More consumer thoughts on Trace and the industry

Another comment on Trace worth bubbling up to the front page of the blog:

“Bout to make some dead presidents macking a million G / The money though, it’s got people actin funny yo” – Gang Starr

So… after prequalifying you spend all morning on the phone trying to score an early reservation meeting. If there are any decent floor plans left, you hand over a check to reserve a new home you can’t really picture. You’re not welcome to make any decisions about the colors, materials, etc. Want to kick in a little extra for a decent slab countertop? Tough noogies; you’ll be making dinner on “inca basalt tile.” You get what you get. Think of how cool your neighborhood is while you scrub cookie dough out of the grout in your kitchen workspace.

You aren’t really sure how much the home will cost, and it will range $75,000, $150,000, or $200,000 more or less than you expect. But probably more. Lord knows those Trace booze glasses we got at the event aren’t free.

For a half million dollars I would have expected a washer and dryer in a brand new home. Instead, residents are invited to wash their clothes in a community rain bucket on the rooftop amenity deck. You can dry your clothes on your balcony, if you have one, and if it’s cool with the industry-standard HOA.

The retro-Soviet thing is so hot right now. Compare this with the wicked online auction system at the Madison Lofts and you have a solid plot for a Seinfeld episode.

Check out MLS#: 27011047, MLS #26189812 or MLS #27010295 for a reality check. The firecrib is hot. We don’t need no water.

Yeah, I like the firecrib. Too bad it doesn’t have a view. Those other ones are good finds too.

About Matt

Matt , Urbnlivn's publisher, has a love for lofts with industrial features and new construction condos that is only eclipsed by his passion for outdoor sports and urban living. Phrases such as “polished concrete” and “exposed brick” are music to his ears. You can also find Matt on Twitter or skiing.

  • Cameron

    Seems to me there are plenty of other developments in the city. The expectations of this developer seem WAY over the top. Its a good location and all but expecting buyers to put down money when the pricing hasn’t even been set yet? Is that common in Seattle? I’ve never heard of it before.

  • Cameron

    Seems to me there are plenty of other developments in the city. The expectations of this developer seem WAY over the top. Its a good location and all but expecting buyers to put down money when the pricing hasn’t even been set yet? Is that common in Seattle? I’ve never heard of it before.

  • Cameron

    Seems to me there are plenty of other developments in the city. The expectations of this developer seem WAY over the top. Its a good location and all but expecting buyers to put down money when the pricing hasn’t even been set yet? Is that common in Seattle? I’ve never heard of it before.

  • http://twitter.com/mattgoyer mattgoyer

    It is not out of the ordinary to take reservations and backup reservations when all the developer has is a floor plan and a price range. I believe this happened at Escala, Second and Pine, 1521, etc.

    What is odd in this case is that they are so close to finishing the building and they still do not have a narrow price range.

  • http://twitter.com/mattgoyer mattgoyer

    It is not out of the ordinary to take reservations and backup reservations when all the developer has is a floor plan and a price range. I believe this happened at Escala, Second and Pine, 1521, etc.

    What is odd in this case is that they are so close to finishing the building and they still do not have a narrow price range.

  • http://blog.mattgoyer.com Matt

    It is not out of the ordinary to take reservations and backup reservations when all the developer has is a floor plan and a price range. I believe this happened at Escala, Second and Pine, 1521, etc.

    What is odd in this case is that they are so close to finishing the building and they still do not have a narrow price range.

  • http://twitter.com/mattgoyer mattgoyer

    fyi, firecrib has an offer on it. they’ll be looking at offers monday afternoon. i’m going to try and go see it sunday evening.

  • http://twitter.com/mattgoyer mattgoyer

    fyi, firecrib has an offer on it. they’ll be looking at offers monday afternoon. i’m going to try and go see it sunday evening.

  • http://blog.mattgoyer.com Matt

    fyi, firecrib has an offer on it. they’ll be looking at offers monday afternoon. i’m going to try and go see it sunday evening.

  • Ken

    I saw the two firehouse units this past sunday too. I think the 389k one is a good buy. That one will go fast.

    The other one is very nice too! But of course, I don’t have the 600+k to buy it :P Although it dropped to 599k today it seems.

    It does have a little bit of city/territorial view from the bedroom I guess…

    Monique Lofts – I don’t like the smaller studio lofts, but the big ones are, again, real nice and has true bedrooms, but also way out of (my) price range :(

    Ken

  • Ken

    I saw the two firehouse units this past sunday too. I think the 389k one is a good buy. That one will go fast.

    The other one is very nice too! But of course, I don’t have the 600+k to buy it :P Although it dropped to 599k today it seems.

    It does have a little bit of city/territorial view from the bedroom I guess…

    Monique Lofts – I don’t like the smaller studio lofts, but the big ones are, again, real nice and has true bedrooms, but also way out of (my) price range :(

    Ken

  • Ken

    I saw the two firehouse units this past sunday too. I think the 389k one is a good buy. That one will go fast.

    The other one is very nice too! But of course, I don’t have the 600+k to buy it :P Although it dropped to 599k today it seems.

    It does have a little bit of city/territorial view from the bedroom I guess…

    Monique Lofts – I don’t like the smaller studio lofts, but the big ones are, again, real nice and has true bedrooms, but also way out of (my) price range :(

    Ken