Rudinoff Real Estate

2012-01-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

Making a Neighborhood a Community

A fabulous new client who is also new to Seattle just sent me this great article from The Atlantic about my local Super Deli Mart that has been making a stir around the neighborhood for some time. I love going into this place and love that Min Chung got this National Press. Read on about how a tiny corner store has become THE place to find some of the most sought after beers in the world and by doing so, created a bustling community. Fabulous. Take a read.

2012-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

BUYING HISTORIC HOMES

I recently sold the Clemmer House in Roanoke Park which was built for Vaudeville theatre manager James Clemmer in 1909. Buying any home has its share of details, research and inquiries but a historic home carries even more investigation and it is always a pleasure to dig into a city's history and learn about it through the structures of its hand crafted homes.

The house is a Spanish style Revival Four-Square. The Four-Square style was a craftsman answer to the ornate Victorian style of the turn of the century. It usually meant the home was a boxy shape with four large rooms on the main floor and always a large front porch.

This particular home is a hybrid with the shape of a Four-Square home meeting the Mission details of exterior walls coated with white stucco, curved archways and clay roof tiles. The interior mingles in the Arts & Crafts movement with box beam ceilings, leaded glass built-ins and walnut ribboned floor inlay.

It was a pleasure to get to participate in handing this untouched gem over to new hands- a client who I know will take great pains and put much passion into maintaining the beauty and style of this Seattle gem.

On a more personal note, Joseph Clemmer was the manager of the 5th Avenue Theatre downtown and at the time of our closing, I was performing in this historic theatre in "Cinderella". I love when life brings coincidence, it makes me feel like I am in the right place and the right time. Enjoy both a modern shot of the exterior and an historical picture of the interior.

2011-10-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

NEW SPOOKY FALL NEWSLETTER!

Check your mail and or emails for my fall newsletter or CLICK HERE to check it out.

No tricks, just lots of great pics of unhaunted houses

and great clients.

Have a Happy Halloween tonight!

2011-10-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

SELLING IN A BUYER'S MARKET

It is still a buyer's market even though available inventory levels this summer going down to 4.3 (meaning it would take 4.3 months to sell all the available inventory on the market). When buyers are in the driving seat with negotiation, much attention has to be paid to what the competition is doing. A thorough knowledge of the market and having been inside the homes or condos of the competition is essential. I love having a diverse clientele because it means I see a lot of inventory just being out and about with my buying clients. Also, you get to know what buyers talk about, what the priorities are, what kind of staging turns people off and how important first impressions like landscaping, a clean and newly painted door and smells are.

This is the night time view of the condo I just sold on Queen Anne. There were two units for sale in the condo for over a year- both of them started way overpriced with varying degrees of success with pictures and overall experiences walking into the spaces. I had a good position with a vacant unit (easier to control the experience buyers and their agents have when walking in) and a client who could afford to come on the market well priced on day one. We also took time prepping the unit so that on day one and the first few weeks when most of our traffic was coming through, we were ready to go.

Always feels like a victory to get a good sale in this market!

Highest Use

2011-08-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

When I took my first real estate class, I remember the most intriguing concept to me was "highest use", the term refers to the philosophy that property should be operating for its highest use. This concept is what brought about laws like "adverse possession" where someone can claim ownership of property if they can prove sustained use of the property over time (1o years in many places). This is what happened when property owners abandoned or could not longer afford to care for buildings in NYC and the people who put time and effort into making them livable had a right to them- the"squatters" law as some people refer to it.

I just read this report in the NYTimes about a woman from an East Atlanta neighborhood who forages for ripening fruit and vegetables from the yards of foreclosed homes. It is an interesting debate and I think "highest use" for the bounty that is coming up in these yards should apply here as well. I have munched this summer with my clients on raspberries from a bank owned home that were prolific, sweet, abundant and obviously going to waste.

In this new real estate reality, a more sane look at what is happening and what to do with some of the fruits left behind from disasters is a better way to look at it I think. Foraging and donating to food shelters who are always low on fresh produce would be a great "highest use". Food for thought.

More Walkable Cities

2011-08-05T19:00:00.001-07:00

Check out this very cool company. Better Blocks goes into cities with not very friendly walkable spaces and they set up one day installations with pop-up shops, sidewalk cafes and eateries. It is only one day but it whets the appetites of the neighbors and the project has found when they leave the city councils and city dwellers have begun to shift their thinking around the possibilities and businesses have leased spaces in these spots and money has been funneled into walkability. Cool concept! BetterBlock

Stunning new Queen Anne Penthouse listing with protected views!

2011-08-01T17:12:00.001-07:00

My fabulous new Penthouse listing on Queen Anne with stunning city views. Join me for snacks and a preview tomorrow at the condo from 10-12pm or Sunday 1pm-4pm for an open house.Listing/Detail

2011-07-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

"Quality Problems"

The term above is what my father refers to when we talk and I am let him know how I don't have any time for anything because I have so many clients. Agreed! I feel very lucky to be busy in this economy with a job I love and great clients that I enjoy spending time working with.

The Blog has been getting short shrift because we have been in our busy time. I wanted to share some of my successes and outcomes for clients.

I am pending on my beautiful Madrona listing that we sold to a really great young couple who I know is going to love the block and the community or the neighborhood as well as the really wonderful home.

I sold an incredible view home on the back side of Queen Anne overlooking the sound, Olympics and the city. My clients are moving here from California and I made them promise to have me over to see the view often!

Thank you to all of my spring and summer clients both active, pending and sold- you make it fun to be in and around the city on the search for homes and great buyers. Hope we get a bit more sun to enjoy the season in full effect! Aloha, Sarah

2011-06-15T15:45:00.001-07:00

Artful Madrona Craftsman

Just Listed

Join us for Open Houses this weekend on

June 18 & 19th

Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm to take a look at

our beautiful new home on the market.

1926 Period Detail meets Modern Updates in the

Heart of the Madrona neighborhood adjacent to Lake Washington

3bedrooms/1.75 baths

2680 Sq ft.

CLICK for full listing detail

2011-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

Great Buying vs Renting News for Seattle

Looking out at Lake Union from Gas Works Park

Good news coming out about the buying versus renting conversation. A new study will be published that cites Seattle as the best place to buy instead of rent right now out of the 23 US cities they looked at. My own Property Tracker data has pending sales up for May and certainly my own day to day research tells me that buyers are out there buying and landlords are holding strong on rents in the metro area. Check out the CNN Money article HERE.

2011-04-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Fabulous New Co-Op Listing!

The 1923 Wayfarer in the University District

1bd/1ba 730 sq ft $162,500

This top floor corner unit in the classic Wayfarer gets great light and boasts a generous layout with an open kitchen, eating bar that flows into the living room and delineated office area with custom in-set desk. French doors lead to the bedroom with a huge walk-in closet. Hardwoods under carpet and in unit washer & dryer.

There is access to the neighbors roof top deck and gym gives you modern convenience with co-op charms. Close to grocery, parks, and endless restaurant choices.

HOD include: heat, free laundry, water, hot water, sewer garbage, taxes and building insurance.

Join me for an Open House on Sunday May 1st 1pm-4pm

Click here of more detail

Appealing Property Values for King County Taxes

2011-04-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

LOW TIDE in West Seattle

It is April, which for homeowners means the revaluation of your property should be in the mail from King County. Many people will be assessed based on old values and it is within the rights of every homeowner to appeal those values.

I am here to help anyone with getting you information about comparable properties that have sold in the last year and being your resource for any appeal you may want to file with the King County Assessors Office.

Here is a link that may be helpful and of course you can always give me a ring or drop me an email and I will help you. Happy spring!

INFO LINK

2011-03-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

SEATTLE'S DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE

Cobb Building (1301 4th Avenue)

I found this article while looking for walking tours of Seattle and I thought it was a great tour through Seattle's Downtown architecture. There is a book by Maureen Elenga entitled "Seattle Architecture: A Walking Guide to Downtown".

Click HERE for the article with some highlights of the walk through Seattle's history.

2011-02-11T09:14:00.001-08:00

YESLER TERRACE

The re-designed, green built community could make Seattle

a leader in energy savings for the state.

My favorite view in Seattle has always been driving down Yesler to downtown, where the road crests and reveals the Smith Tower and the waterfront (see above). There are big plans happening just up the street.

A bright spot in Seattle's development landscape, the city is rebuilding the old subsidized housing community with a mixed-income spaces for current residents, future residents and mixed-use space as well. The LEED architects CollinsWoerman, who designed and built Bastyr, the Waterfront District in Belltown and Group Health Headquarters are working on the project.

Read about it all here

2011-01-10T11:27:00.001-08:00

Here are some of my favorite "best deals" to be had

in Seattle in the last quarter of 2010!

This West Seattle bungalow with a delightful garden sold in November for $224,950

Portofino, Capitol Hill's turn of the century warehouse style building had a large one bedroom unit with views of the city sell at $232,000 in December

This 1909 fully restored and updated 3300 Sqft craftsman in the heart of Ballard sold for $650,000 in December

Christmas Kauai-Style

2010-12-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Liz and I are both on Kauai with our family for the holidays and we love visiting because it is warmer than Seattle this time of year of course and we get to spend time with our family, but also the culture of this island that we grew up on is unique to this 30x40 mile place. One of my favorite things is the Festival of Lights at the county building. The Christmas decoration collection of Auntie Josie, a local woman renowned for her ingenious folk-art and over-the-top Christmas displays, fill the center of town each year. The county building holds her vast collection of cocktail toothpick wreaths, Hawaiian nutcrackers and Spam trees- it is a festive delight! Wherever you are, I hope you are taking in all the holiday spirit of your surroundings to bring into the new year. Merry Holidays!

2010-11-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Join us at our Open House this weekend for our best deal in Ballard.

This townhouse-style condo is just a hop and a jump from all the bustle of Ballard. With 1371 sq feet of generous living space, this 2bed/1.5 bath condo feels like a relaxing urban home with an exterior entrance out to the street and two garage parking spaces.

Come on down on Sunday, Dec. 5th from 1pm-4pm and see this great home for yourself.

CLICK FOR CONDO DETAILS

2010-11-23T11:22:00.001-08:00

Our Thanksgiving place setting last year...

We are approaching the holiday season and that always means family gatherings. Like many of us, I have a mixed family with lots of moving parts and personalities. I thought I would curate some of my favorite stories about uncommon gatherings and the holiday season.

May everyone have a safe and abundant Thanksgiving weekend!

A Great StoryCorps Tale about making dinner for strangers

McSweeney's Cornucopia of Thanksgiving Lists

NPR Listener Thanksgiving Stories

2010-11-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

Great Park Slope Story out of NYC

Our homes have so many stories- this is one of my favorites..

from the Habitat column in the NY Times

Comes with Furnishings..

2010-10-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

This may be the best listing EVER. (thanks to client Bruce who sent it to me this morning). It comes with all furnishings- I think the cage scares me most...

Real Estate | Normandy Park: Close location, distant feel | Seattle Times Newspaper

2010-10-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of being a Realtor is discovery- new pockets of Seattle I didn't know were there, old-timey restaurants that I have never stepped into but have been there doing their thing forever, music I have never heard.

I saw that one of my sister neighborhoods (I live in South- West Seattle) was the Neighborhood of the Week on the Seattle Times real estate page. Normandy Park is a neighborhood that I am always looking at and passing through. A favorite garden store of mine is there and I look forward to unfolding all the other little treasures. Enjoy!

- Sarah

Real Estate | Normandy Park: Close location, distant feel | Seattle Times Newspaper

Adventures in Real Estate advertising!

2010-10-06T17:54:00.001-07:00

I think it is the "exactly" that got me. My friend Grady took this in downtown Seattle and I had to share :)

2010-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

FHA Announces Short Re-fi Program

One of the pieces of the real estate puzzle that has been a major hardship for many owners is that the value in their homes has gone down to the point where they can't take advantage of the historic low interest rates and re-finance into a lower monthly payment. The US government is trying to incentivize banks to refinance home owners who are in this position with the creation of a short re-fi program will allow a lender to forgive 10% or more in the balance of the homeowners loan. This is not a mandate but a incentive and the government is encouraging banks to write down their loans and make more business for themselves refinancing borrowers.

Here is the announcement in the Seattle Times

Here is the HUD website about the Program

Call me with any questions about this or to talk over any other solutions.

Top Ten Useless Inventions

2010-09-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

We've all heard jokes about ridiculous inventions such as a submarine with a screen door or a helicopter with an emergency eject seat, but they weren't half as creative as these real inventions. Read on for a quick laugh at these attempts to solve sometimes nonexistent problems.

VIEW PHOTOS

Open House Today in Leschi

2010-08-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

LESCHI HISTORY:
Leschi is one of Seattle's beloved waterfront neighborhoods and between 1888 and 1940, a cable car ran from Pioneer Square to Lake Washington up Yesler Way and went right through the neighborhood. Here is a pic of a former cable car bridge.

Come visit me today at our new

Leschi listing at 313 29th Ave S. from 1pm-4pm!

CLICK TO GO INSIDE THE HOME!

New FHA Rules Will Mean Higher Payments for Buyers

2010-08-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

If you are buying a home or refinancing using an FHA loan, your annual mortgage payment could increase substantially if you don't act by October 4th, 2010. Monthly payments will increase up to $100 per month and ability to qualify for the FHA loan may be impacted by the change. It's a great time to take advantage of all-time low interest rates (%4.5 and under) and low prices on homes, and this FHA change offers even more incentive to take action now.

SEE DETAILS

2010-08-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

New Artful Farmhouse in Hillman City!

OPEN HOUSE AUG. 13TH & 14TH (SAT AND SUN) 1PM-4PM

JOIN US ON THIS GORGEOUS WEEKEND TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL HOME.

4bd/2ba

Huge lot with gardens, a patio and an Additional Dwelling Unit filled with possibility

$299,950

For further pics and details click here.

HISTORIC LOW RATES MEANS BUYING POWER

2010-07-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

SUMMER TIME IN SEATTLE- LET IT RAIN (FOUNTAIN RAIN..)

In December of 2009, we saw what we thought was the lowest the borrowing interest rate could go 4.71%, but in the last week, the average rate has been under 4.5%, this means a tremendous amount of buying power for making a purchase.

The reason for the rate going even lower, instead of increasing like we had thought it might is that people are investing in the US instead of the European or Asian markets. The money has found a somewhat safe haven in the US economy with our bonds and treasuries and as dollars flow here, there is more to go around.

No doubt, the rates will go up- banks will want a more lucrative business and they will charge more for money in the future, but for now this is a great time to set up in a 30 year fixed mortgage or refinance at an historic low rate.

Check-out a great Seattle Times article here: http://bit.ly/birnXC

WEEKEND FORECAST: SUNNY OPEN HOUSES!

2010-07-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Join us this sunny weekend for Open Houses Galore!

Queen Anne Craftsman Artist Retreat $365,000

LISTING DETAIL: www.johnlscott.com/23777

Special Friday After-Work Mixer

with Food & Drinks!

OPEN Friday, July 9th 5pm-7pm

Custom Ballard Townhouse $378,500

LISTING DETAIL: www.johnlscott.com/67696

Come out for Ballard's Seafood Fest and

OPEN HOUSES

Saturday July 10th 1pm-4pm &

Sunday July 11th 10am-noon

Wallingford Classic Farmhouse $649,500

LISTING DETAIL: www.johnlscott.com/89702

Tour this home that

has never been on the market!

OPEN Sat. & Sun. 10th/11th 1pm-4pm

Lower Queen Anne Mod Condo with stellar views $355,500

LISTING DETAIL: www.johnlscott.com/93169

This condo is brand spankin' new on the market with a dynamite kitchen remodel!

OPEN Sunday, July 9th 1pm-4pm

Stunning Queen Anne 60's Building with Puget Sound Views, new on the market.

2010-07-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

$368,500

507 W Mercer St #503

Seattle, WA 98119

2 Bed/1.5 Bath

MLS# 95504

Revamped 1960's building with Puget Sound views. This stylish condo has newer roof, siding and vinyl windows. Light-filled 2Bed/1.5 Bath end unit boasts a top to bottom kitchen remodel with granite countertops & bar, stainless steel Bosch and Frigidaire appaliances, undermounted sink, chimney range hood, Duraceramic floors, and custom eating nook that takes advantage of water and mountain scenes. Roomy bedrooms and an extra powder room for guests as well as a large deck for BBQ's and watching ferry boats go by. In unit Asko W/D, secure garage parking and down the street from all of lower Queen Anne - this fantastic home awaits a lucky new owner!

VIEW LISTING DETAIL

Wallingford Old-School with modern sensibility.

2010-07-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

$649,500

1553 N 37th St

Seattle, WA 98103

3 Bed/1.5 Bath

MLS# 94568

This early century farmhouse located on the south slope of Wallingford shines with lake and city views. With its proximity to the Burke Gilman bike trail, Gasworks Park, and Lake Union you will always have options for outdoor activities. A circular floor plan opens into the kitchen at the heart of this home with its center island as a gathering place; solid surface counters and Wolf range bring modern convenience to a traditional space. The upstairs features three light-filled bedrooms with three different views and a generous landing perfect for an open office space. The full basement has excellent ceiling height for a future family or media room and outside you will find a brand new deck and a delightful garden for relaxing and entertaining.

VIEW LISTING DETAIL

5% Price Reduction on Thoroughly Mod- with Views- Lower Queen Anne.

2010-06-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

$258,400

530 W Olympic Pl # 306

Seattle, WA 98119

1 Bed/ 1 Bath

MLS# 94193

This mid-entury view condo looks ourt to Mt. Rainier, Elliot Bay and Kinnear Park. Light-filled with open living and dining areas, oak hardwoods, floor-to-ceiling windows. The view extends to the kitchen with brand new marmoleum floors. Fresh paint throught, a delightful bathroom remodel, and a huge private deck. Indiviual parking space just blocks from all Queen Anne shopping. Dont miss the rooftop deck with spectacular panoramic view. FHA approved!

VIEW LISTING DETAIL

Ballard Proper! 2BD/1.5BA condo in the center of BALLARD- Open house on Sunday.

2010-06-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Join Liz on Sunday June 6th from 1pm-4pm at our new

Condo Listing in BALLARD!

Urban meets cozy in this customized Ballard Place two story townhouse. A wall of windows greets you in the generous living and dining rooms that flow into the open kitchen with breakfast bar, art glass light fixtures, upgraded pantry and stainless steel appliances. The warm maple floors transition into new carpets as you head downstairs to the spacious bedrooms, master bath, and office nook. Two secure parking spaces, CAT 5 wiring, concierge, gym, sauna, deck with hot tubs & blocks from bustle of Ballard.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

Beyond the Tax Credit - What Now?

2010-05-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Although the First Time Home Buyer Tax credit is over, we expect the Real Estate Market to continue to improve with evidence of more active Move-up/Luxury Home Buyers and historically low mortgage interest rates.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAIL

Gorgeous Green-built Queen Anne Listing!

2010-04-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

$649,500
1413 9TH AVE W
Seattle, WA 98119

2 Beds/ 2.25 Baths
MLS# 52031

This Award winning 3-Star Green townhouse style condo radiates luxury with all the bells and whistles in an urban oasis. Custom built for these original owners, the home is bathed in light with two sets of floor to ceiling Pella french doors taht out to a generous west facing private deck and garden that look toward the Olympic Mountains and Elliot Bay. There are polished concrete floors with radiant heat throughout, 12 foot ceilings, a top of the line chef's kitchen with Wolf gas range that opens into the dining and living area featuring solid Mahogany built-ins and a versatile third bonus room perfect for a home office or guest room. With a surround sound system that is separately controlled for each room and two off-street parking spaces this unique condo is a modern, sophisticated in-city home.

VIEW LISTING DETAIL

Fabulous Capitol Hill Condo!

2010-03-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

$218,000

1400 HUBBELL PL #307

Seattle, WA 98101

2 Bed/ 1.75 Bath

MLS# 46121

Conveniently located at the apex of Capitol HIll, Downtown and 1st Hill, this rare 2 bath unit with washer/dryer boasts an open layout, fresh paint, bamboo floors and southwestern exposure. The kitchen is beautifully updated with birch counter-tops & stainless steel appliances. Custom built-ins in the living/dining area. Pedestal sinks & ceramic timle in bathrooms. Two rooftop decks provide sweeping views of the city and Elliott Bay. Dues inlcude water/sewer/garbage/heat/cable. Common areas updated and concierge included.

VIEW LISTING DETAIL

Queen Anne Condo with Stunning Views!

2010-03-19T23:24:00.000-07:00

$288,000

530 W Olympic Pl #306

Seattle, WA 98119

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING DETAIL

1 Bed/ 1 Bath

MLS# 40943

This mid-century view condo looks out to Mt. Rainier, Elliott Bay and Kinnear Park on Queen Anne. Light-filled with open living and dining spaces, oak hardwoods and floor to ceiling windows. View extends to the bright kitchen with brand new marmoleum floors. Freshly painted throughout with a delightful bathroom remodel as a huge private deck. Indiviual parking space, rooftop deck overlooking all of Elliott Bay and just blocks from all Queen Anne shopping. the Seller offering $5,000 toward buyer's closing costs, the cover heat, and the building is FHA approved!

How's the environment doing? Ask the buildings

2010-03-09T16:17:00.000-08:00

Soon we'll be texting buildings and highrises will have their own Twitter accounts! Interesting article from CNN, but Lee Min-soo's idea of shrinking-expanding apartments according to energy usage seems like it could be problematic.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/25/eco.design.tech/

New Development In Short Sales

2010-03-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

According to a New York Times article the U.S. government will implement a new program which would allow homeowners to sell their homes at a loss and receive money for "relocation purposes" starting April 5th. We are excited to see some government aid going to this distressed area of the market and hope it will create some dramatic positive changes.

2010-03-05T15:42:00.000-08:00

Come see us at our new West Seattle listing this Sunday from 1pm-4pm. Great 1925 Craftsman in a super walkable neighborhood- Walk Score = 86!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LISTING INFO

2010-03-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Did someone say "Full Service?" Liz on our new West Seattle listing roof top getting some leaves off before we took pictures- Yee Haw!

2010-02-22T07:45:00.001-08:00

A beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Walking in the mornings in my neighborhood is one of my favorite parts of living in my hood. I am in West Seattle in Highland Park and a morning walk gets me limbered up to my surroundings and what people are up to. February is the new March, with all the forsythia in bloom and the hellebores in greens and blacks scattered about. I know who has great dogs and whose dogs are not getting walked (why I don't have a dog I suppose- I couldn't deal with the guilt of getting busy and not getting the walk in). Today on my walk I saw this fabulous tire swing, I turned a corner I don't usually turn and there it was- a horse tire swing. Fabulous. Thought I would share it (good thing I carry the iphone on the walk..)

New Queen Anne Listing!

2010-02-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

$392,500

1310 W DRAVUS ST

Seattle, WA 98119

OPEN HOUSE:

Saturday 2/20 & Sunday 2/21

1-4pm

This restored Queen Anne bungalow is perfect for the urban dweller looking for a stand alone home. The 1908 former 2 bedroom craftsman has been converted to an open floor plan with 9' ceilings and a spacious sleeping loft. Bay windows and skylights bathe the rooms in Southwestern light and refinished fir floors coupled with original molding add elegant detail. Efficient gas heat, a sweet garden space out front, and a full basement with lots of storage in a fantastic location with easy access to Ballard, Fremont and Downtown.

http://www.johnlscott.com/23777

New Georgetown Listing!

2010-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

$435,000 REMODELED FARMHOUSE
6414 FLORA AVE S
Seattle, WA 98108

Open House: Sat. 13th & Sun. 14th 1-4pm

Vintage turn of the century charm mixes with mid-century innovation in this restored 1903 farmhouse. The light-filled kitchen is uber-functional with modern convenience that meshes seamlessly with 50's style details (like marlite ceilings and walls and marmoleum countertops). This house lives large with three proper bedrooms (including master suite) and an extra den perfect for guests or home office space. The living and dinin spaces are open to each other and the 8' ceilings really help to enlarge the space. The basement is huge and has lots of potential for finished rooms and the garage is ideal for tinkering with your projects. The home is tucked into beautifully designed garden spaces for outdoor hangouts in the heart of Seattle's close-knit Georgetown neighborhood.

http://www.johnlscott.com/10635

Our New Listing!

2010-02-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

$220,000 WEST SEATTLE TOWNHOME

5209 DELRIDGE Wy SW #A
Seattle, WA 98106

This meticulously maintained townhouse is just minutes from the bridge. With 2 roomy bedrooms, walk-in closet, lmainate cherry floors, gas fireplace and privately fenced yard. The Living spaces are all open, kitchen into dining and living rooms. Amenities include a gas range, washer/dryer and low utility costs. The house is only attached to one other unit and comes with off-street parking. Blocks from neighborhood p-patch and hiking trails. No Dues - this home is the best deal in the city!

http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetail.aspx?GroupID=214356346&ListingID=200004300&Sort=0

2010-02-03T23:28:00.000-08:00

I love Maya Lin. I was thinking about her tonight and remembering when she was so young and stood up to the opposition from Vietnam Veterans who didn't know what to make of her design for a memorial and many were upset that there were no physical representations of soldiers in her design. Watching her stand up at a podium and defend her haunting and simple idea (one that so many veterans, including my father, have come to feel deep connection to) still inspires me. Her work moves from architecture to environmental spaces and beyond. Here is her website.

MAYA LIN

5 Things to Check before Refinancing

2010-02-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Many homeowners are interested in taking advantage of super low interest rates by refinancing their mortgage. Here are some factors to look at before starting the process.

http://realestateandhomesinseattle.com/5-things-to-check-before-refinancing/

2010-01-29T08:30:00.000-08:00

UNHAPPY HIPSTERS

One of the funnier commentaries on the "Modern Lifestyle" craze. We do often wonder where people keep their kids' toys?

Mortgage Interest Rates Forecast for 2010

2010-01-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

The historically low Mortgage Interest Rates we've seen in the past year are predicted to stay below 6% this year. However, the Federal Reserves will terminate purchase of mortgage-backed securities which may cause rates to rise in 2011.

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-home-front/2009/10/14/mortgage-rates-seen-below-6-through-2010

2010-01-19T11:20:00.001-08:00

Congress extended the home energy efficiency tax credit through 2010 for purchase of energy efficient appliances. Certain purchases for existing primary residences such as insulation products, heaters, new windows and doors may qualify for tax credits.

http://www.efficientenergy.org/Home

Top Ten Green Cities 2010

2010-01-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Seattle is one of the Top Ten Green Cities according EarthLab. With a Carbon Ouput of 9.18 the Emerald City is ranked 8th on the list.

To see which other cities made it to the top ten go to http://www.efficientenergy.org/Top-Ten-Green-Cities-in-the-United-States

Tax Credit Info

2010-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

The Homeownership Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. Homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five consecutive years within the last eight and who want to purchase a different home qualify for a $6,500 tax credit. Both of these tax credits apply to sales with written contracts on or before April 30, 2010 and closing by June 30, 2010. Call me anytime for more person to person info on any of the ins and outs of the tax credit!

More Great Karaoke Pics!

2010-01-05T11:58:00.001-08:00

2009-12-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday many of our past and current clients came and rocked out for some karaoke and dim sum in the International District. Some of the kids went rogue and were singing without backing tracks- very brave souls those 4 year olds.

We have the best clients in the world and they can really sing!

Welcome to our New Blog!

2009-12-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Rudinoff Realtor has entered into the blogesphere (better late than never!) Check back often to get updates for all things real estate. We will post the latest in real estate news, special rebate programs going on, interest rate changes, tax credit info and then just plain fun Seattle events. Thanks for stopping by!