"All Things Edmonds" Blog

EDMONDS, WA -- This week, new data came out reporting that home prices were up nationally, but down locally here in the greater Seattle region. That's not so much of a surprise since we know that the Puget Sound generally lags behind the nation as a whole.  Rather, it's good news. Because we get to see the light at the end of the tunnel far sooner than those who were at the front of the line.  So take heart, Puget Sounders!  We have likely seen the worst of the economy and its effects on our work and personal lives.

Follow this link for more details on the national housing report.

The Case-Schiller home price index shows that home prices in August were down 14.7% from a year ago. My analysis of the Edmonds real estate market indicates that locally, we have seen that prices are down 9.3% for single family houses and down 11.1% for condos.  

Check out my previous blogs to compare my own analysis of home pricing trends in Edmonds & Shoreline to that of the greater Seattle region or nationally.

Well it looks like the first-time home buyer tax credit is gaining some traction for an extension and an expansion.  There are several bills on the hill - in both the House and the Senate - that are aimed at extending and expanding the $8,000 tax credit. 

Here are two that are of note that are currently in the works.

• Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) introduced the First-Time Home buyer Tax Extension Act (H.R. 1993) which, if enacted, would extend the First-Time Home buyer Tax Credit through 2010. H.R.1993 has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further review.
  
  
• The Home Buyer Tax Credit Act (S.1230) was introduced by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) on June 10, 2009. If enacted, S. 1230 would replace the $8,000 tax credit established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with a $15,000 maximum tax credit for first-time home buyers. Under this Act, repayment of the credit is waived unless the home is sold or unoccupied within a two-year window. S. 1230 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
  
  
• The Senate has already agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time home buyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years.

It should be noted that nothing is a done deal yet as both the House and Senate must agree to any differences before sending a bill off to the President for final ratification.  Congress is also looking into the finances and fraud related to the tax credit and I'm sure that will have to be resolved before anything happens for sure.

Edmonds, WA -- As a city of barely 40,000 residents, it's a wonder that so many people spend so much money to run for office in Edmonds to win a seat on the city council here. The candidates raise more per citizen than all but three other cities in the state: Seattle, Olympia and Shoreline. They outspend the next highest city in Snohomish County by double (Everett).

I don't have a complete grasp as to why this is, but clearly people in this city go nuts over the political machine down there on 5th Ave N.

A more complete article on running for office in Edmonds, WA can be found at the Everett HeraldNet.

Here's a summary of the top spenders, per capita:

1. Seattle: $1.84 raised per resident
   
2. Olympia: $1.74
   
3. Shoreline: $1.70
   
4. Edmonds: $1.58
   
5. Bellevue: $1.24

EDMONDS, WA -- Let’s talk about rules of etiquette for riding a ferry. Here in Edmonds, we have many unique features that make us “special.” One of these features is that we are one of 19 ferry terminals used by the Washington State Ferry System. Each year, the Washington State Ferries haul 24 million passengers – about a quarter of all U.S. ferry traffic. Its 24 vessels range from a tiny boat that links Tacoma to Vashon Island, to a tourist-friendly international run that winds through the scenic San Juan Islands to Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

On any given day, you can see a long line of cars parked along Edmonds Way waiting to get onto either of our two jumbo ferries for Kingston. Average wait times can be as little as 10 minutes to several hours. The question donned on me recently: what do you do if you’re stuck in one of these long lines in your car and have to go to the bathroom?

The question begs a greater about rules of etiquette while waiting for a ferry? While I don’t know of any published or official rules, I think there are some that are generally agreed upon by those or regularly take the ferries across the Puget Sound.

Rule #1. Don’t block driveways or intersections. When you have ferry lines backing up for a couple miles, it can be frustrating to navigate local streets. It’s important that as ferry passengers, you are alert enough to know that you should not block driveways and intersections (most of which are clearly marked as such) so that non-ferry traffic and move through these areas without hindrance. You might be weary of leaving such a big gap in between you and the car ahead of you for fear of someone cutting in front of you. But fear not, Rule #2 at your rescue!

Rule #2. No cuts allowed! As tempting as it may be to drive up an extra block or mile before getting in the ferry line, know that it is not only highly disrespectful but also illegal to do so. While you probably won’t face jail time, you’ll have no less than several people report you to the terminal crew or State Trooper on duty. Just ask Ed Sutton, chair of the San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee, who was caught cutting in line.

Rule #3. Don’t argue with the crew or ticket agents. They are doing their jobs. If you don’t get on, it’s not their fault (usually).

Rule #4. Be a gentleman. And if you can’t, show some grace anyway. Sometimes, you just *have* to get out of line temporarily. This actually happened to me when I really had to go to the bathroom. I got out of my car and asked the drivers of the three cars immediately behind me whether they had a problem with me driving to a bathroom and returning to my spot. They did not, so I left. Of course, it’s always the fourth person back who has a problem. He reported me to the State Patrol at the terminal who was more than understanding and let me on. The point is, everyone takes cheating the system seriously, but in the end, it’s probably not going to affect your ability to get on the next ferry, so stay calm and enjoy the ride. 

Click here for more information about the Washington State Ferry system.

Visit my website for more information about the city of Edmonds, WA, or further musings at my “All Things Edmonds” blog.