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.

Mark This On Your Calenders, The Issaquah Highlands Spring Garage Sale

May 23rd, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Community Garage Sale Saturday, June 21, 9:00am-4:00pm

Our kids call it the best garage sale they have ever seen.

It is just the best.

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Detailed Issaquah Highlands Real Estate Statistics

May 20th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

We are going to post these Isssaquah Highlands real estate statistics monthly. The data regarding Issaquah is to be on Issaquah Undressed and here on Issaquah Highlands Undressed.

We at the DiBello group are now able to provide you this data in this great format. You can login to the premium search and sign up for an account that will give it to you without waiting for us to post it.

It is also available by most neighborhoods, ie. Klahanie, Talus, etc.

Below: Supply vs Demand:

Below Absorption Rate:

Below: Median price: upper and lower

Below: Average Sold Price

Below: Sold vs Original list price:

 

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

May 19th, 2008
Posted by Kathleen Cragun Click Here To Comment »

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Posted by Kathleen Cragun

Issaquah Highlands has many great events for us to participate in. The biggest one of the year is coming up. It is sort of our 4th of July Celebration.  HIGHLANDS DAY! June 28th. It may seem far away but time flies and there is lots to be done.

I have been told it takes about 200 volunteers to put this all together. Have fun, get to know your neighbors and help at the same time.  There are carnival games, rides, food, a parade plus much more. Can you help? Contact christy.g@ihcouncil.org

There are also chances to promote your business. Business booths are available Contact Lorrie.t@ihcouncil.org.

The Home Of The Month Is Open Today

May 18th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

See pin # 17 on the open houses map….

Click here for the article about it.

Issaquah Real Estate Sales Info

May 17th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Since March I have been updating and posting real estate sales information on this blog. It is in map format. I am posting it this way for those who want a quick look by neighborhoods. To me, looking a a list of homes for sale or homes sold is a bit cumbersome. I like the map and hope you do to.

The map includes sales of both condominiums and homes.

Because these are closed real estate transactions I can post both the listing price and the sales price. Check the balloon icon to see that info.

Click Here For the Map of Issaquah Sold Homes.

Note the different colors represent different months.

Larry Cragun

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You Don’t Have To Pay High Prices In Issaquah

May 16th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

Sure, we all want like to dream about that nice mansion.

That is why watching my wife Kathleen make Street Of Dreams mansions award winners was so fun. But as I speak with a lot of people where we shop in Issaquah, the perception is that only the rich can buy here.

Starter home prices have been falling, in fact all across the board prices have dropped.

Not only that we are the beneficiaries of the ARCH program. There are many ARCH controlled, or approved, homes on the market. It is a bit of headache going through the ARCH approval process, but at this time it isn’t necessary.

After a reasonable period of time the seller may sell an ARCH home to anyone. The income restrictions are removed. ARCH still controls the sales prices, but that seems to be reasonable, in fact in this market gives a buyer an advantage.

We are experienced with ARCH, we want our local merchants employees to live here, in Issaquah - even Issaquah Higlands. If you investigate, you may not have to work in Issaquah and drive to Puyallup.

FHA financing is also available for ARCH which give people an easier qualifying situation. I am extremely experienced in FHA. FHA helps with lower down payments and when recent credit has been good, but where there may be a credit score problem or past credit problems.

Give us a call if you want some help. Lar

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The Carnival of Real Estate

May 12th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun Click Here To Comment »

As one of the writers for The Seattle P I Real Estate Professionals Blog I was invited to be the judge on this weeks Carnival Of Real Estate.

Each week blog writers submit articles to be judged. This week had some very interesting entries. Click here for The Carnival of Real Estate #90

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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?