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And speaking of activities, our Mercer Island Women’s Club offers outstanding new activities, as well as old favorites–it’s the best way to get acquainted with your bright and talented Island neighbors.  It just costs $25 a year, and we have every imaginable activity from Book Clubs to Scrabble, Bunco & Bridge; luncheon get togethers; classes in Interior Design, Computer skills; a gardening group; Financial Guidance for women; impromptu tennis; ski groups; singing groups; movie get togethers, and so much more!  We generally break into small groups and many of our groups meet in members’ homes,  so we all get to know each other.  Contact me for a list of all the great current offerings.

Mortgage interest rates are unbelievably low now-it’s the ideal time to buy on Mercer Island.  The update today from a trusted Mortgage Broker is that it’s best to lock in now (12/28/11) since  rates are not anticipated to go lower and may well be trending up very soon.  Speaking of ideal, let me tell you about two fantastic listings:  

1)  WOW!  An impeccable Ralph Anderson designed Black & Caldwell (blending indoor and outdoor beauty–a la Frank Lloyd Wright) with a Zen feel amid sylvan splendor and the soothing sound of the creek – in choice “Lakeview Highlands East” neighborhood.   It boasts 5 bedrooms, a dream kitchen (SubZero; slab-granite island, “baking center,” etc.); skylights, window walls & French doors galore; elegant formal areas, and so many amazing bonus features!  This exciting home, with all the “bells & whistles”, on a creek-side secluded sylvan site tucked away at the end of a scenic private lane in one of Mercer Island’s best neighborhoods – in perfect move-in condition with $50,000 of recent upgrades - has been reduced to just $840,000 (the “short sale”  price the lender has approved for a 30 day closing).  It was  formerly Bank Appraised at $1,200,000, before all the upgrades.  All that and it’s just a short walk to beautiful Groveland Beach (lifeguarded in summer) from here.  Call/text/email me to see this spectacular home  (MLS #270181)! 

2) This great new listing is an amazing custom home with gorgeous grounds (a huge level private yard complete with a pond and dramatic outdoor lighting)!  This spacious home is within walking distance to both grade school & high school, as well as to two parks (one with tennis courts and playfields & one with play equipment, a skate park, the Sunday Farmers’s Market & summer’s Music In The Park), and  to Mercer Island’s wonderful boutique shops & restaurants.  Currently there are 3 bedrooms, with the potential for 2 more.  There is a huge party/recreation room as well as a huge living room.  The large west-facing deck, overlooking the gorgeous yard, is accessed from both the dining room and the master suite.  There are also 3 beautiful fireplaces, and so much more!  The price?  Now reduced to just $629,900 (the owner was once offered $1,000,000)!  Call/text/email me to see this fantastic home (#276822)!  Or you may call my colleague Debbie Barbara at 206-300-6077 if I am not available.   This listing is now sold, and the buyers are very excited about their great new home!

(Seafair Sunday was a big hit as always!  It took me back to my young years when we lived near the Hydroplane Races and we always felt such a part of it.  Since my father built trailers for the Hydroplanes, we were lucky to have “pit passes” (to the Stan Sayres Hydroplane “pit”, where they are kept during races).  Our talented young neighbor then–who builds beautiful model hydroplanes–Mike Fitzsimmons, always announces the races on KIRO TV.  It was exciting also when I was a Seafair Princess and we got to view the races from a Coast Guard Cutter timing the races  in the middle of the race course.  Such fond memories…) Mercer Island’s “Summer Celebration” was fantastic again this year, with a myriad of activities for all ages.  Click here for information about all the events that took place and will take place again next summer:  www.misummercelebration.com     I hope you were able to attend so that you could get the feeling of what it’s like to live here.   We Islanders always enjoy this event so much!  

We are fortunate that Mercer Island properties are selling now – some in just a short time (some within a few days, or a few weeks), and some even with multiple offers.  If you live on the Island and have been waiting for a good real estate market to put your home on the market and move on, that time is now.  Interest rates (and inventory) remain low, and more buyers are out now.  Please call/text/email me to get started–I have a wealth of information to share with you that will help you receive “top dollar” for your home in the shortest time possible.   By the way, I’m proud to announce that our office (Mercer Island Coldwell Banker Bain Associates) is the top office year-to-date in new listings sold, and closed sales!  And I hope you’ve enjoyed our flags all over the Island for the 4th of July, and that you’ve planted your daffodil bulbs, courtesy of our office.

Thanks to you – our wonderful Mercer Islanders, 483 “Toys For Tots” were collected and delivered this year! 

If you are contemplating moving to our beautfiul Island, please contact me so I can share with you my knowledge of what it’s like to live on Mercer Island  (I’ve lived here over 40 years).  There are so many benefits to living here, I can hardly wait to tell you all about them.   And we now have a new popular delicatessen/restaurant (“Stopsky’s”) next to “Island Books”  (we love our book store)–two favorite places right next to each other!  And our new “Yo Yogurt” in the south end near Starbucks is a unique concept – great flavors and every imaginable topping (you just pay 44 cents an ounce) it’s healthy and so satisfying, you have to try it!  And don’t miss our wonderful new fish restaurant “Freshies”, now serving great fish & chips.  I hope you were able to enjoy our gorgeous Fall leaves–they were incredible!  And I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  As always, there were  many great Island activities planned, including our all-Island Community Thanksgiving Service put on by Mercer Island clergy of all denominations, held this year at the Mormon church on Island Crest Way & SE 40th (it rotates to different congregations each year).  

Thanks to your support, our wonderful Mercer Island Lion’s Club sold their great Christmas trees, and the proceeds will support Mercer Island charities and activities!  To recycle your tree, the City of Mercer Island offers a tree chipping service until January 9th (more information at www.mercergov.org/News). 

Please note that the 80th  Ave. SE to I-90 ramp closure begins on January 23rd (for stage 2 of the  I-90 two-way transit & HOV Operations Project).

Best regards,

Natalie