According to Moya Skillman,

broker at Team Foster at

Windermere Real Estate,

the Eastside home market is hot

right now. “The Eastside is the

place to be. Or at least that is

what home buyers are saying.

Inventory is at a 13-year low and

it seems that everyone wants to

live on the Eastside because of

the great schools, short commute

times to employment areas, and

quality of life, including great

parks and wonderful shopping and

entertainment,” she says.

The loss of inventory directly

coincides with companies such as

Microsoft, Google and Expedia

leasing more and more space on

the Eastside. “We find that most of

the people moving here from other

parts of the country want to live on

the Eastside. This is pushing home

values up and prices are increasing.

We are seeing multiple offers on

most houses in a variety of price

points,” she says.

Are you looking to buy? Skillman

says if you’re budgeting under $1

million, you might want to take a

look at areas of Kirkland, Redmond,

Lakemont and Newcastle. If you

own a home in West Bellevue,

specifically Medina, Clyde Hill,

Enatai or the Points (Yarrow Point

and Hunts Point), you’re likely

sitting on a proverbial gold mine.

“If you have a house in this area,

properties are in high demand

because of the exceptional public

schools and close proximity to

downtown Bellevue and Seattle,”

Skillman says.

Are you thinking about selling

your home? You’re not likely going

to just throw it on the market and

call it good. Improvements must be

made. Value must be added. But

where to start? We asked Skillman

for three different suggestions to

add value to your home sale.

Real Value.An inside look at the Eastside market (plus tips to boost your home’s value) BY ETHAN CHuNG

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Skillman added that regardless of price range, it ’s

a good idea for any potential seller to tour their own

home through the eyes of a potential buyer. Ask yourself

important questions. Is the kitchen too cluttered? Does

the room flow correctly? Do the drapes interfere with my

ability to see the yard? Enlist assistance from someone

who doesn’t live there. A close friend with a fresh set of

eyes can be a big help.

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Easy peasy.New carpet and paint. New paint is very

affordable because you can do it yourself.

Carpet can be of good quality, but doesn’t

have to be expensive. These two changes

really transform a house in a matter of days

and help present your home in the best way.

Another easy improvement is color flower pots by the front door. Creating a nice

sense of arrival is key to selling your home.

Essential.Landscaping. Whether you can do the

improvements yourself or can hire someone

to help, landscaping is critical. Things

should be clean and tidy. If the yard is in good shape, the house will look like it has been well cared for. Many buyers drive

by houses before they call their Realtor

to go see the house. You need to make a

great first impression from the outside!

Go for the gold.The old saying is, “kitchens and bathrooms

sell houses. And it is still true today. If you

do have some extra funding available for

improvements, consider updating your kitchen and or bathrooms. Adding stainless

appliances, changing countertops and

painting or replacing cabinets will give you

a big boost. Master bathrooms are very

important. If you can only remodel one

bathroom choose the master bathroom first, then add the others if your budget allows.

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