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Bellevue's Botanical Garden is Just Beautiful This Time of Year
It’s funny how we can take local places for granted. We always think something is so close by, it’s easy to go anytime. But sometimes time gets the best of us.
I hadn’t been to The Bellevue Botanical Garden for several years. Over the 4th of July, I had a friend visiting from Connecticut, so off we went to the Garden. It was the perfect time to stop by to enjoy the flowers. So many of the flowers are in bloom right now.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Hydrangeas in Bellevue Botanical Garden
A quiet spot in The Bellevue Botanical Garden
Most people don’t think about taking a break and finding a quiet spot in the garden, but this man was enjoying the peace and quiet.
Check the Bellevue Botanical Garden out this summer. It’s a beautiful place.
Which Homes are Selling on Seattle's Eastside?
Seattle-eastside Real Estate Sales 2010-1st quarter
The eastside sales here include South Bellevue and Issaquah all the way up to the Snohomish County line and from Lake Washington out to North Bend, Duvall, and Carnation.
If you look at the real estate statistics above:
Almost half of these Seattle-eastside real estate sales were below $500,000.
Over 80% of the eastside home sales were below $750,000.
Twenty-seven home sales were below $250,000.
Thirty-six home sales out of the 1119 were priced above $1,500,000.
Only 2% of the sales were above $2,000,000. Out of 1119 home sales, only 18 were priced above this $2,000,000 mark.
24% of eastside sales were short sales or bank owned properties, contrary to what many think. Most of the homes were sold by the actual home owner.
The sweet spot in Seattle-eastside real estate is between $250-500,000, with many of the homes priced between $350-500,000. Pre-2008, the sweet spot was the $500-750,000 price point.
Congratulations to Seattle-Eastside Top Schools in the Nation
Seattle-eastside schools are some of the tops in the nation. US News recently published its top high schools in the nation and many eastside schools made the list. US News rated Bellevue’s International School as no. 10 in the country while highlighting Skyline in Sammamish, Woodinville High, Redmond High and others. The International Community School in Kirkland was no.29 on the US News list.
This week, it’s all 5 Bellevue high schools in the top 100 Newsweek list. Interlake took the highest spot of the 5 at no. 13. The Seattle Times had an article with information as to how the list is compiled.
Bellevue, Washington-Interlake High School
Congratulations to all these great Seattle-eastside schools.
Make More Money Selling Your Home, Part 6, Replace Your Carpet
Mr and Mrs. Home Seller ask: “Why don’t we let the buyers pick out the new carpet? We don’t know what color they may want.”
New carpeting Creates a Fresh, Clean Look
This is one of the most common sentiments I’ve heard over the years from home sellers. Sellers often think it’s best to leave the old carpet, offer a carpet allowance if needed, and let the buyer choose their own carpet.
Is this right? Do buyers want to choose their own carpet?
NO. Not in the Seattle-Eastside real estate market. Buyers DO NOT want to choose, pay or replace carpet when buying a new home. In this area, Seattle’s eastside cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and Issaquah, etc., buyers want to buy a home that’s move-in ready.
On Seattle’s eastside, the typical buyer is a very busy person(s) who may work a lot of hours. Most buyers aren’t looking to do structural or cosmetic updates to a home. They don’t have the time or the inclination. They want to move in and continue on with their lives with the least amount of disruption. They don’t want to be replacing carpet. Besides, there are lots of Seattle-eastside homes to choose from and many of the other homes have been updated and are ready to go.
Most home sellers don’t want to replace carpet either, but think about it. The buyers don’t have to replace your carpet because they don’t have to buy your home. They have other homes to buy. However, as the seller, you have only one home to sell and so you’ve got to do it. Remember, if you feel like you don’t want to replace the carpet, the buyer probably feels the same way. The catch is, they don’t have to do it, they can buy another home.
So if you want to get an offer to buy your home and make the most money while selling your home, replace your carpet if it’s worn, discolored, has stains, you name it. Make sure it looks fresh and clean, otherwise it will cost you money in the sales price for your home and it could even cost you getting a buyer.
Should you spend a lot for expensive carpet? Absolutely not. You should put in a good grade of carpet, but one that is similar to what builders install in new construction. Make sure you pick a neutral color and install a good 8 lb. pad underneath the rug. A thin pad with new carpet won’t work. It’s easy to tell that either the carpet or the pad are thin the minute you step on it. It feels like you’re on cement.
Looking for some other tips to get the most money when selling your home? Read Parts 1-5, planting some “green,” when to set the sales price, yard clean up, dressing up a front door, and replacing moldings and doors. Pick what your home needs to get it “dressed up” to sell in the competitive Seattle real estate market.
Top 5 "Smart" Reasons To Live in Bellevue, Washington
Downtown Bellevue
Bellevue, Washington is a “smart” city in more ways than one. Three articles from vastly different sources gave “smart” reasons to live in Bellevue. The Northwest Asian Weekly, highlighted many of the reasons the Asian community has flocked to the city of Bellevue in recent years.
US News and World Report announced its list of top schools in the nation today. Several Bellevue Schools made the list.
Lastly, an article in the NRDC, The National Resource Defense Council, Smarter Cities blog commended Bellevue for its use of hydro-power as part of Washington State’s “Shrink Your Carbon Footprint.”
Bellevue is a “smart” place to live because of:
- The quality of life
- Education
- Economic growth
- Prosperity
- A good balance with a strong business climate combined with “smarter” energy sources
The Northwest Asian Weekly had some great quotes, which sum up many of the most important reasons why Bellevue has become a “smart” place to live. The reasons it is a great place, a smart place, make Bellevue a great place to live for everyone.
The Quality of Life:
Bellevue’s prosperity has attracted Asians from other countries and from surrounding cities. The corporate job opportunities, low-crime rate, city facilities and services, high-ranking school district, low property taxes, and appreciating real estate values in Bellevue satisfy the criteria that many immigrants look for in finding a place that represents what they feel America has to offer, as well as a place where their children can thrive.
Education:
The higher influx of immigrants is also reflected in Bellevue’s school district where Asian languages are among the top 10 languages spoken among the student body. Immigrants valuing college education for their children cite the quality of the schools as one of the main reasons for moving to Bellevue. In 2009, five Bellevue high schools — International, Interlake, Newport, Sammamish, and Bellevue — were ranked in the top 100 public schools in the nation by Newsweek.
Today, US News and World Report published its list of the top schools in the country. Other high schools in King County made the list, but Bellevue had four schools honored:
- The International School: # 10 out of the top 100 Gold.
- Newport High: #72 out of 100 Gold.
- Bellevue High: #78 out of 100 Gold.
- Interlake High: Silver medal
The economic climate:
“Bellevue is now home to the headquarters of many small and large businesses, many of which are technology companies that started in the 1990s and are still growing with their global presence,” said Debadutta Dash, co-chair of Washington State India Trade Relations Action Committee.
“Perhaps nowhere else than in the Bellevue area could you find such a high concentration of individuals and businesses with international connections,” said HSBC Bank Vice President-Manager Victor Melnik.
Prosperity:
Based on per capita income, Bellevue is ranked as the 15th wealthiest of the 522 communities in Washington.
The NRDC blog Smarter Cities blog highlights Bellevue as a city which is part of the Washington State’s plan to shrink carbon emissions through hydro-power. Bellevue achieves its growth as a burgeoning economic center while balancing its carbon footprint. In addition, Bellevue has lots of green with 90 parks and many walking trails.
Why do you think Bellevue is a “smart” place to live?
