Seattle Washington Real Estate

In the coming two decades, Seattle city planners expect the population of the city to expand from approximately 600,000 people to 800,000-1,000,000 – a number that is substantially higher than the current figure. Expected population gains in this range would tax the abilities of any planners – but planners in the Seattle, Washington real estate area have a plan in place that will allow the city to grow healthily over time.

The danger to Seattle, Washington real estate is that significant, rapid growth will threaten the overall character of the city. Seattle, Washington real estate has long been defined by the prevalence of single-family homes throughout the area. While there are necessarily many multi-family developments in the city, Seattle has tended to boast more single-family homes than other similarly sized cities. Planners, then, are focusing on preserving this characteristic of Seattle, Washington real estate.

The key to the new plan for Seattle is changed zoning laws in the city center. These changes will allow buildings to be taller and overall density to be higher. The center of Seattle, then, is likely to see extensive changes over the next 20 years, with more Seattle, Washington real estate in high-density condominiums that are placed close to jobs and entertainment. This shift in available offerings may mean that Seattle continues to grow a city-center population of single professionals – but without sacrificing the overall character of the city as a whole.

Seattle WA Real Estate

Before 1870, Seattle, WA real estate effectively did not exist. At the time, Seattle was a tiny, far-flung frontier outpost that was attractive only to a select few hardy travelers, gold-seekers, and entrepreneurs. Today, the cityscape of Seattle is quite different. Seattle, WA real estate is home to approximately 600,000 citizens from all walks of life – and the city continues to grow at a moderate but steady level. As city planners look into the future, then, they are focusing on the likelihood of measurable growth that will continue to rise. Over the next two decades, for example, planners expect the population of the city to grow by anywhere from 200,000 to 350,000 people. Population gains in this range would provide the city with a rate of growth much faster than recent years.

The challenge for city planners, then, is to ensure that Seattle, WA real estate continues to offer great options to an ever-increasing population – but without sacrificing the city’s innate charm and character. The actions of Seattle city planners, then, center around the city’s zoning laws. For decades, one of the defining factors of Seattle’s growth has been that the city’s zoning laws favor single-family homes over multi-family developments. Planners hope to preserve these laws and thereby keep the overall character of the city intact. This is being down by loosening restrictions in the city center, allowing for taller buildings and denser residential areas at the heart of Seattle, WA real estate. Over time, then, growth is likely to be centered in the downtown area.

Seattle, Washington Real Estate

Year after year, Seattle, Washington real estate stands out as one of the most popular areas of the country for new homebuyers looking for a great place to call home. One aspect of life in the Seattle, Washington real estate area that ensures a high quality of life for residents is the quality of local government. In Seattle, all city offices are non-partisan, and its nine city council members are elected “at large” rather than according to geographic subdivisions. City government is also notable because it has managed to avoid scandal and charges of cronyism over the years – despite the fact that these problems routinely plague city governments in other areas.

Seattle, Washington real estate is also notable because its population reliably leans to the political left. Each election, approximately 80% of the population votes for the democratic candidate, and local representation in the legislative branch of national government has historically voted along liberal policy lines. Seattle, Washington real estate, then, is supported by an active political scene that values the political leanings and interests of its citizenry.

If you’re shopping for a home in the Seattle, Washington real estate area, then, you’re sure to find that the available offerings are well supported by city services and national representation. Seattle politics are active and effective – but they do not take over and dominate city life in the way that they do in some other American cities.

Ask Your Seattle Real Estate Agents For Eco-Friendly

What was once a concrete jungle of a parking lot near the Northgate Mall is now being transformed into a stunning, eco-friendly, mixed-use development that’ll include 278 apartments, 109 condos, 52,00 square feet of retail space, a 52-screen movie theater, walking paths, an exposed waterway and public art displays.

Thornton Place, designed by Seattle Washington real estate developers Lorig Associates and Stellar Holdings and set for completion in Spring 2009, was conceived as an exciting response to that innate citizen desire for community dwelling space and natural landscaping.

“Everyone will have a front stoop and all the residences will look out over the channel project and the pedestrian paths,” says Andrew Hoyer, senior associate with Mithun. “The walkways will serve as a good gathering point in an urban setting.”

In addition to creating the layout with “New Urbanism” in mind, the group says they will also pursue LEED certification, which means they will use responsible building practices, install Energy Star appliances, in addition to making use of natural lighting and improved air circulation practices. Seattle real estate agents say this is of utmost importance to area buyers, who pride themselves on being green.

“We’ve been pushing sustainable practices very hard within our company over the past five to ten years,” Hoyer says, adding that the company’s been involved with numerous family-oriented Seattle Washington real estate projects over the years. “We believe that sustainable design is not a trend–it’s a movement, a complete change of life, a paradigm shift. We know that all of this is important for our children.”

To encourage residents and retail employees to use bicycles as the primary mode of transit, Thornton Place is installing showers on the premises for those hot and sweaty summer commutes. They’re also working with Metro Transit and Flexcar to facilitate shared transportation. Seattle real estate agents should have no trouble encouraging interest in the Thornton Place lifestyle!

Seattle Real Estate Agents Say Seattle’s Going Greener

How is Seattle Washington real estate going greener, you might ask? Seattle real estate agents like Courtney Cooper say that, “Seattle neighborhoods have been putting food scraps in the green lawn bin for quite some time and beginning late last year, many Seattle suburbs started offering this great service too!” In addition to lawn clippings, you can put shredded paper, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, Chinese take-out cartons and pizza boxes can all go in your green bin!

But that’s not all, say Seattle real estate agents! In fact, the citizens of Seattle have been incorporating eco-friendly interior design into their prized piece of Seattle Washington real estate. Your neighbor may not believe you when you mention that your green Crate and Barrel sofa is actually made of a sustainable wood frame, soy-based foam, water-based finishes and bamboo trim! You can get your organic sheets, towels and bath mats at West Elm, your organic sofas from One Earth One Design or Crate and Barrel, your eco-friendly home renovation materials from Home Depot and your PBDE-free / legally logged furniture from Ikea. The Forest Stewardship Council approves environmentally-friendly wood, so keep a look out for that label.

Don’t just take the Seattle real estate agents‘ word for it. In April, Seattle was dubbed the nation’s leader in green building development, with 41 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings. Other cities riding our coat tails include: Portland, Chicago, DC and Grand Rapids. Even our very own City Hall and Central Library are sustainable designs!