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Still think you can’t afford a home in Seattle?  Here are 9 great homes in the 98117 (Ballard) area that are currently listed for under $300,000.   Keep in mind that many of these have been on the market for a while and the seller’s would most likely be willing to consider an offer below the asking price. 

Give me a call to set up a tour of homes or if you would like me to do a search in any area

for homes that might meet your needs. 

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Rob Graham, Accredited Buyers Representative

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

Wedgwood, Meadowbrook, Bryant, Ravenna, View Ridge, Maple Leaf?   What’s the difference?

You’ve heard the old expression, if you don’t like the weather wait ten minutes, it will change.  Well a similar sentiment holds true for Seattle Real Estate.  If you don’t like what you see, travel ten blocks in any direction and it will change.  Seattle is a myriad of little neighborhoods, each with its own feel and style.  Housing prices reflect the unique culture and diversity of a specific neighborhood.  Prices and style can change dramatically in just a few short blocks.

To illustrate my point I have dissected the inventory in North East Seattle.  This happens to be where my office is located and one of the most misunderstood areas of Seattle.  Often I tell people my office in in Wedgwood, at they stare back with a blank expression.   I usually need to tell them I am just north of U. Village before the light bulb goes on.

There are many distinct neighborhoods in NE Seattle.  Each has its own charm and therefore it’s own price point.  Here are the details on homes sold in some selected neighborhoods to illustrate my point.

Pretty Amazing.  A difference of nearly $290,000 in value and more then two months in the amount of time to sell a home between neighborhoods that are all literally within walking distance of each other.

The moral of the story is if you have your heart set on a specific neighborhood, be a little open to the surrounding neighborhoods as well.  It can make a dramatic difference in what you pay for your home.

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.  I’d love to be your buyer’s agent.

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Rob Graham, Accredited Buyers Representative

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Inventory is a measure of how many homes are for sale compared to how fast homes are selling.  15 weeks of inventory would suggest that if no new homes came on the market, it would take 15 weeks for buyers to buy up all the existing homes on the market at the current pace. 

The lower the inventory the better it is for sellers.  Less inventory means fewer homes on the market and quicker selling time.  Higher inventory numbers favor buyers.  More inventory and slower sales times. 

So what Seattle neighborhoods are selling the fastest? Slowest?

Here you go.

A quick guide:

0 – 12 months of inventory = Seller’s Market

12 – 24 months of inventory = Balanced market (no real advantage for buyer’s or sellers)

24+ months of inventory = Buyer’s Market

Average over the past 7 weeks

No neighborhoods are in the sellers market range yet.  That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, but there are a few getting very close.  The north end of Seattle typically sees shorter market times then the rest of the city.   I am a little surprised at the inventory in Magnolia and Queen Anne.  I would suggest that this is a function of the higher price points in those neighborhoods.  As a general rule the more expensive the homes, the longer time on market you are likely to see. 

In the current market there is a lot of bottom feeding.  Often times a recovery in the housing market will begin with people coming off the sidelines to buy up the cheapest inventory available.  That is what we have been seeing over the past month or so.   Lots of bargain shopping.

Let me know if you want to do some bargain shopping.  I am always looking for new clients.

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Rob Graham, Accredited Buyer’s Representative

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

When I first moved to Seattle I lived in Admiral.  I loved it there.  After three years a job change forced me further north to the Magnolia area, but I still have fond memories of W. Seattle. 

Wether it, was coffee and a bagel at Zats, goofing off on Alki, or playing fetch with my dog at the park while watching the ferries go by, W.Seattle was and is a great place to live and if you have been looking for a home, especially a first home, W. Seattle has no doubt shown up on your search.

There are few neighborhoods in Seattle that are more misunderstood however.  Many people I speak to fall into three categories.

• I love W. Seattle
• I hate W. Seattle
• Where?

W. Seattle has a neighborhood for everyone.  There are no fewer then 22 neighborhoods listed on the multiple listing service for W. Seattle alone. (and Luna Park isn’t one of them!)

With all the confusion I thought I would crunch some numbers and show you the difference between the varying areas.  The following numbers represent all single family homes sold over the past six months in W. Seattle, where the listing agent was kind enough to specify a neighborhood.

Ok, a couple of random thoughts.  First of all do we really need separate designations for Westwood and Westwood Village?  Secondly, if not a single home was designated as Marine View and Pigeon Point, do we really need to list them as separate neighborhoods.  But that is ne1ther here nor there.

As you can see, there is wild variation from neighborhood to neighborhood.   Between, 48 days on average to sell a home and 150.  A high average price of $611,000 and a low of $254,750.  Obviously W. Seattle is a diverse place.   What neighborhood might work for you?  That requires a little more research.  My only point in all this is to convince you not to rule out good old W. Seattle.  There is a price range and a neighborhood for almost anyone. 

Give me a call if you need help.

Rob Graham, Accredited Buyers Representative

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Yesterday I posted average single family home prices for homes that have sold in the past six months.   Today I thought I would show you what condo prices are doing in the same neighborhoods.

The chart shows median condo prices over the past six months in a given zip code.

Keep in mind that all condos do not qualify for FHA financing and may require a spot approval.  FHA represents the most popular kind of financing at the moment given they only require a 3.5% down payment. 

Give me a call if you want to know if a specific condo complex qualifies for FHA financing.  If you currently live in a condo, you may want to have a discussion with your homeowner’s association about applying for FHA approval.  It will make it much easier for potential buyers to purchase in your complex in the future.

Related Topic:

Seattle Average Home Prices by Neighborhood

Give me a call if you need help.

Rob Graham, Accredited Buyers Representative

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

Popularity: 2% [?]