Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Trendy Rental Perks 2014

rental home jason*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
If you’re on the prowl for a new rental home, chances are you’re looking for amenities such as new kitchen counter, hardwood flooring and more than one bathrooms, but there are also other perks to living in a shared community that renters today should consider when searching for the perfect rental. From basic perks like an on-site laundry facility and parking to fitness centers in the building, each renter should consider which amenities they’d like to have included with their rental home. Living in an apartment these days doesn’t mean you have to forfeit a yard or BBQ space; private backyards are becoming more commonplace in first level units, and are much larger than your standard unit’s patio. If this is something you’d enjoy (or your furry friend would enjoy!) you’ll typically see a price increase anywhere from $150-$200.
Like many Seattleites, I like to start my morning with piping hot latte – and it just so happens many of the apartment buildings in the area have an on-site cafe located in the lobby for your convenience. Is you morning workout important? Look for a building with an on-site community gym or a lovely pool (pictured right at the Olive 8), or if you like a nice summer BBQ, look for a building with a shared rooftop terrace. If you’re searching for a nice rental for you and your furry friend, pet friend amenities used to be difficult to find, but are becoming more commonplace in neighborhood buildings. Full-service pet spas and doggy-daycare  are located in many buildings for your convenience and your companions pleasure! Whatever your needs may be, it’s important to consider building amenities when searching for your next rental home. For more information on Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

King County Rental Market Recap: March 2014

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
bellevue homeThe King County rental market saw an increase in leased properties in March,  with 641 rentals, versus 611 leased properties in the same month last year, according to statistics from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). While the NWMLS is a good gauge, it is only a portion of the real estate market.  Nonetheless, it shows rentals continue to be in high demand, especially in Metro areas.   Developers are following suit with big apartment buildings popping up in Ballard, Downtown, and South Lake Union and   according to an article from PSBJ, Seattle ranked the 7th best market for rental property investing.
There are 268 current active rentals per the NWMLS in King County, 72 of which are in Seattle neighborhoods within about 6 miles of the downtown core and primarily made up of apartments and condos.  Rents continue to be competitive in the real estate market.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Madrona Rental Home: $2,450

Madrona rental
*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals. 
This adorable brick home just across from the Madrona Playground is now available for rent! Located just two blocks from St. Therese Madrona Elementary, this home features a large living room with a separate dining room, and a lovely kitchen with spacious cabinet room and room for a small table. There are two large bedrooms on the main floor, and the downstairs has a 3rd bedroom that could also be used as a family room. The garage is perfect for one car and has a ton of storage space, or could be used as a work area. The home also has a sizable backyard that is partially fenced with a small patio perfect for BBQs in the summer months. For more information on this rental or other Seattle rental homes, contact your local real estate agent today.
Status: For Rent
Bed//Bath: 3//1
Price: $2,450

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Statistics on Seattle's Rental Market

nate rental dt
* Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals
PubliCola has some interesting statistics on the Seattle rentals market, pulled from the April 1 city council planning committee meeting, where Mike Scott of the rental-market analysis firm Dupre+Scott gave his take on the situation. In summary:
- Supply and demand has affected rent fluctuation more than increased development has. According to Dupre+Scott, low housing supply has led to increased rents, and an excess of available apartments pushes rent down, in line with the classic supply and demand model.
- While average rent in the Seattle market as a whole has gone up in recent years, that is mostly due to the inclusion of newer apartment buildings that rent units at rates from $1,300 to $2,000 per month. Rents at older buildings (built before 2009 with rents between $800 and $1,300 per month) have actually risen at a slower rate than the cost of maintaining them has. The age of the building you choose to live in will often have a dramatic influence on what your rent will be: For apartments built in 1997 or earlier, the average rent is $1,100 per month, whereas rents in buildings newer than that average $1,700 per month.
- Think you’ll get more space for your money with those higher rents? Average square footage has actually decreased from 750 square feet in the mid-90s to 650 square feet today.
- More rental-housing development is happening in the city of Seattle than in the suburbs, and the trend seems to be toward smaller apartments in denser areas where public transportation is readily available and residents can walk to restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. In certain Seattle neighborhoods the number of apartments available for rent is growing by huge percentages. In Ballard, for example, the number of rental units available is expected to grow by 250 percent between 2009 and 2018, and downtown could see a 200 percent increase in the same time span.
Interested in renting in Seattle? Contact your local real estate agent for more information!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Queen Anne Condo Rental: $2,295

Capture
This beautiful Queen Anne condo with stunning downtown skyline and Space Needle views is now up for rent. Located on the East side of Queen Anne Hill just steps from Bhy Kracke park, this condo provides the quiet environment of a residential street while being central to downtown and all Seattle has to offer. Included in the unit’s 1,100 square feet are a lavish master bath, walk-in closet, fireplace, and a wonderful terrace overlooking downtown. As an added bonus, secure parking is included with this unit. For more information on this condo or on other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.