Popular Seattle Condo Projects Featured In Bloomberg News


Seattle Condos Back In Focus  Popular Seattle Condo Projects Featured In Bloomberg News

Bellevue Towers, Escala and Olive 8 are all featured in a Bloomberg News article that posted this evening. The long and short of it is, that condominiums in Seattle and Bellevue are back in focus. I pulled some of the most interesting parts of the article and have posted them below:

Lower Pricing Fueling Sales

Falling prices and a scarcity of new buildings are helping fuel home sales in the Seattle-Bellevue region, with condo transactions rising seven times faster than the average of 20 large metropolitan areas in the U.S. With evidence growing that housing is improving after helping trigger the last recession, lenders are chipping away at losses from projects created prior to the financial crisis.

Inventory

The national inventory of unsold existing condos and cooperative units fell 32 percent in 2011, to 291,000 units, from 429,000 units in 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Seattle-Bellevue Condo Sales Outpacing Many Other Large Cities

While there aren’t any official statistics for sales of new condos, sales of existing condos show that turnover in the Seattle-Bellevue area is outpacing many other large cities. Sales of existing condos in the area rose 14 percent last year, to 6,916 units, or seven times the average 2 percent increase for 20 large metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas, according to DataQuick, a San Diego-based provider of property data.

Escala On Fire

Escala expects 220 of its 269 condos to find buyers by the end of this year, and the rest probably will be sold in 2013, Mehr said. Often the most expensive are the last to sell. “They’re all losing money — anybody who built at the peak and has all those carrying costs,” said Mehr. “Maybe instead of losing $100 million, you’re losing $30 million. That’s a lot better.”

 

Read more of the article here

 Popular Seattle Condo Projects Featured In Bloomberg News

Downtown Seattle Condo Market Shows Improvement, Cristalla Benefits

Cristalla 1909 View Deck e1315504484679 Downtown Seattle Condo Market Shows Improvement, Cristalla Benefits

The first quarter of 2012 will be very impressive for Seattle condo sales (downtown). I think we are on the cusp of a robust recovery and possibly a sellers market under the $400,000 price point. One building in particular is on fire – The Cristalla.

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Cristalla has a great reputation, a massive following and is often recognized as one of Seattle’s best condo buildings. Its located at 2nd and Lenora, has 197 units on 23 floors and features an impressive list of amenities – 24 hour concierge, grand lobby, business center, yoga/pilates studio, screening room, fitness facility, terrace, dog run and rooftop deck.

As the market recovers, so too have the “class A” buildings (see Escala sales as well).  In just the last 30 days, Cristalla has had three 1 bedroom units hit the market and immediately go under-contract. I’ve included the units below. Consider this, in that same time period, 30 condos under the $400,000 price point went under contract.  In the 30 days before that, just 11 had found buyers (went under contract).  That is a 172% increase in just 30 days.

LAST 30 DAYS AT CRISTALLA

UNITSTATUSLIST PRICE ***DOLLAR PER SQUARE FOOTDAYS ON MARKET
809Pending $369,000$445.527
1210Pending $399,000$449.836
1501Sold $397,000 ***(Sold for $394,000)$509.704

BUILDING FACTS AND STATS FOR CRISTALLA

CRISTALLA CONDOS INFORMATIONUCS PROJECT GRADE GRADE
ADDRESS2033 2nd Ave, Seattle LOCATION B+
DEVELOPER Murray FranklynAMENITIES A
ARCHITECT Weber + ThompsonPRICE B
BUILT 2005LUXURY A
STORIES 23BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONA
UNITS 197UNIT DECOR A-

 

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Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607

UPDATE
We just leased this property in less then 30 days.  Check out our announcement below that goes out to friends, family and colleagues. If you would like to receive these as well, we’ve added a sign in box below. If you would like to learn more about our condo and home leasing service click here.

JUST LEASED

Front Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607

2720 3RD Ave #607, Seattle
Mosler Lofts
$1,595
1 bed | 1 bath
BelltownDowntown Seattle

We successfully leased this open 1 bedroom in less then 30 days

Enjoy urban living in this chic 1 bedroom loft. Wall of windows featuring city lights and great views of the Space Needle. The award winning Mosler Lofts is full of incredible amenities. Concierge services, grand lobby, lounge, library, fitness facility, secured garage, secured entry from all areas of a the building & an incredible rooftop deck. Just steps away from Myrtle Edwards park, the SAM sculpture park & all the restaurants & night life the city has to offer. Just 4 blocks west of SLU.

Learn More About This Property | View this property on Facebook: Just Listed | Follow us on Facebook!

jeffjreynolds 300x282 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607

Jeff J Reynolds
206.794.1118

jreynolds@urbanimg.com

Do you know of anyone looking to Buy or Sell real estate?

Jeff Contact Us Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607

Concierge1 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  Lobby 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  Meeting Room 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  Exercise Room 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607   IMG 0510 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0511 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0512 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0513 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0514 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0520 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607  IMG 0526 150x150 Just Leased, Mosler Lofts #607

We have a list of readers, clients, friends and family that receive all of our Just Listed/Just Sold announcements like you see above.  If you are interested in seeing the properties that we list, sell or rent throughout the year, then simply add your e-mail to the box below and you’ll be included on all future e-mails.

View Other Downtown Condos (For Sale and Rent)

Pioneer Square Loft, Sweet Digs

 

Interiors Pioneer Square Loft, Sweet Digs

Pioneer Square hasn’t had much love from us these days, so I thought I would post this uber-chic loft that just hit the market.  It was on last year, for $525,000, but its being re-introduced at a new price – $510,000.  It has a super cool interior with exposed brick/steel, an island kitchen with gas, and beam ceilings. For those of you seeking a loft, it appears that this one is well worth a look.  Have a great weekend.  Happy condo (& loft) hunting.

Check out the listing here: 210 3rd Ave S, Seattle [c/o Ewing and Clark]

Bath Pioneer Square Loft, Sweet Digs

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Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market

1521 View Deck Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market

It is old news that Seattle rents are rising, but as developers scramble to get new units delivered to the market, condo owners are renting out their units with ease. I’ve been watching the market activity for rentals and as supply has shrunk, units are getting scooped up quickly. I’ve provided a list below of recent rentals that have leased in the last 2 weeks. The price per square foot really puts the rental market in perspective. For owners hoping to offset their mortgage, now may be the time to put your condo on the market. For investors, a purchase now could help secure a 4-6% return. When new construction projects are getting $2.50 to $3.00 per foot in rent, I’m not surprised, but when condo owners are getting the same as new developments it begs the question…. Are investors going to be getting back in the market?  I think so.

Don’t forget about the big Amazon news. This project alone will make a huge impact on Seattle rents.  In summary, if you are an owner (put your condo on the market), if your a prospective renter (secure something quickly) and if you are an investor, pull out your checkbook (it is time to buy).

PROJECT ADDRESS RENTAL PRICE DOLLAR PER SQUARE FOOTDAYS ON MARKET UNIT PHOTOS
Belltown Court2414 1st Ave #620$1,400$2.2 psf6GetMedia 2.ashx  300x225 Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market
Newmark Tower 1415 2nd Ave #701$1,425$2.3 psf6 Terrace.Newmark.Tower  300x225 Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market
Enso Condominiums 820 Blanchard St$2,895$3.6 psf27GetMedia.ashx  300x225 Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market
Counterbalance Queen Anne424 Queen Anne Ave N #302 $3,000$2.6 psf45GetMedia 4.ashx  300x225 Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market
1521 Second Ave 1521 2nd Ave #1201$5250$2.6 psf701521 View Deck 300x225 Seattle Condo Rentals Are Luring Investors Back To The Market

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Increased Parking Hours and Fees During The Recession Has Hurt Seattle Business…..Duh.

Parking Meters Increased Parking Hours and Fees During The Recession Has Hurt Seattle Business.....Duh.

Mayor Mcginn and the Seattle City Council - I’d hate to tell you that “I told you so”, but…………… I TOLD YOU SO!

Raising parking rates and extending parking hours in certain parts of Downtown Seattle was not just ill-timed, but idiotic. Everyone realizes that the city has budget issues, but during the recession, when the city decided to raise parking rates and extend the “paid” parking hours to generate revenue, many residents of our city were scratching their heads like me. Now the repercussions of that decision are starting to surface.

I don’t know specifically who broke the story, but both the Seattle Times and Komo News Radio covered it today. There are 7 community groups and over 70 restaurants that have written the Mayors office to beg for a retraction of the increased hours/fees. To be honest, I don’t blame them.  According to the Seattle Times, some business owners are citing as much as a 50% decline in business. I can’t imagine that much of an impact, but lets be honest, does the increase in revenue for the city outweigh the health and stability of Seattle’s restaurant community?  Even Tom Douglas, a famous Seattle restaurateur is at odds with the city over the parking change.

Speaking from a condo perspective, as I said before, I think this has hurt our community. Higher rates and longer hours were a bad idea. You may recall a post I wrote last year that highlighted the differences between Downtown Bellevue and Downtown Seattle.  Seattle is headed in the wrong direction, while Downtown Bellevue is laughing all the way to the bank.  Healthy business = Healthy tax revenue.  Do the math.

 

Rental At Mosler Lofts, Hitting The Market This Week

293146 14 0 e1329849260576 Rental At Mosler Lofts, Hitting The Market This Week

For those of you looking for a rental, I’m going to be bringing on a 1 bedroom unit at Mosler Lofts, towards the end of the week. It has close to 700sf with a nice view of the Space Needle and tons of natural light. It has a spacious layout, over-sized bathroom and a custom closet system left by the seller. The rent will include a parking stall, water, sewer and garbage. Electricity, cable and telephone are not included. The building has a concierge, library, lounge, business center, fitness facility and a huge roof-top deck. See the panoramic photos below. If you would like to learn more about the unit or to be included in the e-mail when the listing goes “live”,  you can register by following the link below or by clicking here.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mosler Lofts, it was built in 2007 and is located in the Northend of Belltown.

Project Details Button Rental At Mosler Lofts, Hitting The Market This Week

MOSLER LOFTS INFORMATION UCS PROJECT GRADEGRADEAMENITIES
ADDRESS 2720 3rd Ave LOCATIONA-24 Hour Concierge
BUILT2008AMENITIES BFitness Facility
BUILDING Concrete and Steel Construction PRICEBLounge
NEIGHBORHOOD BelltownLUXURY B+Rooftop Deck
UNITS 148BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ASecure parking
DEVELOPER Schuster GroupUNIT DECOR A-Secured building
ARCHITECT Mithun Architects + Designers + PlannersWALKABILITY ARetail

 

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Water View Pan Rental At Mosler Lofts, Hitting The Market This Week

Inland View Pan Rental At Mosler Lofts, Hitting The Market This Week

Amazon To Buy 3 Blocks In The Denny Triangle, Market Mover For Seattle Real Estate

Amazon Seattle Times  Amazon To Buy 3 Blocks In The Denny Triangle, Market Mover For Seattle Real Estate

News just broke through the Seattle Times (Eric Pryne) on a groundbreaking real estate purchase in the Denny Triangle. According to the article, Amazon is under contract with Clise Properties to purchase 3 blocks of property along Westlake that will soon become new office space for the local technology giant. Many details have yet to emerge, but in terms of real estate, this news is a market mover. Each block will be home to 1 million square feet of office space. For Seattle condo owners , this should be music to your ears. Imagine the impact on property values. For buyers, now is the time to take advantage. With an already limited inventory, purchasing a unit in the downtown core will be more expensive by the day.  I would expect a large influx of  investor demand as the development of the property takes place.

This could be a major catalyst for improvements to the city as well. Especially in transportation and entertainment. All in all, this is incredible news for all Seattleites and our local economy. More to come tomorrow in regards to the impact on some of our condo buildings and how their views will change.

Link to the article

A big thanks to one of our favorite clients for sending us the article just after it broke.  

Bank Owned Seattle Condo, Selling At A 59% Reduction of Last Sale Price

Lumen Courtyard e1329336577970 Bank Owned Seattle Condo, Selling At A 59% Reduction of Last Sale Price

Unit M-247 at Lumen just went pending last week after 5 days on the market.  That might not mean much until you consider its history. It was once listed as high as $549,950 after being  purchased in May of 2007  for $449,900. Fast forward a little over 4 years and that same unit is listed at $185,000.  Wow.

The bank took back possession of the unit in August of 2011.  Wells Fargo, the current owner has obviously taken the stance of reducing the price and “getting the property off their books”.  For those of you that enjoy the significance of the numbers, they priced the unit to at a 59% decrease from its last sale price in 2007.

Here is a look at the listing:

Lumen 501 Roy Street M 247 Bank Owned Seattle Condo, Selling At A 59% Reduction of Last Sale Price

 

Houseboat Sold In Just 1 Day On Market – Pending Sales Update

 

317829 2 0 Houseboat Sold In Just 1 Day On Market   Pending Sales Update

I’m off to show a few condos this morning (downtown Seattle). Before I go, I thought I would share some of the units that went pending over the last few days. Including the houseboat above that can literally drive away at a moments notice.  Seafair anyone?

Escala #809 (1920 4th Ave #809, Seattle)

Sold in just 3 days of being on the market

1920 4th Ave 809 Seattle 1 Houseboat Sold In Just 1 Day On Market   Pending Sales Update

 

Tavona #110 (333 Wallingford Ave N #110, Seattle)

Bank owned 2 bedroom, 2 bath. 1 of 5 units that went to foreclosure and ultimately back to the bank

333 Wallingford Ave N 110 Seattle Houseboat Sold In Just 1 Day On Market   Pending Sales Update

 

Houseboat 2401 N Northlake Wy, Seattle 

This 750sf houseboat sold in just 1 day on the market

2401 N Northlake Wy Seattle 1 Houseboat Sold In Just 1 Day On Market   Pending Sales Update

 

 

Sanctuary On Capitol Hill Is Off To A Fast Start, 3 Units Pending

 

316816 3 0 Sanctuary On Capitol Hill Is Off To A Fast Start, 3 Units Pending

Sanctuary is off to a fast start.  In just 10 days of market time, they have sold 25 percent of their inventory. See below.

Sanctuary is a 12 unit residential conversion of the former 1906 First Church of Christ Scientist in Capitol Hill. The 12 units range from four to six levels (including roof top terraces). Sized from 1,600 to more than 3,000-square-feet. The prices range from the low $500,000s to $1.1 million.

SANCTUARY   INVENTORY Sanctuary On Capitol Hill Is Off To A Fast Start, 3 Units Pending

SimpleViewer requires JavaScript and the Flash Player. Get Flash.

 

Search Sanctuary or Other Condos & Homes On Capitol Hill:

 

Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

FB PAGE e1328562275458 Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

Ok, every once in a while we ask for your support.  If you are on Facebook  and your not embarrassed to be associated with the blog, please head to our business page and hit “LIKE”.  We certainly appreciate the effort and depend on our loyal readers and friends to spread the good word about our business. Thanks for taking a few minutes to support UrbanCondoSpaces.com

In return, we promise to keep delivering the best market data, photos and resources that we have available!  I’ve included our new “welcome” graphic found on our Facebook page below. In the future we plan to use the page to post about promotions, upcoming events, exclusive market information and more! You can get to our page by following this link: UrbanCondoSpaces.com on Facebook! 


Facebook.Help  Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!
FB 1  Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

FB 2 Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

FB 3 Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

FB 4 Please Like Us On Facebook, We Need Your Support!

 

Major Price Reductions At Four Seasons, Current Inventory

317114 8 0 e1328543382439 Major Price Reductions At Four Seasons, Current Inventory

The residences at Four Seasons in Downtown Seattle just re-introduced 11 units to the market.  It is incredible to see how drastically prices have changed.  I’ve included a spreadsheet below.  There are 12 active units ranging from $1,475,000 to $7,155,000 (1,170-4,488 sq. ft.).

View the Four Seasons Property Profile

SimpleViewer requires JavaScript and the Flash Player. Get Flash.
UNITSIZEBEDROOMBATHROOM PREVIOUS PRICE CURRENT PRICE
#15051,328 sq. ft.11.50$1,929,000 $1,475,000
#14051,170 sq. ft.11.50$2,253,000$1,495,000
#16051,329 sq. ft.11.50$1,525,000$1,525,000
#11042,224 sq. ft.22.50$2,440,000$2,440,000
#14042,211 sq. ft.22.50$2,490,000$2,490,000
#18042,073 sq. ft. 11.50$4,820,000$2,555,000
#17021,850 sq. ft.22.00$2,670,000$2,670,000
#12061,992 sq. ft. 22.50$4,625,000$2,999,000
#12043,190 sq. ft.32.50$3,705,000$3,705,000
#11014,132 sq. ft.22.50$6,120,000$6,120,000
#15014,131 sq. ft. 22.50$8,706,000$6,306,000
#18014,488 sq. ft. 32.50$9,443,000$7,155,000

Heat Check – 4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

 

HEAT CHECK SEATTLE CONDOS  Heat Check   4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

I’ve spent less time on the blog this week for one reason. I’ve been busy at my day job! I’ve had a couple of clients write offers this week and it feels like next week will be the same. It is obvious to me that limited inventory and increasing demand is driving a lot of sales this month. I thought I would show you a few deals that sold quickly in the last 2 weeks. I’ve highlighted four sales – All located in in downtown Seattle. Each on of them sold in less then 6 days:

1920 4th Ave #605, Seattle (Escala Condominiums)

Traditional sale, sold in 6 days

Escala 1920 4th Ave 605 Seattle Heat Check   4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

 

819 Virginia St #3103, Seattle Wa (The Cosmopolitan)

Short sale, sold in 3 days

Cosmopolitan 819 Virginia St 3103 Seattle Heat Check   4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

 

2033 2nd ave #1501, Seattle 98101 (Cristalla Condos)

Traditional sale, sold in 4 days.  SICK view.

2033 2nd Ave 1501 Seattle Wa 981211 Heat Check   4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

 

910 Lenora St #s802, Seattle 98121 (22oo Westlake)

2200 Westlake 910 Lenora St S802 Seattle  Heat Check   4 Downtown Seattle Condos That Sold Quickly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellevue Towers Reaches 50% Sold

Bellevue Towers Sold  Bellevue Towers Reaches 50% Sold

Congrats to Bellevue Towers on reaching 50% Sold. With 13 sales so far this year, they are off to races. A recovering real estate market is good for all of us. Lets hope all our Seattle and Bellevue projects continue to sell their inventory, while providing great homes for new buyers throughout the year. For more information on this sales milestone, I’ve included their press release below:

Bellevue Towers Reaches 50 Percent Sold

Momentum Continues With 13 New Sales in January 

BELLEVUE, WASH. (February 1, 2012) - Bellevue Towers, the region’s largest urban condominium project, has sold 13 new homes in January, bringing the project to 50 percent sold and putting it on track to meet its record setting sales of 2011. With last year’s sales totaling 144 units and $88,940,000 – double the volume of the closest, comparable project in the market – the January 2012 sales of 13 new homes for $11,100,000 confirm Bellevue Towers as the most attractive condominium value currently offered to buyers in the market.

“Our ability to offer limited release prices in early January on select homes had a direct impact on our impressive January sales,” said Patrick Clark, principal with Realty Trust, the brokerage company marketing and selling the project, who also noted that these sales included three $2 million+ homes. “With the support of the Seller, prioritizing sales velocity and value for our buyers has proven to be the right course.” Bellevue Towers sold 13 new units in the month of January at an average cost per square foot of $486 based on the average sold unit size of 1,526 square feet.

Bellevue Towers remaining homes include studio and one-bedroom residences priced from the $300,000s, two-bedroom homes priced from the $600,000s, and spacious penthouses priced from $2 million. These homes range from 807 square feet to 6,398 square feet and represent some of the most generous-sized condominiums in the market, offering the best value on a per square foot basis. Original prices have been reduced on average by 30 percent, with a limited release of new homes reduced by as much as 40 percent from original pricing to generate strong momentum going into the new year.

“The opportunity to purchase a home for 40 percent or more off the peak continues be attractive to many buyers,” said Clark. “Prospective buyers recognize that we are meeting the market in terms of pricing and values, and that has resulted in strong January sales.”

Bellevue Towers consists of a 42-story North Tower and a 43-story South Tower with 539 total homes. Each tower offers its own lobby with dedicated concierge service, while sharing an array of other amenities. Residents of Bellevue Towers have access to a 24,000-square-foot urban garden nestled between the two towers, a private screening room, large dining room with terrace and chef’s kitchen, fitness center, spa and sun deck, and a great room that opens to an expansive outdoor terrace with fireplace and barbecue grill.

The project also features more than 300 original pieces from Northwest artists including Lucinda Parker, Julie Speidel and George Batho. Standard finishes in all Bellevue Towers homes include Viking or Wolf cook tops and ranges, Sub-Zero refrigerators, Bosch dishwashers, full-height granite kitchen-counter backsplashes and master bathrooms finished in marble or travertine.

New pricing information and tours are available Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 pm at 500 106th Avenue NE in downtown Bellevue. Prospective buyers may make arrangements by calling 425.454.9922 or visiting www.bellevuetowers.com.



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