Garden at NW Flower and Garden Show
While visiting the Northwest Flower and Garden Show at the Seattle Convention Center, my daughter and her husband took me to a very yummy place to eat I had never heard of:
Specialty's Cafe
I just found out they have one in Bellevue Square Mall. I’m hungry. I’m GONE. I’m going there! BYE!
Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue brings year round wetlands education to area residents. It looks very different in the winter. I thought it was beautiful in the fall when I visited, yet winter brings a whole new vista to light. Things hidden by thick trees and leaves emerge and you are struck with how much the slough is right smack dab in the middle of the city of Bellevue.
The slough is refered to as the Sponge of Bellevue as it absorbs our Pacific Northwest soakings in this forested wetlands. You can’t get down to bedrock.
The Center is jointly run by the Pacific Science Center and the Bellevue Parks Department. There are educational programs for adults, youth and children, which they have been doing for 15 years from a small little house that is still on the property. NOT ANYMORE! The new facility is a fabulous place and can service a capacity of 40,000 students a year. The old facility could only service about 8000. There are class rooms, visitor center and even a community building for rentals and gatherings.
If you haven’t seen it, I’m willing to bet you will be amazed at the planning, purpose and architecture. There are clusters of buildings and they all seem to belong to each other and to the environment of the slough. To see a slide show of the Mercer Slough just CLICK ANYWHERE ON THE PICTURE BELOW.
There are trails to take, wildlife to see and learn about, but you will know more after visiting their website, www.pacificsciencecenter.org/slough what they have to offer. I attended a Sip & Stroll that is held every Thursday at 11:00 am. Christina Dyson-Farrell was the guide for our group. Each month the center has 700-1000 visitors, you won’t regret being one of them. It will make your day. 1625 118th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98005. It’s free and parking is available. Bring the kids.
See IssaquahUndressed.com for the Grand Opening of the new Mercer Slough Center -Click Here.
When economic woes have millions of Americans fretting, the Lake Heights and Bellevue Family YMCA’s wants to remind families and individuals that a little sweating can offer important physical and emotional benefits.
Many members of our community are facing financial struggles that can put them and their families under a lot of physical and emotional stress. Now more than ever, it’s important to make sure exercise is part of our daily routines. Even a short walk or swim can help reduce the negative effects of stress.
Research has proven the important role of exercise in combating stress and reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Even moderate physical activity can produce mood-boosting endorphins, clear the mind, improve focus and positively affect blood pressure and other symptoms of stress.
The YMCA encourages members of the community to make physical activity a priority, especially during tough times, and offers a few simple tips:
For information about Charter Memberships for the new Coal Creek YMCA opening fall 2009 in Newcastle, visit www.seattleymca.org/coalcreekor call 425-644-8417 or to learn more Bellevue Family YMCA visit www.bellevueymca.org or call 425-746-9900.
Bellevue has not been immune from the general lethargy in the local market. In order to help you understand the sales statistics I’ve provided graphs (below) representing sales for the last 13 months. It is interesting to note that currently there are:
You can see larger versions of the graphs by clicking on them.
There has been a steady decline in home sales since the financial markets tanked in September 2008. Sales have slumped 50% since last year.
On average, homes that are selling linger on the market for about 80 days. The last several months have seen an increase of day. It will be interesting to see if sales accelerate in the Spring.
With the exception of December, home prices for sold properties have remained fairly consistent this year. The average price is around $650,000 – $680,000.
This statistic is particularly interesting and reflects just how powerfully the lack of confidence has affected the real estate market. Few homes are selling for the asking price (no surprise really) but, off the homes and condos sold so far this month houses are selling around -11% below list price; condos are commanding better ratios at around 95% of list price.
I hope you have found this information both informative and useful. In today’s market it is very important that sellers and buyers are well-informed about market trends and statistics.
James Lupori, Associate Broker/Keller Williams Greater Seattle and author of www.kenmoreundressed.com.
206.713.202 / jlupori@comcast.net
How is the Bellevue Real Estate Market? That is a good question. Let me provide some real estate statistics, stats, and charts. Below you will see Bellevue, Washington Single Family Homes charting statistics, all prices.
This chart covers the last 14 months. Interestingly, January had the third least amount of homes for sale in the MLS than any of these months with 525. The red line is pending sales for the month, homes sold but not yet closed. The darker bar shows 32 homes sold and closed. These numbers clearly identify a buyers market with 16 month inventory of listed homes for sale.
I will be adding data by price range and neighborhoods. Stay tuned and email larrykcragun(at)@yahoo.com if you are looking for a specific target in area or price.
PS: For under $350,000 may I suggest Burien and our Burien Undressed blog written by Danita Jolly.
In Bellevue, in the last 14 months, only 2 homes came on the market in this price range and both sold.
Bellevue activities is one thing we will be writing about. Welcome to Bellevue Undressed. You have found a site that will be written by real estate professionals that have or do live and work in Bellevue.
We have also had much experience on line and in this consumer blog world. We invite you to return often as we intend on making this a great Bellevue Resource and an interesting local – hyper local – and real estate blog.
Thanks for dropping by and please watch us grow by returning often.
From Bellevue Merchants Page
How About Snoqualmie Pass? & How About Hood Canal? Bellevue Sports Posts