ComeBuyAHouse.com

Larry and I took 24 hours and embarked on a little trip for a weekend getaway to Port Townsend.  We began with a ferry ride at Edmonds to Kingston, and then took Hwy 104 all the way across the Hood Canal stopping at Port Gamble to antique and be tourists.  We stopped at the sea shell museum and general store–and took some pics.  We wandered through a gift shop and antique store on the street right next to the water, and then drove on to Port Hadlock.  There we dropped into the Ajax Cafe where we arrived just in time to not need a reservation!  What a great place for people watching!  We enjoyed live music, guitar and clarinet and flute on a stage just big enough–they were having fun!  The decor is eclectic, none of the dishes matched, there were movie posters, black and white photos of celebrities, costumes, tons of hats hanging on the walls, lots to look at.  The food was brilliant–and then as the evening went on, more and more folks tried on hats.  Larry found a wig and a tie that transformed him into a People started taking photos of each other–complete strangers were playing with each other–it was brilliant fun!

We ended up in a B&B in Port Townsend, F.W. Hastings House, Old Consulate Inn, relaxing, and with a 7 course breakfast in the morning.  Lots of antiquing in the morning and good coffee and gift shops all around. 

Here is a link to the Lowe’s Newsletter–it’s got great info for getting your yard ready for Autumn.

September Newsletter–Lowes

What is Walk Score? 
Walk Score shows you a map of what’s nearby and calculates a Walk Score for any property. Buying a house in a walkable neighborhood is good for your health and good for the environment.  The walk score of the Space Needle, for example is 89.  Bill Gates’ house walk score is 6.  Our house is 65.  The higher the score, the more walkable the location.  How does the site calculate walkability?
 How It Works
Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Your Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100. The walkability of an address depends on how far you are comfortable walking—after all, everything is within walking distance if you have the time. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:

· 90 - 100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
· 70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.
· 50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
· 25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
· 0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

 Check it out via our website:  www.ComeBuyAHouse.com

 It is a bit of a buyer’s market in many areas, and some good deals are to be had!
In general, houses for sale are spending longer times on the market than in recent years, and some areas are showing signs of prices coming down. Buyers: sellers who need to sell quickly are selling low. Sellers: Fear not, you can add value to your property and negotiate in creative and
tangible ways.  
The mortgage market and interest rates are contributing factors to this market change.  (Please see the next article for mortgage market info.)
Still the house value trend in Seattle is good news. According to the Seattle Times, in the 2nd quarter of 2007, Washington State led the nation with 5 cities in the top 20 for appreciation, with the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett areas up 9.89%,
“Washington State led the nation with the number of cities in the top 20 for appreciation with five. In order, there are: Wenatchee (up 23.54 percent), Longview (up 13.6 percent), Seattle/Bellevue/Everett (up 9.89 percent), Tacoma (up 9.34 percent) and Spokane (up 9.3 percent). And, the state had no cities in the bottom 20, which were located primarily in California and Florida.”  Seattle Times
The rest of the Seattle Times article includes national information.  If you would like to have the entire article in print or via email, please send an email request to us at ComeBuyAHouse [at] gmail.com
——-Lynette and Larry
 

I think agents need to prepare sellers for a longer time on the market when they list their homes. I’m seeing so many more houses on the market for a longer period of time than was usual, even last year at this time.

Both buyers and sellers in the Seattle area are used to sales that happen quickly when a house is listed, and that does still happen when a house is priced well, looks great and suits a lot of buyers. But now we are seeing perfectly good houses stay on the market 60, 90, 120 days, especially when they are over the median price range. It’s time for buyers to stop judging houses by how long they’ve been on the market–stop asking what’s wrong with this house–and just go see it. There is very likely nothing wrong. And it’s time for sellers to be a bit more patient with the process–we’ve had it easy for a long time now.
There is not automatically something wrong with your agent if your house doesn’t sell in 30 days like it would have a year ago. That being said, there are ways to increase the probability of selling your house in 30 days–price it right and market it like crazy in the first couple of weeks. Staged, good looking homes sell quicker. Get all the way ready before listing. Make the most of the first two weeks. And then be patient because the purchase requires a buyer, and they are just now coming out to buy in greater numbers.

Good place to eat:
Breakfast Club–culturally diverse country down home breakfast–attitude served up at no extra charge
Banjara–Queen Anne Indian restaurant –try the mango curry fish
Sunlight baking company–best of granola breakfasts close to most vegan
Mad Pizza–4 locations now!

Good places for Coffee — Roosters above all!! 
Now in two locations–third soon to be announced at U Village (you got it here first!)

Good places to nap:
South slope of Ballard locks by the railroad bridge

Best places to shop for wierd stuff: 
Pike place market–duh!

Best place to buy guitars–call Larry 206 291 4117

Best places to meet folkies:
Folklife
Victory Open Mics
  Honey Bear Bakery in Third Place Books–Ravenna
Dusty Strings
Street Corners
Public Market

Best Antique shopping areas:
Snohomish
Antika on Greenwood
Post Alley

Home Decor
Check out the shops in Edmonds….I LOVE Edmonds. –Lynette

Very interesting places to see stuff you can’t always see:
Edmonds beach at low low tide

This is just the beginning– not to be mistaken as a comprehensive list.  We will add and YOU will add to it. 
Yes?  Yes!