As seen above chart, Residential active listings units dropped 20.55% from 8707 units in 2008 to 6918 units in December 2009 while Pending Residential units increased 55.10%, as Dec 09 pending listings were 1413 units compare to 911 units in December 2008.  There is a huge increase in sold units at 57.37%, 1462 units closed in 2009 vs 929 units in 2008.  Snohomish County Sold Residential unit increase is at 89.02% when compared to 2008.

As seen above chart, Median Price declined all across for Active, Pending and Sold Listings.  For December 09 sold median price was $380,000, dropped 6% compare to Dec 2008 while year to date Median price dropped further to 11.62%.

As seen above chart, the other important indicator to watch is “Days on the market” (DOM). There isn’t a significant difference, as little as 1.19% for Dec 09 and 6.85% for the year.

Over all, Inventory of homes dropping while sold home units are increasing. December 2009 Market Trend is showing a promising future for buyers and sellers. Yes, values are declining as there is activity out there…..

If you would like more personalized information for your area, please contact me via emailSebnem.oden@exprealty.com or visiting my website www.ProKeyRE.com

Wishing you a prosperous real estate future….

Downtown Kirkland opens its doors to romantic couples, their friends and family for a very special event on Valentine’s Day 2010.  Special Celebration will be held on Valentine’s Day February 14th 2010 in Historic Hall in the heart of Kirkland, WA

Couples will hold their wedding, renewal of vows or commitment ceremonies. The event is held by www.KirklandWeddings.com is a membership organization of Kirkland based business’ collaboration. Kirkland based companies provide product and services to support weddings so couples may save money for Honeymoon and Reception. Local Kirkland Restaurants are available for Reception celebrations. Make sure to book in advance!

All participants must register before Feb 1^st, 2010 and are offered $350 package. Ceremonies will be held on Sunday, February 14^th 2010 for 24 hours on each hour of the day.  Marriage license must be obtained by each couple from State of Washington and submitted to KirklandWeddings.com before February 5^th, 2010

Below are the services included in the package:

• Seating for up to 30 guests with the use of Heritage Hall in Kirkland, WA
• Decorations and fresh flowers
• Ceremony Text available
• Service of the Wedding officiate
• Traditional Wedding Music
• On-site Wedding Coordinator
• Bride’s fresh flower bouquet
• 30 minutes of professional photographer’s time
• One photo 5×7 and other pictures are available to purchase

Here are several more details to be aware of:

• Music could be provided if the musicians are available. Early registry could be helpful to reserve the musician.
• Witnesses could be provided upon request.

To get more information an details of the event, please contact www.KirklandWeddings.com

There may be more variety at the Seattle Zoo but certainly there is a lot to do at the smaller Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah.  For kids who love to see unusual animals, explore wildlife facts, and especially see their favorite tiger or reindeer, it’s a winner.  The  location is good too, even though it’s admittedly out from the city of Seattle a half hour or more.  For families coming from Seattle a trip could be coordinated with going to a honey shop or farm stand to get fresh produce and see a farm atmosphere (I’ll blog about local farms that invite visitors later this week).

For kids living more locally, this is a great resource as, if you get a family membership, you have a park with animals and other fun elements that you can visit again and again.  As the novelty of running around looking at the animals wears off a bit the animal track library, the mini lectures, and the “Cougar Encounter” “Lemur Encounter” “The World of Wallabies” and “Tiger Encounter” start to draw attention.  The “Fountain of Tomorrow” will be a must-stop every time, and can become a wonderful tradition (take a moment and contemplate your hoped for tomorrows,  then make a wish).  Here is a photo album from our trip to the Cougar Mountain Zoo this year, please send me some if you have any nice photos I can add!  It’s edy.kizaki@exprealty.com.

Click here to go to my Picassa photo album of our Cougar Mountain Zoo visit.

So how do we make it practical and attractive not only to spend the $ up front for long term savings, but to include the more than 100 million homes and offices we already have in the new technologies that result in these long-term savings? Looks like the plan is in place. Economically it makes sense to retrofit. Almost all older buildings could use improvements that pay for themselves and cut their power consumption in half. The loans to do it would be paid by the savings in energy. The programs to support these upgrades are starting to appear. Ideally, homeowners and small businesses could call a toll-free number and find out what local resources and loans are available to start their retrofit process in a cost effective way. Many local communities have started to develop this resources so check locally whereever you are and find out if your city provides the consumer information service to get started.

Here in Seattle, Seattle City Light has announced that it’s proud to be one of the first four Utilities in the country which is working with Microsoft in an innovative consumer support program. They are providing consumers an online application (FREE!) that helps them track their energy usage and then get personalized recommendations for improved energy efficiency! You can (and I am definitely going to, so I’ll report back) sign up to be one of the first customers to use the product! (Microsoft Hohm for Seattle.)

The activity taking place at the highest levels of government are already moving us toward lower public building utility bills. Often the second-biggest government expense after saleries, Obama’s first economic recovery packaged included retrofitting public buildings. This will help get into place worker training and factories which make energy-efficient windows, furnaces, insulation, as well as air conditioning. Local and state government energy bills will be much lower and will be able to repay the loans with their savings. Good to know!

I was up in the Vancouver BC area last week and my friend Laura Howren took me with her to see a property she just listed in Chilliwack. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the area, it’s a city in the Fraser Valley region in BC about an hour and a half away from Vancouver (home to the 2010 Winter Olympics!!) with an abundance of recreational activities…hiking, fishing, golfing, water sports, you name it.

This log home is currently a short term executive rental, rented out on a nightly or weekly basis, and is in a perfect location as it’s only 35 minutes to Harrison Hot Springs and 25 minutes to Cultus Lake, a popular camping destination. Think 26′ ceilings with ceiling-to-floor windows that take advantage of light, beautiful Hans Rhodes natural rock fire place, large recreation room in the daylight basement and a private master suite on the upper level…it’s literally the perfect Getaway!

With the exchange rates today at $1.08, with US dollars it’s like getting an 8% discount right off the top of the purchase price. The listed price is $969,000 and the home has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, about 2600 sqft and is just shy of 2.5 acres, which may be able to be subdividable in the future. The furniture is negotiable, and for those who would like to keep it as a vacation rental, the seller will negotiate the websites for the lodge as well!

For more information, visit VancouverPowerSearch.com or contact Laura at 604.209.3674 or at laura@vancouverpowersearch.com.

Click here to see a virtual tour of the property and more pictures!

Yes, it’s that time again Seattle, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are back in town.  And, if you haven’t heard already, the

Fun in the Sun at Seattle Seafair

thunderboats are back on Lake Washington.  It is truly a spectacular time of year.  Seafair is a celebration in Seattle that is truly the highlight of the year.  The City is shown off like no other time and it is family oriented to boot.  The torchlight parade is always a kid favorite as floats are all lit up and really are amazing.  If you’re a runner, there’s the seafair triathalon or the torchlight run.  Or if you’re into speed…try watching the Blue Angels and the Seafair Hydroplanes, which are my personal favorite.  There’s also a concert and fireworks Saturday Night.

Hydros jet around Lake Washington during the Seattle Seafair.

Last year, I made the trek down to south Lake Washington to see first hand what goes on at the hydroplane pits and see the Blue Angels up close.  Well as close as you can from the shore with them overhead.  They really try to make it

Flying Blue Angels delight crowds at the Seattle Seafair.

easy to get there with shuttles from the Seattle Center to the park so you don’t have to fight parking or the crowded streets.  This was a blessing in disguise as we boarded the 2nd bus and made our way there.  It took about 15-20 minutes to get there and they drop you off at the park.  There are lines to get into the main area at a cost of around $20 unless you’re in the military or work for the sponsor then you get a cut rate.  Remember family friendly, if you

Hydros pass in front of the floating bridge on Lake Washington during Seattle's Seafair.

don’t want to pay to get in there is a hugh lawn that is free for those who want to watch the festivities.  Once you buy your ticket and get in, you have several choices, eat, visit booths, or find your space by the water to get both a good look at the air and the lake.  Some purchase tickets for the beer garden and pit area but we chose to just sit by the lake.  A hint–be sure and take something to sit on and take shifts going to get food and beverages so that you don’t lose your space.  The people, locals and visitors alike, are all very friendly and know that we’re all there for the same thing…to see the show unfold.  We were treated to an amazing performance in the air first by several other types of aircraft, then a demonstration by the Coast Guard dropping a rescue specialist in the water from a helicopter to simulate a rescue, then the Blue Angels made their appearance.  What a sight, the speed and manuverability of the planes is tremendous, these pilots are truly a great demonstration of who we have in the military to defend our country… and bring everyone to the realization that the planes are how they will do it.  And of course, I took the opportunity to purchase a Blue Angel hat and backpack…Go Navy! 

Then a while later, the thunderboats took the water.  Luckily they sped around the course without any crashes and it was fun to watch.  These boats can go extremely fast kicking up roostertails from their propellers and still turn corners all the while fending off challengers trying to pass them.  Whew, what a job. 

Two hydroplanes battle deck to deck on Lake Washington in Seattle during Seafair.

After all was said and done, we made our way back to get picked up and taken back to the Center to get the car, already thinking about how next year we’ll do it all again.  Go Seafair!

These studies, judged on students graduated, grades, honors classes taken,  general academic record and other critera.  Ranked in the top 100 were Bellevue’s  International School as number 11 nationwide , followed by Inglewood at 18, Newport Hills at 35, Sammamish at 48,  and Bellevue at 79.  Following those Eastside schools were Edmonds-Woodway High,  Garfield and Ingraham in Seattle, Redmond, Mercer Island, Issaquah, and Inglemoor in Kenmore. 

So what does this mean?  Seattle and the surrounding schools, especially Bellevue, Kenmore and Northshore schools consistently rank as the top schools in the nation.  For most of us that cannot afford to enroll our kids in privately schools, this is of great comfort knowing that our students will be getting a good education from our local school districts.  Sports and music, which also carry weight, are well recognized with Roosevelt, Nathan Hale and Garfield High Schools in Seattle winning nationwide awards for both their Jazz Ensembles and Athletic Achievements in Varsity Football, Basketball, and Soccer. 

Congratulations to our educators and students for their outstanding efforts in making national recognition for excellence in public high schools!   Truly an honor well deserved.

Christine showing her rehabilitated Arabian mare Crystal for the first time.

The last weekend in June was the second time I’ve shown at Gold Creek Equestrian Center and I have to say it is a great facility and the feel of the atmosphere is warm.

Two of the barns shown in the distance

Whether one is an equestrian enthusiasts who is new to the area and wondering where to connect with others who share a passion for horses… or perhaps there are those considering relocating to the area and have yet to find the right home….Gold Creek Equestrian would be a great place to keep the horses in the interim.

BOARD runs $638 and includes three feedings per day. Turnout is included Mon-Fri. Stalls are cleaned 7 days per week.  At the end of June 2009, 10 stalls were available.

Stalls and cross ties are matted... it was the weekend and the day of the show..

Gold Creek Equestrian Center has four arena’s and a trail system which can be accessed right from the property without hauling out. The night before the show I participated in, I witnessed lessons being held in the 120 x 220 indoor arena (and it has a heated viewing area …nice for the winter months!). The second covered arena is 65 x 140 (where I and others warmed up for our classes the following day), an outdoor full-size regulation dressage arena, a 135 x 230 outdoor arena (complete with an Olympic-level jump course). All disciplines and ability levels are welcomed by owners Jim and Mary Bagby.

This is a sweet indoor arena....I'm next to the heated viewing area

Lessons run $52.50 for a private lesson and $42.50 for a group lesson. Whether someone has their own horse to learn with or are just starting out or getting back into horses, Gold Creek can meet the need. They have several school horses, ranging from ponies to warm bloods, plus 9 instructors, with various training and backgrounds.  There are also horses available for lease.

Gold Creek is located in Woodinville’s gorgeous Hollywood Hill, this area is one which showcases street of dreams style luxurious estate homes and is approximately 5 minutes from downtown Woodinville and 30 minutes from Seattle.

Second covered arena

If you’d like more information on the facility and services offered, please contact Jim or Mary at 425.806.4653 or email jimbagby@comcast.net. Check out their website too at www.gold-creek.com

Check out the nice footing!

Please remember me if you are wanting to find the perfect equestrian property…I so will enjoy getting to know you and helping you acquire your hearts desire! I can be reached at (425) 286 -3779 or christine@seattlepowersearch.com

One of the familiar sights on Main Street in Issaquah

lot of things of interest, including the recently built library and the salmon hatchery.  There are lots of culinary choices, Jak’s Grill is wonderful cuisine and delightful atmosphere (however they don’t accept reservations) and another great choice is the Issaquah Fish House.  Both are on Front Street very close to the Train Park.   There is also a Chocolate Facotry, Zoological Park, and operating trollys!  One of my favorite spots along Main Steet is the Dairygold Dairy which has wonderful huge murals and those sparkling white milk towers.  I know my son is always facinated when I point it out as we go by.