Last Tuesday was Broker Open Houses for homes listed for sale in Magnolia . The weather was rainy (but warm) so I was thinking that I might miss some of the wonderful views while touring the homes, but the wind picked up and the skies cleared for some glorious sunny views.

Today I was focusing on the higher end of Magnolia homes for sale so the houses were ones listed between $1,000,000 and $4,000,000, but mostly under $2,000,000, of course… there is even more expensive Magnolia real estate too!

I had a plan to visit particular houses but I was quickly distracted by the Open House sign in front of a house that I have driven by many times. I m a fan of Mid-Century Modern Homes that have been respectfully updated with an eye for sleek, elemental design…well this first Open House was all that, just gorgeous! I think it would be a great match for someone thinking about a high-end condo, but who still needs more space and would like a little Zen like garden. The southwest view of the Sound and in the distance Alki Point was breathtaking, and it was extra exciting because several US Navy ships cruised by with a fire boat leading the way shooting fountains of water into the air!

Back to the planned tour…I was able to see 8 more Magnolia homes for sale before the Brokers’ Open Houses ended, and one of those was another unplanned visit to a house that I had seen 3 years ago when it was originally listed for sale in Magnolia. It is a very modern home sited on an unusual shaped lot, it was interesting to see the house with furniture this time, much warmer.

Because Magnolia is in an older part of Seattle, there is a wide range of home styles and several were represented on my tour, the Mid-Century Modern, Post Modern Contemporary (3 of those), one completely remodeled Mid-Century Traditional, Mediterranean, Colonial, and a Northwest Contemporary. These homes all have wonderful kitchens and baths, beautiful details and finishes, and most of the homes had stunning views…which is why they are also come at a high price! Next week, for balance, I’ll focus on entry level homes for sale in Magnolia.

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Magnolia Homes* for Sale Market Snapshot as of today for May 2008

ACTIVE – 125 Magnolia Homes for Sale, 110 average days on market, $359,950 to $6,950,000

CONTINGENT – 1 Contingent Magnolia Home, 54 days on Market, $699,950

STI – 5 Subject to Inspection Magnolia Homes, 83 average days on market, $459,500 to $1,735,000

PENDING – 13 Pending Magnolia Homes, 58 average days on market, $419,950 to $1,350,000

SOLD – 11 Sold Magnolia Homes, 117 average days on market, $390,000 to $1,900,000

* Single Family Homes and Townhomes

I am planning on posting stories about my tours of the weekly Brokers’ Open Houses in what I call Seattle’s Urban Villages, the neighborhoods that make Seattle such a wonderful place to live.

These will be some of my impressions, opinions, thoughts, and musing about how the homes relate to their neighborhoods and whatever strikes me as relevant (or not!) to the Seattle real estate market. Sometimes it may just be a story about that particular days tour.

Because of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service rules (Rule 190) of not advertising another members listings without their permission, I will only be writing about the homes I see on the Brokers’ Opens in very general terms expressing my impressions and opinions. So no addresses, mls numbers, specific prices etc., the homes will retain their anonymity… …I just wanted you to know why!

It’s gray, drizzly and the first Saturday in May which means it’s the Opening Day of Boating season in Seattle! The Seattle Yacht Club in Montlake, is celebrating their 87th year of kicking off the Opening Day of Boating in Seattle.

A few days ago the boats began tying up to the log boom just outside of the Montlake Cut outlining where the Parade of Boats will travel and the rowing regatta for the Windermere Cup will race. While driving back to Seattle from my office in Bellevue, I stopped near the Museum of History and Industry in Montlake to take a look at the boats lining up and mooring at the log boom to take some photos.

While I was there, I watched a lot of boat traffic going by, large and small (check out the friendly guys in the little boat!) and saw the Montlake Drawbridge go up to let some of the taller boats pass.

Last year I was lucky enough to be showing houses to a client from N.Y., and two of the Seattle houses listed for sale were right on the Montlake Cut. While we were viewing the Montlake homes for sale, we got a nice view of some of the festivities. It was fun to have, even if only for a moment while working, a waterside view on Opening Day of Boating!

Seattle, like all cities, has many interesting neighborhoods that each have a unique flavor and character that make living in Seattle a wonderful experience. I call these neighborhoods Urban Villages.

Many of the Seattle neighborhoods have a center or village where shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries and businesses gather that provide places for the locals to shop, relax with a cup of coffee, meet up with their friends and neighbors, and catch up with the local happenings.

The Seattle Urban Villages that we are going to explore over time are: Alki, Ballard, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Eastlake, Fremont (the self proclaimed “Center of the Universe”!) Georgetown, Green Lake, Madison Park, Madison Valley, Magnolia, Montlake, Queen Anne, Pioneer Square, University District, Wallingford, West Seattle and many more.

We will also explore the cities surrounding Seattle such as: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, other places on the Eastside and around Seattle.

So why take the time to explore these Urban Villages and more?

Because buying a house and choosing it’s location where you will make a home is such an important step to make…it should not be taken lightly.

Location, Location, Location is not just a Real Estate phrase about one way value is determined, it’s also about the lifestyle you will be enjoying and living for years to come. Making a good match with a neighborhood or Urban Village is important for truly making a home.

So…join me and let the adventure of Seattle’s Urban Villages and Seattle Real Estate begin!

Hello….

Welcome to my Seattle’s Urban Villages Blog!

I hope that your visit here is helpful, fun and gives you some insight to Seattle, the Seattle Real Estate Market, my Real Estate Ethics and Philosophy, and a good introduction to me.

Seattle is not my hometown, I chose to live in Seattle and moved here in 1994. That has been a wonderful decision…

….because I love Seattle!