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Washington Real Estate

Washington Real Estate

Washington Real Estate

The state of Washington is located in the Pacific Northwest area of the United States. It is the most northwestern state in the country and is bordered by the states of Idaho and Oregon. The west coast of Washington is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Washington is widely known for its large metropolitan cities, including Seattle and Spokane. 
However, much of the state maintains an astonishing natural beauty that attracts tourists from throughout the world. A large portion of Washington is composed of mountain ranges, rain forests, lakes, and rivers. The climate varies significantly throughout the state, with some portions being rainy and mild, and others being dry and arid. The state has a population of well over six and a half million residents and many people continue to seek Washington property.
Washington state real estate is attractive to many individuals who enjoy the desirable features of Washington State. The cost of real estate in Washington varies a great deal, depending upon the location that an individual is seeking property. For example, it can be very expensive to living in some of the major cities within Washington, including Seattle and Bellevue. However, Spokane is an affordable location to live. 
As an individual starts searching in more suburban and rural areas, housing costs will drop. There are many small towns throughout Washington that offer reasonable real estate prices. Some of these towns are located in close proximity to the beautiful beaches on Washington’s west coast. It is important to note that some counties within Washington, specifically King County, are known for having high property taxes.

Seattle Real Estate

Seattle Real Estate

Like with all cities, there are major advantages to living in Seattle. Seattle is the capital city of Washington and borders the southern portion of Canada. Seattle is one of the largest cities in the United States, housing over 617,000 residents. It is an important cultural, educational, and economic center. Seattle is an attractive city that is enjoyable to many, and therefore, many individuals seek Seattle property. 
Living in a major city can be advantageous, as it provides individuals with access to more employment opportunities, reduces commutes, and maintains a variety of attractions, events and activities. Within a city, such as Seattle, an individual will be able to locate a number of restaurants, bars, theaters, galleries, and museums that suit his/her taste and lifestyle. As a result, property located within major cities is generally expensive to purchase.
When compared to property sold in other major cities, such as New York City and Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington real estate is relatively affordable. However, the available Seattle property does cost more than the average cost of housing within the United States. Nevertheless, if an individual wishes to relocate to a major city, Seattle may be a more affordable option. The median cost of property in Seattle is slightly over $374,600, while the average asking price for real estate is about $567,870. 
As of September 2010, there were over 4,000 homes for sale in Seattle, providing potential home buyers with a variety of different options. An individual can find property within the city for under $300,000, though prices vary by location and the condition of the home, and in some instances, real estate can exceed one million dollars. Apartments and condos are popular in Seattle and an individual may wish to consider these options, as opposed to purchasing a home.

Bellevue Real Estate

Bellevue Real Estate

Bellevue is a large city that is located in close proximity to Seattle, Washington. It is situated on the opposite side of Lake Washington and has been considered to be a satellite city or suburb. However, the rapid growth of Bellevue has transformed it into a metropolitan city center. The city has a population of over 126,600 individuals and is experiencing rapid changes to accommodate the large population. 
Bellevue is one of the wealthiest locations in Washington. It is repeatedly ranked as one of the best locations to reside within the United States and has also been deemed one of the top locations to start a business. As a result of the city’s growing popularity, Bellevue real estate is becoming increasingly expensive.
Bellevue real estate varies significantly. In certain locations throughout the city, an individual may be able to locate an affordable home. There are some small, two bedroom homes available for under $300,000, however, this is rare in Bellevue. More likely, an individual will be required to pay over $500,000 for reasonable Bellevue real estate. 
The median cost of property in Bellevue is roughly $485,000, while the average asking price is about $777,900. However, it is important to note that housing costs in Bellevue vary greatly based upon location. If an individual is seeking property in Northwest Bellevue or West Bellevue, he/she should expect to pay over one million dollars for a home. There are apartments available to rent in the city. If an individual chooses to rent an apartment, he/she will likely pay around one thousand dollars each month to reside in the apartment.

Spokane Real Estate

Spokane Real Estate

Spokane is a major metropolitan city, located in Washington. It is situated with the North West portion of the United States, on the banks of the Spokane River. It is about one hundred miles from the Canadian Border and roughly twenty miles away from Idaho, which is located to the east of the city. Spokane has a population of over 202,300 individuals, making it one on the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest. 
In addition to the city center, there are a number of surrounding suburbs that compose the city of Spokane. The city has a rich history, with over half of the downtown areas being deemed as historic. In recent years, major renovations have been completed in Spokane, to add new attractions and destinations. Concert halls, hotels, theaters, convention centers, and malls have been built throughout the city, providing residents with access to a variety of desirable venues, events, and activities.
In recent years, housing prices in Spokane, Washington have decreased significantly, making Spokane real estate extremely affordable. An individual can currently obtain Spokane real estate for relatively low prices, making Spokane an affordable alternative to Bellevue, another of the major cities located in Washington. 
The cost of housing in Spokane generally falls at or below the average cost of property throughout the country. The median cost of property in Spokane is about $140,300, while the average asking price is roughly $248,000. An individual can locate a large, four bedroom home for under $350,000. An individual who wishes to reside in a major city, but who is unable to afford property in Seattle or Bellevue, may wish to consider Spokane real estate.

King County’s Property Tax Is Too High!

King County's Property Tax Is Too High!

King County is a county located in the state of Washington. It maintains a population of over 1,916,400 individuals, making it the most largely populated county in the state. It is the fourteenth largest county in the country. The city of Seattle is located in King County. The majority of the population that occupies this county resides in suburbs within Seattle. 
King County is considered to be a great location to live in and it is known to have some of the highest incomes in the United States. As a result, many people choose to live and work in King County. It is possible to find affordable housing in some locations within the county. However, King county property tax may cause the cost of living to increase substantially.
In addition to being known for its metropolitan cities, desirable suburbs, and high incomes, King county is also known for its high property tax. Residents of King County often complain that the King County property tax rate is much too high. The state of Washington does not implement an income tax, and as a result, a large portion of an individual’s taxes are taken through property taxes. King County property tax will range depending upon what portion of the county an individual resides in. 
In some areas of the county, the property tax rate is as high as 11.9%, making it higher than the average property tax in the United States. The Kings County property tax rate is frequently debated and argued, however, there are many individuals who justify the high tax rate by citing the many advantageous features of living in Kings County.