) for the second consecutive 

month. The last time such an imbalance occurred was November 2006."

As I have stated before, you all know I am a highly positive person, but this is hardly turning a corner.  I agree that we are heading in the right direction, but we haven't gotten far enough to have turned a corner.  Less inventory just makes it appear this way temporarily.  The banks have been holding off on plenty of REO inventory and we still have that mountain to get over before we can truly be out of this latest Seattle real estate market shift.

So what do you do if you want to sell your house?

Sell it now!!! Not to sound like a typical real estate agent who just wants the listing, I swear.  Here is why: 

There is a historical low amount of inventory (especially in neighborhoods like Queen Anne or Magnolia!!!!)  and also ridiculously low interest rates, but even that is not my reason why if you want or need to sell you need to do it ASAP.

There are buyers waiting for your homes to buy them. This is not my reason either.  

Here is the real reason - the dirty little secret no one is telling you:

 If you think prices will go up in Spring 2012 and you are waiting for that, then I highly suggest you sell now because when those foreclosures start truly being released rather than just the trickle we have seen so far, the prices will reflect it and there will be far more competition to deal with. In short, you will have waited too long.  

Call me or email me if you want to talk further about it.  It merits a discussion if you need to sell, otherwise hang back and wait for the Seattle real estate market to absorb the floodgate of foreclosures and make another shift towards the positive. It will be a couple years at least, but it will happen. 

This is an excellent write up on the Green Lake Real estate market! 

It is from our Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Green Lake Blog which is largely anchored by Green Lake extraordinaire, Molly Cartwright in our office.  Molly is a great choice if you are looking for Green Lake Realtors, too. 

Here is the Green Lake post by Molly -

(You can reach her at Molly@CooperJacobs.com)

Friends want to know, am I keeping busy in the Green Lake Real Estate Market for 4th quarter…notoriously a sleepy time of the year for Realtors.  The answer is YES I’M BUSY!  Keeping track of the real estate market is a daily, constant routine and the inventory is literally changing every day.  Clients want to know what’s going on every day.

Many buyers are asking what’s up with this lack of inventory.  On the flip side, sellers are asking is it a good time to sell with home values seeming to be slipping.   True, the Green Lake real estate market has seen better inventory before, but the homes that are active are selling!  A home listed for sale on my street went for $10,000 over list price which means, yes, multiple offers.  Then there’s the bank owned property for sale around the corner.  So you really do need a professional Realtor in this market who can help you understand the market and the pros and cons.

So how is my favorite neighborhood, Green Lake, faring in this 4th Quarter so far?

Just to show you how active Green Lake’s real estate has been as we are nearing the end of the 4th quarter, here’s a quick snap shot.

Green Lake 4th Quarter 2011 Solds

If you want the short version, here goes:

High Sold Price
$910,000

Median Sold Price
$482,500

Low Sold Price
$246,500

The average price per square foot rounds out at just about $240.00 and with 63 days on the market, things have been selling for 98% of list price.

If YOU’RE interested in understanding the Green Lake Real Estate Market, I’d be happy to help.  I’ve lived in this ‘hood for 17 years and love every minute.

Plan On Attending The Green Lake (Greenlake) Pathway of Lights 2012

The Green Lake path will be lit up again in a tradition that has been going on since before Elvis died.  You don't want to miss this beautiful and very cold event - there is nothing more beautiful than Green Lake and some of its docks lit up!  Green Lake neighbors and friends get together and the event is FREE.

From to the Seattle Parks & Rec Site: 

This years event is Dec 10th, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. (every 2nd Sat in Dec.). This yearly event brings neighbors, friends, families and Seattle together to light up the night in one of the darkest months of the year in a celebration of light and the many holidays of December. Volunteer music groups, and people setting up and taking down the candles and helping with the event wanted! The event is free and open to the public and this year is December 10th, 2011 from 5-8pm. The event includes 4 music stages around the 2.8 mile lake, with holiday performances by music groups of 20 or less (unamplified). The 2.8 miles of the interior of the lake are light by over 2500 candles; in addition docks and some paths leading to the lake are also lit. You are encouraged to light up the night yourself, with glow sticks and other items.

Green Lake is a wonderful Seattle neighborhood - if you are interested in Green Lake homes for sale, please let us know what we can do for you.  We have excellent Green Lake listing agents and also some of the very best Green Lake Realtors for buyers.  Cooper Jacobs Real Estate is different and we want to show you why.  realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Don't Forget The Green Lake Pathway of Lights Tonight!

The Green Lake path is something I hold very dear and near to me.  This year in particular, I have been one with it and walked it on most days during the year only to stray to the Lake Union Loop, Queen Anne Boulevard, or the Discovery Park Loop Trail once in a while.

From to the Seattle Parks & Rec Site: 

This years event is Dec 10th, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. (every 2nd Sat in Dec.). This yearly event brings neighbors, friends, families and Seattle together to light up the night in one of the darkest months of the year in a celebration of light and the many holidays of December. Volunteer music groups, and people setting up and taking down the candles and helping with the event wanted! The event is free and open to the public and this year is December 10th, 2011 from 5-8pm. The event includes 4 music stages around the 2.8 mile lake, with holiday performances by music groups of 20 or less (unamplified). The 2.8 miles of the interior of the lake are light by over 2500 candles; in addition docks and some paths leading to the lake are also lit. You are encouraged to light up the night yourself, with glow sticks and other items.

  Green Lake is a great place - we all know that and that is why we find ourselves here. The loop around the lake itself is a wonderful multi-use trail perfect for walking, jogging, running, scootering, roller skating and roller blading, cycling, and even hula hoop walking as I have seen a few times.  I walk Green Lake three to four times a week rain or shine - even in snow.  There are some days where I might see six people around the whole lake because the weather is ridiculously bad - I finally broke down after a winter of walking alone and in the cold and bought a very nice Patagonia rain jacket from REI. 

The days are FINALLY warmer so the lake is getting more crowded - SUP boards, kayaks, strollers, and more. I am now having to dodge people on the trail around Green Lake and I have noticed that once again people are totally disregarding the wheels lane and walking in the middle of it. It is dangerous for all parties involved and even those innocent bistanders who might not have anything to do with the person walking in the wheels lane.  Accidents can and do happen. 

The wheels lane is on the outside edge of the Green Lake loop - it is meant for bicycles, skates, blades, scooters, even fast joggers with strollers are ok, but walking side by side in the wheels lane is not only against the rules, but also thoughtless .  You can walk either direction on the the rest of the trail, but the wheels lane has one direction and that is counter clockwise.

Green Lake is awesome - if you are interested in Green Lake Homes For Sale - let us know!  Cooper Jacobs is a local real estate company  - we are located at 3645C Wallingford Ave N between Green Lake and Lake Union.  If you are walking the loop, you are sure to see at least one of us at some point.  I have run into Green Lake real estate brokers Molly Cartwright, Patrick Rusher, Mark Osaki, Katie Herrick, and even saw Marvin Moreno and Kimberly Allen walking one day!

Welcome to Steve Craft!

Steve joins us after over a decade of service to Windermere Ballard and we are excited to have him on our team!  Here is his latest listing if you haven't checked it out already:

5802 4th Avenue NW 

Welcome to life on The Ridge!

Enjoy panoramic views of Ballard and the Olympics.

Updated 1924 shingled Craftsman with large master bedroom and remodeled kitchen and baths. Four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2060 square feet. Spacious private corner lot with mature landscaping. Lovely tiled kitchen and baths, hardwood floors, double paned windows, upstairs master with 10 foot peaked ceilings and sunset views.

Three levels of finished living space including shop and storage area downstairs. Ideal location on West Phinney close to Fremont and Ballard. Your very own, private, Twilight inspired corner of Paradise.

Offered at $509,000

Presented By Steve Craft

206-478-2900

You can see more info on it here:

5802 4th Ave NW

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate

For all your Phinney Ridge real estate and other Seattle neighborhood real estate needs.

Green Lake area home - want to be close to the lake and all that is Green Lake? This one has amazing interiors (check out the last picture of the basement - HELLO!!!) - you name it, it is probably here!

Want to see this Greenlake beauty?  

Call Courtney 206-850-8841 or Molly  206-841-6800

realestate@cooperjacobs.com

The Great Room

Theater Room, Rec Room, Play Room...

$975,000 – you can see it here:

www.GreenLakeParkHome.com