Woodinville August 16, 2017

5 Must-Visit Businesses in Downtown Woodinville

No one knows downtown Woodinville better than our very own residents. From the best places to hang out to premier pet-friendly services, we have your inside scoop!

Here is a look at 5 spots (plus one annual event!) to explore in downtown Woodinville, as recommended by locals: 

Molbak’s Garden + Home

Located at 13625 NE 175th St. Woodinville, WA 98072

A popular local spot, Molbak’s Garden + Home has everything you could need to fix up your yard or give your home the love it deserves. Homeware, kitchen gadgets, outdoor dining sets, gardening tools, and much, much more are offered here, plus design services ideal for filling your landscape with beautiful flower arrangements and container gardens.

Molbak’s isn’t just for shopping though, as Kim Harman explains. “Molbak’s Garden and Home is a great place to gather with friends, grab a cup of coffee, stroll around the nursery or enjoy a bite to eat at Russell’s Garden Café & Wine Bar located within the store.” With special events and donations to the community, Molbak’s is a staple that residents cannot get enough of! 


21 Acres Center

Located at 13701 NE 171st St. Woodinville, WA 98072

If you want to learn more about the sustainable food movement right here in Woodinville, check out 21 Acres. “I always enjoy visiting 21 Acres,” says Kim Harman. “The Center focuses on local food, farming & sustainable living. The Center brings the community together with local farmers and vendors. You can take an education class on sustainable living, enjoy a variety of cooking classes, or pop into one of their many community events. The marketplace is open throughout the week with fresh and delicious local produce and products.” Discover how you can help yourself, your community, and the world at large at this innovative center!


The Pet Wash

Located at 13317 NE 175th St. Woodinville, WA 98072

If your pup is looking a little scruffy, take him down to the Pet Wash. “The Pet Wash, located on the main drag in Woodinville, is a great place to have your pooch groomed,” shares Becky Larsen. “They also have self wash stations if you want to wash Fido yourself. Great service, reasonable prices and a wonderful staff. It’s nice to have trusted owners who really love and care for your pet.”

With state-of-the-art bathing systems and virtually every type of shampoo, conditioner, and grooming tool imaginable supplied onsite, they have exactly what you need to make your furry friend look and feel like royalty.


Homeward Pet Adoption Center

Located at 13132 NE 177th Pl. Woodinville, WA 98072

If you’re still looking for that “fur”ever friend, check out Homeward Pet Adoption Center. “We got our dog at Homeward Pet in Woodinville,” shares Lynette Hensley. “Of all the shelters we visited, we appreciated the experience here most of all. Not because this is where we found our dog, but because of the way they worked with us, talking through expectations, hopes, compatibility. We spent a long time with a few dogs, and with our chosen pup too.”


Scott’s Soccer Tots at Woodinville Indoor Sports

Located at 12728 NE 178th St. Woodinville, WA 98072

If you’ve got a future soccer star on your hands, sign him or her up for the Scott’s Soccer Tots program. “Scott’s Soccer Tots [at the] Woodinville Indoor Sports Facility [is] a great indoor soccer structure for year round play for little guys, youth, and great soccer summer camps,” shares Becky Larsen. “Our kids loved the lessons, and you can have birthday parties there too!” For anyone wondering about the name, Larsen clears that question up: “Of course there really is a ‘Scott!’”


*BONUS TIP!*

Celebrate Woodinville Festival

Located at various locations throughout downtown Woodinville

If you’re in downtown Woodinville on August 19, 2017, you will definitely want to check out the Celebrate Woodinville Festival: “Our family loves to attend the annual Basset Hound Bash/Woodinville All Fools’ Day Parade every August,” shares Kim Harman. “We kick off the morning with the pancake breakfast hosted at the local fire department, grab a seat on the parade route to watch the floats and dozens of basset hounds go by. It’s a fun-filled day at the farmer’s market with live music, art/craft vendors, food, wine and beer.” From 8:00am to 5:00pm, this yearly event is sure to be a great time for all ages!


Market Updates August 3, 2017

What you need to know about the Condo Market

Over the last two years, the affordability of Greater Seattle area real estate has become a rising concern. Many buyers have decided to move a bit more north or south of major job centers to find the price point that works for them, or have foregone a single family residence (SFR) and turned to a condominium (condo)as an alternative. Because of this, along with many more baby boomers moving to a more right-size home for their lifestyle, demand for condos have been on the rise.

The median price for a condo in King County in June was $385,000 compared to the median price of a SFR of $660,000, which is a 71% difference! In Snohomish County, the median price for a condo in June was $295,000 compared to the median price of a SFR of $450,000, which is a 53% difference! Condos are providing a substantial cost savings if the condo lifestyle works for a buyer.

The condo lifestyle can be wonderful! Imagine not having to do yard work and living space-efficiently. There are many condo buildings that cater to the more simplified life that baby boomers are craving, featuring secured parking, elevator access, high-end features, great walk scores and possible views.

Much like the SFR market, the condo market has experienced high demand resulting in low inventory. Our thriving job market and rising rents have drawn folks to condos as well. Many of the job transferees coming into the area due to the tech industry are younger, unattached and without children, making a condo a natural fit and in some cases, less expensive than rent. In fact, condo inventory currently sits at 0.5 months of inventory based on pending sales in King County, and 0.6 months in Snohomish County. Theoretically, this means that if no new condos came to market we would be sold out in two weeks. That is quick!

While inventory has decreased, sales have slightly increased! Pending sales have almost mirrored new listings over the last 12 months, resulting in 1% more sales in King County and 5% more in Snohomish County. There were 4% less new listing in King County year-over-year, yet Snohomish County posted a 6% increase in new listings. This is due to some new condo developments to the north and more and more re-sale owners regaining their equity position and making moves.

Prices are on the rise too! An important aspect to measure in regards to condos is price per square foot. In King County the price per square foot is up 15% complete year-over-year and up 12% in Snohomish County, which is a big jump. This is on top of double-digit price growth the year prior. The average cost per square foot in King County in June was $404 per square foot, and $240 in Snohomish County. This illustrates the affordability difference between both counties, which is why the increase in sales in Snohomish County is markedly up. Condos provide a more affordable option for buyers, and if one is looking to land in Snohomish County, condos can be the most affordable housing purchase option available, while still being close to job centers.

The good news for condo sellers is that days on market are down by 11% in King County, and 31% in Snohomish County. In June, the average days on market was 16 days in King County and 10 days in Snohomish County.  Also, in June the average list-to-sale price ratio in King County was 105% and 103% in Snohomish County.

So, what does all of this mean? The condo market is much like the SFR market in regards to demand, price appreciation and the affordability divide between King and Snohomish Counties. It is a great market for sellers to realize a positive return, and buyers who can’t afford or don’t want the maintenance of a SFR can find opportunity with a condo. If you or anyone you know would like more information on the Greater Seattle condo market, please contact me. It is my goal to help keep you informed and empower strong decisions.

Windermere Foundation Quarterly Update

Thanks to all of you, the Windermere Foundation collected over $903,500 in donations through the second quarter of 2017. This is an increase of 10 percent compared to this time last year! Individual contributions and fundraisers accounted for 62 percent of the donations, while 38 percent came from donations through Windermere agent commissions. So far, we have raised a total of $34,009,527 in donations since 1989.

Each Windermere office has its own Windermere Foundation fund account that they use to make donations to organizations in their communities. Year to date, a total of $979,486 has been disbursed to non-profit organizations dedicated to providing services to low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.

Click here to learn more about the Windermere Foundation.

The first day of school sneaks up so fast… summer is here and then gone in a flash! Use these helpful tips to start getting settled into a new routine for fall:

  • Talk to your child about their feelings and concerns about the new year.
  • Talk to your child about their day-to-day routine once school starts.
  • For small children, tour the school and show them where each of their classes will be, along with the cafeteria and restrooms.
  • Determine how your child will get to school, and practice the route.
  • Find a walking/bus buddy for younger children.
  • Arrange a carpool if needed.
  • Establish a time for homework and dinner.
  • Obtain an alarm clock for your child and discuss the best time for which to set it.
  • Establish a school-night bedtime, and stick to it.
  • Read the school handbook with your child and discuss any concerns.
  • Find out when parent-teacher night is and mark it on your calendar.
  • Find out the school lunch schedule and how much lunch costs.
  • Create a contact list of other parents who are able to pick up your child in case of an emergency. Be sure to share it with the school.
  • Arrange child care/or after school activities.
  • Set rules for activities such as TV/video games, tablets, playtime and the completion of long-term school projects.
  • Stay involved with your child, their school and their daily routine!
Do you want to be “In the Know” in your neighborhood? Sign up for a monthly overview of what’s happening in the zip code(s) of your choice. Neighborhood News is a great tool to stay informed about the home values and activity in your own backyard or to study a new market you may be interested in. Click here to sign up on my website.
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Windermere Real Estate/ North Inc.

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