For those of your looking to rent in 2012, there are a new wave of rentals that just hit the market in Seattle. Unlike traditional “apartment” projects, these rentals are condo owners leasing their units in highly coveted buildings. I’ve included the listings below.  Just click the picture to view more details.

5th and Madison unit #1704 (learn more about 5th and Madison)

Cristalla Unit #1107 (Learn more about Cristalla)

Cristalla unit #703 (Learn more about Cristalla)

Enso Unit #1608 (Learn more about Enso)

Ruby Condos Unit #213 (Learn more about Ruby)

Avenue One Unit #1202 (Learn more about Avenue One)

Downtown Rentals:

Capitol Hill Rentals:

Queen Anne Rentals:

Greenlake Rentals:

Eastlake Rentals:

Wallingford Rentals:

Do you remember this condo we wrote about in September? Then, unit #809 at Cristalla was scheduled to go to auction with a minimum bid of $254,745. It was postponed (delayed) and finally made its way back to the foreclosure auction last Friday. It was brought to our attention by a loyal reader and client of ours who wanted to purchase this particular unit. On their behalf, I went down to the auction on Friday in an effort to secure the property for them. It didn’t take long me to notice that there were a few others investors that had their eyes on the 1 bedroom unit as well. Long story short the bidding started at $212,000 and ended at $265,000. Not a bad deal considering that this same exact unit once sold for $622,500 in 2007. Not all foreclosure sales have the same result, but in this case, my analysis showed that this property sold for about 70% 0f its actual market value.

We’ve just updated our Cristalla Property Profile page.  Check it out.  Interested in learning how to buy at the auction?  Contact us.

For those of you looking for a rental right now, you may want to check these out.  They both hit the market in the last 24 hours.

1 bed, 1 bath at 1920 4th Ave #704 (Escala):

Private elevator, big views, its own private deck, kitchen, dining and living.  Hardwood floors and wall-bed for guests.  Includes office-nook.  Amenities include elliptical swimming pools, gym, theater room, 24 hour concierge and wine cave.  Pretty cool unit too:

Click here for more details:

Furnished studio at 2033 2nd Ave #904 (Cristalla):

Corner unit on the 9th floor. Good exposure, great building.

Click here for more details:

This is a phenomenal buy and should be one of the hottest deals at the foreclosure auction in more then a year. Unit #809 at the coveted Cristalla is scheduled to be sold at tomorrows foreclosure auction (9/8/11).  This unit once sold for $622,950 in 2007.  The minimum bid at auction is $254,745. The condo is 826sf with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It is a corner unit with great exposure and has panoramic views. Cristalla is a class “A” building with some of the best amenities in Seattle.  In my opinion, it was designed with purpose and will be forever popular for Seattle condo buyers.

If your interested in learning how to buy a foreclosure like this one, feel free to contact us.

Learn More About Cristalla

View Seattle Condo Map in a larger map

Could there really be a new 40 story tower coming to Belltown?

On Thursday May 5th, the Department of Planning and Development granted final design approval for a 400 foot tower located at 2116 4th Ave.  The applicant HAL Real Estate Investments plans to put 365 homes, above 2,743 square feet of retail space. This would also include 329 parking spaces. Seattle’s Weber Thompson Architects designed the building.  This adds to an already impressive resume for the Seattle firm.  Past condo projects include, Cristalla, Madison Tower and 1521 Second.  The entire design proposal can be found here: 2116 4th Ave

Here is a video of the proposed project:

Here is a look at the proposed project looking Southwest.  You can see the Seattle Monorail on 5th to the east of the building.

For those of you curious about how it might change the views of neighboring projects, the biggest impact in my opinion would be on the north facing views of Escala (see above in green).  Keep in mind that there are many variables. We have to assume it will built as they would not be asking Seattle for a conditional approval if they didn’t intend on doing something with the site.  If and when it gets built is an entirely different topic.  As we speak, financing a large condominium high-rise is very tough to come by.  In addition to that, many developers won’t likely take the risk for some time. Time will tell.

See the map here:

View Seattle Condo Map in a larger map

Street view:

View from the Puget Sound:

View from the Space Needle:

Amenity view:

Project: Cristalla
Neighborhood: Downtown

Did anyone else catch this ad in the Seattle Times yesterday?  I was looking through the real estate section while at the gym and I found it on page 3.  It advertises that unit #1807 at Cristalla is going to be auctioned off at 3:15pm on Tuesday April 19th. It is a 2 bed, 2 bath with 1,174sf.  We have posted about this unit before (Once 1,045,000, now $594,900).  According to the ad you can inspect the property on 10th (yesterday), the 17th and 2 hours before the sale.  The opening bid is $100,000. The current vested owner is US Bank na services.  The company that purchased the ad is Williams and Williams.  According to their website they are a “worldwide real estate auction”.

Cristalla Quick Facts:

• 23 floors
• 197
• Concrete and steel building
• Year built (2005)
• 24 hour concierge
• On-site managment
• Pool
• Sauna, wet and dry
• Owners lounge
• Screening room
• Mutiple view decks
• Workout facility

CRISTALLA EXTERIOR

UNIT PHOTOS

Project: Cristalla
Neighborhood:  Downtown
MLS #189746

Looking for a sweet pad to rent in a downtown Seattle high-rise?   I noticed this 22nd floor south facing unit at Cristalla.  Cristalla is simply one of Seattle’s most beloved condo projects.  It was designed by Weber-Thompson, developed by Murray Franklin and completed in 2005.

This particular unit is a 1 bed + den, one bath corner unit that sits just 1 floor below the penthouse.  Other features include:

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Clearly the impact of condos purchased between 2005-2009 is starting to rear its ugly head in Seattle.  As values plummeted, owners started giving their keys back to the bank.  Condo foreclosures are on the rise and in the upcoming weeks you could see foreclosures in some of the best buildings in Seattle and Bellevue.  I’ve included a “short” list of buildings that will have units auctioned in the next 60 days:

If you want to learn about investing at the Foreclosure Auction, contact us.

Project:  Cristalla
Neighborhood: Downtown

This phenomenal west facing unit at Cristalla Condominiums was once listed at $2,095,000 in 2007.  Now listed at $1,395,000 it offers remarkable views, great updating and a spacious interior.  This 19th floor unit features scandinavian birch floors, 17th century acid etched steel frame doors, honed absolute black granite and views that leave you speechless. Glass/metal cabinets. Showcase kitchen.

Photos & listing information courtesy of Wendy Lister.

UNIT FEATURES :

• 19th floor
• 1,588sf
• 2 bedroom, 2 bath
• Incredible updating

PROJECT AMENITIES :

• 24 hour concierge
• On-site managment
• Pool
• Sauna, wet and dry
• Owners Lounge
• Screening Room
• Mutiple View Decks
• Workout facility

View listings for sale, for rent or schedule a tour:

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CRISTALLA WALKSCORE

DOWNTOWN LISTINGS