Spotlight on Seward Park – one of Seattle’s beautiful waterfront green spaces

As my husband and I and our Italian greyhound, Sophia, walked the trails of Seward Park on Sunday as participants in the Furry 5k fundraiser for Seattle Animal Shelter Help the Animals Fund, my mind turned to real estate (as usual) and wonder of the prices in that particular, especially expensive, area. I’ve not spent much time in the southeast portion of the city, living in the southwest portion of the city and getting from one to the other area not particularly easy (altho it can be done without getting on a highway or freeway). There is even a Wikipedia entry for Seward Park, which will tell you way more than you ever thought you could know about this part of our fine city.

I continue to be boggled by housing costs and the decreasing availability of homes for the first time home buyer. I was a first time home buyer in 2001 – at the age of 31 – and all I can say is I am glad I got into the ownership market then and wasn’t trying to do it now! The market is particularly challenging these days – and downright depressing for many making anything less than an above-average income for our area. Even singles, making a decent salary, can’t afford to buy into anything less than a dinky studio condo inside the city limits. It’s so sad! I feel your pain.

Just for curiosity sake, when I’ve explored a certain part of the city, I like to come back to the office and check out what’s selling and for how much. I couldn’t find anything within a half-mile of Seward park’s entrance (5902 Lake Washington Blvd, South) for under half a million, and only one under $600k. Check out this 3 bedroom two and a half bath split-entry on Wilson Avenue South. When I enlarged my search to within one mile, I found 13 listings under $500k, some new townhomes as well as older single family residences in Hillman City, Columbia City, and in surrounding areas, starting in the mid 300s. Still not a lot, and probably a lot of people competing for these “starter” homes.

If you’re looking to live near one of Seattle’s great green spaces, such as beautiful Seward Park, do your homework. Talk with your lender and be real clear on what you can bid up to. Because if you fall in love with this area and one of the classic charmers in the surrounding neighborhood, you’ll want to have your agent move quickly when you find the perfect home for you and your family!

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