Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Seattle Condo Prices Still Below Market Peak

pioneer square*Synced from Seattle and Real Estate Blog
Seattle condo prices are taking their time to bounce back from the housing bubble in comparison to single family home prices. With condo prices down, the market has presented a unique opportunity for renters who haven’t been able to save for a down-payment to purchase a single family home. In some of the suburbs around Seattle, condo listing prices are still well below recovery prices, and low prices paired with low interest rates means more and more renters have the opportunity to be new homeowners.
According to the Seattle Times, out of the 30 suburbs throughout King County listed by the NWMLS, all but 3 (Bellevue, Kirkland, and downtown Seattle) have not seen the median home price surpass the 2007 market peak. In 19 of the 36 markets listed in King and Snohomish County, median home prices are still 20% below the market peak. Seattle has seen the cost in rent and single family homes continuously rise, while condo prices have stayed consistent, or even dropped in some areas. While there are a number of reasons that a condo market can suffer during a market recession, many singles, small families and people looking to downsize are turning to condos for an affordable option towards homeownership. If you’re interested in learning more about the Seattle condo market, contact your local real estate agent today.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Queen Anne Luxury Rental: $4,950

Queen Anne rental
*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
This romantic three level 2 bed, 2 bath  “Tower” Apartment was built in 2011 with views of Elliott Bay, the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. This rental comes with a spacious 1 car garage (with the possibly of additional parking available). Features include travertine baths, stunning views, and a beautiful gourmet kitchen. The 500 sf deck is partially covered with views and a fireplace. Extraordinary landscaping includes waterfalls, terraces & boulders. If you’re interested in this or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.
Status: For Rent
Bed/Bath: 2//2
Price: $4,950

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Make Your Rental’s Bedroom Feel Like A Retreat


GetMedia (1)*Synced from the Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
With customization options at a minimum, apartments often never quite feel like home for many renters. Living with your landlord’s choices for wall colors, flooring materials and finishes can leave renters feeling dissatisfied with their surroundings. But there are some things you can do to make one of the most important rooms in the apartment – the bedroom – feel less like a hotel and more like your own restful and relaxing retreat. Using some inspiration from the designers at Zillow, here are some ideas:
To start with, overhead lighting in apartment buildings is usually not the most flattering, but since you most likely can’t change the main fixture in your rental, invest in table lamps or floor lamps to give your bedroom a nice glow.  Stylish lamps can often be found inexpensively at stores such as Target or TJ Maxx.
Giving walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the cheapest and simplest ways to personalize your bedroom, but many landlords are not ready to let you wield a paintbrush of your own. Check in with them first, and if you get the go-ahead, a soft grey or classic white will give you a serene space that is also a blank canvas for the rest of your personal touches.
Once you’ve painted, pick up some new bedding in your favorite color palette to add some interest to the room. Along with a nice set of sheets (Target also carries inexpensive sets that feel much more luxurious), you have an opportunity to make a statement with your duvet cover and unique throws and pillows.
Can’t paint your walls? Paint your furniture! Take an old, tired dresser, give it a good sanding and dress it up with whatever color paint you’d like. Paint the whole thing, just the legs, just the top, it’s up to you! Heavy, dark furniture tends to weigh a room down, especially if there is little natural light, so adding some color in the form of furniture can be a major upgrade and is budget friendly.
Now you’ve got some ideas, so get decorating!
If you are interested in renting in the Seattle area, contact your local real estate agent today!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Kennydale Rental Home: $3,995/Month


Kennydale
*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals
This extraordinary neighborhood home, featuring stunning views of Lake Washington is now available for rent! This home has a great open floor plan, rich hardwood floors,and walls of windows, creating a bright atmosphere throughout. This home features granite counter tops stainless steel appliances, two master bedrooms, a beautiful backyard and is truly an entertainer’s dream. Home is close to parks, beaches, boat launches, shopping, restaurants and I-405. For more information on this or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today!
Status: For Rent
Beds/Baths: 4//3
Price: $3,995/Month

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Deadline Is Here For Registering Rental Properties With 10+ Units

Schack1_big*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
Last October the City of Seattle passed the Rental Regulation & Inspection Ordinance that aims to establish a standard for cleanliness and healthy living conditions for all rental properties in the city, and the deadline for the first phase – registering properties with 10 or more units in preparation for inspections – is tomorrow, September 30. Inspections are expected to begin early next year, and inspectors will be looking to make sure that all carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors, locks, windows, hot and cold water, and a heat source are working; making sure there are no infestation issues; and that walls, roofs, and ceilings are in good condition.
The ordinance was put in place after a 2009 survey revealed that an estimated 10 percent of the 148,000 rental units in Seattle had “moderate to severe” physical problems. Over the next two years, most rental properties in Seattle will be required to register and subsequently be inspected, with the exception of owner-occupied properties where an individual room is being rented out, and “accessory dwelling units” that are occupied by an immediate family member of an owner. Units that already have inspection reports on file will not need to be re-inspected.
The city is hoping the ordinance will encourage owners to keep rental units up to the same minimum standard and deal with maintenance issues without having to rely on tenant complaints. Units will be inspected at least once every 10 years, and eventually prospective renters will be able view an online database of all registered properties that have passed inspection. Read more about the program here.
If you are interested in renting in the Seattle area, contact your local real estate agent today.