We want to let you know about some changes directed by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) regarding how those selling office commissions are determined. The intention is that sellers will have a greater degree of choice on what commission, if any, they offer to the brokerage representing the buyer. These changes will have implications for sellers and buyers in real estate transactions as well as Appraisers and Lenders.
Where Next: Insights from our Broker Network
Los Angeles! Ari Wintraub is a top-tier broker and referral partner serving the highly-competitive L.A. market. Based in Brentwood, he serves many of the most prestigious communities in the area such as Beverly Hills, B.H. Post Office, Santa Monica, Venice, and more.
You Can Help Change Lives!

The SeattlebyDesign Team has come across a wonderful charity that supports local neighbors going through challenging times. Tia Baker, the Director of the Seattle chapter, describes the Humble Design mission as:
The Benefits of Staging Your Home
In the last 15 years, home staging has become an integral part of selling homes in our market. While necessary, staging is also not inexpensive. In order to evaluate and justify the expense, it is important to understand how buyers make their decisions.
Seattle is Poised for Tremendous Population Growth; Could Surpass San Francisco by 2040
Can you imagine a population in Seattle greater than that in San Francisco? Well, according to an article from The Daily Journal of Commerce, that imagined scenario may become a reality as early as 2040. As Nat Levy reports, “The Puget Sound Regional Council [PSRC] predicts another 1 million people will live in the central Puget Sound region by 2040” and “at least 160,000 of those new people will live in Seattle.”
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Community News | Kirkland
KIRKLAND PRINCIPALS NAMED KING COUNTY PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR
The principals at both of Lake Washington School District’s comprehensive high schools in Kirkland have been named KingCo Principals of the Year:Juanita High School Principal Gary Moed for the 3A level and Lake Washington High School Principal Christina Thomas for 2A. In addition, Juanita High School Associate Principal Gloria Heier was nominated for the 3A Assistant Principal of the Year award. Principals are anonymously nominated by their fellow KingCo principals for these awards.
Gary was nominated for making significant progress at Juanita High School.
“Gary shows great enthusiasm for a student-first mentality, is modest in approach and willing to ask questions and share openly in principal meetings, and was known as a contributor in state-wide initiatives as well, representing the KingCo League on state level committees,” the nominator said. “He is warm and inviting, prepares for our meetings, and brings thoughtful reflection to our dialogue.”
Christina was nominated for successfully opening Lake Washington High School with progressive education ideas to help all students succeed.
“Always a proactive participant in Principal meetings and has warmly embraced the Professional Learning Community of principals we have,” said her nominator. “Christina will serve as the KingCo President next year and has done a fantastic job as the President Elect. She is well read, prepared, and open to share and discuss the challenges she faces, to help other principals take risks in sharing where they need help as well.”
Each year, the KingCo league (comprising 19 schools) selects principals of the year who embody leadership attributes that are acknowledged and appreciated by his/her principal peers. A principal is selected for each level (4A, 3A, 2A) as well as an associate principal in each level. These principals are then entered into the Association of Washington School Principal’s pool for Principal or Assistant Principal of the Year for the state.
This is the second time that Gary Moed has received this recognition. He was also selected in the 2011-2012 school year.
Congratulations to these fabulous educators from the SeattlebyDesign Team.
Enrico Pozzo, Barry Bergner & the SeattlebyDesign Team
Original Article: Kirkland Views
Forefront’s “Full of Hope” Event Connects the Community to Suicide Prevention Resources
As the holidays draw near, I am filled by a sense of excitement, knowing I will soon celebrate with close family and friends. I hope that you too are looking forward to the holidays as we say goodbye to 2018 and ring in the new year.
Rah Rah Issaquah!

What do you think of when you think of Issaquah? Do you think of the big Salmon Days event? The Costco headquarters? The beautiful Olde Town neighborhood? Maybe you think of the great school system!
On June 14th, SeattlebyDesign’s Chris Kallin attended a private presentation by Jen Davis Hayes, Issaquah’s Economic Development Manager. Developer’s and tier-1 tenants were the primary audiences, but Chris learned a lot of information that might be of interest to the residential real estate investor and/or owner-occupied homebuyer!
Chris would love to share the full presentation for any interested readers, but here are a few interesting tidbits that you won’t find in the presentation:
– Issaquah boasts more C-Level executives than any other area of the Puget Sound. Astonishing, given some of the more high-profile neighborhoods one might think of first.
– Currently, 70% of the Issaquah valley floor is covered in asphalt. City planners aim to change this dramatically, by requiring structure parking in key areas and for projects of a certain scale.
– The City of Issaquah has lifted their 1.5-year moratorium on new commercial development. The goal during this time was to develop a comprehensive view of a future-Issaquah and to produce an architectural fit / urban design manual. The requisite zoning changes align with the prescriptive objectives.
– Just 9% of residents currently live and work in the city. With several anchor tenants dramatically increasing their footprint (e.g. Costco’s doubling of its corporate office space), planners hope to see this figure improve dramatically. One of the ways they aim to increase this is to add “play” to the live-work-play equation. Projects that provide entertainment value are sure to get more support from the City of Issaquah than others ignoring this element.
– A review of the presentation reveals a number of residential real estate opportunities. Areas of interest might include the area of likely ST3 light rail expansion, the soon-to-be improved transit center, and the several roads being added to the area, including at least one overpass connecting the two halves of the city bisected by I-90.
Please contact Chris Kallin if you’d like more information or a copy of the city’s presentation! You can email him at chris@seattlebydesign.com.
And if you’re interested in making an investment in the area, be sure to check out the Issaquah Active Projects Map: http://bit.ly/2KJNCnd
According to GeekWire, the New Google Campus will Transform the South Lake Union Neighborhood
As the architects behind Google’s proposed campus at South Lake Union prepare for their meeting with the Seattle Design Review Board today at 8pm, GeekWire writes that “New images show how Google’s Seattle campus will transform the South Lake Union neighborhood.” Nat Levy, upon viewing the recently released images, says “the tech giant will drive the next evolution of the South Lake Union neighborhood, right in Amazon’s backyard” with a design aesthetic that speaks to the walkability of the neighborhood and incorporates natural elements, as walls of windows meet greenery throughout.
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Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty to Open 5th Branch Office in Madison Park
We are excited to share that Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty is expanding into Seattle’s Madison Park with its fifth branch office location. The latest addition to our growing global real estate brand will consist of two sites across from each other: The Park House, a boutique real estate store front at 4031 Madison St.; and administrative offices in the building across the street.
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