Perhaps the most disappointing condo appreciation result was in West Seattle which managed to eek out a 1% increase in annual median price for 2007.  West Seattle had a tough year with two developments converting to apartments.  As for 2008, it's a toss up as to what will happen.  On one hand, the overall softening of the market will certainly affect West Seattle as will further reports on the fate of the Viaduct.  On the other hand, with the "repartmenting" of two conversion projects, the condo inventory will have a chance to stabilize.  Hopefully, that'll keep the market afloat for 2008.  Source: NWMLS.  Appreciated rate based on closed sales reported as of 01/16/08. 01/16/2008

One neighborhood that underperformed in 2007 was the Downtown Seattle/Belltown area (MLS area 701) which posted a modest 6.0% increase in appreciation.  Actually, 6% is pretty good, however, many expected the downtown area to reach 9% or 10%.  In reality, if it wasn't for year end closings at a couple of newly completed developments, we could have realized an even lower rate. Source: NWMLS.  Appreciated rate based on closed sales reported as of 01/16/08. 01/16/2008

Seattle's distinctive and historic Queen Anne neighborhood realized an extremely healthy 14.2% increase in condo value in 2007 (based on median price).  Queen Anne and downtown were the only two neighborhoods where the median price exceeded the city's condo median price of $315,000.  Overall, Seattle condos appreciated 7.2% in 2007.Source: NWMLS.  Appreciated rate based on closed sales reported as of 01/16/08. 01/16/2008

Seattle's Capitol Hill (MLS Area 390) condo market performed respectably in 2007.  Though, the slowing market and increase in lower-end condo conversion sales impacted values.  As a result, Capitol Hill's annual median price appreciation for 2007 increased only 3.1%, well below the citywide 7.2% appreciation rate.Source: NWMLS.  Appreciated rate based on closed sales reported as of 01/16/08.  01/16/2008

My blog is located at http://www.fixerfixer.com/ 01/16/2008

Seattle:  So much for the doomers and gloomers!  Here's to 2008!The Seattle 2008 real estate market seems to be off to a strong start if you ask me.  I opened my own Seattle real estate  brokerage, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services and took on my first new company listing - a gorgeous Eastlake condo!  I had an extremely gorgeous sunny Seattle open house with lots of buyers who seemed to be pretty darned interested in buying despite what the media is "reporting".  My Seattle sellers got an offer in six days because I really counseled them on getting their home ready for the market and pricing it correctly.  I also marketed the heck out of it and made sure they looked at my Seattle seller tips.I have had three contacts this year so far already via email from possible prospective Seattle ... 01/16/2008

The new buzz word around these parts is "repartment"...the reverting of condo conversions back to apartments.  The once lava-sizzling hot Seattle condo market has gotten hit with a crisp winter's blast.  The cranes are still up for the eight new condominium projects in the downtown area, as well as another ten in Seattle's Eastside and Northend neighborhoods.  But as the mortgage industry took a hit, fears of a crash and the 84% jump in available condo inventory have taken its toll.  The major developers will likely ride out the coming storm but the smaller conversion developers are on life support.Two of the more infamous repartmentations (I suppose I can make up my own word) were the Max (three sales in three weeks) and the Strata (two sales in five weeks).  And, at least two conversi... 01/14/2008

The owner of Seattle's history Smith Tower, Walton Street Capital, has scaled back its condo conversion plans.  Initially, Walton Street planned to convert the entire building, once the tallest on the West Coast, to condominiums which would have resulted in approximately 150 units.  However, no doubt swayed by the softening of Seattle's condominium market, they've scaled back plans to only convert the top 12 floors.  The narrower upper floors will incorporate a single unit per floor, about 2,000 square feet each.  No word yet on time frame or pricing Prior posts:   Smith Tower & Smith Tower Update 01/14/2008

Seattle was sunny and blue skies yesterday!  It was the very perfect day for my first open house at my new Seattle listing in Eastlake at 2611 Eastlake Ave E #101.  This Seattle condo has a view of Lake Union and Gasworks Park!  The sailboats and motor boats were out and the seaplanes were buzzing!  It was practically like a Seattle summer day!I had lots of Seattle buyers through the door - both represented and unrepresented and everyone seemed to love this Seattle condo!  The condo is surrounded by parks and shopping - it really made me want to live in Eastlake!  What an amazing lifestyle the people who buy this lovely condo will have! Despite the media hype, buyers are out there!  Real estate is a good investment and Seattle is at the head of the pack for values and appreciation!  Cou... 01/14/2008

I want to say something about BRIO Realty.  I was one of the first agents on board and have seen many changes.  It has to be said that the company is young and vibrant and full of enthusiasm.  The owners, Jonathan Washburn and his wife Sara have the values of integrity, fairness and hard work and certainly have my respect.   Whoops--I forgot to say how pleasant they are to have around.Because the owners of BRIO Realty also own ActiveRain, The Real Estate Network, we have been encouraged to blog.  That was totally new to me a year ago--and now I am a very active blogger and have learned so much from the helpful participants and gotten more business and exposure because of it.  That is just one example of how BRIO has helped my career.BRIO Realty provides a pool of leads that their agents... 01/14/2008

I love sales!  No not the Sleazy Used Car type. Sales, helping clients find what they are looking for. That is what a real estate salesman does. What are your needs and how can my experience and training help you? I read and attend tons of Sales Training, some good some not.I just came across this great post from Gavin Ingham.  He is a Sales Trainer whose blog I just found about a week ago. While his article is about Selling in a Recession, he gives a great example of what many real estate agents are doing in this slower market.One of my friends went down to our local real estate agent this week to put his house on the market. He was told that maybe he should wait as he might not get the price he wants right now. They told him the market was quiet and that might not be able to sell the ... 01/13/2008

Seattle real estate trend:  Making it easier for the client.....Convenience and reliability in Seattle real estate are two of the things that come to mind when I think of helping Seattle buyers and Seattle sellers put together offers and transactions that are successful and advantageous.  I like to make it easy for my clients to be able to sign the paperwork - buying or selling a house is stressful enough without having to take time off work to do paperwork.I know Seattle is in the hot seat of techies, but I am still constantly amazed at how much technology is changing our business!  I used to drive around the whole Puget Sound for hours to meet buyers and sellers to get little initials here and there on real estate contracts.  I always like to have clear copies and the fax machines ten... 01/12/2008

After reading a great post by Charles over at Portland Real Estate Blog,  a little could be added to our discussion about real estate negotiations. Is it always a Zero Sum Game?One of the first principles learned when studying negotiation tactics, is to make sure to leave your opponent feeling like they got a good deal.  This can be tough especially when using terms like opponent and zero sum. Homeowners hire agents to play this game tough and get the best possible price for their home. This is zero sum, what one side wins the other loses.But while our goal as agents is to get the best possible deal for our clients, we must remember that there are people on the other side of the transaction.  Now we're not talking about being easy on the other side. But, I have come very close to losing... 01/11/2008

FAST, RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE for your Rentals investments Call US Today RD House Real Estate & Property Management Average time on rental market less than 22 DAYS 5% fee downtown Condos www.rd-house.com 206-728-6063 Location: KING CO> Your real estate is a valuable investment and we can help you protect that investment with sound expertise. Our goal is to provide you the best property management service available in the Washington State starting @ 5% ManagementPlease feel free to contact us Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Ricky D Sadler Broker/Senior PM @ 206-728-6063 or email rickyd@rd-house.com Summary of ServicesOwner/Tenant Relations: As your agent, we will advertise your property to locate and qualify tenants suitable for your property. We handle the ... 01/10/2008

Please welcome Mary Schile from my office, the incredible Re/Max Mutual Realty in the heart of Ballard. (That's in Seattle) And check out her website; she has one of the most successful and engaging  marketing campaigns in the business.  Her clients love, love, love her, as well they should, and if that's not enough... she serves homemade pie at all of her broker opens!   01/10/2008

Your real estate is a valuable investment and we can help you protect that investment with sound expertise. Our goal is to provide you the best property management service available in the Washington State starting @ 5% ManagementPlease feel free to contact us Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Ricky D Sadler Broker/Senior PM @ 206-728-6063 or email rickyd@rd-house.com Summary of ServicesOwner/Tenant Relations: As your agent, we will advertise your property to locate and qualify tenants suitable for your property. We handle the negotiation of leases, collection of advance rents, security deposit escrow accounts, and if necessary, eviction proceedings. Our services remove the need for you to interact with tenants.Maintenance of Your Property: We approach each property with the un... 01/10/2008

 Sarah Nopp has a post this morning entitled “Volunteering Opportunities in Olympia, WA”—after reading it I decided to see what volunteer positions are open on boards in the City of Seattle. The following boards and commissions currently have openings in the City of Seattle:  Fire Code Advisory Board - Mayor Greg Nickels is inviting candidates to represent retail business to apply for appointment to the Seattle Fire Code Advisory Board. The 15-member board advises the mayor, the City Council, the Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal about fire code issues in Seattle. City regulations require that board membership include specific business and industry representatives and two members of the public. At this time, the retail business representative is the only vacant position. Mayor's Council ... 01/09/2008

When I was a kid I used to live close to, but not actually in the Arroyos.  I even used to ride my bike down that hill for some inexplicable reason, only to have to walk it all the way back up.  But had I not done that, perhaps I wouldn't have discovered what fabulous views of Mt. Rainier can be had up here. This was taken near sunset just the other day. When you're walking that area, it's so beautiful to see the mountain's presence behind the evergreens and the Sound.When Mount St. Helens had its second large eruption in July 1980, I ran down 39th S.W., stood in the street and looked across the water. There, way off in the distance, you could actually see the plumes of ash rising from the mountain.  (I was out of state during the first eruption.) My second favorite Mount Rainier viewin... 01/09/2008

Seattle has some pretty wonderful restaurants and it seems like we are always getting more.  NWSource is putting on the New Urban Eats Event to showcase twenty of the hottest new restaurants in Seattle!  The New Urban Eats Event runs from January 2nd through 31st and each of twenty restaurants will participate by offering three courses for thirty dollars - 3 for 30! A list of restaurants can be found online  - along with menus, maps to get there, and even a place to write a review once you have tried it!  Seattle's hot new restaurants are all over Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle Suburbs including Downtown, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Madrona, Queen Anne, Seattle Center, Laurelhurst, Maple Leaf, West Seattle, and the Eastside - so check one out!Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Wash... 01/09/2008

   This is a "big deal" at our house.  My mother has been complaining for years that other cities can make a profit from their ports and our just keeps getting more money from the tax payers.  The U.S. Justice Department has launched the criminal investigation because of what was found in a recent state audit.State Auditor Brian Sonntag has said that "multiple federal agencies could be involved in the probe, including the U.S. Attorney's office, FBI and Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation."  This was stated in the front page article of The Seattle Times today in their article, "Possible fraud at Port focus of criminal probe, millions wasted, according to audit released last month" by Jim Brunner and Bob Young. It is interesting that the performance ... 01/08/2008