urbnlivn, a seattle condo blog

Before taking off for the long weekend I missed this PSBJ article on condo incentives, Seattle condo developers try luring buyers with discounts, vacations and cars:

“There has definitely been a slowdown in condo sales at all projects in Seattle,” said Mason Curran, who declined to release Vulcan’s pre-sale figures.

Their pre-sale figures as of beginning of […]

Popularity: 36% [?]

[Read more →]

A reader wrote in earlier this week about a sign on Aurora advertising that Carbon 56 was for rent. I interpreted that as meaning there was a small sign advertising one unit for rent but driving down Aurora this evening I saw a full billboard advertising it for rent. A sign indeed.
I’m puzzled since the […]

Popularity: 23% [?]

[Read more →]

The Seattle PI had an article on, Ada Healey, the one responsible for Paul Allen’s real estate dealings in SLU, two weeks ago (shows how often I read the paper!), Meet the quiet force behind Paul Allen’s remaking of South Lake Union:

Not a city planner or urban designer, Healey earned a bachelor’s degree in history […]

Popularity: 17% [?]

[Read more →]

A reader asks:

I was just wondering if you have any statistics, or just general knowledge about building delays. I bought a unit at Veer, and am trying to figure out when I want to get a rate lock for my mortgage. The rate lock offered expires after 12 months, and Veer is slated […]

Popularity: 11% [?]

[Read more →]

We’ll probably see a wave of price drops and bigger buyers bonus as we approach the end of the year and everyone tries to close out their books on a high note (or maybe the sky is falling.)
Enso
I am surprised to see Vulcan/John L Scott drop the price of their representation Enso unit, 820 Blanchard […]

Popularity: 17% [?]

[Read more →]

Reuters, No housing woes in booming Washington state (via Fast Times):

Lori Mason Curran, market research manager at Vulcan Real Estate, expects 135,000 people will move into the Seattle market over the next five years, propelling demand for housing that Vulcan’s property unit is building in South Lake Union.

I guess I should hang onto my west […]

Popularity: 11% [?]

[Read more →]

2200
25
Bellagio
Added 3 more units to the MLS for a total of 4. Their HOAs feel really low at $0.26/square foot.
Cosmo
28
Decatur
Decatur recently dropped prices on a number of units between $3k and $10k. Though oddly raised the price of #1306 $3k to $302,950 and #1007 $5k to $465,960

Equinox
Added 12 more units to the MLS for a […]

Popularity: 50% [?]

[Read more →]

Curious as to which downtown projects were advertising at the end of summer as the mortgage market implodes I picked up a Sunday Seattle Times. Here’s who is advertising and what their ads are saying:
1 Hotel - Sales debut September 2007
Carbon 56 - 50% sold. Summer Special: No Home Owner Dues for One Year!
Equinox - […]

Popularity: 47% [?]

[Read more →]

This was just going to be a bonus link but I thought it was a good opportunity to check in on our favorite flipper condos…
First the link: Forbes, Best Places To Flip A Home:

However, those looking to make a quick buck may do so in a number of markets ripe for a well-spotted flip.
Best among […]

Popularity: 13% [?]

[Read more →]

Ben and Ashley (I guess Vulcan doesn’t like me anymore. Sad, I like getting press releases from developer’s marketing companies) let us know that as of August 1st the South Lake Union projects (Enso, Rollin and Veer) will begin holding back inventory and raising prices. It’s basic econ 101. Decrease supply and prices will go […]

Popularity: 19% [?]

[Read more →]