It List: November 2017

Seattle, Washington 1223 Spring Street has long been the most desired address on First Hill. Built in 1929, with lavish Art Deco detailing throughout, this building exudes the luxury of the era. Unit #501 has been gracefully remodeled, keeping the elegance of the original home intact while offering modern amenities. With over 2,600 square feet, all on one level, this residence lives like a single family home, not a condominium! Offered at $1,699,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... Perhaps it’s living together in a place of such abundant beauty and economic opportunity that brings out so many competing ideas about what our city and the region should look like, how people should live and commute, and what powers government should exert. The FutureCast Forum looks at how the competition among these perspectives might play out locally on select emergent issues. READ MORE... "Laura is on it from minute one. That’s who she is professionally and we were the beneficiaries of her experience, street smarts and diligence. She set a perfect price point, managed the marketing focus and quality, and we had a verbal on the evening of day 5 followed by the contract at noon the next day. We were able to go about our jam packed lives knowing Laura was in charge. Excellent job!" READ TESTIMONIALS... Seattle, Washington A high-impact yet timeless interior with top-of-the-line finishes includes 9-foot ceilings, honed marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances, light/rustic hardwoods and a very rare 300 square foot patio...all set against a canvas of sparkling city and water views! Two bedrooms meet a cozy den, two bathrooms and a great room with a luxe kitchen. Life at LUMA comes together in a collection of incredible amenities: expansive rooftop terrace, jetted pool, fireside lounge, chef’s kitchen, fitness center and pet lounge! Offered at $1,295,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... From the October 2017 edition of Art & Home, Iyna Bort Caruso shows us that mid-century modern architecture isn’t just having its moment. It’s having an extended renaissance. The modernist style began in the late 1930s and took hold after World War II as new materials and building techniques became available that allowed architects to break with the past. Decades on, mid-century modern continues to feel fresh. READ MORE... Seattle has made seemingly endless headlines in recent months for its impressive housing market, and it seems no end is in sight as Seattle Times reports that the Emerald City has now maintained its position as the hottest market in the nation for 12 consecutive months. On top of boasting the largest home price gains of any other city, the Puget Sound also made headlines for 2018, as the annual “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” study ranked the city number one on its list, up from a fourth position in 2017. READ MORE... This month's IT PICK is the fabulous dog walking and dog sitting app, Wag!, which connects dog owners with dog lovers in their community. Hire trusted professionals for on-demand dog walking, dog sitting and dog boarding - 7 days a week! With live GPS tracking, you can see exactly where your furry friend is at all times.  READ MORE...

It List: October 2017

Seattle, Washington A high-impact yet timeless interior with top-of-the-line finishes includes 9-foot ceilings, honed marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances, light/rustic hardwoods and a very rare 300 square foot patio...all set against a canvas of sparkling city and water views! Two bedrooms meet a cozy den, two bathrooms and a great room with a luxe kitchen. Life at LUMA comes together in a collection of incredible amenities: expansive rooftop terrace, jetted pool, fireside lounge, chef’s kitchen, fitness center and pet lounge! Offered at $1,395,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... After piling up serial out sized monthly gains, the CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index for Seattle showed signs of fatigue in July, settling down to a “mere” 0.65% monthly rate of growth. The region’s index remains up a hefty 13.5% year-over-year, but the ascent had been slowing since April on a monthly basis. It is too early to judge whether this signals a turning point, or merely a brief chance for hesitant buyers to get aboard the Seattle market’s train. READ MORE... Representatives of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty and Tiger Oak Media, publisher of Seattle Magazine recently announced a new real estate portal to host content in print and online with SeattleMag.com. The exclusive platform will distribute news media from The FutureCast Forum – a collaborative of third-party opinion leaders that explore current and projected market fundamentals influencing the Seattle/Bellevue metro area by 2020 and beyond. It’s founding members and guest columnists will provide timely insights on the state of the economy, commercial and residential development, evolving demographics, wealth management considerations, government policy, lifestyle trends and international influences that are shaping the regional landscape. READ MORE... This year's Sotheby's International Realty® Global Networking Event was one for the books. Taking place at the Wynn Las Vegas from September 25th to 27th, more than 2,500 brokers, owners and managers came together for extensive networking and learning opportunities with keynote speeches, breakout panels and cocktail receptions. The best part of the event by far was when I got to meet Martha Stewart, who was interviewed by our Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Thompson. It was a dream come true listening to this smart, passionate, creative woman - she is truly one-of-a-kind!   "Laura is the consummate professional with impressive judgment. We began working with Laura a year ago in search of a home in Madison Park. We had a long timeline and very specific ideas about the type of home we wanted. Laura worked with us patiently and tenaciously. She suggested and showed us many properties in a variety of neighborhoods. She listened very carefully to our feedback and anticipated characteristics that we did not realize were important to us. In the end, we found a real jewel that perfectly satisfied our needs and was entirely different than the type of home we had originally identified. It is a privilege to work with Laura. She is warm, responsive, and very thorough." READ TESTIMONIALS... I am proud to share that Realogics Sotheby's International Realty has posted more than $1 billion in closed and pending home resales year to date, not including $225 million in new construction condominium presales that are also pending. The firm pegged a 40.6% growth rate for sales volumes year-over-year so far in 2017, according to Trendgraphix, leading the top ten largest real estate brands. The relatively boutique-sized company, comprised of just 225 brokers, also leads its immediate peer group in the average selling prices ($985,000), average buyer contracts ($839,500), average listing prices ($2,177,900) and total listing production per broker ($2,910,710) when comparing on a trailing 12-month basis per NWMLS data as of August 31, 2017. READ MORE... While I was in Las Vegas attending the Sotheby's International Realty GNE, I learned of a new SIR partnership with New Story. This non-profit organization puts 100% of donations toward transforming dangerous living environments into communities of safe, sustainable homes - all for $6,000 per house. Not only do 100% of donations go directly to the field, but donors have the ability to see the exact family they are sponsoring. When the home is completed, they are delivered a move-in video to share in the excitement of this incredible effort. New Story does more than build houses - they provide jobs and economic stability for the communities they service by hiring local labor and buying domestic materials to boost the country's economy. While at the GNE, a goal was set for the 2,500+ attendees - fund 100 homes to build a community in Mexico. I am so proud to share that not only did we meet the goal of 100 homes but we blew it out of the water! Our global network raised enough money to build over 150 homes. How incredible is that?  READ MORE...

It List: September 2017

Seattle, Washington A high-impact yet timeless interior with top-of-the-line finishes includes 9-foot ceilings, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances and ebony hardwoods all set against a canvas of sparkling city and water views. Two bedrooms meet a cozy den, two bathrooms and a great room with a luxe kitchen that opens to living and dining rooms. Life at LUMA comes together in a collection of incredible amenities: expansive rooftop terrace, jetted pool, fireside lounge, chefs kitchen, fitness center and a pet lounge! Offered at $1,495,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... Seattle, Washington 1223 Spring Street has long been the most desired address on First Hill. Built in 1929, with lavish Art Deco detailing throughout, this building exudes the luxury of the era. Unit #501 has been gracefully remodeled, keeping the elegance of the original home intact while offering all the modern amenities. With over 2,600 square feet, all on one level, this special residence lives like a single family home! Offered at $1,699,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... Last month, I attended the annual Realogics Sotheby's International Realty Soirée Blanche at the home of our fabulous leaders, Dean & Stacy Jones! It was a night to remember as we celebrated Stacy's 50th birthday with a special performance by Pike Places' Can Can dancers. On top of the delectable spread of food and ever-flowing libations, a live DJ kept us all entertained until the very end of the night. What a special way to honor summer with the RSIR family! Take a peek at the below collection of photos from the evening soirée. VIEW LOOK BOOK... According to a recent analysis by Zillow, Seattle is among cities with the highest number of $1 million neighborhoods. "Zillow found that nearly one in 20 residential ZIP codes in the U.S. meet that definition, and that there are a total of 1,280 neighborhoods in the country where at least 10 percent of the homes are worth seven figures." In our very own Emerald City, where the booming tech sector pushes home prices to record highs, there are 38 $1 million neighborhoods, ranking us 9th among the top 10 cities.  READ MORE... This evening from 5:00-9:00PM, join me at Realogics Sotheby's International Realty's Park House, located at 4031 E Madison Street, for the opening night of the Madison Park Art Walk. Enjoy fabulous art by two local artists, small bites and delicious libations. I hope to see you there!  READ MORE... "Laura did a wonderful job both listing and bringing many prospective buyers to the table. She was very professional in her business ability and very considerate of my schedule. When she finished showing our house, she made sure that everything was as we left it. I would recommend Laura to anyone thinking of listing their property." READ TESTIMONIALS... In an provocative article recently published by the Seattle PI, the question of soaring rents and skyrocketing home prices has caused 71% of homeowners in Washington to worry about a housing bubble. It's easy to see why the question looms. Median home prices jumped $100K in King County last month, according to NWMLS reports, and affordability has become an increasing concern for many. The last time the market generated this kind of meteoric growth was 2007 and we all know how that turned out. So, are we due to repeat history with an impending housing correction? Not likely if you talk to Dean Jones, President and CEO of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty. READ MORE... The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand is pleased to announce the launch of its official WeChat account. WeChat is a Chinese social media app and is also the most used social media platform in the world with nearly 940 million active users. The brand’s presence on WeChat will allow our network an unprecedented opportunity to reach prospective Chinese buyers. READ MORE... I recently read an excellent book by Graham Moore, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Imitation Game, titled The Last Days of Night. The novel begins in 1888 and follows Thomas Edison & George Westinghouse, the two great inventors fighting to control the spread of electricity across the United States. For any history buffs out there, this is definitely a novel you want at the top of your list. You won't be able to put it down! READ MORE...

It List - July 2017

Quilcene, Washington Designed by award-winning architect, Tom Bosworth, this waterfront home and guest cabin are a hidden treasure of cedar, glass and stone. Perched above pristine Dabob Bay, the "Treehouse" has 1,480 feet of waterfront on 21 acres of magnificent forest. Offered at $2,300,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... I am proud to present Realogics Sotheby's International Realty's look at housing market trends for the first half of 2017 in 15 key markets from around the Puget Sound, from the shores of Bainbridge Island’s waterfront homes, to Seattle and beyond. See how the market is doing in your neighborhood.  READ MORE... 1223 Spring Street, #501, Seattle  Built in 1929, with lavish Art Deco detailing throughout, this building exudes the luxury of the era. Unit #501 has been gracefully remodeled, keeping the elegance of the original home intact while offering all the modern amenities. With over 2600 square feet, all on one level, this special residence lives like a single family home, not a condominium! Offered at $1,850,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... 1550 Shenandoah Drive E, Seattle  Southern-styled traditional in the heart of Broadmoor! Sited on an expansive double lot, this treasured home has a fantastic floor plan combining elegant formals, cozy library, Four bedrooms up, a kitchen/family room, and and oversized daylight rec-room. Eight sets of French doors lead to either the intimate brick courtyard in the back or open to the balconies that trim the home. Two charming patios, a child's cottage, tree house, and lush garden all embraced by mature flowering trees and shrubs. Laid-back luxury! Offered at $3,295,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... Recently named Travel + Leisure’s Top City of 2017, Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende is a colonial city, a part of which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we check in with Larry Stebbins, owner of Agave Sotheby’s International Realty in San Miguel, to discover the latest from within the T+L top city. READ MORE... Downtown Seattle's historic Chinatown-International District has long been home to culture, cuisine and conveniences befitting of its urban renaissance. At its heart is KODA, an artfully-inspired 200+ unit condominium that is set to rise at the corner of 5th Avenue and Main Street. Homeownership is finally within reach as is modern design, dynamic amenities and immediate access to the regional transportation hub at King Street Station and all that downtown Seattle has to offer. Priced from the low $300,000s. LEARN MORE ABOUT KODA... Washington state is bad for business? Think again because Puget Sound Business Journal says “it’s actually the best, according to a new ranking.” As the article describes, “while Seattle is sometimes pegged as being bad for business due to regulations and taxes, Washington had economic growth nearly 2.5 times the national rate” at 3.7% in 2016, and according to the latest CNBC rankings, which measure 66 metrics across 10 categories, the Evergreen State is now the number one state for business. READ MORE... The statistics for the first quarter of 2017 are in — and more impressive than ever! Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates has excelled in bringing global awareness to real estate properties. Not only has the company surpassed the competition in the global realm, the website traffic reports prove that more people will see luxury listings when they are affiliated with our company. The statistics for SIR.com from the first quarter reached a staggering 7 million unique visits with over 30 million page views! When compared to previous reports, it’s clear the company’s continued growth and digital marketing efforts are making an impact. READ MORE...

It List - June 2017

1223 Spring Street, #501, Seattle  Built in 1929, with lavish Art Deco detailing throughout, this building exudes the luxury of the era. Unit #501 has been gracefully remodeled, keeping the elegance of the original home intact while offering all the modern amenities. With over 2600 square feet, all on one level, this special residence lives like a single family home, not a condominium! Offered at $1,850,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... 1550 Shenandoah Drive E, Seattle  Southern-styled traditional in the heart of Broadmoor! Sited on an expansive double lot, this treasured home has a fantastic floor plan combining elegant formals, cozy library, Four bedrooms up, a kitchen/family room, and and oversized daylight rec-room. Eight sets of French doors lead to either the intimate brick courtyard in the back or open to the balconies that trim the home. Two charming patios, a child's cottage, tree house, and lush garden all embraced by mature flowering trees and shrubs. Laid-back luxury! Offered at $3,295,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... The Puget Sound Business Journal recently revealed the list of Largest Residential Real Estate Firms in Washington, ranking Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty sixth overall, an apropos position given that it is the firm’s sixth consecutive year on the list. Ranked by 2016 residential home sales in the Puget Sound region, RSIR reported $1.07 billion in local residential sales last year. Most notably, despite being smaller than any of the brokerages in the top 5 spots at 195 agents, the boutique brokerage reported an average sales price of $767,000, higher than the average of each of the top 5 firm’s by at least $225,000. READ MORE... On the evening of June 7th, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty welcomed Carol Elkins, Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s Jewelry, to Park House for a glittering presentation on magnificent jewels covering bidding at auction, global jewelry trends, and current market values. It was an amazing night for cocktails, friends, fun, and diamonds of course! As Elkins highlighted, the audience for jewelry in Sotheby’s is growing to record setting levels, and 2017 has already significant sales in the Jewelry department including the sale of “The Pink Star” for $71.2M. READ MORE... 1) 3309 E Saint Andrews Way, Seattle  This mid-century home has been a rental for over 25 years, and is now an opportunity for a savvy buyer. Does it need updating? YES, but at just $350/square foot (the average being $620/square foot in Broadmoor), this home is priced to sell. Offered at $1,495,000. 2) 1325 Broadmoor Drive E, Seattle  The classic symmetry of a Georgian Colonial never goes out of style! Over 6,000 square feet of yummy interiors & killer finishes combine with a floor plan that really works. Plantation shutters, deep moldings, shadow-boxing, marble floors, paneled den & a family room off of the kitchen. Did I mention the indoor-outdoor flow? Offered at $3,495,000. Earlier this month, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Owner & CEO Dean Jones sat down with Buzz Buzz News to discuss current and future trends in Seattle’s dynamic real estate market, from home prices and foreign investment, to the impact of Seattle’s Silicon Forest. Jones says the most exciting trend in the Emerald City today is “without question, the urbanization of Seattle.” He notes the staggering 68 tower cranes and convergence of our diversified and rapidly growing economy with urban campuses, which “attracts new jobs and spurs housing demand in the downtown core.” READ MORE... One of the most beloved First Ladies and iconic historic figures, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ childhood home is for sale in McLean, Virginia for $49.5 million. Recently reported by The Wall Street Journal, America Online (AOL) co-founder Steve Case is listing Merrywood – the sprawling, seven-acre estate on the Potomac River with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Nestled in the Washington DC suburb, the estate reflects a storied history, serving as home to several of America’s most influential political and business leaders. READ MORE... Tom Skerritt, "Top Gun" star and founder of TheFilmSchool, recently announced his new endeavor: Heyou Media LLC. With a goal to elevate Seattle's film production reputation, "He and Heyou co-founders are hoping to build a business that make visual entertainment content in Seattle on modest budgets." I urge you to read his interview with The Puget Sound Business Journal on his startup's plans; he has quite a fascinating vision! READ MORE...

It List - May 2017

1325 Broadmoor Drive E, Seattle  The classic symmetry of a Georgian Colonial never goes out of style! Over 6,000 square feet of yummy interiors & killer finishes combine with a floor plan that really works. Plantation shutters, deep moldings, shadow-boxing, marble floors, paneled den & a family room off of the kitchen. Did I mention the indoor-outdoor flow? An entertainer's dream with 7 sets of French doors opening from the home to the private, sunny & beautifully manicured garden complete with fountain, built-in BBQ & outdoor fireplace. Offered at $3,495,000. EXPLORE PROPERTY... "Laura and I worked together for over a year before I purchased a home. She understood what I wanted and would let me know when she saw something that fit. She was there in the background as my advocate. I never felt she was trying to sell me something. Laura was always there to represent me and to protect me. Her knowledge of the market was outstanding. More importantly after we entered escrow she remained my advocate and was always watching out for my interests. I know many realtors in Seattle proper. I would only use Laura going forward. She is pleasant, smart and has integrity." READ TESTIMONIALS... On a sunny Seattle evening in the beginning of May, fashion-forward partygoers flocked to Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s newest office branch, The Park House. Our boutique showroom played host to the Style & Urban Bourbon event, which featured savory appetizers, handcrafted premium bourbon from Seattle’s OOLA Distillery, and personal fittings from J. Hilburn stylist Annette Dresser. Guests mingled with RSIR’s global real estate advisers while learning about the season’s latest fashion trends and perusing the curated trunk show. READ MORE... On June 11th from 12-4PM, you are invited on a walking tour of distinct neighborhood homes and gardens that highlight a broad range of innovative, classic and stylish design. The tour will begin at The Park House, located at 4031 East Madison Street. All proceeds benefit McGilvra Elementary School to provide critical education support roles including: music classes, art classes, reading specialists, math specialists and more. PURCHASE TICKETS... Last week, I joined a group of colleagues for a Bainbridge Island tour day! We started off listening to a great presentation by fellow brokers on island living and Kitsap County opportunities, followed by an exclusive broker tour of RSIR's new waterfront estate. I so love the collaboration between our offices! On May 19th, The Wall Street Journal's Mansion Global shared the “Secret of the San Juans” with its readers, celebrating the beloved archipelago for its “remoteness and simplicity,” and highlighting its most recent achievement as “the hottest luxury real-estate market in the country.” As Nancy Keates writes, the growth in the area “has been fueled in recent years by an influx of high-tech companies to Seattle, where soaring home prices make the San Juans look like a bargain,” and for its allure as an idyllic retreat. READ MORE... My "It Pick" for this month is the NPR podcast titled "How I Built This", which explores innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists and the stories behind the movements they built. Each episode is a narrative journey. Featured guests include Mark Cuban (serial entrepreneur), Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, and many more.  READ MORE...

It List - April 2017

1550 Shenandoah Drive E, Seattle  Southern-styled traditional in the heart of Broadmoor! Sited on an expansive double lot, this treasured home has a fantastic floor plan combining elegant formals, cozy library, Four bedrooms up, a kitchen/family room, and and oversized daylight rec-room. Eight sets of French doors lead to either the intimate brick courtyard in the back or open to the balconies that trim the home. Two charming patios, a child's cottage, tree house, and lush garden all embraced by mature flowering trees and shrubs. Offered at $3,495,000. READ MORE... I am excited to announce that the very first edition of Realogics Sotheby's International Realty's Enquire Magazine has arrived! I invite you to take a look at the piece, which features some fascinating editorial on our "City of Superlatives", market trends, and exclusive listings, including two of my client's homes! READ MORE... In case you missed it, the Pacific Northwest area continues to set the pace with the Seattle metro area up 12.2% as of February 2017 bringing this trend to six months in a row at the top of the US index!  READ MORE... "Perhaps one of the best compliments I can give Laura (and advice to anyone reading this) is that I heard from several different agents that I was represented by "the best." When touring open houses on our own we would be asked who we were working with. When I mentioned Laura's name, the agents universally respected her and praised her. When purchasing my new home the seller's agent remarked to me offhand that I was in great hands with Laura, and he was right. Other agents are often the best judge of the skills and talent of their colleagues, and Laura was clearly respected and known by all. It made me feel good to know that I was in such capable hands, and in the end she proved that to me firsthand throughout my experience working with her. In sum, I cannot recommend Laura highly enough. She is capable, smart, professional, and kind. She's willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done and make a client happy. Don't hesitate to hire her--she truly is the best!" READ FULL TESTIMONIAL... Earlier this month, I was a featured expert at the Realogics Sotheby's International "Pro Panel" on winning listings! Alongside five other colleagues, I shared best practices as well as how to best leverage the power of the global brand and our local exclusives. It was an informative event and I even learned a few things myself! Central Seattle has been a seller’s market since May 2013. Months in inventory have been gradually trending downward, averaging 1.2 in 2016, 1.3 in 2015 and 1.8 in 2014. In 2016, the median price of single-family homes and condos in Central Seattle rose by 13.6%, and exceeded that of King County by 28.%. This is one of the areas where high end sales of homes are concentrated. Sellers continued to benefit from competition among buyers and this is one of the areas seeing substantially higher-than-list prices paid. READ MORE... On April 19th, more than 150 VIP guests and members of the media joined Sotheby’s International Realty® affiliates from many of the dozen featured gateway markets that participated in the exclusive all-Chinese book: “Chinese Institutions Definitive guide to USA Real Estate”. The hardcover, 300+ page book was a much anticipated collaboration led by Ben Briggs of Texas-based Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, whom resides and offices in China. Our very own Dean Jones, CEO of Realogics Sotheby's International Realty, is a contributor. Read more to find out about his East Coast tour! READ MORE... My "It Pick" for this month is the 43rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival, taking place from May 18th-June 11th all throughout Seattle. As the largest and most highly-attended film festival in the country, more than 400 films from 80 countries are screened. There is certainly something for everyone, from an opening night red carpet experience to a full series pass, complete with priority seating. Become a member and get low prices on festival ticket packages before the general public! I cannot wait to check out some of these films. Which ones are you the most excited to see?  READ MORE...

It List - March 2017

It's been a busy month at Realogics Sotheby's International Realty! This past weekend, our newest office, located in the heart of Madison Park, opened to the public. Park House is a stunning boutique showroom designed to be more than a full service real estate firm and was imagined as a space where the community can come together for featured lifestyle events. If you are in the area, I urge you to stop by and say hello! I would love to show you around.  The long-awaited 2016/2017 Market Report has arrived! In this review of market activity in the Puget Sound, explore the markets in seven key counties of Western Washington State: King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Skagit, Jefferson and Island counties. READ MORE... Last week, I attended the VIP Ground Breaking Reception for NEXUS, Seattle's most anticipated condominium community. It was a great time connecting with reservation holders and touring the finished space, including the full-scale, fully furnished model home!  READ MORE... Romantic Village in Santa Barbara  Perched on a crest with views of the ocean, harbor, and mountains, the secluded estate was designed and built in the 1930s by celebrated architect Wallace Frost. After living in Italy, Frost created the two-story, 10,500-square-foot residence for himself, emulating the classical style of 17th-century Italian villas and creating an air of Old World romance and refinement. Impeccable attention was paid to every detail: a classic barrel-tiled roof, terra-cotta surfaces, wide wood flooring planks, rustic exposed ceiling beams, 18th-century Italian tiles, vintage light fixtures, and sturdy walls of locally quarried stone. Offered at $45,000,000. READ MORE... I was recently interviewed by Seattle Refined on why taking a look at the East Village in downtown Seattle is a smart choice when considering a move as a downsizer. From saving money and building double equity to enjoying the all inclusive, luxury amenities of new condominium towers like NEXUS, see why the East Village is the best place for Seattle’s empty nesters. READ MORE... 5227 55th Avenue NE, Seattle  Built in 2008, this stately home combines timeless traditional detailing with a floor plan that lives for today. Deep moldings, high ceilings, cypress paneled library, fantastic kitchen with butlers pantry, breakfast & family room. Did I forget to mention the backyard? French doors lead to a covered patio with a fireplace, outdoor saltwater pool and lavish, private garden. Four bedrooms up plus bonus & laundry. Nothing like this currently available in Seattle. Relaxed & refined luxury living. Offered at $4,300,000. READ MORE... 6078 Moonrise Lane, Freeland  Moonrise Cottage is an easy living, private sanctuary at the end the lane. Sweeping views of the Sound, Mt. Rainier, shipping lanes and 4th of July fireworks displays! Luxurious kitchen/family room with AGA stove, walk-in pantry, easy connection to laundry room & a 2-car garage. The main living room boasts dramatic vaulted ceilings and a handsome central fireplace. Three sets of French doors open from the main floor to an over-sized entertaining deck. Offered at $1,195,000. READ MORE... Since the implementation of the 15% foreign investment tax in Vancouver, Chinese buyers have been rapidly moving their attention to the Seattle market. According to Juwai.com, "Searches for properties in Seattle more than doubled after the new tax went into effect in August, drawing more inquiries than any other American city and beating out past favorites Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Searches for Seattle on the site jumped by 125% in November." READ MORE... Strideline was started by Jake and Riley in 2009 while they were in high school with their graduation money. They started out as Seatown Lax as they were lacrosse players and named it after the sport. After the Skyline designs took over they changed their name to Strideline and can now be found in major retailers including Champs, Nordstrom, Lids, Macy's, Costco, and various others. Strideline socks are worn by all athletes from the prep to pro level. Some notable athletes and names that wear Strideline socks include Marshawn Lynch, Doug Baldwin, Antonio Brown, Nate Robinson, Thomas Robinson, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Lil' Wayne, DJ Khaled and others. The company resides in Eastlake and now has over 30 employees from sales staff, designers, operations, marketing, and much more. A brand new addition to their brand includes the Strideline Guarantee. This guarantee states "If these aren't the most comfortable socks you've ever worn, call us at 206 734 6870 for a full refund. No questions asked." READ MORE...