By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on May 16th, 2012
Garage Sale Extravaganza This Weekend
The the PNA’s annual Greenwood Garage Sale Day on this Saturday May 19th. The neighborhoods of Phinney Ridge and Greenwood and part of what people would call Greenlake join together to hold a sale the whole Seattle area looks for each year. You should come armed with your PNA Garage Sale map, small change and bills, some packing material, comfortable walking shoes and maybe a wagon or some other rolling device with wheels.
If you are holding a Greenwood Garage Sale for the first time there are three kinds of shoppers:
First their are the Professionals. You know the kind that knock on your door at an obscenely early hour and just have to see what you have before anyone else gets a look. Usually if you submit to their pressure tactics they will then attempt to talk you down your already reasonable asking prices. Always try to steer clear of these. They are known in the business of buy and sell as “Pickers”. They do this for a living, even if they say they are on their way to work and won’t be able to come back etc… They want to score the good stuff before someone else does just to resell on Craigs list, Ebay or to some shop. Usually they aren’t worth the bother and get in your way when you are trying to get things set up.
Second are the Organized Shoppers. They have already printed the PDFs of the map and merchandise descriptions. They are looking for specific items and have their route planned out the evening before. They waste no time and are laser focused. You can spot them as they are the fastest moving group. In and out and on the way to the next stop ASAP!
Third is the Let’s Stumble Across Something bunch, by far the largest contingent. They might live in the area or might be friends of people who live nearby. They check out the garage sale after a nice brunch with friends or family. They take their time, probably don’t have a map, and just go for a stroll in the neighborhood to see what they can find. This by far is the most enjoyable group. They have pleasant small talk with their neighbors and this is spirit of what the PNA and their great events are all about.
The area of Phinney Ridge is known for the strong sense of community within the big city. The PNA is the hub for this sense of small town in this great neighborhood of Seattle.
As a Phinneywood specialist and longtime resident I am holding a very special open house this Sunday May 20th. This home is truly one of a kind in the area. Located just a couple of short blocks from the Woodland Park Zoo. A few years ago it was a neglected original Green Lake cabin from the beginning of the last century (maybe even older) then it was completely reinvented as a charming family home on a small foot print with a second story and a finished basement. It might have had one of the smallest floor areas five years ago, but it lives big now. Perched above the street it boasts privacy and and a quiet backyard complete with a water feature and granite retaining walls. Safe to say you haven’t seen another lot like this, and the house is completely remodeled top to bottom. What was once a garage is now a finished bedroom (buyer to verify) or office space and a 3/4 bath.
Easy to drive by and not notice, until you see inside.
It’s the kind of house that you could easily drive right by on the street without noticing it perched proudly above the street and out of the way, but once you are inside you will find light filled spaces and views over Greenlake Park towards the Cascade Mountains and beyond in your own little private “treehouse”. The master is on the top floor along with another bedroom and a spacious full bath. The ground floor entry level has gleaming hardwood floors, a kitchen with granite counter tops and Stainless Steel appliances, the original brick fireplace in the living room, dining space and a powder room all in an open floor plan.
Open main floor plan
Downstairs is the laundry room and the converted garage. This house doesn’t scream” look at me”, tucked behind and underneath mature trees but you will appreciate the privacy the mature plantings provide when you are inside.
Outside is a well executed landscape plan with low maintenance in mind and year-round color. It’s a charming oasis without a lawn to mow. Complete with a functioning pond,backyard deck and other outdoor “rooms”.
Fully landscaped for minimal care
OK, it might be a stretch, calling this a” treehouse” with it’s firm concrete foundation and traditional stick built construction. I am referring to how it feels to live in this space. Perched high above the street and sidewalk, placed well above the neighbor to the east, buffeted by the beautiful granite walls to the west (they don’t make them like they used to!), under the large tree to the back of the lot, and the unique tree south of the front door. What I am alluding to is the sense of peace and quiet and privacy with the views looking over the neighbor’s home to the views to the east from the master bedroom and balcony and to the views towards the south in the second upstairs bedroom and ground level. One can’t help but feel above it all in their own private light-filled spaces away from whatever might be happening down below at street level.
It’s a very walkable neighborhood, zoo concerts blocks away in the summer along with the Woodland and Greenlake parks just down the hill. Up the hill with a Walk Score of 69 is Phinney Ave North with all the restuarants, pubs and galleries. The PNA has zip cars as well as classes and it’s myriad of other activites.
To learn more about this special jewelbox of a home please contact:
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on April 19th, 2012
Phinney Ridge Home Featured on Green Home Tour this Weekend
The NW EcoBuilding Guild is all set to show you our Green! That’s right we are proud tree huggers (learn about advanced framing), water conservationists (why it’s called gray water), dumpster divers (what is the difference between recycling and reuse) and sun worshippers (learn about PV Panels and Evacuated Tubes). Think you know all this already? I’ll buy you an organic, fair trade, shade-grown coffee if you attend the tour and don’t learn something new, or a different point of view.
Here on Phinney you can see a house, that fits into the rest of the neighborhood rather quietly at first glance but if you go to the Net Zero House (N04) on the map, you will learn it’s “radical” agenda. The tour is free, so why not carpool or get on your electric bike and hit some others in the area. This house isn’t currently for sale but some others on the tour are.
If you want to know about the Phinney Ridge, or another Seattle market please let me know. I stay apprised of local green building projects for a reason, they are in demand. You can search via the Cooperjacobs.com website or go to Kim-Mulligan.com
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on April 14th, 2012
Phinney/Greenwood Art up and Chow Down
It’s approaching that time of year again. The large annual Art Walk. Also known as “The Big One“. Every May the PhinneyWood or as some call it, “Phinney/Greenwood” neighborhood have hosted this fun event. Most of the retail spaces and even some offices stay open on a Friday evening, this year it’s May 11th from 6-9pm and May 12th a Saturday from 12-5pm. It’s usually much more than just a gallery crawl. There’s often music, libations, and a wonderful chance to go out and meet the neighbors. Last year I personally discovered a some great little shops I didn’t even know were there.
Because this corridor (our own little North Seattle Main Street) features so many small businesses, those of us who believe in “Buy Local” love the chance to stroll on a pleasant May evening and see what the local merchants have to offer. The event is becoming increasingly more popular and starting to draw from other neighborhoods. There will be another small business are, known to some as “Stumbletown” offering their businesses as well. This is the revitalized area of NW 65th Street between 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW. Composed of small trendy stores, second hand stores, pubs and restaurants this 5 small block long area has become a destination all it’s own.
Not to be missed!
So if you aren’t familiar with the Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods, this is a great chance to see what’s it’s all about. A must is comfortable walking shoes. Some cash in your pocket is another essential because after all the walking you’re bound to work up an appetite. This special part of Seattle has wonderful pubs and restaurants as well. When the galleries close plan on sticking around and have a nosh while you get to know the neighbors.
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on April 11th, 2012
New Home on Market in West Phinney
There is a great well loved home coming on the market in West Phinney this weekend. If you have been following my posts on how rare listings our in the neighborhood, you will appreciate the price on this one. It’s in the area people call by many names, “East Ballard“, “Stumbletown“, or even “Ballard Gulch” the later being tongue-in-cheek for no lack of hip watering holes along NW 65th Street. If that concerns you, no need. This well loved family home that hasn’t been on the market in two decades is away from the fray of the rather tame night life nearby. From this location you can walk to the Blue Glass Bistro, Cafe Bambino, Molly Maguires, and several other daytime retail shops.
Second Upstairs Bedroom in Sweet Phinney Home for Sale
It has two bedrooms upstairs, and possibly a legal downstairs bedroom as well (buyer to verify). This home has already raised more than one family and is ready for its next residents. Other homes in the area have been extensively renovated, some even to include the classic Ballard views. As this post is written it isn’t on the NWMLS so the price is not yet published, but is indeed much lower than others in the immediate area.
Quaint possibly original kitchen
This home is what many people would call a starter home. The great thing about it is how many improvements have already been made. One can easily take their time as they tailor it to their own tastes and needs. If you want to know more about this special Ballard/Phinney home please contact me, as a buyer’s agent .
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on March 24th, 2012
Phinney Ridge Call for Artists
During these tough times, it’s hard to get work or recognition for guerrilla art. The City of Seattle is making it a little bit easier. Phinney/Greenwood area (some call us Phinneywood), is lucky to be one of only a few neighborhoods that has the “Summer Streets” celebration. You have a few weeks to get together a proposal to set up a temporary art display, that the City of Seattle will pay you for. The installation would occur on or around August 10th 2012.
Here is the City of Seattle’s recent press release:
Seeking artists to create temporary artworks for city sidewalks, parks
We’re seeking artists to create temporary art installations along Greenwood Avenue North and the Central Waterfront for the project Art Interruptions. Art Interruptions encourages artists to install artworks on city sidewalks and parks and offer passers-by a brief interruption in their day with a moment of surprise, beauty or humor. Possible locations for artworks include street and park infrastructure and furniture (utility poles, trees, tree pits, walls, railings, stair risers, etc.). Up to 12 artists will be selected to develop artworks to be displayed for six weeks in summer 2012.
Possible sidewalk and park locations include Greenwood Avenue North between North 65th and North 87th streets, Waterfront Park, Piers 62 and 63, and Pike Street Hill Climb between Alaskan Way and Western Avenue.
Eligibility: Open to artists residing in Washington state.
Budget: Up to 12 artists each will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Art Interruptions is administered in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Recent Seattle Yarn Bomb
So if you are a yarn bomber, sidewalk chalkboard artist, part of a sand mandala group or a creative spirit in a different media. Show the City of Seattle and this Seattle neighborhood what you got! If it doesn’t work for Phinney/Greenwood it might work for another neighborhood this summer.
The Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods are a great place to live. To see what is currently for sale and to find out why I have chosen to live is this wonderful neighborhood, feel free to ask anytime. I look forward to hearing from you.
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on March 11th, 2012
Empty Bowls This Weekend
If you haven’t been to this great event on the past years, this is your chance on Sunday March 18th 2012 in nearby Ballard. The Sunset Hill Neighborhood has similar views of W Phinney, but with a little more of the Puget Sound thrown in for good measure. If you travel just a few blocks west of this event you can capture sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, the Islands and of course Shilshole Marina.
This event is held at the very special Nordic Heritage Museum. For the price of a wonderful handmade bowl you get a great bowl of soup, some bread, great family communal fun and warm fuzzies! If you get there early, you get first pick of your unique hand-made vessel (but don’t worry if you come late as they do let some real nice ones trickle out on the tables throughout the day), and it’s not a stretch to say many of these are objects de arte. The bowls are made by adults and children, artists and enthusiasts. While you are shopping for the perfect bowl and then enjoying a delicous bowl of soup, there’s great family entertainment in the form of jugglers, music and anything can happen.
Eat Well and Do Good
You can’t bring Bowser or Fluffy to this event, but you can think of them and bring them there own one-of-a-kind dish so they don’t miss out either.
Yes, is the answer to your question. You can buy more than one, and stash it for the next occasion you wish you had that one-of-a-kind gift. If that’s not enough, the vast majority of your hard earned money goes to the deserving Ballard Food Bank. This is a volunteer driven event. This grass roots event is a tradition may look forward to in this great Ballard neighborhood.
The learn more about this great place to live contact me at kim@cooperjacobs.com.
We just completed our 1915-square-foot, 3-bedroom, single-family home on an empty lot in Ballard. A true net-zero house and the first of its kind in Seattle, this Energy Star certified, 5-Star Built Green home produces as much electricity from the sun as it uses over the course of a year.
By keeping the design simple and minimizing expensive finishes, we were able to keep the cost of building down to $124 per square foot ($114 after rebates and solar production incentives), which includes the 6kw solar panel system, taxes, and permits. Given that the average cost of construction in Seattle is $200/sf, we think our project demonstrates building green need not cost more than traditional construction.
In addition to its energy-saving features, the house also incorporates reclaimed building materials and water conservation systems. Since moving in last September, we have been enjoying the home’s radiant floors, clean indoor air, and abundant sunlight. Now that we have settled in, we hope to play a role in inspiring others to build or retrofit existing Seattle homes to the net-zero-energy standard.
By Kim Mulligan: Seattle Realtor: Cooper Jacobs Real Estate: 206-579-9066 kim@cooperjacobs.com, on February 19th, 2012
Sold Homes On Phinney Ridge 2012
If you look at the chart posted a few days ago one would think the market is slow in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Upon closer look one will see it is lack of inventory that is holding up sales. This graphic will help to illustrate the real scenario. Four single family homes have sold in this area according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Please look at the listing price vs the sales price. 3 out of the 4 homes sold for more than the listing price! This is most likely due to multiple offers on available properties. Think the market is slow, please think again! There are qualified buyers who have been waiting until they think the time is right. Due to lower interest rates and some government programs people are still currently buying. Cash offers aren’t unheard of either. Recently I’ve been working with people who are moving here from other areas due to local job offers. Seattle is lucky to have a stronger economy than other parts of the country and we are still receiving an influx of people from other parts of the country.
Three out of the four homes that have closed since the first of the year sold for more than the listing price. Please let me know if you would like a Comparative Market Analysis for your home in the Phinney Ridge Area.
