Zillow Advice RSS: Question-Discussion-Guide,Local Topics,Seattle- WA

Comparables for my home are mistakenly chosen from an area far away, is this a software glitch?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:41:00 GMT

The comparables for my home are mistakenly chosen from an area far away. The comparables for the homes next to me are given correctly, just for my home they are chosen from a different area. They also don't match the information given in "similar homes recently sold". I was advised to contact a Zillow representative about this glitch in the software, which effects the Zestimate of my home, but I cannot find any way to contact a Zillow representative. Their website does not seem to offer an opportunity for direct feedback to the company.

1 reply

How do I obtain a copy of an aerial photo of a portion of the City of Seattle as shown on your site?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:25:00 GMT

0 replies

Madison Park newsletter

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:00:00 GMT

I recently learned that Madison Park (where I live) has an online and email newsletter for community news. You can find Madison Park news here.

3 replies

Incorrect Details

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:17:00 GMT

Several details about my home are incorrect; the result of confusion between it and a condo for sale close by. It has an incorrect number of bedrooms, the wrong build date, and incorrect square footage. There are still photos displaying the condo, that do not belong to this house. When I try to correct these, the changes to do not take effect. (4217 2nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107)

2 replies

Forbes' 10 Safest Cities To Live: Seattle #5

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:56:00 GMT

Forbes Magazine listed the 10 safest cities in America to live, with Seattle checking in at number 5 on the list. The list was based on a number of stats, including crime, workplace accidents, weather, and traffic accidents.

It's not a surprise to see Seattle on this list. Our crimes rates are unusually low for a large city. We don't see a lot of the natural disasters that affect some other cities. Our rare earthquakes have caused little damage, there's been only minor flooding in the city, no tornadoes, no hurricanes, and snowstorms are scarce.

New York checked in at #8. I'm shocked. Has it really been cleaned up that much?

Forbes Article

6 replies

I noticed that nearby similar sales do not match comparable home sales at all.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:51:00 GMT

Nearby similar sales should be the most accurate sales to use to help calculating the value of a home. Instead, the comparable homes given for my house are miles away, in different neighborhoods, and have no immediate realtionship to the location of my home. In contrast, two houses that sold just a few weeks ago within 100 yards of my home and are truly comparable sales are not given in the list of comparable homes.

3 replies

Hot price point in Seattle

Thu, 14 May 2009 23:36:00 GMT

As I've been working with a few buyers over the past few weeks, I've noticed homes priced below $700K seem to be moving fast. (at least the ones that are well-kept and in desirable locations) Last Monday night, my clients and I discussed touring homes that Thursday evening. In that 3-day time period, 3 of 6 homes we were going to see had an offer; one only on the market for 3 days! In addition, a home in my own neighborhood listed for $725K took just a week to get an offer. It appears that buyers are truly taking advantage of the great mortgage rates out there, especially under the $567,500 jumbo loan limit.

Bottomline: A sense of urgency from both the buyers and the agents is needed in this ever-changing market. For you serious buyers out there, don't wait on the fence too long! That dream home you've been wanting to buy might just slip out from under you.

9 replies

Seattle Floating Homes - New Regulations from SMP

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:12:00 GMT

This is an interesting article by Dana Forman with the Floating Homes Association. The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) consists of regulations for the use of waterways in the Seattle area. There is a committee that consists of land owners, businesses, developers, and recreation groups that all have a stake in the management of the floating homes, waterfront real estate, environment, and atmosphere on Lake Union and the other bodies of water in the Seattle area.

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Plans for Northlake Community Wharf Lake Union's Waterfront

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:22:00 GMT

Residents of Seattle's Lake Union neighborhoods, especially those living near the waterfront, should take note of the proposed community center planned for the north shore of the lake near Gasworks Park in Wallingford. In my opinion, this is a much-needed improvement for such a beautiful area with so little community development. From Jake Beattie of the CWB:

"Northlake Community Wharf is a public/private partnership that will use non-profit led community engagement to activate public land to create a park-like experience without tax dollars for operations. "

Floating Homes Association article

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House at 7642 39th Ave S

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:03:00 GMT

is your houses posted on the section 8 list

1 reply

North Seattle Blog

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:11:00 GMT

Come check out the North Seattle Blog at

[content removed by moderator for being self promotional]

Local news and events along with real estate and community posts!

1 reply

"Zestimate" values: accuracy?

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:32:00 GMT

I own a home in Seattle & just had a refi appraiser give me a value of $240K ... which is far below even the *low* end of my Zillow estimate (which is $291K, with the bottom of the range at $258K). Are appraisers these days just way low-balling, or has Zillow not changed their valuation arithmetic to appropriately reflect the current market? I would think the appraiser is using more or less the same comps (as those that are on Zillow)?

7 replies

Seattle Luxury Market sees a nice improvement in July

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:46:00 GMT

Since May '08, the luxury market in Seattle (homes priced $1MM or more) steadily went down, with the low point being in December. Since December, sales notched up just a bit, but have been pretty low and flat since then. However, July saw a big increase in sales. There was a 25% increase in homes sold over June and a 50% increase in pending sales. Months of inventory also dramatically fell in July to 24 months (down from 31 months in June). While the increase in sales in July was welcome news for those sellers, the figure is still 50% less than the same time last year. Will this positive increase in pending sales in the luxury market continue? We expect it to, as more options become available for $1MM+ loans, and the positive swing in the stock market over the last month is also an important factor at this price range. With such a large inventory remaining, prices will remain soft and buyers can move up into that dream home they may have never been able to afford in the past.

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Demand still strong in West Seattle!

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:27:00 GMT

I follow the West Seattle market very closely (among other areas in Seattle). And, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, things are still going well in this part of Seattle. There are currently 533 single family homes and absorption listed in all of West Seattle (category 140 in the Multiple Listing Service). There are also 227 homes pending a sale. This ratio of 2.35 indicates strong demand for West Seattle homes. The median price of the 533 homes currently listed is $429K. The median price of the homes currently pending is $339K. Average days on market of the pending homes is 68 days. And, as can be expected with such a large area, there are many examples of homes that have sold in a day, to homes that have taken 1.5 years.

As for absorption, West Seattle is still in a neutral market. The high demand we've seen over the past few months has been primarily driven by the first-time home buyer market. (reflected in that $339K average price of sold homes) There are currently about 5 months of inventory remaining in West Seattle. So, why can we have strong demand, yet a 5 month absorption rate? It's primarily driven by the elongated close cycle of pending homes. Most lenders ask for a 45-day close cycle, instead of the old 30-day process. Also, short-sales can take 3-6 months to close, impacting the absorption rate. However, I believe that as long as we follow this positive demand trend (and, we don't get a large influx of new listings), demand will continue to remain high and the absorption rate should start to decline.

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Open House Website

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Earlier this week one of the big three real estate companies announced that they were unvailing a new feature on their website. I expect the other two to follow suit if they haven't already done so.
The NWMLS agent site (Locator) has offered this to all member companies for 10 years now. Many smaller companies have been using it since then. Any agent could, if allowed by their broker, in managing their listings, simply click on the "Public Open House" icon and enter a date, time and a few words about the open. The entire listing would then be available, with all other listings posted there to the public, if the public only knew where to look.
Check your favorite agent or company's website and see if they have a link that says open house search.
I can't imagine why some big companies forbid their agents to use this tool until now, but I'm happy to see that with virtually everyone using it, it will better serve the public. The only caveat being, a listing agent must make the small effort to post the open house to Locator.

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Denny-Blaine: Exclusive Seattle neighborhood on Lake Washington

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:24:00 GMT

Denny-Blaine is a neighborhood in the Eastern end of Central Seattle on the Lake Washington waterfront. Just South of Madison Park, this exclusive neighborhood is mostly made up of million-plus dollar homes on large lots. The streets are immaculate and tree-lined, making it feel more like a park than an in-city neighborhood.

Although there are a few modest cottages and homes in Denny-Blaine, the vast majority are historic, expansive, and meticulously maintained. Denny-Blaine Park is a public space that was renovated in 2004. It consists of 2 acres of land where Denny-Blaine Pl. meets Lake Washington.

The land for Denny-Blaine Park was donated to the City of Seattle by Charles Denny (son of Seattle pioneer Arthur Denny) and Elbert Blaine, who were also responsible for sub-dividing the neighborhood.

Denny Blaine Homes For Sale - Denny Blaine Waterfront Homes - Denny Blaine Water View Homes

1 reply

Questions to Agents about getting my Washington State Real Estate License.

Mon, 11 May 2009 20:03:00 GMT

I understand the requirements but what are the more reputable online course providers? I've seen the 60 hour course offered online for as low as $159 -- Is this typical? Any other comments appreciated.

10 replies

Under $400K hot in West Seattle

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:39:00 GMT

Whether you are a first time home buyer, moving up from a condo to a house, or simply looking for a great home, houses priced under $400K are hot in West Seattle. There are currently 296 homes available in the West Seattle area I looked at (North of Barton, West of 35th) Of the 296 available, 28% are homes priced at $399K and lower. However, 54% of pending sales currently are homes priced $399K and lower. And sales since June 1st have also been dominated by this price range, representing 44% of the sales.

West Seattle is a very large, diverse community. Its proximity to beaches, many parks, highways, and the airport make it a great location within Seattle. There's something for everyone in West Seattle, with homes currently ranging in price from $180K to $4.9M. But, if you are looking under the $400K price range, don't wait too long to make your decision. Because the house of your dreams might be snatched up by someone else!

*Analysis based on MLS data and includes townhomes, but not condos.

2 replies

Few options for buyers in Mt. Baker right now

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:26:00 GMT

In May, I posted a discussion about the lack of options in the $800K-$1.1M range in the Mt. Baker neighborhood. Since that time, not much has changed in that price range. Having just did an open house in Mt. Baker last weekend, I can definitely confirm that people are looking for that great home, but there just aren't many options for buyers right now. In fact, for those in the $800K - $1.2M range, there is practically nothing! (see list of current listings on link below)

If you are a seller contemplating putting your home on the market, and you think your home is worth $800K - $1.2M, what are you waiting for? Buyers are out there and there is no competition! Of course, price and condition are still important. Buyers want to feel they are getting a good deal, but also will jump quickly for that "dream" home. Case in point: 3708 Cascadia Ave S. just sold for $1.4M (listed for $1.399M) in 11 days. It was beautifully updated, had views of the lake and was priced right.

Mt. Baker Homes

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Come to my 4 year old daughter's lemonade stand! 7/18 1pm-3pm

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:20:00 GMT

My adorable 4 year old daughter is running a lemonade stand at 39th and Madison Street tomorrow, Saturday 7/18, from 1pm-3pm. Homeade chocolate chip cookies and lemonade.

Please come by!

5 replies