urbnlivn, a seattle condo blog

My Meritage close date slipped from 2/7 to 2/15. I’m actually happy about this since I haven’t secured a lender yet. Though I’m sure others might be less pleased.
Why the delay? The wonky weather has affected elevator installation (critical for move-ins), the cement floors for the second floor, and painting the exterior. At this […]

Popularity: 4% [?]

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It was a busy week at work for me last week so I didn’t have time to do condo watch. Here’s a re-cap of the week:
2200
Wow, lots of new listings at Live 2200: #W700. #S-403, #W309, #W804, #1001, #S-505.
There was also two price drops - $33,000 price drop to $995,000 for unit #1106 and a […]

Popularity: 29% [?]

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My close date for the Meritage is February 7th. If you have any advice on lenders or closing please let me know, this is my first real estate purchase in America.
Popularity: 4% [?]

Popularity: 4% [?]

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I got a nice letter in the (snail) mail today (do not all the buyers have e-mail addresses?) from the folks at Meritage (where I bought a unit) and one of the notes in the message was:

We closed the [sales center’s] doors after Thanksgiving, and are donating the cabinets and fixtures to Habitat for Humanity.

What […]

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Three more 2200 units hit the MLS today.
2200 Westlake #W1106 - $1,028,000 - 2 bed/2 bath - 1,415 sq ft - $757/SqFt
2200 Westlake #W600 - $890,000 - 2 bed/2 bath - 1,423 sq ft - $625/SqFt
2200 Westlake Ave #403 - $495,000 - 1 bed/1 bath - 732 sq ft - $676/SqFt - It’s even staged!

And […]

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Checking out Craigslist ads I see that the Meritage is offering $7,500-$10,000 buyer bonus incentives on the last three pent house units. They’re also closing down their sales center very soon…
124 Bellevue Ave E #705 - 2 bed/2 bath - 1,008 sq ft - $750,000
124 Bellevue Ave E #??? - 1 bed/1.5 bath - 940 […]

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People have been chatting about The FatReport in the comments, so it’s time to start blogging about what they’re publishing.
Selling well
Here are some projects that have been selling well.

Cosmo - 239 of 250 units sold
Meritage - 46 of 48 units sold
Mosler - 136 of 150 units sold
Parc - 136 of 185 units sold

Lots of inventory
Here […]

Popularity: 50% [?]

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So why did I buy at the Meritage?
For the past two years I’d been passively watching the Seattle real estate market but I’d been a big believer in the imminent bursting of the Seattle real estate bubble so I didn’t pay too much attention. Interest rates were going up, incomes at the local tech […]

Popularity: 2% [?]

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Recently Wendy did a review of Three19 and the Meritage:

All in all, Meritage and Three19 have a great location, good pricing, and nice finishes. I would rate both of them a 4.5/5.

Having paid attention to both (and bought at the Meritage) what are my thoughts?
If you’re looking for a two bedroom, I think the […]

Popularity: 5% [?]

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The other day I received a letter about upgrades at the Meritage. For my unit, #504, 736 square feet these were the upgrades available:

Upgrade
Price

Hardward floors throughout
5573

Storage, 72 cubic feet over parking
2500

Fireplace with custom mantelpiece
2500

Slab granite countertop with under mount sink
4789

Stone and mosiac tile backsplash
900

Window treatment A
1075

Window treatment B
1447

Window treatment C
2755

Bathroom accet tiles in shower and […]

Popularity: 5% [?]

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