July 2nd, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
YEP, even real estate agents and mortgage professionals (blog writers too) deserve a vacation. Kathleen and I drove a great trip to Idaho and Utah and back to our beautiful Issaquah area. It seems the common complaint we received was about the weather we sent South and East. The mountains and valleys were green thanks to the Seattle Rain that missed us and has hit the warm belts of Utah and Idaho. Oh well, we hear you were glad to get a little of their sunny weather.
AND HOW ABOUT THOSE GOATS? WHAT GOATS? Two heards of goats are about to attack the overgrowth in Issaquah Highlands. Click here for more on the goats, come take a peak and a photo for us. Lar
PS: You won’t be allowed to get close to enough to get a photo like this one of cupcake seen on Flickr and by 2-Dog-Farm
And for those of you who like the farming and animal thing, don’t forget our network blog: Issaquah Grange Undressed.
June 25th, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
News from Getting Around Issaquah Together - Trash Walk for JUNE Sat. 27th
GAIT is a group that helps make Issaquah better.
| GAIT (gettingaroundissaquah@googlegroups.com) |
Hi folks,
Saturday is the last Saturday of June so that means it’s trash walk time!
I haven’t gotten any suggestions lately so unless someone has a better idea, let’s work on the walkways on either side of Newport Way this time. I don’t think they’re too awful so we should be able to cover some ground. Let’s start at the intersection with Front Street across from the pool and we’ll work our way north and west along both sides of the street.
So, meet at 9am across from the pool. I’ll have bags and some tools. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, and maybe some hand trimmers to fight back any encroaching blackberries. We’ll go until about 10 or when we run out of Newport (not very likely 
Hope to see you!
Jeff
GAIT: Getting Around Issaquah Together
http://gettingaroundissaquah.org/
p.s. Becky has been doing some fun stuff with our Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, look us up.
June 24th, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
Our fellow loan officer and soon to be REALTOR, Mark Clawson posts this interesting article on protecting the Salmon - a must read about Salmon for Issaquah folk. Click Here
June 19th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Issaquah Highlands has two garage sales a year. Bargains galore. I have seen some really good stuff. I can’t buy anything unless I throw something else out, so I have to restrain myself. This garage sale is 9am to 4pm. This Saturday June 20th.
You never know what you can find!
Photo - Kristal Kraft & Flickr
Garage Sale Revisited - Same day!
CEO Mom teaches Business 101. Did you ever have a lemonade stand when you were a kid? I did, but nobody came. Do it at the Garage Sale. I think these kids cleaned up!
Lemonade and Snickerdoodles, Anyone?! Yummmm
June 17th, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
New laws went into effect recently regarding appraisals of home sold. This was supposed to help consumers and solve problems of inflated appraisals in the home buying process. It is turning into a big problem for both buyers and sellers and home values.
Below is a link to a video that expains how this came about. There is a petition you can sign. This system is wrong and needs to be fixed. Please take time to watch the video. Larry Cragun
Click here for an important video:
If appropriate sign the petition.
June 16th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Last ArtWalk featured very interesting art work from the students at Maywood. Teacher and Artist Nan Calvo presented work from her students, who displayed what they had learned. Below Megan shows a self portrait on the left, done at the first class with no instruction. After being taught about light, shading and proportion tips, Megan learned a lot. Look at the self-portrait on the right. Same student but what a difference.
Before/After Self-Portraits
Next they were given a grid and a picture of a little girl, some were given a picture of Tom Cruise and after sketching the girls face with the grid, powder pastels where used by the students to create a color portrait of the girl.
Pastel Portrait by Megan
Many students participated in this and other projects.
Nan Calvo, Artist and Teacher from Maywood School
Aeva Wilkes, a fun artist from Maywood School is shown with her artwork.
Many great projects from the students were shown, more than can be shown here. Kudos to Calvo, and the students.
June 16th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Issaquah Highlands, in Issaquah is the home of the new Zeeks Pizza. Today the balloons were flying and the doors were open.
Zeeks Pizza in Issaquah Highlands Open for Business
Owner Mark Mullet greets those coming in to try things out.
I bopped over to take a look and had to restrain myself, since I’m trying to lose a few pounds, but I will go back. One gentleman that left as I was talking to Mark, commented that he was from Chicago and said the pizzas definitely cut the mustard, and we know people from Chicago are picky about pizza.
Slices of Pizza, Cheese, Pepperoni, Veggie Signature and Meat Signature are available every day. Bread Sticks and Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream are too. 2525A Park Ave. Issaquah, WA 98029
Zeeks Delivers and is open 11:00am-10:00pm
June 13th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
If you are out and about at Issaquah Highlands 2nd Saturday Tour of Homes, take a few minutes, park near IH retail, get out of your car and walk around the WSDOT Pond. You will catch a glimpse of why people like to live in Issaquah Highland. The Photo of flowers to delight the eye was provided by Janet Jelen.
Flower Heaven Around Issaquah Highlands WSDOT Pond - Photo by Janet Jelen
Signs pointing the way to all the Open Houses are abundant and helpful. You won’t have any trouble finding homes and condos open for viewing.
June 13th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
XXX ROOTBEER HOSTS AREA CAR SHOWS
XXX Rootbeer Drive-in - Upcoming Car Shows
Don’t miss the Blvd. CC Custom Car Show taking place this Sunday, June 14th at the XXX Rootbeer Drive-in in Issaquah (98 NE Gilman Blvd). The car show will start at 8 am and there will be great music and wonderful food for everyone to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.triplexrootbeer.com. More upcoming car shows are below:
June 21st Fenders on Front Street & Cruise 8 am
July 5th Old Trucks, Buses & Station Wagons 8 am
July 12th All Camero & Chevy Show 8 am
July 19th Burgers & Bikes of All Types 8 am
July 26th Cascade Cougar Club Prowl 8 am
Aug. 2nd NW Corvair & Orphaned Cars 8 am
Aug. 9th NW Muscle Car Show 8 am
Aug. 16th NWCCC 55, 56, 57 Chevy Show 8 am
Aug. 23rd All Corvette Show 8 am
Aug. 30th 2nd Annual Rat Bastards Rat Rod Show 8 am
Sept. 6th Mega Cruz Car Show 8 am
Sept. 13th 3rd Annual All Ford Car Show 8 am
Sept. 20th Mopar & More 8 am
Sept. 27th 1st Mini Cooper Show 8 am
Oct. 11th Magnums, Chargers, 300’s & Challengers Noon
Oct. 25th PT Cruisers Pumpkin Bash 10 am
Dec. 6th 8th Annual Jingle Bell Cruz/Toys for Tots Noon
June 12th, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
NEW ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS LISTING BY LARRY - SCOTT AND I ARE WORKING IT TOGETHER: CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFO, WEBSITE, VIRTUAL TOUR
Yes, Issaquah homes for sale had some buyers in May. Closed homes that were listed for sale numbered 35. That isn’t in the 60’s we used to see but it sure beats the heck out of the 15 homes that sold in April.
The price ranges are as follows:
charts courtesy of Northwest Multiple List
Look at the statistics chart above and ask - do you want to sell your home in 0 to 7 days? If the answer is yes, price it under $300,000. The stats are bad news if you are in the $500,00 to $550,000 range as the days on market averaged 588 days.
How about condos, condominiums, or condo, condominium? The answer: 25 sold in May versus 11 condos sold in April. Again, we used to hit over 60, but this news would be settling if it continued.
We close tomorrow on a condo we had listed. The sellers were serious sellers. They priced their condominium to be the best deal of its size in Issaquah Highlands. The buyers were tough but our sellers were serious.
We did everything we could besides price to capture the interest of the buyers: this included planning ahead on wall colors, what new carpet to put in, what it needed in accessories, etc. Once we had an offer our sellers responded as a serious seller would. There a lot of homes for sale, lots of condominiums. If you have your home listed and not sold, speak to your REALTOR on what it takes to be competitive.
Here is the breakdown of the condos that sold in may:
Almost a third of the condos sold in Issaquah were in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. Days on market were pretty decent statistics: 58.
So how many homes and condominiums are currently listed for sale in Issaquah at this time? The answer is scarry: 357 homes with an average day on market of 112 and 222 condominiums are listed in the MLS with an average days on market of 96.
Truly, it is still a buyers market when it comes to Issaquah Real Estate.
June 8th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
We announced on this blog the 13th year of Tastin’ n Racin’. Just the week before we had temperatures in the high 80’s and low 90’s. What a difference a week makes in the Pacific NW! Cool weather and even a little rain fall came back along with the Hydros. We put off going out to Lake Sammamish State Park thinking the clouds would lift and the sun would shine. Didn’t happen! We decided to go anyway. We are glad we did. The parking lots were still crowded but not full, we found a place (that’s always nice).
We decided to show you what it was like rather than tell you. A picture is worth a thousand words, you know.
Power in These Pipes
Powerful Paint Job as Well
Beer Gardens were Popular in Spite of Cooler Weather
When They Say Fun For Everybody, They Mean It!
Rooster Tail is Far Away But Still Exciting
Duck Families Enjoy Hydros as Well
One of the Big Boys (the Hydro, Not the Man)!
Liftin' Those Babies In and Out of the Water
I'm Always a Sucker For Roasted Corn
Now That's What You Call Miniature Hydros
That's All For Now Folks, Gotta Run!
We attended on Saturday so we missed the Vintage Car Show and the Pirates. Did any of you guys out there get any good picture of them?
June 4th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Six hydroplanes, side by side, five feet apart, 150 miles per hour. But that is not all. Food booths, children’s activities, arts and crafts, boats for sale, live music, beer gardens, classic car show on Sunday. Lake Sammamish State Park. Gates open at 9;00AM. RACING BEGINS AT 10:00AM.
June 4th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Gordon gives out sample of Serendipity Artisan Dips
We stopped at this booth at the Pickering Barn during the Farmers Market that is held every Saturday. Gordon (shown here) was giving out sample of dips made from Dip Mixes that he and his wife produce. They have many flavors and we tried as many as we could without looking greedy. We came home with these.
Just a few of SerenDIPity Dips
Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely. Gordon says that discribes how they found their way into this business. You just combine the dip mix with sour cream and/or mayonaise. Delicious! Including Issaquah, they go to many shows in the summer. To contact Gordon 425-889-0921. email: Serendipity_artisan_dips@yahoo.com .
June 1st, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
This is a must see walking trail. It is a multi-use trail, but wide enough to avoid any friction between bikers and walkers. It is such a beautiful short walk, a gentle slope, the best way to enjoy it is to walk.
Muti-Use Trail begins at NE Discovery Drive and 9th Ave (or Highlands Drive)
This is the upper trail that begins there, the lower one is also very nice and goes much further.
Many benches await for resting and viewing
One visual treat along the way
The surprise at the top
The Issaquah Alps even make the freeway look good! Try the trail, leave a comment and let us know if you like it. The trail winds around and then goes up into the undeveloped part of Issaquah Highlands. If you want to avoid that just turn around and go back down the way you came up. It’s pleasant enough to see twice.
May 30th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
How to Grow Veggies
The Issaquah Grange Supply has a special visitor Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM, the popular, fun and informative Ciscoe Morris. The Grange is at 145 NE Gilman Blvd. Issaquah, WA 98027. 425-392-6469.
Ciscoe to be at the Grange
COME OUT and enjoy and learn at the same time. For more info go to http://issaquahgrangesupply.neighborhoodsundressed.com/.
TO THE GRANGE, HAPPY 75TH ANNIVERSARY!
Happy Anniversary
May 28th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Blooms in Issaquah Highlands
If you haven’t walked the trail around WS Dot Pond in Issaquah Highlands lately, you are missing a beautiful treat. The pond is south of Park Drive across from the retail center. Spring flowers don’t last forever. Don’t wait too long.
The blooms don't look that great from Park Ave. You have to walk the trail. WOW!
May 27th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
If you don’t like crowds, you wouldn’t like it but if you like music, song, and dance with an extreme measure of diversity, you would have loved it. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and everything in between was up for grabs. Just taking the path of least resistance around the lawns, the paths, the fountain was the ultimate in people watching.
If you had a program you could find your way to one of the theatres that offered productions from almost every culture in the world, some even from the past. Country, Japanese, Jewish, Blues, Filipino, American Indian, Mirimba, Strings and Skins, Hula, Belly Dancing, Storytelling, Chinese Orchestra, Celtic, Zulu, Fiddlers, Nordic………Gargantuan is the word. The ultimate multi-cultural festival.
That’s not all. The Uncommon Market had endless craft booths and art exhibits and lots of choices of food, not quite as extensive as the music but not hard to find something you wanted to try. Donuts and curry and kababs got my attention. Not too balanced, but Heh, this was a day of excesses. Yummy Tummy or Tummy ache on a platter!!
Street Musicians, everywhere, had a heyday maybe even a pay day.
Mural Amphitheater Stage Packed Them In
For addtional pics click anywhere on the image below.
May 26th, 2009
Posted by Larry Cragun
The risk of mortgage rates worsening is reflected in this graph.
It is published by our mortgage company as a short term indicater. 
I posted todays commentary on Real Estate Undressed.com
May 25th, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Cragun
Memorial Day is a old holiday in the US, beginning shortly after the Civil War. A time for remembering those who have died while serving our country, it is an emotional, honored tradition for the families of the many who have made this sacrifice for all of us. The real meaning of Memorial Day seems to get lost in the hunt for the three day vacation. Could it be with the elimination of the draft and volunteers who now make up our forces, there are not as many people in diverse social classes who have lost loved ones, tragically in war?
For my mother and father, Memorial Day was a big deal. They honored those who gave their lives for their country, of course, but to them it was also a day to remember all family and friends who were no longer living. As a child, I did not particularly appreciate traveling to cemeteries, hunting for relative’s grave markers and setting up bouquets on each one. This year I have had stong feelings that I would like to place flowers on Mom and Dads graves if only I was close enough to do it.
I appreciate my parents who taught me much, including thinking of and service to others as well. Since I couldn’t go to their cememtery, I visited Hillside Cemetery in our town of Issaquah. It is a beautiful place and many were there placing flowers on graves, some with and some without flags, so I see my parents aren’t the only ones who have a personal reverence for Memorial Day.
Issaquah's Hillside Cemetery
A section at Hillside Cemetery with many flags
