Known by many if not most Satellites, the beloved local pastry known as the Kringle is a huge pretzel shaped bread-cake thing that, for about $15, you can bring home from many high-end supermarket bakeries.  Perhaps not so well known, although infinitely more complex and varied, the Larson’s Bakery itself, where, on the corner of 24th Avenue NW and NW 85th Street, you will find a true, traditional and deluxe version of a Scandinavian bakery.  Not a surprise as the old and established are of Ballard is well known for it’s Scandinavian ties and a sense of being, in the midst of big-city Seattle, a small town full of character.

It’s an exploration to shop here, everything may resemble the sweet rolls and pastries you are used to in the American counterpart, but the resemblance fades at the first bite.  This is the real thing.  What’s good?  Everything from the cardamon bread, the fruit and custard and cheese twists for breakfasts or brunch, the cakes, available or to order, pastries, amazing cookies, tarts, little green frog cakes, and on and on.  The coffee on the other hand is far from Italian and I can rarely get through a whole cup.  It’s better than 7-11 coffee anyway, but other than that, this place will bring you back again and again just to make your way through the many wonders and new and tempting sweet breads and pastries they offer.  And if you are in need of a wedding cake, they do that as well, including one modeled after The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.  And they keep very nice hours, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and from 6 a.m. on Sundays.  Let me know what you think!

Oh, and if you have kidlets, there’s oodles of frosted cookies, cupcakes, marzipan pigs, and the ubiquitous slices of fine white cake better than most you’ve ever had.

More Seattle Real Estate News

Seller Financing is moving properties quickly and at top dollar. The cost of obtaining financing from the banks is over $4,000 for just a $120,000 mortgage loan. It is driving buyers away. Self-employed buyers are not getting loans at all. Forget getting a loan for land or a second home. They are just about not available today.  Couple that with the difficulty that buyers are having just getting the banks to agree to lend at all, plus the requirements for documentation and you see the overwhelming popularity of Seller Financed homes.

What does that mean? If you own a property free and clear (no mortgage lien on it) you have a distinct advantage in selling it compared to other homes that are on the market and that are your direct competition. That includes all price ranges too.

It also means that you will not get paid off at the close of the sale. You will receive monthly payments from the buyer with interest. Consider it cash flow income. If you do not need the cash out of the sale, you can earn a lot more interest than if you were put the money into a savings account or certificate of deposit. Banks are paying 1-2% interest. These financing arrangements pay an average of 7%. On a $100,000 bank deposit you would receive $166.67 per month interest. With Seller Financing at 7% you would receive $665.30 per month for 30 years. Sometimes a buyer may only need some time to repair their credit or have a job position long enough to qualify for a loan. In those cases we can have the entire loan balance payable as a balloon payment in 3 or 5 years.

The Seller Financing is accomplished using the Account Servicing Department of the title company. They receive the monthly payments from the Buyer and send you a check. They take care of the accounting and provide monthly statements to you and the buyer. We have the Buyer pay the set-up fee of about $200 for the servicing. They also pay a small fee every month as part of their payment.

You no longer own the property so you have no responsibility for the taxes or the other liabilities of ownership. The taxes and insurance can be collected by the Account Servicing Department monthly. They would then pay the tax bills and insurance premiums on behalf of the Buyer.

What is the risk? If the Buyer pays late there is a late fee added. If they default on the loan, you can foreclose and get the property back and sell it again. You even get to keep all the money they paid in before defaulting. The downside is some risk of damage to the property if you had to foreclose and take it back. The other risk is taking it back after a value decline. We minimize the risk by having the Buyer provide the Seller with a copy of their credit report. The Seller can deny the loan or accept it based on that credit report. Yes there are risks. However, the risk is usually outweighed by the return.

We recently sold 2 homes and have three contracts on another property by offering Seller Financing. All have found a buyer within 2 days! The phones are ringing. Seller Financing does not require an appraisal. They are sold “As IS”. One sold for over the asking price because of competition to get the deal by solid buyers who did not fit within the criteria required by a lender for a bank loan.

If you own a property “Free and Clear” you definitely should consider offering Seller Financing. It could quickly get you more for the property, more return on the money you have in equity, and provide a home for someone who is able to make the payments but can’t get traditional financing. There are a lot of those people out there that would love to buy your home.

If you have a loan on the property you cannot provide Seller Financing. Some agents structure a “Contract for Sale”. Those contracts give equity to the buyer and will cause your lender to call the loan immediately due.

Just make sure you are working with a Real Estate Agent who is knowledgeable in Seller Financing and can guide you through the process. We are experienced and knowledgeable. I have written many Seller Financing deals over the years. Be sure that the down payment is sufficient to cover all the closing costs of commission, title and escrow, so you come away with some cash. It may be the only way for you to dispose of the property in this economic time.

Jerry Germansen, Associate Broker

eXp Realty Arizona

928 632 3906

www.AllofPrescott.com

Read the Full Post on SearchOnPrescott.com

Looking south along the Willamette River – Morrison Bridge in forefront down to the Ross Island Bridge

Portland Metro Area Bridges

Portland metro area has 13 bridges that span the Willamette River and 2 that cross the Columbia River. While Portland’s bridges have become cultural and architectural landmarks in city they do provide necessary river crossings for the city’s numerous commuters. From the Freemont Bridge south to the the Ross Island bridge, there are 8 bridges that are separated by less than 4 river miles.

Below is a list of the major Portland bridges in the metro area and the year they were opened.

Willamette River Bridges – From North to South

St. Johns Bridge (1931) – Connecting Hwy 30 to N Philadelphia Rd

Fremont Bridge (1973) – Interstate 405

Broadway Bridge (1913)

Steel Bridge (1912) -

• Vehicles and light rail on upper deck;
• railroad, pedestrians and bicycles on lower deck.

Burnside Bridge (1926)

Morrison Bridge (1958)

Hawthorne Bridge (1910)

Marquam Bridge (1966) - Interstate 5 in Portland

Ross Island Bridge (1926) – US 26/Powell Blvd

Sellwood Bridge (1925) – Southern most vehicle (non train) crossing in Portland proper

Oregon City Bridge (1922) - Connecting West Linn and Oregon City

Abernathy Bridge (1970) – Connecting West Linn and Oregon City via Interstate 205

Boone Bridge (1954) Interstate 5 in Wilsonville

Columbia River Bridges – From East to West

Interstate Bridge (1917-1918) - Connecting Portland to Vancouver, WA via Interstate 5

Glenn Jackson Memorial Bridge (1982) –  Connecting NE Portland to SW Vancouver, WA via Interstate 205

While the Steel Bridge is my personal favorite, all of them are unique and special in their own way.  Portland would not be the same without them.  In addition, the nickname Bridgetown really wouldn’t make sense if we didn’t have them all.

 

To view Portland real estate listings, click on the map

Rich Peralta is a real estate professional in the Portland Metro Area,  Lake Oswego and  West Linn Real Estate.

He can be reached at 503.961.2181 or by e-mail at rich.peralta@exprealty.com

Contact him  for more information on Portland, Lake Oswego & West Linn Real Estate!

Originally posted on West Linn Real Estate.

 

Read the full post on PortlandPowerSearch.com

The neighborhood of Ballard is many neighborhoods, walkable, full of personality and people making their lives over the years, greeting and dog walking and lawn mowing and drinking coffee with friends.  The names themselves hint at full days at a peaceful pace, Crown Hill, Loyal Heights, Whittier Heights, Sunset Hill, Ballard Locks…and in every neighborhood here or there is found a corner or a row of businesses down a street where food may be purchased, coffee sipped, dogs and their owners pass each other on walks day after day.

At 24th Avenue NW and 85th, is such a corner.  And one of the treasures to be found here is the Fresh Fish Co.  Now I am not claiming this is the only wonderful little fish store in a Seattle neighborhood.  This is the Pacific Northwest and we love our seafood!  There are several shops scattered throughout the neighborhoods of the City that offer the freshest and best of the catch, and I vote for visiting them when you pass by.  But this one is so full of character and delicious seafood that it is worth even a detour.  The pickled herring, boiled crabs, wonderful halibut, smoked salmon, sausages, thick bacon and steaks, select very fresh vegetables, make for resources that will end your search for what to fix for dinner in a very satisfying manner indeed!  Not to mention the freshly made cioppino which can be eaten at a couple of little tables right there in the store.  Don’t miss it!

More Seattle Real Estate News

My daughter is a freshman at Western Washington U in Bellingham.  For those who have not taken the drive up to the small college town, it’s not that small, it has a lot to offer for a day trip or a weekend (try taking the Amtrak up and spending the weekend at a B & B in Fairhaven for a romantic getaway, but that will have to wait for another blog).  Of course this year I find myself driving up and down I-5 quite a bit, it’s about an hour and 15 minutes, or an hour and a half.  And some tempting choices for a sightseeing detour along the way, like Anacortes, La Conner, Mt. Vernon, and Bow-Edison, all little unique and well worth a full day or more.  But details on these destinations will have to follow in other blogs because this one is inspired by my stop the other day on the way back to Seattle at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  Running from Apirl 1-30 the Tulip Festival is one of our area’s most treasured little habits, if something so colorful and inspiring can be called that.  Be warned there is a quietness about the day, even when it’s as bright and glorious as it was when I stopped.  It’s about the slow pace of walking and focusing and perhaps photographing growing things, and the other events do fill in around that basis.  Sometimes people tell me their kids, used to the more splashy events of a museum or amusement park, find it too quiet.  So there are kid centered activities and it may be worth the time to research what you think would be most fun for them during the day, perhaps creating a balance of adult and kid centered activities.  Here is an album of some of the stars of the show…the tulips!

More Seattle Real Estate News

There are several Skagit Valley Tulip Growers that are well worth the visit, and you can arrange a driving tour to visit several of them, then stop for lunch and pick up the trail again.  And mostly the farms do offer refreshments that can make a pretty good lunch in themselves.  Here is a list to get you started.

Tulip Town…has an international Peace Garden (see the flags!)   Did you know the tulip is the World’s Peace Flower?  Tulip Town has display gardens (this year with 19 new varieties), indoor show with massive bouquets, trolly rides (get a good angle on photos from above), dahlia shop, art gallery, espresso stand, cafe, posters and souvenirs.  There is also face paint and on the weekdays a children’s art table.

Roozengaarde has a huge display garden with 90+ varities and other spring bulb flowers, like hyacinths, crocus, iris, and daffodils.  There is the lovely sight of their 15 acre tulip field.  Great places in the fields to take family photos and they also have a retail shop and of course sell the blooms there!

Skagit Valley Gardens… have been in business for over 30 years and offer a wide variety of plants and classes for the serious gardener.  Check out the website and look for the bright orange barn along I-5.

The WSU Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon has a mission to educate – and delight! – the public.  Here you will find a Cottege Garden, a Fushia Garden, an Enabling Garden, Herb Garden, Children’s Garden, Naturescape (quiet place to stroll and ponder) and much more.

Other fun stuff to explore:

Tulip Country Bike Tours…guided tours or rent a bike.

Golden Glen Creamery…farmstead, artisan cheeses, fresh butter, creamtop milk, taste and shop!

Deception Pass Boat Tours…enjoy a safe passage through the turbulent waters of Deception Pass!

The Outlet Shops at Burlington…tons of Name Brand outlet stores…grab a bargain or three.  Exit 229.

Tulalip Resort Casino…where “fun is the name of the game.”

Rosabella’s Garden Bakery…delicious destination at an apple orchard.  5 pound apple pies!

Snow Goose Produce…it’s a farmer’s market in the heart of the Skagit crop land.  Fresh fish, giant ice cream cones, local wines…and potted tulips, of course. 15170 Fir Island Rd, Mount Vernon.

Skagit Tulip Festival Website for more attractions and information on driving tours.

More Seattle Real Estate News

More Seattle Real Estate News

Less than an hour north of Seattle is Skagit County, a quiet and serene agricultural area famous for the Tulip Festival that takes place in April.  Although some Satellites may go years between visits, others make it a point to go every April.  Not only is it a colorful and joyful event for flower lovers, but a wonderful day jaunt from the city.  And the tulips I brought back with me and arranged in a vase on the table lasted more than a week, definitely better than the time for the almost equally lovely ones you’ll find everywhere in the Seattle supermarkets at this time of year.  To get updated and reliable information on the “state of the bloom” go to the RoozenGaarde website at www.tulips.com.  You can order bouquets there too.   This is the show garden of a tulip growing family that has grown this flower in both Holland and the United States since the 1700′s.  How special is that?!  I’ll do a blog soon listing and describing the various big tulip growing farms, so check it out to get more information and decide on a tour you’d like to do.  The Skagit Tulip Festival goes from April 1-30.  The festival is designed as a driving tour and you can find out what the options are on the festival website at www.tulipfestival.org.  And remember, it’s not just the flowers, you will be able to choose from events like the Anacortes Quilt Walk, the Anacortes Wine Festival, the 2nd Annual Historic Home Tour, the 2nd Annual Chowdah & Chocolate Cookoff, the Downtown Mt. Vernon Street Fair, Deception Pass Boat Tours, the 26th Annual Tulip Run, and much more, so there really is something for any and everybody!  Just take I-5 north from Seattle and use exits 221-236, I’m told all of these exits have tulip brochures at the nearest business.

More Seattle Real Estate News

I admit, finding great places to ‘dine’ in Orlando can be a challenge.

To the rescue: Orlando Magazine Annual 2011 Dining Issue.  www.orlandomagazine.com and input from a foodie that has called the Orlando area home for the last 9 years: ME.  As a foodie, my husband & I love to cook, eat and enjoy.  If we’re going out, no matter the budget, it has to be better than something that we can ‘whip up.’   Keep this in mind as you read my comments.

My fav places and how Orlando Magazine rated them:

Best of the Best

Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com Voters got this one right!  Seasons 52 was ranked in 10 categories.Amy: Great lunch spot: for business meetings, quick bite with your s.o. or the girlfriends.  Knowledgeable staff, caring service, great food, $ wise is up to you.

Fishbones www.talkofthetownrestaurants.com www.fishbones.com Voters got this one right!  Fishbones was ranked in 7 categories.Amy: Lunch, dinner or just happy hour so glad this place is only 10 minutes from my home/office in Lake Mary. The outdoor patio is unbelievable.  Staff, service, quality is all top shelf! Yes, a little pricey but worth it!  when I have friends or business associates in town, I love to bring them here.  They are always grateful I did.

Best Deli TooJays ranked high and they always do, I am a fan.  But a few years ago a family opened up That Deli here in Lake Mary and I was hooked from day one.  Not a surprise to me, they were ranked #2 in all of Orlando.  Their claim to fame: ‘one store, one owner’  (If I can talk them into it, I’m thinking ‘franchise!!!’) Creative & healthy sandwiches, soups, side salads all made fresh each day..what a nice option to ‘pick a side’ vs. pick a bag of chips.  YUM.  www.thatdelifl.com

Jason’s Deli has long been a staple in Altamonte Springs, right outside the gates of Uptown Altamonte and the Altamonte Mall.  Their sandwich/deli menu is awesome! But even the biggest meat eaters go there for the salad bar.  www.jasonsdeli.com

Best in their category

Best of Florida/Spanish/Cuban/Latin Cuisine In my past life, I worked at the Columbia Restaurant (St. Armands Cir in Sarasota, FL) for 5+ years.  Every day, I enjoyed the best Spanish, Cuban, Latin cuisine…and NEVER tired of it.  Once I moved to Lake Mary/Orlando, FL I was happy to know that the Columbia could be had via a short drive to their location in Celebration.   As it’s a short drive from the Disney area and the convention center, this is my #1 choice for any group or business dinner I arrange for myself or others.   www.columbiarestaurant.com

The location, the atmosphere, service are beautiful.  Now, let me tell you about the food & spirits!  Enjoy a nice Spanish red, a mojito, or a pitcher of sangria…1905 salad, Cuban bread, Spanish bean or black bean soup..that is just the beginning…the menu is full of flavor…plan to make an evening of your time at the Columbia.  Walk it all off around the picturesque town of Celebration.

Best of Sushi/Japanese Cuisine Thank goodness they recognized Lake Mary as a great place to open store #2.  Amura is amazing!  Fresh, fun (and yes a little pricey) so I don’t hop over there once a week…it’s an investment…in your palate for a happy dance!Amura: whatever you are doing, keep it up!  Lake Mary/Seminole County has embraced you and wants you here for a long time to come.

For Fun and something for everyone from $-$$ Some may avoid the chains (truthfully, whenever I can I want to support the independents) yet at end of day everyone is a business owner, has a local investment and is good as their last meal.  2 of my fav’s:

www.cheesecakefactory.com Hit up the store in Winter Park Village…lunch, dinner, desert..you won’t be disappointed.

www.cafetututango.com This has got to be one of my fav restaurants of all time.  Their location in the Mercado, just south of the convention center and in the heart of “yes, we are busy all of the time!’ means as a local I don’t frequent the location that much.  BUT if you are in town for a few days and in the area, it should be a must attend place for you.  Outstanding tapas/small plates..great for groups too..order 1 of everything and share!!  My fav location is the one in Cocoanut Grove..if you ever get down to south FL, you must visit café tu tu tango at Coco Walk.

Places I want to go:

www.citrusorlando.com everyone is loving Citrus..this is on my list!

www.theravenouspig.com In Orlando being voted # 2 in ‘best places worthy of waiting for a table’ is a place I need to check out.

www.seaorlando.com Other than @ home, I haven’t had good thai food in a while…looks like I need to check out 2SeaThai

Lastly, the new Amway Center open with it’s signature rooftop lounge.  Got to get myself up there to enjoy the breeze, see the lights of the city and enjoy a great martini with my man..going soon to: One80GreyGoose Lounge @ the Amway Center.

For more info on things to do and see in Orlando, and great places to eat, drink and PLAY:

contact Amy Stier            amy.stier@exprealty.com 321-363-6600

Your time here should be extraordinary!

Read the Full Post on OrlandoPowerSearch.com

I admit, finding great places to ‘dine’ in Orlando can be a challenge.

To the rescue: Orlando Magazine Annual 2011 Dining Issue.  www.orlandomagazine.com and input from a foodie that has called the Orlando area home for the last 9 years: ME.  As a foodie, my husband & I love to cook, eat and enjoy.  If we’re going out, no matter the budget, it has to be better than something that we can ‘whip up.’   Keep this in mind as you read my comments.

My fav places and how Orlando Magazine rated them:

Best of the Best

Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com Voters got this one right!  Seasons 52 was ranked in 10 categories.Amy: Great lunch spot: for business meetings, quick bite with your s.o. or the girlfriends.  Knowledgeable staff, caring service, great food, $ wise is up to you.

Fishbones www.talkofthetownrestaurants.com www.fishbones.com Voters got this one right!  Fishbones was ranked in 7 categories.Amy: Lunch, dinner or just happy hour so glad this place is only 10 minutes from my home/office in Lake Mary. The outdoor patio is unbelievable.  Staff, service, quality is all top shelf! Yes, a little pricey but worth it!  when I have friends or business associates in town, I love to bring them here.  They are always grateful I did.

Best Deli TooJays ranked high and they always do, I am a fan.  But a few years ago a family opened up That Deli here in Lake Mary and I was hooked from day one.  Not a surprise to me, they were ranked #2 in all of Orlando.  Their claim to fame: ‘one store, one owner’  (If I can talk them into it, I’m thinking ‘franchise!!!’) Creative & healthy sandwiches, soups, side salads all made fresh each day..what a nice option to ‘pick a side’ vs. pick a bag of chips.  YUM.  www.thatdelifl.com

Jason’s Deli has long been a staple in Altamonte Springs, right outside the gates of Uptown Altamonte and the Altamonte Mall.  Their sandwich/deli menu is awesome! But even the biggest meat eaters go there for the salad bar.  www.jasonsdeli.com

Best in their category

Best of Florida/Spanish/Cuban/Latin Cuisine In my past life, I worked at the Columbia Restaurant (St. Armands Cir in Sarasota, FL) for 5+ years.  Every day, I enjoyed the best Spanish, Cuban, Latin cuisine…and NEVER tired of it.  Once I moved to Lake Mary/Orlando, FL I was happy to know that the Columbia could be had via a short drive to their location in Celebration.   As it’s a short drive from the Disney area and the convention center, this is my #1 choice for any group or business dinner I arrange for myself or others.   www.columbiarestaurant.com

The location, the atmosphere, service are beautiful.  Now, let me tell you about the food & spirits!  Enjoy a nice Spanish red, a mojito, or a pitcher of sangria…1905 salad, Cuban bread, Spanish bean or black bean soup..that is just the beginning…the menu is full of flavor…plan to make an evening of your time at the Columbia.  Walk it all off around the picturesque town of Celebration.

Best of Sushi/Japanese Cuisine Thank goodness they recognized Lake Mary as a great place to open store #2.  Amura is amazing!  Fresh, fun (and yes a little pricey) so I don’t hop over there once a week…it’s an investment…in your palate for a happy dance!Amura: whatever you are doing, keep it up!  Lake Mary/Seminole County has embraced you and wants you here for a long time to come.

For Fun and something for everyone from $-$$ Some may avoid the chains (truthfully, whenever I can I want to support the independents) yet at end of day everyone is a business owner, has a local investment and is good as their last meal.  2 of my fav’s:

www.cheesecakefactory.com Hit up the store in Winter Park Village…lunch, dinner, desert..you won’t be disappointed.

www.cafetututango.com This has got to be one of my fav restaurants of all time.  Their location in the Mercado, just south of the convention center and in the heart of “yes, we are busy all of the time!’ means as a local I don’t frequent the location that much.  BUT if you are in town for a few days and in the area, it should be a must attend place for you.  Outstanding tapas/small plates..great for groups too..order 1 of everything and share!!  My fav location is the one in Cocoanut Grove..if you ever get down to south FL, you must visit café tu tu tango at Coco Walk.

Places I want to go:

www.citrusorlando.com everyone is loving Citrus..this is on my list!

www.theravenouspig.com In Orlando being voted # 2 in ‘best places worthy of waiting for a table’ is a place I need to check out.

www.seaorlando.com Other than @ home, I haven’t had good thai food in a while…looks like I need to check out 2SeaThai

Lastly, the new Amway Center open with it’s signature rooftop lounge.  Got to get myself up there to enjoy the breeze, see the lights of the city and enjoy a great martini with my man..going soon to: One80GreyGoose Lounge @ the Amway Center.

For more info on things to do and see in Orlando, and great places to eat, drink and PLAY:

contact Amy Stier            amy.stier@exprealty.com 321-363-6600

Your time here should be extraordinary!

Read the Full Post on OrlandoPowerSearch.com