Homes on Acreage in Maple Valley…The Good News & The Bad News

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Maple Valley on one or more acres of land, there’s good news and there’s bad news.

The good news is, you’ll have a great selection from which to choose. From a smaller fixer on 4 acres to a sumptuous 6000 square foot plus Estates on 5 acres+.

The bad news? It’s not going to be cheap!

There are currently 67 homes on 1+ Acrein the greater Maple Valley area which fall within the Tahoma School District boundaries. These properties range in price from $269,000 to nearly $4 Million with the average List price $797,000-ish.

Many of these properties are in acreage type communities (some gated) surrounded by homes of similar size. But the majority will be what we refer to as “non-tract” homes, where there is more of a mixture of home types, sizes, age, etc as well as no Home Owner’s Associates and no Rules & Restrictions.

Long story short, whether you need room for horses, livestock, your garden, a shop….or just more room to spread out and play, Maple Valley has many homes available for sale now which could very well be just what you’re looking for!

 

 

Hobart’s Johnny Lazor Field…Home of the Unassisted Triple Play!

There’s a very small baseball field in Hobart, WA where the little guys who like to think they are big guys play T-ball. It’s close to the Hobart Store, where sun flower seeds and gatorades are kept well stocked for the serious players and fans. Several years ago the field was renamed in honor of Hometown boy, Johnny Lazor who was born in Taylor WA (now known as Hobart WA) in 1912.

Johnny was a relative late-comer to “The Show” breaking into the big leagues in 1943 at the ripe old age of 30 with the Boston Red Sox. He played 4 years and ended his career with a .263 average.

  

In 1995, almost fifty years after Johnny’s career ended, and well before the field was renamed in his honor, my little guy (who’s not so little anymore) pulled off an unassisted Triple Play as a second baseman.

Here’s how it went down:

With a runner at first and second, Connor caught a fly ball (out #1), stepped on the second base bag (out #2) and managed to catch the first base runner, who was frozen in the base path like a deer in the headlights.(out #3)  

Of course at 6, Connor really had no idea what he was doing and neither did the base runners. He was reacting to the instructions yelled by the coaches (and his Dad) and was quite content to take the applause and accolades which came along with that….

If you ever happen to drive by Johnny Lazor field, which is located just South of the Hobart Fire Station on 276th in the Spring, you’ll likely see parents and families gathered around the tiny dirt infield, watching new baseball memories being made. And who knows……maybe some new history as well.

   

Maple Valley High School Lacrosse is Underway!

Lacrosse isn’t just for the East Coast anymore. The sport, which was originated by Native American Indians, is actually the country’s oldest known game. Originally the sport was used not only for recreation, but to settle scores between tribes. In the early 1900’s Collegiate Lacrosse was born and the sport has steadily grown ever since. 

Lacrosse has continued to gain popularity here in the Pacific Northwest, with new teams forming each year and at younger and younger ages.

I’ve always been a big baseball Mom, but when my son Connor began playing 7 years ago for the Maple Valley Vandals, I became a convert. It is a much faster paced game and incredibly exciting. 

I believe it’s not too late to sign up for the 2008 season. There is a Girl’s team as well as a Youth & Middle School program. More info is available at the Maple Valley Lacrosse website.  If you haven’t watched before, I’d encourage you to attend one of this year’s home games.

They are a blast! (usually)

South King County School District Scores….Tahoma Leads the Pack!

Historically homes in South King County have proven more affordable for Employees relocating to the Puget Sound because of their being further distanced from the Metropolitan areas of Seattle and Bellevue.  

 Maple Valley has long been an attractive alternative to the Bellevue/Eastside area for relocating families due to the strength of the Tahoma School District and lower prices.

As a convenience for those researching South King County markets, I’ve compiled a side by side comparison of various information from school districts which include:  Auburn, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Enumclaw and Tahoma (Maple Valley).

At every grade and subject level but one, Tahoma WASL Scores were higher than all South King County districts.

Maple Valley Commercial Space Asking Big City Rates

Several months ago I was looking into some of the soon to be built Commercial Retail space at Four Corners behind the existing Do It Center hardware store. The complex, which has yet to be built, was being advertised on the Commercial MLS, however no rate information was posted. After talking with the listing Broker about timeframe and availability, I inquired what the asking rate was….and then nearly dropped the phone when he told me they were asking $40 per sq.ft for an end cap (Highway 169 frontage). I couldn’t help myself, I chuckled and told him “Well, good luck with that” and ended the conversation. According to the Seattle Times, this is higher than what tenants pay in Seattle ($31 per square foot). Perhaps this is why several small businesses at the newly developed Maple Valley Commons have closed their doors such a short time after opening.

It’s the tale of Supply and Demand. Current Maple Valley Zoning does not afford much opportunity for commercial development and the City has long been struggling to get a firm grasp on which direction it would like to go with respect to Commercial growth. For quite a while, the City has maintained an “anti big-box” policy, not allowing any commercial development over 60,000 square feet. But with continued Residential growth comes a demand for services. Currently the City is losing precious revenue to the City of Covington, just a short 10 minute drive away, and is in the process of reconsidering it’s position on Commercial Development.

Maple Valley is a beautiful community with much to offer; scenery including numerous  lakes, Cascade Foothill & Mt. Rainier views, the Cedar River trail, excellent proximity to Skiing at Snoqualmie pass, along with a very strong school district…the growth is happening and I’ve no doubt the City will find it’s Commercial identity while maintaining all that make Maple Valley such wonderful place to live and raise a Family.

©2008 Colleen Fischesser RE/MAX Select RE