Zillow.com released it's findings for the 2nd Quarter of 2008 for select markets around the country.   Seattle, as usual, fared better than most of the markets around the country, but the trend is definitely a down one.    According to Zillow, King County Overall had a 6.7% drop in home values over the same quarter last year and  1.4 percent drop from last quarter: Region Name Home Type Zindex Quarter-Over-Quarter Change (Pct) Year-Over-Year Change (Pct) 5-Year Annualized Change (Pct) 10-Year Annualized Change (Pct) King County (Seattle) All Homes $413,690 -1.4% -6.7% 8.5% 7.5% King County (Seattle) Single Family $439,124 -1.6% -6.6% 8.5% 7.6% King County (Seattle) Condo/Coop $292,700 0.8% -4.2% 10.0% 8.4% King County (Seattle) Bottom Tier $255,968 -1.0% -8.2% 8.3% 7.6% King County (Sea... 08/14/2008

I was in Kirkland last night with a friend who is also an agent (Known within this blog as "Big Dan") and I noticed that in a certain Kirkland brokerage's window, there were several printouts of short-sales and pre-foreclosure properties. The short-sales were advertised as "50 to 100 thousand dollars below market value". I let out a (admittedly self-satisfied) chuckle and pulled Big Dan towards the window. "Take a look at this". I wish I could say that Big Dan shared in my amusement but he was much more concerned with lighting one of his newly arrived Cuban cigars to pay much notice. "Don't you see the humor in this, Big Dan?  If a property is listed for that amount and somebody buys it, then guess what?"  "What", said Big Dan between puffs.  "Well, that IS the market value of the house... 08/07/2008

Just in case you didn't think that Third Place Books could rock any harder than they already do, check this out: Third Place Books is celebrating it's birthday month in November by giving you back some of you hard earned dollars. Simply save your receipts throughout the year and bring them in during November of 2008 and you will receive 10% back in the form of a gift card.  Ok, so it may not the perfect example of rocking behaviour, but it is pretty cool, and they do rock.   See www.thirdplacebooks.com for more details. 08/07/2008

One  of my favorite things to do when I have any time at all is to go pick up lunch and take my kids to the park - any park, but Horizon View Park is one of my favorites.  I started out at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre and bought lunch at the Honey Bear Bakery (I also love Great Harvest in the lower part of the mall).  I made a quick stop over at Mud Bay to buy 140 pounds of dog food for the Newfies, and then headed for Horizon View Park. I like Horizon View because it has a lot to offer: an amazing play structure, swings, a cute little train to climb and sit in, picnic tables, bball court, walking trail and more!  Definitely check it out if you get the chance! Here are some of the pictures:        The little train....             08/05/2008

  When I entered the world of  competitive BBQ  a couple of years ago for fun, I had no idea how much a part of my life it would become, how many people I would meet because of it, and how many grown men would look at me with a look of awe and a tear in their eye and proclaim "Dude, that was the best meat I have ever had" just before giving me an appreciative bear hug.   Because of these types of reactions it so happened that I accompanied my friend and BBQ mentor Big Dan to a soiree at a lakefront Mercer Island home owned by Mr. Sun, a local succesful Seattle restaurateur and his wife. Big Dan listening in on the Blue Angels   Blue AngelsBlue Angels 2         Mr. and Ms. Sun were nice enough to invite us (and our smoked meats) for a Seafair party of about 40 people, whose attendance in... 08/04/2008

100 years................. Have you gotten a chance to check out Lake Forest Park's 100 Year Legacy Plan yet?            Make sure and check it out here:  http://www.cityoflfp.com/news/2008pr/pr20080623.html I love the focus on trails and walk ability of the city.  Lake Forest Park has so many wonderful aspects to it, but the mere fact that two state highways run right through the heart of the city's downtown retail challenges the ability to easily connect with your town as a resident.  It is nice that they are really getting around that!   I was also impressed at the Lakeway idea for easier access to Lake Washington.  I think this is going to be key in the future!  What do you think? Are you interested in Lake Forest Park real estate?  08/04/2008

There is a huge need for donated blood!  This Thursday, August 7th, The Puget Sound Bloodmobile will be at the Towne Centre in Lake Forest Park.  The Bloodmobile will be there from 11AM to 5PM.  You can drop by and donate or call and make an appointment according to the city site.  The phone number for appointments is 206-368-5440. More info? http://www.cityoflfp.com/ INterested in Lake Forest Park real estate?     08/04/2008

I love this!  Check out this map of Lake Forest Park and tell me what you think: http://www.cityoflfp.com/inmotion/FINAL_LFPIM_MAP_081304.pdf I mean, this is so cool!  You already knew about the Burke-Gilman trail, but this map shows, bike trails, walking trails, bus routes, bus stops - everything you need to get around in lake Forest Park! Lake Forest Park is such an amazing Seattle suburb and this map shows you some of the key reasons why.  With its abundance of beauty, I am thrilled that this gives all of the great ways to get around and in and out of LFP! Are you interested in Lake Forest Park real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com   08/04/2008

Third Place Books.... If you have never been to Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA, then you should go!  This book store is far more than just a place to buy books.  Third Place Books has a huge inventory of new and used books and the selection is primo, but it is also a community gathering place.  Third Place Books is located in the Lake Forest Park Mall and offers a lot to this community.  Location: 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 Want More Info? www.thirdplacebooks.com Third Place Commons... In the interior of the Lake Forest Park mall is Third Place Commons - a great place for neighbors and visitors to gather and eat in the food area or watch performances on stage.  Are you interested in Lake Forest Park real estate?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com   08/04/2008

Here in the LFP, we have been dealing with a clash of youth and authority the likes of which we have never seen. Yes, I am talking about the dreaded Longboarders of LFP. Actually, I may be overstating things a bit, but in the LFP we don't have gangs, homicides and the like, so these roving packs of teenagers on their ultrafast boards whizzing down our sloping hills does qualify as high drama.   I am of two minds of the situation (as I am about many things): On the one hand I marvel at the speed that these kids can manuever at (up to 50 mph by some estimations), and the agility that they employ to "slingshot" each other down the hill, passing joggers and bikers alike. On the other hand, I've seen the physical evidence of some nasty falls including bloody knees and broken bones. And  I'm... 07/31/2008

LFP stats   This graph shows the inventory in Lake Forest Park of homes priced under 1 million dollars. In the month of June there were 237 active properties in this range, compared with only 10 sold properties in the same month.  this is quite a bigger spread from the height of the market in June of '07 when there was only 139  homes on the market and 26 sold.     avg sold price     This graph shows the average price of homes sold under1 million dollars to be $431,915, down from a high of $634,437 in September of 07.   While this might seem gloomy and doomy to be sure, it is good to know that as a whole, we are certainly holding up better than most of the rest of the nation. This article in the Seattle Times explains that things are looking up slightly in the region with many first tim... 07/29/2008

As you are no doubt aware, a new law went into effect this month month banning the use of handheld phones while driving. (Damn, I should have  have bought stock in Plantronics and Motorola 6 months ago.  And sold my WAMU shares come to think of it) A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to be in an accident. That study suggested that limiting cell phone usage to hands-free devices doesn't have much of an effect. Despite these findings, your legislature is requiring you to wear a headset if you find it necessary to gab and drive at the same time. I would like to pass along a website that I came across that is giving away (yes, giving away) free headsets.  All you have to pay is shipping and handling. You can f... 07/29/2008

Richard Florida   Richard Florida has penned a compelling new book titled, "Who's your city", which takes a look at the way that people choose the places they live and how that affects everything from their real estate to their families.     Florida's basic premise is that concentrations of creative capital are centered in what he calls "mega-regions" that include Boston-Washington D.C., Southern California, Northern California, and the area that he calls "Cascadia" which include Portland and Seattle.   He argues that the rise of the "Creative Economy" is making where you decide to live the most important decision of your life. He was on KUOW in Seattle a couple of months ago talking about his book and his views. You can find a downloadable mp3 of the converation here: http://www.kuow.o... 07/29/2008

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln(Hardcover (Cloth)) by Goodwin, Doris Kearns Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Lincoln's political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president. On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry. Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Good... 07/29/2008

  Fitzgerald Someone once said that you can never go home again. I'm not sure who it was, and it appears that Google doesn't either, but I have found this maxim bouncing around the walls of brain as of late and have recently decided that there is some truth to it. This saying, of course, alludes to the fact that once you've left your hometown (no matter how belated) you always return as a different person. I find this to be true every time I visit my family and friends in Sacramento. While I most assuredly miss them every day, it is truly an odd experience as a visitor in the town you grew up in. I don't necessarily feel like a wholly different person, but I do view my old stomping ground through a new set of eyeballs, and have different experiences there as a result. I love to spend l... 07/29/2008

LFP Commons Farmers Market Well, It's almost that time of year: The sun has been threatening to make it's presence known and melt the grey clouds that have hung over our heads like a cruel, mocking cartoon voice balloon since.........well, since August of '07. And of course that means that the LFP Commons Farmers Market will surely be here soon.Beginning May 11th, you can head down to the Lake Forest Park Towne Center and load up on all of the fresh produce, fruits, etc. that you can fit in your mini van and/or SUV. Those of you with a Prius or Civic Hybrid will not be able to lug as much booty home, but you can smile smugly to yourself that not only did you limit yourself to organic products, but you did not harm the earth during the process, and got 375 miles to the gallon on the way ... 07/29/2008

Posted February 9th, 2008 by LakeForestMark Letterman: Top Ten 10. Content is head and shoulders above competing LakeForestFreddy.com website   9. Finally found a public forum for my manifesto.   8. Got kicked out of 3rd place books for abusing the coffee refill policy and not sure what to do with rest of day   7. It's "Blog O riffic!"   6. Grown Tired of continuously crank calling Dick Cheney and saying "Got Obama?" and hanging up.   5. Decided that this "internet thing" is really going to take off pretty soon, and had better get in on the ground floor.   4. ShorelineShirley.com site is down for maintenance.   3. Got tired of waiting for a decent restaurant/bar to open up in the old Coco's   2. Reaiized that all the cool kids were doing it   and the #1 reason for joining LakeForestMar... 07/29/2008

 Lake Forest Park WA has some great houses available right now and the prices are wonderful when you think about all that this city has to offer.  Shoreline schools, Burke Gilman Trail, Easy access to both Bothell Everett Highway and I-405 for Eastside commuting, but also I-5 for easy downtown Seattle commuting and Everett going North. Houses range from the low $300,000 to multi-million dollar waterfront homes on Lake Washington. Are you interested in Lake Forest Park real estate?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County.  Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs!  Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:   Experienced REALTOR with a backgro... 06/28/2008

The Shoreline Management info applies to anything within 200 feet of Lake Washington - lots of great waterfront properties in Lake Forest Park at Sheridan Beach!  Here are the details from the city site: Shoreline Master Plan Open House Wednesday, June 11, 2008 City Council Chambers 6:30pm - 8:30 pm  More info?  Click here.  Interested in Lake Forest Park real estate?  Kenmore real estate?  Interested in Brier real estate?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com  Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:   Experienced Seattle real estate REALTOR with a background in accounting - I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, R... 06/03/2008

I happen to like this one the best:  Horizon View Park in Lake Forest Park is a great reason to move to this Seattle suburb!  Here is the address: 19857 47th Ave NELake Forest Park, WA 98155 Go check it out and see why Lake Forest Park is such a great place to live!  Lake Forest Park also by th eway is one of the Seattle suburbs that has appreciated year over year according to the latest stats I found in the MLS. 05/17/2008