Renton Real Estate Information Resource

Just Sold! 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom Townhome in Kent!

Date: Jan. 31, 2009
Tags: Just Sold 3 Bedroom, 25 Bathroom Townhome In Kent

23405 54th Ave S #4-2 Kent, WA 98032

Closing Date: 01/30/09
List Price: $329,000
Sale Price: $318,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Year Built: 1996
Square Feet: 1242
MLS: 28075575

You're going to love this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome at Promenade at the
Lakes. A bright kitchen opens to the living and dining area with laminate floors
and a cozy fireplace. A slider leads to the private patio and storage closet.
Enjoy an attached garage and additional parking space. This is a quiet planned
community with trails and parks, close to Kent Station, a golf course, and the
new Kent Event Center. There is easy access to freeways too.

This home is no longer available. However, if you would like to preview homes
similiar to this, visit my website at
http://www.davidjedwards.com/search-for-homes.asp or contact me directly to
arrange for a free buyer's consultation.

Best Regards!

David Edwards
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 425-890-8045
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/renton-info-blog.asp

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Just Sold! 4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom Home in Fairwood!

Date: Jan. 30, 2009
Tags: None

17211 160th Avenue SE, Renton, WA, 98058

Closing Date: 01/29/09
List Price: $319,818
Sale Price: $308,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Year Built: 1976
Square Feet: 2080
MLS: 28076768

This beautiful property has been completely renovated! You'll enjoy more than
2000 Sq Ft of living space complete with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms & a huge
bonus room that could easily be converted into a 5th bedroom or Mother in Law
Apartment! You'll love the new bathroom finishes, kitchen, paint, carpet &
molding. The roof has been cleaned, the furnace has been serviced & the
electrical panel has been replaced & upgraded. You must see this home to
appreciate it. This property is truly amazing.

For More Information Visit: http://www.davidjedwards.com/23360.asp

This home is no longer available. However, if you would like to preview homes similiar to this, visit my website at
http://www.davidjedwards.com/search-for-homes.asp or contact me directly to
arrange for a free buyer's consultation.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN FOR HOUSING

Date: Jan. 28, 2009
Tags: None

Every 1,000 first-time home sales generated $126 million in other economic
activity.

Every 1,000 home sales creates 935 jobs and $37.5 million in wages.

Until the housing market recovers, the hole in the sate budget will continue to
grow. Real Estate Excise Tax collections were 28% lower in 2008 than 2007. That
means $278 million less for the State's General Fund.

These are the legislative priorities of the Washington Association of REALTORS
for 2009:

STEP 1: Bolster Demand - help first-time home buyers.

A. Provide down payment assistance to help first-time homebuyers (41% of the
current arket share) become home owners. Helping first time home buyers creates
a powerful ripple through the general economy.

B. Increase the Washington State Housing Finance Commission's bond capacity to
expand down payment assistance.

STEP 2: Prevent Over-Supply - help families hold on to their homes.

A. Prevent foreclosures by expanding homebuyer education and counseling programs and expanding refinancing options.

B. Clarify the distressed properties law to remove roadblocks to home sales.

STEP 3: "Do No Harm" to our struggling real estate market.

A. Stop taxes on real estate, business or services that would further harm the
housing and commercial sectors.

B. Do not create additional barriers to home sales.

Source: Washington Realtors

David J Edwards
REALTOR
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 425-890-8045
Fax: 425-902-1899
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/real-estate-blog.asp
Mobile Site: http://davidjedwards.mofuse.mobi
Community Reports: http://www.topmarketer.net/CSR/CSReport.aspx?CV4GU5KAYOEF

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Open House This Sunday at Ascent at Talus in Issaquah

Date: Jan. 23, 2009
Tags: None

Open House Sunday January 25th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

372 Shangri La Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027

Price: 338,818
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Square Feet: 1,090
Lot Size: 913 Square Feet
Year Built: 2003
MLS: 28079287

Contemporary finishes & elegant details lead you through airy and open rooms
flooded with natural light. Gaze out your expansive windows at the timbered
mountains and lush woodlands. Create a meal to remember in your stylish kitchen,
take advantage of high-speed Internet access or spend a cozy evening curled up
in front of your fireplace with a good book. Your home is complete with dual
walk-in closets, vaulted ceilings throughout, an oversized soaking tub and a
wide two car tandem garage.

Property Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com/23614.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=23614

Directions: From I-90, Take Exit 15. Head South on SR 900. Turn right onto Talus
Drive. Turn right onto Shangri La Way NW. Home is on right.

If you can't make it to the open house but would still like to preview this
home, please contact me to arrange for a private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in KingCounty Washington.

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Open House This Sunday at South Cove in Issaquah

Date: Jan. 23, 2009
Tags: None

Open House Sunday January 25th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
19117 SE 43rd St Issaquah, WA 98027

Price: 674,950
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Square Feet: 2,440
Lot Size: 8784 Square Feet
Year Built: 1982
MLS: 28183038

Boasting waterfront beach rights & 4 large bedrooms; this home has it all! This
elegant property sits on a quiet street in an established neighborhood. It's
been upgraded with custom paint, a wine refrigerator & a barbecue gas line on a
patio overlooking a large fully landscaped private yard. There is a
gas-ignited-wood-burning fireplace in the family room & a steam shower in the
master suite. You'll love the new carpet, granite counter, surround sound,
access to freeways & Issaquah schools.

Property Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com/30163.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=30163

Directions: From I-90, Take Exit 13, Take the ramp toward W. Lake Sammamish PKWY
SE, Turn RIGHT on W LK Sammamish, Left on 188th Ave, Right on SE 42nd PL, 42nd
PL becomes 191st, 191st becomes SE 43rd St.

If you can't make it to the open house but would still like to preview this
home, please contact me to arrange for a private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in King County Washington.

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PMI MOrtgage Insurance Company Rates Seattle: Minimal Risk of Seeing Property

Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Tags: None

I reviewed the Market Risk report that PMI Mortgage Insurance Company prepares
each year. Our area was not listed under the worst performing area, nor was it
listed in the best. Put simply, this PMI risk index measures the likelihood of
lower home prices in two years. Our area's risk is categorized as minimal and
has a 10% to 30 % chance that a home's value will decrease within the next 2
years. This is not great, but happily we're not Sacramento California with a
99.9% chance of lower values. Keep in mind, this index is not referencing value
specifically, it is referencing the probability of the value decreasing.

To view the report, click here:
http://www.pmi-us.com/media/pdf/products_services/eret/pmi_eretappndx_08v4.pdf

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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9316 Maple Ave SW Lakewood, WA 98499-2135

Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Tags: None

New Price: 219,818
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 1
Square Feet: 1693
Year Built: 1950
MLS: 28195927

This home is move-in-ready and features a large kitchen with dinette area that
leads out to an expansive decking system and large private yard. The home has
been completely updated throughout; boasting 4 beds, 1 bath & a fireplace.

For More Information Visit: www.davidjedwards.com/28182500.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=30115

Driving Directions: I-5 South, Take EXIT 129 to SO 72 ST/SO 84 ST, Take the 74
ST WEST ramp, RIGHT on 74TH ST W, 74TH ST becomes CUSTER RD W, CUSTER RD becomes
ARDMORE DR SW, RIGHT on FLORA ST SW, Turn LEFT on MAPLE.

If you would like to preview this home, please contact me to arrange for a
private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington.

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WHAT DOES THE FEDERAL RESERVE DO ANYWAY?

Date: Jan. 20, 2009
Tags: None

With the economy in the news every day, more attention is being focused on the
Federal Reserve than ever before. Let's look at some of the facts, and
understand exactly what they do and how they do it.

The Federal Reserve System was created on December 23, 1913 by President Woodrow
Wilson to act as the central bank of the United States. It was created to
provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary,
banking and financial system.

The Federal Reserve System is made up of twelve Federal Reserve Banks, overseen
by the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is located in Washington DC
and is comprised of just seven members, who are appointed by the President and
confirmed by the Senate. The full term of each member of the Board of Governors
is 14 years, and the appointments are staggered such that one term expires on
each even-numbered year. This system ensures that "fresh blood" will be brought
to the Board every two years. When your term is up as a Board Governor,
you are done, and cannot be reappointed. But if a member leaves the Board before
his or her term expires, the person appointed to fill the remainder of the term
can be reappointed for another full term. The terms for the Chairman
and Vice Chairman are four years, but may be reappointed for additional
four-year terms. The current Chairman, Ben Bernanke, and Vice Chairman
Donald Kohn lead the Board of Governors.

So What Does the Fed Do on a Daily Basis?

The main responsibilities of the Fed include:
Researching US national and regional economies.
Providing financial services to depository institutions, the US government,
and foreign official institutions.
Supervising and regulating banking institutions to ensure the safety of the
nation's financial system and protect the credit rights of consumers.
Conducting the nation's monetary policy by influencing the monetary and credit
conditions in the economy (i.e. hiking or cutting the Fed
Funds Rate, as they did recently) in pursuit of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate
long-term interest rates.
Communicating information about the economy via publications, speeches, seminars
and websites.

But the communication method that typically grabs the attention of most
individuals is the statement given by Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke, following
the eight formal meetings that take place about every six weeks throughout the
year. At these meetings, the Fed has the opportunity to make changes to the
Federal Funds Rate, and make their decision by reviewing economic and financial
conditions. They can also make adjustments to the Fed Funds Rate outside of
these meetings, but rarely do so because they don't want to deliver a surprise
that could rattle the financial markets.

Overall, the Fed's main responsibility is to keep the economy growing at a
steady pace by keeping inflation stable and rates moderate. When inflation is
low and stable, businesses and households can spend, knowing that their
purchasing power can remain strong.

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Open House This Sunday in Renton

Date: Jan. 17, 2009
Tags: None

Open House Sunday January 18th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
20623 SE 198th Street, Renton, WA, 98058

Price: 789,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.25
Square Feet: 4,330 SF
Lot Size: 5 Acres
Year Built: 1985
MLS: 28083020

This beautiful four bedroom home sits on five acres of fenced land complete with
mature landscaping, a large stand alone shop and a separate stable. The home has
undergone $50,000 in renovations and benefits from a new roof as well as fresh
paint and new flooring throughout. Boasting a kitchen with double ovens as well
as a formal living room, family room, loft, den, recreation room and billiards
room, this home provides functional space for every need.

Property Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com/31406.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=31406

Directions: SE Renton Maple Valley Rd/WA 169. Turn Right onto 196th Ave SE. Turn Left onto SE 192nd St. Turn Right onto
208th Ave SE. Turn Right onto SE 198th St. End at 20623.

If you can't make it to the open house but would still like to preview this
home, please contact me to arrange for a private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers
in King County Washington.

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Department of Revenue Issues Letter Reversing Decision On REET

Date: Jan. 16, 2009
Tags: None

Washington REALTORS is pleased to announce that our meeting with the Department
of Revenue (DOR) has resulted in a reversal of its interpretation regarding Real
Estate Excise Tax (REET) and short sales. Yesterday afternoon, the Department of
Revenue contacted Washington REALTORS® to inform us that DOR will issue a letter
to clarify that in short sales, the Real Estate Excise Tax does not apply to
debt forgiven by the seller's lender.
This decision follows a meeting that REALTORS requested of the agency in order
to allow stakeholders to provide input on the interpretation of the REET statute
and other policy considerations. DOR immediately responded to the request for
stakeholder input and expedited its review of this issue due to its importance
to home sellers and the housing market

Download the letter from DOR here:
http://www.warealtor.org/press/Short-Sales-Letter-to-Stakeholders-1-13-09.pdf

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Price Reduced! 6 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom Single Family Home with 5,050 SF and a

Date: Jan. 16, 2009
Tags: None

748 Vashon Place NE, Renton, WA, 98059

New Price: 574,818
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 5
Square Feet" 5050
Year Built: 1998
MLS: 28036464

This grand home offers all the space you’ll ever need! The main floor boasts
formal living & dining rooms as well as a large kitchen, family room, powder
room & office. Upstairs you will find 2 guest bedrooms & 2 master suites! The
lower level is complete with its own kitchen, family room, master bedroom, guest
bedroom, a 2nd laundry room & a bathroom. The wrap around porch overlooks a
spacious private backyard. The home sits on a private dead end street. The three
car garage is 900 square feet!

For More Information Visit: www.davidjedwards.com/20545.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=20545

Driving Directions: From I-405, Take WA 900 E, Exit 5 to NE Park Ave/Sunset Blvd. Turn Left onto Park
DR/WA900. Turn right onto Coal Creek Prkwy/Duvall/138th Ave SE. Turn Right onto
NE 8th St. Turn Left on Vashon PL NE.

If you would like to preview this home, please contact me to arrange for a
private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers
in Washington’s Renton Highlands, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

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Price Reduced on Remodeled 3 Bedroom Home in Buckley!

Date: Jan. 14, 2009
Tags: None

253 N 3rd St, Buckley, WA 98321

New Price: $199,818
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Square Feet: 1,200
Year Built: 1972
MLS: 28182481

Skip the bank! No bank approval required on this home. Owner financing is
available! This home is move-in-ready & features a large kitchen with dinette
area that leads out to a patio & private yard complete with a fire pit and a
full fence. This home's interior has been freshly painted & upgraded with new
carpet & laminate flooring. The home boasts 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a
fireplace that will keep you warm on cold winter nights.

For More Information Visit: http://www.davidjedwards.com/30111.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=30111

Driving Directions: From Hwy 410, Left onto S 3rd St. End at 253 N 3rd St.

If you would like to preview this home, please contact me to arrange for a private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Northwest MLS members expecting "market observers" will become "market participants"

Date: Jan. 12, 2009
Tags: None

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 6, 2009) – Frigid temperatures and record snowfall brought home sales to a standstill for several days in December. The unusual weather, when coupled with the expected holiday slowdown, contributed to a 17.6 percent slide in pending sales compared to the same month a year ago, according to figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

"December typically has a slowdown in sales due to the holidays, but the recent snowfall compounded this seasonal slowing," said J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate. "On the flip side, we should see deferred buyer activity from December pushed into January," he remarked.

Surprising some industry observers, inventory showed stability. The number of new listings added to inventory during December (5,430) nearly matched the total from a year ago (5,543). Those figures include single family homes and condos that were added by Northwest MLS members in 19 counties.

At month-end, there were 38,089 active listings in the NWMLS database, slightly fewer than twelve months ago, when members reported 38,440 active listings (down 0.9 percent).

Pending sales, while down 695 transactions (17.6 percent) from a year ago, underscore the "all real estate is local" mantra. System-wide, members tallied 3,255 pending sales last month, which compares to 3,950 sales during December 2007. Grays Harbor County had a 30 percent jump in pending sales and Thurston County reported a 3.8 percent gain in sales, but two smaller counties – Mason and Kittitas – had drops of more than 50 percent. For a broader and deeper perspective, the four-country Puget Sound region saw December sales decline 18.2 percent from a year ago.

Commenting on the latest MLS statistics, Ron Sparks of Coldwell Banker Bain said, "The current numbers certainly reflect market attitude, as many buyers continue to be market observers rather than market participants." Sparks, who is CBB’s managing vice president, said agents are telling him their motivated buyer clients are simply becoming weary of waiting, and are acknowledging the timing "now seems right to actively search for their next home."

Prices system-wide were down about 9 percent from a year ago. The median price for December’s closed sales of single family homes and condominiums combined was $285,000. That compares to a year-ago median price of $313,325. Single family home pries fell 11.3 percent (from $326.950 to $290,000), but condo prices increased from a year ago, rising from $252,900 to $263,474, for a 4.2 percent gain.

In King County, the median price for last month’s sales of single family homes (excluding condos) was $403,500, down about 7.2 percent from the year-ago figure of $435,000. Condo prices were nearly unchanged ($288,895 versus the year-ago figure of $290,000 for a decline of 0.38 percent).

On the sellers’ side, Sparks said savvy agents are advising their clients that this market environment demands a very disciplined and realistic approach to pricing. This is particularly true in King County, he noted, where the number of homes on the market continues to slowly increase.

The savvy buyers agent also understands that this highly competitive environment means more quality homes to choose from, and these homes can be bought at a comparative bargain over years past, according to Sparks. "Couple this with interest rates that are now very nearly irresistible and the incentive to home shop grows much stronger," he remarked.

With mortgage rates tumbling to the lowest level in more than four years, now is a good time to secure a very attractive loan, agreed Mike Welty, a mortgage banker with Guild Mortgage Company in Bellevue. In fact, some lender backlog is already occurring as a result of the low rates, according to Welty.

Now is a great time to buy a home, Welty suggests, citing a number of factors. Among them, he noted home prices in some areas are close to 2004-2005 levels, a first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $7,500, plus the availability of low or no money down programs for many purchasers.

NWMLS director Dick Beeson, expects interest rates will remain in the low 5 percent or high 4 percent range. "This is a stimulus package we can count on and one that works. Banks are finally getting it and so are buyers as they realize their buying power has gone up," said Beeson, the broker/owner of Windermere/Commencement Associates in Tacoma.

Sparks said many economists are now seeing the bottom of the national real estate market, and the greater Seattle area continues to be mentioned as well-placed to lead that recovery. "While no one can predict the future, I believe we can place reasonable trust and faith in the desirability and overall value of our region’s real estate," he stated, adding, "That’s good news for buyers and sellers alike!"

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes approximately 28,000 brokers and agents. The organization, based in Kirkland, currently serves 19 counties, mostly in western Washington, plus Grant, Kittitas and Okanogan counties in the central part of the state.

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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December housing prices rose in King County despite holidays and snow!

Date: Jan. 9, 2009
Tags: None

Visit http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394929_housing07.html to read an article published in the Seattle Post Intelligencer on Wednesday, January 7th that discusses buoyancy in the Seattle and King County real estate market last month.

The story was written by Aubrey Cohen. She explains that "the median price for a Seattle house that sold in December was $436,750, up just over 5 percent from November and down nearly 4 percent from December 2007, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The price was the highest since July, and the year-to-year drop was the smallest since May."

price

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Flooding in Western Washington: Road closures in mountains and across state

Date: Jan. 8, 2009
Tags: None

Brace yourself for another nasty blow this season. This time instead of snow and ice it’s in the form of rain with potential flooding around the state and landslides.

Major rivers in Washington are rapidly rising especially rivers adjacent to I-5 in Lewis County. In Whatcom County many roads are being closed due to water and slides. WSDOT crews are monitoring the entire corridor and will immediately take the necessary measures to close the road if it becomes unsafe for vehicles.

All three major east-west mountain pass highways through the Cascade Mountains were closed as of January 7th due to avalanche danger and mudslides. You should anticipate additional travel delays and road closures. Also, plan for winter driving conditions in the mountain passes when they open and the potential for flooding throughout Washington.

Travel information is available at the WSDOT web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx?route=I-90&view=main&action=3. They recommend that you check conditions along your entire route. To help you out they established an online county-by-county list of road closures found here http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/Update/countynavigation.htm. For closure information in Whatcom County visit their online road closure list at http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/roadclosures/.

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Rates Today: Conventional 30 Year Fixed @ 4.87% & FHA/VA 30 Year Fixed @ 5.00%

Date: Jan. 6, 2009
Tags: None

The Federal Reserve aggressively purchased Mortgage Backed Securities this
morning pushing prices higher in an attempt to lower home loan rates. The
Federal Reserve will be buying $500 billion worth of Mortgage Bonds. That equals
approximately $4 billion in buying power each trading day. That is pretty good
buying support, which could help lower mortgage rates during the first two
quarters of 2009.

Please let me know if I can help you find a qualified lender to take advantage
of these historically low rates.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards
REALTOR
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 425-890-8045
Fax: 425-902-1899
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/real-estate-blog.asp
Mobile Site: http://davidjedwards.mofuse.mobi
Community Reports: http://www.topmarketer.net/CSR/CSReport.aspx?CV4GU5KAYOEF

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential
Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Just Listed! 4,330 Square Foot Home on Five Acres!

Date: Jan. 5, 2009
Tags: None

Just Listed! 4,330 Square Foot Home on Five Acres!

http://www.topproducerwebsite.com/aws//listingpic/1db0fc7f-93fc-4040-a7ed-425970d99879/b2c4ffb4-dd83-4532-8765-050effa25527.jpg

20623 SE 198th Street, Renton, WA, 98058

Price: $789,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.25
Year Built: 1985
Square Feet: 4,330
MLS: 29002082

This beautiful four bedroom home sits on five acres of fenced land complete with mature landscaping, a large stand alone shop and a separate stable. The home has undergone $50,000 in renovations and benefits from a new roof as well as fresh paint and new flooring throughout. Boasting a kitchen with double ovens as well as a formal living room, family room, loft, den, recreation room and billiards room, this home provides functional space for every need.

For More Information Visit: http://www.davidjedwards.com/31406.asp
Virtual Tour: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=31406

Driving Directions: SE Renton Maple Valley Rd/WA 169. Turn Right onto 196th Ave SE. Turn Left onto SE 192nd St. Turn Right onto 208th Ave SE. Turn Right onto SE 198th St. End at 20623.

If you would like to preview this home, please contact me to arrange for a private showing.

Best Regards!

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.

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Keep Your Home Dry This Winter by Taking Proper Care of your Roof

Date: Jan. 2, 2009
Tags: None

The roof is one of the most important structural elements of a home. A home inspector such as Stu Anderson from WIN Home Inspection can evaluate the pitch (or slope) of a roof, its overall condition, as well as common risks associated with the type of roof that sits atop the home. An inspection can also assess other factors (such as nearby trees) that could impact the roof, and whether it appears leak-prone.

Most leaks result from improperly installed "flashing" - the material used to connect parts of a roof to other parts of the home (chimney, windows, adjoining garage structure, etc.). Flashing materials vary and are often different forms of metal. An inspector can check the look of the flashing to gauge whether the roof or its components are prone to leaks, as well as the condition of skylights and windows protruding from the roof.

Gutters and downspouts attached to roofs are also important elements of the roof structure. Improperly installed or clogged gutters won't direct water away from the house properly and could distribute water near the home's foundation, increasing the likelihood of basement flooding or foundation-related moisture problems.

Here's an overview of the different types of roofing common in the United States:

Asphalt or composition shingles: Made of petroleum and other synthetic products, these shingles are the predominant type of roofing material in the US. They have an average lifespan of 15 to 30 years, depending on the roof's slope, the type of shingle material used, and the regional climate. These roofs may deteriorate faster in hot, warm weather.

Roll roofing: This type of roofing is made of material similar to asphalt or composition shingles but is applied in rolls and is commonly found on roofs without only a slight slope. The lifespan on these roofs is often shorter than roofs made from other materials since roll roofing is built on a low slope.

Wood shingle or shake roofing: Wood shingles or "shakes" have varying life expectancy, depending on climate, the roof's pitch, and drainage. These roofs are not as fire-retardant as others, but can be treated. Inspectors can also try and assess whether the wood roof has been laid in a manner that lets it dry properly.

Slate: Slate roofing is long-lasting and attractive, with the cheapest varieties estimated to last 45 to 60 years and higher-end types lasting for centuries. If your home has a slate roof, inspectors will look for white mineral deposits on slates, and also note whether or not slates need to be refastened or reinforced with nails or other fasteners. Crumbling slates or breakage can indicate that individual shingles need replacing - or the whole roof needs to be replaced.

Flat or built-up roofs: These roofs will need to be examined for standing or pooling water, which can create conditions conducive to moisture penetration. These roofs are usually referred to as "torchdowns" or "hotmopped" roofs.

Metal roofing: Metal roofing comes in a few different forms, including "standing seam" roofs which join several panels of roofing material and other forms of shingles and panels made from galvanized steel, treated aluminum or other materials. Metal roofs are often guaranteed to last up to 50 years, and they're considered valuable because they are low-weight, low maintenance, and, if pitched properly, can successfully slough off snow and ice.

Tile roofing: Tile roofing, typically made from clay tiles, is common in warm and dry climates and is considered a high-quality roofing product in these regions.

Stu Anderson from WIN Home Inspection provided me with the resources for this article. If you are concerned about your roof's ability to withstand the winter's rain, please feel free to give him a call. He would be happy to inspect your roof for you. An inspection of the systems of your entire home (not just the roof) typically runs about $350.00.

WIN Home Inspection
Stu Anderson
Phone: (425) 277-5666
Fax: (425) 277-0694
E-mail: sanderson@wini.com

The National Roofing Contractors Association provides a detailed guide to types of roofs and vocabulary on different parts of the roof: http://www.nrca.net/consumer/fyi.aspx

David J Edwards
REALTOR
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 425-890-8045
Fax: 425-902-1899
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/real-estate-blog.asp
Mobile Site: http://davidjedwards.mofuse.mobi
Community Reports: http://www.topmarketer.net/CSR/CSReport.aspx?CV4GU5KAYOEF

David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers.