Arthur Erickson Designed Rental Home: $7,000

This beautiful Arthur Erickson designed residence in the Highlands sitting on 8+ acres is now available for rent! A masterpiece of space & light, this home features tall ceilings, and lustrous white polished concrete & glass ceiling lend a fantastic backdrop to luxurious & elegant living. If you love mountain & sound views, swimming & reflection pools, and a sculptural meadow that  enhance rich woodland setting, this home is the perfect city escape for you. If you’re interested in this or other Seattle neighborhood rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	4//4
Price:	$7,000

Summerwind Rental Home: $2,295

This gorgeous home in the Summerwind neighborhood in the Highlands area of Renton is now available for rent! This 3 bed/2.25 bath home offers a spacious living & dining room with vaulted ceilings and a wood burning fireplace. The kitchen has an abundance of natural light, stainless steel appliances, new cabinets and opens to a sunken family room. The entertainment-sized patio is surrounded by a lovely landscaped yard with a sprinkler system. This home is near great schools, and within walking distance to numerous shops. If you are interested in this or other Seattle area rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	3/2.5
Price:	$2,295

Madison Park Rental Home : $6,250

*Synced from the Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
This nice sunny Madison Park home on a corner lot with a huge level and enclosed lawn area is now available for rent. Incredible, authentic craftsman features updates throughout, four bedrooms plus an office and sitting room. Kitchen, family room, and four and a half bathrooms with heated floors in a wonderful location, right across from McGilvra Elementary school and a short distance to Madison Park shops and restaurants. This is a classic home and fantastic location! If you’re interested in this, or other Seattle area rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	4/4.5
Price:	$6,250

Seattle Rentals Real Estate Recap: May 2014

*Synced from the Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
King County rental activity dropped in May from April with 262 leased properties, according to stats from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.  This number is down from the same time last year with 354 leased properties in King County.  Currently, there are 287 available rentals on the NWMLS, with 56 in neighborhoods within 7 miles of the downtown core.  The current highest asking price is $8500/mo for a 2 brd/2.b bath condo.
For more information about Seattle rentals, please contact me at anytime.

New Ordinance Aims To Establish Standards For Rentals

As many renters can attest, conditions in rental units can vary widely among properties, and getting repairs done can sometimes turn into a lengthy process, depending on the responsiveness of your landlord. The City of Seattle’s recently instituted Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance is aiming to alleviate some of the worst conditions in rental properties in the city, after learning through the 2009 American Housing Survey that 10 percent of rental housing in the Seattle area has “moderate to severe” physical problems.
The ordinance will require all rental property owners to register their properties and hire either a City or private inspector to ensure their property is meeting minimum standards in areas such as smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, making sure broken or leaking windows, walls, and roofs are repaired, and making sure each unit does not have insects or rodents. The city has begun accepting registrations for properties, and registration will continue through 2016. Properties will be inspected at least once every 10 years thereafter.
According to The Seattle Times, owners are not required to register some types of rental properties, including units owned or managed by the government or a housing authority; housing associated with nursing homes and hospitals; transitional housing; housing associated with a religious order; or short term rentals such as vacation rentals and hotel rooms. The city is hoping this program will preserve quality of life in neighborhoods by educating all parties involved in renting units – landlords, renters and inspectors – to ensure everyone is on the same page in terms of what maintenance standards should be met.
For more information about Seattle rentals contact your local real estate agent today.

2,400 Micro-Apartments Planned For Seattle

*Synced from Seattle Luxury Rental Blog
Apodments, or micro-apartments have been trending in Seattle’s rental realm over the past year, with 700 units built in the city limits thus far. These mico units have appealed to the carless city dwellers who can fit the majority of their belongings in a 100-185 sf space. According to the Seattle Pi, that is roughly the size of a city parking space.
An estimated 2,400 additional units are in the works for the city of Seattle, in different stages of planning and permitting. The growing popularity of these units has caused a debate over whether these units are opening up opportunities for more affordable housing, or if they’re causing a surplus of tenants to migrate into already crowded neighborhoods. Seattle micro-units generally range from 100-185 sf, cost around $660/month, and usually a private bathroom, but many do not have kitchens or full kitchens. For more information on Seattle rentals, visit your local real estate agent today.

Seattle Rentals Real Estate Recap

*Synced from the Seattle Luxury Rental Blog

King County rental activity dipped in April, compared to March with 306 leased properties, according to stats from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.  However, this number ticked up from the same time last year, which was 295 leased properties in King County.  The market continues to stay strong, with 68 available properties within 6 miles of the downtown core with high price tags-the highest asking rent priced at $12,000 for a 2 br/2 bath penthouse in Belltown.

Rents continue to increase as the Seattle vacancy rates remain at a low 3.6%, according to an article from Seattle Rental Group.  This is up just .07% from the same time last year. For more information about Seattle rentals, contact me at anytime.

Statistics on Seattle's Rental Market

* 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!

Queen Anne Condo Rental: $2,295

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.

Queen Anne Condo Rental: $2,800

Photo Courtesy of queenannehighschool.com

Synced from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog

This stunning top floor condo with panoramic views of Capitol Hill, downtown, and Puget Sound is now available for rent! This unit in the former Queen Anne High School Building offers an open floor plan with a high-end kitchen, hardwood floors, huge windows, and original slate chalk board from when this unit was a music classroom! Spacious master bedroom, + second bedroom or office, 1 full and 1 half bath, storage unit, and 2 assigned parking spots (one covered and one uncovered). Queen Anne High School is listed on the historical registry, a truly wonderful rental experience. For more information on this or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Sale
Bed/Bath:	2/1.5
Price:	$2,800

Wall Street Investors Tap Into Seattle Rental Market

Syndicated from Seattle Luxury Rentals Blog.
First-time home buyers often save for years in order to amass enough cash for a down payment on a home, but in the past couple of years, potential buyers have found themselves outbid by Wall Street investors with no shortage of readily available cash. According to The Seattle Times, firms such as The Blackstone Group have formed subsidiaries that buy large numbers of entry-level homes, often for less than $300,000, and renovate them for the rentals market. These firms are often able to pay all cash and close on the property much more quickly than a regular home buyer could.
According to market researcher RealtyTrac, major investors made at least 7 percent of all single-family home purchases in the Seattle area in 2013, buying 3,100 homes throughout the year. Blackstone's Invitation Homes subsidiary alone bought at least 1,585 homes in 2013. Analysts do not see a slowdown in investor-purchased properties, and predict Wall Street could funnel $20 billion a year for the next few years into financing these purchases.
Neighbors who live near these homes are worried about the impact they will have on their neighborhoods as a whole, seeing investor-owned properties being neglected or violating housing laws or homeowner association rules. Some experts say these renovated properties could have an overall positive effect on neighborhood homes values, but that the increasing investor demand for rental properties could hurt regular home buyers by driving up prices.
For more information about Seattle rentals or real estate, contact your local real estate agent today.

Market for Seattle Area Apartment Rentals Softening in 2014

The average rent for an apartment in the Seattle area rose to $1,214 a month in 2013. A new report suggests that rental prices will at least stabilize if not decline in 2014. Rental prices have dipped $5 and the number of vacancies is up which is a sign of the market softening. The Seattle metro area is experiencing its largest apartment building boom in the past 20 years. All of the upcoming vacant units will cause competition for tenants and slow the rent hike. Bellevue has the area’s most expensive rates for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,434 a month. Belltown, Denny Triangle and South Lake Union are the most expensive sub-markets with rates averaging $1,624 a month for a one-bedroom. The most expensive neighborhoods are Fremont/Wallingford ($1,514), Capitol Hill ($1,449) and First Hill ($1,421). Lower rents were found in North Seattle ($957). If you're searching for s Seattle Rental, contact your local real estate agent today.

Downtown Waterfront Rental: $3,000

This 2 bed 2 bath condo rental is the only condominium on the downtown waterfront, and is now available for rent! This fully furnished luxury condo overlooks the waterfront via floor to ceiling windows, with views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic mountain range. The master suite features 2 closets with a 5 piece bathroom including a relaxing jacuzzi tub. Features include granite counter tops, gas cooking pantry in the kitchen, gas fireplace, and laundry room with full size front load washer/dryer. There are two secured parking stalls, and the cost of rent includes water, sewer, garbage, cable and gas. For your convenience, there is 24 hour concierge service available. 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:	$3,000

Washington Park Rental: $4,995

This beautiful 4 bed 3 bath Washington Park home is now available for rent on the highly sought after McGilvra Blvd E. This home has glorious views of the Cascades and Lake Washington, sitting high above the street, with a panoramic view, with a great neighborhood presence. Features include traditional detailing finish work, high ceilings, large rooms and natural light. The dining room and kitchen open out to the private terrace level lawn area, and the master bedroom is located upstairs with a view balcony.  The home is conveniently located near the Lake, parks, restaurants, and shops. If your interested in this  or other Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

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

Washington Park Rental Home: $10,000

This beautiful Washington Park Rental Home is now available for rent, featuring large rooms, kitchen, family room, and oak floors. This 4 bed 3 bath home has a large second master bedroom, and fabulous views of Mt Rainier, close to Madison Park shops and restaurants. The perfect dwelling to meet all of your needs. For more information on this listing, or other Seattle rentals, contact your local Real Estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	4//3
Price:	$10,000

Downtown Condo Rental Available: $4,500

This sleek two story corner unit in downtown Seattle is now available for rent! Condo features soaring 18ft ceilings, wrap around floor to ceiling windows and active views, with a large private deck. Warm interiors feature elegant colors and cherry hardwood flooring. The designer kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances make for an entertainer’s dream. Spacious Great Room with fireplace is perfect for entertaining (flat screen tv stays in unit!). The 2nd floor master suite has a large walk-in closet, five-piece master bath and office area/sitting room for your convenience. Tenant will also have a secure garage parking space. For more information on Seattle condo rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

Status:	For Rent
Bed/Bath:	2,2
Price:	$4,500

Renter Competition is Stiff: Come Prepared With Renter Application Packet

These days Seattle rentals are few and far between, and in our competitive rental market bringing your checkbook ready to cash in the deposit no longer puts you on the top of the applicant stack. In other popular cities like San Francisco renters arriving at showings can expect a long line of other applicants already waiting at the door, so if you’re looking to be one step ahead of the game, putting together a renter application packet could be be your ticket to a new rental.

Downtown Seattle Rental: $4,500/Month

Get the following documents prepared before your rental showing:

• A copy of your ID: either a driver’s license or passport

• Proof of employment: A pay stub will suffice, but if you can get a letter from your employer confirming your employment that would be beneficial.

• Pay stub: Several landlords have minimum salary requirements, so having at least 3 of your most recent pay stubs is important.

• A bank statement: Having a bank statement available that indicates you are financially stable and capable of paying rent could be the difference between you and someone less prepared.

• References: Have a list of references, past landlords, past neighbors and business partners is a great way to enphasize that you are a responsible tenant.

• Rental Application, and fee: This is most important if you’re able to request the application prior to the showing. Some property management websites have these available for prospective tenants, and also having a check handy for the application fee will indicate your preparedness.

Make sure that you double check all of the application requirements prior to your showing if available, and don’t forget to bring your checkbook along with your completed renter application packet. Good luck on your rental hunt! If you’re interested in Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today!

A Light In the Midst of a Goverment Shutdown

While we’re in the throws of a government shutdown, it’s a perfect time to shed some light on the things the government is powering up, such as the muncipally-owned Seattle City Light delivering cheap and green energy solutions to Seattle’s residential residents. Seattle City Light actually has one of the lowest residential rates compared to the top 25 largest cities in the nation, and delivers electricity while staying completely carbon neutral. Of the 100 largest utilities in the country, Seattle City Light has the 4th cheapest electric rates as well, and two of the three companies that are less expensive than Seattle (Iowa and Indiana) burn a significant amount of coal to make electricity. If your rental is powered by Seattle City Light, be thankful we have some of the cheapest cleaned power across the nation. Hooray! If you’re interested in Seattle Rentals, contact your residential agent today.

Rental Scammers Thriving in Seattle’s Hot Rental Market

You’re shopping for a new rental on Craigslist or Hotpads, and stumble upon a beautiful listing that is asking well below the market norm – you’re first thought is it’s too good to be true, but at that price who could resist? If you’ve seen these ads while browsing, usually cluttered with grammatical mistakes in the property description, you’ve likely had this same thought. A four bedroom bungalow in Ballard with a garage and hardwoods for $1,200/month?! Sounds like the deal of a lifetime in Seattle’s hot rental market. This listing seems too good to be true, and it certainly is; online rental scammers are thriving in the cut throat Seattle rental market, so be on the lookout for these similarities on your quest for the perfect rental. Scammers almost never list a local phone number, and generally send you an email in response about an urgent matter that leaves no other choice than to deal with all transactions long distance.

According to the Seattle Times, some of those who have fallen for rental scams have lots hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars. Sometimes the fake landlord seems to check out alright, they might even have an email that is listed as the actual landlord’s name. Do not wire anyone any money, and make sure to look into the rental company before choosing a rental home. If you’re interested in Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.

High Seattle Rent + High Competition = High Stakes for Renters

Have you been searching for a new Seattle rental and found that someone else is always one step ahead of you? You aren’t alone! Seattle renters in the throws of searching for a new place to call home have a lot of other renters competing for the same properties. Some renters have been attending open houses, even arriving early in hopes of getting to spe3ak with the landlord directly, only to find that there is a line of Seattleites ahead of them at the door, already discussing their game plan for landing that lease. What is a renter to do? One could spoke with Mynorthwest after a year long search for their rental home. “Oh, it’s awful. You’re like, I’m going to be smart and get to this house 20 minutes early and there’s already 20 people there and they’re all talking about their strategy,” said Ian Schuler. “Seattle is filled with beautiful Type-A personalities. Everybody knows what they want and they’re so competitive. And it takes, honestly, that that kind of personality, I think, to be on top of it.”
On average, a one bedroom in Seattle may have gone up 200-400 dollars this past year, and new construction apartments are coming on the market with a high price tag. To make themselves look desirable, many renters are putting together portfolios that include family resumes, pet resumes and neighbor recommendations, along with letters from previous landlords. Anything that might give them the edge needed to one up another prospective tenant. Stay on top of the rental search, and be prepared to have tough competition with the units you’d like to live in. If you’re looking for Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.