Lake Forest Park Real Estate: Lake Forest Park WA Homes

Lake Forest Park: Towne Centre Hardware

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:05:11 -0600

Lake Forest Park WA - living - the video store is gone and a much needed fully stocked hardware store is nicely showcased on the center of the NorthEast upper Lake Forest Park Mall. They have some great stuff in here and all the displays are quite attractive - great use of space here - go check it out!

You can have your breakfast at the Honey Bear Bakery inside Third Place Books and then wander over to pick up all the tools you need for getting your household chores done! Lake Forest Park Towne Centre is definitely improved:)

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© Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:

Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

Lake Forest Park Real Estate: 2010 Two Cents

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:42:39 -0600

Lake Forest Park Real Estate: Market Update 2010 - Feb 2010 comments -

The average price of homes in Lake Forest Park has dropped to the tune of roughly 20-25% since 2007. This is surprising to me given the sheer volume of amenities that Lake Forest Park has to offer - the parks and shopping are wonderful. The city is waterfront on the banks of Lake Washington, and there are wonderful waterfront facilities for all depending on what part of the city you live in (Civic Club if within boundaries, Sheridan Beach Community Club if you are in those boundaries, and then of course there is the city owned waterfront park which many won't tell you about (Lyon Creek Waterfront Park)...Lake Forest Park has a wonderful farmer's market and some great merchants. I could go on with all the reasons that it makes no sense for prices to have dropped that much, but that is another post obviously......

Lake Forest Park homes are taking a bit longer to sell, but they should because the market is slower. You should expect to price your home appropriately and it might take 60-120 days to sell, but that is normal. Only under price your home if you truly need a quick sale. Looking at many of the house that have sold in only two or three days shows you that they were clearly under priced. I am sure there are those that will argue that they were priced right, but that is just not true.

"I have gone to listing appointments and had the sellers tell me agents wanted to price their home below or at assessed value when there were clearly amenities and features of the home not accounted for in that number. I think it is pretty convenient to price a home at what Zillow or the county tells you it is worth rather than doing the work and trying not to leave any money on the table for your clients...."

Could it be that perhaps the Lake Forest Park real estate market has suffered so greatly because homes were not listed where they should have been? This is not 1999 and this is not 2005 or 2006. It takes longer to sell your home. The only thing that speeds that up is lowering your price to below market value because that is what buyers are after right now. Below market priced homes are being snatched up and I feel like a great disservice is being dealt to the sellers of these as well as the rest of the residents of the city who watch their home values drop as a result. Recovery is a team effort and won't be found by taking the easy way out. You need a local Lake Forest Park agent and you need to talk to at least three of them. Get someone who wants to act in your best interest and not leave YOUR money on the table. You can find all the latest Lake Forest Park Real Estate on our site - search for free always and no forced sign ups! Lake Forest Park Real Estate

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© Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:

Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

Best Deal In Brier For Acreage

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:16:03 -0600

Right Next Door to Lake Forest Park is Brier and this is a great piece of property!

Via Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:

Looking for a great price on acreage in Brier? Any equestrian lovers out there looking for a turn key horse property in the heart of the city of Brier only a block from the city horse arena???

This has got to be the very best equestrian real estate bargain in Snohomish County, but close to the King County line....

Right now there are only five properties with any significant acreage attached to them and this particular property is best situated for supreme equestrian use. This great home also is the biggest available in Brier. Come see why this city and this place is so great! Brier is one of the most horse friendly cities in all of Washington State!

Looking for Brier real estate? You can find all listings here by all companies and it is a free search with no forced sign ups.
Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services 206-251-5948 (sponsor of Brier's Seascare annual parade) Are you looking for Brier real estate? Brier WA is a great close in Seattle suburb with easy commuting to both North and South as well as the Eastside. Don't forget to check out the tiny downtown and great parks while you are here! If you are interested in Brier or other Seattle suburbs, please let us know!

Nearby Seattle Suburbs: Lake Forest Park real estate, Shoreline real estate, Edmonds real estate, Lynnwood real estate, Mountlake Terrace real estate

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© Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:

Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

Lake Forest Park: Did You know?

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0600

Lake Forest Park WA Community Info:

Lake Forest Park WA is full of natural beauty and is all in all just a wonderful community! It is a great alternative to city living, but still close enough in to take full advantage of all Seattle has to offer.

Here are some of the Lake Forest Park WA things you may not have known:

Speeding STRONGLY discouraged with many speed traps and camera tickets especially around schools.
Hybrid drivers welcome!
Lots of trees!
Farmers Market
Beach Access even if not deeded through one of the private clubs through public park

Want to know more about Lake Forest Park Wa and Lake Forest Park Living?

Here is a link to a Lake Forest Park Community Guide:

Lake Forest Park WA Living

You can also find more info here:

Lake Forest Park Blog

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©Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services (Seattle real estate - search all MLS listings from all companies for FREE), SeattleAfloat.com (Seattle Houseboats), GreenLakeLoop.com (Green Lake Blog), QueenAnneBoulevard.com (Queen Anne Blog)

More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

10 Reasons Why The Holiday Season Is A Better Time To Sell

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:24:08 -0600

This applies to Seattle real estate, too!

Via Kim Boekholder, Murray Utah, Sandy Utah, Salt Lake County, Utah MLS Listings, UT (Relocation, Short SalesK.W. Utah Realtors, Associate Broker ):

10 Reasons Why The Holiday Season Is A Great Time To Sell. Below is a list of reasons why now is the time to list.... Don't wait until spring.

*Sellers are dropping out of the market for holidays, less competition

*Buyers who are looking in the winter tend to be more serious buyers.

*Singles, couples, and empty nesters tend to wait while school is in session to buy, less competition for them.

*Interest rates are at an all time low

*Buyer scan buy more house right now.

*February and March produce the highest amount of homes sales, but November and December and January don't have as many homes for sale so there is a higher ration of homes sold to those for sale.

*The holiday spirit can help sell your home, you decorate for your guests, but buyers will find your home more charming while it is decorated for the season.

*Most homes are never cleaner and never smell better, or are better decorated than during the holiday season.

*If you don't want to move during the holidays you can negotiate possession for your own convenience.

*Sellers can usually negotiate their best deals during the holiday season.

Sellers who take their homes off the market or postpone selling them during the holidays won't save any money; they will simply postpone their own dreams and perhaps find more competition when they decide to enter the market again.

Are you ready to postpone your dreams or are you ready to move ahead and live your future now?

Kim Boekholder, Keller Williams, Moving to Utah? Moving Around Utah? Contact me for help

Follow me on Twitter:

Subscribe to my blogs:

Become my friend on Facebook

To View all homes throughout Utah and real estate tips http://www.kimshomesforsale.com

Share this information with others. Thank you

iUtah - Utah      For Utah places to go and things to do. KSL's community Calendar.

p.s. "By the way, if a friend or family member you know could use a caring and competent agent, I would enjoy meeting them. Thanks for thinking of me with your referrals. I am certified in short sales, foreclsoures, buying, selling, investing, luxury homes, relocation.

Kim Boekholder Associate Broker,

Keller Williams Utah Realtors, Chair Ambassador Murray Chamber

Specializing in Short Sales and Relocation

Mobile: 801-580-5624
Fax:     801-303-8556
boeks@msn.com

Keller Williams a great place to hang your license.

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

What to Expect When You Live on the Water

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:06:55 -0500

Even though this post is written for Virginia Waterfront property, many of the same things apply to Seattle waterfront living so I wanted to post it because it is good info and well written! Seattle Waterfront homes including Seattle houseboats require special attention. This is a great list:

Via Mike Hogan, MBA, EcoBroker (Pioneer Realty):

What to Expect When You Live on the Water

Ahhh the sites, sounds and smells of waterfront living. We all love it...the sand between your toes...the sounds of the water crashing over the rip rap...the smell of the salt air. All of the combined with the crazy low prices we are seeing today and you might just be tempted to jump in the deep in and pick up your own little piece of heaven. Before you make that leap however... you need to know what to expect when you live on the water.

** Preventative Maintenance.Most of the water in the Northern Neck of Virginia is brackish. The closer to the Bay you are the higher the salinity. This means docks, piers, decks, windows, siding, locks etc...will take a beating. Expect annual maintenance and likely complete renovations every couple of years if you have a pier on the river. Creek docks are a little more protected but still require the annual maintenance. Anything wood(decks, window trim, siding, etc) will need an annual painting. Even deck chairs will likely need a new coat of paint every year. Metal items such as door locks will need to be oiled every year to keep corrosion at bay.

** Shifting Sands. The shore is constantly moving. One weekend you may have a 75 ft beach and when you come back the next weekend you may have a 125ft beach. Always remember your property line can change...expect it. You may want to check with neighbors and local government to see what erosion problems the area has before you buy.

** Double of everything.One thing many people tend to forget is when you have a second home...you also have a second of everything else. Beyond the basics(beds, couches, tvs), you'll also need extra tools for household chores, extra lawnmower, dishes, silverware, coffeepots, utility bills...pretty much double everything. The costs can quickly add up- just make sure you plan for it.

** Friends, Friends and more Friends. You'll never realize how many friends you have until you buy a house on the water. Expect drive-by visitors, family and friends asking to visit for the weekend. You may even get requests to use it for weddings. Most of us who have a waterfront home also enjoy entertaining... so this may not be an issue. Just expect it.

** Windy days.One of the wonderful parts about living on the water is the constant breeze. The dog days of Summer aren't nearly so bad with the constant bay breeze. But there's a downside to that wind. Even the smallest of storms can wreak havoc on homes by the water. Hurricane shutters are a great way to counter the wind's powerful force but expect to pay from $10- 45 a sq ft for hurricane shutters. The other great thing about hurricane shutters is they keep out the sun's heat during the week when you aren't at the home...saving on energy usage.

As long as you know all of this before you buy...you'll have no surprises... and your waterfront home ownership will be an amazing experience. Welcome to the club...

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Seattle Suburb: Lake Forest Park, Wa Real Estate News

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:28:41 -0500

Lake Forest Park, WA - one of Seattle's best kept secret! Here is some of the latest on what is going on with the city.............

Don't miss the public hearing on 10/25/2007 at city hall. The City of Lake Forest Park, WA will be holding a public hearing to go over the changes proposed for the city's Home Occupation Ordinance. This is an important decision that involves real estate in the city because among other things it is proposing that the business portion of the home be increased form three hundred square feet to five hundred square feet. The changes have been recommended by the planning commission and it is very possible that the city council will consider adopting these changes to the ordinance.

Where? Lake Forest Park, WA - City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE

When? October 25th at 7:30 PM

Any questions about Lake Forest Park real estate? email me at courtney@courtneycooper.com or check out Lake Forest Park, WA real estate at http://www.courtneycooper.com

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Lake Forest Park: DO NOT SPEED HERE

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:30:04 -0500

Lake Forest Park Photo Enforcement Speed Cameras...

You should never speed anyway, but anyone knows that there are two places you should know you will be caught speeding in: Seattle Suburbs Brier WA and Lake Forest Park WA. It is practically common knowledge for anyone living there or even driving through. Well Lake Forest Park has come up with a great tool to make sure to keep would be speeders in check - cameras that video tape speeders in school zones.

From the City of Lake Forest Park WA website -

"Lake Forest Park launches photo enforcement program
to reduce speed violations in school zones

To increase pedestrian and vehicle safety in Lake Forest Park, the City is launching a new "photo enforcement program" aimed at reducing speed violations in school zones on NE 178th Street and 35th Avenue NE.

The cameras will operate between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The cameras will monitor both directions of traffic in school zones. Only vehicles that exceed the school zone speed limit of 20 mph will be photographed and videotaped."

So there you have it! Keep Lake Forest Park homes wonderful and keep our streets safe!

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© Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:

Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate Choices: Lots Of Homes Here!

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:18:22 -0500

Waterfront Homes In The Seattle Area... Lots Of Real Estate Choices Here

Do you want to look at waterfront homes for sale in Seattle, Washington? There are a lot of different real estate choices so which type of waterfront living is your favorite? Seattle, Washington luckily has all kinds of water and there are many different ways to live on the water! So if you want a waterfront home in the Seattle WA area or Washington state in general, you have some great options!

Some Great Seattle real estate waterfront homes and neighborhoods to look at:

1. Seattle floating homes aka houseboats are a popular option to dream about! Seattle floating homes are really the very ultimate in Seattle waterfront real estate, right? What could be more waterfront than living on the actual water in one of Seattle's finest neighborhoods? There are not many houseboats left in Seattle (about 500) and these floating home communities special! They require special financing, inspections, and more, but to live on Lake Union or in Portage Bay would a for sure number one pick for Seattle waterfront real estate!

2. Riviera Beach in Matthews Beach (Matthews Beach Real Estate) is a close second for Seattle lakefront living. This little community is nestled on the West banks of Lake Washington with perfect postage stamp lots and also right on the Burke-Gilman trail. If you want more privacy than houseboat living could offer, this might be a great choice!

3. Sheridan Beach real estate in Lake Forest Park, Wa is a great option for North Seattle - situated North of Matthews Beach on Lake Washington, Sheridan Beach offers a private beach club membership and wonderful views of Kirkland. Lake Forest Park homes in general have a lot going for them and the natural settings in this Seattle suburb are gorgeous!

4. Richmond Beach, Shoreline, WA. Richmond Beach is one of my very favorite beaches in the Seattle area and it is quite historic! Perched on Puget Sound, this West facing community has some of the most amazing mountain and Sound views!

Richmond Beach homes have a huge variety and are all oriented towards the downward slope and the water. Because of this and the large park, a great option is to buy a big view home and walk to the public beach. Richmond Beach Real Estate is one of my favorite parts of Shoreline WA real estate!

5. Bainbridge Island: Want to work in Downtown Seattle and live the Seattle dream by commuting via ferry? If you are a walk on passenger or even a cyclist, then the ferry system can be a very quick way to commute back and forth between work. Many people like to live in Winslow on Bainbridge and walk on the ferry to ride over to Downtown. Without having to rely on putting a car on and off the ferry, the commute is pretty easy! Bainbridge offers a ton of waterfront homes and options! Bainbridge Island Real Estate

6. Lastly, Go check out the Washington State coast! A lot of people think that Seattle is on the West Coast, but it is actually 2 1/2 to 3 hours in from the Pacific Ocean. We are on the Puget Sound which comes in from the Pacific Ocean. If you want to check out the ultimate in waterfront homes, go take a trip and check out our pretty coast! Ocean Shores is quite affordable with oceanfront lots starting at under $200,000! Washington Coast homes

That is it for my Seattle waterfront homes and neighborhoods - these are just a few highlighted communities! There are many more options as well in waterfront homes around Seattle: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Sammamish, and more all offer different ways to enjoy our beautiful state!

What are you interested in and what kind of waterfront home do you want?

Waterfront homes around Seattle

Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor, EcoBroker, Broker for Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Seattle real estate

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Lake Forest Park WA Features - Sheridan Beach Community Club

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:48:43 -0500

Lake Forest Park WA is nestled on the NW shore of Lake Washington - This Seattle suburb city has a lot to offer!

Check out the Sheridan Beach Community Club! The Sheridan Beach Community Club is a private beach and swimming facility shared by residents in Lake Forest Park who live in Sheridan Beach or Sheridan Heights. Membership is deeded to these residents and runs with their title. Many houses will say beach rights for water features and this is what they are referring to in most cases. It is also possible to get an associate membership to the club.

Are you interested in Lake Forest Park real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Seattle Suburbs: Lake Forest Park WA has some great parks, but....

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:25:24 -0500

I happen to like this one the best: Horizon View Park in Lake Forest Park is a great reason to move to this Seattle suburb!

Here is the address:

19857 47th Ave NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

Go check it out and see why Lake Forest Park is such a great place to live! Lake Forest Park also by th eway is one of the Seattle suburbs that has appreciated year over year according to the latest stats I found in the MLS.

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Great Harvest Bread Co in Lake Forest Park WA: This Is An Amazing Place!

Courtney Cooper (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:59:58 -0500

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Lake Forest Park WA: baking up some wholesome goodness!

I have been to Great Harvest Bread Companies before, but had no idea they were individually owned and the Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park, Washington is at the top of my list! This locally owned small business has been creating wonderful wholesome food and giving back to the community they serve! If you haven't been to Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park, then you should go experience it because THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

This local Lake Forest Park bread company offers up a lot more than bread and has some great eat in options with amazing soups of the day (Today's soup is Broccoli Cheddar) and a made to order sandwich bar among other fabulous items. My very favorite spot to stop for a sandwich is right here! They make their sandwiches with really fresh ingredients and their yummy bread. You can also buy a number of prepared baked goods packaged up and ready to go.

So to the bread: Great Harvest puts out a bread schedule and bakes all of their normal staples daily, but also adds some variety by adding specialty breads using a daily schedule - for instance, today's specialty bread for July is Apple Crunch, Cherry Berry Bread, Dakota, Gluten Free Bread, Swedish Rye, and Whole Grain Sourdough. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Great Harvest has gluten free breads and on Fridays they have hamburger buns. Breads are all baked from scratch and the ingredients are all local and organic.

You will be greated with a smile and great service even if it is crowded. Great Harvest Bread Co. always has a table of samples that they will go through with you and give you a chance to try. I have never been disappointed - it is just good food!

After 24 hours if not sold Great Harvest donates to a local food bank. This is truly a company making a difference. I would highly recommend stopping by Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park if you get a chance and if you are a local, then buy all your bread here all the time. We should all support our local businesses and especially when they are stellar!

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Lake Forest Park is located in the lower mall portion of the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre on the corner of Ballinger and Bothell Ways in Lake Forest Park WA. They are open M-F 6AM to 7PM and Sat-Sun 7AM to 6PM

17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-365-4778

If you want to know more about the amazing Seattle suburb of Lake Forest Park and want to know why this community is so wonderful, please feel free to get a hold of me or visit my Lake Forest Park real estate web page as well! It is small businesses like the Lake Forest Park WA Great Harvest that are making a difference in our local economies!

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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948

Great Harvest Bread Co in Lake Forest Park WA: This Is An Amazing Place!

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:13:23 -0500

Great Harvest Bread in LFP!!!!

Via Seattle Realtor Courtney Cooper Seattle Real Estate, Seattle Washington (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services):

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Lake Forest Park WA: baking up some wholesome goodness!

I have been to Great Harvest Bread Companies before, but had no idea they were individually owned and the Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park, Washington is at the top of my list! This locally owned small business has been creating wonderful wholesome food and giving back to the community they serve! If you haven't been to Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park, then you should go experience it because THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

This local Lake Forest Park bread company offers up a lot more than bread and has some great eat in options with amazing soups of the day (Today's soup is Broccoli Cheddar) and a made to order sandwich bar among other fabulous items. My very favorite spot to stop for a sandwich is right here! They make their sandwiches with really fresh ingredients and their yummy bread. You can also buy a number of prepared baked goods packaged up and ready to go.

So to the bread: Great Harvest puts out a bread schedule and bakes all of their normal staples daily, but also adds some variety by adding specialty breads using a daily schedule - for instance, today's specialty bread for July is Apple Crunch, Cherry Berry Bread, Dakota, Gluten Free Bread, Swedish Rye, and Whole Grain Sourdough. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Great Harvest has gluten free breads and on Fridays they have hamburger buns. Breads are all baked from scratch and the ingredients are all local and organic.

You will be greated with a smile and great service even if it is crowded. Great Harvest Bread Co. always has a table of samples that they will go through with you and give you a chance to try. I have never been disappointed - it is just good food!

After 24 hours if not sold Great Harvest donates to a local food bank. This is truly a company making a difference. I would highly recommend stopping by Great Harvest in Lake Forest Park if you get a chance and if you are a local, then buy all your bread here all the time. We should all support our local businesses and especially when they are stellar!

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Lake Forest Park is located in the lower mall portion of the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre on the corner of Ballinger and Bothell Ways in Lake Forest Park WA. They are open M-F 6AM to 7PM and Sat-Sun 7AM to 6PM

17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-365-4778

If you want to know more about the amazing Seattle suburb of Lake Forest Park and want to know why this community is so wonderful, please feel free to get a hold of me or visit my Lake Forest Park real estate web page as well! It is small businesses like the Lake Forest Park WA Great Harvest that are making a difference in our local economies!

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Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

Sheridan Beach Real Estate in Lake Forest Park WA

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:10:59 -0500

Sheridan Beach Real Estate in Lake Forest Park - Some great homes here!

Via Seattle Realtor Courtney Cooper Seattle Real Estate, Seattle Washington (Seattle Real Estate: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services):

Sheridan Beach Real Estate in the Seattle Suburb of Lake Forest Park, Washington - this is a wonderful Seattle waterfront neighborhood!

Sheridan Beach is right across from the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre in the heart of Lake Forest Park WA - it is a small waterfront community with some amazing homes! The waterfront Sheridan Beach homes in Lake Forest Park are on the banks of Lake Washington and have wonderful low to no bank water frontage. The other homes in Sheridan Beach are all also close to not only the water, but the Burke Gilman trail and all that lake Forest Park has to offer.

Wondering what it might cost to get into Sheridan Beach in Lake Forest Park? Sheridan Beach real estate has a large range due to the nature of its boundaries to the East and West. On the West side is Bothell Highway and there are Sheridan Beach homes available starting in the $350,000 range from time to time, but only a couple blocks over is Lake Washington and waterfront Sheridan Beach homes start in the low million range and up. You can get a really nice Lake Forest Park lakefront home in Sheridan Beach for under 1.5 million.

Sheridan Beach is a great neighborhood to choose when looking at Lake Forest Park real estate if you enjoy the outdoors and want to be close to both the lake and the trail for walking, biking, and more. Having the Town Centre right across the street helps, too, and a car can actually become unnecessary in this neighborhood! The Burke Gilman trail runs all the way into Seattle and interconnects with other trails both North and South of Lake Forest Park.

The Town Centre has grocery, restaurant, banks, coffee, videos, book store, pet store, library, cafe, Subway, and more. In addition, there is a seasonal farmer's market and city hall is right there, too! Lake Forest Park has a lot to offer and is a pretty easy commute to Seattle! Sheridan Beach is one of Lake Forest Park's fabulous neighborhoods and has some great perks!

Courtney Cooper, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services 206-251-5948

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Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com

UNDER APPRAISALS! The Next Shoe To Drop?

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Need a LFP Realtor? — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:09:58 -0500

This is happening here, too.

Via Dean Moss - Dean's Team Chicago Real Estate Team (Dean's Team - Keller Williams Lincoln Square Chicago):

Hope you had a great weekend, folks! Cool here in Chicago - not complaining at all!

Up until last week, during my 15 years in Real Estate, I suffered through ONE under-appraisal!

Last week, I endured THREE!

And I am not talking about a few bucks under! Serious stuff! $25,000 light on a $215,000 home. $15,000 low for a $179,000 townhouse. $20,000 below for a four-bedroom brick home, in the very attractive, but by no means affluent, Dunning Neighborhood on the Northwest Side of Chicago.

Why?

A dearth of direct comparable properties! Or, too many short sales and foreclosures nearby! Or, no two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms adjusted downward will not be accepted by the now-more-persnickety Review Appraiser or the Underwriter, according to one appraiser who completed the inspection and appraisal report on one of our "subject" properties.

The boundaries from which to pull comparable properties are far tighter these days - here in the City of Chicago - maximum one-mile circle. Preferably, half a mile! No crossing neighborhood boundaries. In the suburbs - identical elementary school districts, identical neighborhood "feel," according to appraiser's discretion.

And nothing more than four months old! Three months are preferable! If all that has closed in the last few months are poor condition bank-owned properties and short sales, these become your comparison panel! Adjustments for condition - minimal!

Lenders can't dispute the findings! Realtors can't dispute the findings!

And, if you attempt to force another appraisal, at buyer's expense, the bank rarely adjusts upward - even if the appraisal comes in higher the second time around!

In the average neighborhood of Chicago, our Team has seen appraisers apply a one-percent depreciation factor per month to their appraisal reports. So, for example, a house appraising for $200,000 on May 1st, would now, theoretically, value at $197,000!

In some Chicago Neighborhoods, we have seen the time adjustment over the last few months hit close to 2%. That same $200,000 home, again selling in early May, 2009? It theoretically appraises for $194,000 today!

So, please, plant this picture in your mind -

The buyer sells his house cheaper than he thought possible, even a year ago. An overly-aggressive buyer asks for nearly every inspection item on his report be corrected, at considerable cost, to the seller.

Further, the seller, fearing a replacement buyer is only a distant possibility, agrees to the big credits.

Then, the borrower has to clear loan conditions that seem like an obstacle course on one of those reality shows - what's that crazy show, "Wipeout?" After great effort - the buyers clear the course!

But then the appraiser comes in, low, without opportunity for anyone to refute it. The only way the property can sell is if the seller grants another price reduction.

He doesn't! Or, he can't, financially! So, the transaction dies! And, nobody wins!

The pendulum has turned, folks - 180 degrees from where it was just a couple of years ago! At that time, nearly anybody could qualify for a loan, and closing on a home after an offer was tendered was almost a foregone conclusion.

Today, that happy conclusion is not just tougher to realize. It's too often . . . FANTASY LAND!

The NEW Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). Protection for homebuyers? Or, just too much over protection, and too much discretion for nervous appraisers?

Any thoughts? Please share!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

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Lake Forest Park Real Estate (Your Source For Lake Forest Park Homes & Neighborhood Information)

Lake Forest Park WA Broker, Realtor,e-Pro, member Built Green, EcoBroker

lfp@cooperjacobs.com