Community September 26, 2023

Our Favorite Local Pumpkin Patches

Grab your boots, pack a thermos…it’s time to choose those perfect Halloween pumpkins! This year, why not explore a new town and make your pumpkin patch experience a true adventure? All of these farms are open every weekend in October, and most are open on weekdays too. Some even welcome your furry family members on a leash. Scroll down for the full scoop!

Eastside  |  North of Seattle  |  South of Seattle


 

Eastside

 

Fletcher Farm
Dog-friendly with a scavenger hunt, farm animal zoo, storybook trail, mini-golf, photo stations, and junior corn maze for the little ones. End of season Halloween Bash, too!

18712 SE May Valley Road | Issaquah
fletcherfarmevents@gmail.com
fletcherfarmissaquah.com

 

Jubilee Farm
Hay rides, food trucks, music, hay maze, & hot apple cider.

229 W Snoqualmie River Rd NE | Carnation
(425) 222-4558
jubileefarm.org

 

Novelty Hill Farm
Dog-friendly! Corn maze, farm animals, trike track, & games.

26617 NE 124th Street | Duvall
(425) 788-2416
noveltyhillfarm.com

 

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center
Live music, scavenger hunt, hay rides, mini pumpkin decoration, climbing tractor, conservation tours, & apple slingshot.

10819 Carnation-Duvall Rd. NE | Carnation
(425) 788-1134
oxbow.org/oxtober

 

Remlinger Farms
25 rides & attractions for children (including a train, carousel, & mini roller-coaster!), pony rides, apple cannon, restaurant, & new brewery with 20 choices on tap.

32610 NE 32nd Street | Carnation, WA
(425) 333-4135
remlingerfarms.com

 

Serres Farm
Mini train rides, corn maze and a dazzling variety of specialty pumpkins.

20306 NE 50th St | Redmond, WA
(425) 868-3017
serresfarm.com/pumpkin-patch

 

Two Brothers Pumpkins at Game Haven Farm
Farm animals and an eerie number of well-attired scarecrows.

7110 310th Avenue NE | Carnation, WA
(425) 333-4313
facebook.com/twobrotherspumpkins

 


North of Seattle

 

Bailey Vegetables
Kettle corn, cider, U-pick apples, baked goods, and kids play area with hay run, farm trikes & sandbox.

12698 Springhetti Rd | Snohomish
(360) 568-8826
baileyveg.com/pumpkin-patch

 

Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm
12-acre corn maze, 2 kids’ mazes, play barn, hay rides, trike track, & apple cannon. Fire pit rentals for private groups, too!

10917 Elliott Road | Snohomish
(360) 668-2506
bobscorn.com/Pumpkins

 

Carleton Farm
5-acre corn maze, playground, paintball gallery, apple guns, hay rides, & kids’ bucket train.

630 Sunnyside Blvd SE | Lake Stevens, WA
(425) 343-4963
carletonfarm.com/fall-fun

 

Craven Farm
15-acre corn maze, kids maze, axe throwing, farm animals, mini golf, cow train, foosball, apple cannon, espresso, cider donuts, & scarecrow making. Fire pit rentals and special dog-friendly days, too!

13817 Short School Road | Snohomish
(360) 568-2601
cravenfarm.com/fall-festival

 

Fairbank Animal & Pumpkin Farm
Lots of baby animals, “corn maize maze,” hay tunnel, toy duck races, photo boards, & veggie garden.

15308 52nd Ave W | Edmonds
(425) 743-3694
fairbankfarm.com

 

Stocker Farms
30+ attractions including a giant jumping pillow, tire mountain, epic play area, zip line, corn maze, pumpkin cannon, & more. The farm’s evil twin, Stalker Farms, comes out at night.

8705 Marsh Rd | Snohomish
(360) 568-7391
stockerfarms.com

 

Swans Trail Farms
Washington State corn maze, kids corn maze, petting farm, wagon rides, big slides, zip lines, u-pick apple orchard & live duck races.

7301 Rivershore Rd | Snohomish
(425) 330-3084
swanstrailfarms.com

 


South of Seattle

 

Carpinito Brothers Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Rubber duck races, hay slides, corn pit, farm animals, hay maze, & corn maze.

Pumpkin Patch: 27508 W Valley Hwy N | Kent
Farm Fun Yard: 6720 S 277th St | Kent
(253) 854-5692
carpinito.com

 

Maris Farms
Racing pigs & ducks, mega slide, corn maze, jump pillow, animals, zip lines, rides, plus the creepy “Haunted Woods” complete with zombies and homicidal maniacs.

25001 Sumner-Buckley Highway | Buckley
(253) 862-2848
marisfarms.com

 

Mosby Farms
Dog-friendly! Corn maze and fresh farm market.

3104 SE Auburn-Black Diamond Rd | Auburn
(253) 405-0711
mosbyfarm.com/pumpkinpatch

 

Spooner Farms
Corn maze, pumpkin sling shot, speedway, farm animals, caramel apples, & roasted corn.

9710 State Route 162 East | Puyallup
(253) 840-2059
spoonerberries.com

 

Thomasson Family Farm
Laser tag, corn maze, play barn, farm animals, slides, duck races, trike track, apple slingshot, and giant Jenga & Connect 4.

38223 236th Avenue SE | Enumclaw
(360) 802-0503
thomassonfarm.com


 

Windermere Mercer Island

 

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate / Mercer Island.

Community July 27, 2023

Extended! Kicks for Kids Shoe Drive August 1-21

Help us give kids the confidence they need to start the school year right! My Windermere team and I invite you to participate in our Kicks for Kids back-to-school sneaker drive. It connects low-income youth in our local communities with new shoes for the upcoming school year. Through August 21st, we’ll be accepting donations 3 ways:

 

  • Bring new or gently used sneakers (toddler/youth sizes) to my office at 2737 77th Ave SE, Ste. 100, Mercer Island. We’ll enter your name into a raffle for a delectable prize from Island Treats, and we’ll also match the first 100 pairs of shoes donated!

 

 

 


This year, we’re partnering once again with KidVantage (formerly Eastside Baby Corner), an amazing organization that helps kids thrive by providing resources and essentials with their 70+ partner agencies—many of which are school districts.

 

Help us make sure every child has a new pair of shoes for school!

 

 

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CS39QR9QBFOO?ref_=wl_share

 

All in, for our community. Windermere Mercer Island.

 


 

Windermere Mercer Island

 

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

Community June 23, 2023

2023 Farmers Markets: Seattle & Eastside Locations, Times & More

Summer is finally here, and so are these farmers markets! Spend an evening or weekend finding your new favorites among the tents. Think it’s all about kale? Think again. Most offer live entertainment along with a mouth-watering variety of local brews, cheese, bread, meat/seafood, honey, hand roasted coffee, and other hidden gems (in addition to the freshly picked fruits & veggies).

Seattle Metro

Greater Eastside

 

When's it in Season?


 

Seattle Metro

 

Ballard

Seattle’s first year-round Farmers Market, selling produce exclusively from Washington state farmers along the historic cobblestone stretch of Ballard Ave.

Sundays, 9am – 2pm | Year-Round
5345 Ballard Ave NW | Seattle
sfmamarkets.com/visit-ballard-farmers-market/

Photo courtesy of sfmamarkets.com

 

Capitol Hill (Broadway)

Come for Sunday brunch from food vendors who source ingredients from local, WA state farms (many of whom you’ll also meet selling their wares at the market). Live music and street performers often make an appearance, too.

Sundays, 11am – 3pm | Year-Round
Tuesdays, 3pm – 7pm (July 11 – September 26, 2023)
E Barbara Bailey Way | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/chfm

Photo courtesy of do206.com

 

Columbia City

With everything from freshly harvested Asian greens to Ethiopian eats, come check out the immense variety King County’s most diverse zip code has to offer. Bring your bounty to adjacent Columbia Park for a picnic.

Wednesdays, 3pm – 7pm | May 3 – Oct 11, 2023
37th Ave S | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/ccfm

Photo courtesy of SouthSeattleEmerald.com

 

Lake City

This celebrated North End seasonal market offers unique finds grown and prepared by local farms and food artisans. Enjoy kids’ activities, too!

Thursdays, 3pm – 7pm | June 8 – Oct 5, 2023
NE 125th St & 28th Ave NE | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/lcfm

Photo courtesy of enjoylakecity.org

 

Lake Forest Park

With an emphasis on fresh, locally grown food, this market is an epicurean’s delight. Browse hard cider, baked goods, preserves, meat, pasta, sauces, and prepared foods along with the locally harvested fruits and veggies. There is also one “Crafts Market” each summer featuring local artisans.

Sundays, 10am – 2pm | May 14 – Oct 15, 2023
17171 Bothell Way NE | Lake Forest Park
www.thirdplacecommons.org/farmers-market

Photo courtesy of www.thirdplacecommons.org

 

Madrona

Located in one of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhoods, you’ll find artisan foods as well as seasonal produce from Washington state farmers, fishers, and ranchers.

Fridays, 3pm – 7pm | May 12 – Oct 27, 2023
MLK Way & E Union St | Seattle
sfmamarkets.com/madrona-farmers-market

Photo courtesy of sfmamarkets.com

 

Magnolia

This popular Saturday market is nestled in the tree-lined Magnolia Village. In addition to seasonal fruits and veggies, you’ll find sweet & savory pies, fresh bread, flowers, and more!

Saturdays, 10am – 2pm | June 3 – Oct 14, 2023 + Harvest Market on Nov 18, 2023
W McGraw St & 33rd Ave W | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/mfm

Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

 

Phinney

A popular gathering spot for both the Phinney Ridge and Greenwood communities, this market is right next door to a playground and offers live music in addition to the great mix of fresh produce and prepared food.

Fridays, 3pm – 7pm | June 2 – Sept 29, 2023
6761 Phinney Ave N | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/pfm

Photo courtesy of wikipedia.org

 

Pike Place

No introduction needed…make it a day with great restaurants, eateries and retail shops, too.

Daily, 9am – 6pm | Year-Round (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
Pike Place between Pine & Virginia St | Seattle
(206) 682-7453
pikeplacemarket.org

Photo by Daniel Schwen

 

Queen Anne

Seattle’s only independent farmers market, offering food, chef demos, live music, and children’s activities.

Thursdays, 3pm – 7:30pm | June 1 – Oct 12, 2023 + Harvest Markets on 10/28, 11/18 & 12/16
Queen Anne Ave N & W Crockett St | Seattle
qafm.org

Photo courtesy of qafm.org

 

Shoreline

Starting this year in their NEW location at the Shoreline Park & Ride, this market offers kids’ programs and live music in addition to its fresh Washington produce, organic meats, bread, honey, and prepared foods. Check out the schedule for info about vendors and entertainment.

Saturdays, 10am – 2pm | June 3 – Oct 7, 2023 + Harvest Markets on 10/28 & 12/16
18821 Aurora Ave N | Shoreline
shorelinefarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of www.shorelineareanews.com

 

University District

Seattle’s only independent farmers market, offering food, chef demos, live music, and children’s activities.

Saturdays, 9am – 2pm | Year-Round
University Way NE (the “Ave”) between 50th & 52nd | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/udfm

Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

 

Wallingford

Located in Meridian Park, you can shop with the whole fam and then enjoy a picnic or playtime at the award-winning playground.

Wednesdays, 3pm – 7pm | May 24 – Sept 27, 2023
4800 Meridian Ave N | Seattle
sfmamarkets.com/visit-wallingford-farmers-market/

Photo courtesy of sfmamarkets.com

 

West Seattle

A South Seattle weekend destination, this market is set in the vibrant West Seattle Junction and features up to 70 vendors during the summertime peak. Great community atmosphere celebrating Washington grown food and ingredients.

Sundays, 10am – 2pm | Year-Round
California Ave SW & SW Alaska | Seattle
seattlefarmersmarkets.org/wsfm

Photo courtesy of westseattleblog.com

 


Greater Eastside

 

Bellevue – Crossroads

East Bellevue’s market features fruits, veggies & dairy products from Washington state farms along with handmade soaps, candles, greeting cards, herbal wellness products, and more. Don’t missed the locally roasted coffee and handmade ice cream sandwiches, too!

Tuesdays, 12pm – 6pm | June 6 – Sept 26, 2023
15600 NE 8th St | Bellevue
https://crossroadsbellevue.com/music-events/crossroads-farmers-market/

Photo courtesy of crossroadsbellevue.com

 

Bellevue – Downtown

Set in the heart of Downtown Bellevue, this market offers goods exclusively produced within Washington state—from seasonal fruits & veggies to flowers, fresh meats, artisan goods, and prepared cuisine. The Kids’ POP club empowers kids to know where their food comes from and make healthy eating choices.

Thursdays, 3pm – 7pm | May 18 – Oct 19, 2023
1717 Bellevue Way NE | Bellevue
Spring District: First Wednesday of the month, May – October
12167 NE 14th Terrace | Bellevue
bellevuefarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of eatbellevue.com

 

Carnation

Set in the heart of the Sno-Valley farming district, you’ll find plenty of freshly picked produce along with live music and educational activities for the kids.

Tuesdays, 3pm – 7pm | June, July & August 2023 (closed July 4th)
Tolt-MacDonald Park, 31020 NE 40th St | Carnation
Map
carnationfarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of carnationfarmersmarket.org

 

Duvall

Nestled alongside the scenic Snoqualmie River, this friendly market features local eggs, jams, fresh roasted coffee, arts, crafts, and baked goods in addition to the seasonal veggies, fruits, and plant starts. Live music, picnic shelters and a playground make this a fun family destination.

Thursday, 3pm – 7pm | May 4 – October 12, 2023
Taylor Landing at 16201 Main St NE | Duvall
duvallfarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of duvallfarmersmarket.org

 

Issaquah

Located at the historic Pickering Barn, this picturesque venue offers a variety of fresh farm and food-based products, concessions, and local artisans.

Saturdays, 9am – 2pm | May 6 – Sept 30, 2023
Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave NW | Issaquah
www.issaquahwa.gov/778/Farmers-Market

Photo by Saifu Angto, courtesy of google.com

 

Kirkland – Downtown

This stunning setting on the Lake Washington shoreline turns shopping into a day at the beach. Peruse local produce and goods, then go for a swim or stroll along Moss Bay. Perfect for a picnic, too!

Wednesdays, 3pm – 7pm | June 7 – September 27, 2023
Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza | Kirkland
kirklandmarket.org

Photo courtesy of kirklandmarket.org

 

Kirkland – Juanita

Set in beautiful Juanita Beach Park on Lake Washington, you’ll find as many as 30 vendors offering farm fresh local produce, herbs, honey, nuts, flowers, plants, baked good, handcrafted items, and prepared cuisine. Make it a date with live music and a picnic at the beach. There’s a great playground for the kids, too.

Fridays, 3pm – 7pm | June – Sept, 2023
Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Dr | Kirkland
www.kirklandwa.gov

Photo courtesy of yelp.com

 

Mercer Island

Come on down for quality local Washington state produce, cheese, fish, meat, bread, and more. Check out the live music schedule, too!

Sundays, 10am – 2pm | June 4 – Oct 8, 2023
7700 SE 32nd St | Mercer Island
www.mifarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of www.mifarmersmarket.org

 

North Bend

This relaxed market enjoys live music and a spectacular Mount Si view. Vendors offer fresh produce, berries, honey, flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted items, and delicious prepared foods. Two playgrounds plus play fields and a covered picnic shelter make this a fun hangout spot. Leashed pets are welcome, too!

Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm | June 8 – Sept 7, 2023
Si View Park, 400 SE Orchard Dr | North Bend
www.siviewpark.org/farmers-market.phtml

 

Redmond

Going strong since 1976, the Redmond Saturday Market offers a huge selection of vendors and dazzling array of produce, flowers, cheeses, preserves, salmon, tea, and handmade goods such as pottery and soaps. You’ll love the ready-to-eat foods, too.

Saturdays, 9am – 2pm | May 13 – Oct 28, 2023
9900 Willows Rd | Redmond
www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org

 Photo by Jeff, courtesy of google.com

 

Renton

Find exclusively Washington-produced fruits, veggies, handmade goods, arts, crafts and more right in the heart of downtown Renton at Piazza Park. Food trucks, live music, and kids’ activities such as the “Healthy Kids Corner” make this a fun spot to liven up your Tuesday.

Tuesdays, 3pm – 7pm | June – Sept, 2023
Piazza Park, 233 Burnett Ave. S | Renton
www.rentonfarmersmarket.com

Photo courtesy of yelp.com

 

Sammamish

Each Wednesday, the Sammamish Commons plays host to a variety of local farmers, nurseries, bakeries, artisans, food vendors, and more. Live music and kids’ activities, too!

Wednesdays, 4pm – 8pm | May – Sept, 2023
Sammamish Commons, 801 228 Ave SE | Sammamish
www.sammamishfarmersmarket.org

Photo courtesy of sammamishfarmersmarket.org

 

Woodinville

Come check out downtown Woodinville’s newly renovated Schoolhouse District and find produce grown in the state of Washington (and picked fresh for that morning!). You’ll also have an array of boutique baked goods, sauces, cider, artisans, and more to peruse. Check out the calendar for live entertainment, music, demos, and other activities.

Saturdays, 10am – 3pm | May – Sept, 2023
13205 NE 175th St | Woodinville
woodinvillefarmersmarket.com

 

 


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

© Copyright 2022-2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

CommunityTips, Trends & Living June 15, 2023

Favorite Summer Festivals

The sun is here and the whole PNW is celebrating!  Whether it’s a fair close to home or an excuse to pack up the fam for a destination festival, I hope you get out and make the most of these fun events…

 

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

 

 


 

JUNE

 

Fremont Fair

One of Seattle’s biggest events, this bohemian-inspired festival features 300+ craft vendors, food, beer garden, dog parade, music, and the Solstice Parade (including the unofficial but famous naked bide ride).

Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18, 2023

West of Fremont Ave N, on N 35th St. and N 34th St.

Parade: Begins at the intersection of N. 36th St. and Leary Way, and winds through downtown Fremont, ending at Gasworks Park.

fremontfair.com

Photo courtesy of fremontfair.com

 

Seattle PrideFest

Held in two locations (Capitol Hill & Seattle Center) this year with beer gardens, food, performances, and dancing in the Seattle Center fountain.

Saturday, June 24th – Capitol Hill
310 Broadway E | Seattle

Sunday, June 25th – Seattle Center
305 Harrison St | Seattle

seattlepridefest.org

Photo courtesy of seattlepridefest.org

 


JULY

 

SeaFair Summer Fourth

Seattle’s biggest fireworks show plus live music, family activities & beer gardens. Watch the show from free open seating or reserve a front row seat.

Tuesday, July 4th, 2023
Gates Open at 3pm, Fireworks at 10:15pm

Gas Works Park

Lake Union Park

seafair.org/summerfourth

Photo courtesy of seafair.org/summerfourth

 

Redmond Derby Days

Redmond’s bike-themed summer event including bicycle races, kids bike parade, carnival rides, drone light show, craft fair, arts festival, food, cornhole tourney, and live music.

Friday, July 14th & Saturday, July 15th, 2023

15670 NE 85th St, Redmond

redmond.gov/derbydays

Photo courtesy of redmond.gov

 

Ballard Seafood Fest

Live music, salmon BBQ, kids entertainment, vendors, and excellent craft beer. Don’t miss the Festi-Bowl skateboard events at Ballard Commons Park on Saturday, the 15th.

Friday, July 14th – Sunday, July 16th, 2023

2208 NW Market St | Seattle (on Market St from Leary to 24th Ave NW, and on Ballard Ave from Market St to 22nd Ave NW)

seafoodfest.org

Photo courtesy of Andrew Jacob Media and seafoodfest.org

 

Kirkland Uncorked

Sip local wine, beer or cocktails and listen to live music in beautiful Marina Park on the water. There’s also a street fair with crafts, art, food, dog modeling contest (!), and more. Buy tickets here (proceeds benefit the Homeward Pet Adoption Center).

Friday, July 14th – Sunday, July 16th, 2023

25 Lakeshore Plaza | Kirkland

kirklanduncorked.com

Photo courtesy of kirklanduncorked.com

 

West Seattle Summer Fest

Live bands, arts & crafts booths, outdoor cafes, beer garden, and fun Kids Zone with inflatables.

Friday, July 14th – Sunday, July 16th, 2023

The Junction, 4210 SW Oregon St | Seattle

westseattlesummerfest.com

Photo courtesy of westseattlesummerfest.com

 

Mercer Island Summer Celebration

Parade and lively street fair at Mercerdale Park followed by a waterfront fireworks show at Luther Burbank Park.

Saturday, July 15th, 2023
Fireworks at 10pm

Mercerdale Park Fair: 3009 77th Ave SE | Mercer Island

Luther Burbank Park (Fireworks): 2040 84th Ave SE | Mercer Island

mercerisland.gov/summercelebration

 

Renton River Days

Summer bazaar, parade, rubber duck derby, live music, food trucks, beer/wine gardens, activity zone, drone show, volleyball & basketball tourneys, and 5k/10k Fun Walks on the Cedar River Trail.

Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, 2023

1055 S Grady Way | Renton

rentonriverdays.org

Photo courtesy of patch.com

 

Bite of Seattle

200 vendors, 50+ music performances (including Sir Mix-a-Lot!), 3 beer gardens, wine garden, & more.

Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, 2023

Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St  | Seattle

biteofseattle.com

Photo courtesy of biteofseattle.com

 

Sequim Lavender Weekend

Celebrate all things lavender with tours of local farms, live music, and 150 street fair booths highlighting NW crafts & food.

Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, 2023

Carrie Blake Park, 500 N Blake Ave | Sequim

lavenderfestival.com

Photo courtesy of seattleandsound.com

 

Timber! Outdoor Music Festival

In addition to a wide range of local musicians, discover adventures like bat/bird finding expeditions, hiking, biking, tree climbing, nature painting/photography, yoga, 5K run, coffee walk, obstacle course, stargazing, fika (a Swedish morning tradition), shibori shirt dyeing, and lots of kids activities. Enjoy great food & local brews, too.

Thursday, July 27 – Saturday, July 29, 2023

Get tickets here

Tolt-MacDonald Park, 31020 NE 40th St | Carnation

timbermusicfest.com

Video courtesy of Timber! Outdoor Music Festival

 

Bellevue Arts Fair

Shop from over 300 artists showcasing their handmade arts & crafts. Kids Fair, food trucks, stage performances, and free Bellevue Art Museum exhibitions, too!

Friday, July 28th – Sunday, July 30th, 2023

Bellevue Square, 510 Bellevue Way NE | Bellevue

bellevuearts.org/artsfair

Photo courtesy of bellevuearts.org/artsfair

 


AUGUST

 

Seafair Weekend

Seattle’s iconic festival featuring a spectacular airshow, hydroplane races, classic car show, live music, local food/beverages, and log boom party for boaters.

Friday, August 4th – Sunday, August 6th, 2023

Get tickets here

Genesee Park, 4316 S Genesee St | Seattle

seafair.org

Photo courtesy of seafair.org

 

Watershed

If you’re a country music fan, then this destination festival at the Gorge is for you. Three days of live bands plus carnival rides, food, drinks, and camping.

Friday, August 4th – Sunday, August 6th, 2023

Get tickets here

The Gorge Ampitheatre, 754 Silica Rd NW | Quincy

watershedfest.com

Photo courtesy of watershedfest.com

 

Festival at Mount Si

This street fair in scenic North Bend offers music, a parade, 5K fun run, cherry pie eating contest, and even a live chili cookoff (not to mention food and craft vendors!). Make it a day and visit the outlet mall or go hiking while you’re at it.

Saturday, August 12th & Sunday, August 13th, 2023

Si View Park, 400 SE Orchard Dr | North Bend

festivalatmtsi.org

Photo courtesy of festivalatmtsi.org

 

Chief Seattle Days

A celebration of the Suquamish people honoring Chief Seattle since 1911, this festival is now open to the public and includes canoe races, a salmon bake, 5k fun run, market, games, traditional songs & dances, and a gravesite honoring for Chief Seattle.

Friday, August 18th – Sunday, August 20th, 2023

7235 NE Pkwy | Suquamish

Gravesite Honoring of Chief Seattle: 7076 NE South St | Suquamish

chiefseattledays.org

Photo courtesy of chiefseattledays.org

 

CHOMP Local Food Festival

A King County celebration of all that is local, sustainable, fresh…and delicious. Spend the day at beautiful Willowmoor Farm in Marymoor Park and support area farms. Live music, local food vendors, all-ages activities, and zucchini races, too!

Saturday, August 19th, 2023 from 10am to 6pm

Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE | Redmond

chomplocal.org

Photo courtesy of chomplocal.org

 

Evergreen State Fair

Held each year during the 11 days leading up to Labor Day (for the past 114 years!), this fair offers a little of everything—a fun carnival with rides/games, food, shopping, contests, live events, and more.

August 24th – September 4th, 2023

(Closed Wednesday, August 30th)

Get tickets here

14405 179th Ave SE | Monroe

evergreenfair.org

Photo courtesy of Evergreen State Fair

 

THING: Music, Arts & Other Things

The ultimate destination festival, this 3-day event takes place amongst scenic sound views at Port Townsend’s historic Fort Worden (it’s even got a lighthouse!). In addition to an epic music lineup, you’ll also find art installations, workshops, and activities for all ages.

Friday, August 25th – Sunday, August 27th, 2023

Get tickets here

200 Battery Way | Port Townsend

thingnw.org

Photo courtesy of THING

 


SEPTEMBER

 

Washington State (Puyallup) Fair

A September tradition, peeps all around the Sound flock to “Do the Puyallup.” You’ll find your favorite carnival rides, a concert series, rodeo, petting farm, and a plethora of exhibits & vendors.

September 1st – 24th, 2023

Get tickets here

110 9th Ave SW | Puyallup

thefair.com

Photo courtesy of thefair.com

 

Bumbershoot

Seattle’s biggest music festival and a 50-year tradition. This year you’ll find a great music lineup along with everything art, dance, performances, roller skating, and…a cat circus.

Saturday, September 2nd – Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

Get tickets here

Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St | Seattle

bumbershoot.com

Photo courtesy of seattlecenter.com

 

Mercer Island Art UnCorked

Discover Washington wine, beer & cider while you browse local artists at this outdoor event in Mercer Island’s Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery. Tasting garden, artist booths, live music, food trucks, and more.

Friday, September 8th, 2023 | 5-8 pm

Get tickets here

78th Ave SE & Sunset Hwy | Mercer Island

mercerislandartuncorked.com

 Photo courtesy of mi-reporter.com

 

Fremont Oktoberfest

Celebrate 100+ beers and ciders along with games, Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving, and Dogtoberfest. Strictly 21+…unless you’re a dog.

Friday, September 22nd – Sunday, September 24th, 2023

Get tickets here

3503 Phinney Ave N | Seattle

fremontoktoberfest.com

Photo courtesy of fremontoktoberfest.com

 

 


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

Real Estate April 18, 2023

How’s the Market? Q1 2023 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate

The first quarter of 2023 saw a price correction compared to last year’s spike, with year-over-year median prices down by 9% in Seattle and 14% on the Eastside.  That being said, prices are already beginning to climb again with steady growth since the beginning of the year.  Buyer demand remains strong despite higher interest rates—competitively priced, well-presented homes are still fetching multiple offers.

 

Click or scroll down to find your area report:

Seattle  |  Eastside  |  Mercer Island  |  Condos  |  Waterfront

 


SEATTLE

For those who purchased a home in Seattle this quarter, it likely felt like there were more options and inventory with a minor rebalance on price. While transactions were down 28% year over year, we also saw median sales price was down from $925,000 to $830,000 since last quarter, which is a 9% adjustment. A down correction in pricing gave relief to buyers feeling the pinch and stress of rising interest rates to 6.5%. Rates have doubled the past 1.5 years but, considering the limited supply of homes for sale, the drop in home prices hasn’t been severe.

 

Neighborhoods like Lake Forest Park saw growth in their number of transactions (up 15%); other neighborhoods like Madison Park and Capitol Hill had nearly half the homes for sale compared to last year. It’s no surprise that as interest rates rise and affordability changes, buyers are casting a wider net to other parts of Seattle to the north. Keep an eye on neighborhoods like Shoreline, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. Desirable prices paired with accessible transit is a bonus for those who are being asked to return to the office.

 

Multiple offers are apparent in some neighborhoods (price & presentation is key!) and we did experience 30% of homes sell above their listing price. If the shortage of inventory remains and interest rates drop slightly, we could see the frequency of multiple offers increase.

 

Seattle Metro Listings vs. Sales

 

Seattle Metro Median Sales Price

 

Seller's or Buyer's Market? Seattle Metro Months of Inventory

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Seattle Metro Market Report

 

↑ Back to top


EASTSIDE

The Eastside was struck by job layoffs in the tech sector, rising interest rates and new property listings (28% more homes than last quarter!) but pending sales remained low compared to the previous year. Transaction volume was much like Seattle’s, with a decline of 22%. Mercer Island was the only community that stayed steady (no increase) in the number of transactions year over year.

 

Interestingly, while prices are down to a median of $1,400,000 year over year, this is a slight 2% increase from last quarter’s median of $1,380,000. 20% of the properties on the Eastside also sold above their listing price (most of these homes were in Bellevue) while sellers needed a shift in expectations with a whopping 58% of homes needing a price improvement to find their buyer. The list price vs. sold price percentage was 97% which means if you were a seller who listed your home at $1,000,000, you would expect to sell for $970,000 this quarter. Again, price and presentation matter and 41% of sellers who did this well sold in the first 10 days.

 

Buyers who are shopping for homes on the Eastside continue to be hyper focused on the school districts, turn-key properties and are serious about locking in their interest rate now, with the hopes of refinancing later this year when economists predict rates could decrease. If rates drop below 5.5% coupled with low inventory levels, we could see the frequency of multiple offers increase.

 

Eastside Listings vs. Sales

 

Eastside Median Sales Price

 

Seller's or Buyer's Market? Eastside Months of Inventory

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Greater Eastside Market Report

↑ Back to top


MERCER ISLAND

Even though there were just 39 residential transactions on Mercer Island this quarter, that number has stayed perfectly steady year over year. Over half of these homes sold in the first 10 days on the market, which is no surprise as demand has stayed robust.

 

13% of listings sold above their listing price, but this wasn’t concentrated on a certain community; four homes located on First Hill, Mid-Island plus the South & North Ends respectively, each received multiple offers this quarter. Q1 of 2022 saw a median price of $2,540,000 with just one home listed under $1,500,000. This quarter, the median price is $2,233,000 (a 12% decline) while six homes sold under $1,500,000! Due to the decline in prices and a slower start to the year, many sellers needed a shift in expectations with a whopping 67% of homes needing a price improvement to find their buyer.

 

We haven’t seen the number of new listings in the double-digit figures since Q2 of 2022, and it’s very possible we won’t experience that same level of inventory this year. Baby boomers are holding onto their homes with the benefit of their remarkably low 2.75% interest rate, and families are staying put to finish out the school year.

 

Our advice still stands: if you’re thinking about waiting for lower rates AND lower prices, you might be dreaming. Enjoy the fantastic Island inventory now, lock in your rate and consider refinancing later this year or next spring when economists predict rates will shift down.

 

Mercer Island Listings vs. Sales

 

Mercer Island Median Sales Price

 

Seller's or Buyer's Market? Mercer Island Months of Inventory

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Mercer Island Market Report

↑ Back to top


CONDOS – SEATTLE & EASTSIDE

Seeing first time homebuyers come back to the market or considering an investment? Buying a condo in Seattle or on the Eastside is a fantastic opportunity, especially as many companies are calling their employees back to the office at least 3 days per week. It’s very possible transaction volume will be up next quarter, but for now, transactions were down 44% year over year. With that said, 465 units sold in Seattle; 347 units sold on the Eastside which isn’t all doom and gloom.

 

Just like North Seattle is heating up with residential sales, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Ballard and North Seattle condos outpace the rest of Seattle, up 10% on average. These areas are experiencing new construction townhomes that are especially desirable to first time homebuyers. Boutique builders are offering a trendy design palette (have you seen the Scandinavian-style design with light woods and sleek finishes?) paired with all the “bells and whistles” that city dwellers appreciate, like dog washing stations, artificial turf, and EV chargers.

 

For the Eastside, Redmond condos stayed the steadiest, down just 17% year or year. Kirkland was the only neighborhood to experience a price bump, up 11% to a median price of $693,000.

 

The Seattle condo median price has declined just 1% year over year to $515,000, while the Eastside experienced a 12% adjustment to $550,000. This is a $530,000 average when comparing both areas. With interest rates doubling the past 1.5 years and buyers considering a condo unit under the umbrella of a condo association, shoppers will be very particular about their monthly dues assessment and what’s included for those monies as both interest rates and dues have such a dominant effect on their overall buying power. Condos continue to be a necessary niche in our marketplace!

 

Check out area-by-area details the full condo report.

 

Condo Report for Seattle & Eastside

↑ Back to top


WATERFRONT

There were 17 privately-owned waterfront home sales in the greater Seattle-Eastside region in Q1 2023 (Eastside-7; Seattle-6; Lake Sammamish-2; Mercer Island-2). This is exactly on par with last year, when we also saw 17 sales in Q1 2022.

 

The highest sale was for a Medina Northwest Contemporary on 115 feet of low-bank waterfront that sold above list price for $20m. The most affordable waterfront was a unique triplex with 1920-1930 era beach cottages on a private boardwalk near the Ballard Locks—a buyer snagged it below list price for $1.9m.

 

This brief overview of the entire Seattle-Eastside private waterfront market, including Mercer Island and Lake Sammamish, illustrates the trends occurring in our region over time. This data is interesting and insightful but cannot replace an in-depth waterfront analysis with your trusted professional.

 

Waterfront Report: Seattle/Eastside

↑ Back to top


 

Windermere Mercer Island

 
© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island. Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service and Trendgraphix, and deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Mercer Island cover photo courtesy of Petra Varney and Clarity Northwest Photography.

CommunityReal EstateTips, Trends & Living February 10, 2023

Property Tax Relief Programs in King County

More than 26,000 low-income seniors and disabled people in King County who qualify for a tax exemption haven’t claimed it…are you or your family member one of them?

If you are homeowner, make $58k or less per year, and are either age 61+ or retired due to disability, there is a good chance you qualify. You can even retroactively apply for the exemption for the prior 3 years!

Scroll down for details on this exemption plus 4 other property tax relief programs that King County offers.

In another county? Here is the full list of income thresholds for every county in Washington State, and here is another link to view the programs each county offers.

 

Senior/Disabled Property Tax Exemption


WHAT IS IT?

A reduction in King County property tax for seniors, people with disabilities, and disabled veterans.


WHO QUALIFIES?

  • Seniors age 61+

or

  • Those who cannot work due to a disability

or

  • Veterans with service-related disabilities

YOU MUST…

  • Own your home
  • Have occupied it as a primary residence at least 6 months out of the year

INCOME LIMIT

  • $58,423 maximum annual household income in the previous year

WAYS TO APPLY

  • Click here to apply online
  • Call 206-296-3920
  • Ask your local senior center if they help with applications

 

Senior/Disabled Property Tax Deferral


WHAT IS IT?

The ability for seniors & disabled people to defer unpaid property tax/special assessments, including back taxes for as long as you’ve owned the home. Deferred taxes + any accumulated interest then become a lien on the property until it’s repaid.


WHO QUALIFIES?

  • Seniors age 60+

or

  • Those who cannot work due to a physical disability

YOU MUST…

  • Own your home and have lived in it for more than 9 months in a calendar year
  • Meet an equity requirement

INCOME LIMIT

  • $67,411 maximum annual household disposable income

HOW TO APPLY

  • Call 206-263-2338

 

MORE TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS…

 

Limited Income Deferral

WHAT IS IT?

The ability to defer the second installment of your property taxes/special assessments (normally due October 31st) if you are a low-income homeowner. The deferred taxes plus interest become a lien on the property until they’re repaid.


YOU MUST…

  • Have owned your property for 5 years
  • Be living in the home as of January 1st of the application year AND more than 9 months during that year
  • Meet an equity retirement
  • Have already paid the first half of your taxes (due April 30th)

INCOME LIMIT

  • $57,000 maximum annual household income in the previous year

HOW TO APPLY

  • Call 206-263-2338

 

Homeowner Improvement Exemption


WHAT IS IT?

Relief from tax increases caused by major additions or remodels.


YOU MUST…

  • Own a detached single family dwelling (including mobile homes)
  • File your claim for exemption with the assessor BEFORE construction is complete

HOW TO APPLY

  • Call 206-263-2338

 

Flood & Storm Damage Property Tax Reduction


WHAT IS IT?

Tax relief for property damaged by something beyond the owner’s control. Eligible properties receive a reduction of assessed value resulting in lower property taxes. In addition, taxpayers can receive an exemption to keep taxes lower for the 3 years after they rebuild.


YOU MUST…

  • Have your property on the assessment roll as of January 1st in the year it was damaged
  • Have property that was destroyed, OR was in a declared disaster area and reduced in value by more than 20% as a result of the disaster

HOW TO APPLY


 

For more information on any of these programs, visit the King County Assessor’s tax relief page. You can also find info for other counties on the WA Dept of Revenue website.

 


Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

Real Estate January 18, 2023

How’s the Market? Annual Review of Seattle Area Real Estate

While 2022 began on the heels of an extreme seller’s market we saw in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the second half of the year showed a marked shift back toward normalcy.  Rising interest rates and tech layoffs significantly slowed down the number of home sales.  The good news for buyers is that we finally saw a rise in the number of homes for sale (although we’re still not back up to our pre-pandemic inventory level).

 

Our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, predicts that median home prices will continue to pull back from their 2022 spike, but will then resume a more normal level of appreciation once interest rates stabilize.  You can find his full forecast here.

 

Click or scroll down to find your area report:

Seattle  |  Eastside  |  Mercer Island  |  Condos  |  Waterfront

 


SEATTLE

The Seattle real estate market seems to be out to prove the old “tortoise and the hare” fable. The tale the numbers are telling is that when you don’t boom big, you’re likely not to bust big. 2022 was a year of steady growth and a lot less fear than in surrounding cities.

 

On average in a 2022 total look back, Seattle’s median price was up 10% (to $940,000) over $852,000 in 2021. Most of this gain was realized in the first half of the year, and unfortunately eroded in the second half of the year—when combined, it paints a fairly clear picture that we’re back to a “normal” market coming into 2023.

 

Queen Anne-Magnolia (up 17%), West Seattle (up 14%) and the Central District (up 13%) all fared better than average. Kenmore hung in at a 6% gain, which, given the volatility of interest rates and speculation, is still a respectable number for the year!

 

The headline for this year is that overall transaction volume was down in a big way. In Seattle, there were a total of 8,173 homes that sold; this is down 30% from the 11,670 sales we saw the year before. The slower market is not, however, creating a climate of fear where homeowners jump to cash out at the peak. New listings for the year were down a total of 13%.

 

We’ll be watching closely in 2023. If consumer confidence builds with the stabilization of interest rates, we’re going to have an even larger inventory crisis than we’ve faced in years past.

 

Seattle Metro Listings vs. Sales

 

Seattle Metro Median Sales Price

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Seattle Metro Market Report

 

↑ Back to top


EASTSIDE

Finally, it’s safe to say that balance and normalcy have returned to the Eastside real estate market. The irony is: now that we’re in a balanced market, which is what homebuyers have purported to crave for a long time, the buyer’s appetite to purchase has all but dried up; overall transaction volume was down 36% in 2022 (5,448 sales vs. 8,569 in 2021).

 

If any of you are considering a move in the next 5 years, NOW is the time. The pendulum has swung back in the buyer’s favor: home inspections, negotiations and contingencies are all prevalent. We may not be at the exact “bottom” of pricing, but interest rates have stabilized, there are good homes for sale, and competition amongst buyers is rare. This is IT!

 

The Eastside’s Median Sale Price was $1,525,000 in 2022, up 14% over 2021’s unbelievable 30%+ gain ($1,350,000). Woodinville rules the day at a 17% rise, followed closely by Mercer Island (+16%) and Bellevue (both East and West at +15%).

 

While the market is slower paced, we are not in dire straits. This is thanks to a continued lack of inventory (down 5% YOY), and the amount of equity built in 2020 and 2021. Home sellers will spend the year working to determine the best way to attract a buyer. Price, preparation and timing will all play an important role. Home shoppers are sure to revel in their day in the sun!

 

Eastside Listings vs. Sales

 

Eastside Median Sales Price

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Greater Eastside Market Report

↑ Back to top


MERCER ISLAND

Mercer Island was once again its own unique micro-market within the Pacific Northwest. Total sales volume was only 209 homes, down 46% from 2021. This means that of nearly 10,000 households on the Island, only 2% purchased/sold a home.

 

The pace of sales was affected not only by interest rate volatility but also by the local tech economy/job market. The median home price nevertheless held strong with a 16% rise over 2021, even with the price correction that we all started to feel mid-year.

 

Buyers have decided to sit on the sidelines while it all shakes out, but home-owners on Mercer Island are not running for the hills. They’re patiently waiting (often without adjusting their asking prices) for the demand to return. It seems to be working: the median list price to median sales price ratio ROSE in 2022 from 77% to 88%.

 

2023 should be a solid year for Mercer Island real estate. All the pieces are in place: community pride, great schools and easy transportation. Let’s see if the upward trend continues!

 

Mercer Island Listings vs. Sales

 

Mercer Island Median Sales Price

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Mercer Island Market Report

↑ Back to top


CONDOS – SEATTLE & EASTSIDE

Seattle condos saw a Median Sale Price increase of 6% (to $520,000) and Eastside condos saw a 13% increase (to $620,000) in 2022. 53% of Seattle condos and 67% of Eastside condos sold in the first ten days on the market. This growth is larger than what we saw in 2021, which hopefully is some good news to anyone thinking of selling a condo in 2023. It seems that demand for urban living may be returning.

 

66% of Seattle condos and 77% of Eastside condos sold at or above their listed price. Those listings that sold in the first 10 days on the market went for an average of 1% and 4% above their list price, respectively..

 

On the Seattle side, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park condos saw about a 20% increase—and on the Eastside, Sammamish and East Bellevue condos carried the day with 19% and 23% increases—in Median Sale Price.

 

Overall, condos get our award for “ones to watch.” They remain a bright spot in terms of affordability when compared to single family homes, especially on the Eastside. Compare the $620,000 median sale price of a condo to the $1,525,000 median home price and it’s clear condos are a great first rung of the property ladder that might get attention in 2023.

 

Check out area-by-area details the full condo report.

 

Condo Report for Seattle & Eastside

↑ Back to top


WATERFRONT

There were 93 privately-owned waterfront home sales in the greater Seattle-Eastside region in 2022 (Eastside-32; Seattle-36; Lake Sammamish-15; Mercer Island-10). This is down significantly from the banner year in 2021 when we saw a whopping 170 total sales.

 

This truly is a market with geographic limitations. With such a high volume of sales in 2021 and a relatively strong 2022, we expect 2023 to be more conservative. Our late-2022 market shift from an extreme seller’s market to a more balanced level of supply and demand coincided with the close of the waterfront selling season. This means pricing will be tricky this season as we explore uncharted waters. More than ever, real estate experts will be essential to analyze the data and consult their spidey-senses to find the price that will attract a buyer in this new normal.

 

This brief overview of the entire Seattle-Eastside private waterfront market, including Mercer Island and Lake Sammamish, illustrates the trends occurring in our region over time. This data is interesting and insightful but cannot replace an in-depth waterfront analysis with your trusted professional.

 

Waterfront Report: Seattle/Eastside

↑ Back to top


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island. Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service and Trendgraphix, and deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Real Estate October 14, 2022

How’s the Market? Q3 2022 Real Estate Review

While still considered a seller’s market, our July-September home sale activity signaled the return of some much-needed balance.  Seattle and Eastside home prices still posted year-over-year gains in Q3, but rising interest rates markedly slowed the pace of both listings and sales.  Houses also stayed on the market longer than we saw during the frenzy earlier this year—the average Seattle home took 17 days to sell, while Eastside homes averaged 25 days to sell.  Buyers have a great opportunity to negotiate better terms now with an eye out to refinance when interest rates come down in the future.

 

Click or scroll down to find your area report:

Seattle  |  Eastside  |  Mercer Island  |  Condos  |  Waterfront

 


SEATTLE

There is a lot of good news in Seattle these days: Progress is being made in taking back downtown, the West Seattle Bridge is open AND real estate prices are UP year over year.

 

Transaction volume is down 35% across the city, which we can likely attribute to the volatility in interest rates, but listing volume is also down 10%. This is comforting! Supply and demand rules the market, and the last thing this balancing market needs is more inventory. We think this drop in seller enthusiasm is likely caused by the golden handcuffs of their historically low interest rates and refinance boom: even if your home isn’t meeting your needs these days, that 2.75% interest rate might be hard to give up.

 

Seattle’s average list/sold price ratio is 97%. This means if you listed your home for $1,000,000 you could expect to sell for $970,000 in Q3 of this year. Compare this with 82% on the Eastside. Seattle home sellers are more realistic and less affected by the price bloat of the last several years. We didn’t boom as hard, and we may not feel the impacts of a market balance as sharply either.

 

Seattle Recap

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Seattle Report

 

↑ Back to top


EASTSIDE

While we’re finally seeing the numbers reflect what the market has been feeling since May, it’s not as dire as one might think. Sales volume has slowed 38% year over year (based on total transaction count). However, new listings are also down (3%) which means the market reaching its peak has not sparked a sell off. This should keep our new normal buzzing along at pace similar to 2018 and 2019. Great homes that are priced right will sell—21% of homes sold above asking price and 40% of homes sold in the first 10 days.

 

Median list price is down 6% while median sales price is down 14.5%, which means homeowners looking to sell on the Eastside now have some data points to help them with realistic expectations of how to find the market. Average days on market is 25, which is higher than it’s been since Q1 of 2020! This is still slightly under the 6-year average. Don’t be tempted to think that there is something wrong with a home just because it has been on the market for a month; there are a lot of quality homes ready for their new owners.

 

The news of the day is interest rates. Heavy volatility in the markets and the administration’s drive to stem inflation have caused many buyers to pull out of the market. If you’re thinking you’ll wait for lower rates AND lower prices, you might be dreaming—if rates come down next year as predicted it will likely spur activity on. Our best advice: THIS is the market you’ve been waiting for. As a buyer you have choice, time and negotiating power for the first time since 2018. Capitalize! Then, refinance later.

 

Eastside Recap

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Eastside Report

 

↑ Back to top


MERCER ISLAND

Given the broader local news, we might expect doom and gloom from Q3 stats—this expert sees lots of opportunity and much needed stabilization after the crazy COVID boom. While median prices have fallen 1% year over year, the average price per square foot is actually UP. What does this mean? Comparing a median with an average is always a little tricky, but this likely points to a slowdown in the sale of larger homes.

 

To me, the better signs of market predictability are the months supply of inventory for the quarter (about 6 weeks for both condos and single family) and the average days on market (18 for sf and 57 for condo). These are all relatively healthy benchmarks, even though they’re markedly higher than in previous quarters. This is what’s causing media to report doom and gloom: inventory is up sharply (there was ONE active listing at the end of Q4 2021 vs 44 at the end of Q3 2022) and pending sales are down (57 vs. 94 last year in the same time period). When you compare our current numbers to any time period outside of the last two years, we’re faring very well!

 

The news of the day is interest rates. Heavy volatility in the markets and the administration’s drive to stem inflation have caused many buyers to pull out of the market. If you’re thinking you’ll wait for lower rates AND lower prices, you might be dreaming—if rates come down next year as predicted it will likely spur activity on. Our best advice: THIS is the market you’ve been waiting for. As a buyer you have choice, time and negotiating power for the first time since 2018. Capitalize! Then, refinance later.

 

Mercer Island Recap

Click here for the full report and neighborhood-by-neighborhood statistics!

Mercer Island Report

↑ Back to top


CONDOS – SEATTLE & EASTSIDE

Condos remain the tortoise as opposed to the hare like residential markets of 2020-early 2022. Slow and steady will definitely win this race as the affordability of homeownership shrinks with rising interest rates. Looking at combined condo data (Eastside + Seattle), months supply of inventory is down to about 6 weeks from 2 months last quarter. Low months supply of inventory and low cumulative days on market (23) are two of the leading indicators of market health, and both are as low or lower as they’ve been in the recent past.

 

Condo prices are also holding strong with no change to the average $ per square foot in Seattle and an overall 5% rise in median sale price year over year. The Eastside tells an even slightly better story: a 9% rise in $ per square foot and a 6% rise in median sale price despite a 41% year-over-year drop in the number of transactions.

 

Keep rooting for the tortoise. This is a necessary niche in our marketplace. The first rung on the property ladder is condos again for the first time in a long time, and we really hope our Gen Z and Millennial buyers take the leap!

 

Check out area-by-area details the full condo report.

 

Condo Report

↑ Back to top


WATERFRONT

The most affordable place to buy waterfront this quarter was Beach Dr in West Seattle at a closed sale price of $1,800,000 for 22’ of waterfront on an 11,000 sq. ft. lot. The largest piece of shoreline overall was 172 feet in Medina on Lake Washington, which commanded a sales price of $17,800,000.

 

This brief overview of the entire Seattle-Eastside private waterfront market, including Mercer Island and Lake Sammamish, illustrates the trends occurring in our region over time. This data is interesting and insightful but cannot replace an in-depth waterfront analysis provided by a savvy broker with years of local waterfront experience.

 

Waterfront Report

↑ Back to top


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

© Copyright 2022, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island. Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service and deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

CommunityTips, Trends & Living September 27, 2022

Favorite Local Pumpkin Patches

Grab your boots, pack a thermos…it’s time to choose those perfect Halloween pumpkins! This year, why not explore a new town and make your pumpkin patch experience a true adventure? All of these farms are open every weekend in October, and most are open on weekdays too. Some even welcome your furry family members on a leash. Scroll down for the full scoop!

Eastside  |  North of Seattle  |  South of Seattle


 

Eastside

 

Fletcher Farm
Dog-friendly with a scavenger hunt, farm animal zoo, storybook trail, mini-golf, photo stations, and junior corn maze for the little ones. End of season Halloween Bash, too!

18712 SE May Valley Road | Issaquah
fletcherfarmevents@gmail.com
fletcherfarmissaquah.com

 

Jubilee Farm
Hay rides, food trucks, music, hay maze, & hot apple cider.

229 W Snoqualmie River Rd NE | Carnation
(425) 222-4558
jubileefarm.org

 

Novelty Hill Farm
Dog-friendly! Corn maze, farm animals, trike track, & games.

26617 NE 124th Street | Duvall
(425) 788-2416
noveltyhillfarm.com

 

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center
Live music, scavenger hunt, hay rides, mini pumpkin decoration, climbing tractor, conservation tours, & apple slingshot.

10819 Carnation-Duvall Rd. NE | Carnation
(425) 788-1134
oxbow.org/oxtober

 

Remlinger Farms
25 rides & attractions for children (including a train, carousel, & mini roller-coaster!), pony rides, apple cannon, restaurant, & new brewery with 20 choices on tap.

32610 NE 32nd Street | Carnation, WA
(425) 451-8740
remlingerfarms.com

 

Serres Farm
Mini train rides, corn maze and a dazzling variety of specialty pumpkins.

20306 NE 50th St | Redmond, WA
(425) 868-3017
serresfarm.com/pumpkin-patch

 

Two Brothers Pumpkins at Game Haven Farm
Baby calves and an eerie number of well-attired scarecrows.

7110 310th Avenue NE | Carnation, WA
(425) 333-4313
facebook.com/twobrotherspumpkins

 


North of Seattle

 

Bailey Vegetables
Kettle corn, cider, U-pick apples, baked goods, and kids play area with hay run, farm trikes & sandbox.

12691 Springhetti Rd | Snohomish
(360) 568-8826
baileyveg.com/pumpkin-patch

 

Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm
12-acre corn maze, 2 kids’ mazes, play barn, hay rides, trike track, & apple cannon. Fire pit rentals for private groups, too!

10917 Elliott Road | Snohomish
(360) 668-2506
bobscorn.com/pumpkins

 

Carleton Farm
5-acre corn maze, playground, paintball gallery, apple guns, hay rides, & kids’ bucket train.

630 Sunnyside Blvd SE | Lake Stevens, WA
(425) 343-4963
carletonfarm.com/fall-fun

 

Craven Farm
15-acre corn maze, kids maze, farm animals, mini golf, cow train, foosball, espresso, cider donuts, & scarecrow making. Fire pit rentals and special dog-friendly days, too!

13817 Short School Road | Snohomish
(360) 568-2601
cravenfarm.com/fall-festival

 

Fairbank Animal & Pumpkin Farm
Lots of baby animals, “corn maize maze,” hay tunnel, toy duck races, photo boards, & veggie garden.

15308 52nd Ave W | Edmonds
(425) 743-3694
fairbankfarm.com

 

Stocker Farms
30+ attractions including a giant jumping pillow, tire mountain, epic play area, zip line, corn maze, pumpkin cannon, & more. The farm’s evil twin, Stalker Farms, comes out at night.

8705 Marsh Rd | Snohomish
(360) 568-7391
stockerfarms.com

 

Swans Trail Farms
Washington State corn maze, kids corn maze, petting farm, wagon rides, big slides, zip lines, u-pick apple orchard & live duck races.

7301 Rivershore Rd | Snohomish
(425) 330-3084
swanstrailfarms.com

 


South of Seattle

 

Carpinito Brothers Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Rubber duck races, hay slides, corn pit, farm animals, hay maze, & corn maze.

Pumpkin Patch: 27508 W Valley Hwy N | Kent
Farm Fun Yard: 6720 S 277th St | Kent
(253) 854-5692
carpinito.com

 

Maris Farms
Racing pigs & ducks, mega slide, corn maze, jump pillow, animals, zip lines, rides, plus the creepy “Haunted Woods” complete with zombies and homicidal maniacs.

25001 Sumner-Buckley Highway | Buckley
(253) 862-2848
marisfarms.com

 

Mosby Farms
Dog-friendly! Corn maze and fresh farm market.

3104 SE Auburn-Black Diamond Rd | Auburn
(253) 405-0711
mosbyfarm.com/pumpkinpatch

 

Spooner Farms
Corn maze, pumpkin sling shot, speedway, farm animals, caramel apples, & roasted corn.

9710 State Route 162 East | Puyallup
(253) 840-2059
spoonerberries.com

 

Thomasson Family Farm
Laser tag, corn maze, play barn, farm animals, slides, duck races, trike track, apple slingshot, and giant Jenga & Connect 4.

38223 236th Avenue SE | Enumclaw
(360) 802-0503
thomassonfarm.com


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

2737 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040 | (206) 232-0446
mercerisland@windermere.com

© Copyright 2022 Windermere Mercer Island

Community July 29, 2022

Kicks for Kids Shoe Drive August 8-19

Help us give kids the confidence they need to start the school year right! Windermere Mercer Island invites you to participate in our Kicks for Kids back-to-school sneaker drive. It connects low-income youth in our local communities with new shoes for the upcoming school year. Between August 8th and 19th, we’ll be accepting donations two ways:

 

  • Bring new or gently used sneakers (toddler/youth sizes) to my office at 2737 77th Ave SE, Ste. 100, Mercer Island. We’ll enter your name into a raffle for a delectable prize from Island Treats, and we’ll also match the first 100 pairs of shoes donated!

 

 


This year, we’re partnering once again with the Eastside Baby Corner, an amazing organization that helps kids thrive by providing resources and essentials with their 70+ partner agencies—many of which are school districts.

 

Help us make sure every child has a new pair of shoes for school!

 

 

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/34DXN9ZSJISYB?ref_=wl_share

 

All in, for our community. Windermere Mercer Island.

 


 

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

2737 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040 | (206) 232-0446
mercerisland@windermere.com

© Copyright 2022 Windermere Mercer Island