Mercer Island

Heating Bills a Thing of the Past?

I’m pretty sure if the power company offered you a month off from paying your bill, you’d say yes. It might not happen tomorrow, but according to an article I just read in a Sierra Club magazine, in a few decades looks like large power bills will be a thing of the past. As we all know, it’s possible to build homes and offices that will not only be energy self-sufficient, but will produce zero carbon emmissions. In the short run this might be more costly to build (which is why some elements of the building industry look on the movement to increase energy efficiency requirements in building standards with dismay) but in the long run it will more than pay you back for the investment… in other words, save you money. So where a Green-Built house might cost you however thousand dollars more now, it will more than pay you back over time in utility bill savings. 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.... 

What is a Buyer’s Agent and Why Do I Need One?

WHAT IS A BUYER’S AGENT AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?   Q:  How do Buyers’ Agents Get Paid?   A:  Their services are free to the Buyer.   Q:  How does that work?   A:  When the Seller’s Agent signs a listing agreement with the Seller, they negotiate a commission.  They then offer a part of that commission, usually half, but it varies, to the Buyer’s Agent.  This is listed in the Agent part of the MLS.  So when a Buyer chooses a home and purchases it, the total commission is subtracted from the Seller’s side of the totals, and is paid out to the Seller’s Agent and the Buyer’s Agent.   Q:  But if the Buyer’s Agent gets paid by the Seller, do they really work for me?    A:  Good question!  Actually the Washington State laws have changed.  It used to be that both parties worked for the Seller!  Even though you might pick out your own agent to tour and help you, they would still be obligated to guard the best interest of the Seller of any property you saw.  That was deemed unfair to the Buyer and the law has been changed.  The Buyer’s Agent by law owes the Buyer confidentiality and fiduciary loyalty… i.e. has a responsiblity... 

AMAZING lodge for sale in Chilliwack, BC

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,... 

Seafair is Back!

Seafair in Seattle is Roaring to Life! 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... 

Mercer Island Waterfront Views

Mercer Island is known as a wonderful place to live.  It’s also great to visit, although as it sits in Lake Washington Private docks on Mercer Island Waterfront between Seattle and the Eastside, and is crossed by I-90 on the Floating Bridge (built in 1940), it is often just passed over as commuters cross to their daily work, or Eastside residents go into the city for some cultural event or party.  But why not make it a destination, either to live, or to visit, you will find much to enjoy. The name Mercer Island refers of course to the island but also to the city.  There are three public elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school, all top rated.  There is also a private school, the French American School of Puget Sound.  The name of the island in fact comes from early visitors, the Mercer brothers, who used to row over from Seattle to hunt, fish, and pick berries.  Well, that may have been their stated purpose, but it is hard to imagine that it wasn’t the natural beauty and astounding views that drew them to the shores of what became Mercer Island. Since the Seafair events will be taking place next weekend, the bridge will actually be closed, and for information... 

Washington High Schools Rank Top in US Best Lists

An important factor for many families relocating to the Seattle area are proximity to great public schools.  For the year 2009, and consistently year after year, Bellevue high schools have a total of five high schools ranked in the top 100 in the nation and Washington has 31 ranked top 1500 according to Newsweek Magazine scores. 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,... 

About Mercer Island, WA

Mercer Island is a rural city located about 10 minutes east from Seattle, on the I-90 floating bridge. Notorious for its numerous waterfront properties with views of Lake Washington, the Cascades and Mt. Rainier, Mercer Island is home to many of the Seattle area’s elite. Single family home prices here start at about $700,000, for a somewhat modest home; the median home price in 2007 was recorded at $995,000. The steep real estate prices have a lot to do with the abundance of waterfront properties in the city; the most expensive home in Mercer Island is $40,000,000! Mercer Island is a great suburb to be in for those who can afford it, with a school district that is one of the best in the nation with a strong academic reputation, and it’s centrally situated location makes commutes to both Seattle and the Eastside a breeze. Though most of the residences are single family, condos and town homes could certainly be found for a much affordable price tag.