Comments on: City gives Avalon Ballard official approval

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:36:45 +0000

So the Safeway is getting a remodel too (a Starbucks in the existing garage)?

The vignettes look okay, but time will tell whether this will be another eyesore. Incidentally, you might enjoy this blog: google cheap sh*t condos (sorry for the expletive!)

By: Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:13:21 +0000

No but investors looking to get housing on the cheap are in the landlord business.

How do you explain rents skyrocketing during the boom years?

By: lathum

lathum — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:52:03 +0000

As far as I know banks aren't in the landlord business. Homes that are foreclosed on will sit empty until sold to someone else.

By: lathum

lathum — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:50:24 +0000

Some are but not all. There are generations of young people who in the past may have bought their first house but instead are forced to rent. There are also people who have been forced to sell a home and now must rent. Plus all the people who are living in apartments that in the past may have bought a house are instead staying in their apartments.

By: Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:48:18 +0000

Yeah you are right. All the reports of rents going down in Seattle are a bunch of hogwash.

Ever think that all the foreclosures are going lead to higher vacancy rates, and with no one available to buy they become rentals, thus increasing supply and lowering demand?

Not to mention all the supply that was built and never occupied in the first place because credit dried up before they could be sold.

By: Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:45:58 +0000

I am just saying I know they had to lower the rent of my current apt to garner interest in it. (not in one of the new buildings)

By: 98119

98119 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:44:35 +0000

Aren't those who can't afford to buy a house already in an apartment?

By: lathum

lathum — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:22:30 +0000

Barney you clearly have no concept of basic economics.

The more people out there who can't afford to buy a home will have to rent. In our current market that is a high number of people. Since more people are looking to rent the less apartments will be available. The less of something there is the more valuable it becomes, hence, the price of rent will be on the rise.

By: Lulusmama

Lulusmama — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:45:21 +0000

What do your L.A. developers plan to put on the land once the 60's, 70's and 80's structures are removed?

Condos or townhomes?

By: Gene1

Gene1 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:34:29 +0000

Type in “Ballard apts.” on Craig's List and count how many are in the “trendy” Leva building, a property I believe was originally slated to be condos. It's starving for tenants and I foresee the same future for the boring blockade depicted above.

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:02:29 +0000

You are wrong. I am not oblivious to those structures. I am constantly on the look-out to buy those hideous 60's 70's 80's structures for my investors down in LA. The land is more valuable than the buildings and are so ugly I am happy to do my job. Don't worry, those hideous 60's 70's 80's structures will come down…it's nice to know you support my efforts!

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:52:54 +0000

I've looked at ads on Craigs List for apartments, and have seen what the vacant apartments in my building are going for. It's a lot more than what I'm paying now. Unless you're in one of the new buildings they are having trouble filling your rent has not gone down a bit.

By: Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:49:35 +0000

That is because you are still living there. If you were to move out this month I would bet it would go down.

By: 98119

98119 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:19:31 +0000

Looks like some lucky residents will have a beautiful view of the drunks at the bar err… bus stop across the street.

By: Ben Wiseley

Ben Wiseley — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:26:54 +0000

Such an unoriginal design. Boring architecture should be a crime.

By: SPG

SPG — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:54:08 +0000

I'll take the shiny one without the bums please.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:24:52 +0000

Well, my own. My rent has held steady recently, but a year ago it went up for the second time since I'd been here. My rent has not dropped. I don't know anyone who's rent has dropped.

By: Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:04:18 +0000

Based on what Nora?

The rent on my current apt prior to me moving in was almost identical to Leva, but now is much less.

I have seen nothing but rents dropping since the housing market collapsed. Over supply because of places like Leva helps too.

By: SwedishG

SwedishG — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:00:58 +0000

The designs seem to be getting a little better. In my opinion, this trumps the Denny's debacle. I also like the new condo building across from the QFC on 24th. And even the QFC building is getting some nice touches.

Here's to a little positivity on a dark monday afternoon.

By: ballardmike

ballardmike — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:38:30 +0000

well – maybe this will help keep it affordable for more of our kids to stay in Ballard…

By: myballardreader

myballardreader — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:35:19 +0000

Woohoo more empty units in ballard……

By: LBB

LBB — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:56:03 +0000

I don't see it being fashionable now! Yipes

By: Maurice Boneyard

Maurice Boneyard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:37:03 +0000

How many spaces are they allowing for abandoned vans and trucks?

By: phinneynotballard

phinneynotballard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:28:49 +0000

yes, they are also taking out the traffic signals and by the looks of it, the Burger King .

By: Punkateer

Punkateer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:26:46 +0000

This makes sense. I love the opera house in Paris..so I guess I have to move in to prove it. Brilliant idea. The Airport in Copenhagen is sweet too. Which one should I move into!? ugh your flawless logic has me in a tizzy!

By: Punkateer

Punkateer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:24:14 +0000

I genuinely believe you (and many others) move about Ballard completely oblivious to the hideous 60's 70's 80's structures with parking at grade and stucco siding (with water damage) which make up majority of Ballards dense sites.

Durr Durr, New project. Must insult. Density Good. Urban Sprawl Bad. Not in Ballard though.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:21:26 +0000

That's a so far unproven theory. Unfortunately.

By: BarneyRubble

BarneyRubble — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:17:29 +0000

I see this putting downward pressure on rent prices in Ballard. Not sure what the occupancy of Leva is and with 300 more units above QFC on 24th…

By: NEIGHB0R

NEIGHB0R — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:17:23 +0000

Yes, I'm going to move in as many times as I can.

By: Ballardcrab

Ballardcrab — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:01:37 +0000

So, all the people that 'love' the new building – are you planning on moving in?