Image: Days Gone By via Tumblr

Transporting a skeleton to Wake Forest University campus, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 1956. Photo by Hank Walker.

Mid-century home, Seattle, WA

Mr. Roger is diverting from the usual mid-century topics to share a little story about the Seattle housing forecast.

“When it rains, it pours”: an idiom you often hear in Seattle. Although lately that statement cannot be said about the weather (thank you, sun). It’s the housing market. Buyers are pouring into the Seattle market, but there’s not much to choose from. This “drought” is forcing the median price of King County homes to its highest level since December 2008.

April’s median price for King County homes registered at $400,000, 11.1 percent higher than a year ago. The tight market is causing a number of issues for buyers. First, the lack of inventory. With 3,221 single-family homes for sale in the county (35 percent less than a year ago), our market has a one-month supply of homes. (Typically a good housing market will have a six-month supply.) Second, buyers are thirsty, but bidding wars and cash buyers are driving out many median-range buyers. And third, low appraisals are causing many buyers to add contingencies in their purchase offers. Why the low appraisals? There’s not enough home sales data to accurately provide  comparables.

What does this mean for potential sellers? Prepare for the downpour and bring your umbrella! Expect  multiple offers and bidding wars, and in many cases, a quick turnaround!

Image: Retro Renovation

1950s Plastic Wall Tiles brochure from Pittsburg

She won’t be smiling when mold starts growing between those ungrouted, plastic shower tiles!

Run Like A Mother 5K
Sunday, May 12, 8:30AM
Warren G. Magnuson Park
A kids dash kicks off at 8:30AM with moms trailing behind (or passing them) in the women only 5K race at 9:00AM. Preregistration required at www.runlikeamotherrace.com.

Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 12, 11:00AM
The Chinese Room at Smith Tower
Feed mom with food and view! $40 per person/$10 for children ages 2-10 will get you a fabulous catered brunch with one of the most drool-worthy views in town.  Tickets at www.smithtower.com/brunch.

Image: Unexpected Productions

Mother’s Day Improv Comedy Show
Sunday, May 12, 7:00PM
Market Theater
Make fun of mom on Mother’s Day? Why not! This improv show will have everyone in a “laugh-so-hard-you-cry” fit. If your mom is willing, she can get pulled up on stage and you can laugh at her! All moms get in for $5. Info and tickets at www.unexpectedproductions.org/show/mom.

Image: Roger Wilkerson via Tumblr

Homes of Individuality for Today’s Homemakers, 1955, National Plan Service, Inc.

Mr. Roger is drooling! You can see this marvelous mid-century home plans book in its entirety online. It’s a must see for any retro-loving “homemaker”! Visit Internet Archives and peruse to your heart’s content!

Image: SenseiAlan via Flickr

MontaMower ad from May 1951 Popular Mechanics

It’s so easy to operate, you don’t even break a sweat (and no need to change out of your party dress)!

Image: x-ray delta one via flickr

Ping Pong House, 1950

The epitome of luxury, Cadillac sold wealth and taste. Even Mad Men’s Don Draper was seduced by the allure and splurged on a 1962 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in season two of the show. Like Don, not being able to resist the power of publicity, I found some fabulous mid-century Cadillac advertisements to share with you.

So what is the story of this car? Was it a gift to the “lady of the house” like in the ad below?

Image: FrenchFrouFrou via Etsy

Or did the couple decide together?

Image: relicsandcollectables via photobucket

And who wouldn’t want Harry Winston diamonds in the shape of the Cadillac crest?

Image: adloft via ebay

Image: dawnephotography via Etsy

Hmmm…wonder if the car comes with the house?

Image: jbcurio via flickr

Source: Chatelaine, July 1963

It’s spring. Did anyone tell you that yet? Besides the fact that Seattle had snow showers in MARCH, my daffodils are starting to make their statement in my yard, the birds are singing, the days are longer, and I’ve been in wonder of some pretty nice sunrises and sunsets of late. Ah, growth, it’s that time of year. Lately, growth is not only about what is coming out of the ground, but what is being torn up and rebuilt. There seems to be an abundance of both right now.

At my office on Capitol Hill, my colleagues and I have watched with much sadness as a construction crew demolishes the building that held B&O Espresso across the street. For as long as I can remember, B&O has been that reliable place I could suggest when you wanted a wonderful late night dessert after a concert or show, or morning coffee that wasn’t from a chain down the street.

Up the street from my office past the light rail tunnel construction, they are tearing down the over 100-year-old Weatherford House – always a consistent source for classic antiques and home furnishings. Both are being replaced with new, non-descriptive structures that will be apartments and hold less character. And in between are “podments”, new trolley lines on Broadway, and assorted other projects of growth.

I will admit, sometimes growth makes me grumpy. In many Seattle neighborhoods, the main streets have become a tunnel of buildings that all look the same. Gone are the Northwest cottages-turned-businesses, mid-century hardware stores, and oddly-renovated, ‘70s-era restaurants that all brought charm and character to each neighborhood. Queen Anne Avenue, Broadway on Capitol Hill, Market Street in Ballard…boring? Maybe, but they were designed with growth in mind.

Is growth bad? I need to practice what I preach and consider these as assets to the community instead of detriments. We continue to hear about the Seattle area’s low inventory, competitive offers for our buyers (that are generally making our sellers happy), and other market challenges. However, the new construction and change can also be a good thing…a rebirth for neighborhoods that need to change with the times.

I resolve to approach this growth with a healthier attitude and not let it shape and control my attitude towards the real estate market. Inventory is improving, interest rates are still great, and growth will continue. Those daffodils will be popping up in my yard, and pretty soon I’ll begin weeding in my yard. It’s a fact of growth.

As Cher so adamantly stated in the movie, Moonstruck, it’s time to “snap out of it!” Make the most of this market! Don’t let it control your real estate growth.