It Pick: February 2019

This month's auction features beautiful watches from all over the world both new and vintage. Some of the finer brands are represented including; Rolex, Patek Philippe and IWC.   Learn More >       There is a powerful presence to this special home - a tribute to good taste and classical design never goes out of style! The flawlessly executed interior is a marriage of exquisite form and function. Beautifully appointed kitchen/family room/breakfast rooms are the "heart of this home" with easy access from the oversized 2-car garage/mud-room and out to the charming patio. A 1500+ bottle wine cellar, media/billiards rooms and a fantastic master suite complete with fireplace, vaulted ceilings and more! View Property >       This month's version of The Pulse features the latest on art, travel, design and local events that are note to be missed! View the Pulse >       Be sure to read the Forbes article below which explains what one can expect as it relates to interest rates, housing costs and everything else about the housing market for 2019. Learn More >        Available for the first time in 27 years, this 1926 Mediterranean home is proudly sited on the sunny 6th green of the Broadmoor Golf Club. Beautiful details include hardwood floors, wrought iron railings and balconies, three fireplaces and French doors that open to both the side and west facing patios. Fantastic bones and a one-of-a-kind location make this home a unique opportunity for a buyer looking to secure a special home in this sought-after community with tons of upside potential. Sublime! View Property >       The wines to watch for February are bordeauxs from 2012 and 2014. Sotheby's wine expert Graham Tucker lays out why you should be drinking them and offers a selection to choose from at varying price points. Find Out More >        Timeless elegance meets a floor plan that really works for the way we live today with gracious formal rooms flowing into the spacious kitchen/family room complete with stainless appliances and granite counters. French doors open to the outdoor entertaining space including a fireplace, covered patio and a sunny, private backyard. Dark hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, skylights, bay windows, 3 fireplaces, custom built-ins and an elevator! Daylight basement with rec-room and bath. Abundant storage throughout. View Property >       "Walking away from Laura feeling like I’d just been schooled by my mother was a surreal and humbling experience. We’d met socially once before. Now we were negotiating the sale of our home to one of Laura’s clients and she took me to the woodshed over price. I was mad. We didn’t list our home,  but we were willing to sell it. Laura finds unlisted opportunities like ours for her clients. She’s really good at it.    Here I experienced how she represented her clients. She’s brilliant at that. I wasn’t happy, but I had to respect Laura’s approach because nobody will beat her encyclopedic knowledge of arcane residential detail…like whether one comparative sale had copper plumbing and new wiring versus another that only received paint and cabinets. Laura’s house-by-house knowledge and deal volume speak for themselves. She knows her markets. She leverages deal creativity on behalf of her clients, but you can only learn what that is if you face her or retain her. I can’t share what I learned in writing!   We sold our home to Laura’s clients, but didn’t retain an agent to represent us in buying a new home in the same neighborhood because our family background is in real estate. And here, we met Laura again, along with every other agent of note in the area as we toured homes for sale. There is no comparison. Laura’s driven to be the best agent in the area, and by that I mean the best agent for her clients. She’s terrific. Laura must create 25 hours in a day because her follow-up on behalf of her clients is unmatched: Notes, phone calls - she knows when to press and when to just say hello.    You want to believe most agents operating in higher end markets have the same skill level. They don’t. There are agents promising their clients pie-in-the-sky to get a listing and then the home sits for months or years. There are agents who push their client to the floor on a home sale just to get the commission. What became clear in our tour was that Laura had the most fact-based approach to pricing and ultimately she achieved higher sale prices for her listings. All you have to do is look at her transaction record and compare it to other agents. Laura’s commission pays for itself for her clients. Laura will either get a higher sale price for a client listing than another agent, or she’ll navigate a lower offer on a client’s behalf and still win the deal. In listing or buying, clients are better with Laura than another agent.   Laura Halliday is a special agent. Since meeting her, negotiating with her, and seeing her work, we refer anyone who asks to Laura alone and know she will exceed their expectations. Laura Halliday has my great respect and admiration." Read Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com

It List: January 2019

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty (RSIR) has rolled out a campaign for 2019 that makes the ultimate statement about who we are: Only With Us®.  Discover the Difference > Watch the Video >         Prominently sited on sought-after Capitol Hill (walk -score @ 89!), this historical treasure combines a pedigreed history & classical details with a home that exudes comfort & warmth. Multiple rooms invite living & entertaining, (both casually and formally!) for all ages...5 bedrooms, 6+ baths, 7 fireplaces, billiards room, media room, sunroom, wine cellar, nanny’s quarters with separate entrance all embraced by luscious, mature gardens. At $460/sf, this is an incredible opportunity for a savvy buyer!   View Property >         Be sure to take a look at this upcoming auction that features works from important American private collections and institutions. The items include fine furniture, decorative arts, folk art, silver, Chinese export ceramics, prints, historic maps, books, and manuscripts. Read More >         Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty presents a look at the housing market trends for the fourth quarter of 2018, from the shores of Bainbridge Island’s waterfront homes and in-city living opportunities to the Eastside’s most distinguished residences. View the Report >         Sometimes considered an afterthought with regards to the well known red wine-producing regions of France, the wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape prove to be a wine connoisseur's dream. Expect tasting notes featuring  smoky and herbal aromas and flavors. This wine proves to be a perfect compliment to all things winter.    Find Out More >         Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty and three network affiliates in Amazon’s HQ2 cities to collaborate on MyHQHome.com; a collective offering relocation and referral services. Learn More >         “For about a year and a half, Laura patiently and diligently worked with us on our new home search and in the end the hard work paid off. Through her industry contacts, Laura found us a needle in a haystack private listing that was far and above everything we had previously considered. She helped us navigate the offer and negotiation and guided the process along through closing. We are thankful for her expertise, candor, and willingness to see our lengthy home search through to the joyous end"  Read Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com

IT List: December 2018

On Friday, December 7th, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty came together for Momentum, our annual real estate conference. Over 200 brokers and nine market leaders from around the Sotheby’s International Realty® network were inspired by the insights and expertise of industry leaders, guest speakers and panel experts. The day’s topics ranged from how to leverage the brand through innovation and the art of storytelling to building powerful relationships, personal style, investment strategy, market trends, and much more.By the end of the day, everyone in attendance felt prepared to “level up” as we move into 2019. Read More >         Would you like to spend a Sunday in Miami? Are you curious as to what real estate trends will be prevalent in 2019? Want some advice on curating and caring for an art collection? The Pulse December 2018 answers these questions and details local and national news concerning art, design and real estate.  View The Pulse >         WillowDon is an in-city-estate with resort-like amenities and private entertainment by the water’s edge simply minutes to downtown Seattle, SeaTac & private aviation. Sumptuous grounds, Olmstead gardens, yacht moorage (fresh water with access to sea), auto court and car museum, nostalgic architecture but studs out renovation with modern conveniences. Be still my beating heart!   View Property >         Change is on the horizon as we prepare to move through the holiday season and into 2019. As buyers and sellers prepare for the new year, let’s take a look at current trends and what’s ahead in the Seattle real estate market.  Read More >         The chart above illustrates just how powerful the Sotheby's brand really is! As you can see, our website outperformed our competitors by a wide margin. I am so lucky to have such brand identity and recognition at my disposal to utilize for my clients!         I had the pleasure of meeting with Sotheby's agent Jill Sassi when she visited our office to learn more about the Jackson Hole market. Did you know that there will be direct flights to JH beginning this Spring?! Great old west style community ( with lots of "bling")!  I love finding out about different destination communities from our fantastic Sotheby's colleagues. If you want further information on Jackson Hole reach out to me and I will introduce you to Jill!         I love books that are “flashlight under the covers good”…and this is one of them!  Based on the true story of Elizabeth Holmes the young, gifted, and blonde Stanford dropout who started Theranos.  The collection of names that Holmes collected as investors and board members is astonishing, though weirdly eclectic. Her board included Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and a smattering of former senators and other political bigwigs. The leaders of both the drugstore chain Walgreen's, and Safeway saw in Theranos the opportunity to reinvent their businesses at a time when new directions were needed. Rupert Murdoch invested $125 million of his own money. The famed lawyer David Boies took payment in shares to represent the company in attacking critics. On YouTube you can see former president Bill Clinton's enchantment…This would be a great read over the holiday….  Purchase the Book >         “We first met Laura when we called her regarding one of her listings. We had decided we needed to move closer to our children's school and had started to look at houses using local search tools. When we called Laura, she answered the phone!  She was upbeat, professional and also made us feel comfortable in a very unclear situation. I got off the phone and thought, "this is exactly how I would want someone to represent me when selling my house". You bet she showed us that home! Six months later we decided to list our house and called Laura. Within 7 days, Laura had our home on the MLS. We listed April 2018 and Laura had talked about what was beginning to feel like a "changing market". The days were stressful as our house sat on the market but Laura remained incredibly responsive and continued to educate us about historical market trends, strengths and weaknesses. After 30 days we received an offer below list price that Laura negotiated on our behalf. Near the closing date of our primary residence we needed to sell a rental house. Laura had 6 days to get this house on the market. We all felt like we needed to list before the 4th of July. She worked with us day and night on paints, counters and appliances. This house received multiple offers in July 2018 and she negotiated on our behalf a sale price above list price. At this point we felt like we had seen so many sides of Laura and so many sides of her strengths. She guided us on when to list and what price to list at, but let us determine what was best for our personal investments. Laura is an incredible listener and is able to weave her expertise so that she is able to truly represent the needs of a seller. It was now time for us to shop for a home. Laura showed us so many homes on and off the market. She stayed positive and upbeat as we lived with our 3 kids and dog in a VRBO. We needed her support and she gave it 100%.  November 2018 Laura negotiated on our behalf the purchase of our new family home. We could not have done this without her. We are so grateful that Laura was on our team and miss our daily/weekly interactions.  We can't wait to work with her again in the future”  Read Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com

It List: November 2018

Recently I was asked to participate (honored really) in a discussion about branding for Sotheby's International Realty. I was lucky enough to fly back to our headquarters in New Jersey to sit on the panel charting our direction as a company. It was a super quick trip but well worth it, as I was able to meet some amazing colleagues and the president of our company.         Have you ever thought about owning your own vineyard? Wondering what restaurants are open for Thanksgiving? Want to look at the world's most futuristic libraries? The Pulse November 2018 answers these questions and details local and national news concerning art, design and real estate. View The Pulse >         They are just slower rising. Earlier this week, S&P Dow Jones released the August 2018 monthly results of their CoreLogic Case Shiller Home Price Index. Until two months prior, the Index had shown Seattle leading the nation in residential (single-family) home prices for 21 months. That run was brought to an end by a surge of prices in Las Vegas; and while prices in Seattle have continued to advance, the pace has slackened in the weeks since.  Read More >         3614 E. John St, Seattle. Elegant, pristine home nestled between Bush School in Washington Park and Epiphany in Madrona. Grand entry with stunning 100-pane window. Bright, spacious rooms with 9.5 foot coffered ceilings. Circular floor plan, open kitchen with top end appliances. 4 beautiful bedrooms and 2 baths up with master suite. Sold for $2,350,000 6073 Northeast Kelden Place. Off-market private sale of a handsome 1936 stately traditional home on a sprawling 20,000 square foot lot. A circular drive and manicured grounds provide access to one of the original homes in this cherished community. Enchanting lake and mountain views, sports court, intimate outdoor patios and sweeping lawns are all embraced by mature landscaping. Inside, step into perfectly polished interiors, all updated and magazine worthy! Ebony hardwoods, a barrel ceiling in the living room, designer wallpapers and light fixtures, and much, much more!   Sold for $2,975,000         Since 1976, the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand has leveraged centuries of heritage built by the Sotheby’s name to deliver exceptional service, pairing buyers and sellers with the world’s top real estate professionals in order to find the perfect home. In doing so, the people who have interacted with us over the years have begun to look to us as industry experts. Read More >         "It's very easy to write a rave review for the agent that helps you find your dream home but what about the agent that LISTS your dream home? While divorce may line the pockets of many an agent it has to have them reaching for the jumbo bottle of Maalox. In our case the only thing my former spouse and I could agree on was using Laura as our agent. We have known Laura both professionally and socially for over 20 years. Her reputation as a top agent is hard won and well deserved. Meticulous in her approach, she is knowledgeable, consultative and respectful. We were all sharp elbows and misery about selling - our judgment was cloudy. We were house proud and wanted to go out at an inflated number. And this is when Laura stepped in and earned the right to whatever commission she would get from the sale of our home. She provided current and recent comps, historical data and talked through market conditions and city issues likely to impact our sale. We listened when she said she sensed a "cooling in the market" and that the housing inventory in our price bracket of $1.5M - $2.25M was increasing. She felt our best strategy was to list early and at a lesser number which could encourage a bidding war. Our house listed and closed in 6 weeks. We received 2 offers slightly under asking. Laura talked us through the offers and negotiated strenuously on our behalf. She made an extraordinary gesture that ensured our deal did not tip over. Others in our neighborhood were not as effectively coached and are still on the market having taken multiple price reductions. We are so grateful. Laura's ability to get everyone singing from the same hymnal in a very acrimonious situation was invaluable. And her follow up after our house closed was genuine and thoughtful. We recommend Laura without reservation." Read My Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com

It List: October 2018

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty presents a look at the housing market trends for the third quarter of 2018, from the shores of Bainbridge Island’s waterfront homes and in-city living opportunities to the Eastside’s most distinguished residences. View the Report >         2135 Broadmoor Dr E, Seattle. Timeless elegance meets a floor-plan that really works for the way we live today with gracious formal rooms flowing into the spacious kitchen/family room complete with stainless appliances & granite counters. French doors, open to the outdoor entertaining space including a fireplace, covered patio & a sunny & private backyard. Dark hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, skylights, bay windows, 3 fireplaces, custom built-ins & an elevator! Offered at $2,850,000  View the Property >         On Friday, September 14th Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty joined the Madison Park community to celebrate the opening night of the Madison Park Art Walk. Guests convened for a brief opening reception at Starbucks before heading to Park House to enjoy light bites, refreshments and the artwork of Jason Matias. The annual walk continues through October 1st, as members of our community will continue to be invited to enjoy artwork by a collection of fabulous local artists. Check It Out >         2018 Broadmoor Dr E, Seattle. This timeless traditional home is proudly sited on the 12th fairway in the heart of Broadmoor. Built in 2008, this home exudes an East coast sensibility but with the modern amenities and floorplan that works for how one lives today. Fantastic main floor includes the kitchen/great room opening to a covered deck, two offices, powder room, dining room and a mud-room/garage. Offered at $3,595,000 View the Property >         Curious as to where the most scenic drives in Washington are located? Wondering what restaurants are generating the most buzz? Need advice concerning your upcoming home renovation projects? The Pulse October 2018 answers these questions and details local and national news concerning art, design and real estate. View The Pulse >         2360 43rd Ave E #112, Seattle. Sold in just six days for $60,000 over asking price!  Sublime Madison Park condo nestled right at the water's edge! A rare, sprawling patio allows for a fantastic indoor-outdoor flow with plenty of room for a large seating group, beautiful pots & your BBQ. Inside, dark hardwoods meet a custom stone (wood burning) fireplace, a remodeled kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. Sold for $955,000 View the Property > 2040 43rd Ave E #610, Seattle 98112. Thrilled to represent my clients, Kris and Emily on the purchase of their fabulous new Madison Park condo! One of the best views in Madison Park looking east & south to Mt. Rainier. Soak it all in from the two decks, or from the wrap-around windows from this top floor, corner condo. So many options! Stroll through Madison Park Village just a block away, jump on your boat at your boat slip downstairs, or enjoy the park next door. Well maintained building designed by the same architect as the Space Needle. 2 bed/2 bath with tons of storage, 2 garage pkg spaces, fireplace, custom built-ins, boat slip, and VIEWS. Sold for $1,655,000         Join me for a Lazy River Vineyard wine tasting event in Madison Park. The event will feature appetizers and some of the finest Pinot Noir this region has to offer.  Register for the Event >         Right now, the 10-year treasury bond is jumping up. With the rise in the 10-year bump, consumers will most likely see another rise in mortgage rates. That is because most loans are sold on the secondary market and they share the same demographic as the investors who buy bonds. So, when one goes up, lenders have to increase interest rates so they can sell the loan to investors who are willing to take on a bit more risk. Interest rates on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage are around 4.625%, which is still relatively low on an historic scale. Read More >         "Laura Halliday is a visionary. When other realtors saw much less value in the property, she recognized its uniqueness, understood the benefit to buyers, and knew how to show case and market the property so that potential buyers could picture themselves living, relaxing, and entertaining in this  beautiful waterfront condominium. Not only did she have vision, but she also had a professional network that included an excellent cleaning company, a top quality stager, a brilliant photographer, expert marketers and a great estate sale company. She understood the value of breathtaking pictures on the internet, as well as stunning postcards to homeowners in Madison Park who do not use the internet to search for properties. Laura listed the property at what others thought was a ridiculously high price and in six days, had two bids above asking, setting a new benchmark for dollars per square foot in the area. She accomplished this during the months when the Seattle Times reported a slowing in local real estate sales. I have no doubt that the new owners will thoroughly enjoy living their dream here, just as my parents did for many years. Laura is both professional and real, having great integrity and a sense of humor. She is simply a pleasure to work with. My only regret in selling the condominium is that I will miss working with Laura” Read My Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com

It List: September 2018

2135 Broadmoor Dr E, Seattle. Timeless elegance meets a floor-plan that really works for the way we live today with gracious formal rooms flowing into the spacious kitchen/family room complete with stainless appliances & granite counters. French doors, open to the outdoor entertaining space including a fireplace, covered patio & a sunny & private backyard. Dark hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, skylights, bay windows, 3 fireplaces, custom built-ins & an elevator! Offered at $2,850,000 View the Property >         On Friday, September 14th Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty will join the Madison Park community to celebrate the opening night of the Madison Park Art Walk. We will be featuring the artwork of Jason Matias and will be serving light bites and refreshments. The annual walk will take place from September 14th through October 1st and will showcase artwork by local artists! Check It Out >         2018 Broadmoor Dr E, Seattle. This timeless traditional home is proudly sited on the 12th fairway in the heart of Broadmoor. Built in 2008, this home exudes an East coast sensibility but with the modern amenities and floorplan that works for how one lives today. Fantastic main floor includes the kitchen/great room opening to a covered deck, two offices, powder room, dining room and a mud-room/garage. Offered at $3,995,000 View the Property >         The diverse events, happenings and experiences in the Puget Sound are unlike any other. Discover what your city has to offer this September, from First Friday Art Walks to music and fashion, fall celebrations and beyond. See What's Next >         2360 43rd Ave E #112, Seattle. Sublime Madison Park condo nestled right at the water's edge! A rare, sprawling patio allows for a fantastic indoor-outdoor flow with plenty of room for a large seating group, beautiful pots & your BBQ. Inside, dark hardwoods meet a custom stone (wood burning) fireplace, a remodeled kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. Pending at $895,000 View the Property >         Refreshed, relaxed, reinvigorated: the feelings that tend to accompany the end of an island retreat. But why save the island experience for fleeting vacations that can feel all too short? Life on an island is always enjoyed in the moment and to the fullest. From sun to sand to the stress-free pace of life, there are many reasons for booking a permanent stay. Read More >         We are truly lucky to live in a region that affords a range of lifestyle opportunities, from sweeping waterfront residences and mountain lodges to luxurious in-city penthouses, historic estates and beyond. To celebrate Washington state and its distinguished homes, we tapped Janet Beeby, a certified sommelier, wine writer and wine educator, to pair a collection of our most stellar listings with the perfect wines. Find the Perfect Pairing >         "We have known Laura both professionally and socially for over 20 years. Her reputation as a top agent is hard won and well deserved. Meticulous in her approach, she is knowledgeable, consultative and respectful. Laura's ability to get everyone singing from the same hymnal in a very acrimonious situation was invaluable. And her follow up after our house closed was genuine and thoughtful. We recommend Laura without reservation." Read Testimonials >     Luxury is an experience, not a price point.   Visit LauraHalliday.com