Madison Park Rental Home: $5,650/Month

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
This lovely one level Madison Park home sits in the quiet Canterbury location near Madison Park Shops, restaurants and parks. Amenities include easy access to Downtown, freeway and the Eastside. Beautiful finishes include oak floors, cathedral ceilings, and a new kitchen with family room. The fenced garden boasts lovely plantings and hot tub. This spacious home has an attached two car garage that also includes a large workshop. Gardening included. Prospective tenants will need first and last month’s rent, plus one month’s rent for the security deposit. If you’re interested in this or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today!

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	3/2.5
Price:	$5,650/Month

Proposed Bill - 90 Days Notice for Rent Increases

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals

Most renters have probably experienced it – opening your mailbox to find a notice that your rent is going up. Often, increases come in $50 or $100 increments, but in Seattle’s booming rental market, some are seeing their rents rise by $1,000 or more at a time. Most renters can’t absorb these exorbitant hikes, and Washington State’s Landlord Tenant Law only requires landlords to give 30 days notice for rent changes (60 days in the City of Seattle), giving tenants a short window to find a new home. But according to Crosscut, Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) is planning to introduce legislation that would require landlords across the board to give 90 days notice if they raise rents by more than 10 percent. The notification period for increases of 10 percent or less would remain at 30 days. For renters who don’t have much cushion in their savings account, this would give them more time to save up enough cash for move-in fees such as first and last months’ rent and a security deposit. According to King-5, the Rental Housing Association of Washington will fight the bill.
Kohl-Welles will also introduce legislation to prohibit landlords from discriminating against potential tenants on the basis of their participation in a government assistance program such as Section 8, which provides rent vouchers for households making 30 percent or less of the area’s median income. The bill would be aimed at landlords who either prohibit those in such a program from applying for housing altogether, or who don’t give them equal consideration with those not enrolled in an assistance program.
If you are interested in renting in the Seattle area, contact your local real estate agent today.

Renters in Old Buildings Blindsided By Rent Hikes

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
With all the talk about record-high rents in the Seattle area, you may look around at the high-rise apartments sprouting up in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and Ballard and think you’ve found the culprits for our status as the U.S.’s 8th most expensive city for renters. But here’s a surprising statistic reported recently by Sanjay Bhatt at The Seattle Times: rents in older buildings are actually rising at faster rates than those in newer ones. Rents in buildings built in the 1980′s grew by a rate of 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, whereas rents in buildings newer than 2010 grew by only 1.4 percent (granted, rents in these buildings are much higher to start with).
Renters who care little about granite counter tops and rooftop decks have historically been able to rent units for reasonable rates in older buildings that offer function without the flash. But as many of these mid-century buildings approach 60 or 70 years old, they’re being sold off to development groups who pass on renovation costs to tenants in the form of rent hikes. For residents such as those at the Linda Manor Apartments in West Seattle (a building built in 1964), those hikes came in the form of a 130 percent increase, according to The Seattle Times. One resident saw her rent rise from $1,000 per month to $2,300 per month.
With the addition of 86,000 new residents over the past four years and just under 29,000 new units built over the same time period, housing is at a premium and a low vacancy rate in King County is creating stiff competition for renters. Because of that, landlords are having no trouble filling units, even with ever-rising rents.
If you are interested in renting in the Seattle area, contact your local real estate agent today.

Renting is Half as Affordable as Buying in the U.S.

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
If you’re a renter, think about the amount you write on that check every month. Is it inching toward 30 percent of your monthly income? According to a new report by Zillow, gone are the days when mortgage rates made home ownership prohibitively expensive and renting was the affordable option. They report that the average renter in the U.S. is spending 30 percent of their monthly earnings on housing, and Seattle renters spend a little more than 30 percent, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. Owning a home can cut that percentage in half, as homeowners pay only about 15 percent of their monthly income on their mortgage. Historically, renters have paid about 25 percent of their income toward rent.
Rents in Seattle are up a staggering 21.5 percent over the past five years, and with incomes only having grown 10.4 percent over that same span, renters are increasingly burdened with monthly housing costs. With mortgage interest rates hovering around 4 percent, first-time buyers in the U.S. are only spending an average of 17.5 percent on housing, even with many only paying a 5 percent down payment. Zillow says that even if interest rates rose to 7 percent, buying a home would be more affordable than it has been historically.
So, if you are looking to save on monthly housing costs, start saving those pennies for a down payment! If you are interested in real estate in the Seattle area, contact your local agent today.

Madison Park Rental Home: $2,450/Month

This gorgeous end unit next to Madison Park Beach and the Park is now available for rent! This home sits above the lake itself, with lots of windows and a spacious deck. Features include beautiful views of Lake Washington, mountains, and Madison Park. The home has two bedrooms, and one and a half baths. It is in close proximity to restaurants and shops, and a bus line to Downtown. Amenities include washer and dryer in the unit, and one car parking in secure garage. For more information on Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	2//1
Price:	$2,450

Looking For A Roomate? MatchPad App Can Help

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental
The dating world has OkCupid, Match.com, and a host of other websites that claim to connect you with your soul mate. New service MatchPad has applied those same principles to connecting potential roommates, using criteria such as desired budget and location, as well as matching up compatible personality traits. According to an article on mynorthwest.com, the service launched in September as a website, and the app for both iOS and Android users will be available in January. Renters in Seattle won’t be able to take advantage of the service just yet, as it currently only operates in New York City, but once it does reach the Northwest it could help take some of the guesswork out of finding that elusive perfect roommate.

Madison Park Rental Home: $4,500/Month

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
This three bed three bath Madison Park home is a perfect location, is now available for rent! Three bedrooms are located on the 2nd floor & 2 baths. The Office features views on the 3rd floor, and master bedroom has 3/4 bath and a fireplace. On the main floor, you’ll find an updated kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, & powder room. The yard space is truly amazing! There’s a large deck off the kitchen and family room, and two side patios on the South side of the home. The laundry room is located in the basement, and there is a two car garage parking off the alley. *Looking for a short term lease – 3 months* All rooms are furnished except one bedroom. For more information on this, or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed//Bath:	3//3
Price:	$4,500/Month

Attn Renter or Rental Owners: Now is the Time for Winter Maintenance

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
Even if you live in a rental, the cold, wet weather of winter should prompt you to do some preventative maintenance on your home, both to limit your liability for any potential damage from the elements and to keep your home as comfortable as possible during the winter. Talk with your landlord, both to make sure they are performing their share of required maintenance, and also to find out what tasks are your responsibility.
The Rental Housing Association of Washington has several tips regarding what you can do as a renter to minimize damage to your unit this winter. If your lease requires you to perform yard maintenance, make sure you’re keeping the area around your foundation clear so excess moisture doesn’t build up and seep into the home (check with your landlord before you do anything beyond basic yard cleanup). Bag up fallen leaves and trim shrubs around the perimeter of your house. But don’t pull out that ladder just yet, as it should be the owner or landlord’s responsibility to make sure roofs are sound and gutters are draining correctly.
It is often the tenant’s responsibility to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and during the season when more people are using their heat and having fires, it’s important to make sure these are operating correctly. Check your lease to determine if this is something you need to keep an eye on.
Especially in damp climates like ours in the Northwest, it’s important to pay attention to moisture levels inside your home, as well as outside. In the winter, when you’re more likely to have all your windows and doors closed, keep indoor air dry and circulating with fans, or occasionally crack a window to let some fresh air in. If you haven’t turned your heaters on yet, make sure they’re free of dust and move any belongings away from vents to minimize fire risk.
These tips should help ensure that you have a warm and uneventful winter in your rental! If you are interested in finding a rental property in Seattle, contact your local real estate agent today.

Eastlake Rowhome Rental: $3,250/Month

This  3 bed 2.5 bath London-style rowhouse in the desirable Eastlake neighborhood is now available for rent. Many upgrades include slate entry, hardwood floors and slab granite counters and chef quality appliances. Features such as a beautiful kitchen with breakfast bar, separate dining room, sunken living room with fireplace and 10ft ceilings offer attractive living. Luxurious top floor master suite has five-piece bath, large walk-in closet and view deck. Light & bright end unit with beautifully landscaped front yard. Minutes to Downtown and walking distance to Amazon & South Lake Union. If you’re interested in this, or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today!

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	3//2.5
Price:	$3,250

Seattle Condo Prices Still Below Market Peak

*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.

Queen Anne Luxury Rental: $4,950

*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

Make Your Rental’s Bedroom Feel Like A Retreat

*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!

Kennydale Rental Home: $3,995/Month

*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

Deadline Is Here For Registering Rental Properties With 10+ Units

*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.

Seattle One Of Top 10 Most Expensive Cities For Renters

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog
If you’re a renter in Seattle you don’t need telling that it costs a pretty penny to live here, but we now have census data that confirms our rents are up there with the most expensive in the country. The Seattle Times is reporting that Seattle finally cracked the top ten on the list of cities boasting the highest median rent, with a cost of $1,172 per month.
Between 2010 and 2013 rents here also saw the steepest increase of the top 50 most populous cities in the U.S., having risen by $113 per month (including utilities), or 11 percent. $1,172 is the median cost of what renters are currently paying in Seattle, so it does not reflect many newer apartment buildings that are listing un-rented units for much higher prices. Surprisingly, the number of renters in Seattle has kept pace with rising rents – in 2013 there were 307,000 renters here, a 13 percent increase from 2010.
Click here to see a chart of the top 10 most expensive cities for renters. If you would like more information on renting in the Seattle area, contact your local real estate agent today.

New SHA Program Would Raise Rents For Many In Subsidized Housing

*Synced from Seattle and Real Estate Blog

An article published yesterday by The Seattle Times outlines a proposed new program from the Seattle Housing Authority that would introduce progressive rent increases for about 35 percent of households that are part of the subsidized housing system. The program, titled “Stepping Forward”, aims to cycle more people out of subsidized housing by putting residents on the path to a higher wage through job counseling, and would raise rents accordingly over a span of six to eight years.
Stepping Forward would apply to 4,600 “work-able” households, which is defined by SHA as one where at least one person between the ages of 24 and 61 has no disabilities that prevent them from working. Currently, residents in subsidized housing pay 30 percent of their income for rent, but under the new plan rent would be based on home size rather than income. For example, potential rent for a one-bedroom apartment would be $140 per month for the first year of the program, $310 per month for years two and three, $480 per month for years four and five, and $720 per month for years six and seven. Different rent amounts would apply to studios, two bedrooms, etc. For households with no work-able adults, rent would continue to be a percentage of income.
Five community meetings being held in September will give the public a chance to comment on the proposal. All meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

- Wednesday, September 17 at the Yesler Community Center
- Monday, September 22 at the Rainier Community Center
- Tuesday, September 23 at the NewHolly Gathering Hall
- Monday, September 29 at the High Point Community Center
For more information on rentals or real estate in Seattle, contact your local real estate agent today.

Renton Rental Home: $3,995

Extraordinary Kennydale home with stunning views of Lake Washington. Great open floor plan with rich hardwood floors and walls of windows creating lots of bright light throughout. This updated home has everything, including granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances and is an entertainers dream. TWO MASTER SUITES. No expense was spared when it comes to the tranquil and private backyard, it’s truly a masterpiece. Close to parks, beaches, boat launches, shopping, restaurants & minutes from 405. For more information on Seattle area rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed//Bath:	4//3
Price:	$3,995

Walkability Score- What is it and why does it matter?

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental

Walkability- it’s a word that some of you may be familiar with already, and one that real estate marketing often uses. But what exactly does it mean?
Used by Walkscore.com, it’s intended definition is to indicate how easily and readily connected a property is to the neighborhood and community around it. For instance, is the nearest grocery store within easy walking distance? Or would it be necessary to drive there?
The higher a property’s Walk Score (or Transit Score or Bike Score) on a scale of 1-100, the more connected the neighborhood is with the property. Take this chart example. But what makes a community walkable?

• A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it’s a main street or a public space.
• People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently.
• Mixed income, mixed use: Affordable housing located near businesses.
• Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play.
• Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back.
• Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.
• Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.

Now, why is this score important? It’s generally known that those who walk more, whether it’s just a few steps or hundreds of steps a day are generally healthier than those who don’t. By walking more, not only do you get outside, but you also use your car less, and thereby reduce your carbon footprint. If you were able to find a property in a highly walkable area, you might be able to forgo the car altogether!
And here’s some great news: Seattle is rated as one of the most walkable cities in the U.S.! With a Walk Score of 71, a Transit Score of 57, and a Bike Score of 64, Seattle is the 8th most walkable city, with it’s most walkable neighborhoods being Downtown, the Denny Triangle, and Pioneer Square.
How important is the walkability of the neighborhood to you when looking for a new property?

Lower Queen Anne Rental: $2,150

Rare opportunity to live in a historic, Tudor-style 4-plex in lower Queen Anne. This unit features old world charm with hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, and original detailing throughout. This is the only unit on ground floor, and has one sizable bedroom and a large office that can easily be used as a second. Features include spacious living areas, a formal dining room, bright kitchen with a dishwasher, sun room, and full bath. Just minutes to Metropolitan Market, Gates Foundation, Opera House, and restaurants, this is the perfect neighborhood rental! Rent includes one reserved parking space, and there is storage and washer/dryer on-site. If you’d like more information on this or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed//Bath:	2//1
Price:	$2,150

Laurelhurst Rental Home: $4,995

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
This charming Laurelhust home is warm and inviting and full of character, and available for rent! The property is very private with a beautiful English Garden, and the interior has been carefully remodeled with an artistic eye for detail. Features include handmade Mosaic fireplace, and vaulted ceilings in the dining room and arched Spanish style in the living room. The kitchen is a dream for entertaining with a large gas stove. The home has distinctive hardwoods and custom mill work. Upstairs bedrooms are all light and airy, and each has a balcony. For more information on this, or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today!

Status:	For Rent
Bed//Bath:	3//3
Price:	$4,995