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Natalie Malin
Managing Broker

    Masters Degree
    CRS: Certified Residential Specialist

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Posts Tagged ‘Mercer Island Housing Market’

MERCER ISLAND IS MESMERIZING & INTEREST RATES ARE SO LOW!!

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

 

Mercer Island is blooming with the most amazing floral fantasia!  Wow, it’s pretty here, gazing at the lake, the gorgeous array of flowers, and the beautiful greenery!  And speaking of beautiful sylvan views, my new listing at “Island Court” Condominiums is great!  This is the lowest priced, largest 2 bedroom, 2 full bath unit on Mercer Island, and this bright cheerful unit, with great storage, is in the best location on a quiet residential street just an easy stroll to Mercerdale Park with its play equipment, walking path, and summer “Concerts In The Park” & Sunday “Farmer’s Market”.  You can walk from here to shopping, restaurants, an art gallery, ice cream, the Post Office, or just to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery with friendly neighbors.  This small, well kept, complex has only 14 units.  Are you ready for this price?  Just $258,000 and the low Homeowner Dues are just $285 per month.  Please call (or text) me to see it at your convenience. 

 As you may have noticed, the market is starting to rebound from the doldrums of the last year or so, and we’re now actually seeing new construction, and “sold” signs – a welcome sign long awaited.  Are you thinking you would like to move?  This is the ideal time to do so.  Please call me so we can get together and discuss an action plan for you.  Interest rates are at an all time low, but they’re unlikely to remain there for long.  Please CALL/TEXT/EMAIL me.  And speaking of great homes on the market, my new listing with the most amazing gorgeous yard will soon be on market – I’ll keep you posted.  Hope you have a wonderful summer! 

Best regards,

Natalie

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Posted in Homes | No Comments »

NEW MERCER ISLAND CONDO LISTING + ENJOY A CHARITABLE/FUN EVENING OUT FOR WOMEN!

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

I’m excited that my great new condo listing is finally on the market!  I should have a video of it ready soon.  It’s a large light & bright 2 bedroom, 2 full bath unit in desirable “Island Court” Condominiums at 3239 – 80th Ave. SE, #203 on Mercer Island.  I’ll be holding it open for Realtors and the public on this Wednesday, ‘Cinco de Mayo’ from 11:30 to 1:30.  Please come by for a treat and see this wonderful condo.

I have other great listings that will be coming on the market soon also.  I’ll give you advance notice as soon as they are ready.  In the meantime, please support our great Mercer Island Youth & Family Services!  This fun event is one excellent way to do so:

Event Date(s):
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Department: Youth & Family Services
Event Type: Community Event
Details: An event for you and your girlfriends!

Mercer Wellness is hosting a Ladies Night of Indulgence on Thursday, May 13th from 5 to 9 p.m.

This event features complimentary age-slowing and hormone balancing nutrition consultations, posture evaluations, free exercise advice too.  We will have experts on hand for jewelry advice, best hairstyle advice, and free hand and neck massages.  If you love to laugh, mingle and get spoiled…  this is the event for you!

Please bring a $5 donation for the YFS Food Pantry OR a donation of non-perishable foods or toiletry products.

Ladies Night of Indulgence – benefiting YFS Food Pantry

77th Central building

2630 – 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island
Starts: 5:00 PM
Ends: 9:00 PM
Location:
77 Central Building
2630 – 77th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Sponsor: Mercer Wellness
Contact: Kim Richards by phone at 206-275-7754.

Thanks & Best Regards,   Natalie

spacer*
Event Date(s):

Thursday, May 13, 2010

SET REMINDER spacer*spacer*

Department:

Youth & Family Services

Event Type:

Community Event

Details:

An event for you and your girlfriends!

Mercer Wellness is hosting a Ladies Night of Indulgence on Thursday, May 13th from 5 to 9 p.m.

This event features complimentary age-slowing and hormone balancing nutrition consultations, posture evaluations, free exercise advice too.  We will have experts on hand for jewelry advice, best hairstyle advice, and free hand and neck massages.  If you love to laugh, mingle and get spoiled…  this is the event for you!

Please bring a $5 donation for the YFS Food Pantry OR a donation of non-perishable foods or toiletry products.

Ladies Night of Indulgence – benefiting YFS Food Pantry

77th Central building

2630 – 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island

Starts:

5:00 PM

Ends:

9:00 PM

Location:

77 Central Building
2630 – 77th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040

REQUEST A MAP

Sponsor:

Mercer Wellness

Contact:

Kim Richards by phone at 206-275-7754.

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Posted in Condos | 1 Comment »

Great News For Mercer Island And Surrounding Areas!

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Indicators for 2010 Real Estate are encouraging! The volume of pending (recent) sales was up more than 35% from a year ago, making it the best December since 2006. Remember that once the current inventory of “bargain” priced homes sells, prices are bound to start going up again. Remember also that if you qualify for the tax credit, it has been extended, so there’s still time to take advantage of that bonus windfall.

My listings have now sold, and I am working on some great new Mercer Island listings. I’ll be able to tell you about them soon, In the meantime, please let me know if you have questions about what the market is doing in your neighborhood. I’ll be happy to customize a report just for you to keep you abreast of what’s happening there. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your family, friends and neighbors in the coming year. I have a great desk calendar for 2010 (that sounds so futuristic) if you would like one.

We just returned from a delightful cruise in sunny Caribbean waters with beautiful white sand beaches. Our great Mercer Island is still the best place to live, but it sure is nice to soak up some sunshine this early in the year. I hope your Holiday Season was enjoyable, and I wish you a healthy, happy 2010!

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Posted in Buying a Home | No Comments »

MERCER ISLAND HOUSING MARKET – NO MORE “SOUR GRAPES”; JUST VINTAGE WINE!

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Dear Reader: To paraphrase a quote from a recent email I received, 2009 has been a year of “sour grapes”. 2010 promises to be a better vintage! The Real Estate market is picking up, and that should help the economy generally, as well as locally.

Our Mercer Island market is still the best investment around! Great properties are for sale at incredible prices, and that together with interest rates at historic lows makes it possible to own a gorgeous home/lot/condo on our wonderful Mercer Island, and still have an affordable mortgage payment. And if the property you wish to buy is covered by the latest “Tax Credit” (found money), you’ll be even further ahead. See my last blog to see if you and your desired property qualify.

Speaking of that, I have an incredible Mercer Island listing coming on the market soon. It is an exciting 2 bedroom, 2 bath, top floor, corner unit condominium, with its own private entrance and beautiful panoramic view. It has been freshly painted, with new carpeting, and features skylights, updated kitchen, and spacious light and bright rooms. More details to follow. CALL/TEXT/EMAIL me if you would like to be notified as soon as it comes on the market. As always, I look forward to hearing from you and helping you find your dream property.

And of course, I will sell your home for you with the least amount of hassle for you. As you may have heard, or as you know, I’ve amassed great skills in marketing and selling my listings over the 30 years I’ve successfully done so on Mercer Island and the Eastside. For those of you who have first hand knowledge, I thank you for your business over these many years!

Best regards,

Natalie

P.S. For fine wine, our “Cellar 46″ (206-407-3016) is the place to be.

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Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

BUY NOW – THERE WON’T BE A BETTER TIME TO BUY ON MERCER ISLAND!

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Our prices are amazing, however our bargain properties here are starting to sell, so you’ll want to buy before prices go up again. The tax credit has been extended and even better news: It’s no longer just for first time home buyers. Details follow:

Feature First-Time Homebuyer

Tax Credit

 Repeat Homebuyer

Tax Credit
Amount of Credit The amount of the tax credit is the lesser of 10% of the cost of the home or $8,000. The amount of the tax credit is the lesser of 10% of the cost of the home or $6,500.
Eligible Homeowner Must not have owned a principal residence in the three years prior to purchase of the eligible property. Must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
Eligible Property Any single-family home (including a condo or townhouse) may be an eligible property under the tax credit, provided it will be used as the homebuyer’s principal residence.
Maximum Price of Purchased Home $800,000
Income Limits To be eligible for the full tax credit, the homebuyer must have an adjusted gross income of $125,000 if filing singly or $225,000 if filing jointly. Homebuyers with incomes above those levels (up to $145,000 and $245,000 respectively) are eligible for a reduced credit.
Repayment There is no repayment of the tax credit by the homebuyer. The homebuyer can claim the credit to reduce their tax burden. If the $8,000 or $6,500 is greater than the tax owed, then the homebuyer will get a refund check for the difference. However, if the eligible property is resold within three years of purchase, the entire amount of the tax credit will be recaptured on the sale.
Effective Date The first-time and repeat homebuyer federal income tax credits are effective for purchases between now and April 30, 2010, provided the purchase is closed by July 1, 2010.

Source: National Association of Realtors®

Another of the many bonuses of living on Mercer Island: We’ll have a new art gallery! In the Avellino Condominiums just south of the north end QFC. The “MIVAL” (Mercer Island Visual Arts League) Art Gallery. Here you’ll find fantastic paintings, ceramics, and other objets d’arts by our very talented local artists. And the art is available for sale at reasonable prices. You can leisurely enjoy beautiful art without being hassled as in many art galleries, and when you find one you can’t live without, you’ll be able to purchase it.

As always, I love to hear from you, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I will also find you the ideal home/condo for you, and I’ll be able to sell your current home for “top dollar”-please call me for a free market analysis and consultation. Just call/text/email me-I actually answer the phone when you call (no prompts to push numbers and wait).

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Posted in Buying a Home | No Comments »

Have You Heard? It’s Time to Buy Now on Mercer Island Before the Bargains are Gone!

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

For those of you who thought you had missed out on the unbelievably low interest rates earlier in the year, guess what?  They are now at near record lows again!  And add to that the amazing prices for breathtaking views, and waterfront properties with all the toys, and all the many luxury features in affordable Island homes.  The word is out, and some of those fantastic homes have already sold.  Please call/text/email me before it’s too late.  And for those of you who qualify, the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, that can also be used as a portion of the down payment, will end at the end of November-which is fast approaching.  I’m anxious to show you some of the amazing properties available.

If you are in the market for a condo–downsizing or looking for a starter property on Mercer Island–where you aren’t able to spend time gardening and keeping up a home, I have the perfect property for you: It is located at our desirable “Mercer Isle” condominiums, with a beautiful  private sylvan vista from window walls and the spacious covered deck.  This great west-facing light and bright secure third floor 2 bedroom condo features a brand new kitchen with lovely new cabinets, new stainless steel appliances and sink, and stylish granite countertops with attractive “bull-nose” edges.  Believe it or not, this amazing value is priced at only $219,000!  What a great way to start out on Mercer Island!  Please let me know if you would like to see it.  I’ll be happy to show it to you at your convenience.  I’ll also be holding it open this Sunday, October 4th, from 1:00 to 4:00.  The address is 2500 – 81st Ave. SE, #337.

Best regards,

Natalie

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Posted in Buying a Home | No Comments »

Now is the Best Time to Buy a Home on Mercer Island

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Unless it’s extended, the deadline for taking advantage of the $8,000 tax credit expires on November 30th-which is fast approaching.  The time to buy is NOW before prices go up/interest rates go up/the 1st time buyer credit disappears.

Speaking of that, I have a great opportunity for a 1st time buyer to own a superb two bedroom Mercer Island condo at the unbelievable price of $219,000.  It features a brand new kitchen with lovely new cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, solid granite countertops with desirable “bull nose” finish, and a new stainless steel undermount sink.  The bedrooms and the formal areas are spacious.  It is light and bright with west facing window walls to the tranquil sylvan view.  It is located on the secure 3rd floor of our delightful “Mercer Isle” Condominiums.  It is ideally sited, an easy stroll to the beach and parks, to our great new Community Center with local art exhibits and activities for everyone, to Mercer Island’s wonderful shops and restaurants, and to the covered bus stop to Seattle or Bellevue.  The huge separate storage room has ample room for your out-of-season décor, your bikes, sports gear, and inherited furniture, etc.  And there is a Club House with meeting rooms and a kitchen.  You won’t find a better buy on Mercer Island! Please call/text/email me for a private showing at your convenience.  What a great way to start out on our wonderful Mercer Island!

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Posted in Buying a Home | No Comments »

A Fantastic Opportunity Awaits You on Mercer Island!

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Fall is in the air, the days are already shorter, school is back in session and Real Estate is picking up.  Island homes are selling, and there is renewed interest on the part of 1st time Buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit (which may be used as part of the down payment) before it expires and while interest rates remain low.  It’s a great time to buy on Mercer Island!  Prices are still quite low for fantastic properties, but that won’t be true for much longer.   Once the inventory starts to sell off, prices will slowly wend their way upward again.

The good news is that if you are fortunate enough to live on Mercer Island so that you will be both selling and buying here, although you will receive less for your current home, you will pay that much less for your ideal home here (it’s proportional), and with low interest rates your mortgage payment may well be considerably less than what you have been paying for your less-than-ideal home.  I would love to show you some of the amazing opportunities awaiting those of you who are ready to take advantage of this incredible market.   Waterfront at previously unheard of prices; breathtaking views; great locations near parks, schools, and beaches!  Your Mercer Island dream home can be yours at an affordable price!  Call/text/email me to see for yourself.

Incidentally, our wonderful Mercer Island Women’s Club (open to all women who live on Mercer Island) is resuming activities after the summer with great fun for everyone.  We have luncheons, art activities, hiking/biking, interior design, three book clubs, Scrabble, Bunco, ethnic dinners, salad & socializing, coffee get-togethers…you name it.  If you are concerned that you will be leaving your network of friends to live here on our beautiful Island-rest assured that a great network of fun-loving, charitable, bright and interesting women will become your good friends in no time.   Call me, I’ll be happy to get you all of the information.

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Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: $1,893,471

  • Avg. Days on Market: 160

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