SEATTLE – September 15, 2010 – Families facing foreclosure will have the opportunity to meet with their mortgage lenders and get free one-on-one advice and resources from state- certified housing counselors at Mortgage Help Day on October 2.

Last year, over 30,000 families in Washington State lost their homes to foreclosure. With another wave of adjustable rate mortgages resetting and the economy still staggering, it is estimated that nearly 41,000 Washington homeowners are likely to face foreclosure this year.

To support homeowners and communities as well as build awareness around the need for changes in public policy to better stabilize our communities, Statewide Poverty Action Network (Poverty Action) and partner agencies are hosting Mortgage Help Day on October 2, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. at South Seattle Community College (map and directions).

The free event will connect homeowners with lenders and HUD-certified housing counselors, as well as help attendees understand the foreclosure process and take steps to help remedy the crisis. To date, lenders who will be attending the event include Chase Bank and Wells Fargo. Attendees should bring a photo ID, social security card, last two years of W-2s and tax returns, last two pay stubs and bank statements as well as all mortgage documents (note that pre-registration is required for translation services). For more information, call (206) 694-6794 or go to www.povertyaction.org.

“Because lenders, borrowers, homeowners and our communities all benefit if foreclosures are avoided, we are committed to helping vulnerable homeowners gain a broad range of options to maintain their housing,” said Bev Spears, Executive Director of Poverty Action. “Homeowners who are worried about losing their homes or are facing foreclosure should attend our free Mortgage Help Day to gain a deeper understanding about the process, timeline and options to avoid foreclosure.”

In addition to helping Washington homeowners understand and navigate the foreclosure process and possible options, Mortgage Help Day will highlight the overwhelming need for laws to help protect Washington homeowners from foreclosure. Poverty Action is promoting legislation that would create a mandatory mediation process in Washington State to give homeowners every opportunity to avoid foreclosure and maximize the ability for loan modifications. In 23 other states and municipalities around the country, this mediation process has helped 60 percent of participants avoid losing their homes.

Canal Station

Canal Station North Condominium in Ballard is down to its final home for sale…a 530 square foot one-bedroom priced at $179,950. This home includes slab granite counters, designer fixtures and parking.

Veer Lofts

Veer Lofts in South Lake Union is also in its final close out with just 4 homes available (unit #111 has sold), all available between $273,000 and $354,000. It sound like they’re offering additional buyer incentives, too. Gotta ask for them, though. Veer Lofts is FHA approved.

www.VeerLofts.com

Sylvan Ridge

This large townhome community in West Seattle recently reduced its prices. Home are now available from $274,950 for a 2-bedroom, 2.5 bath unit with over 1,400 square feet of living space. Sylvan Ridge has sold over 90 townhomes so far and are FHA & VA approved.

www.sylvan-ridge.com

Belltown Apartment Land Use

If you live/own in Seattle Heights or Mosler Lofts, the Seattle DPD is holding an Design Review Board meeting for the proposed 19-story apartment building at 3rd & Cedar (currently occupied by the American Lung Association).

September 28th at 5:30 PM
Seattle City Hall
Boards and Commission Room L280

South Lake Union news

A couple of noteworthy events are happening in South Lake Union.

For the pooches
A citizens’ committee for the creation of a new SLU dog play area is forming right now. Want in? Just come to Enso’s community room (820 Blanchard St.) on Thursday, September 23 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Via www.DiscoverSLU.com).

Lake Union Park finally opens
The Seattle Parks Foundation is celebrating the grand opening of Seattle’s newest park, the Lake Union Park, on Saturday, September 25th. The day long event (7 am to 7 pm) is filled with festivities – live music, model boat races, foods, canoe displays and more!

The Seattle DPD is hosting a South Lake Union Urban Form Scoping meeting to provide information about the South Lake Union Urban Form Study and EIS process and to take public comment on the rezone alternatives that the City will study in the EIS and to identify areas of potential impact that should be studied. More info.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
South Lake Union Armory
Naval Reserve Building at Lake Union Park
860 Terry Ave. N
*This venue is accessible, please contact us for special accommodations

The Seattle Condo Blog is a proud supporter of the Seattle Animal Shelter and we’re doing our part to get out the vote. The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at Interbay, is the city’s predominate shelter that takes in, as well as provides veterinary care to, stray, unwanted, sick and abused pets.

Visit the shelter challenge site, search for the “Seattle Animal Shelter” and vote…daily.

Click here to vote for the Seattle Animal Shelter

Voting for the challenge ends on December 14th, 2008.

What:
A lively summertime celebration in Seattle’s hottest neighborhood, a full day of outdoor fun and entertainment for all ages and a fabulous display of dog dexterity. Who could ask for anything more? South Lake Union’s 4th annual Block Party presented by Microsoft is back this year on Friday, August 8.

Relax under the summer sun, sample food from several of South Lake Union’s savory neighborhood restaurants, socialize with friends in the Redhook beer garden, watch local chefs battle it out in the Whole Foods Market Audacious Burger Challenge, entertain the kids with fun interactive games and activities, groove to the sounds of local bands on the live music stage, enjoy a one-of-a-kind wine tasting event, watch a movie screening under the stars and much more!

This year’s Block Party will be partnering again with CityDog Magazine to feature the 2nd annual Muttmazing Race, an obstacle race for dogs and the owners that love their pooches. It’s all for a good cause—money raised by the race will benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Help the Animals Fund.

PLUS - Cinema on the Lawn featuring “Juno”.

FREE ADMISSION

The Seattle Humane Society’s mobile adoption center, the MaxMobile (pictured), will be at the Discovery Center from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. If you’ve been contemplating adopting a dog, cat or rabbit, then drop on by.

Additionally, a week-long pet food drive benefiting the Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank is currently underway at locations throughout SLU. You can also make pet food donations at the Discovery Center. Dry cat food is the most requested item at the food bank.

With the recent contribution of over 100 jars of Play Doh from Intracorp (developer of Expo 62, Domaine & the Parc) we’ve exceeded our challenge goal of reaching and matching the first 100 jars. A huge THANK YOU to Intracorp.

So…we’re doubling the challenge. Seattle Condos and Lofts will match the first 200 jars of Play Doh donated by our viewers and supporters.

The drive runs through July 31st. Please drop off your new, unopened jars of Play Doh to the John L. Scott office in Belltown (map). Please indicate it’s for the SCL challenge so that we can match it.

A special Thank You to Blaine Weber of Weber+Thompson who pledged 200 jars. That brings our total to over 500 jars!

- Ben

The Bite of Seattle kicks off today at the Seattle Center and will run through Sunday, July 22nd. The Bite features food samples from 50 local restaurants along with music & comedy entertainment.

The folks at Expo 62 invite bite-goers to drop by the Expo 62 sales center for a peek at the new project adjacent to the Seattle Center.

Aloha Plates is serving up Huli Huli Chicken, a Hawaii islander’s favorite. This former Honoluluan might just brave the rain for this tasty chicken dish.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market continues its Centennial Year celebration this weekend with the Berry Bash. The festivities include Berry Shortcake samples, a pie baking contest which is interestingly followed by a pie eating contest, a chef demo, square dancing and a fish tossing game.

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale

The sale which Seattleites anticipate all year long starts today. Nordstrom was founded in downtown Seattle 106 years ago.

Due to the serious illnesses and compromised immune system that many children at the Children’s Hospital have, a jar of Play Doh can only be played with once. As a result, the hospital goes through more than 2,000 jars of Play Doh every year.

SCL is issuing a challenge to our readers. Bring in a new jar of Play Doh by July 31st and we will match the first 100 jars we receive.

Please drop off your Play Doh contribution to the John L. Scott Seattle Center office in Belltown at 2601 4th Avenue (map). Please be sure to identify the donation as part of the SCL Play Doh challenge.

Thanks,
Ben