Madison Park Times Real Estate - February 2018 by Pacific Publishing Company

FEBRUARY 2018

Madison Park Times

Serving East-Central Seattle since 1983

Real Estate

MADISON PARK - WASHINGTON PARK - MADISON VALLEY - DENNY-BLAINE - MADRONA - LESCHI www .M adison P ark T imes . com

Homebuyers are falling in love with Madison Park Single Family Homes and Townhomes Closed in Madison Park - January 2018

ADDRESS

Laura Halliday PROPERTY VIEWS The Seattle metro area housing market has continued to make local and national headlines recently, as the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index indicates that the Emerald City had led the nation in home price growth for fifteen consecutive months, with a 12.7 percent year-overyear increase in November 2017. More homebuyers in King County are purchasing milliondollar homes than ever before, up to nearly 5,000 in 2017, up 71 percent year-over-year, according

BED

BATH

SQ FT

BUILT

DAYS ON MKT

2601 E Ward St

3.25

2,240

1962

$975,000

$1,010,000

3.47%

1113 33rd Ave S

1,200

1907

$538,800

$585,000

7.90%

2057 41st Ave E

1.75

2,020

1927

$1,090,000

$1,233,000

11.60%

2360 43rd Ave E #212

1.75

1,025

1966

$609,757

$599,000

-1.80%

826 30th Ave

3.25

3,300

2017

$1,575,000

$1,555,000

-1.29%

3307 E Pike St

1.5

2,220

1912

$935,000

$1,000,000

6.50%

832 34th Ave

2.25

1,450

2002

$775,000

0.00%

1924 10th Ave E

1,290

1906

$876,000

$805,000

-8.82%

3142 Franklin Ave E #B

2.25

1,778

2005

$929,900

0.00%

839 E Gwinn Place

2.5

2,810

1922

$1,100,000

$1,010,000

-8.91%

3303 E Madison St

2,110

1948

$995,950

$928,000

-7.32%

to Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) data. Madison Park continues to be

one of Seattle’s most sought-after neighborhoods, for its proximity to downtown Seattle, easy

ORIG PRICE

access to the Eastside via the 520 bridge, and old-fashioned neighborhood sensibility. Sprinkled

LIST PRICE

SOLD PRICE/ ASKING PRICE

 HALLIDAY, Page B8

A rare opportunity to acquire one of only 7 residences in sought-after Market Place Tower, one of Seattle’s most sublimely private and discreet urban communities. With over 4,500 square feet spread over 2 levels, and a welcoming environment for reconfiguration, this unit offers the chance to create the city’s most spectacular penthouse with unobstructed Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and Olympic views, and 300 square feet of landscaped patio. 24-hour, live-in concierge and private lobby access. OFFERED at $9,388,000

MOIRA E. HOLLEY moirα@moirαpresents.com 2 0 6 . 6 6 0 . 4 78 7 moirαpresents.com

February 2018 -

QUEEN ANNE $2,295,000

DENNY BLAINE WATERFRONT $8,950,000

Betsy Q. Terry

DECEPTION PASS $3,000,000

SEQUIM BAY POINT $2,475,000

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

WASHINGTON PARK $5,295,000

WASHINGTON PARK WATERFRONT $12,850,000

Jane Powers

GREENWATER $1,395,000

OYSTERVILLE $345,000

206.322.2840

ewingandclark.com luxuryrealestate.com

Kristine Losh

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

- February 2018

Pain and Weight Gain

Dr. Dan Michael NW SPORTS Just a quick check in, how are we doing with our 2018 resolutions to lose weight, get healthy again, and be more active? If you’re feeling good about it and determined to reach you goal, good work! For the rest of us, let’s get back on the horse by starting with some ‘knowledge is power’. First, did you know that your muscles burn fat more quickly than any other thing in your body? Second, did you know that your brain shrinks when you’re inactive? Third, did you know that loss of joint movement over time can cause early arthritis and joint pain? If you made a goal to be healthier and slimmer in 2018, starting to move more is the quickest way to reach your goals. Here are some of the many benefits to an active lifestyle: Feel better for it! o Feeling blue? Moving around, especially when you exercise for more than 20 minutes produces ‘feel good’ hormones and naturally

occurring happy drugs for your brain. o Feeling weak? Moving regularly builds strength and confidence. o Feeling fat? Moving will help you burn more calories, boost your metabolism, and help burn excess fat. o Feeling winded? Regular movement and exercise helps your heart and lungs feel stronger and improves endurance. o Feeling tired? Getting regular movement helps you sleep better at night making sleep more restful, and boosts energy levels immediately. o Feeling pain? Joint movement is one of the best ways to decrease pain, especially pain from osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis). o Other benefits: improves blood sugar, improves some important health markers in blood tests, reduces blood pressure over time, reduces need for many drugs over time, increases strength and balance What if I have pain when I move? The best thing to do if you have a pain with any kind of movement is to get a proper assessment from a muscle and joint rehabilitation doctor. A proper assessment is the most important thing you can do and often determines whether you accomplish your goals. What is rehabilitation? Rehabilitation has a new meaning. It used to mean, ‘something

you did after surgery’, but now it has a much more broad approach as, ‘something you do to prevent an injury, resolve a pain, or recover from surgery’. Rehabilitation is being used by everyone ‘in the know’ about muscle and joint problems. As a healthy, and active person with no injuries, I can tell you that I do rehabilitation every time I exercise. I know where my weak points are, and I can use that ‘knowledge as power’ to take more control of my destiny and actively prevent a life changing injury in the future. It’s brilliant! Rehabilitation often works best for things like: Neck pain, low back pain, slipped disc problems, arthritis, knee pain, shoulder pain, rotator cuff problems, tendinitis, pre-surgery, post-surgery, fusion, bursitis…I could go on. Getting an expert to assess and diagnose your condition, and what rehabilitation would be best for you specifically, is simply the best way to get active if pain is in your way of doing what you want to do. Some tips and tricks to get you started: ∙ Set a timer and get up every time the alarm sounds. Start with every 60 minutes and work down to every 20 minutes. ∙ Movement is better with a buddy. Find a friend who can not only move more with you, but can also help keep you accountable.

1907 C R A F T S M A N HISTORIC CAPITOL HILL

$2,350,000

Serene spaces define this historic property on one of Capitol Hill’s most iconic streets. Set back on an over-sized lot, this home offers 3 floors of exquisite living space, unified by a sublime palette and original woodwork. Highlights include wraparound front porch, stately living room with enormous fireplace, an octagonal dining room, master suite with stunning sitting room and a 3-car garage. This tranquil, in-city oasis is a masterpiece of vintage architecture + thoughtful updates.

LESLIE DICKINSON

Luxury Real Estate Founding Member, Madison Park 206.200.2174 | Leslie.Dickinson@RSIR.com LeslieDickinsonHomes.com

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

 PAIN, Page B10 PROVEN RESULTS

eautifully appointed, amenity rich luxury living including curated terraces and lounges, an indoor pool, fitness center, children’s playroom, pet retreat and a golf simulator studio! One 88 welcomes you home with attentive design detail, contemporary appointments and views spanning the Cascades to Lake Washington. Looking to streamline your life with a fabulous lock & leave home in town and purchase a second home in the desert or travel? Reach out to me and I will help you explore this unique offering!

Sotheby’s Presents the Finest & Rarest Wines at Auction this Winter.

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Managing Broker | Senior Global Real Estate Advisor Founding Member | 206.399.5842 Laura.Halliday@rsir.com

A CONTINUED LEGACY RSIR ranks amongst the largest, most productive and fastestgrowing real estate companies in Washington with access to 21,000 brokers in 69 countries that generate US sales of $80 billion+ annually. WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Well-appointed for a life well lived. Visit One88ByBosa.com today!

CHARMING STORYBROOK TUDOR 1651 Windermere Dr E | $2,100,000 - This charming storybook Tudor in the coveted Broadmoor community is surrounded by homes that are 2 to 3 times as expensive. Period details meet newly updated interiors from gracious formal rooms to a kitchen with a Wolf range and farm sink. The lower level was made for effortless living with a family room, guest suite, ¾ bath and laundry room. A finished studio perched above the garage is ready for your vision, whether its an office or fitness center. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Seller reserves the right change the product offering without notice.

February 2018 -

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

Mayor announces short-term housing proposal BY BRANDON MACZ Students at the Seattle Vocational Institute briefly put down their hammers and saws in January, so Mayor Jenny Durkan could announce her plans to create more tiny houses and short-term measures to addressing affordability and homelessness using $11 million in proceeds from the sale of city-owned South Lake Union property expected to close this summer. “We simply do not have the capacity now to move people out of the streets and the heartbreaking conditions they’re living in right now,” Durkan said. The mayor’s “Building a Bridge to Housing for All” proposal is dependent on the sale of 1933 Minor Avenue going through this summer, and Durkan said her goal is to evaluate all sales of city property to see how they can advance goals around increasing housing affordability and addressing homelessness. The proposal includes investing $5.5 million into a Bridge Housing Investment Strategy to increase the availability of shortterm housing and shelter space. An Innovative Housing Strategies subcabinet will be evaluating options, and Durkan said the next two months will be focused on finding additional locations for tiny houses, shelters and encampments. Office of Housing director Steve Walker tells the Capitol Hill Times sites could include city and private properties, churches, nonprofits and banked land that the city will eventually use for affordable housing projects. Upgrading current sanctioned encampments will also be completed, but not using this $11 million in funding, she added “Tiny Houses have housed over 300 residents in the tiny houses,” said Rev. Lawrence Willis. “Also, they have been used to transition into permanent housing.” Willis serves on the board for the Low Income Housing Institute, which has been creating tiny houses around the city and, and also directs the Seattle Vocational Institute’s Pre-apprenticeship Construction Training Program. The program began constructing tiny houses as projects two years ago, and attempts to complete two per quarter, Willis told CHT. Students were working on the 16th house during the Jan. 17 press conference. Willis said the plan is to have more community construction events in the future, such as one held at SVI last August, where six houses were completed in a day, in order to increase production. LIHI has benefited from community partnerships, he said, and people are also now building tiny houses in their own backyards to donate.

Photo by Brandon Macz Mayor Jenny Durkan tours a tiny house under construction by students in the Seattle Vocational Institute’s Pre-apprenticeship Construction Training Program on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The City of Seattle in the spring will invest in tiny houses and an encampment serving chronically homeless women. Jason Johnson, deputy director of Human Services, said it’s more about creating a safe place for women than providing new or additional services. A number of women using current low-barrier shelters are medically fragile and have experienced a level of trauma, he said. “With the sale of this one property we are advancing multiple goals,” the mayor said. Durkan’s proposal also includes using $2 million to pilot a rental housing assistance program, which would attempt to keep

people waitlisted by the Seattle Housing Authority from becoming homeless while they wait for longer-term assistance. The city reports nearly half of the 1,027 households issued an SHA Housing Choice Voucher in a 2015 lottery ended up experiencing homelessness during their wait. Durkan said people need to be given more than just a housing voucher, and also be connected with case managers to help with finding long-term housing. She added there have been successes and failures with the voucher program. The developer that is purchasing the 1933 Minor Avenue will

provide $2 million of its required Mandatory Housing Affordability fee up front, as negotiated by the city, Durkan said, and another $1.2 million at the end, all of which will be invested in creating more affordable housing. The city council expects to have a full MHA program developed and complementary rezones completed by the end of 2018. The city’s IT Communication Shop is currently on the property, and part of the sale proceeds will go toward its relocation. Another $1 million will go toward design and pre-planning costs to construct a new Seattle Fire facility to serve the South Lake Union and Denny Triangle

area. While tiny houses and microunits are not a long-term solution, Durkan said, they are a cost-effective measure to address urgent short-term housing needs. She said she recently sat down with other mayors from around the Puget Sound region and King County Executive Dow Constantine to talk about a larger strategy. “We will address this as a region, as well,” she said. “The question of affordability is not just in Seattle. The question of homelessness is not just in Seattle.”

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

- February 2018

Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives: luxury is an experience, not a price point.

BELLEVUE $2,650,000 rsir.com Web ID #HLVQY8

MADISON PARK $2,100,000 rsir.com Web ID #JQG8QM

CAPITOL HILL $2,350,000 rsir.com Web ID #9Q3N4N

FIRST HILL $1,295,000 rsir.com Web ID #FJVVT7

Our global real estate network is pleased to welcome our fifth regional branch office in the heart of Madison Park. Proudly representing all property types and price points, our resident experts live and work in the greater Seattle communities they serve. Our brokers have recently helped establish new benchmark values, representing both the buyers and sellers. Whether your next address is around the corner or around the world, we can help.

Meet your global real estate advisors:

LESLIE DICKINSON

BONI BUSCEMI

JOHN MADRID

LAURA HALLIDAY

CARRIE DEBUYS

206.200.2174

206.259.0012

206.498.1880

206.399.5842

206.551.0555

EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS Upcoming Event

HOADY SPENCER

206.372.1092

C I NDY PAUR

PETER PHILLIPS

206.949.4497

206.949.3555

4031 East Madison Street | Visit RSIR.com or call 206.466.2409

Upcoming Event

Park House Paws

SEATTLE HOME SHOW

LUNAR NEW YEAR

FEBRUARY PARK HOUSE PUP | MEET BOOMER

Join us Feb. 17th-25th for the 74th Annual Seattle Home Show housing extravaganza. This event will have hundreds of displays of home and garden products, daily “Meet the Experts” seminars, the newest in building products and materials, landscape displays, and home decorating tips.

The Year of the Dog is almost here so don’t forget to save the date for the 2018 Lunar New Year Celebration Sunday, February 11th. The event includes traditional dragon and lion dances, Japanese Taiko Drumming, martial arts and other cultural performances. Lots of fun for the whole family!

We are excited to introduce you to Boomer, our February Park House Pup! Boomer is 1 year old and loves to show off his cool tricks. Stop by our office and introduce us to your four-legged family member and maybe we’ll feature them next month!

Each office is Independently owned and operated.

RSIR.COM

Seller reserves the right to change product offering without notice.

February 2018 -

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

Chris Sudore

“ As a Madison Park Resident, I care about your home’s value.”

My team helped nearly 50 families buy and sell a home in 2017. We would like to sincerely thank our clients, family, friends and community for your trust and continued support. If you are planning on making a move in the new year, please let me know how we can help you maximize your real estate investments.

SOLD

Your Home Here in 2018! SOLD

SOLD

Chris Sudore – Your Specialist In:

SOLD

Madison Park • Washington Park • Broadmoor Denny Blaine • Capitol Hill

Chris@KingCountyEstates.com 206-799-2244 www.KingCountyEstates.com

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

- February 2018

Decision nears on high school boundary changes BY RYAN MURRAY A controversial but necessary realignment of Seattle’s public high school boundaries continues to move forward as it races toward a February deadline. With the (re)opening of Lincoln High School in 2019 in Wallingford to help relieve the pressure on Roosevelt and Ballard high schools, a re-zoning of the north Seattle high school boundaries is imminent. Lincoln will take in a maximum 1,600 students when it opens in September of 2019, leading to tough decisions and some strange scenarios for rezoning. One of the most-discussed scenarios, particularly as it raised the ire of parents in the Magnolia neighborhood, was option H version 2. In this situation, Lincoln High School would envelop Wallingford and Fremont, south Green Lake and over to the Ballard bridge, as well as the entirety of Magnolia and Queen Anne. “My concern is that it is pitting neighborhoods against each other,” said James Wagar, parent of a freshman at Bal BOUNDARY, Page B9

Courtesy of Seattle Public Schools These two maps, showing Scenario F version 4.2 (left) and Scenario F version 6 (right) are the two plans headed back to the Seattle School Board for decision.

Featured Listing Featured Listing 1000 14th Avenue East | $7,500,000

3344 East Shore Drive | $2,850,000

Sold Sold

3408 East Laurelhurst Drive NE | $2,864,150

1127 Federal Avenue East | $2,000,000

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING Lisa Turnure is a wonderfully ethical and professional Realtor. Every step of the way she was patient and honest with me. I appreciated her friendly approach to the whole experience. I would recommend her enthusiastically to everyone looking to buy or sell a home. - Byron J., Broadmoor

206.919.6605 lisaturnure@CBBain.com LisaTurnure.com

February 2018 -

 Halliday, from Page B1

MLS# 936850

O F F E R E D AT $ 1 , 4 9 5 , 0 0 0

ANNE WILLOUGHBY NELSON | 206.660.3055

Broadview

N 100th

NW 100th

98117 Greenwood/ Phinney

Ballard

MLS# 1003562

20651 236TH AVENUE SOUTHEAST Magnolia

O F F E R E D AT $ 3 9 5 , 0 0 0

O F F E R E D AT $ 5 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 S PA F F O R D R O B B I N S

98199

BENJAMIN CHOTZEN |

206.963.7770

98119

Belltown

98109

Denny Way

21 981 ia St in

MLS# 1098075

ANNE WILLOUGHBY NELSON

101 98Sp ring St

H U M P H R E Y H E A D A C R E A G 98104 E Dearborn 162 RED CEDAR ROAD

MLS# 1034575

O F F E R E D AT $ 2 9 9 , 0 0 0

206.660.3055

ANNE WILLOUGHBY NELSON

Harbor Island

206.660.3055

98134 206.322.8940 W W W. G B K . C O M

98105

Windermere Madison Park Times is delivered to the neighborhood the first University Laurelhurst Wednesday District of the Month Each Month

5,600 Copies in Circulation

98116 SW Hudson

Broadmoor Madison Park Madrona

E Denny Way Pike

98122

First Leschi Hill E Yesler Way

Ask us about reaching the Madison Park, Madrona, and Leschi Markets!!

I-5

4th Ave S

Our Readers... Your Customers

Capitol Hill

South Lake Union

g Vir

O F F E R E D AT $ 9 9 5 , 0 0 0

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NE 60th

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LOPEZ VINTAGE FARMHOUSE

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M A D I S O N P A R K M U LT I - FA M I LY

NE 100th

Green Lake

3rd Ave NW

98107

Laura Halliday is a managing broker at Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty

Lake City

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NW 65th

98125

98133

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953 LOPEZ ROAD |

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STUNNING LOPEZ ACREAGE

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F I O N N U A L A O ’ S U L L I VA N | 2 0 6 . 7 7 9 . 4 6 4 3

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TOM MALONEY | 206.235.3298 S PA F F O R D R O B B I N S | 2 0 6 . 9 6 3 . 7 7 7 0

Broadmoor Drive East (a 2009 Stuart Silk custom Mediterranean jewel). Both homes are located on the fairway and each sold at over $5,800,000, with prices per square foot coming in at $822 and $882 respectively. As of this writing, there is only ONE condominium for sale in Madison Park (at 1800 43rd Avenue East, priced at $614,950), and 6 single family homes ranging from $2,389,000 to $12,850,000. If you are considering a move this year, the classic laws of supply and demand are in your favor. Take advantage of this seller’s market and get top dollar on your current home and set sail on your new adventure, with a lock and leave high amenity condominium here in the city to allow for the simple luxury of traveling to a second home in Palm Springs or Hawaii, or the opportunity to travel the world. The emergence of exciting new condominium developments in the city has led Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty to relaunch its once popular UrbanCondominiums.com website, where buyers can learn more about upcoming projects and plan their next move. We will also open the doors of Park House for a series of “pop-up” events, where guests will have the opportunity to engage with these projects as additional details are released in 2018 and beyond.

LAKE WASHINGTON

MLS# 1230502

O F F E R E D AT $ 8 5 0 , 0 0 0

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3746 NORTHEAST 151ST STREET |

12th Ave S

MLS# 1235916

1st Ave NE

O F F E R E D AT $ 1 , 2 9 5 , 0 0 0

Melrose

12024 243RD STREET SOUTHWEST

MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS

I-5

SUYAMA RETREAT ON VASHON

amongst our coffee shops, eateries, and boutiques are two new businesses: Arboretum Dermatology, where Dr. Carmen Berger is offering a variety of medical services, and Earth Wine & Fire Yoga, owned by three lovely local ladies. Limited inventory and increased demand for homeownership continue to be two great factors contributing to our local real estate market, especially as buyers turn to distinguished communities such as Madison Park. Looking at 2017 market trends, the average sold price in Madison Park increased more than the county average, at 19.2 percent to $1.6 million. The days on market have held relatively steady over the past couple of years, however, with slight fluctuations above and below one month. In reviewing some of the neighborhood’s top recent sales, the home at 2115 38th Avenue East closed at $2,395,000 last October, establishing the “highwater mark” in terms of price per square foot for our neighborhood, coming in at $984 per square foot. This was an iconic William Bain designed home built in 1961 on an estate-sized 18,000+ square foot lot. There were also two landmark sales in Broadmoor of note, at 3303 East Shore Drive (a 1929 Italian N 145th Villa-style residence) and 1824

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98144

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- February 2018

Housing market predictions for 2018 Ray Akers ASK RAY ABOUT REAL ESTATE Seattle real estate might be compared to a game of musical chairs. Anybody who has a seat is fearful of standing-up, because they won’t be able to find another home to buy. Low-inventory has been a persistent issue for several years, with Seattle making headlines with the lowest inventory of homes for sale in the nation in 2017. Adding more pressure to the local market, foreign investors have made Seattle the number one destination for investment in the United States Here are four predictions for 2018. The historically tight supply of single-family homes will tighten further in 2018. After hitting a record low of 3.4 months in November 2017, the inventory of homes available for sale is expected to continue trending lower for 2018, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. This tight-supply trend has been ongoing for more than five years. What has been called a trend may be the new “normal”. Seattle-area home price appreciation will continue, but at a slower pace. Home prices have been rising steadily since mid2012, and there is no sign the

boom is ending. In King County, home prices increased almost 16 percent in 2017. Rising interest rates and tax reform will somewhat reduce upward pressure on prices in 2018. Even with some downward pressure, Zillow forecasts home prices will rise 6-7 percent nationwide. If local trends are consistent, Seattle will see home prices rise higher than the national average. Entry-level home prices will rise fastest due to demand by first-time buyers. Year-over-year appreciation for the bottom third of homes is expected to come in at 10.5 percent to 11 percent for 2018 (December 2018 over December 2017) based on data from CoreLogic Case Shiller. At current levels of wage growth, this boom in entry level home prices is ultimately unsustainable. Foreign investment in Seattle and Eastside will mean tougher competition for local buyers. The “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” report names Seattle as the nation’s top real estate market in 2018. Our diverse economy, ample job opportunities, and an educated workforce will keep Seattle at the top. Seattle became the number one destination for Chinese investors in 2016 and foreign investment dollars continue to pour into Seattle, affecting both residential and commercial real estate. Forecasters predict a slowing of real estate price appreciation, resulting in a more sustainable pattern of growth. However, the appreciation of home prices continues to outpace the growth in income for

most workers. With extreme demand pressures driving the local housing market, you can expect the building boom to continue, and upward pressure on home prices expanding outside of King County. More first-time buyers will be forced to look beyond Seattle to the ‘burbs. They’ll find homes are more affordable, but commuting to jobs in Seattle will be nightmarish. You can expect more demand for homes adjacent to rail and transit stations. Aging baby boomers will continue to stay put, remodeling their homes so they may age-inplace. This trend has baffled the housing industry and innumerable experts who forecast the boomer’s would sell and downsize in record numbers. Instead, aging Americans are staying and remodeling in record numbers. According to Veros, a valuations provider, Washington State will dominate the nation’s real estate markets. The company’s latest VeroForecast for 2018 reports “Washington State is set to boom –occupying all Top-5 market spots.” “Never has one state held all top 5 spots in the forecast. The Seattle, Bellingham, Bremereton, Kennewick and Mount Vernon markets make up the ‘Top 5’ in Veros’ report.” RAY AKERS is a licensed Realtor for Akers & Cargill Properties in Seattle. Send your questions to ray@akerscargill.com or call 206722-4444

Re: New GOP tax plan means fewer deductions for homeowners Dear Editor: Mr. Akers’ article “New GOP tax plan means fewer deductions for homeowners” contains a factual inaccuracy regarding the new mortgage interest limits. It also seems to gloss over the fact that many middle and lower income taxpayers will actually have lower overall tax bills next year as a result of this new tax bill, even here in Seattle. Mr. Akers states that “as many as two-thirds of current homeowners are likely to feel the impact.” However, it’s likely a much smaller group is affected when looking at the mortgage interest deduction taken in isolation. For one thing, Mr. Akers incorrectly states in his article that the mortgage acquisition debt limit dropped to $500,000 for all loans. That limit actually remains at $1,000,000 on existing home acquisition loans. It drops to $750,000 on new loans incurred after 12/15/17. For another, a loan of $750,000 plus a 20 percent down payment would be enough to buy a home worth about $938,000 (ignoring closing costs). That is well in excess of Seattle’s December 2017 median home price of $635,000. Knowing all this, I ask Mr. Akers what percentage of existing Seattle homeowners would be affected by the new mortgage limits? What percentage of

new Seattle homeowners are buying after 12/15/17? Surely much less than 67 percent? I would also point out that the $10,000 limit on property taxes would be less of an issue if our property tax bills went down. A delusional thought, I know. It is true that some homeowners will be worse off under the new tax law. However, it’s important to remember that mortgage interest and real estate taxes are just two elements of a taxpayer’s overall tax profile. Many other provisions of the new tax bill will help to ameliorate the new mortgage interest and property tax limitations. In fact, they may even result in an overall reduction in a middle or lower income taxpayers’ Federal income tax bill as compared to prior law. A few such provisions: 1.

Increased child tax credit

Mostly lower tax rates

3. A 20 percent “Qualified Business Income Deduction” 4.

A higher Alternative Minimum Tax exemp GOP, Page B9

 Boundary, from Page B7 lard High School. “We want to do what we can to keep Magnolia students at Ballard.” This huge swath of schools across the Lake Washington Ship Canal was the topic of much public comment at a Jan. 5 school board meeting. Ultimately, the board narrowed the options down to two for the task force (a group of 20 parents and teachers) to analyze. Neither option moved Magnolia’s students. David Shepard, another parent of a Magnolia student, said his neighborhood made travel to Wallingford unfeasible. “It’s more than an hour commute to Lincoln High School every day,” he said. “Magnolia is not designated as an urban village so there’s infrequent transit service. Ballard is our closest neighborhood high school.” On Friday, Jan. 5, the task force looked at the two options, called “Scenario F version 4.2” and “Scenario F version 6.” Both proposals acquiesced to parents from the Ballard High School community in not shifting Magnolia and most of Ballard. In 4.2, Lincoln’s student base would include Wallingford, Fremont, a section of the Roosevelt neighborhood across Interstate 5, reach south across the ship canal and claim all of Queen Anne Hill right up until the Central Business District. Ballard High School would still have the largest demographic shift, sending 588 estimated students to Lincoln, while Roosevelt would send 492. North of Greenlake, portions of Ingraham, Nathan Hale and Roosevelt would be swapped. Lincoln would have an estimated 1,080 students in its swath. In “Scenario F version 6,” the portion of Lincoln High School south of the ship canal remains largely the same except for a portion near the Magnolia Bridge with very few households if any. North of the canal, Lincoln would not cross I-5, but would spread north between 3rd Avenue Northwest and I-5 to encapsulate the entirety of Greenlake. Ingraham’s boundary would come south to meet it, keeping all of Roosevelt’s student body east of I-5. This proposal would take more students from Ballard (636) as well as Roosevelt (603) for a student population of 1,239. Both scenarios had the same Highly Capable pathways, with Lincoln as the North Pathway, Garfield as South, West Seattle as West and Ingraham as the optional pathway. At the Jan. 17 board meeting, a new map — referred to as “Scenario F version 4.3” — was introduced. In that map, the boundaries for Lincoln and Ballard are the same as they were in version 4.2, with minor adjustments for the Ingraham, Nathan Hale, and Roosevelt boundaries. This map will be presented for action at the board’s Jan. 31 meeting — just days before advance registration for Seattle high schools — with four “areas for consideration,” that could be changed, All four are located north of the ship canal. Meanwhile, an amendment introduced by School Board Directors Eden Mack and Rick Burke would move the north-end dual language immersion pathway from Ingraham to Lincoln in 2019-20 and establish a southeast DLI pathway (students entering ninth grade the year from the Hamilton DLI pathway would continue the pathway to Lincoln, tenth graders would have the option of transferring, and all others at Ingraham would be grandfathered). Flip Herndon, associate superintendent of the Seattle School District, said that in Lincoln’s first year, it would likely only have a class of underclassmen, leaving juniors and seniors to graduate from where they attended previously. Students in Garfield High School’s boundary are unlikely to be significantly impacted, but as plans are not finalized, the borders could be drastically redrawn. The school board likely made a decision on the boundary changes between when this paper went to press and when it arrived at news stands. Check www.MadisonParkTimes.com or the March issue for updates on the changes.

February 2018 -

www.MadisonParkTimes.com

Feed a cold, starve a fever? Aaron Shaw HEALTHY AND ACTIVE This is a doozy of a cold and flu season. Some report that the flu vaccine has only been about 10 percent effective making it even more difficult to avoid an infection. Have you talked with your primary care doctor or visited the Madison Park Pharmica for a strategy to treat a cold or flu? Instead of conventional medicine some still follow health advice from folklore. If you are reading historical medical documents from the 1500’s you may be tempted to “feed a cold” and “starve a fever”. Some thought that eating would lead the digestive system to create energy and therefore add more heat to a fever. During this time period many believed a cold was caused from a drop in body temperature and therefore eating and drinking would be the treatment of choice. Thankfully, progresses in science have changed these dated treatment approaches. We now understand that viruses cause the cold and flu. If you happen to be suffering from one of these your body is using large amounts of energy to boost the immune cells needed to fight off the illness. This energy is provided by good nutrition in food and hydration. Our metabolic rates rise steeply

when we are sick causing to our bodies to burn more calories. The higher the fever, the more energy the body uses and the more calories we need to replenish it. Not replenishing this energy is dangerous, especially in children because they do not have the energy stores that adults do. Instead of trying to remember whether to feed or starve an illness, focus on well founded advice from physicians. This includes drinking plenty of fluids and eating if you

are hungry. Fluid replacement can be achieved with water, broth or drinks with added electrolytes, such as sports drinks. The fatigue we feel when sick should not be ignored. In addition to hydration and nutrition, getting more sleep will reserve energy for the body to fight off the illness. Finding foods that are rich in nutrients will give your body the boost it needs to fight infections and may help avoid illness. This may sound like dated folklore, but it’s true that

you should eat more fruits and vegetables. Swing by Bert’s Red Apple to load up on these immune system boosters. Shop for food rich in beta-carotene including winter squash and asparagus. Top off your cart with broccoli for vitamin C and salmon for vitamin E. If your symptoms include congestion consider green or black tea to help thin mucus while giving you a boost of powerful antioxidants. The best advice may simply be eat when you are hungry and focus on

 Pain, from Page B3

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This can be in person, over the phone, over Skype, or by mail if you’re patient. ∙ Excess weight puts exponentially more wear and tear on joints. Make sure you know what your healthy weight would be by speaking to a doctor before you start buying all of Bert’s Red Apple lettuce and celery. ∙ Cut out added sugar. Keep any sugar consumption to fruits and vegetables (yes, there is sugar in vegetables, and reducing your sugar intake can help you taste it better) ∙ Commit to something small, and do it every single day. Doing it daily makes it a habit, and habits add up over time. ∙ Drink more water. 5 Gold Stars if you can drink half your body weight in ounces of water. I.e. You

 GOP, from Page B9

Let’s have a conversation today. Tom Golon, Home Mortgage Consultant �� Third Ave., Ste. ��, Seattle, WA �� -��-�� tom.golon@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID �� Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. © �� Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID ��. AS�� Expires ��/��

Aaron Shaw is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and founder of MoveMend in Madison Valley. Contact him at 206-641-7733 or visit www.MoveMend.info

weight 200lbs, then drink 100 oz of water (fluid, kidney or heart problems? Speak to a doctor first).

Call me today.

hydration and sleep. Consult with your physician on ways to avoid getting sick or ways to better fight off symptoms if you are currently ill.

tion amount 5. A near doubling of the standard deduction Finally, I wonder about the notion that the tax bill will deflate

1. Being inactive causes weight gain, puts too much wear and tear on joints, and increases pain. 2. There are too many benefits to list for having an active lifestyle. Don’t miss out! 3. Choose the best starting place with a proper assessment by a qualified professional to increase chances of success. 4. Start small, start daily. Dr. Dan Michael is a Doctor of Chiropractic at NW Sports Rehab in Madison Park. Contact him at (206) 328-5466 or visit http://www.nwsportsrehab.com/

real estate prices. As a homeowner myself, I’m not thrilled about that idea. But it’s good to remember that not everyone in Seattle loses out if this were to happen. Affordable housing is a very hot topic in this region. I’m certain that for many Seattleites (renters and those wishing to buy a home), lower house prices would be most welcome.

Thank you. Sincerely, Michael B. Kleiner

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- February 2018

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M A D I S O N PA R K R E A L E S TAT E

Shakin’ in a winter wonderland

Steve Lorton TREE TALK Snowfall is normally heavy and wet in the Pacific Northwest and rare as it is, when it occurs, it often covers everything in a thick blanket. In the last half century, these periodic snow dumps have come as early as Thanksgiving and as late as the 6th of April. Schools and many businesses close. Something of a festival ensues. Beautiful and delightful as it is to watch the giant flakes drift down and accumulate, plants can suffer. Most vulnerable are small scale deciduous trees with intricate branching patterns, broad-leafed evergreens and tall, thin conifers. Japanese maples, dogwoods, deciduous and evergreen magnolias often lose branches. An arborvitae or Italian cypress may be bent into an upside down U or pushed to

the ground under the weight of the snow. Larger trees are usually indifferent to the snow.The bigleaf maple in the photograph and other large trees like it can handle the load easily, all the more gorgeous for being clothed in white. So to prevent damage, the dedicated gardener needs to get outside, as the snow accumulates and shake it off the plants. There are three good ways to do it. Here’s where children between the ages of eight and college come in handy. Bundled up, with a hoodie, you can send them out with the promise of hot chocolate and cookies once the job is complete. They’ll love it! Expect laughter to penetrate your frosted windows. The trick to getting the snow off is to give the trunk of the tree, or the side of the evergreen, several vigorous and firm (but not violent) shakes to dislodge the snow. If the shaker holds onto the trunk or pushes the side of the evergreen, they’ll get a good dousing. Keep the draw strings of the hoodie cinched around the face or, sans hoodie, wrap a muffler snugly around the neck. A push broom is an excellent tool for this job. With the broad

horizontal brush placed against the trunk of the tree, a few good pushes with the broom handle will make the snow come tumbling down. Or, to avoid the avalanche altogether, tie a sturdy rope around the trunk of the tree, long enough that the shaker can stand beyond the drip line of the plant and pullrelease-pull-release until the snow is shaken free. In a long snowfall, you may have to shake each plant two or more times. But, should you fail and a limb breaks off, get out once the weather clears and prune off the fractured limb, making as smooth a cut as possible, as close to the larger limb or trunk to which it was connected. Don’t waste the damaged branch. It will likely be beautiful, groomed a bit, to grace a large vase indoors. With some red roses or tulips it will make a loving statement for Valentine’s Day, when these fade, add some blooms in pastels to herald the coming of spring. The buds of cut deciduous branches often swell up and open inside a warm house. So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow….. but shake, shake, shake your most delicate trees.

February 2018 -