The mornings are foggier, the nights are longer, and the creepies are creepier. Spooky season is here in Seattle and I’m here to help you through it. Here are some of the spookiest Seattle things to look out for, and costume ideas to go along:
Fremont Troll
Halloween is a special day for all monsters, but for the Fremont Troll it’s a doubly special day because it’s also his birthday! Even though the Fremont Troll was frozen into concrete by a spell on Oct 31 1990, the guardian of the Fremont Bridge needs to be appeased. Every year Fremont throws a ritualistic celebration called Troll-o-Ween. Head to Fremont on Oct 31st with a grey wig and a VW Bug to pay your Troll Toll.
3rd and Pike/Pine
This one is perhaps the most frightening of the Seattle frights. For years, the 3rd Ave transit corridor has acted as a magnet for Seattle’s illicit drug trade. Particularly, 3rd and Pine (aka 3rd and Crime) is consistently bustling with identifiable illegal activities. If you are looking for a real scare this Halloween, go visit the busiest McDonalds in the state dressed as Seattle’s spookiest intersection – 3rd and Pike.
3rd Place Pike fish
Bezos Head Tax/HQ2
Yes, I realize that Amazon would not have been the only company taxed by the Head Tax if it had survived. However, Amazon was possibly the largest and most vocal opponent. The rapid growth and dominance of Amazon has changed the shape of the city. While many mourn the change of our once grungy city, many more rely on the thriving economy that Amazon helps support.
After the city approved of a $275/employee tax on large companies Amazon threatened to halt construction on a new downtown office tower. People feared that Amazon would leave Seattle altogether, that HQ2 might become HQ1. Personally, I feel that the real estate market started to cool when this occurred in late April and early May. Seattle has since repealed the tax, however, many still live in fear that Bezos will take Amazon and it’s billions of dollars elsewhere.
Pay tribute to the Great Bezos this Halloween with a simple bald cap and a head of tacks.
Zombie Sonics
The Seattle Supersonics played their last game April 16, 2007, dying a bitter death before being reincarnated as the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s been over a decade since that fateful day, however, the spirit of our team lives on. Did the Sonics really die? Or do they simply hibernate, waiting to be summoned by a renovated Key Arena? Kevin Durant believes that they will return, do you?
The Supersonics might return undead
Quick Market Update
Inventory is up and prices are down since the our last peak in early May. Seattle’s single family median price is down 5% since our last peak in early May, but up 5% year-over-year. There are many reasons for this, but the main reasons are an increase in interest rates, buyer uncertainty, and an increase in listings. Interest rates are currently at around 5% and months of inventory is at 2.8 months.
My hunch is that interest rates will stabilize for a few months and inventory will drop over the winter. This should lead to price stabilization or maybe a slight increase. We are currently experiencing a bump in inventory that is normal for this season as people seek to sell before the holidays and rain. By November I expect new listings to dry up and stale listings to either be removed from the market or sell for a reduced price. Once that occurs we should see new listings become more scarce and thus sell more quickly.
First Time Buyer Course Scheduled
Washington State has just raised the maximum household income limit to $145,000 to qualify for the Home Advantage program. In order to qualify for these programs you must attend a course endorsed by the Washington State Housing and Finance Commission.
After three fruitful years at John L Scott on South Lake Union I’ve decided to join the crew at the Windermere on NW Market St.
I am very excited to join an office that makes a point of community involvement and promotes a team atmosphere. I know that this move will help me grow into a more well-rounded Realtor. If you find yourself in Ballard please don’t hesitate to visit and see my new office in action.
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