bellevue • community • giving back • somerset • October 24, 2016

Bellevue Schools Foundation

by Stephanie Kristen

When we moved to Bellevue, it was because of the schools. My daughter, Mary was 5 years old and getting ready to start kindergarten. We found Somerset Elementary, not only because of their test scores and achievements, but also because of the parent involvement. They had 100% PTSA participation.

Getting a good education is more than test scores and national rankings. It’s about creating emotionally healthy, curious minds and lifelong learners. Bellevue Schools Foundation supports a wide variety of programs that make this possible through their innovation grants.

Mary is now in her first year at University of British Columbia in Vancouver and loving it. One of the grants that helps makes the college search process easier is the BSF investment in the Naviance program. It is a college and career planning platform that starts students out in middle school looking at their strengths and interests, then begins to research college options. In high school, Naviance helps to organize all the aspects of the college application process, communicates with their counselors and tracks their to-do list all the way to college acceptance.

We know one of the reasons people are moving to our area is because of our highly regarded schools. I am pleased to be an Honor Roll Realtor, giving back to a program that has had a huge impact not only for our family, but also our community.

Please consider supporting the fall fund drive. For more information or to donate click ALL IN FOR KIDS or text KIDS to 71760 to give from your mobile device. Every gift dollar makes a difference for Bellevue students!

community • giving back • seahawks • seattle • October 20, 2016

We’ve Got You Covered

by Stephanie Kristen

Windermere and the Seattle Seahawks have partnered in our #tacklehomelessness campaign. For every home game tackle made by the Seahawks, the Windermere Foundation is donating $100 to YouthCare, a non-profit that provides support services to homeless youth throughout the Puget Sound area.

Now we’re excited to announce Windermere’s “We’ve Got You Covered” winter clothing drive benefiting YouthCare.

Here’s what we are collecting:

Warm socks
Hats
Scarves
Gloves/mittens

Between now and November 14, feel free to stop by my office with donations or send me a message and I am happy to pick your donation up.

Gentle Giant Moving Company will pick up all of the donations from local Windermere offices. Donations can also be dropped off directly to YouthCare in South Lake Union at the James W. Ray Orion Center: 1828 Yale Avenue.

So please help our youth stay warm this winter and consider making a donation to our “We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive.

community • October 15, 2016

Octoberfest 2016

by Stephanie Kristen

Octoberfest is a time for pumpkin patches, harvest festivals and haunted houses. Enjoy fall in the Northwest at some of these favorites. Wear your boots and grab a jacket. Get ready to experience a bit of farm life, and make some fall memories!

Remlinger Farms

32610 NE 32nd St, Carnation 98014 ~ Saturday & Sunday in October 10am-6pm

This patch isn’t just place to pick up your future jack-o-lantern. Although you can do that for 10 cents a pound! This is an entertainment center with corn mazes, petting zoo, train and amusement rides.

Jubilee Farms

229 W. Snoqualmie River Rd. NE Carnation, WA 98014 ~ Saturdays & Sundays in October 10 am – 5 pm

Free admission & free parking! This local favorite CSA celebrates the harvest more traditionally. They offer rides on the hay wagon to the pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin. Come back to the barn for hot spiced cider.

Thomas Family Farm

9010 Marsh Road Snohomish, WA 98296 ~ Saturday & Sunday in October 10am-6pm and Fridays and Saturdays 6 pm – 12 am

Beyond the day activities Thomas Family Farm offers evening activities including Haunted House and Zombie Safari Paintball where you take a ride out in the field to takeout the Zombies.

Wild Waves

36201 Enchanted Pkwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003 ~ Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings

Well this isn’t a farm but a place to enjoy some Halloween fun. Take a ride on some of their thrill rides in the dark and check out their three haunted houses.

The Scarlet Curtain

5620 119th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006 ~ Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 – 6:30

Looking for something different for your Halloween costumes. Check out this huge, seasonal vintage clothing shop with gently used costumes curated over the year. The owner provides personalized service in pulling together everything you need for that one of a kind costume!

community • giving back • seattle • September 30, 2016

Key to Hope Luncheon 2016

by Stephanie Kristen

I was delighted to serve with Joan Caine as co-chair for the Plymouth Housing Group – 13th Annual Key to Hope Luncheon. This year’s event theme “Beyond Stability: The Healing Power of the Arts” celebrated the power of the arts to help formerly homeless men and women heal and leave life on the streets for good. We also highlighted Plymouth’s cultural partnerships, including connections with the Seattle Symphony and Path with Art.

Our keynote speaker was Vijay Gupta a violinist from the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He played and shared information about his work with the Street Symphony in LA.

I am so pleased to be part of an organization having such a powerful and positive impact in our city. We raised $770,000 to support a housing first model that is working to end homelessness here in Seattle. Here is an article from Puget Sound Business Journal.

Every time you buy or sell a home with me, a portion of that goes back into the community to support the work that Plymouth Housing Group is doing and provide housing for someone in need. Thanks for helping us give back.

bellevue • economy • market trends • real estate • seattle • statistics • September 28, 2016

Seattle/ Eastside Market Update – September 2016

by Stephanie Kristen

While homes prices were up by double-digits compared to a year ago, the market frenzy that has affected most of this year is showing some signs of moderating. With the exception of the Eastside, prices for most of the region were down from their peak. Home sales generally outpaced the same period a year ago, but a shortage of inventory continues to tip the advantage in favor of sellers.

Eastside

Bucking the trend of moderating prices, the Eastside saw the median home price soar 14 percent over last year to a new record high of $769,000. That eclipses the previous peak of $760,000 in May of this year. Very tight inventory in this highly desirable market was reflected in flat sales growth compared to a year ago.

(more…)

community • giving back • seahawks • seattle • September 26, 2016

#TackleHomelessness

by Stephanie Kristen

This year I am proud to be a part of something special. Windermere Real Estate is the Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks… and that is exciting in itself, but I’m even more proud of how this partnership is being used to help homeless youth in our community.

Since 1989, The Windermere Foundation has donated more than $30 million to programs and organizations that provide shelter, food, children’s programs, emergency assistance, and other services to those in need. Every time I sell a home, a portion of my commission goes toward this important cause. And now, for every Seahawks home game tackle, the Windermere Foundation will donate $100 to Youth Care, which provides much-needed services to homeless youth. $3100 was donated after the season home opener and $2600 in game 3.

I hope you’ll join our network of agents and 12s as we cheer on the home team as only Seahawks fans can. The #TackleHomelessness campaign can make a real difference in the lives of the people who need it most.

Here’s to a great season. Go Hawks!

bellevue • listings • real estate • somerset • September 25, 2016

Somerset Tree House

by Stephanie Kristen

Seamlessly Integrated Indoor/Outdoor Space This special residence was designed for people who seek a peaceful respite from busy urban life, but wish to be close the conveniences that living in the city brings. Set at the top of Somerset Hill and located on a quiet street backing to a greenbelt. Beautifully updated with high-end finishes throughout. Gourmet kitchen featuring Wolf, Dacor, Sub-Zero, Bosch and Viking. Walls of windows frame the tree lined views of Lake Sammamish and Cascade mountain range. Short walk to Somerset Elementary and Rec Club, or drive to neighborhood shops and dining. Easy commute to downtown Seattle and Bellevue and Sea-Tac airport. Award winning Bellevue Schools, Somerset, Tyee, Newport High You’ll love living here! 4408 144th Ave SE, Bellevue $1,298,000

Full listing information here.

bellevue • listings • marketing • preparing your home • real estate • seattle • somerset • September 20, 2016

Client Success Story – Moving to the Lake

by Stephanie Kristen

On the 4^th of July, friends were out on Lake Washington enjoying the sunshine and a day of boating. They got to talking and decided they wanted to live on the water. They were now empty-nesters and ready to make the move. They got home, started looking online and found a house that they were interested in. They called me and we got together the following day to start to make a plan on how to make it possible.

We discussed the elements of an offer. The listing had been on the market a few weeks and we decided to make the offer contingent on the sale of their house. After going back and forth on a few things, we reached an agreement and their offer was accepted. Now we had to get their house on the market and get it sold.

We negotiated some extra time in order to get their house ready. Then my team leaped into action. In the matter of two weeks, we met with the stager, installed new carpet, paint, granite countertops, and light fixtures. We had carpets, windows and the whole house cleaned. The house was inspected, and the furnace was serviced. We were ready for photographer.

And then on Thursday, we got a call from the listing agent. We were getting bumped. That meant we had 2 business days to get their house sold… and the photographer hadn’t even been to the house yet. We had until Monday at 9 pm to remove the contingency. We discussed strategy and activated the listing while waiting for the professional photos to come back. We decided to hold the house open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then review offers on Monday. We were cutting it close.

By networking with other agents, contacting those with buyers in the neighborhood, and online advertising, we had about 70 groups through their property. When we sat down to review offers, we had four offers and the property sold for over list price with the inspection and appraisal waived. We were able to remove the contingency on their purchase and proceed toward closing.

So from what started as an idea out on the water with friends, became a reality when they moved into their new waterfront home a short two months later. It’s so exciting when it works out so well. It was a lot of work in short time frame, but by working together it had a very happy ending.

bellevue • listings • real estate • somerset • August 28, 2016

Somerset Serenity

by Stephanie Kristen

Beautifully remodeled NW Contemporary with inviting wood-wrapped day rooms, vaulted ceilings and multiple decks to enjoy the surrounding greenbelt. Extensive use of natural materials such as exposed cedar ceilings & beams. So many improvements in the last four years. New roof, interior & exterior paint, remodeled kitchen and baths, new hardwood floors and so much more. Must see to appreciate! All this plus some of the top schools in the nation – Somerset, Tyee Middle and Newport High School.

Check out the listing here for more photos and information.

economy • interest rates • market trends • statistics • August 11, 2016

Seattle/Eastside Market Update – August 2016

by Stephanie Kristen

Home prices are still on the rise compared to a year ago, but there is some indication that prices are moderating. Combine that with an increase in inventory and we may be seeing some relief for buyers. Time will tell whether this is a momentary breather, or if we’re slowly moving to a more balanced market.

Eastside

Home to the highest concentration of luxury homes in the state, the Eastside continues to be the highest priced region of King County. Median home prices here were up 10 percent over last July to $750,400. That is down from the May peak of $760,000, and virtually unchanged from June. Buyers looking in this desirable market may be seeing the start of easing home prices.

King County

After five months in a row of record-setting prices, King County saw the median price of a single-family home drop slightly from the high of $570,500 in June to $555,000 in July. However, July’s median price was up 14 percent over a year ago. An increase in inventory, accompanied by a slight slowdown in sales, may indicate that the market is settling down from the frenzied pace we’ve experienced so far this year.

Seattle

Seattle also saw a small decrease in home prices, with the median price of a single-family home dropping from its record $666,500 in June to $650,000 in July. The July number still represents a hefty 13 percent increase year-over-year. Some buyers are looking to the areas of North King County that include Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore for a more affordable alternative. Prices there soared 18 percent over last year, but the median price of $505,000 is significantly less than Seattle.

Snohomish County

The median home price in Snohomish County topped $400,000 for the first time, setting a record for the third straight month. Prices were up nearly 12 percent over the same time a year ago to $405,000. With prices here about 25 percent less than King County, buyers looking for lower housing costs continue to fuel an environment where multiple offers are common.

Bellevue Schools Foundation

We’ve Got You Covered

Octoberfest 2016

Key to Hope Luncheon 2016

Seattle/ Eastside Market Update – September 2016

Eastside

#TackleHomelessness

Somerset Tree House

Client Success Story – Moving to the Lake

Somerset Serenity

Seattle/Eastside Market Update – August 2016

Eastside

King County

Seattle

Snohomish County

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