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Point Edwards
The last few days I have been working in Edmonds with some long-time clients. They are thinking that now may be the time to sell the big house and downsize. They will get less for their house than it was before, but they also realize there are some great deals on condos, and at great interest rates it makes sense to think about downsizing. Because they already live in Edmonds, moving downtown seems... [Read more]
Aging in Place
The idea of aging in place seems to be everywhere these days. We boomers like our trends, and aging is place is a popular one right now. Aging in place refers to staying in our homes as we age, instead of moving to a retirement home or complex, and later avoiding the assisted living and skilled nursing nightmares some of us have seen our parents go through. Partially due to the economic crisis which... [Read more]
Downtown Edmonds
Downtown Edmonds is one of those places that has attracted downsizers for years. Many only visit downtown Edmonds to use the ferry dock on their way to the Kitsap or Olympic Peninsulas. Those who stick around soon discover the waterfront with its marina, park and fine restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely meal and soak in the view. The Edmonds Waterfront Festival and the Edmonds Arts Festival... [Read more]
Downtown Bellevue….The Vue
Classy Waterfront Living at a Bargain Price! Recently I previewed The Vue, a conversion condo in the Meydenbauer Bay are of Downtown Bellevue. I really don’t know what’s not to like about this project. It’s located ON the bay, with many units having unobstructed views, AND its a block away from the shops on Main Street, and a couple more blocks from the downtown park and Bellevue... [Read more]
Jackson Place Co-Housing Visit
Co-housing is both a way of living and a kind of housing. Co-housing is preferred by people who prefer to be part of a community with a high degree of interaction, interdependence, and cooperation. For many, their co-housing community is like an extended family. In cohousing, all members are expected to work together in managing the community and maintaining the common areas. Participation in community... [Read more]
The Future: Big Picture
Glen Hiemstra is a futurist based out of Kirkland. Here is a video of an interview in which he talks about the future of Atlanta from a wide perspective. He could be talking about Seattle, or any other major American city. The formative factors are the environment, energy, technology and an aging population. Watch the video to see how he puts them all together. Applying what he said, Seattle seems... [Read more]
Escala Topped Out in Downtown Seattle, Marks End of Condo Boom
Today the final bucket of concrete was hoisted to the roof of the 31 floor Escala condo at 4th and Virginia. The Escala is the largest and most expensive condo tower in Seattle. Its topping out marks the end of the construction boom that has changed the Seattle skyline forever. About 1/3 of the 275 units are sold. The developer has never lowered the asking prices, and at one time raised them in an... [Read more]
Popular Conversion Tax Holiday has Ended
It used to be a tax loophole, now the loophole is closing. sometimes called a conversion, I am referring to the ability to avoid capital gains tax on an appreciated investment home or vacation property by converting it to a personal residence. Up until Congress started looking for sources of tax revenue to pay for last summer’s housing bill, you could buy an investment property, or 1031 exchange... [Read more]
Multi-Generational Living, it’s Becoming a Trend
A trend that is often cited by urban planners is the shrinking household size. There are less of us living in each home now for various reasons, therefore home size should shrink. This last year, average home square footage has inched downward for the first time. However, there is a counter-trend of household size increasing due to more generations living together. Grandparents moving in with their... [Read more]
Home Heating Cost Calculator.
With energy prices fluctuating all over the place lately, it’s hard to tell what fuel and type of equipment is most cost effective. I came across this Home Heating Cost Calculator, from Natural Resources Canada (where it gets colder than Seattle). I haven’t had time to work with it, but if anyone does, please post your results below in comments! Read More →
Thornton Place…..The New Northgate
Recently I visited Thornton Place, the huge new mixed-use development rising just south of Northgate Mall, in Seattle. It has huge promise as a major destination, combining Condos and Townhouses for sale, rental apartments, a huge IMAX theatre, shops, a retirement village, and the daylighted Thornton Creek weaving through it. See article. The condo units available now are selling very slowly, the $450/sf... [Read more]
AARP Livable Communities Awards
Admitting that you are maybe finally beginning to get “up there” is not easy. However, I find myself running into AARP more often these days in housing issues. So, the last time their membership offer came in the mail, I sent it in. It’s the best $12 I ever spent! I cold go on about all the benefits, but I won’t bore you. What is fascinating is what AARP has been doing lately... [Read more]
New Retirement Strategies for After the Crash
After the financial challenges our economy has had, we are all, working or retired, facing new challenges. If you are retired now, it can be more challenging with less resources. I read this article today at RIS Media about 4 possible solutions. 1. Revisit your budget, and see if other assets can be better utilized to generate income. 2. Get a reverse mortgage. Most people know about these, in which... [Read more]
Bothell Proceeding with Revitalization Despite Economy
The city of Bothell seems to be surviving the economic slowdown, and is proceeding with its downtown revitalization, including the relocation of two highways. Its strong technology employment base, along with the presence of the UW branch campus. Some projects are done now, and several others are planned. It will be an exciting place to live, and a good place to invest now. Times article. Bothell’s... [Read more]
San Miguel de Allende…Artist colony, to retirement mecca, to resort?
I remember hearing about San Miguel de Allende in Central Mexico as one of those best-kept-secret cool ex-pat places that very popular with artists and the tourists that like them. A big part of its popularity is because it is off the beaten path of resort development so common in other areas of Mexico. Here is a NYTimes article about it’s increasing popularity, and price, due to its new designation... [Read more]
