Click to see our map of local Issaquah open houses for this weekend. The listing agent information is included, as is the day and time. Check out our buyers program by contacting Larry at larrykcragun(at)yahoo.com or 206.618.3724. You could win a free home.
The opening reception for Collective Memory - The Spirit of Community in Art is just around the corner. ArtEast has paired many of their artists with a special local resident of Issaquah. The art presented honors these residents and in turn the residents, by their lives, inspired each artist to create a work of art unique to that person.
Tibbetts Creek Manor will host the opening reception, September 3, 6:00 - 9:00 pm. This is the same charming place most of us have probably attended a few weddings, 750 17th Ave NW.
Below is just a glimpse of the work shown from last year. This one honored Ava Frisinger, Issaquah’s mayor.
Come and see who is honored this year.
Living in Issaquah is like living on the border of the city and the country. We are part of greater Seattle for sure, but hop on I-90 and go East and the scenery instantly changes. Go a few hours and you are in central Washington.
This photo is one taken about an hour out of Moses Lake and less than a half hour from Crescent Bar.
Crescent Bar has a campground, golf course, condos to rent, and you guessed it - a great place to enjoy the water.
Why are people still moving to Issaquah? Real Estate is still selling fairly well.
Hopefully some of these young ones will join us here. I have a special reason to want these kids to move in the area, they are some of our grandchildren.
The answer I would say is a combination of things. Prices are holding there own, the location is convenient to all parts of the county, the city is very proactive, there are a lot of things to get involved in. I invite you to study this blog, we have over 450 reasons to live in Issaquah that we have written about.
Take your loan officer with you. There are open house bargains out there.
The residents have been moving in for a few months, now it was time for a Grand Opening Celebration. On the evening of August 21, residents and guests and also those of us in the Chamber of Commerce gathered for the event. We have watch this facility being constructed but had never been inside. It is very impressive. Like the brochure says - “A remarkable setting, a remarkable lifestyle”, Timber Ridge sets senior living apart from any other of its kind.
Getting together for the Ribbon Cutting by Ava Frisinger, Mayor of Issaquah
Afterward everyone celebrated with tasty tibits served in many locations.
Among the amenities Timber Ridge residents enjoy are a cocktail lounge, dining room, beauty shop, art studio, business center, fitness center, library, post office, small market and cafe. I enjoyed watching the comaraderie and friendship between them. Many of them volunteered to be at these different posts to show guests, like me, around and answer questions. All the residents I talked to, in particular the ones who signed up before it was built, expressed great satisfaction with their new living arrangements.
Shirley Jordan was one who showed me around the library. All the books are from the residents.
This view shows the setting of Timber Ridge in Talus, nestled in the Issaquah Alps.
In addition to active senior living apartments and services there is also access to assisted living and long term nursing care. There are still some units available. Timber Ridege is located at 100 Timber Ridge Way NW. 425-427-2929or 888-427-2929.
We posted an article about our soon-to-be Central Market grocery in Issaquah Highlands on our www.issaquahhighlandsundressed.com titled “Central Market in Issaquah Highlands - a Good Choice” You may want to go to that as well, because this post will be different. There is more to show and tell!
In addition to the produce, the bulk foods, the Asian market, the meat, the cheeses, the live shell fish, Vegetarian Food Bar, the Antipasto Bar, the Culinary Resource Center etc., here are a few other benefits we will enjoy.
Crops of fresh fruits and vegetables from our local Washington farms will make their appearance at Central Market locations. We can eat good healthy foods and support our local farmers as well.
While shopping at Central Market if you get hungry you can fix that in many ways, by any of the many food bars or as a custom sandwich, food hot off the grill, and even Fish & Chips or Fried Chicken from The Frequent Fryer Station!
Grab a few Dungeness Crab Cakes for dinner. They looked yummy.
There is much information about gluten-free foods at Central Market. And not just information but many of these foods are available here. We know how hard that is because our daughter’s husband has Celiac disease and it is a real challenge to learn to fix foods the fit the bill and still taste good.
Central Foods has all the common ordinary foods you find at regular markets and the organic and natural foods as well. In case you are worried, a friend that lives in Mill Creek and shops at Central Foods said they are also comparable in price to other grocers.
Friday Night at the Market - Dinner and Music - Mill Creek Central Market has this special outside event every Friday night (summer we presume) Music and dinner from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. I hope they include Music & Dinner in Issaquah.
Town and Country Markets are part of Central Market or is it the other way around?
This beautiful shot is from our home in Issaquah.
Click here for the open house map.
By the way, we were showing homes the last couple of days and many sellers are pricing their homes higher than their competition. Selling your home is a game of competition. A serious game if you are a serious seller.
I was asked on the P I blog I write for what makes home prices go up. The answer was simple - multiple offers.
The same goes for going down, multiple options. Our buyers had multiple options on similar properties. They were looking in a certain price range for a home with a swimming pool. The first home they thought they were interested in was soon devalued by $75,000.00. What caused the devalue? The home we went to 2 houses later. The fact they had more than one great option placed the owner of the first home in jeopardy of selling their house to our buyer. That home had been on the market for 280 days, so they obviously had a problem.
We are in a buyers market. Not enough listing agents are receiving offers on their listings. Buyers agents have clients that are in control.
To sell your home and not list your home so it is clearly the best value in its competitive market is asking to just list your home and watch it sit. Sorry for the bad news sellers - welcome to the good news buyers.
For a Mortgage Update: click here - Let us help you with your mortgage needs.
Photo: Your blog writer and grandkids.
It’s been a while since I have made note of this: we own a small mortgage company. I bring this up as the industry has gone through tremendous change both nationally and in Washington State.
I provide you a list of important tips for you.
1– Mortgage Company Loan officers are generally independent contractors. They often pay a flat fee and/or a file fee to their broker, keeping the bulk of the fees for themselves. This gives them the ability to charge what they want on your loan.
2– In these times of greatly reduced business, some loan officers want to make a killing on one loan (like yours) while others are building a reputation of being competitive.
3– My experience is that online mortgage companies aren’t your best source of loans, even if they quote a good rate. Many just sell your name as a lead, taking a piece of the pie. They care most about closing you and least about you as a source of referrals.
4– Using a lender referred by a real estate agent is the best way to keep the loan officer in the mode of being competitive. It also places your loan as a high priority. The reason, the loan officer wants to look good to the real estate agent, hoping to deserve a steady stream of mortgages from the agent. I built my career as a loan officer on this concept. I had agents that trusted me.
5– This is a bad time to use a part time loan officer. Even me. People that want me to do their loans don’t get me. I know it is in their best interests to have me refer them to a competent loan officer. The lesson is important here, don’t use a loan officer that is part time.
6– In many cases, especially first time home buyers you may be best to use a loan officer that can quote FHA loans. Actually, use one that is very familiar with FHA.
7– Don’t go with the cheapest rate quote lender. Rates these days are volitale. By the time they take your ap rates will have changed. You are prey in the waiting if you choose a lender by rates. The chances are almost 100% you won’t get the rate you are quoted if you shop and pick that way.
8– Don’t be afraid that rates are too high to buy. They are higher than in recent months. However, prices are buyers market prices in most of the Puget Sound.
9– Don’t go shopping without a full loan approval. That means they have drawn your credit report and submitted you to an underwriter.
10– This may seem to contradict #9 – don’t go get a mortgage approval without having done some window shopping. You should know what neighborhood and price range you are happy to own. Do drive byes, pick up flyers, drop in on open houses (tell the agent you have an agent so you don’t get high pressured too soon), search the local webisites that have MLS search. Then talk with an agent for a lender referral.
August 1st, that’s the 1st Friday of the month, was a perfect night. The weather was wonderful, people were out enjoying themselves and the art was varied and interesting, sometimes inspiring.
We started early walking down front street, got sidetracked by the temptation of Stan’s BBQ. Satisfied we began again.
The Boys from Welderville, as the UpFront Gallery calls the creators of these unique tables and accents. Very interesting.
I could see really enjoying these in my home. They are bound to create lots of comments and conversation.
Miska, also at UpFront Gallery, part of Collective Works - Fairytales! Fables! & Folklore!
Belltown Martial Arts Lion Dance Team - The drums announced their arrival with gusto and the crowd gathered to watch. Lion dancers performed all up and down Front street, energy not stop.
Rae Soloman gives us a little country in front of the Hailstone Feed Store.
Flying Pie Pizza had a Creation Station for kids
Background Noise gives much more than background noise in front of the library.
For the Artwalk article from last year click here
Get that car out of the garage and see some open houses.
Visting Issaquah Open Houses (click here) can be fun and educational. Do too much of it and you may want to become a real estate agent. Each week real estate agents have the option to list their open houses in the MLS. The weekend open houses are posted on our map. Enjoy and let us know if you have questions.
Issaquah is like other local markets, many of our agents are dropping out of the business. Actually our MLS lost 1/4th of their membership this last period. The good news for you if you are buying or listing a home is that you will most likely be dealing with the more professional and experienced real estate agent.
Young folk like this will be likely to enter real estate. Perhaps he will be focused on our great city. Many who study the economy, trends, etc. are writing there will be a real estate boom in 2010 to 2012. Oh happy day I would say.
The SR 900 Transit Center is now open. It has had transit service for a few weeks, but until just recently you couldn’t get in to park your car. Now you can.
Wed, August 6th at 2:00PM Sound Transit and Issaquah host the dedication of this new facility.
This is Issaquah’s second new parking and transit service garage. We are fortunate that we have this. It will allow many more people ways to cope with our gas prices. Visit www.soundtransit.org for more info. The Center is located at 1050 17th Ave NW.
This Center has all the bells and whistles such as protected shelters for folks waiting for their bus, and emergency call boxes, even a police outpost.
Click here for the map of Real Estate Agents open houses. These were announced as information in the MLS.
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