A blog about Issaquah Highlands, a town within a town. There is always something interesting going on. Homes range from mansions to charming cottages. Porches and alleys, things of the past, are present here in a new way. Some have carriage houses above the garages. Things are tightly packed but well planned allowing many parks and 1500 acres set aside as permanent open space. They believe in "Building Green" and abound in live/work arrangements. I H is touted in the recent issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine as one of the best places to live in the Seattle area. Phone: 206.618.3724 email: larry@realestateUndressed.com We are enjoying our 3rd Issaquah Highlands home in over 7 years.

Featured Home of the Month in Issaquah Highlands

May 9th, 2008
Posted by Kathleen Cragun Click Here To Comment »

What do you find on Magnolia Street? Magnolias of course, but………………

…also you will find Magnolia Park and our featured Home of the Month! This is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Issaquah Highlands. Very seldom does a house right on the park come up for sale. Almost no traffic and the park is just a few steps out the front door. Just right for inspiration for a new monthly feature on our Issaquah Highlands blog.

The house: 3448 NE Magnolia St, Issaquah Highlands, 98029

It has more going for it than just the park. It has obviously been very well maintained. It was built by Burnstead so you expect and get that quality of construction. The floor plan is very livable, approx. 2410 sq feet, it has 4 bedrooms and a den, along with 2.50 Baths. If you love jetted soaking tubs the MBR bath has that too. I noticed the kitchen has a very large pantry plus a huge storage area near by. All the kitchen appliances stay.

Other features: a fenced back yard and a 3, yes, a 3 car garage! If you want to see this house , call Larry Cragun at 206-618-3724. It is listed at $624,950.  MLS # 28070655

This house is listed by Jodi and Zack Hill, Agents with John L. Scott Realty, we used information and some of their pictures with permission.

The following pictures are of Magnolia Park that is almost in this homes front yard.

Home And Condo Sales Have Picked Up Steam In Issaquah

May 8th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

In the last two weeks there have been 20 homes and 30 condominiums closed and sold in Issaquah. Good news for those not living in Issaquah Highlands, much of the activity has been in Talus, Klahanie, Mirromont, and downtown Issaquah. Click here for the Issaquah Homes Sold Map.

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Parks, People, Pleasant Weather

May 5th, 2008
Posted by Kathleen Cragun Click Here To Comment »

When a nice day is on the horizon, people come out. Sunshine beckons.

In Issaquah Highlands, the question is which park shall we go to???? Let’s see, there is

CENTRAL PARK………… DAHLIA PARK…………. SUMMIT PARK…………….

HARRISON PARK……….. VILLAGE GREEN…………….. ASHLAND PARK

BLACK NUGGET PARK……….. RAVENNA PARK…………. or perhaps

BARK PARK…………… LOGAN PARK…………. MAGNOLIA PARK……….

GRANDVIEW PARK………… KIRK PARK…………. MULBERRY PARK

Which do you go to? What is your idea of the best park in Issaquah Highlands?

Updated Issaquah Open Houses Map, Most In Issaquah Highlands, Klahanie, And Talus

May 2nd, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Click here for the weekend map, call if you need further info

Watch Out Mortgage Fraud Is On The Rise

May 2nd, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Our local MLS,  NWMLS has received information from members about various prospective property buyers whose activity is questionable.  Some situations involve prospective buyers representing themselves as investors, or agents of investors, arranging complicated financial loans with various parties, and seeking substantially greater financing than the property is worth.

Suspicious, mortgage activity has risen by over 40% from 2006. The number of suspicious activity reports had already grown by over 40% in 2006 from 2005. These statistics, while sounding very high, may understate the level of suspicious activity because many borrowers have or will refinance their loans.

For yourselves, your clients and your customers, please verify that people are who they say they are, be watchful for unusually complicated terms, and stay alert to behavior that indicates a lack of sincerity.

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This is Bear Country

April 29th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

I am told a couple of our nearby neighbors are joining me in an interview to be published in the June Issue of Seattle Magazine.

We have posted a few articles on http://IssaquahUndressed.com/ and http://IssaquahHighlandsundressed.com/ about our local bears. They were found by the Seattle Magazine and I was able to connect the reporter with a couple more people who have had bear encounters.

I am told you can read about it in the June issue.

In the meantime, here is an appropriate cartoon from the Bergen Record newspaper

Watch for Kathleens upcoming article on the Arbor Day Festival. She learned a lot of interesting info about bears there.

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What Are Homes In Issaquah Highlands Really Selling For?

April 28th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

We are posting the closed homes, what they sold for vs what the lising price was on a map for your convenience. We find that this method is easier than reading a spreadsheet. We use a different icon for each month, so check the legend on the top right part of the map. Let us know if we can provide information not here.

The data is taken from our MLS listed homes sold.

Larry Cragun: 206.618.3724 or you can contact me by email: larrykcragun(at)yahoo.com

Click for the Issaquah sold homes map.

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A Ballet Studio in Issaquah Highlands

April 25th, 2008
Posted by Kathleen Cragun Click Here To Comment »

MK Ballet has opened its doors in Issaquah Highlands. The Studio is located at 2520 NE Park Drive, in the Starpoint north building. MK teaches the Art of Classical Ballet. They teach classes for all ages and experience levels. Michiko Black is the Art Director and owner with her husband Robert.

Other classes will be offered as well including Yoga and Pilates. They are open to community interests as they determine them.

Following is part of an article on MK Ballet from IssaquahUndressed.com

MK Ballet has recently opened their doors after much hard work and effort to provide a beautiful studio for their students. Owners are Robert and Michiko Black. Pictured here is a photograph of Michiko. Michiko is a beautiful and gracious woman. She will undoubtedly cause her students to idealize her as she is extremely professional, kind and yet firm. I watched her teach a class of ten little girls, ages from 3 to 5 years. I couldn’t stop smiling as I observed even the very littlest try so hard to follow Michiko’s instructions.

Michiko has much to teach as she performed professionally for the Tokyo Ballet, and has had ballet studios in Tokyo and in Washington for many years. It is a pleasure to watch her dance.

One thing I noticed was how each child received individual attention. That is not easy with ten small fry. Her husband said that is not done by many ballet schools.

Follow the rest of our pictures and see if they don’t put a smile on your face…………….. CLICK HERE for related article from IssaquahUndressed.com.

For information and registration, contact Michiko at 425-442-3226 or

RABlack@comcast.net

For info on ballet classes and also pilates classes by Heidi Marten http://heidimarten.com/

The Issaquah Open House And Latest Sales Maps Are Updated

April 25th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Click here for the open houses in Issaquah this weekend

click here for the recent Issaquah sales maps. (with asking vs sales prices)

Here for IssaquahUndressed.com

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Le’ Chic Pet Free Nail Clipping Today 12pm to 6pm

April 24th, 2008
Posted by Kathleen Cragun Click Here To Comment »

                           

 

 Le Chic Pet Pack Members Free Nail Trim Event

April 24th 12-6pm

Photo courtesy of flickr and view photostream Uploaded on October 22, 2005
by Qole Pejorian

Le’ Chic Pet is at 2525B NE Park Drive 425-392-1147 in IH 98029

For your cats comfort please bring in a carrier.