Seattle Real Estate Blog by David Monroe: Washington

Luxury Home for Sale in Canyon Park - Bothell, Washington

23508 53rd Ave SE, Bothell, WA 98021     MLS # 126449  $725,000

For more information, contact me at 206-905-8590, or visit my website at www.sellnorthwesthomes.com.

(More photos below.)

Luxury Home for Sale in Canyon Park - Bothell, Washington - 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2,629 Square Feet.  Owner financing available.

Bothell’s finest!  Come and see the exquisite workmanship on this luxury home for sale.  Completely remodeled with over $600K in upgrades, no detail has been overlooked.  Located down a private road, this home for sale on just under an acre has beautifully landscaped grounds with a tranquil pond and fountain, and a 9-hole putting green and a sand trap.  This home for sale has a fabulous interior layout featuring red birch hardwood floors, sound-proofed master bedroom, speakers throughout the house with separate volume controls in each room, two gas fireplaces with programmable remotes, a spacious well-designed office, and built-ins throughout.  You’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer home for sale in Canyon Park or anywhere in the Bothell area.

The Kitchen

The gourmet kitchen in this home for sale is a chef’s dream, with thick granite slab counters, custom cherry cabinets, wine fridge, and Viking appliances.  The kitchen includes a double range, double gas cook top and grill, pot filler, and copper range hood.

For Golfers

This home for sale includes a 9-hole putting green, with each hole presenting its own challenge.  The putting green is glued onto a 6” thick slab of concrete to eliminate settling, and is rugged enough to be cleaned with a hose or pressure washer.  The adjacent sand trap is filled with special renderings from Montana that won’t compact when it gets wet, maintaining consistency regardless of the weather.

Rather take a full swing?  A 30’ tall X 40’ wide practice net is used to catch balls that can be hit off the mat.  Balls can also be hit as a mid-fairway bunker shot from the sand trap into the net.

Pond and Fountain

The 4-foot deep pond has a 12” deep area going in approximately two feet from the edge for additional child safety.  The pond has two heavy duty continuous low-power pumps and is on a self-filling timer that is connected directly to the irrigation system.  A fiber optic light system in the pond with 12 lights can be set to automatically come on, and creates a great visual effect at night.

Want to use the pond as a Koi fish pond, but are afraid of critters like raccoons and birds getting to the fish?  No need to worry—the pond has a motion detector which can be set to automatically trigger the sprinkler system over the pond to scare away any unwelcome animals that are getting too close.

Barbecue Area

The barbecue area is plumbed with natural gas, so there’s no need for propane bottles or tanks.  It’s built to fit almost any barbecue without the leg stands, has plenty of storage for accessories in the drawers below, and is fire-protected all around with tile.  It also includes a convenient 120V outlet and spot lights above the grill area.

HVAC

The dual-zone central HVAC in this home for sale allows separate control of upstairs and downstairs areas, making this house very comfortable in the winter and summer.  The HVAC system has air scrubbers and ultraviolet units that eliminate most airborne contaminates, including mold, fungi, and viruses.  The entire house has been hermetically sealed, so you won’t feel any drafts in this house.

Other Features

• Slate-like roofing material is made from a composite of rubber and tires, and can withstand pressure washing and cleaning without damaging it.
• Pure copper gutters and flag pole.
• Plenty of under house storage, with an easily accessible locked storage door under the porch and plenty of lighting.
• 12-station irrigation system for watering the lawn and flowering areas, and a precision timer with day and time settings to comply with watering restrictions affecting the Bothell area.
• Yard shed with provisions for a dog door and heated dog area, large enough to store a riding lawn mower and plenty of yard tools.  The shed has a dry covered area in back for storing firewood.
• Outside fire pit built into back patio.
• Three-season covered porch.

 
Additional information on this home for sale can be found at:  23508 53rd Ave SE.

This is NOT a short sale.

Did you find this property using a search engine or a link from another website?

If so, consider this:

• In addition to you, many other buyers are also seeing this property online.
• If you have a home to sell, I will use the same marketing strategies to give your home the best exposure to potential buyers, helping your home sell quickly at the highest possible price.

David Monroe
The Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West
Website:  www.sellnorthwesthomes.com
Phone:  (206) 905-8590

The Stats Are Out--The Market Is Dead.  Or is it?

Yesterday, everywhere I turned, I was either looking at or hearing a news story about how homes sales plunged 27% nationwide to the lowest number on record.  Wait, weren’t we in a housing recovery just a couple months ago?  Weren’t we officially out of the recession?  Is the media not telling the whole story?

Well, before you go jump off a cliff, let’s see what that really means:

Homes sales fell 27% nationwide… From June to July.  There are two problems here:

1. Because real estate is seasonal, comparing sales levels with the previous month is statistically unreliable.  The proper comparison should between July 2010 and July 2009.
   • In King County, closed sales fell 15% compared to July 2009.  However, the median home price is up 4% from last July.
   • In Snohomish County, closed sales fell 11% compared to July 2009.  The median home price fell 5% since last July.
2. Real estate is local.  When have national real estate trends reflected the Seattle market?  While the Seattle area isn’t immune to economic challenges experienced by the rest of the nation, national statistics have never been a reliable indicator of the Seattle real estate market.
3. Sales fell to the lowest number on record?  What exactly does this mean?  How far do the records go back—To the Great Depression?  Farther?  Nope.  The records they’re referring to are from the National Association of Realtors, tracking market activity since waaaaay back in 1999.  Yes, that’s just over 10 years.  Also, they’re comparing the month of July to July of previous years, so it’s really the lowest July sales level since they began tracking in 1999.  July sales were actually higher than sales from January and February of this year, and several months last year.

So why the big real estate market “crash” last month?  IT’S THE TAX CREDIT, pure and simple.  Take large numbers of buyers who would have purchased in July and August, and convince them to purchase a couple months earlier to benefit from the $8,000 tax credit.  This causes May and June sales to spike.  What would you expect for July?

Now cheer up and go buy a house before everyone figures out that the market isn’t dead.


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Authored by David Monroe, Real Estate Agent and Short Sale Specialist
The Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West
Phone:  (206) 905-8590

Have you stopped making your mortgage payments?  Are you considering it?  If you’re just considering it and haven’t already stopped, read the post, Should You Stop Making Your Mortgage Payments?

If you have stopped making your mortgage payments, either because you can no longer afford to pay or for some other reason, here’s what you can expect:

First Mortgage
First mortgage lenders are typically much easier to deal with if you fall behind on your payments.  They typically won’t harass you by phone, but they’re likely to fill up your mailbox with letters reminding you that have haven’t made your payment. 

If you speak to your first mortgage lender on the phone, they usually won’t use high-pressure collection tactics.  That doesn’t mean they won’t ask for a payment, but the collection effort over the phone is not likely to go past that level.  They will make a lot of effort to determine if there’s a way to bring the loan out of default status by offering a loan modification, payment moratorium, or some other workout solution.  However, these workout solutions are rarely successful, since most borrowers just get lost in the system.

This low-pressure collection strategy may not apply if your loan was sold off to someone that specializes in purchasing loans that are in default for pennies on the dollar.

Second Mortgage
If you stop making payments on your second mortgage, this can create a bit more of a challenge.  Not only will the second mortgage lender fill up your mailbox with threatening letters, your phone is likely to ring off the hook as well. 

I put second mortgage lenders in the same collection category as credit card collectors.  Second mortgage lenders have a lot more to lose, especially if the first mortgage lender forecloses.  Therefore, they tend to use high-pressure, threatening, and sometimes unethical collection practices.  They may try to contact you at work or they may try to contact your relatives, although you can request in writing that they not do this. 

They may lie to you.  They may tell you that they won’t approve a short sale or loan modification if you’re behind on your payments.  This is not true.  If you challenge something that they tell you and they offer to have you talk to their supervisor to confirm, don’t take the bait.  Their “supervisor” is most likely just the collector in the cubicle next to them.

Letters In The Mail
During the first 90 days or so, your mailbox is going to fill up with letters from your lender.  They may start out friendly, offering lots of options and telling you how much they want to help you, then they will start getting more threatening.  Usually around the 60 day mark, they’ll send letters by certified mail as well.  They’ll use terms like “Acceleration Warning”, “Notice of Intent to Foreclose”, “accelerate the maturity of the loan”, “declare all sums immediately due and payable”, “commence foreclosure proceedings”, “take legal action”, etc.  They're trying to get your attention.  Just remember that no matter what they say, there are specific procedures and timelines that they must follow (see Foreclosure Process and Timelines in Washington State).

Two Notices To Take Seriously
If you’re receiving so much correspondence from your lender that you’ve given up even opening your mail, there are two letters (or notices) that you should pay particular attention to.  The first one is the “Notice of Default”.  This will usually be sent by regular mail, certified mail, as well as a hand-delivered copy (usually taped to your front door if you’re not home).  This notice warns you that the bank may start the foreclosure process if you don’t cure the default within 30 days.

The second notice is the “Notice of Trustee's Sale”, which is sent 30 days or more after the Notice of Default.  Like the Notice of Default, this notice is also sent by regular mail, certified mail, and hand-delivered.  This notice means the bank has scheduled the foreclosure auction for your property.  The foreclosure auction will be at least 90 days from the date of the notice.  The bank has the ability to postpone the auction at their discretion if you’re in the process of a short sale, loan modification, or some other workout option.

As always, if you’re concerned about your legal rights or legal implications, you should consult with an attorney. 

This is just a brief overview of what to expect, and it may differ slightly from lender to lender.  Feel free to share your experiences.


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Authored by David Monroe, Real Estate Agent and Short Sale Specialist
Access Seattle area short sale help and foreclosure resources including selling in foreclosure, and 8 Ways to Avoid or Stop Foreclosure.
Considering a short sale?  Check out this Short Sale FAQ first.

Copyright (c) 2010 by David Monroe (Keller Williams Seattle Metro West)

Home for Sale with Shop and Acreage in Auburn, Washington - Horse Property Potential!

31516 176th Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092     MLS # 87687  $515,000
Pre-Approved Short Sale!

For more information, contact me at 206-905-8590, or visit my website at www.sellnorthwesthomes.com.

(More photos below.)

Home for Sale in Auburn, Washington on 4.8 Acres with a Large Shop - 4 Bedrooms, 3.25 Baths, 3,250 Square Feet

Pre-Approved short sale!  Looking for a home with flat, usable acreage with a large shop?  This quality-built home for sale sits on a private 4.8 acre lot.  Approximately two acres are enclosed by wrought iron fencing and an automatic gate.  The huge 40x48 shop can hold your RV, boat, or other large toys, plus there's plenty of additional parking outside.  This home for sale features 4 bedrooms (one is large enough to be a bonus room), a 5-piece master bath with jetted tub, formal living & dining rooms with extensive millwork, security system, and central vacuum.  This home is located on a dead-end street, close to Black Diamond, Covington, and Highway 18.

Do you have horses?  How about turning this into a horse property?  The seller also owns the adjacent five acre parcel which can be purchased separately and combined with this one for a total of 10 acres.

PROPERTY FEATURES:

Interior Features:  Alarm System, Carpeted Floors, Fireplace, Hardwood Floors, Laundry Room, Vaulted Ceiling, Skylights
Heating:  Forced Air Gas
Exterior Finish:  Brick, Wood
Sewer/Water Systems:  Septic, Well
Roof:  Cedar Shake
Lot Features:  Acreage, Dead End Street, Fenced Yard, Landscaped, Lawn, Garden Area, Trees / Shrubs, Shop, Patio, RV Parking
Appliances:  Dishwasher, Microwave, Oven Range, Refrigerator, Stove, Washer/Dryer Hookup
Extra Features:  Cable Available, High Speed Internet Available
View:  Woods

Additional information on this home for sale can be found at:  31516 176th Ave SE.

Did you find this property using a search engine or a link from another website?

If so, consider this:

• In addition to you, many other buyers are also seeing this property online.
• If you have a home to sell, I will use the same marketing strategies to give your home the best exposure to potential buyers, helping your home sell quickly at the highest possible price.

David Monroe
The Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West
Website:  www.sellnorthwesthomes.com
Phone:  (206) 905-8590

The Highlands - Quality Suburban Living In Snohomish, Washington

Just 10 minutes northeast of downtown Mill Creek is a master planned community called The Highlands, with nearly 400 homes spread throughout rolling hills--many with views of the North Cascades.  Seven community parks, a soccer field, and walking trails are scattered throughout The Highlands, creating an exceptional suburban living experience.

The Highlands went from concept to construction in 1998, with the final homes completed in 2001.  House sizes range from approximately 1,300 square feet to over 3,100 square feet, and most of the lots range from around 3,500 square feet to over 10,000 square feet.  Over the last year, selling prices for houses in The Highlands have ranged from the mid $200's to the upper $400's, although short sales in the neighborhood have been putting some slight downward pressure on prices.

A half mile south of The Highlands is Willis Tucker Park, an 84-acre park with an activity center, basketball court, baseball fields, amphitheater, 4.5 acre off-leash dog area, picnic shelters, playground, water park, and walking trails.  During the summer, local residents gather at the amphitheater on Thursday nights for a park-hosted movie night, and on sunny summer days, the water park is buzzing with activity as children experience the cooling effects of the Tricky Soaker, Silverflow Cannon, Aqua Dome, Water Jelly, Aqua Jumper, Power Spinner, Power Volcano, Water Domes, and Splash Palace.  If you have a dog, the off-leash dog park is a great place to exercise your dog, and there's even a separate "shy dog" area for dogs that are bit more timid.

A half mile from The Highlands is the newly renovated Mill Creek Family YMCA.  With over 39,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facility space and all new equipment, this YMCA branch is one of the nicest in the area.

The Highlands is also within a mile of the new Glacier Peak High School, Valley View Middle School, and Little Cedars Elementary School.


View Larger Map


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Authored by David Monroe, Realtor and Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist.
Considering a short sale?  Check out this Short Sale FAQ first.

Copyright (c) 2010 by David Monroe (Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West).

MonteVista Community in Snohomish, Washington

Exceptional Homes In Willow Creek - Snohomish, Washington

Living In The Silver Firs Community - Everett, Washington

Silver Firs is a well-planned housing community in South Everett, a few minutes east of Mill Creek.  It is made up of two large subdivisions referred to as Silver Firs 1 and Silver Firs Phase II.  Silver Firs 1 consists of 720 homes and 60 acres of common area including several green belts.  Some of the smaller divisions in Silver Firs 1 are commonly known as Glenview at Silver Firs, Highland Park at Silver Firs, and The Village at Silver Firs.

The newer Silver Firs Phase II neighborhood consists of 880 homes and 86 acres of common area including sport courts, tot lots, tennis court, and a youth soccer field.  Silver Firs Phase II includes several smaller communities, including Canterbury, Canterbury Heights, Hillcrest, Pembridge, Scarborough, Sherwood, The Cottages, Thornbury, and Vintage.

Most of the homes in the Silver Firs community are within a mile of Willis Tucker Park, an 84-acre park with an activity center, amphitheater, baseball fields, basketball court, 4.5 acre off-leash dog area, picnic shelters, playground, water park, and walking trails.  During the summer, the park hosts a movie night at the amphitheater each week.  On sunny summer days, the water park and the playground are bustling with children.  If you have a dog, the off-leash dog park is the best in the area.  There's even a "shy dog" area separated from the main dog park for dogs that are bit more timid.

Silver Firs is managed by two separate homeowner associations.  The older section, Silver Firs 1, is managed by Silver Firs 1 Home Owners Association and the newer section, Silver Firs Phase II, is managed by Silver Firs II Home Owners Association.  2010 annual homeowner dues are $122.57 for Silver Firs 1, and $303.00 for Silver Firs II.

Most of the smaller communities within Silver Firs border Puget Park Drive, while the Canterbury, Pembridge, and Hillcrest communities border 148th Street SE.


View Larger Map


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Authored by David Monroe, Realtor and Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist.
Considering a short sale?  Check out this Short Sale FAQ first.

Copyright (c) 2010 by David Monroe (Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West).

Silver Firs Townhomes - The Best Value In Everett, Washington

Would you think I'm crazy if I told you that you could find a 12-year old, 1700 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home for sale in a nice area for under $200,000?  Well, you can... And I'm not crazy.  Welcome to Silver Firs Townhomes.

View Larger Map

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Authored by David Monroe, Realtor and Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist.
Considering a short sale?  Check out this Short Sale FAQ first.

Copyright (c) 2010 by David Monroe (Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West).

Gold Creek - Quality Homes Near Mill Creek - Snohomish, Washington

Just a few minutes east of Mill Creek is a neighborhood called Gold Creek, where pride of ownership is probably an understatement.  Manicured yards, well-kept houses, and friendly neighbors all contribute to Gold Creek's upscale character.  Gold Creek provides a nice suburban environment that's still close to amenities.  This well-planned community offers a high quality living experience and home prices to fit a large range of budgets, with selling prices ranging from the mid $300's to the high $500's.

Throughout Gold Creek you'll find wide roads, sidewalks, walking trails, parks with baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts, and landscaped common areas.  Gold Creek is made up of two sectors:  The "older" sector on the west side with 453 homes built in the early 90's, and the "newer" sector on the east side with 247 homes built in the late 90's through the early 2000's.  The lots are fairly large, averaging around 10,000 square feet.  Several acres of the Gold Creek neighborhood are set aside as native growth and wildlife protected areas and 50-foot wide green belt buffer areas. 

Bordering part of Gold Creek on the north is Willis Tucker Park, an 84-acre park with an activity center, amphitheater, baseball fields, basketball court, 4.5 acre off-leash dog area, picnic shelters, playground, water park, and walking trails.  During the summer, the park hosts a movie night at the amphitheater each week.  On sunny summer days, the water park and the playground are bustling with children.  If you have a dog, the off-leash dog park is the best in the area.  There's even a "shy dog" area separated from the main dog park for dogs that are bit more timid.

Approximately a mile away is the newly renovated Mill Creek Family YMCA.  With over 39,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facility space and all new equipment, this YMCA branch is one of the nicest in the area.

Gold Creek is managed by two separate homeowner associations.  The older west sector is managed by Gold Creek Homeowner's Association and the newer east sector is managed by Sector 2A at Snohomish Cascade Association.  Gold Creek is bordered by The Falls, Silver Firs, and Willis Tucker Park on the north, Silver Firs on the west, multi-acre lots separated by a vegetation buffer on the south, and multi-acre lots of City Farms and Alderwood Water District property on the east.

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Authored by David Monroe, Realtor and Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist.
Considering a short sale?  Check out this Short Sale FAQ first.

Copyright (c) 2010 by David Monroe (Home4Investment Team at Keller Williams Seattle Metro West).