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Tiny Houses for SERIOUS Downsizers
These are for SERIOUS downsizers! Houses/sheds/spheres from 89 to 500SF, Plus a unique bed that rises to the ceiling to create living space underneath. Includes links to manufacturers if you want one I think this one from local Modern Shed is the best looking, and the Zero House (#7 in the slide show) is amazing in it claims to be completely self-contained off the grid, including water and waste. See... [Read more]
Healthy Marketplaces Emerging
There’s more good news this month. Overall inventory is down to a 5 month supply, which means a balanced market that is leaning to the sellers’ favor. Some areas like Ballard have less than 3 month’s inventory, with, you guessed it, lots of mulitple offers. For the second month in a row, the number of sales has exceeded new listings. And yes, prices are starting to level... [Read more]
REMAX 2012 Housing Predictions
National Association of Home Builders January list of improving markets. Read More →
AARP Boomer Housing Report
AARP does a good job covering housing choices for retirement living. Visit their housing page here, and check out “Gimme Shelter” a high-quality video report that covers it all: Co-housing, aging in place “village” movement, interest-based retirement communities, and remodeling for the long run. Read More →
Do More With Less
Moving to a smaller home can shift your financial picture in a variety of ways. You can lower or eliminate your house payments, reduce future energy or maintenance expenses, and convert your equity to cash for other investments or expenses without going into debt. Here’s an example:A couple sells their home in Ravenna for $550,000 and buys a 2 br condo in a well maintained nearby older building... [Read more]
Seattle Area Build-to-Suit
Great news for downsizers! As I was showing homes the other day I noticed that builders are now offering build-to-suit opportunities on infill lots. For many years now, downsizers who wanted new ramblers have found they have to travel far from Seattle to find them. All of the infill construction close-in has been multi-level homes because builders needed to build larger houses so they could pay competitive... [Read more]
Premier Edmonds View Condo
This listing is in Point Edwards, a waterfront destination development located just south and west of downtown Edmonds. Point Edwards offers luxury waterfront living in an upscale small town, with a very easy commute to downtown Seattle on the Sounder commuter rail. This 1522 sf unit is in building 55 with a commanding view of the sound and city. Although Point Edwards is a few minutes’ walk... [Read more]
Happy New Year
Welcome to 2012! Our real Seattle estate market ended 2011 on up note, with increased pending sales figures, and it seems 2012 will pick up where it left off. Interest rates remain below 4% and the post-holiday listing inventory is already starting to increase. Are you resolved to get back into real estate in 2012? Afordablilty continues to rank high, and in some areas condo payments are below rent.... [Read more]
Luxury Rambler Downsize in Broadview
Bawk! Broadview is a popular neighborhood to downsize in. It is a “destination neighborhood” with many homes having Puget Sound views and elbow room that comes from lots that are a larger than older parts of town. Broadview is a very easy drive or bus ride to close by Greenwood, Phinney Ridge or Ballard for dining or shopping. This Rambler has been extensively updated in modern style... [Read more]
Affordable North Seattle Rambler
Condo alternative! This delightful 2br rambler with recent price reduction to $199,900 inpressed me as a nice house to live in at a very affordable price. Clean, updated but cozy interior with hickory hardwoods, oak kitchen, and separate dining room. Converted garage/3rd bedroom could be converted back to garage. Nice yard w/ shed is great for gardening or entertaining. Good commute via I-5 or... [Read more]
Lock and Leave?
Do you have a mobile lifestyle? Travel frequently, or live in two or more locations? Many downsizers do, and are faced with the challenge of making their home secure when they are gone. An obvious solution is a condo, especially one with inside hallways. The main entry door and its security system provides a big first layer of protection from the outside world. You’re not a condo person you say?... [Read more]
Housing Affordability at Record Highs, According to Report from WSU
Homes in Washington state are at record high affordability, thanks to the combination of lower prices and record-low mortgage interest rates. A report on the Housing Affordability Index (HAI) for third quarter 2011 showed a statewide index of 160.7, which means a median income family had 60.7 percent more income than the minimum needed to qualify to purchase a $225,300 home (the estimated median-price). Comparing... [Read more]
NAR Reveals New 5-Point Plan for Housing Recovery
I was encouraged to see this. This is the time of year when us Realtors pay our annual bill for our association. It’s not cheap, but its comforting to know that we are getting our money’s worth. The fact is that the housing industry is such an important part of our economy, and that finding ways to facilitate its recovery can leverage huge economic growth for the entire country. Following... [Read more]
Baby Boomers Empowering Homeownership via Gifts, Loans
Baby boomers are part of a growing trend of assisting children or grandchildren become home buyers, according to a new national survey. The research shows one in five baby boomers has already gifted, loaned or co-signed a loan to support their children or grandchildren in purchasing a home, and more than two-thirds of baby boomers want to provide this type of support in the future. “With historically... [Read more]
Less stuff, less room, more life?
TED video by Graham Hill Writer and designer Graham Hill asks: Can having less stuff, in less room, lead to more happiness? He makes the case for taking up less space, and lays out three rules for editing your life. Read More →
