http://www.urbancondospaces.com Seattle & Bellevue Condos Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:36:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Ever wonder if buying a green home is a sound financial investment?  A recent article in the Seattle Times discusses recent statistics and the benefits of buying a green home.  It cites a study by GreenWorks Realty which reviewed the NWMLS King County condominium sales from September 2007 - May 2008 and included ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/thinking-about-buying-green/ Several home and condominium developments are now offering some very competitive loan programs through Home Street Bank.  Both Woodsong at Coal Creek and Horizon Village at Somerset are offering a Zero Down, No Mortgage Insurance, 5.5%  5/1 Interest Only Arm for those who qualify.  This special finanicing is only available for a limited ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/zero-down-financing-for-select-developments/ As discussed in many of our previous blogs, the "wait & see" approach has continued through the middle of summer.  It is amazing to watch the natural progressions of the real estate market auto correcting.  Condo Conversions have come to a screeching halt, new construction has been put on hold, and many condo projects ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/more-developers-on-holda-good-thing/ On July 30, 2008 the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 was signed into law offering a $7,500 Refundable Tax Credit to first-time home buyers purchasing a single family residence, condominium or townhome.  This is a great advantage to those first-time buyers who have or who are looking to purchase ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/7500-tax-credit-for-first-time-home-buyers/ Does a number like this predict that the market has bottomed out?  Not necessarily, but it is a great sign that lower prices are driving sales.  Pending sales is the most important indicator to monitor; due to the fact that it tracks contracts that are being signed accepted and are moving ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/pending-home-resales-rise-unexpectedly-53/ There was a great article today in the Seattle Times on wire from Renae Merle of the Washington Post.  The piece was in regards to the choice of either buying Real Estate or Stocks and how smart investors have both.  There are great contributions and examples dissecting the two.  Full story click here http://www.urbancondospaces.com/real-estate-or-stocks/ If you haven't had enough city driving or if you are itching to see what it is like to drive through downtown Seattle...Microsoft Live Search Maps has created a program where users can either drive or walk through downtown Seattle online.  Using street level images, the program gives users a great perspective of the ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/virtual-driving-through-seattle/ In reviewing the condo pipeline both in Seattle and Bellevue, it looks like inventory should start drying up as we lead into 2009 and especially 2010.  In previous years, condo buyers have had many different options in new construction - times are changing.  With gas prices nearing $5 per gallon ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/whats-new-in-seattle/ The Seattle Times just recently posted a google mapping application showing the growth expectancy in the Seattle.  Each pin point on the map correlates to specific Seattle neighborhoods.  Click Here - to view the map      http://www.urbancondospaces.com/seattle-growth-expectancy-by-area/ Recently the Parc was featured in the Seattle Times - Downtown Living Section. To celebrate the completion of The Parc, the sales and development teams recently held an open house to showcase the new residential towers. More than 100 potential homebuyers came to The Parc to view the four new model ... http://www.urbancondospaces.com/parc/