Walk Score ranks the Top 10 most Bikeable cities in the united states. Walk Score is known for ranking cities and neighborhoods with how walkable they are. They have now come out with a Bike version called Bike Sore. See how Seattle ranked with in the top 10 of the most Bikeable Cities.  

Here is the List: 

1. Minneapolis, MN -  Bike Score: 79

2. Portland, OR - Bike Score: 70

3. San Francisco, CA - Bike Score: 70

4. Boston, MA - Bike Score: 69

5. Madison, WI - Bike Score: 67

6. Washington, DC - Bike Score: 65

7. Seattle, WA - Bike Score: 64

8. Tuscon, AZ - Bike Score: 64

9. New York, NY - Bike Score: 62

10. Chicago, IL - Bike Score: 62 

-WalkScore.com

I know Seattle has a big community of communters and recreational bikers. Did you know that Bicycling is the second most popular outdoor activity in the United States...

Any physical activity is great for your health but biking can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 50% 

You can find more statistics like this at http://www.bikesbelong.org/resources/stats-and-research/statistics/

Are you a Seattle Biker? Does knowing your bike score of a neighborhood would help you make a descision in buying your next home? comment below...

Online giant Amazon.com is already outgrowing its new headquarters here and wants to triple its original size a few blocks south across Denny Way. It’s a development so big it would alter the Seattle skyline: three towers up to 40 stories high, 3-million square feet that would take up three entire city blocks. Not to mention some 12,000 additional people, and their cars here everyday.

via King5.com

Amazon is located in Seattle's South Lake Union and they have already outgrown this thriving community. They are talking about tripling their presence here in the downtown area.

This is great news that amazon is growing and looking to expand here in Seattle. It may not be great for the commuters in the area but this article also states they are hiring people to work out the traffic situation and logistics.

As for the economy and the consumers keep buying helps everyone all the way down to the housing market locally. 

What are your thoughts on the Amazon's growth here in Seattle? 

If you are looking to search for homes in the area or a little ways out in the suburbs contact us today! 206-334-8773 you can also search for homes at http://www.thach.buywithjohnlscott.com.

Must See!! 2 Brand New Modern Townhomes on Capitol Hill with Expansive Downtown City Views from your own private roof top deck.

$425,888

1122 16th Ave
Seattle, Washington
MLS # 351585

•  Relax in the spacious Master Suite
• Huge tile shower with built in bench seats
• Walk in closet
• Sleek kitchen complete with chroma quartz counter tops, and beautiful tile backsplash
• Stainless Steel Appliances
• Hickory hardwood floors
• 1 assigned off street parking space
• Private back patio
• Walk to everything  with a Walk Score of 92
• Beautifully Staged Model home for viewing

Just listed these bad boys and they already have had tons of showings and a few offers. Do you want to find out about these great deals before they go on the market contact us today 206-334-8773.

Inventory is low and when great properties like these come up they go fast. Let us know what you are looking for so you will be in the know of what is available. 206-334-8773

Here is a roundup of reportings around king county area real estate market. 

The North West Multiple listing service reported:

 "Washington homebuyers realizing market may have reached bottom of cycle" With spring on the horizon and consumer confidence on the rise, members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service are reporting positive gains in activity. Pending sales for February increased more than 27 percent from a year ago, more sellers are listing their homes, and brokers are reporting an uptick in multiple offers.

“Buyers are beginning to realize that we may have seen the bottom of this real estate market,” remarked Frank Wilson, branch managing broker at John L. Scott Real Estate in Poulsbo and a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors. “Waiting to buy may only result in paying a higher interest rate, having fewer houses to choose from, or finding that sellers do not need to give up as much as they have in the past,” he added.

SeattlePI.com - "House Prices Rose in Seattle in Feburary"

Job growth and historic low interest rates are actually creating a seller's market through the mid-price ranges and contributing to surging sales near job centers, J. Lennox Scott, CEO and chairman of John L. Scott Real Estate, said in a listing service news release. "It's a special moment in time in real estate history. We have a backlog of qualified buyers looking for homes to purchase."

Inventory continues to be low, with 3.9 months worth of homes for sale at the current sales pace in Seattle and 4.5 months of inventory countywide, down from 6.9 months and 8.4 months, respectively, in February 2010.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/House-prices-rose-in-Seattle-in-February-3383314.php#ixzz1oTUYCy5s

The Seattle Times Reported:

"Shrinking Inventory Breaks Fall in King County Home Prices"
Fewer homes are listed for sale in King County now than at any time since the housing crisis began, and observers say the lack of inventory is starting to influence prices, at least in some neighborhoods.

Don't get excited — overall, prices are still down.

Countywide, the median single-family sale price hit another postboom low in February — $308,125, down 2 percent from January, 8 percent from February 2011 and nearly 36 percent from the market's peak in July 2007.

Glenn Crellin, assistant director for research at the University of Washington's Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies, said he wouldn't be surprised if the median dips below $300,000.

By Seattle times Eric Pryne

If you have any questions or would like to see what your home is worth in your area. 

Contact Us Today 206-334-8773

They estimate that over 3.5 million borrowers with a privately held mortgages have high enough interest rates that they would have incentive to refinance under the new plan. That is an addtion to 11 million borrowers who have fanni-or-Freddie loans could be eligible for refinancing under the proposed change.

To qualify they say that borrowers with privately held mortgages would have to have no more than one delinquency in the 6 months prior to their refinancing. Banks would have to reduce mortage balances for homeowners who owe more than 140 percent of the value of their homes.

This is for sure going to be a program that will help a ton of people we did not qualify before.

They are also expecting to announce a program taht would allow the sale of foreclosed homes by fannie mae to investors who would then offer the properties for rental.

via @YahooFinance

Under this new refinancing plan, any homeowner current on his or her mortgage can take advantage of the low rates. The average rate is for a 30 year mortage is 3.88 percent.

About 11 Million Americans which is about 1 in 4 with a mortgage are underwater according to CoreLogic, a real estate data firm.

Half of the all US Mortgages are owned by nongovermment lenders so that means that most of you can qualify or know someone who can take advantage of this program.

LOCAL news

Seattle ranked fifth out of 51 U.S. areas for commercial/multifamily investment prospects

in the 2012 "Emerging Trends in Real Estate" report:

http://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Seattle-ranks-high-for-real-estate-investing-2260551.php

 

Seattle-based Walk Score looking to be as important as bed and bath count:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2017284953_realwalkability22.html

 

MORTGAGE & FINANCE news

Not behind on your mortgage, but owe more than your home is worth?  Check to see if a HARP refi is right for you: 

http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-rates/Pages/short-refinance.aspx

 

Savvy investors see opportunity in Seattle commercial real estate:

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2011/12/30/outlook-2012-spooked-by-stocks.html

 

 

REAL ESTATE news

Single Family housing starts rise 4.4%:

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=14734

 

Articles on Housing Recovery 2012:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204468004577165163238970438.html

http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/20/real_estate/home_sales/index.htm