Kirkland Real Estate July 2008

July 2008

Supplement to Kirkland Reporter • A division of Reporter Newspapers

Why the Hesitation?

Time to Take Advantage!

Interest rates are low, inventory is higher, prices have dropped and sellers are anxious. As many in the RealtorŽ community are saying, “It’s a GREAT time to buy!�

So why is local real estate facing Debbie Walter an abundance in supply and lon- 3FBMUPSÂĄ 3& ."9 /8 ger market times?

Why don’t buyers want to buy? Buyers have been screaming since 2000 that the market was unfair and too tilted in the sellers favor.

So, here we are folks – slower sales, antsy sellers and lower prices equate to a great mix for someone hoping to buy a home. Why the hesitation? Simply put, it seems to be the 5 C’s that are causing today’s problem, “ We have a (C)risis in (C)onsumer (C)onfidence combined with a (C)redit (C)runch!�

A big factor in these 5 C’s are that

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Starting at $1,170,000.

Lot 1: 8,510 sq ft 3,388 sq ft Home Lot 2: 8,510 sq ft 3,876 sq ft Home Lot 3: 8,513 sq ft 3,585 sq ft Home Lot 4: 8,555 sq ft 3,605 sq ft Home Lot 5: 7,708 sq ft 3,487 sq ft Home

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See Hesitation page 2

at builders discretion without notice.

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2 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Hesitation

continued from page 1 many potential buyers are being battered by negative news about the housing, mortgage and credit industries. Consumers are putting their lives on hold and waiting for (what they hope to be) even more favorable pricing and market conditions.

Buyers are thinking they can “time” the market.

The risk with this thinking is there is no way to “time” real estate just like there is no way to “time” the stock market. There is also big risk in missing the boat altogether if one stays on the sidelines for too long.

Many buyers who wish to “wait until next year when prices may be lower” face a big risk in and of itself. Prices may be lower, but then again, they may be higher.

How many times have you waited for that special item at your favorite store to be marked down, only to discover that it was snapped up by someone else before you had a chance to purchase it?

This may be an over simplistic analogy, but the principle is the same: sometimes when you snooze, you lose. You may choose to go ahead and wait but quite often procrastination leads to regret. You don’t want to kick yourself down the road.

Bette & Jim, first time homebuyers in Kirkland’s Juanita area, shares, “We still kick ourselves that we were slow to act in buying our townhome. We first explored the idea in early 2005 but we decided to wait. By late 2006, we were nearly out priced of the entire market and still regretting we didn’t buy back in 2005.”

“We had the chance to make our dollars go further, earn more future appreciation, have the immediate tax deductions and most importantly, we would have had a place to call all our own nearly two years earlier but we were too full of fear at that time.”

“We finally took the advice to stretch ourselves

and get in the game. After a few months, the stretch was easier, just as our agent told us it would be. Our only regret is we didn’t do it earlier.”

The truth is, none of the experts can accurately predict the real estate market any better than the experts can accurately predict the stock market or what gas prices may be in a year from now.

Potential buyers need reminded that although buying a home is indeed an investment, it’s very different than purchasing a stock or mutual fund.

For most people, moving is tied more to a life event – a marriage, a job change, a new child, a divorce. It’s more about how and where one wants to live and can afford to live than about bottom-line accounting.

If you purchased real estate in 2006 or even early 2007, you most likely got a great home at a good price with a low interest rate. Provided you stay in your home for several years (at least 3-5), you will likely benefit when property values eventually rise again.

Why can I confidently say this? Because real estate will always be a local dynamic vs. a national dynamic, and real estate is based on the simple economic laws of supply vs. demand. Credit may be tight and the economy has changed, but here’s a fact: buying a house still remains a strong and smart financial move, especially in the long run!

When comparing today’s existing home sales to 1998, the annualized pace is near equal to a decade ago. Nearly 5 million transactions. This is a milestone. So what has changed over the last 10 years?

We now have 25 million more people, 11 million more jobs, 22% higher household income and 22% higher stock wealth. Don’t forget that mortgage rates are still at a historic low too.

Around Puget Sound, and especially on the Eastside communities of Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, the local economy continues to outpace the coun-

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Downtown Kirkland condo at Gallery. 2 bdrms, 2 bath, 2 deeded parking spaces side by side. Hardwoods, granite counters, stainless steel appliances. Wheelchair and pet friendly. Pool & hot tub to spoil you! $339,000

3 bed, 3 bath Beauty in Juanita

Spacious Redmond Townhouse

Tucked away on a quiet culdesac in a friendly community.

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Vaulted ceilings, hardwood entry, spacious living & dining rooms. Eat-in kitch w/hardwoods is open to the fam rm, skylights, 2 frplc, 2 car gar + shop. Bonus rm for home office/4th Bdr + tons of storage. 2,120 sq.ft tri-level. Only $534,950

Gorgeous newer 3 bdrm 2 bath, 2 car gar townhome at Taluswood super close to Microsoft. Brazilian Cherry Hardwoods, 9’+ ceilings, granite counters, stainless appl, fenced bckyrd with BBQ deck, hitech wired & surround sound. $415,000

Lovely 3-bed, 3-bath Craftsman boasts vintage elegance Gourmet kitch w/granite counters, SS appl, hardwoods, bsmnt & more! Min to 405 & 520! MLS #28108468

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Stunning ‘08 Craftsman. Yesterdays Charm w/ Todays Lifestyle. Grmt Ktchn w/Granite Slab, SS App, 5-pc Master Suite. MLS # 28111020

try. Unemployment is incredibly low and land still comes at a premium.

The economic outlook (i.e.: jobs) remains strong for our area and the higher powers above have not miraculously granted our area with an over abundance of raw land for new building.

With lender guidelines becoming stricter, there is less new construction, less new building going on and less apartment-to-condo conversions happening. This means our future supply is not skyrocketing, but it is actually shrinking.

Stunning & exclusive custom-built, estate style luxury home with a brilliant design filled w/exquisite details. 2006-yr build & 6486sq ft of luxury living at its finest. MLS # 28111067

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Debbie Walter, Realtor

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“Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!”

CRS, GRI, ABR, SRES, Platinum Club & Hall of Fame Producer

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See All Available Listings at www.DebbieWalter.com

(206) 226-0226

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RE/MAX NW Realtors Servicing the Greater Puget Sound Area

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File Photo

A great place to call home | 3

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

continued from page 2 There is a growing sentiment and a subtle shift in recent media reports to encourage buyers to take advantage of the times. After all, these are the kind of market conditions buyers have been waiting for years.

As a local Realtor®, you may think I’m biased but it’s not just real estate agents conveying this sort of advice.

Excerpts from a “Your Money” column headlined “Cash in on Lower Interest Rates” which appeared in Kiplinger’s’ Personal Finance Magazine writes: “Despite tightened lending standards, homebuyers are still calling the shots. That’s especially true if you don’t have to worry about selling a house in this market. If you can come up with 10-20% down payment and you plan to live in the house for at least 5 years, that is time enough to recover your costs and wait for a rebound in home prices.”

“If you’re in the market for a house, it’s foolhardy to wait for a slightly better deal on a home … It’s smart to take advantage of a low rate now rather than wait as a lower rate today equates to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.”

In addition, our federal lawmakers have a tool under consideration that will help break the vicious cycle of hesitancy that is gripping our market: a homeowner tax credit for owner-occupying buyers.

The District of Columbia has used such a tax credit for years with great success. Several proposals from Congress would apply variations of it nationwide.

Unite & balance with Feng Shui

F

eng shui divides the world into five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water. If you have a room that doesn't feel quite right, balancing the elements can make it more comfortable.

1. Wood. Wood harnesses the pow-

File Photo

The biggest benefit of a potential $5,000- $7,000 tax credit (which has even bigger benefit than an itemized deduction) is the probable upward momentum in home prices because of the reduced inventory.

So, I encourage you to set aside your hesitancy for just a moment.

Instead of being a household that can afford to buy today BUT you are making a decision to wait (in the expectation that home prices will continue to fall), get in the game before it’s too late.

Don’t hesitate today for what likely would be a wise decision for the future. Your real estate professional will help you decipher thru the facts so you can make a wise and informed decision which just may lead you to a great home all your very own!

er of creativity and expansion, while representing traits such as growth, birth, strength, flexibility and intuition. Look for: • fresh and silk flowers • plants and trees • cotton or natural fabrics • wood furniture

2. Fire. Increase enthusiasm and

leadership skills by maximizing the fire element. To increase the fire element in your space, add: • candles, and sunlight • any shade of red, pink or purple • electronic equipment • animal prints

3. Earth. When there is an overabun-

dance of earth in a space, people will often notice a heavy sensation and experience more boredom, but with too little earth, people may feel disorganized, chaotic and unfocused. Look for: • anything in earth tones • square and rectangular shapes • low, flat surfaces • images of landscapes

File Photo

4. Metal. The presence of metal with-

in a room or home can be felt in emotional characteristics like organization, focus, righteousness and analytical abilities. Look for: • round or oval shapes • anything made of metal, like steel, iron, aluminum, gold or silver • rocks and stones • white, gray, silver or light pastel colors

5. Water. A balance of water brings

about inspiration, wisdom and insightfulness. Look for: • the color black or any deep, dark tones • reflective surfaces, such as mirrors or gazing balls • wavy, freeform or asymmetrical shapes • water or water features, such as aquariums or fountains

-by Stephanie McWilliams Scripps Howard News Service

88559

Hesitation

4 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Ken Nash 206-919-3167 (Direct)

See all of my listings online at www.KenNash.MyWindermere.com

Windermere Real Estate, NE Inc.

11411 NE 124 St. Suite #110 Kirkland, WA, 98034

Rose Point Rambler in West of Market with Beach Rights

A Single-Level, 3 Bedroom, 1.75 Bath Ranch-Style Home, Offered @ $875,000

New Craftsman Construction in the West of Market Neighborhood

By Kirkland’s Luxury Home Builder: Lux Homes, LLC, Offered @ $1,400,000 Featuring Great Room with Vaulted Breakfast Nook, Gourmet Kitchen, Den, Formal Living & Dining Rooms, 5 Bedrooms, and 3.5 Baths

Moss Bay Penthouse with Panoramic Lake Views

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Impeccably Appointed 2 Bedroom, 1.75 Bath Penthouse, $1,050,000

A great place to call home | 5

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Condo living means constant compromise: Condominium living isn't as simple as it's cracked up to be.

T

here's an old saying that you can pick your friends, but not your relatives. It's also true that you can pick your friends but not your neighbors. Sometimes you get neighbors with practically nothing in common with you. Yet with condo living you must interact because you are also business partners. It's a sticky business: Condo living means constant compromise. ast year my hubby and I bought a darling place in the mountains out West. We bought into a condominium association so that we could have a place where we could come and go easily whenever we wanted to get away. We chose a community that is very diverse, and so relaxed that you know someone is a tourist by the neatness of his dress. There's no dressing down here, because there's no dressing up. It's a delightful stress-free environment.

We have only three neighbors in our association. On the surface, they are very pleasant people and we are fortunate to have them as neighbors. However, not all is sweetness and light. We all have very different desires about how we deal with our environments.

It always amazes me that people buy into a condominium association mainly because they've fallen in love with the area. Then, once they move in, they begin trying to change everything.

DOWNTOWN 511 7th Ave #106

A good example is Phoenix.

Originally, people moved to Arizona because they suffered from allergies. Once they moved, instead of accepting the health benefits they had acquired by moving, they forgot what brought them. Soon their new homes had yards filled with the grasses and flora that had made them sick in the first place.

One of our neighbors in our association has a very restless husband. This fellow never should have retired. He has too much energy. He and his wife seem to love our little casitas. But just like the woman who marries her lover, then tries to change him to fit her image, these neighbors are determined to change the look of our grounds and our exterior environment.

Our area doesn't lend itself to grassy lawns and concrete sidewalks. It's more like: Whatever lands here either grows or not. The locals couldn't care

EAST OF MARKET 918 6th Street

less.

However, though my nervous neighbors bought into this untidy natural area, where trailer homes sit beside more expensive casas and no one tidies up the outside of their homes, now as owners they want to change things.

Instead of reveling in the relaxed atmosphere of our neighborhood, they are desperate to re-create our neighborhood into a Stepford community.

It's obvious they are uncomfortable with anything that smacks of messy.

-by Barbara Bova Scripps Howard News Service

HOUGHTON 10233 NE 64th St.

$359,000

$697,000

$1,797,000

1 Bed + Den SoHo Condo Private patio Industrial Touches Walk-in-Closet Immaculate Condition

3 Bed/2 Bath Two-Car Garage Beautiful Remodel Huge Yard Central A/C Blocks to Downtown

4 Bed/3 Bath Lake, City, Mtn Views Media Room 676 sq ft Roof Deck Built Green

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L

Another neighbor is a professional landscaper. She planted some native shrubs and grasses to see which ones could last the cold winters there in the mountains. The idea was to wait and watch whether they would survive into spring.

After our gardening neighbors left for a few months, our restless neighbor and his wife decided to do us all a good deed _ as well as satisfy their neatness obsession.

They went into the garden and, thinking what they saw were weeds, pulled out all the plantings our other neighbors had put in.

When you live in a condo association, there's plenty of opportunities to make enemies.

But there are also ways to avoid conflict. The decision to put signs on the plantings is one way to keep our energetic neighbors from killing the garden again.

I was all for putting the garden offlimits for the plant killers, but in the end we all compromised so no one was too upset. We can pick where we choose to live, but making friends of neighbors takes patience, fortitude and a large dose of compromise.

6 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

put our knowledge ON YOUR SIDE

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Immaculate 3 bedroom + Den, 2.75 bath home on a quiet cul de sac in Kirkland/Juanita area. Upgraded granite and stainless steel kitchen...cozy family room with warm inviting colors...beautifully landscaped, fully fenced and large deck with retractable awning...It’s perfect and a must see!! #28065267

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Beautiful, 3160 sq. ft, 4 bedroom + Bonus, + den w/closet!

This home has it all! Open chef’s kitchen w/GE SS Appliances. One of the biggest private fenced lots. Backs up to trails & protective area. Home is ready for new owner. Immaculate, and great move in condition. See soon:) #28079696

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Come home to the island! Enjoy sunrises over the Cascades, views of Mt Baker, Saratoga Passage & sunsets from your piece of paradise. Building lot ready for dream home, septic system in for up to a 4 bedroom home, water, power, cable on site. Beach Rights and just a minute to the ferry, makes this a perfect place. #28085086

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Fabulous In Kirkland!

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Gorgeous home in coveted Waterbrook. This former model home has the legendary Buchan finishes. 4 bedroom/3.5 baths, an office and a gourmet kitchen. Formal living and dining rooms for entertaining. Ideally located across the community park, enjoy alfresco dinners on the patio spotting the bald eagles. Enjoy! #28093502

Kirkland

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5 bedroom, 3.75 bath, 3-car garage at the end of cul-de-sac!

TWO master bedrooms! Cherry cabinets, slab granite, stainless appls, hardwood floors. Best schools AND value in area!!! Main floor den/bedroom has own 3/4 bath! Very private 11,000 sqft lot. Sprinkler system and air conditioning, too! #27166689

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Kirkland Villa Townhomes

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Open 1-4. 13356 NE 134th Pl #8. Elegant cul de sac in the midst of off street neighborhood on the edge of the wine country. 2&3 bedroom units with hardwoods, granite, 2 car garage, even a yard. Surrounded by quiet, walking trails, and just 11 quality Cederbrook homes. #28021219

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Spacious one bedroom & one bath w/french doors off master.

Exceptional private deck over looking a peek-a-boo view of Lake Union, city, territorial and Capital hill with slight mountain glow. Nestled in the west hill of Lake Union. Great freeway access. Nice and private A must see!! #28041243

Rich Whitehill

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Beautifully finished home built in ‘03. Quality. 2 story entry/ living area. Brazillian cherry floors shine. Kitchen has black granite, SS applcs all stay. River Rock gas fireplace in adjacent family room. Main floor den. Lovely Master suite Double vanity & oversized glass block shower . Sep Bonus & 2 beds. EZ to 405 #28101360

East Of Market

$898,000

Cute 3 bedroom/1 bath cottage with clover shaped pool on a 13,000 square foot lot. Possible subdivision under the small, single-family guidelines (buyer to verify). Build a new home to capture views of the Olympics, or enjoy all Kirkland has to offer in the existing home! #28090373

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CBBain.com/homes

A great place to call home | 7

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Four items to help your house sell

H

ere are four features that can add value to your home (and another four that could reduce the sales price): 1. An updated kitchen. "Kitchens are critical," says Robert Irwin, author of "Home Buyer's Checklist." "Today, people like a big kitchen with a lot of workspace."

They look for solid surface counters and high-quality flooring, such as wood, laminate, tile or stone.

And they want newer appliances that work.

Even if it's not huge, it should have "countertops that are serviceable, that aren't going to have to be replaced soon and cabinetry in good condition," says Alan Hummel, past president of the Appraisal Institute.

"It has to be well-appointed and large enough to fit your needs."

It also doesn't hurt if it opens onto another room. "A lot of families are looking for that openness," Hummel says.

Be wary if renovations are out of character with the community, such as granite countertops in a subdivision where plastic laminate is the norm.

"Will you sell faster? Yes," says Hummel, CEO of Iowa Residential Appraisal Co., in Des Moines. "Will it sell for more? Not if the appoint-

ments you've done are significantly higher quality than the rest of the neighborhood."

2. Modern bathrooms. Buyers are looking for "master baths that give a little room to roam," Hummel says.

A big asset is a spa or a whirlpool tub. "I'm always entertained by the people who have them in the master bath and don't use them," says Ron Phipps, principal broker with Phipps Realty & Relocation Services in Warwick, R.I. "But it's a big feature."

Some other features buyers are seeking are separate showers with steam or multiple jets, a double sink, and a separate room for the toilet.

3. A well-appointed master suite.

"People are really excited about master suites," says Hummel. The wish list: A luxurious bathroom, lounging areas and walk-in closets.

4. Natural materials. "People like natural materials," Phipps says.

"Ceramic tile, hardwood floors, granite. We've gone back to a real appreciation for historically true materials. " In floor coverings -- especially bathrooms or kitchens -- look for ceramic tile or wood rather than linoleum, which can tear,

says Don Strong, a remodeler with Brothers Strong Inc., a Houston remodeling firm.

In the rest of the house, wood or laminate products are a plus over wall-to-wall carpet, says Gary Eldred, author of "The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (and How to Avoid Them)."

But if you have carpet, it should be a good product and well-maintained so that "a person doesn't have to walk in and think, 'I'm going to have to spend five grand right off the bat," Strong says.

“Today, people like a big kitchen with a lot of workspace.”

Here are four things that can reduce a house's value.

1. A pool. Forget what you might have heard. An in-ground pool in most parts of the country doesn't automatically raise the value of your home. "I would stay away from pools if you can at all avoid it,"

says Irwin.

Having a swimming pool will automatically limit your market when it comes time to sell, he says. "It's constant upkeep, they get cracks, when the equipment goes down it's expensive to replace and the liability is high."

2. No garage or small garage. Unless you're living in a condo, a retirement community, or historical or in-town neighborhood most buyers will look for at least a two-car garage. "If you don't have a garage, it's a real negative," says Austin. "If you have a one-car garage, that's a problem, too."

3. Garbled floor plan. Small rooms and bathrooms, an inconvenient floor plan or a layout that requires you to access bedrooms or bathrooms through other rooms will detract value from your home.

4. Outmoded appliances or systems.

Who wants an electrical system or plumbing system incapable of handling modern conveniences?

Would you buy a home if the appliances were worn or broken?

Phipps remembers walking into one house with clients who casually opened the oven door – and it fell off!

– By Dana Dratch Scripps Howard News Service

Downtown Kirkland 2,550 asf, 4 in-garage parking. Marble trim, custom carpet & lighting. Removable & movable walls. Views of Lake Washington from park. #28017443.

Call Grant McKenzie 425-883-0088 or Dave Norton 425-823-4600. WRE/S.C.A., Inc.

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CROWN JEWEL OF KIRKLAND $1,295,000

8 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Tips on buying a vacation house with others A second home has been called the ultimate discretionary purchase

Packing tips OK, so you're resolved to take less. But as anyone who has stared at any overstuffed suitcase knows, it is harder than it sounds. How do you break the habit of taking 10 sweaters, eight pairs of pants, two toiletry cases, seven books and every possible portable electronic gadget – just in case you might need it? Travel experts give this advice: • Just take what you will need, not what you might need.

• Make a list and stick to it.

• Wear basic interchangeable pieces in a one- or two-color scheme.

• Hand-wash easy-dry wrinkle-free clothes.

• Layer rather than take bulky sweaters or coats.

• Take travel-size toiletries and put creams in smaller bottles.

S

omething that many people would like to have but no one needs. People who own a place at the beach, the lake or in the mountains often are quick to express frustration at not being able to spend more time there. It hardly makes sense to have the expense of a mortgage, upkeep, insurance and taxes for a place you don't use more than a couple of weeks a year.

To deal with that situation, family members and friends often have joined forces to buy a place. It cuts down on the cost and everyone gets to enjoy a place that's more than just a hotel room. In 1994, a new concept debuted in the United States _ fractional ownership of vacation homes. Patterned after fractional ownership of private jets, the concept formalizes the idea of a group of relatives or buddies pooling their resources to buy a getaway place.

Fractional ownership offers individuals the opportunity to buy partial ownership of a really nice place in a resort area. We're talking chalets with walkout skiing in the Rockies, oceanfront houses or condos, or island properties in the Caribbean and Europe, often with resort-style amenities including on-site restaurants, fitness clubs, golf courses and a concierge service.

The arrangements usually divide the ownership into fourths, eighths, or 13ths, with each owner having an equal number of days a year to use the unit. The owners buy their shares from a management company, which handles maintenance and scheduling everyone's time.

If it sounds a lot like a timeshare, that's because there are similarities.

The more fractions that are sold, the more it resembles a timeshare. Both can be bought as deeded properties

(some time shares are now sold as club memberships instead of time in a specific unit), and can be rented out, shared with family and friends, sold or left to someone in a will.

Like timeshares or any kind of resort property, there are small players and big guns in the business. If you're in love with one locale and could see yourself going back to the same place over and over, a small company could be just the ticket. If you'd like more flexibility, some major corporations such as Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, Disney and Marriott also are in the business.

The big differences between timeshares and fractional ownership properties are prices, financing and fees.

While timeshares can be had for a few thousand dollars, fractional ownerships can run $100,000 or much more.

"We have a property in Aspen now that the quarter shares are $1.5 million," says Doug Freyschlag, president of Alpine Quarters in Denver. "Even at that price level, it still makes just as much sense as any other level."

While most developers offer their own financing for timeshares (the terms are akin to those of a personal loan, in the 14 percent interest range).

Two-thirds of Alpine Quarters' buyers pay cash or finance the purchase through a home equity line, Freyschlag says. About a third will finance the deal. Buyers should expect terms that are similar to those paid by real estate investors _ a percentage point or two higher than they would get if they were buying a primary residence with a down payment of 20 percent.

– By Pat Curry Scripps Howard News Service

• Vary looks with scarves and other accessories rather than mounds of clothes.

• Buy books on the road and give them away.

• Sleep in a T-shirt rather than pajamas.

• Pack half as many clothes and take twice as much money.

www.ToddandCandis.com Houghton View - $875,000 Kirkland “Chancellor” - $639,950

Beautiful townhome overlooking Lake Washington and Seattle skyline. * Stunning NW classic architecture with 2700 sf and many extras! * Great location - easy access to waterfront & freeways * MLS #28085999

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Great neighborhood location * Walk across street to community park & pool * Great family room addition * Hardwood floors * Lower level rec room * Private backyard Walk to schools, library and shopping * MLS #28039911

Better than new condominium * Complete remodel with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless appliances * Remodeled bathrooms * LCD flat screen TV included in sale * Great location! * MLS #28107778

Buying or Selling? Call Us Today

Todd and Candis Brink Certified Residential Specialists

425-821-3992

tcbrink@toddandcandis.com RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

89851

File Photo

A great place to call home | 9

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

First-time home buyers should run numbers carefully

T

hink you know what you can afford as a first-time home buyer? Grab a calculator and run those numbers again.

T

here's a lot more to a mortgage payment than the loan amount and interest rate. Extras such as property taxes, mandatory structural insurance and private mortgage insurance, or PMI, can add as much as 30 percent to 50 percent to your monthly payment.

If you don't realize that going in, you could end up shopping for too much house or falling in love with a home that's really more than you can afford. Many of these costs will vary with the home, the location, the type of loan and the amount of your down payment.

Mortgage and real estate profes-

sionals usually can give guidance in comparing the additional costs. But if, like many buyers, you start your home search online, you need an idea of how to make some rough estimates on your own.

Some components you want to consider: Homeowners insurance: "A good rule of thumb is $3 for every $1,000 of the loan amount annually," says Jennifer Gavre, Wachovia mortgage banking executive for Georgia.

So that $200,000 home would cost you about $600 a year. Typically, you'll pay a year in advance at closing, and the next year's premium will be equally divided among your payments.

That 0.3 percent rule of thumb was blown away in hurricane-prone areas after the catastrophic 2004 and 2005 seasons. Homeowners on the Gulf Coast can expect to pay two to four times as much.

Flood insurance: If you live in a flood-prone area (usu-

But if, like many buyers, you start your home search online, you need an idea of how to make some rough estimates on your own.

Beth Kovacevich 206-719-2302

BethK@Windermere.com www.bethk.mywindermere.com

File Photo

ally termed "100-year flood plain"), your lender will likely require you to have insurance that covers flood damage. The cost will vary based on how close you are to flood-prone areas.

Figure about $150 to $200 per year, says Gavre. Again, you'll pay a year in advance at closing, then next year's premiums will be divided into your monthly payments.

Property taxes: While the federal government will give you a tax break for investing in a home, you have to pay taxes. Depending on where the

“Exceptional Service, Extraordinary Results”

house is, you may pay several municipalities.

Property taxes are usually a set rate, adjusted by the value of your home. As a general rule of thumb, figure 1 percent to 1.5 percent of the home cost per year, says Gavre. Using that yardstick, expect $167 to $250 per month for that $200,000 house.

So do people shop property tax? Not really, says Gavre. "They're buying the house they love in the school district they want," she says.

See Home buyers page 12

Clive Egdes 206-251-1680 Clive@Windermere.com www.Cliveegdes.com

Pacific Living - Gorgeous new custom home in the highly desirable East of Market area.

Stunning finishes throughout; compliment the well laid out open floorplan. The magnificently designed oversized center island kitchen with slab granite counters, high end appliances and Blanco prep are truly a chef’s dream. Private media room wired for full surround sound auto system or used as a MIL with kitchenette and 3/4 bath. Sumptuous master suite with double sided fireplace & heated floors. MLS# 28093551. $1,499,000

Timeless finishes & stylish elegance hallmark this stately 4,000 SF new custom, built by Duren Homes located in the highly desirable East of Market.

This exquisite three level home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, media room, bonus room, den/ office, formal living & dining rooms and a huge light-filled gourmet kitchen with a full Viking appliance package.

Enjoy sunny SW exposure on the generous entertainment deck off the kitchen, nook & family room.

Quiet neighborhood close to parks, beaches & DT Kirkland.

MLS# 28073885. $1,299,950

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Sophistication & elegance fused w/traditional comforts of luxury living, 4,000 SF, 4 bdrm, 3.5 baths, home built by Duren Homes. Formal dining & lvng rms, gourmet kitch w/full Viking line, lrg casual eating area & fam rm opens to a lrg entertaining deck w/SW exposure. This home includes a media rm, bonus rm, exec sized den & 3 car gar. MLS# 28040130. $1,329,950

88571

Terrific Kirkland neighborhood. This 3500 SF lake view hm w/ multiple decks encompasses 4 beds + 3.5 baths & lrg media/game rm. The kitch w/granite counter tops opens to the fam rm. Desirable main flr master w/walk-in closet, master bath w/soaking tub & double sinks. Multi rm office/gym w/direct street access, contemp cul-de-sac home w/3-car gar. MLS# 28062996. $1,049,000

Gorgeous almost-new home in Mariette of Kirkland. 4 bdrms, 2.5 baths, den, bonus room, 3-car gar. Vaulted ceilings in lvng rm, dining rm & master. Gourmet island kitch offers SS Viking appls, hardwoods, tile & millwork throughout. Private setting minutes to all Kirkland has to offer. Built by Duren Homes to Built Greentm specs for excellent energy efficiency! MLS# 28107209. $849,950

Specializing in Kirkland Properties

Elegant, Classic, Tranquil describe this updated spacious home w/some lake & Olympic mountain views in the highly desirable East of Market area. 4 bedrooms+ 2.5 baths + a bonus room & large yard.

Priced to sell! MLS #27200374. $679,000

10 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

EXCLUSIVELY PRESENTED BY

Windermere Real Estate - Kirkland

WEST OF MARKET $2,450,000. Exceptional Martha’s Vineyard inspired residence! Situated on an 11,450 asf lot, this 5 bdrm, 3.5 bth home offers a spacious floorplan, custom details & a grand front yard. Expansive lake, city & mtn views. #28108510. Dayna Barringer 425-691-8319

DOWNTOWN KIRKLAND $1,665,000. Zen-like retreat at the end of a busy day. Lake views, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4 fireplaces, library media room, guest suite, wine cellar, roof top deck and so much more. Ultimate location & lifestyle. #28014019. A. Behrbaum 206-550-8409

EAST OF MARKET $1,499,000. A masterpiece residence with extensive detail and open light & bright great room living, in sought after neighborhood. This new custom home has 4 bdrms, 3.5 bths & media/MIL with kitchenette. #28093551. Clive Egdes 206-251-1680

EAST OF MARKET $1,299,950. Timeless finishes & stylish elegance hallmark this stately 4,000 asf new custom home w/4 bedrooms, media, bonus, den, 3.75 baths & 3-car garage. Gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances. #28073885. Beth Kovacevich 206-719-2302

JUANITA $1,049,000 This 3,500 asf lake view home w/multiple decks encompasses 4 bdrms, 3.5 bths & lrg media/game rm. Kit features granite counter tops which opens to family rm & frplc enclave. Master w/soaking tub. #28062996. Joanne Hillman 206-999-8208.

WHIDBEY ISLAND $950,000. This custom 3,423 asf home on approx 1.14 acres overlooks 100+ft of waterfront w/ serene ocean views. The perfect home for anyone wanting the beach lifestyle w/an upscale casual feel. Come fall in love. #28069232. C. Roberts 425-442-1456

ISSAQUAH $924,000. Spacious & Gracious! 2-story w/full basement, 5 bdrms, 4.5 baths & 4,310 asf. Master suite w/lake views. Huge rec room opens up to patio, bkyrd & hot-tub. New siding & ext paint. 3+ car gar. Cul-de-sac. #28065682. B Bayley 206-601-7336

ROSE HILL $875,950. Luxury living exuding quality throughout! Bright, meticulous w/stunning finishes. Huge great room/granite kitchen & cherry hardwoods. Located on quiet street, quick access to 405, Microsoft, Downtown & parks. #28046324. Lisa O’Brien 425-577-4877

HOLMES POINT $839,900. Olympic & lake view combines the style of Cape Cod & NW. Gardeners delight! Gourmet kit, hrdwds, granite, media room, music/guest suite over garage w/private entrance & deck. 16K asf lot, cul-de-sac location. #28099034. M. Matchett 425-681-8484

EAST OF MARKET $829,950. Price Reduced! Incredible build opportunity in highly desired neighborhood. 12,500 asf lot allows for a short plat into 2 lots: a 7,200 & a 5,300 asf lot. Existing house could be utilized on small lot. #28053104.

Diane Charouhas 206-227-5966

DOWNTOWN KIRKLAND $799,000. Exquisite 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 park-view condo in the heart of Downtown Kirkland. Marble entry, granite, gas cooktop & air conditioning. Across the street from shops, restaurants & Marina. #28043135. Lynn Sanborn 206-227-5966

TROSSACHS $700,000. Simply magnificent Buchan resale on a desirable greenbelt lot. 4 bdrms, 2.5 baths with exquisite interior features. Chef’s kitchen w/granite counters & backsplash, cherry cabinets & Bosch appliances. #28089197. Renee Parrish 206-714-9427

SAMMAMISH $699,950. Immaculate “English Cottage” w/4 bdrms on sunny, greenbelt shy horse acre. Piano-size formals, huge master, circular drive, granite kit w/Dacor.

Min to Issaquah & Redmond. RV/boat prkg. Lk WA schools. #28048023. BJ Connolly 425-765-0783

KIRKLAND DOWNTOWN $635,000. Enjoy the amenities of downtown living. Immaculate 1-level condo featuring over 1,600 asf of living space. 2 bdrm, 2 bath + family room.

Smaller, beautifully maintained complex offers a common gar. w/prkg for 2 cars. #28063968. C. Parris 425-891-1834.

MAGNOLIA $595,000. Absoluely charming home in the heart of Magnolia. Close to the Village, the bluff, play park, community pool, library, coffee shops & more! 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths w/2 garages! Beautiful yard and wonderful light. #28095302. Heidi Braund 206-200-4650

YARROW BAY $584,950. 2 bdrm, waterfront Kirkland condo w/unobstructed southern VIEWS! Updated, W/D, moorage, exercise room. Walk to your favorite restaurants, parks/ beaches & enjoy Kirkland’s entertainment! #28088479.

Johna Weller 206-856-7929

BELLEVUE $574,950. Centrally located cul-de-sac home.

2,920 asf home located on 9,000 asf lot! 3 bdrm (5th possible), 3 bath w/great room downstairs. Bedrooms on entry level, minutes to Microsoft & freeways. #28065872.

James McCarthy 206-599-9395

MILL CREEK $574,950. Beautiful home in Vintage. Spacious, 2,964 asf w/open bright floor plan. Private approx .25 acre lot. 4 bdrm, 2.75 bath w/soaring 9’+ ceilings. Refinished hrdwds, new carpet. Min to Mill Creek Twncntr. #2809248.

Kristi Macpherson 206-409-8555

Windermere Real Estate/SCA, Inc.

88542

737 Market Street • 425-823-4600

A great place to call home | 11

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

EXCLUSIVELY PRESENTED BY

Windermere Real Estate - Kirkland

BOTHELL $574,000. Classic home built in ’06 w/views of Cascade mtns in Northshore School Dist. This 4 bdrm, 2.5 bath features a private master suite, office, S/S appliances, hardwoods & granite. #28067551. Christina Marie Pablo 206-510-3518

CLEARVIEW $569,900. This fabulous 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Craftsman style home was built in 2002 on approx 2.16 primarily level acres. Great floor plan with formal living & dining, family room w/gas fireplace & 3-car garage. #28006212. Charlene Hanson 425-829-2427

HOUGHTON $535,000. Panoramic views to die for!

2 bdrm, 2.5 bath townhome w/new paint, windows & carpet. Large master suite w/soaking tub. Oversized upper deck is ideal for entertaining. Convenient to I-405 & I-5. #28087176. Sue Frankl 425-591-7777

BELLTOWN $520,000. Converted & all new in 2005, 2 bdrm, 2 bath, 1,058 asf home. Secure building & parking garage w/great amenities. Entertainment patio accessed through your unit! Water & city views are mesmerizing. #28075996. Sandra Shaffer 206-553-9017.

JUANITA $464,000. Stunning top floor waterfront condo overlooking Juanita Bay! 3 bedrooms, 2 bath & 2-car secured parking. Many upgrades. 2 view decks, direct Lake Wash access & walking distance to beach & shopping. #28030667. Chris Judd 206-852-1691.

BOTHELL $419,500. Beautiful like-new home loaded w/extras on private greenbelt. Immaculate 06’ showcases designer touches & many upgrades. Features include extensive hardwood floors throughout. Security system, S/S appl. #28089905. Matt Wilma 206-595-8292

KIRKLAND $398,900. Complete update in quiet cul-desac! New kitchen. New windows, doors, lighting & flooring (bamboo/carpet). New granite, cabinets & appliances.

Newly painted. EZ-care landscaping. New master. 9x8 shop. #28103499. Laura Burgess 206-972-1028

WEST WOODINVILLE $389,500. Hawthorne Condominiums!

Enjoy valley views & backyard of towering evergreens. Quiet, quality-built Burnstead townhome. 2 bdrm, 2.5 bth, 2-car tandum garage is close to wineries & shopping. #28096699.

K. Paulson 206-713-2658

SAMMAMISH/ISSAQUAH $379,500 Spacious 1,345 asf, 2 bdrm, 1.75 bath, ground floor, end-unit condo in desirable Jacob’s Creek gated community. 2 fireplaces, private garage & covered patio offers privacy & expansive views! #28035231. Steve Lutz 425-785-2777

MILL CREEK $379,000. Nicely appointed 4 bdrm, 3 bath home. Great kitchen w/oversized cabinets opens to family rm w/gas frplc. Access to deck for BBQ’s. Open loft office/ game area. Front porch w/pasture views. Neighborhood play area. #28044016. Joanne Stewart 425-444-2295

GARDENS AT MEADOWDALE $377,000. Immaculate 2-story home with a dramatic floorplan. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths + a loft. Fenced backyard. Conveniently located home in a great neighborhood. #28077567. C. Boorman 206818-0860/Cheri Parris 425-891-1834

JUANITA $329,950. Close to the beach, restaurants, shopping. Partial bay view, attached garage, low HOD’s.

Over 1,100 asf + 150 asf of storage. Remodeled in ‘07, this 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath has it all! #28060852. Picts @ ChristiPackard.com. Christi Packard 206-498-3269.

JUANITA $303,000. If location & space are important, come take a look at this 2 bdrm, 1.75 bath, ground floor unit located a block from Juanita Village & 2 blocks from Juanita Beach. Sliding doors lead to lrg patio. 2 assigned prks. Low HOD’s. #28104298. Lise Shdo 206-650-8511

RENTON $270,000. Spacious and open floorplan in this 1,311 asf top-end unit with 1 car garage in Talbot Hill. Close to ValleyMedical Hospital & easy access to I-405. Move-in ready, the unit sparkles. Must see to appreciate. #28091124.

Mesuk Lee 425-466-4066

BOTHELL $215,000. Elegant, 1 bedroom, 1 bath floor plan with 12’ high ceilings. Ground floor, end-unit faces the greenbelt with private patio & detached garage. Complex offers pool, exercise room & clubhouse. Close to freeways. #28096666. Amy Tovel 206-313-0996

KIRKLAND $199,950. This could be the best buy in town.

Top floor, nicely remodeled unit, spotless 2 bdrm, 1 bath plus living & dining room combo in desirable neighborhood.

Territorial view from the private balcony. #28091129. Ineza Kuceba 425-442-6544

MILL CREEK $186,950. Tree lined streets bring you to a spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bath with deck, wood fireplace, laundry room & covered parking. Community amenities in abundance in complex and city. Minutes to Mill Creek Towncenter! #28082982. Gina Baumann 425-761-7600

CAPITOL HILL $179,950-$389,950. Seventeen07 condos have it all. Updated studio, 1 & 2 bdrms w/high-end finishes.

Amenities incl: media, lounge, fitness area, & pet grooming center. Secure building with off-street parking. #28025367.

Dave Janssens 425-785-7432

Windermere Real Estate/SCA, Inc.

88547

737 Market Street • 425-823-4600

12 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Saving water is as easy as one, two, three

M

any of the “green� building techniques that we use today were incorporated in new home construction projects I worked on more than 30 years ago when I started in construction with our family business.

E

xcept we didn't call it green building, we simply called it commonsense building.

Green building is building smart and building efficiently. And a big part of building a green home is making sure that the home will conserve water.

Conserving water in a home is easy when the builder installs "user-friendly," water-saving plumbing fixtures.

The good news is that even existing homes can install just three of these new efficient plumbing fixtures for an

Home buyers

continued from page 9 Remember, you probably won't get the same tax bill the current owner does, says Mike Fratantoni, senior economist with the Mortgage Bankers Association. In states such as California, state laws limit tax hikes while the property is owned by one person, but the tax bill can change, sometimes drastically, when the property is sold, Fratantoni says. So a copy of the current tax bill "may not be enough information," he says.

Mortgage insurance: This policy protects the lender if you default on

average family water savings of 15,000 to 18,000 gallons of water per year.

Here's how saving water can be as easy as one, two, three:

First, replace your faucet aerators.

At the end of just about every faucet spout is an aerator control. Aerators soften the flow and control splashing. Replacing the standard aerators on faucets with new "water-saving aerators" can cut faucet water use by 30 percent, without having to replace the loan. It's tricky to calculate because the rate depends on your credit rating, the amount of money you have in reserve, the amount you put down, the type of loan and the price of the house, says Gavre.

Typically, mortgage insurance is required when the borrower puts down less than 20 percent of the mortgage.

Estimate between $140 and $300 a month for a $200,000 home, says Gavre.

Association dues: A number of first-time buyers (and some emptynesters) decide that a condo is a good way to get or stay in the housing game without many of the outdoor

your faucets.

Second, install performance showerheads. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute. New water-saving "performance" showerheads use 1.75 gallons of water per minute, but will still give you a strong flow.

Check the manufacturer's specs to make sure you are buying a performance-type head.

You should see a water savings in your shower of 30 percent as well.

Finally, replace your old toilet. Toilets are the No. 1 water user in the home. New "HET" (High Efficiency Toilets) now deliver a strong flush and use only 1.3 (or less) gallons of water per flush. Standard new toilets still use 1.6 gallons per flush. Installing maintenance issues and other homeowner hassles. But, if you decide to buy a condo, remember to add the monthly association fees into your obligations.

To be on the safe side, budget about $200 to $225 per month, if you're condo shopping.

Maintenance: Budget for the unexpected.

When you live in a house, things go wrong. The water heater quits, the roof springs a leak or you have to hire someone to clean the gutters or paint.

The smart thing is to put aside a little every month when you make your

a HET can save at least 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of water per year per toilet.

When buying a new toilet, look for the Environmental Protection Agency's "Water Sense" label on the toilet box. This will state that the toilet has been tested for strong flushing power with high watersavings potential.

By doing just one or two of these projects you will see a big difference in your water consumption. But, for maximum water savings, doing all three is the key. –by Ed Del Grande Scripps Howard News Service mortgage payment. A good amount: at least $100, says Gavre.

OK, so if you've been keeping track, the "extras" on a $200,000 home can add between $364 and $614 to your monthly payment. If you get a 30year loan at 6 percent, that means your monthly payment could range between $1,564 and $1,814. That's not including condo association fees or a nest egg to cover future maintenance needs. – By Dana Dratch Scripps Howard News Service

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A great place to call home | 13

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Real Estate Professionals Julie Devine, ABR, ASP Serving the Eastside for 40 years!

We’re Different and We Prove It! www.PacificRE.com 425.458.4140 / 4142

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

Selling Devine Homes, One Client at a Time

Dick & Melinda Skogerson 5914 Lake Washington Blvd. Kirkland, WA 98033 Owner / Broker

WWW

lydiageline.com

Associate Broker ABR, CRS 206-419-0775 lgeline@lydiageline.com

Windermere Real Estate / East, Inc

Bergdahl Real Property - 206.849.7950 Office: 11250 Kirkland Way

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STACY BOUSKA

78943

206-227-4954

79630

Julie@DevineHomes.com www.DevineHomes.com

I Know Kirkland

425.891.8140

John A. Brightbill

Associate Broker Direct (425) 450-2668 Home (425) 803-0913 brightbl@windermere.com Windermere Real Estate/Bellevue Commons

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78946

78951

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STACY@STACYBOUSKA.COM WWW.STACYBOUSKA.COM

See my list of Kirkland’s Hottest Buys at www.kirklandstyle.com!

KEITH CHILDRESS

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

Your Local Advantage.

206-390-9722 (Direct)

Windermere Real Estate/SCA, Inc.

To advertise, call Mike @ 425.822.9166

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Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc

78954

(425) 766-8019 natasha@windermere.com

80092

www.keithchildress.mywindermere.com

14 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Real Estate Professionals G.G. Getz... Results!!!

Laura Westlund Realty Inc “Kirkland’s realtor for 30+ years” 1320 Market Street, Kirkland 98033

Associate Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, ALHS

425.822.5100 cell 206.915.7777 gggetz@gggetz.com www.gggetz.com 78972

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Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc

425-827-6676

www.Laurawestlund.com

Realty Inc. and Assoc

Thinking Of Buying Or Selling?

Todd and Candis Brink, CRS 425-821-3992

• 2006 Five Star Real Estate Agents—Best In Client Satisfaction • Life-long residents of Kirkland

Patrick O’Neil Sr. Account Manager Email: Poneil@landam.com

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Fax (425) 576-8187 14450 N.E. 29th Place • Bellevue, WA 98007

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

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(206) 930-2202 Office

To advertise, call Mike @ 425.822.9166

Your community newspaper!

Here are just a few of the many locations to pick up your copy Kirkland Reporter Office: 720 Market Street Kirkland Art Center: 620 Market St. Kirkland City Hall: 123 5th Ave. Kirkland Downdown Association: 111 Park Lane Kirkland Library: 308 Kirkland Ave. North Kirkland Community Center: 12421 103rd Ave. N.E. Kirkland Community Senior Center: 352 Kirkland Ave. Kirkland Parkplace - Parkplace Books

For home delivery, email circulation@reporternewspapers.com or call 1.888.838.3000.

78725

Also -- 7-11 Stores, Starbuck’s, Tully’s Coffee,

A great place to call home | 15

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Real Estate Sales in Kirkland, WA: May 16, 2008 - June 15, 2008

Residential Housing in 98033 NE 104th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300,000 12228 NE 80th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $329,950 8004 118th Ct NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $489,900 6125 116th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $549,950 1303 5th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $559,950 7416 131st Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $555,000 12902 NE 75th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575,000 641 10 Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $599,900 12516 NE 94th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $599,990 7405 131 Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $635,000 11028 131st Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . $629,950 8700 128 Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $634,900 11518NE 107 Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $684,900 6516 127th Ln NE. . . . . . . . . . . . . $739,950 1914 5th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $799,000 1022126th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $750,000 6421125th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $710,000 11225NE 92 St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $795,000 1321 4th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $799,950 216 4th St S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $899,999 12509 NE 80th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . . $929,950 5048 112th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $950,000 842 Kirkland Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,180,000 12804 NE 61st St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,425,000 10624 NE 47th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,550,000 135 5th Ave W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,699,000 Residential Housing in 98034 12913 NE 145th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . .

11128 NE 141st Pl . . . . . . . . . . . .

12420 NE 141st Way . . . . . . . . . .

12424 98th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . .

13621 119th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . .

$390,000 $385,000 $399,950 $410,000 $424,000

12028 NE 138th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . .

11138 NE 129th St . . . . . . . . . . . .

12021 93rd Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13112 NE 139th St . . . . . . . . . . . .

11320 NE 117th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . .

11622 73rd Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7126 NE 135 St . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13336 88th Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8247 NE Juanita Dr . . . . . . . . . . .

$434,950 $425,000 $450,000 $565,000 $609,950 $599,900 $625,000 $765,000 $999,950

8808 123 Ln NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $450,000 12211 NE 103 rd Ln . . . . . . . . . . . $475,000 211 Kirkland Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . $480,000 8004 118th Ct NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $483,000 104 9th Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $525,000 109 2nd St S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $555,000 4561 Lake Washington Blvd NE . . $580,000 5302 Lake Washington Blvd . . . . . $690,000 5302 Lake Washington Blvd . . . . . $980,000 Condos/Townhomes in 98034 11176 Champagne Point Rd NE . . $4,000,000 12742 NE 116 Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . $164,950 Residential Housing Averages 12515 109th CT NE . . . . . . . . . . . $179,950 AVG. List Price: $776,974 12032 96th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . $187,000 12424 NE 145th St . . . . . . . . . . . . $192,200 AVG Sold Price: $752,813 12612 NE 119th St . . . . . . . . . . . . $192,500 CDOM: 115 12717 NE 116th St . . . . . . . . . . . . $222,000 Condos/Townhomes in 98033 11713 93rd Ave NE. . . . . . . . . . . . $225,000 11200 NE 68th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $172,000 11713 93rd Ave NE. . . . . . . . . . . . $225,000 6726 112th Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $221,000 12522 NE 117th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . $235,500 725 9th Ave S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $257,000 13105 102nd Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $265,000 11104 NE 68th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $273,000 12034 Slater Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . $270,000 6627 Lakeview Dr . . . . . . . . . . . . $280,000 12721 NE 129th Ct . . . . . . . . . . . . $278,000 11419 99th Pl NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $287,950 11634 100 Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $328,250 211 Kirkland Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . $305,000 9818 NE 130th Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . . $354,000 733 Lake St S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $319,000 Condos/Townhomes Averages 65 Kirkland Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $324,950 929 5th Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $325,000 AVG List Price: $375,702 929 5th Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $328,000 AVG Sale Price: $359,619 929 3rd Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $329,250 10110 NE 60th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . $355,000 631 Kirkland Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . $378,000 211 Kirkland Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . $380,000 447 7th Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $395,000 8902 123rd Ln NE . . . . . . . . . . . . $450,000 To Advertise, call Mike: 425.822.9166

Kirkland Real Estate Next Issue Date July 2, 2008

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16 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Improvements that add value to your house

I

f your remote control is stuck on Home & Garden Television, if you recognize Bob Vila's voice sight unseen, and you're on a first-name basis with the clerks at Home Depot, chances are you've caught the home-improvement bug.

Y

ou're not alone. Today, Americans are sprucing up everything from Arizona tract homes and New England saltboxes to Florida condos.

About half of you prefer the challenge and savings of doing it yourselves, while others prefer to watch as contractors give new life to old rooms.

But when it comes time to sell, will you recoup the cost of that new master suite, state-of-the-art kitchen or dormered attic loft? The time to find out is before you pull out the power saw or contract for a home makeover.

Both remodeling and relocating can be expensive. The difference, of course, is that the money spent on remodeling is reinvested in your house, and if you finance correctly, the interest on your payments can be tax deductible.

Fortunately, several financing options for home renovations are readily available today.

If you have the equity to match your total project cost, a traditional home equity loan might be your best bet. If your improvements include energy-efficient upgrades, you might also qualify for energy-saving loans through local utilities or related businesses.

What can you expect to recoup for renovations to this old house?

According to the 2004 survey by Remodeling magazine that compares the cost of construction to likely return on investment (ROI) at resale, minor kitchen remodels rule, returning 92.9 percent of your investment, followed closely by new siding at 92.8 percent.

Here's what's hot in remodels, room by room: Kitchens typically suffer the most wear and tear. And because kitchens tend to follow style and color trends, they often seem dated sooner than other rooms in the home. The most popular minor improvements include adding functionality with dual sinks and cooking stations, and cosmetic improvements such as under-cabinet lighting, marble or granite countertops and ceramic tile backsplashes. To add space, consider a walk-in pantry or breakfast alcove.

"The younger buyers, especially the

File Photo

baby boomers, want a modern kitchen with the cook top stove and nice cabinets, not to mention wine coolers and Sub-Zero refrigerators," says Mary Johnson, residential specialist with Premier Properties of Naples, Fla. Bathrooms have changed the most during the past century. Your grandparents may remember when they were outside. Your parents probably made do with just one. Today, homes that have more than one sell faster and fetch a higher price. A mid-range bath remodel (less than $10,000) placed third in the 2004 survey with a ROI of 90.1 percent. Popular renovations include skylights, couples' walk-in showers, glass block windows and vaulted ceilings. Raised Jacuzzi tubs, ceramic tile floors and ceiling fans have become standard features in affordably priced new homes.

Bedrooms are always listed first in real estate descriptions for good reason: We spend nearly half our lives there. If you can put one in your attic, you're likely to recoup 82.7 percent of the estimated $35,000 cost of installation. Consider stacking your bathrooms to cut costs. Properly placed dormers and roof windows can help offset the add-on appearance.

Decks expand your living space, and you rarely lose by making your home larger, be it exterior or interior renovations. A $7,000 deck addition placed fourth in ROI at 86.7 percent.

Windows quickly and inexpensively add to a home's volume, and volume is

the buzzword in real estate these days.

So it's no surprise that your return on new glass is excellent, whether you're contemplating a mid-range window replacement (less than $10,000) at 84.5 percent or an upscale replacement ($15,000-plus) at 83.7 percent.

Try as they might, the hardware superstores have thus far failed to teach what architects and designers have to offer: taste. Your return on your remodel will likely depend as much on how well it fits the period and scale of your house as how much it adds to its functionality.

"Anything that is sensitive to the character of the house should have the same sense of proportion and materials," says Kay Miller Boehr, an interior design professor at Park University near Kansas City.

Boehr says the things that most grate on her are faux replacement windows, kitchens where "miles and miles" of cabinetry have run amok, and rooms that "scream '70s or '80s." – By Jay Macdonald Scripps Howard News Service

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A great place to call home | 17

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Interesting new accents for your home

T

hrough the years, I've come up with a short list of absolutely essential and incredibly awesome home accents that I have got to have on hand when I decorate. The items on my VIP list are so gorgeous, so hardworking and so versatile that they stand head and shoulders above the rest.

I call them my building blocks because I use these amazing pieces over and over again in new and unusual ways to add style and whimsy to home interiors. If you're on the hunt for multipurpose pieces you can use in dozens of ways to make your home even more beautiful, here are a few of my favorites.

I

Footbaths

confess that I don't know the history of china footbaths, but a friend who is crazy about all things English tells me the people who used to lived in large, drafty manor homes filled these gorgeous trough-shaped bowls with steaming water, then plunked in their frozen feet to defrost.

I'm not sure whether this account is accurate, but I love the thought of these gorgeous pieces being used in such a practical way to make daily life more extraordinary, because that's exactly how I use them in my home.

While I don't stick my tired toes in my footbaths, I do use them to add sophistication and panache to ordinary displays.

Today's replica footbaths are so affordable and so versatile that you've just got to have one or two in your

lineup of home accents to use when you want to lend grandeur to a display or entertain in style.

These impressive pieces look stunning standing all by themselves in the center of a dining-room table, on a buffet flanked by two lamps, atop a bookcase or armoire to fill all that hard-to-decorate dead space or tucked in a bookcase. If you like to freshen your home's look for each season, all you need to do is change out the contents of the footbath to fit your mood.

I like to fill them with zippy lemons or limes in the summer; then, in the fall, I pour in a medley of colorful gourds.

Footbaths also make gorgeous planters, loaded with anything from orchids to geraniums to ferns. Or fill your footbath with treasures you want to show off, like a set of antique books.

If your footbath is fully sealed and food safe, use it as a serving piece when you entertain. I love them as salad bowls, breadbaskets or soup tureens. Pack with ice to chill wine and soft drinks. Or use it to keep boiled shrimp or other cold appetizers fresh.

“C

Cachepot

achepot” is a French word for an ornamental container used to conceal a flowerpot. One of my alltime favorite ways to use cachepots is to fill them with large ferns and display them in a corner of a grand room to add height, texture and color to the space. In fact, a fern in a blue-andwhite cachepot atop a wooden riser has become a signature part of the

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Replicas of old English foot baths make beautiful and versatile decorating tools because of their stand-alone beauty and ability to hold anything with style.

Nell Hill's look.

But the uses for this exceptional decorating tool don't stop there. You can use a cachepot just as you would a footbath. Or employ it to contain all the practical stuff in your home with beauty and elegance. Put one on your kitchen counter to hold cooking utensils, dog biscuits or plastic bags. In your bathroom, roll up guest towels and tuck them into a cachepot, put the cachepot on the floor and fill it with toilet paper, or use it as a wastepaper basket. In your office, use a cachepot to hold mail, printer paper or today's

Architectural add-ons add pizzazz

I

nterior architectural features add depth, accent, outline and, well, character to an otherwise ordinary room. Consider these ideas for more pizzazz in your home.

For a rustic look, roughhewn paneling, beams or stucco produce a rough texture on the surface, giving the room a rugged and casual feeling. Any paneling will create a casual ambience, but the rougher it is, the more rustic the room will look. Bricks applied to interior walls have the same rustic/casual effect.

To bring the outdoors in, create a garden feeling with lattice on one wall or as a room divider. A lattice wainscot around a room suggests a fenced garden. An unsightly post can be squared off with lattice to make that area more attractive. To create a crisp contrast, paint the wall behind the lattice one color, be it bold or pastel, and paint the

assignments.

When you entertain, use a food-safe cachepot to display long baguettes or celery sticks. Fill it with ice, find a gorgeous silver scoop and you have a one-of-a-kind ice bucket.

Have fun as you experiment with these fabulous decorating tools. If you come up with new and inventive ideas, tell me about them so I can try them out, too!

–by Mary Carol Garrity Scripps Howard News Service

lattice white. The reverse works just as well. If you have a window that has a view you'd rather not look at, try installing a tray in the sill. Add a climbing vine and a trellis made to fit inside the window opening. Before you know it, you'll have a garden view at that window.

For an Early American look, install a plate rail about 12 inches below the ceiling and a chair rail about 30 to 36 inches above the floor. Another idea is to keep that plate rail where it is, but install the chair rail 30 to 36 inches below the ceiling. Wallpapering below the chair rail in both cases adds to the Early American look.

If contemporary is your style, then added moldings, such as crown and chair rail, are best left in the past. Reflect instead on mirrored walls. Be careful, though, not to mirror a wall that will reflect an eyesore. Any other wood applications such as baseboards, door and window frames should be as See Add-ons page 19

18 | A great place to call home

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Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

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A great place to call home | 19

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

Prominent Real Estate Firm Joins Sotheby’s International Realty® Network in Washington B

ELLEVUE, Wash. (June 19, 2008) –Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Brazen Real Estate in Bellevue, Wash., is the newest member of its luxury real estate network.

The firm, owned by Joseph Brazen, now will do business as Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Joseph Brazen’s nearly 30 years of experience selling real estate provides a distinct advantage for this firm,” said Michael R. Good, president and chief

executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “He and his staff have the local market knowledge and industry experience we feel complement our brand perfectly.”

According to Brazen, his firm’s philosophy is to serve their clients with savvy and discretion, as well as integrity and honesty in facilitating their real estate transactions.

“Simply put, we enjoy what we do and like the unique quality of people we serve,” he said. “Now with the

Add designer detail to your chandelier

of course. The result is this month's project, which is great for a table or floor lamp that needs a makeover, too.

I

t's the details that make your home decor unique. Vintage items can help, since you're less likely to see the same pieces in your friends' homes, but an embellisher can always turn a great find into a brilliant personal statement.

For years, we have had a vintage wrought-iron chandelier that I absolutely love. The day came, however, when I looked up and decided we needed a change. Rather than replace the chandelier, I decided to add some small shades -- with a personal touch,

support of this international brand, we hope to expand our reach to more people interested in distinctive properties around the world.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 9,500 sales associates located in more than 485 offices in the United States and 32 other countries and territories. Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global Web site. In addition to more referral op-

Gather:

• Pale-colored paper lamp shades to fit chandelier • Acrylic paints (soft yellow) • Disposable plastic cup • Water • Small, damp sponge (e.g., a kitchen photo courtesy DIY Network sponge cut into small pieces) Instead of throwing away or replacing your old • Paintbrush lamp or chandelier, try embellishing it to give it • Hot glue gun and glue sticks a new look.

• Trims Create: • Fine-tip metallic marker (gold) 1. Blend soft yellow paint and water in the disposable plastic cup until the mixture has a creamy consistency.

2. Dip the sponge into the paint mixture and, with a light hand, pat it over the entire surface of each lampshade. You may want to pat the sponge onto a piece of scrap paper first to get a feel for exactly how much pressure and paint you'll need.

3. When the lampshades are dry to the touch, estimate how much of the base of each shade will be covered by trim, then use the gold metallic marker to draw a wavy line just above where the trim will be.

4. If you wish, add polka dots or

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portunities and widened exposure generated from these sources, the firm will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs.

Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty is located at 10138 Main Street, Bellevue, Wash., and can be reached at (425) 454-4141. The company has 12 sales associates that service the greater Seattle, Bellevue and Eastside areas. other small designs along the gold wavy lines.

5. Hot glue the trims around the base of each shade, layering as desired. Be sure to tuck the raw edges under.

For this project, I recommend starting with relatively simple shades so that the details you add enhance rather than overwhelm the chandelier.

And when you shop for trims, you may want to bring one of the shades with you to give you a better sense of the proportions, colors and textures that will help you achieve a look you'll love.

–by Dena Fishbein Scripps Howard News Service

Tips from craftplace.org

• Use pre-moistened baby towelettes to clean acrylic paint off most surfaces before the paint dries.

• Remove little "fuzzies" and bumps after your basecoat has dried by "sanding" your surface with a brown paper bag.

• Rub a fabric softener sheet all over your hands before using paint or glue to make cleanup easier, also handy for cleaning glue guns after use.

• Think of household items to use when faux finishing...a feather duster makes a beautiful pattern, and crumpled up cellophane can create a marble effect.

• Use the laser side of junk mail CD's as a paint pallet.

Add-ons

continued from page 17 as unornamented as possible. Tall, simple baseboards and wide but simple wood trim will make a room contemporary-looking.

Less expensive, yet effective addons can do the pizzazz thing, too. For example, a wallpaper border can be used at the ceiling level or the chairrail level to add personality. Use a wallpaper border around a window in a framelike manner. Use wallpaper "frames" along hallways instead of pictures.

If your architect has given you magnificent lines where the ceiling meets the wall, accent it. Crown molding painted an accent color will surely

draw your eye to these beautiful lines.

Bold wallpaper or interesting stenciling will do the same.

The general idea here is to accentuate the positive. If you like the lines in a room, make them stand out with applied molding or other accents as described here. If the room has no particularly interesting lines, create them. Here again, with applied molding or other accents. You can be bold or subtle. Either way, you can enhance the look of the room with added touches.

–by Rosemary Sadez Friedmann Scripps Howard News Service

20 | A great place to call home

Kirkland Reporter - July 2, 2008

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