Discover the joys of urban living in this sweet Lower Queen Anne Art Deco studio. This home is small but minimized living saves resources and gives you the complete urban experience. Imagine living with original vintage details coupled with everything that Lower Queen Anne‘s walkable urban neighborhood has to offer. Get rid of that car. Walk to the farmers market. Meet your friends at the ballet and still have money in the bank. All because you chose to take the urban lifestyle to heart by living in the Seaview!

Home Details: Original period details such as ziggaurat arches, coved ceilings and refurbished fixtures abound throughout the condo. Home also features hardwood floors, new wood insulated windows, remodeled kitchen, renovated bathroom and walk-in closets. The condo building captures that original urban dwelling feeling with splashes of original details like the light fixtures, Neptune fountain and other details that are simply enchanting to experience. The home owners association is very active. Recently they renovated the building with a new roof, brick work and are reviewing the declarations to maintain the value for the community. Out your door enjoy the beauty of Kinnear Park all year long and the amazing access to fabulous dining, night life, theater, shopping and more!

More Details: Check out all of the photos and home details at the Diva Dwelling-Seaview section>

Zipcar at Second and Mercer: Sell that car and walk to Zip Car cause now you are living at the Seaview!

Open House: This Sunday, March 25, 2012 | 12:00 -2:30 PM

FIRST RATE.

This duo of realtors have proven their commitment to serving up a stunning level of personal service.  Having worked with them for several years I’ve witnessed their sharp sense of the market zeitgeist, empathy with clients, first rate marketing, and passion for a good deal.  I would recommend them for anyone looking to buy or sell a home and at any price point.

Since the housing market went tits up the Divas have not only stayed in business but seem to thrive in the tough business environment.  I think because of the strain their intuitive sensing of what’s happening in the Seattle housing market has kept them in business while other realtors have disappeared.  They price accurately and can gauge home values quickly.

I love the connection they maintain with me, and when I get to see it, with other clients.  They take all matters seriously and I knew they were on my side through every step.

Their marketing is amazing!  So much more clever and original looking than all the other BORING and STODGY real estate agents’ aborted creations floating around.  If you want your house sold you need Team Diva on your side!  Their style is unique, professional, and can change dynamically to compliment the home.  It’s also all that professional photography they use.

If “garden variety” is your thing then choose someone else, but beware.

Ultimately though, it’s their passion that shines and it’s what wins.  I’ve recommended Team Diva to everyone I know who is interested in their current home or the home of their future.

Read all of our reviews on Yelp!»

Dia Dweller's Zeke and Shanna

Selling the Lorington Co-Op and helping Shanna and Zeke find their super cute Townhome was an amazing experience for the Divas. We met Shanna, Zeke, and their freakin’ adorable pup Oskar during the early summer of 2010. Shanna and her boyfriend Zeke were living in a little one bedroom in the Lorgington, next to Cal Anderson park on Capitol Hill. The two of them and the kitty and Oskar were bursting from the seams and we knew we had to make it work.

Shanna, Zeke and the Divas stuck it out and we sold that little cutie. It took three photo shoots, a prepping it for the sale refresh and kitchen remodel, and shooting the short film A Diva’s Adventure on Capitol Hill.  And just when we thought it was tough, Shanna and Zeek  found a super inexpensive Modern Townhouse on west side of the Mt. Baker neighborhood. They had to take advantage of this buy and we had to sell the Lorington.

Now the whole family is tucked into their new home. I know many of you have probably met Shanna at various Diva Dweller events. We totally adore these two and here is their Diva Dweller Story:

Hood: Leschi /Judkins / Mt. Baker – we have an identity crisis

How did you meet the Divas? Through our good friend and fellow Diva Dweller, Roz. Roz is another connection through our pals and Diva Dwellers Jon and Alex.

What type of home did you purchase? 3-bedroom townhouse with a super cute back yard. Landscaping happening this summer!

What was your first “OMG” house moment? When we first saw our new master bathroom – it was larger and nicer than any we’d seen during our search, with cathedral ceilings, huge windows, glass shower and a Jacuzzi tub – we fell in love with it instantly.

What is your greatest home extravagance? Our artwork… our walls are covered with art from all over the world, local Seattle artists, and friends. Shanna and Zeke are amazing supporters of the visual arts. It is really fun to walk through their home and see their collection.

What is in your junk drawer? Hammer, nails, picture hangers, scissors, chewing gum, and the pet hair roller.

Would you rather:

• mow lawn / paint the fence: We both agree: mow the lawn, even easier since we don’t have one!  But we do love to be outside in our little outdoor space.
• untangle computer cords / sort socks:
  Shanna:  Sort socks..as long as they’re mine.
  Zeke: Untangle computer cords.  I work in IT, so I’m used to doing this.
• test the smoke detectors / fix squeaky doors: Fix squeaky doors (which will happen one of these days).  Our dog, Oscar, runs and hides every time we turn on the oven because the smoke alarm is a bit sensitive and has freaked him out more than once.   He is our smoke alarm tester.
• plunge the toilet / clean out the refrigerator:
  Shanna: Plunge the toilet, once again, as long as it’s mine.
  Zeke: Clean out the fridge.  I had enough of plunging toilets in the Navy.
• clean the gutters / take down holiday decorations: Take down holiday decorations, because that means spring is on the way!

What is your favorite Hood hangout spot? Sam Smith Park. It’s just a couple blocks from our house, and the fall colors were stunning this past year.  Oscar loves to explore in the park and neighbors gather in the big, flat, grassy area during summer.

What is your favorite local organization/non-profit? The Rainier Valley Food Bank – wonderful community partner!

What do you love the most about your house? Our new house has become our sanctuary of peaceful repose.  We love to come home and watch the sunset from the bedroom balcony, enjoy the dozens of birds that frequent our backyard feeder and get warm in front of the fireplace.  Our townhouse is set in the back and quite private, is located on a quiet street, and the inside is welcoming and cozy.  We each have our own personal office space which uniquely defines each of our styles and personalities and allows for “me” time, and a comfy couch which can suck us in for hours, hanging out with Oscar and surfing the web.  Almost every day we say how much we adore our new home.

Lakewood Country House

Last December we received a call from a brother and sister who were trying to sell their house in the Lakewood/Seward Park area. As soon as we received the call I realized exactly what house they were trying to sell. All of the Divas drive-by the house on the way to our Capitol Hill office in the morning. The house was initially a For Sale by Owner. Then it was listed by another three separate real estate brokers over a two year time period. All different levels of marketing, photography and staging were completed for the previous listings. All failed to sell the home. There is a joke in real estate. It is best to be someone’s first girlfriend, second wife and third real estate agent. But fourth? Well we knew we had a job to do and we knew that it was going to take a team to get this one sold.

Right from the beginning we knew we needed the home to look totally different and photograph in a way that no one would be able to recognize it from previous listings. First we started with the staging. We removed all of the curtains and revealed that yes – the home has a winter view of Lake Washington. Next, we pulled furniture from the basement and from our houses to make it look vintage cute. Next up, hanging artwork on every wall to give it a more contemporary feel. We found two rusted vintage outdoor chairs and placed them just right on the huge front porch. But the key thing that we had to focus on was removing the geriatric smell and make it feel like a home where one would want to come in and bake cookies with friends and family. Staging completed!

Next up, we worked really closely with our photographer John Wilbanks to photograph the home with the sun streaming through the windows, the views of the lake form the kitchen and the fantastic yard. We sent him all of the previous listings’ photographs so he had an idea of what to avoid. The outcome was amazing. The key picture, or as we like to call it “Money Shot,” was a perfect photograph of the front porch with those rusted chairs and a planter, inviting the new home owners inside.

We listed the home on a Wednesday and got an offer the following Sunday – and they wanted all of the furniture. Rusty chairs and everything. All of this in the depth of January which is considered one of the slowest months in the real estate season. Amazing! It all came down to creating a vision for the home and working with our team to capture the emotion of the home.

Team Diva loves to list homes for sale. For many broker’s it is stressful and potentially a money losing venture in today’s crazy market. But for our team it is truly a magical experience. For every Diva Dwelling we create a story and an experience that connects that home to someone who is going to care for it for the long term. The process of making that connection between our Diva Dwellings and their potential buyers is always creative and challenging, but it is critical that we change the mentality that a home purchase is a short term endeavor. We need to switch to the idea that this is where we are living for awhile, this is where we are creating memories with our family, and more importantly, it is where we live.

This Coldwell Banker video truly captures why owning a home is important by answering the question of what makes a house a home.

Our dear friend and personal astrologer Stephanie Gailing shared this really interesting story via the Astrology News Service with the Divas this morning. The interesting thing is that the story points out that in the year 2000 home prices should have peaked and stabilized. Two things happened during that time period that pushed the cycle out of whack. One, the Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, pushed interest rates super low that year in order to offset the tech bubble. And second larger institutions like Washington Mutual Bank started their process of mass producing sub-prime lending in this nation. It is a fascinating read and I personally am ready to invest in real estate and sell it in the year 2020!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Is This A Good Time To Buy A House?

Astrologer Says Cyclical Trend Dating to Civil War Sees Home Values Rising to New Peak in June 2020 – Is the freefall in home prices finally over?

Citing a cyclical trend in home values that has been tracked since the American Civil War between the States, astrologer Grace K. Morris, M.A., says the worst almost certainly is behind us.

According to the 18.6-year Real Estate Values cycle first described by the late research astrologer Alice Reichard, home values were projected to bottom in August 2009 and trend upwards towards the next high point in June 2020.

“There’s been a lot of sideways movement in America’s housing markets as the number of home foreclosures have continued to rise. But things appear to be getting back on track after the subprime mortgage crisis plunged the housing industry into chaos,” she said.

Morris writes and publishes the Astro Economics Stock Market Newsletter. She says the Real Estate Values cycle is keyed to the motion of the moon’s north and south nodes.

The mathematically calculated nodes are sensitive points in space where the moon’s orbit around the earth intersects the earth’s orbit around the sun – the ecliptic. The north or ascending node is where the moon’s orbit crosses north of the ecliptic and the descending or south node is where it crosses the ecliptic to the south.

Eclipses can only happen when the moon is aligned with its nodes. This phenomena was observed and noted at least 2,600 years ago by the ancient Chaldeans, who called these two points the Dragon’s Head (north node) and Dragon’s Tail (south node).

Every astrological tradition since then has identified the nodes as powerfully influencing both the affairs of nations and the lives of ordinary people.

Like everything else in space, the nodes are continually on the move, progressing together in tandem but 180 degrees apart in opposite astrological signs. During the 18.6 year cycle each node spends more than a year trekking through each of the 12 astrological signs.

Reichard theorized that the transiting Dragon’s Head (north node) might positively influence home values as it transited through the astrological sign of Cancer. Symbolically, Cancer deals with feelings and the emotions but also is strongly linked to domesticity and matters related to hearth and home.
Reichard further reasoned that if home values cyclically peak with the north node in Cancer they should bottom about 9.3 years later when the north node, trending downward, has moved half-way around the zodiac to the sign of Capricorn.

How is this working out?

The cyclical pattern is highly susceptible to economic nuance and may sometime appear to be flat or uneven. However, over time, the trend line has consistently moved in the expected direction, Morris says.

In the current era, home values peaked in 1962 with the north node in Cancer and the average U.S. home price climbing to $20,000. Values remained virtually unchanged as the cycle trended downward to the next cyclical low point in 1973, but average prices rebounded robustly to $80,000 by the time and the next cyclical high point was reached in 1981.

Home values dipped to another low point in 1991 when, on cue, a recession arrived to moderate earlier gains. Only this time, when the trend line pointed north, there was no stopping the rapidly ramping home prices that arrived with the new century.

“Home values were projected to peak in 2000 but subprime mortgages fueled and extended an incredible surge in home values for another six years before the housing market began to implode,” Morris said.

The good news is the Real Estate Values trend line appeared to be was back on track in August 2009. The north node was back in Capricorn and home values had abruptly returned to their cyclical lows in many U.S. housing markets.

“The timing could hardly be more auspicious for those who can consider buying a house at this time. Interest rates are near historic lows and home values are at a low point as well.

“A home purchased now should prove to be an excellent long-term investment,” she said.

www.astrologynewsservice.com

Diva Divotees + Dwellers

Team Diva is getting ready to celebrate several of our Diva Divotees + Dwellers’ big 50th birthday this week. Part of the team is off to Hawaii for a small celebration of their big milestone. It is also a milestone for us. Diva Kaz has been a real estate broker now for two years. And in March of 2008 Diva Chavi quit her job at Starbucks on a whim and plunged in to the creative process of forming Team Diva with the Original Diva Kim. The transition we have gone through as a team and the success of Team Diva would not have been possible without our Hawaii 5-0 gang. Cheers!

Below are a couple of links to stories showing that there is more to celebrate than just our Hawaii 5-0 gang!

• Sales Contracts for Homes rose 2% in January: The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years. Essentially we have not seen this level of activity since the tax credit season of 2010. In 2010 we were celebrating a Diva Dweller’s 4-0 birthday’s in Mexico. Looks like we will be working on vacation again this year. Bring it!
• Mortgage Rates Hover a Smidgen Above Record Lows: The average rate on the 30-year mortgage edged down this week to hover again above record lows. Same story just a different year. But seriously, why are you still renting?
• FHA Will Raise Premiums: The FHA will raise by 0.75 percentage point to 1.75% the upfront insurance premiums that borrowers must pay when they take out a loan backed by the agency. The change could result in about a $10,000 difference in purchase price. Not a big deal if you are buying a home in Seattle over $400,000. The new FHA premium is going to be a big deal if you are buying a home for $250,000 in a hot neighborhood. Suddenly being qualified for $240,000 could be the difference of you getting the house and losing it to a competing offer from another buyer.

Team Diva Captures the Emotion in Homes

The market is finally warming up in key Seattle neighborhoods after a very long cold winter / recession. We are at a unique transition time in the market, with inventory at an all time low and demand starting to rise. Homes are either selling in 30 days or sitting on the market for over 3 months. There is not much in between. So why are some homes flying off the market with multiple offers and others languishing unsold?

The bottom line is that buyers might be suddenly ready and able to buy BUT – they want perfection, a great deal or both. Hence, you have to make today’s buyer choose your home over the waiting game. Brisk as this market might be, there are still many buyers willing to wait for “just the right home at the right price.” This is where the Divas step in. Below is a quick run down of the steps that we go through with our Diva Dwellers to make their home stand out. Something we call “The Diva Difference.”

Create an Emotional Connection Between the Buyer and Your Home: Many of you have heard about agents making sellers bake cookies before the open house. Sounds cheesy, right? But most people love the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies. Why would someone leave a hip Capitol Hill flat for a cute little two-bedroom bungalow in Columbia City? They leave the Hill because they want a dog, a yard and a gourmet kitchen of their own to bake cookies. They want a home! There are numerous ways to do this besides cookie baking but do it you must to create that special connection.

Create an Urban Garden: A victory garden in a yard appeals to most buyers in Seattle regardless of their price point. We all want better access to fresh foods and an activity that we can share with our loved ones. Growing one’s own vegetables is not only sustainable but it creates the image of community and setting down roots in a space.

Make your Kitchen/Bathroom Divalicious: You do not have to spend a lot of money but even a minor sprucing up of a kitchen can make all the difference. Today’s buyers are very conservative and have limited funds for remodeling after making a purchase. New paint, new counter tops or even just updated appliances can make all the difference in creating that emotional connection between the home and the targeted buyer. Check out post about getting your kitchen Diva ready>

Price at Market Value: The last ten years we have experienced huge market surges followed by a market crash. Although all indications show we are on our way to a stable market, price is still key. Pending sales might be on the increase but so are the number of homes with price reductions, which means there are still sellers chasing the market down. Do you want to be the home that sells in 30 days or the one that sells in 90 days at a below market value?

Perfect Marketing: Team Diva works closely with our Diva Dwellers and our team to create a story around the home and to connect that home to its potential new owner. Most people think that all it takes to sell a home is some pretty pictures and MLS number. In reality, you have to create emotional value through the marketing to reach real estate brokers and then their buyers. Team Diva does this through a multiple of different streams. The most important aspect for us is the work we do with our Architectural Photographer, John Wilbanks. It is easy to take a nice picture of a pretty kitchen but there is real skill in photographing homes. John’s photos make our homes stand out from the crowd and we use them in all of our marketing. John is perfect at capturing our vision so that we can communicate it through our print, online and social media marketing to the right buyer for each home.

Every home and neighborhood is different. You may need to sell down the road or are just curious about what is going on in your neighborhood. Give the Divas a ring and we can help you figure out what the next steps are for you and your family for your home.

Diva Fans – go out and brunch after Diva Kim’s raging birthday event last night. Once you have had a couple of mimosas and egg benedicts than I think you should go and tour our Diva Open houses. Here is what is on the menu this Sunday:

Seward Park | Re-Conceived Mid-Century Dwelling
5018 54th Avenue South
Offered at $1,050,000
Map the property »
More Info About the Diva Dwelling »

Modern in Seward Park

Queen Anne | Uptown – Vintage Living for Urbanites
519 West Roy Street, #215
Offered at $129,950 | $10K Price Drop!
Map the property »
More Info About the Diva Dwelling »

The Seaview in Queen Anne

Diva's Switch/Seattle Event in Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is hands down one of my favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. Downtown Seattle’s skyscrapers are a back drop to this brick vintage slightly seedy hood that is bursting with creativity. Many start-ups and non-profits have their offices in Pioneer Square. And more importantly to us Divas it is the home of rock solid artist studios and galleries.

Several years ago we hosted Switch/Seattle in Pioneer Square’s Artemide’s retail space. The event was geared to bringing together architects, urban planners, business owners and neighborhood residents together for a conversation about the future of Pioneer Square. At the time Team Diva felt strongly that you cannot have a prosperous city while you allow your oldest neighborhood to be swallowed up by the recession. Last week I stopped by Lighting Universe in Pioneer Square for a new dinning room light fixture at Chez Diva. It was nice to see the neighborhood thriving despite people’s expectations. More specifically it is always nice to see an area swarming with well established art galleries and our pals The New P2 doing their thing to keep folks engaged in this neighborhood. As an ode to this neighborhood here are the top ten spots we like to go to while spending time in Pioneer Square

1. First Thursday Art Walk: Hands down one of the best ways to spend a day in Seattle. The Art Walk is one of our favorite ways to see established artists and up and coming creators in one of the more established art communities in the northwest.
2. Delicatus: Perhaps it is the large pictures of vintage butcher diagrams of the various farm animals on the walls that makes me love this place. Or perhaps its the exceptional service one receives. Or more importantly, it is the food. Frankly, Delicatus is the best place in this freakin’ city to get hand cured cuts of meat in a sandwich.
3. Salumi: Let’s be honest. Seattle’s love affair with cured meats came about after Salumi opened in a store front of my old building on Second avenue.
4. Caffe Umbria: The Caffe sits perfectly on Occidental Square with year round outdoor tables. The espresso is perfect and geared towards the over caffeinated diva.
5. Original Artist Loft Condo Living: In the mid-1990 we had several artist friends who were relocated out of their buildings as developers started this new thing called a “condo” conversion. Now we covet the rare unit that comes on the market with its exposed brick and urban goodness.
6. Lawrimore Project: A fine place for contemporary art in Seattle.
7. 619 Western: It is a little sad and totally f-ed up how the city handled the relocation of working artists in the 619 Western building last summer. The building had been on the list of building greatly needing rehabbing and earthquake retrofitting. Originally they were given six months to vacate the building but out of the blue they were given only two months. That is no time for barely making it artists to suddenly relocate their businesses. Regardless the building is still one of our favorite spots due to the many memories we have of touring great art with our friends.
8. James Harris Gallery: Diva Pal and Local 1520 artist Roy Powell says that the James Harris gallery has some of the best work in the city.
9. Boozing it Up at the Elysian Before a Sounders Game: Many of you know that Diva Kaz is a HUGE fan of the Sounders FC team. Before she heads out to a game she likes to hit up the Elysian with friends to get pre-game brew.
10. Spooked in Seattle’s Ghost Walk: Nothing gets you going like being spooked by the old buildings around Pioneer Square. Take your out of town guests to this fun and totally out of the ordinary tour. You will not be disappointed!

Thanks for taking a tour with us through Pioneer Square. Check out all of our neighborhoods on the Diva site>