Ballard

5 Reasons Buyers Fail With Fixers

"Here lies Walter Fielding. He bought a house, and it killed him." These days, it is all too easy for  inexperienced buyers to become obsessed with getting the “best deal”.   I’m talking about  the “weekend warrior” buyer- the one who watches countless hours of HGTV shows that make it seem plausible that someone could seek out, purchase, remodel and flip a home for 25% profit in 30 minutes, or less. The “Hey, I bet I could do that, too!” type of buyer… There are lots of ways to cut costs when house-hunting. Buying fixers, frontier homes or former meth-labs has always been popular for those hoping to save money, and these days, short-sales and foreclosed (REO) homes are whetting the appetites of aspiring “investors” all across the country.  Certainly, there are good deals out there to be found, and there are smart ways a savvy buyer can save money. The seemingly-endless series of books, seminars, and TV shows based on that premise can attest to that.  However, in my experience as a real estate professional I have witnessed, first-hand, more than a few common mistakes that I think are worth pointing out.... 

Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Ballard Bars

Recently,  I was wandering the Ballard Sunday market with my friend Alan. We were taking pictures of Old Ballard and reminiscing about the many great times we’ d had there over the years. While wandering down Ballard Ave. ( which is blocked off during the market) we saw a pair of boots nailed to a phone pole.  As I paused to take a picture, a family walked past. I overheard their young son inquire of his father, “Daddy, why are there shoes stuck to that pole?” The answer, which became an instant catch-phrase, was, “because it’s Ballard.”    After pausing for a brief moment to reflect on the  simple perfection of that statement I yelled back, “That is a great answer!” Having spent several years living in and around Ballard, I am excited to present my favorite Seattle neighborhood to the world, in all of it’s funky, unique and beautiful glory.  Why, because it’s Ballard. Ballard bars offer some of the most lively and diverse nightlife in all of Seattle.  A night out in Ballard can easily turn into a weekend, a week…or a month. There is that much going on.  As a nightlife connoisseur, I have come to love the unparalleled... 

Specialty Shops and the Majestic in Ballard

Ballard, one of Seattle’s most historic neighborhoods once known to be the center of the Scandinavian seafaring community, is still filled with a blend of the old with the new and everywhere in between. The city of Ballard was founded by European settlers way back in 1853 and before that, inhabited by the Shilshole Tribe that lived off of the abundant salmon and clam supply. Today, the Skandinavian roots are still alive in places such as the the Nordic Heritage Museum, the annual community celebration of the Norwegian Constitution Day and the local Viking Bank, to name a few. Being the 7th largest city in Washington state by 1900, Ballard formally became a part of the city of Seattle in 1907. Walking into the doors of the decades old Olsen’s Scandinavian Foods, it will feel a bit like walking back in time. Patrons wait for the house prepared pickled herring, smoked fishes, cookies, and other European delights as they have for over 30 years. The refrigerated cases are filled with such a variety of seafood and delicious looking treats, and you can smell the smoked fishes as you walk inside. Venture on down the street and you will find a lot of foot traffic with everything... 

Shilshole Bay, Beach Fun with Loads to Do!

Shilshole Bay, The Beach Picnic Paradise! Shilshole Bay is probably one of the most picturesque places in Seattle. Located on the western tip of the city along Puget Sound and bordering Ballard and Crown Hill, this is definitely a tourist destination. Some of my earliest memories of my childhood are of going to church with my family and friends and stopping at McDonald’s on the way to Shilshole Bay where we would eat our lunches at the beach and feed the seagulls. As I visited the exact spot on the beach that I had many years ago, I watched the children and their parents having a picnic lunch and reminisced. I wistfully thought how lucky they were to be creating new and one day cherished memories of their time together at this beautiful park. Originally inhabited by the Duwamish Indian Tribe, Shilshole Bay was a place rich in salmon, clams and other seafood so that the people settled in very comfortably. The name Shilshole in Duwamish means “threading a needle”. This is thought to be because of the narrow opening in which Salmon Bay empties into the Bay. After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the wood mills set up shop on the water and employed many workers to work... 

Viking Days in Ballard

There are Vikings battling at the Nordic Heritage Museum. And Goodwives doing fingerknitting. And the lightest most delicious Swedish Pancakes in Ballard at the Pancake Breakfast Sunday 9-12 during Ballard Viking Days. Swedish meatballs, Norwegian lefse, Danish æbleskiver, and a variety of Finnish and Icelandic goodies are served during Viking Days, Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th. With assorted Scandanavian entertainment, foods, arts, and craft merchants, as well as real live Vikings with swords, battle axes, and round shields fighting – to the death! – before a strikingly real dragon-prowed ship, an actual historical ship over 200 years old (although not nearly as old as if real Vikings had used it in their raids on the coasts of Brittan in olden times.) There is a Taste of Scandinavia which features fare from all five Nordic countries and including such treats as Swedish meatballs, Norwegian lefse, Danish æbleskiver, and Finnish and Icelandic baked goods. The Ravensted Vikings will have a special small encampment at which visitors can see life as it happened in the Viking old days. Viking arts and crafts such as weaving, spinning, woodcarving and cooking... 

Beach Picnic Paradise at Shilshole Bay

Shilshole Bay is probably one of the most picturesque places in Seattle. Located on the western tip of the city along Puget Sound and bordering Ballard and Crown Hill, this is definitely a tourist destination. Some of my earliest memories of my childhood are of going to church with my family and friends and stopping at McDonald’s on the way to Shilshole Bay where we would eat our lunches at the beach and feed the seagulls. As I visited the exact spot on the beach that I had many years ago, I watched the children and their parents having a picnic lunch and reminisced. I wistfully thought how lucky they were to be creating new and one day cherished memories of their time together at this beautiful park. Originally inhabited by the Duwamish Indian Tribe, Shilshole Bay was a place rich in salmon, clams and other seafood so that the people settled in very comfortably. The name Shilshole in Duwamish means “threading a needle”. This is thought to be because of the narrow opening in which Salmon Bay empties into the Bay. After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the wood mills set up shop on the water and employed many workers to work in the mills and send them downtown to rebuild... 

Labor Day at Golden Gardens Beach in Ballard

Labor Day at Golden Gardens in Ballard Golden Gardens Park on Shilshole Bay could be called “Seattle’s Seattle”… water, boats, mountains, seashore, and all the variety of beach-going Seattle folks. It has been loved for generations and it’s a “happening place.” My 7 year old found two friends right away, us mothers sat on logs and chatted (one of them told me she lived right in Ballard at the top of the hill, what a perfect location! she’s a caterer and we discussed some of what makes Seattle food unique…the Northwest bounty of berries, seafood, and wild things that right now is showing up on our tables in abundance). Couples strolled down the edge of the waves. Groups sat on logs in deep discussion or played frisbee and volleyball. in the Boathouse a private party laughed and cheered and feasted. There must have been almost 20 fires that night…there are 12 approved firepits and many people make it a habit to bring their own wood and picnic into the night. Last night, it was the place to be. Check out this PI article for more on Golden Gardens.