Keeping Up With Seattle Real Estate!

Hello! Welcome to the Cantu Group Real Estate neighborhood blog. This is the place to get information on everything you need to know about all the best Seattle neighborhoods. We will be informing you on not only real estate sales and statistics, but also on great local businesses, points of interest and neighborhood goings on. This week we will take a look at the wonderful Green Lake neighborhood.

Green Lake is a lake, a park, and a neighborhood in the north end of Seattle.  The lake is a beautiful gem that is part of what makes Seattle the wonderful city that it is. The surface covers 259 acres, and the depth is a maximum of just 30 feet. The area around the lake was developed in the early part of the 20^th century. By 1910 there was a sawmill, an amusement part as well as trolley lines around the lake and to Seattle. In 1903 the lake and park became part of the Olmstead plan of interconnected green spaces around the city. The neighborhood’s east and west boundaries are between Highway 99 and Intestate 5, its southern boundary is NE 55^th street, and the northern boundary is NE 85^th street.

The park still remains one of Seattle’s most popular destinations. The 2.8 mile path encircling the lake is open to walkers, runners, bicyclists and roller bladders. A sunny day in Seattle will find hundreds of locals participating in these activities, swimming, or just relaxing on the grass. The park also features baseball and soccer fields, a track, a golf range, a popular live theater, boat rentals, paddling and crew, as well as a community center.

There are numerous business districts that surround Green Lake, providing an eclectic mix of restaurants, coffee houses, pubs, and entertainment. Some of the most notable include the Little Red Hen, a real live country honky tonk in the middle of the city, Botega Italian Gelato, café, Lulu, a charming hole in the wall coffee shop, St. Andrew’s Bar and Grill, featuring European soccer matches and an expansive scotch collection, Mona’s Bistro and Lounge, featuring live jazz, Dukes Chowder House, and of course, the world famous Beth’s Café, known for their magnificent 12 Egg omelets.

The neighborhood features many beautiful craftsman homes, as well as cape cod and ultra modern designs. As of this writing there are currently 46 homes, 18 condos, and 9 town homes on the market in the Green Lake neighborhood. Of those, 38 are below $500K, and 34 are above. There are currently 24 homes under contract. In the last six months, there have been 92 sales.  56 of those were for below $500K, and 36 sold for above.

From grand, lake view homes, to simple but stylish town homes and condos, the Green Lake neighborhood features homes in many different price ranges. Prices have declined since the fall of 2007, along with the rest of the city, but they are now holding steady and can be expected to appreciate in the future due to the desirability of this amenity rich, beautiful neighborhood.

Recurring and one-time events near and around Green Lake include:

Green Lake Annual Seafair Milk Carton Derby, July 10.

Greenlake PCC Food Bank packaging work parties

Wednesday, June 16, 7 p.m.Wednesday, August 18, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 20, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 15, 7 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Food Bank, 9747 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle

Help package bulk foods purchased with PCC Food Bank Program donations from PCC shoppers. Everyone is welcome.

Afternoon Book Group at the Green Lake Branch Library

Join us for a book group at the Green Lake branch. Everyone is welcome. This month's title is "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Tuesday, June 15th, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

The Wallingford Farmer’s Market kicks off at 3 pm on Wednesday, May 19 at the Wallingford Center on the southeast corner of Wallingford Avenue NE and NE 45th Street. The market will run every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm through the summer.

Featured producers include, Full Circle Farm, Stoney Plains, Summer Run, Tall Grass Bakery, Ia’s Garden, Pa Garden, The Old Farmer, Olsen Farms, Whidbey Island Ice Cream, Zaw Pizza, Pasteria Lucchese, La Pasta and Golden Glen Creamery.

Hello! Welcome to the Cantu Group Real Estate neighborhood blog. This is the place to get up to the minute information on everything you need to know about all the best Seattle neighborhoods. We will be informing you on not only real estate values and statistics, but also on great local businesses, points of interest and neighborhood goings on. 

 

Today we will be focusing on Ballard. Lying on the far west of the city, Ballard has a character all its own. Originally Ballard was a city across the bay from Seattle. In  1907 Ballard was annexed by Seattle, but not without opposition. To this day, there are those who have not gotten over it, as evidenced by the Free Ballard bumper stickers on local cars!

 

The Scandinavians, many of whom made their livelihoods fishing in boats setting out of Salmon Bay, heavily populated Ballard. Up until not that long ago, Ballard was a sleepy community of people who had been living there for many years. However, things have changed dramatically in the last ten years. Ballard, with its charming old downtown area of brick buildings and streets, and many old craftsman, cape Cod, Mid Century and even Victorian homes, was discovered by a whole new generation of home buyers.

 

Today, Ballard is a vibrant neighborhood of old timers and new residents. It is very family friendly, has a great business district full of quaint and hip shops, bars, and restaurants, and is a short walk or ride to the Ballard Locks, Shilshole Bay beach and marina, and many parks and other amenities.

 

Ballard certainly was not immune from the market downturn, but seems to be holding steady, and with its popularity, should not be dropping any time soon. That said there are some bargain priced homes available that will get you into this great neighborhood for a price that would not have been possible two years ago.

 

Sales have been good lately in Ballard.  In the last six months, a total of 184 homes have sold and 53 condos.  There are currently 106 homes on the market. Of those, 68 are under $500K and 18 are over.  56 of these homes have been listed in the last sixty days.  In the last two months, 48 homes have gone under contract, but have not yet closed.

 

Ballard has a great farmer’s market, every Sunday from 10 to 3. http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/  

 

Recurring and one-time events in Ballard include:

 

·       After school board games at Ballard Library
May 28, 3:30pm

·       Ballard Senior Center Rummage Sale
June 4, 9:00am
The Ballard NW Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW) is holding their Summer Rummage Sale on Friday, June 4th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 5th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

·       Market Street Singers: 'Hits of the '60s (1360s, 1460s, 1560s…)'
June 5, 7:30pm
The Market Street Singers present “Hits of the 60s! (1360s, 1460s, 1560s at the Ballard (at NW 65th & 20th NW). This is a free event, but donations are gratefully accepted. 

·       Parade of classic Ballard homes
June 6, 10:00 am Contact Coordinator Lesli Billings at (206) 992-7010 or visit www.ballardhistory.org for more information. 

·       West Woodland’s 100 Year Celebration
June 9, 2:30pm
West Woodland Elementary (5601 4th Avenue NW) invites the public and alumni of the school to join in the 100 year celebration. 

·       Outdoor Bounce Fest - Hawaiian Style
June 11, 4:30pm
Outdoor Bounce Fest - Hawaiian Style - at the Loyal Heights Community Center (2101 NW 77th St) on Friday, June 11 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jump into summer with this fun-filled jumping extravaganza. Bounce houses, game stations, prizes and more to jump

Salmon Bay sculpture dedication
June 12, 10:00am
Salmon Bay Natural Area sculpture Dedication Ceremony on June 12th from 10am to noon at NW 54th St @ 34th Ave NW, next to The Canal.