Relocating to Duvall/Carnation/Novelty area (Seattle, Bellevue: for sale, rentals, house)

[NW_Bound]

Any assistance in locating rental home/buying home in this area would be appareciated...The national sites seem sparse on listings for these areas or the homes are over a million dollars that they do show!

THanks!
Justin

[compltlyme]

Have you tried the Seattle Times online?

[scirocco22]

Yeah, I can believe what you're saying. Anywhere east of Lake Washington is where the more desired housing will be located. The only problem is, is that the inventory of housing is so small right now. This is not only in the greater Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland areas but also now out into the areas you're interested in. Because the inventory in the Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland areas is so low, people are willing to move to Duvall and Carnation to make the commute to, say, Microsoft in Redmond or downtown Bellevue. Sure, they'd like to live closer to Redmond but, as I've said, there's just not that many places available. Duvall has been popular for the past decade for the Microsoft folks. I remember 30 years ago when it was just a little sleepy hollow, now it's a bustling suburbia that its infrastructure can't keep up ...lots of yuppies who like to think they're country folk. Fall City, Snoqualmie, Carnation, North Bend ...they're all places which were once country towns, out in the "sticks" but now are catching the overflow of the expanding suburbs.

Well, with all that said, I'm sure you can find something in the lower Snoqualmie valley if you just keep looking. Believe me, there are places for sale but depending where you're from, the prices may seem sort of steep. If you're coming from, say, California, then they might appear as bargains.

Good luck!

--'rocco

[randav]

Ditto what others have said about the invasion of the yuppies. Be aware, too, that the Snoqualmie River has a reputation for flooding, so stay off the flat flood plain. Most of the time it's fine, but every three or four years there's another "100 year flood". Sometimes in spring when an early warm spell melts a lot of snow in the mountains, but also in November after an early snow in the mountains followed by a heavy rain that combines rain and massive snow melt. You may not mind occasional mud in your basement or lower floor, but remember that those flood waters have come over cattle pastures upstream.

[scirocco22]

Good point, randav! I have friends out in the outskirts of Duvall that have been stranded --no way out in any direction-- when flooding is at its worst. To me, that would be uncomfortable.

--'rocco

[mim]

Check out apt/housing rentals on CraigsList. I just rented a wonderful house on the East Side that was as great in person as was promised. I also felt it was priced fairly(although, I'm from N.J. so I may not have a realistic picture) Even my realtor couldn't help me find a rental and some of the rental companies falsely advertised homes and never called me back. Dealing with individuals was wonderful and I'm sorry I could only rent one house because I had 3 options and met some great people.