Issaquah - 2425 NE Davis Loop - $940,000
Stunning William Buchan home with sweeping westerly views of Seattle, Bellevue, Lake Sammamish and the Olympics! Fabulous floorplan with 3 levels of living space featuring 5 bedrooms, den, bonus room and 4.5 baths. Grand two story entry with wrought iron spindle staircase. Formal living room with soaring ceiling and fireplace. Spacious dining room with view. Chef's kitchen with slab granite counters, center island with eating bar, stainless appliances, planning desk and eating nook. Family room with fireplace and panoramic view. Main floor den. Luxurious master suite with sitting area and expansive western facing windows. Large deck with panoramic views - the perfect spot for relaxing, entertaining or enjoying sunsets, 4th of July fireworks and the ever changing Seattle weather! Former model home with signature Buchan details throughout including crown molding, wainscoting and wood wrapped windows. Lots of extras including 2 furnaces, security system, sprinkler system, fully fenced backyard and lots of storage! For more information, contact Matt Jensen at 206-909-8200.
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Issaquah Highlands Real Estate for Sale
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sammamish Homes for Sale
3023 235th Avenue SE, Sammamish - $598,000
This beautiful Murray Franklyn home has been enhanced with a new roof, new skylights & fresh paint to make it one of the best values on the plateau! This popular floor plan w/it’s highly desired vaulted ceilings offers plenty of living space for entertaining & relaxing. You must come inside to truly appreciate all this home has to offer. Also enjoy a large, sunny, private backyard. Ideally located on a quiet cul de sac where pride of ownership is very apparent in this lovely neighborhood.
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
North Bend Homes for Sale
North Bend - 12708 440th Place SE - $999,950.00
Pristine North Bend location with two homes on this 2.2 Acre property. These two homes are surrounded by natural beauty & tons of privacy, along with views of Mt Si and river access. Inside you'll find a host of amenities and features. Office with extra Ethernet connections, media room with French doors and interior insulation. The open & airy kitchen, dining and living room have granite countertops and surround for gas fire place. The main floor master suite has a jetted tub that constantly reheats the water and a large walk-in closet. All bedrooms upstairs have ample closet space and extra lighted storage areas in cubby holes of dormers. Guest bedroom/Jr. Master upstairs also has it’s own bathroom. Large skylights and lots of windows allow plenty of light throughout the home. Outside you'll find a large Trex decking on both the front and back and you'll find two sheds, storage over garage, wired for generator and a total of 6 garage bays. A must see! FREE 1 Yr Home Warranty included. For more information contact Doug Young at 425-533-7028 or Cary Porter at 425-891-7447.
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 percent
By J.W. ELPHINSTONE, AP Real Estate Writer J.w. Elphinstone, Ap Real Estate Writer – Thu Jul 29, 10:39 am ET
NEW YORK – Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level on record for the fifth time in six weeks, making homebuying and refinancing the most attractive in decades for those who can get loans.
The average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.54 percent, down from 4.56 last week, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.
The last time rates were lower was during the 1950s, when most mortgages lasted just 20 or 25 years.
The rate on the 15-year fixed loan dropped to 4 percent, down from 4.03 percent last week and the lowest on record.
Rates have fallen since the spring. Yields on U.S. Treasury bonds have dropped as jittery investors seek safer investments. Mortgage rates tend to track the yields on Treasurys.
Low rates helped spark a little activity in the weak housing market. Applications to purchase homes rose 2 percent last week from the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday. Still, the housing market has been struggling and overall applications for loans were down last week as fewer people applied to refinance.
High unemployment, slow job growth and tight credit have made it difficult for many to purchase homes. The housing industry received a boost this spring when the government offered homebuying tax credits, but since those expired in April housing activity has fizzled.
Sales of previously occupied homes fell 5.1 percent in June. New home sales jumped last month, but it was the second-weakest month on record and it came after sales tumbled in May.
Refinance activity has increased over the last month as homeowners seek more affordable monthly payments. But many don't qualify for a loan or don't have the cash to pay for closing costs. And rates have been low for so long that many have already refinanced.
To calculate the national average, Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country. Rates often fluctuate significantly, even within a given day.
Rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.76 percent, down from 3.79 percent a week earlier. Rates on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to an average of 3.64 percent from 3.70 percent.
The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 a point for all loans.
Win $1,000 from The Cascade Team Mascot Search contest!
Win $1,000 from The Cascade Team Real Estate
The Cascade Team is offering $1,000 for the winning entry in our “Mascot Mania Search”
We’re looking for a company mascot and you can help! Send suggestions to info@thecascadeteam.com and put the word Mascot in the subject line. We need to know:
1) What mascot you suggest for the company.
2) Why you think that mascot fits.
3) How you suggest marketing our new mascot.
4) The back story behind the mascot you suggest.
The winning entry will be selected on Sept 1st, 2010. All entries are accepted, only one will win. You do not have to be a member of The Cascade Team Real Estate to enter this contest. Open to all legal US Citizens.
For more details call 425-396-4569
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Issaquah Real Estate
Sammamish - 2141 272nd Way SE - $699,000
Stunning Trossachs home nestled against a protected greenbelt and ideally located on a large lot at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac! Fabulous floorplan with 4 upstairs bedrooms, main floor den and huge upstairs bonus room. Dramatic entry with soaring ceiling. Sunken living room with vaulted ceiling, wainscoting, elegant fireplace and large window is bathed in natural light. Formal dining room with plenty of space to entertain in style! Butler's pantry with white cabinetry. Chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, granite counters, center island with eating bar and gas cooktop, walk-in pantry and planning desk. Large eating nook with wall of windows. Family room with cozy fireplace, built-in cabinetry and shelving overlooks delightful backyard. King sized master suite and beautifully updated five piece master bath. High quality finish work throughout. Amazing backyard with large deck, fire pit and horseshoe pit has plenty of room to relax, entertain, garden and play. Surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Cascade foothills, the Trossachs community is conveniently located on the southern end of the Sammamish plateau. With top rated schools and neighborhood parks, playfields and walking trails, Trossachs truly is "Northwest Living at its Finest!" For more information, contact Matt Jensen at 206-909-8200.
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
Snoqualmie Ridge Real Estate
35218 SE Kinsey Street Snoqualmie - $354,950
Beautiful 2 story, 3 bedroom,2 ½ bath craftsman home with stone pillars, ready for move in. Original owners have created a special oasis , through their interior touches, and extensive landscape design that welcomes you, and invites you to enjoy being “ at home” inside and out. The back yard has an outdoor living area with pergola, a vast selection of plants, a variety of patio spaces, a perfect area to install a hot tub and professionally installed lighting. Detailed design plans are available showing installation of drainage, preparation of base, and information on type of stones used. The front porch offers a peaceful place to relax amidst the lush landscaping with the Cascades in the distance. The garage is sheet rocked and cedar lined, with custom racking.The extended driveway provides extra parking. The main floor is a “ great room “ design . Large bright kitchen with full height cabinets, center island, pantry, and stainless appliances. Dining area has custom built- in seating. The lush landscaping outside creates pretty window pictures from the main floor living spaces. Upgraded fixtures. Tile countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. Wood blinds throughout. High tech “network center”. Wired for surround sound in living room and master bedroom, wired for extra lighting and spa tub. Exterior wiring for hot tub. Master Suite fits a king size bed, has a custom built-in media unit, large walk-in closet, and offers Mount Si views. The master bathroom suite has double vanities, and oversize walk-in shower with two seats. This charming home is nestled in on a quiet, tree- lined street, close to Snoqualmie Ridge Center Village , with shopping, restaurants, businesses, library,community park, elementary school, bus stop, and Microsoft Connector.
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
Mortgage brokers to be fingerprinted and registered
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Mortgage loan originators will have to be fingerprinted and sign up to a central registry to do business in future, according to final rules issued on Wednesday by the Federal Reserve and other regulators.
The rules are part of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, also called the S.A.F.E. Act.
They were issued by the Fed, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Office of Thrift Supervision, Farm Credit Administration and National Credit Union Administration.
Mortgage brokers came under tough scrutiny in the wake of the 2007-09 financial crisis, with some lawmakers and regulators sharply critical of underwriting standards and practices that were seen as so loose they helped foster a housing price bubble.
The S.A.F.E. Act specifies that mortgage brokers who are employees of agency-regulated institutions must register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry,
"As part of this registration process, residential mortgage loan originators must furnish to the registry information and fingerprints for background checks," a joint release from regulators said.
The final rules take effect on October 1 and it is anticipated that the registry could start accepting registrations as early as January 28, 2011.
Industry sources say that thousands of brokers have gone through mandatory education, credit checks and state and federal testing in order to retain the right to handle mortgage originations.
The process has thinned the ranks of brokers, who may be even fewer soon given talk of a 30 percent fail rate on testing, said Bob Moulton, president of Americana Mortgage Group in Manhasset, New York.
"It cleaned up the industry," said Moulton, who nonetheless cautioned that he felt credit availability for mortgage lending has been reduced as a result of uncertainty caused by U.S. financial regulatory reform.
Rise of the renting class
By Nin-Hai Tseng, reporterJuly 28, 2010: 9:33 AM ET
Click the picture to see area rentals:
FORTUNE -- Modern America has long paired the "American Dream" with home ownership. The idea of staying put, paying property taxes and periodically mowing the lawn belonged to citizens who were somehow more American than the poor saps who could only afford to rent the place they called home.
The notion isn't accidental. Ownership and the American Dream are deeply linked in government policies that favor mortgages over rent payments, dating back before Herbert Hoover was elected president in 1929. As secretary of commerce, amid the Red Scare, Hoover trumpeted homeownership, believing that if one had an equity stake in the country, they'd less likely fall under the spell of Communism. What followed during the Great Depression were a spate of federal measures to help troubled homeowners, at a time when half of all mortgages were in default.
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diggEmail Print CommentMassive government programs supporting ownership still exist today, but record home foreclosures and spiraling prices have forced a redefinition of the American Dream -- one that includes renting.
In today's weak housing market, ownership has ceased to be an investment vehicle that millions used to trade up into the houses of their dreams in the boom years. And it's not an ATM machine for constant refinancing, either. Instead, for the past four years, ownership has been a culprit of distress. In June, one in every 411 housing units received a foreclosure filing, according to RealtyTrac Inc. Between 2006 and 2009, home prices fell more than 32%, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Renting on the rise
With homeowner markets stressed, it appears renting has become more appealing than owning. Between 2004 and 2009, the number of renter households rose nearly 10% or by 3.4 million, according to a 2010 study of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The rise was most dramatic in the Midwest, where growth of renter households swung upwards by 15.4% between 2004 to 2009. The South added the biggest number of renter households with a 1.2 million increase from 2004 to 2009, the study states.
All that has made Capitol Hill rethink its definition of the American Dream. As recently as the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, the mantra of homeownership was almost synonymous to civic duty, but top policymakers now say that homeownership isn't necessarily good for everyone.
In May, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan testified before a House committee that the financial crisis proved the need for a better balance between ownership and rental housing. And HUD senior official Raphael Bostic last week told the Washington Post: "In previous eras, we haven't seen people question whether homeownership was the right decision. It was just assumed that's where you want to go," Bostic said. "You're not going to hear us say that."
Owning a home wasn't always as easy as the liar loans of 2000's made it. When the economy went bust during the Great Depression, legislation intended to stimulate plummeting housing starts and defaulting mortgages laid the foundation for a bigger role of government over the housing market. Hoover signed the Federal Home Loan Act, and in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Home Owners' Loan Corporation to provide low interest loans.
And the government was just getting started: a flurry of legislation was passed over the ensuing decades, helping veterans, minorities and the populace as a whole secure mortgages. But it appears the pendulum has swung.
"The government shouldn't blindly encourage homeownership," says Joe Gyourko, real estate finance professor at University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. "If the government does anything the government should encourage people to make the right decision."
Gyourko says that he's not entirely against the idea of homeownership. After all, as a father of two, the 53-year-old professor owns a home. But he stresses that ownership should be looked at more broadly -- beyond any kind of long-term investment or cost benefit over renting.
Owners don't pay the landlord, but they pay taxes and maintenance costs on their house, and Gyourko says those costs can end up being roughly the same.
As far as buying a house as a smart long-term investment, Gyourko says that's not always true. He says between 1975 and 2008, the price for houses of similar quality and size appreciated an average of about 1% per year after inflation. Investors could have earned more by buying Treasury bills.
The post-crisis role the federal government decides to play in the housing market remains to be seen. In response to plunging home prices and record foreclosures rates, the Obama administration is pursuing an overhaul of policies that could put much less focus on homeownership. The administration could also scale down government support of home loans and put more focus on affordable rentals, but it isn't clear what direction officials will take.
The issues with Fannie Mae (FNM, Fortune 500) and Freddie Mac (FRE, Fortune 500), the mortgage-finance giants seized by the government in September 2008 amid huge problems with bad loans, remain a touchy topic with lawmakers.Their combined bailout, according to some estimates, could reach $1 trillion -- a figure some might pin as the ultimate cost of generations of policies geared to favor home ownership.
Many blame the agencies' loose lending practices for contributing to the financial crisis. Republicans wanted the mortgage giants' fates to be addressed in the recently approved Dodd-Frank bill overhauling the nation's financial regulations, but that didn't happen.
However lawmakers define the government's role in the housing market, consumers have already begun redefining the American Dream: One where it has become socially OK to mail in a rent check rather than a mortgage coupon.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Foreclosure Hurts Values More Than Bankruptcy
Foreclosure reduces the value of a home by 27 percent on average, according to a new study from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Other kinds of forced sales have less dramatic impacts, the study found.
An estate sale after an owner’s death reduces the price of the home by only 5 percent to 7 percent. A bankruptcy filing cuts the value by an average 3 percent.
Foreclosure discounts are especially large in neighborhoods that are low-priced already, researchers point out, apparently because of concerns over vandalism.
Search Washington State Foreclosures HERE:
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nick Timiraos (07/26/2010)
Don't let the "Smell" stop the Sale!
If the reason you're reading this article has something to do with the picture.... Got Ya!
Spicy cooking can taste great. Some of your favorite ingredients may be cayenne pepper, garlic, cumin or peppercorns, but others may not find these smells so appealing. People will try to associate the smells of you home with living there with their families. If spicy cooking isn't their thing, this may tell potential buyers that this isn't their house. This doesn't mean you should stop cooking your favorite foods, though. Keep your kitchen's exhaust fan on and keep the windows open to let the air circulate. Also, boiling lemon or orange peels will help neutralize the odors.
House odors are number one on the home selling uh-oh list. And narrowing it down, odors from cigarette smoke and pets take top billing, with food odors and mildew not far behind.
If you smoke indoors--the house smells like cigarettes. If you have pets, the house might smell bad--even if you don't notice it. Ask someone who doesn't live there to take a sniff, and don't get angry when they tell you the truth.
Here are a few other tips to have a clean smelling and fast selling home:
1. Take out the trash before showing. That simple.
2. Tell the children to keep stinky shoes in the garage.
3. Sprinkle baking powder on the carpet before vacuuming.
4. Vinegar - your new best friend. Use vinegar to clean floors, countertops, and bathrooms. (1/2 cup to one gallon of hot water.) A stronger vinegar mix dissolves hard-water scum on shower tile and glass enclosures.
5. Add essential oil drops to final rinse for floors.
6. Use essential oils in a diffuser instead of artificial sprays that some home shoppers may find offensive; they may think you're trying to mask a bigger problem like mildew, or even worse, they may be allergic to the artificial product and think your house makes them teary-eyed and sneezy.
7. Keep up with the laundry. Wash sneakers with a half-cup of added vinegar.
8. Wash all bed linens, even blankets, which hold odors. Use non-allergic scented fabric softener.
9. Check window coverings for musty smells.
10. Run a grapefruit or orange skin through your garbage disposal for a refreshing clean smell a few minutes before showing.
Spicy cooking can taste great. Some of your favorite ingredients may be cayenne pepper, garlic, cumin or peppercorns, but others may not find these smells so appealing. People will try to associate the smells of you home with living there with their families. If spicy cooking isn't their thing, this may tell potential buyers that this isn't their house. This doesn't mean you should stop cooking your favorite foods, though. Keep your kitchen's exhaust fan on and keep the windows open to let the air circulate. Also, boiling lemon or orange peels will help neutralize the odors.
House odors are number one on the home selling uh-oh list. And narrowing it down, odors from cigarette smoke and pets take top billing, with food odors and mildew not far behind.
If you smoke indoors--the house smells like cigarettes. If you have pets, the house might smell bad--even if you don't notice it. Ask someone who doesn't live there to take a sniff, and don't get angry when they tell you the truth.
Here are a few other tips to have a clean smelling and fast selling home:
1. Take out the trash before showing. That simple.
2. Tell the children to keep stinky shoes in the garage.
3. Sprinkle baking powder on the carpet before vacuuming.
4. Vinegar - your new best friend. Use vinegar to clean floors, countertops, and bathrooms. (1/2 cup to one gallon of hot water.) A stronger vinegar mix dissolves hard-water scum on shower tile and glass enclosures.
5. Add essential oil drops to final rinse for floors.
6. Use essential oils in a diffuser instead of artificial sprays that some home shoppers may find offensive; they may think you're trying to mask a bigger problem like mildew, or even worse, they may be allergic to the artificial product and think your house makes them teary-eyed and sneezy.
7. Keep up with the laundry. Wash sneakers with a half-cup of added vinegar.
8. Wash all bed linens, even blankets, which hold odors. Use non-allergic scented fabric softener.
9. Check window coverings for musty smells.
10. Run a grapefruit or orange skin through your garbage disposal for a refreshing clean smell a few minutes before showing.
Seattle in top 10 Best Cities for Working Women With Kids
ForbesWoman calculated the best cities for working females raising children. To pick the 10 best, it factored in crime rates, quality of the schools, availability of good healthcare, employment opportunities with high earning potential, and a budget-friendly cost of living.
Here are their picks:
1) Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
2) Washington, D.C.
3) Boston, Mass.
4) Pittsburgh, Pa.
5) Baltimore-Towson, Md.
6) Denver, Colo.
7) Hartford, Conn.
8) New York
9) Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
10)Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Source: ForbesWoman, Meghan Casserly (07/26/2010)
Seattle up 1% March to April. Down 2.8% YOY.
Up 1.0% March to April.
Down 2.8% YOY.
Down 24.5% from the July 2007 peak
Thanks to the finally expiring tax credit, The Seattle area saw a month over month price increase of 1% from March to April. While looking at the same time fram last year the area is down another 2.8% the downward trend seems to be at least slowing. Adjusting from the market highs of 2007 the Seattle area has dropped almost 25%
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are published on the last Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am ET. They are constructed to accurately track the price path of typical single-family homes located in each metropolitan area provided. Each index combines matched price pairs for thousands of individual houses from the available universe of arms-length sales data. The S&P/Case-Shiller National U.S. Home Price Index tracks the value of single-family housing within the United States. The index is a composite of single-family home price indices for the nine U.S. Census divisions and is calculated quarterly. The S&P/Case-Shiller Composite of 10 Home Price Index is a value-weighted average of the 10 original metro area indices. The S&P/Case-Shiller Composite of 20 Home Price Index is a value-weighted average of the 20 metro area indices. The indices have a base value of 100 in January 2000; thus, for example, a current index value of 150 translates to a 50% appreciation rate since January 2000 for a typical home located within the subject market.
Monday, July 26, 2010
New home sales rebound 24%
By Hibah Yousuf, staff reporterJuly 26, 2010: 3:08 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- New home sales rebounded in June from the record low hit the previous month but remained sluggish.
New home sales increased 23.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 330,000 last month, up from an downwardly revised 267,000 in May, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Sales year-over-year fell 16.7%.
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diggEmail Print CommentThe June sales pace is the second slowest ever on record since the Commerce Department began tracking the data in 1963.
But it was slightly better than the annual rate of 310,000 economists were expecting, according to a consensus survey by Briefing.com.
"While the increased rate was positive, it's a bit of a head fake based on the decline we had with May's lower revision," said Anika Khan, Wells Fargo economist. "And if we look at other indicators, like mortgage application volumes and builder sentiment, we can see that the housing market remains very weak.
Home sales had surged in March and April as homebuyers scrambled to sign contracts ahead of the April 30 deadline for the tax credit. But sales plummeted 40% in May, the first month after the incentive expired.
Khan said the end of the tax credit will likely trigger a couple more months of "payback," but then the housing recovery will pick up, though at a snail's pace.
"We're coming from extremely depressed levels, so it will probably be another two years before we get to a point where we see anything even vaguely close to a normalized rate," she said.
Khan added that the factors that will continue to stall the recovery are added tight lending practices, rising foreclosure and delinquency rates, and a sluggish labor market.
Price and inventory: The government report showed that the median price of new homes sold in June was $213,400, down 1.4% from May and a 0.6% drop from June 2009.
An estimated 210,000 new homes were for sale at the end of June, the lowest inventory level in nearly 42 years.
At the current sales pace, the government expects it will take 7.6 months to sell through that inventory, down from 9.6 months in May. Six months of inventory is considered normal market conditions.
Sales by region: Sales rose the most in the Northwest, where they surged by more than 46%; the South saw sales climb by about a third, while sales in the Midwest increased 21%.
Sales in the West, the only region to suffer a decline during the month, edged down almost 7%.
Issaquah Homes for Sale (Klahanie)
3738 257th Ave SE #2-4 Issaquah - $323,888
Beautiful Upgraded & Updated Rare-to-find Corner Townhome (only 1 shared side). Backs to peaceful Greenbelt! Gorgeous Granite kitchen countertops w/ extended eating bar, Granite upstairs Master & 2nd BR countertops, newer Large tiled kitchen/upstairs baths. Newer kitchen sink, faucet, cabinets w/ Lazy Susans. Master w/ sitting area, soaking tub, walk-in. Two Huge Extra Storage Rooms garage! Vaulted & Cathedral ceilings in LR & Master Suite. BONUS ROOM & More! Amazing Home a must see!
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All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change |
Has the Real Estate Market Stabilized?
Click the Market Snapshot icon below to find out for yourself!
• Not a guess or “Zestimate”
• Actual Sold Prices
• Actual Closed Properties
• Current Active Listings
• Days on Market
• Any Property You're Interested In
• Any Area in Washington
• School & Community info
• Easy to read
• Weekly or Monthly Updates
• Absolutely FREE!
With Market Snapshot from The Cascade Team you can see exactly what the Agents see:
Comparable homes in your neighborhood or any neighborhood you choose, side by side comps showing Sqft Size, Bed, Bath, Days on Market, Price and Sold Homes to Active Listings. You can even compare the final “Sold” price to the “Asking Price”. And it’s all Free!
• Not a guess or “Zestimate”
• Actual Sold Prices
• Actual Closed Properties
• Current Active Listings
• Days on Market
• Any Property You're Interested In
• Any Area in Washington
• School & Community info
• Easy to read
• Weekly or Monthly Updates
• Absolutely FREE!
With Market Snapshot from The Cascade Team you can see exactly what the Agents see:
Comparable homes in your neighborhood or any neighborhood you choose, side by side comps showing Sqft Size, Bed, Bath, Days on Market, Price and Sold Homes to Active Listings. You can even compare the final “Sold” price to the “Asking Price”. And it’s all Free!
School/Community Reports from The Cascade Team
With school right around the corner again, we hope you enjoy the new School/Community Reports from The Cascade Team. Simply click one of the pictures in this article and then select "View Reports" to choose your area.
Now you can compare Schools and different Communities and towns side by side just like you do homes in a Market Analysis! Simply click on the Community Reports icon below or go to http://www.thecascadeteam.com/tools.html
Then just enter the zip codes you want to compare, set the default distance (2 to 10 miles) and select Schools or Community info. You can find Student Teacher ratio, compare public and private schools, and more. Works for all 50 States! Under Community info view nearby amenities such as shopping, grocery, arts and entertainment, population and median income!
Feel free to call with any questions: (800) 509-6905
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Green energy is blowing in the wind
Popularity of wind turbines for homes is increasing due to the turn toward green energy. While wind turbines for homes may not produce enough energy to completely free the consumer from a power company, it is enough in most cases to reduce your energy bill.
Price of Wind Turbines
The cost of wind turbines for homes depends on how much energy you will get from wind power. Wind turbines for homes can range from $3000 to $22,000. Most usually cost about $10,000.
Cost Effectiveness
The cost of wind turbines is affected by the amount of wind that you get in your area. Once you determine that you get enough wind you know what size wind turbine you will need. The energy efficiency of your home’s doors, windows, and appliances are key factors in the savings you will see when using a wind turbine.
Your Location is a Factor
The type of area you live in determines the use and cost of wind turbines. Wind turbines are not recommended in heavily populated areas since there is not enough space for wind. If, you decide to use a wind turbine it will be expensive and your output will be small. The energy generated will be enough to reduce your energy bill but it will not have the needed wind for complete energy production.
In rural flat areas, wind turbines can use a less expensive turbine. Again, the wind turbine will not produce the amount of energy need to free you from a power company.
Total energy self-sufficiency requires you to have more than one wind turbine thus you will have an increase in cost. Wind turbines that produce all of their own power are placed on towers to harness the most wind power. A battery backup system is necessary to store the excess wind energy.
Overall Savings
The costs of installing wind turbines for homes have savings that are attached to them. Tax credits are given for installing wind turbines for homes. You may be able to completely write-off the cost or receive a tax break, or you may be offered a renewable $3,000 tax credit. State rebates or incentives for wind power are also available. Also, installing a wind turbine is considered a home improvement adding to the value of your home.
Recouping your starting cost for the wind turbine is accomplished in about three years when you estimate the rebates, tax credits, and energy output. You certainly will see a savings in your yearly energy bills.
Residential Wind-Energy Benefits
Feel good about helping protect the environment by producing your own clean energy - The fossil fuels that are most commonly used to generate electricity produce toxic emissions that pollute our environment and cause global warming. These sources are rapidly being depleted and will become increasingly expensive. Wind-Solar power is a truly clean and renewable energy source.
Feel good about contributing to your own and national energy independence - Producing and owning your own power empowers you personally and reduces our country’s dependence on foreign fuel sources.
Reduce your electric bills - By going Wind you can greatly reduce or completely eliminate your electric bills. You own your home; with Wind-Solar power you can also own your power!
Protect against future utility rate increases - In the Puget Sound area, utility rates have increased an average of 13% annually for the last five years. With power generation resources diminishing and demand rising, utility rates in many areas could triple over the next ten years!
Increase the value of your home by purchasing a Wind-system - According to an Appraisal Journal Article, a home’s value increases $20,000 for every $1000 reduction in annual energy costs.
Watch your meter spin backwards - Any excess power that your Wind-system generates can be sold back to the utility company via net metering.
Let the government help pay for your system - Attractive financial incentives from the state and federal governments greatly reduce the cost of your wind system. You won’t have to pay state sales tax on your wind system.
More Green Tips Here
Bellevue Real Estate for Sale
Bellevue - 1231 144th Ave NE - $399,000.00
This is a beautifully remodeled mid-century modern daylight rambler in Bellevue! You'll love the gorgeous GREAT ROOM with loads of natural light, hardwood floors, and vaulted ceiling. Fabulous NEW KITCHEN has new cabinets, butcher-block countertops, and stainless appliances. Both bathrooms have been FULLY REMODELED. Enjoy sweeping views from the 900 SQUARE FOOT DECK! There is a wet bar in the rec room! New carpet and fresh paint complete the picture this move-in ready home in a great location. A MUST SEE! One-year warranty included! For more information contact Corey Kahler at 206-910-4654 or Erika Kahler at 425-985-4192.
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