helping nice people buy and sell
condos, townhomes,
- - gardens --
and the houses that come with them!
serving seattle
shoreline, & downtown edmonds
Welcome to our website! Feel free to look around . . . some pages are in better shape than others, but all of them help to give you a feel for the Seattle real estate market, information on some of our communities, and a little bit about us.
We have a particular eye for evaluating homes for livability and functionality, regardless of style: classic Craftsman garden homes, post-WWII war boxes and sixties splits, architecturally significant modern dwellings; Cynthia's MFA degree and construction background comes in very handy here! If you're shopping for a good buyer’s agent, and you like what you see here — then do drop us an email or give us a call at (206) 795-9271.
Brochures speak louder than flyers!
We believe that today's buyers need more information on a several-hundred-thousand-dollar (or million-dollar plus) transaction than a few small on-line photographs and a one-page flyer. Our "industry standard" is a custom - not stock - custom four-page full color brochure, using professional photographers and skilled copywriters to communicate what makes our listing stand out in the marketplace. For garden properties, we prepare an extensive illustrated plant list, so that prospective buyers can appreciate the value of a well-tended garden. Download a sample. If you believe that your home should be marketed to the fullest, then we are probably the right agent for you!Certified Professional Negotiator™
Real estate negotiations are rarely cold business decisions, there is usually a lot of emotion involved -- we're talking about people's homes here -- and it takes skill and sensitivity to bring about the best result for our clients.
We have a lot of experience in negotiating with people of all personality types, and while we don't promise miracles, we do promise that we won't let our emotions get in the way of your transaction!Certified International Property Specialist® (CIPS)
Visas. Financing. Ownership rights. Tax issues. Real estate brokerage practices. These vary in every country, but Mack can help visitors to the USA relate the practices and customs here to those in your home country.
Buying and selling real estate in the USA is a highly structured process, and visitors can buy and sell real estate freely.
You don’t have to be an international real estate client to benefit from a Certified International Property Specialist. People relocating from other states can benefit from having a broker who can relate the practices of your home town to those of the Greater Seattle market.
We will provide answers to questions concerning ownership and title, financing, insurance, negotiation, closing, and everything else relating to real estate, in terms that relate to your experience.
We know that the CIPS designation isn’t about property, it’s about people. We’re here to help!
Senior Real Estate Specialist® (CRES)
A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) is a REALTOR® who is uniquely qualified to assist seniors in housing sales and purchases.
The SRES® designation is awarded only to REALTORS® who have successfully completed a series of educational courses on how to help seniors and their families with later-in-life real estate transactions.
We also draw upon the expertise of a network of senior specialists, such as estate planners, CPAs, and eldercare lawyers, and are familiar with local community resources and services. Our mission is to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of financial, legal and emotional issues that accompany the sale of the home.
Headlines from our blog:Blogs we like: Lake & Company Real Estate BlogWhere many of the city's top agents discuss topical real estate matters in a forthright and honest manner!
Northwest Cheapsleepswhere favorite places for budget travelers throughout Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia are discussed and reviewed!
The Tangled Nestcelebrates the “new home economics” — an essential twining of home, garden, food, craft, and co-existence with the wild, natural world. Lyanda Lynn Haupt's new book, Crow Planet, is available in local bookstores nationwide!
Asian Lifestyle DesignJenny Hones shares ideas on Feng Shui, Interior Design, Culture and Cooking!
About Cynthia & Mack:
Ex-New Yorkers, they now live in a Belltown condo, after living in a garden home in Whittier Heights from 1988 to 2006. They have a combined thirty-five years of experience helping people buy and sell residential real estate throughout Seattle.
Cynthia is recognized throughout the gardening and real estate communities as a leading expert in marketing Northwest garden homes.
In partnership with Brian Tschider of Cobalt Construction, they developed the AIA award-winning 42nd Street Condos, and were feted at Dwell Magazine's first annual Nice Modernists' Awards at New York's Cooper-Hewitt Museum in 2002. They have been rated Five Star (Best In Client Satisfaction) Agents by Seattle Magazine, and, most importantly: they are dedicated to exceeding your expectations for honesty, integrity, and expertise.
Services for Buyers: Cynthia & Mack offer comprehensive Buyer Brokerage services, usually at no fee to the buyer!
One area where they are especially useful is in helping homebuyers evaluate properties for livability. Often, home shoppers will be so focused on the specifics (bedroom count, square footage), that they may not be able to recognize the attributes that make some homes much more livable than others.
Another area where they are valuable is in helping buyers “see past the internet photos.” While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a few 72-dpi thumbnails may not tell the entire story of a particular property.
Cynthia & Mack also have the expertise to alert clients to many potential problems (and solutions) before buyers get emotionally involved. After the selection process comes negotiating the transaction, offering referrals to service providers (including lenders, inspectors, title and escrow) — essentially, it’s guiding buyers through the entire process and helping them get the home that best suits their needs! This approach to their practice has resulted in hundreds of happy clients over the years!
Cynthia’s particular specialty is organic gardens (and the houses they come with!). For Mack (native Manhattanite), it's the in-city condo life. Both of them are committed to make finding that dream home as easy as is humanly possible!
Services for Sellers: Cynthia & Mack provide complete sales services, from pre-listing preparation strategies (you’d be surprised how many people spend ‘way too much money on things that don’t really make a difference in the end), to full-color brochures, on-line presentation, and advertising specifically targeted to real estate agents and their buyers. We invite you to allow Cynthia & Mack to meet with you if you’re considering offering your home for sale - they are agents who are truly committed to adding value to the transaction!
We support Wikipedia. Mack, having worked in record stores in the '70s & '80s, is an occasional contributor on various music pages! Mack is a member of the Sound Business Leaders, a chapter of Business Networks International.
They passed over $1,000,000 in business over the past twelve months! Mack is an Accredited Staging Professional.
For showing information, call us directly! Cynthia Creasey • 206-276-8292 • cynthia@lakere.com
Mack McCoy • 206-795-9271 • mack@lakere.com
Great New Listings!Columbia City Modern Garden Home
$650,000 ◊ 4050 34th Ave S Gorgeous, site-specific, architect-designed modern home w/55 linear ft of wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling windows providing great territorial & mountain views. Grand & beautifully functional living spaces on 3 daylight floors. Cantilevered steel & wood construction set on a lush, garden lot w/multiple garden rooms. Built-Green w/radiant floor heat & a green-roofed deck. The open staircase & floor plan, high ceilings & views create expansiveness. Lower BR suite ideal for family room or home office. Open Sunday 1-4! Download Brochure! More Photos! Ballard Garden Cottage & Studio!
$385,000 ◊ 424 NW 45th St This delightful property is versatile and totally charming! Set at the back of a wonderful garden lot, a rose arbor entry leads past the grand sequoia tree with an adjacent stone patio to this enchanting cottage featuring vaulted ceilings, refinished hardwoods, woodburning stove, clawfoot tub. Plus, the adjacent light-filled studio has vaulted ceilings, skylights, & 3/4 bath, and is perfect for a peaceful work space, home-based business, or guest suite. Peaceful quiet street w/Walkscore = 96! Open Sunday 1-4! Download Brochure! More Photos! Wedgwood Cape Cod Garden Home
$290,000 ◊ 2326 NE 92nd St A lovely 1940's Cape Cod that has retained its original features of plaster walls & archways, oak floors & light fixtures combined w/system updates: new gas furnace, hot water heater, thermo pane windows & amp; roof in 2003. Daylight lower level opens to a big back yard w/some established plantings & a detached shed. Sunny dining area off kitchen which opens to a side entrance. Lower level has two finished rooms & laundry, mechanical/workshop room w/access to the back yard. Parking pad & easy one step entry! Open Sunday 1-4! Download Brochure! Historic Seattle Offices
$475,000 ◊ 5341 Ballard Ave NW
Pending Sale! This wonderful historical building was originally two 19th-century pioneer houses that were moved from the International District to this location and combined, renovated and restored in 1975 by Historic Seattle. The property consists of 5 separate offices with separate entrances, a waiting and reception area, kitchen and bath. Two covered porches on the front and north side create a welcoming approach. Plantings on all sides create lovely outlooks. Truly a treasure! Download Brochure! Beacon Hill Bungalow
$235,000 ◊ 5520 21st Ave S
Sale Pending! A charming and updated, light-filled Craftsman home with a welcoming entry porch, open floor plan, generously-sized rooms - on a level garden lot on a low-traffic residential street. The living room features vaulted ceilings and a wood-burning mantled fireplace, the kitchen has updated appliances & granite countertops. The spacious bedroom has a pair of panelled pocket doors & a den/office adjacent; the bath features twin sinks & a clawfoot tub. Fir and slate flooring. High ceilinged basement, too.Download Brochure! Richmond Highlands Garden Rambler
$375,000 ◊ 19128 2nd Ave NW The professionally-designed front garden w/stone stairs & flagstone paths frames this mid-century modern, nicely set above the street with driveway access to the garage. The master BR suite addition has 3 closets & a skylighted bath w/double sinks. The large living/dining room is anchored by a brick fireplace & wood paneled wall. The redone kitchen has a Marmoleum floor, new eco-counters & tile back splash & sunny eating space that opens to the patio & yard. A spacious family room opens to a side entry & the garden. 3 BRs,2 BAs, garage.Pending Sale! Download Brochure! Bothell Hilltop Condo
$131,500 ◊ 21509 4th Ave W This light-filled and spacious townhome-style condo features twin master bedrooms with ensuite baths up, a spacious living room with wood-burning fireplace and access to community back lawn, open galley kitchen with adjacent dining room, and the unit comes with two parking spaces right at the front door - how convenient! Located in a large open community of well-maintained homes! Short Sale / Under Contract!
Recent Sales!
Fremont Side-by-Side Duplex
$675,000 ◊ 611 N 49th St Great Woodland Park side-by-side 1950 duplex, two light-filled units featuring hardwoods, tile baths, in-unit w/d; two garage spaces and two off-street parking spots. The larger 3-BR/2-BA townhouse-style unit could be great for owner-occupant. Low-traffic quiet street, Walkscore=82 and a block from the Park. The 50x100' lot is zoned LR2. Just Sold!!
Queen Anne Craftsman
$675,000 ◊ 1927 8th Ave W Large, slightly sloped lot with one story Craftsman home is zoned LR1 and has alley access which may allow for sub-platting for additional homes behind. Other lots on the block have been sub-divided and townhouses built. Just Sold! Gatewood Luxury Townhome
$400,000 ◊ 7200B California SW Super abundance of quality details and finishes: granite slab kitchen countertops, tile backsplash, solid cherry hardwood floors on the main level, skylit master suite with vaulted ceilings & deck & full tiled bath, junior bedroom with 3/4 tiled bath, downstairs BR/den with full tiled bath . . . large yard, landscaped corner, set away from traffic - this is an outstandingly beautiful townhome. Brochure Sample! Ballard Craftsman Fixer! $300,000 ◊ 7010 Cleopatra Pl NW This is a lovely 1910 Craftsman home which is waiting for a carpenter / tradesperson or a buyer with vision and a contractor to restore to its past loveliness. 2-BR/1-BA, fir floors throughout, china hutch in formal dining room, on a quiet Ballard street! 1913 Ravenna Craftsman!
$575,000 ◊ 6321 17th Ave NE (Listing) Beautifully maintained and detailed shingled Craftsman, 3-BR/1.75 BA, with oak & fir floors, a front porch that runs the width of the house, river-rock column bases and fireplace, large light-filled living room, spacious formal dining room with wainscot and box-beam ceilings, modern kitchen classically styled, beautiful new baths - this is a truly a magnificent Ravenna home! Bothell Mid-Century!
$390,000 ◊ 24305 3rd Pl W Exquisitely remodeled 2520-sf rambler with soaring ceilings, wide-open floor plan, on a 10,017 lot with garage on a quiet street just minutes to Bothell Way! (Won in multiple offers!)
Maple Leaf Cottage!
$338,500 ◊ 8243 4th Ave NE Needing some updates, this is a lovely, well-lived-in 2-BR/1-BA home on a large sunny lot on a quiet Maple Leaf block. We can't wait to see it once it's been refreshed by the new buyers! (Won in multiple offers!) PINEHURST MID-CENTURY!
$375,000 ◊ 12541 12th Ave NE This 1942 brick home was a little bit of a fixer, but is on a 15,118-sf lot and has a great garage that can be repurposed as an artist studio! Edmonds Mid-Century!
$330,000 ◊ 20421 78th Pl W Gorgeous and stately split-entry home with front two bedrooms converted in a light-filled main-floor family room; large garden lot, attached garage, walking distance to K-12! Fremont Classic Craftsman!
$535,500 ◊ 4103 Fremont Ave N Gorgeous 1919 Craftsman with beautifully-updated kitchen & bath, family room/sunroom walking out to spacious back yard, attached garage and expansion potential in the Center of the Universe! Mill Creek Mid-Century!
$365,500 ◊ 14202 14th Ct SE Well-maintained classic rambler on a 12,632sf cul-de-sac lot in Douglas Fir, this light-filled suburban home featured cathedral ceilings in the living and dining rooms, master suite with dual vanity, and a light-filled kitchen with spacious breakfast nook. Multiple offer winner! Recent and favorite sold listings!
Magnolia Architect's Condo!
$225,000 ◊ 2510 W Manor Pl The Quarterdeck has long been regarded as the finest condo building on Magnolia Manor, and this 765-sf 1-BR unit (with 200sf private deck) has been beautifully brought into the 21st Century with an extensive use of tile, modern fixtures, and intelligent design choices. Amenities include swimming pool, Japanese garden, visitor parking, pet-friendly. Download 4-page color brochure! Architect's Garden Home!
$465,000 ◊ 2712 NE 113th St A split level with personality! The substantial remodel was designed by the architect-owner & professionally executed including a new kitchen with maple cabinets & granite counters, 2 new tiled skylit baths, bamboo floors, & new lighting. Surrounded by a gorgeous, prof. designed & installed garden for green views, flowers & bird habitat. Victorian Ballard Duplex!
$550,000 ◊ 2842 NW 66th St This duplex is like a New York City loft: Victorian in character with a Pacific Northwest-featured modern apartment upstairs! The building features tall windows, is in a single-family zone, and has a storage basement w/2nd laundry. Ballard Artisan Craftsman!
$680,000 ◊ 5216 9th Ave NW This is an artisan-restored and updated Craftsman home - soaring ceilings and 3BRs including spacious ensuite master up; cove ceilings, period millwork and fixtures in formal living & dining rooms, large open kitchen w/ quality cabinets and appliances with casual dining area; radiant floor heat throughout; all baths are tiled; home completely rewired & replumbed, special attention to detail throughout. Gracious covered front and back porches, garden area with raised veggie & flower beds. Finn Hill Mid-Century!
$310,000 ◊ 8413 NE 137th St Light and bright on a big lot and quiet street of similar homes, this solidly built mid-century home offers lots of space, a good floor plan and classic mid-century features. Tastefully updated and improved for modern lifestyles, with an expansive back yard with established plantings; centrally located near parks, schools, shopping, & Bastyr. Belltown Condo!
$174,000 ◊ 159 Denny Way Gorgeous and spacious open 1-BR with views of the Sound, Olympics, and sunsets from floor-to-ceiling west-facing windows! Set up and back from the Belltown bustle, this home features a spacious kitchen w/breakfast bar, open dining / living with plenty of seating space; the sleeping area shares the view and has a luxurious Wallbed which includes a ton of storage and a pull-down desk!Garage, rooftop deck, exercise room & party room! 1924 Classic Craftsman!
$378,000 ◊ 806 25th Ave This beautiful classic Craftsman's original styling is lovingly preserved, and the systems updated! Freshly painted, bevel wood siding, mullioned wood windows; a covered front porch leads to the spacious, bright formal living and dining rooms — w/oak floors, crown moldings and tile fireplace, separated by French doors. Newer kitchen cabinets, w/gas stove & sunny breakfast nook. Big garden has variety of perennials, herbs, shrubs & trees. Sensational Ballard Townhome!
$325,000 ◊ 839B NW 63rd St The living area is at the garden level, so you don't have to carry groceries up a flight of stairs! Light-filled and lovely, this BuiltGreen townhome features bamboo flooring, tankless on-demand water heater, and a south-facing garden! Two bedrooms up, and a daylight loft area above that! Parking is at the side of the home, so your main floor is not taken up by a garage!
Restored Madison Valley Craftsman Cottage
$300,000 ◊ 2614 E John St This one-bedroom cottage is a great townhouse / condo alternative; spacious living room, formal dining room, updated kitchen, garden with drip irrigation system — the home has been painstakingly and expertly restored and updated for 21st-century living! On a quiet street, a short walk to shops & restaurants! Fabulous Kirkland Condo!
$400,000 ◊ 703 4th Ave With a wonderful floor plan with big rooms and great flow; lives like a house! Formal entry opens to a family room adjacent to the well-equipped kitchen, opening to the grand living & dining rooms with a window wall to the SW. The generous deck is accessed via the living room and master suite & has a separate storage closet. 1815 sf, 2 garage spaces. Just steps to downtown! Craftsman Garden Home!
$325,000 ◊ 705 N 97th St Situated slightly up off a quiet street w/sidewalks, this captivating, garden enveloped, Craftsman home retains its original charms, artfully combining old style w/system updates, a redone, sunny kitchen w/new cabinets & soapstone counters, a restored bath w/pedestal tub, mosaic tile floor and a master suite w/lots of closet space. Remarkably private & level gardens including a large lawn, raised beds, fruit trees & a flowering border. Shed & 2 carport storage spaces. 8131-sf lot!Classic Brick 1928 Garden Home!
$399,000 ◊ 9711 Dayton Ave N Lushly gardened and landscaped, set at the highest point of the neighborhood, providing privacy and great natural light! Gorgeous period details include leaded windows and French doors, oak hardwood floors, stone fireplace, tile bath; spacious formal dining room open to kitchen with back garden access, high-ceilings on all levels, and updated systems! Pigeon Point Garden Home!
$400,000 ◊ 3856 20th Ave SW Expanded and improved farmhouse atop Pigeon Point on large level garden lot w/covered front porch & many updates including solar assisted heat and hot water. Open living & dining rooms w/high ceilings, wood floors & trim, thermo pane windows & big country kitchen. Peek views of city and sound, four bedrooms up & a finished basement with one bath on each floor. Updated tile baths, big picture windows, skylights and surrounding garden w/raised beds & greenhouse. Easy access to I-5 & 99. Crown Hill Garden Cape Cod!
$425,000 ◊ 9506 13th Ave NW This remarkable & extensive remodel, by craftsman & gardener owners, has created a little piece of heaven! Updates include new custom kitchen & baths, new porches and new systems, daylighting of the basement w/master BR & adjacent sitting room opening to a lush garden brimming with flowering plants, multiple patios, a fountain, raised beds & 80' tall Ponderosa pine in the back! All executed w/attention to detail, quality materials & artistic flair! Ballard Garden Cape Cod!
$425,000 ◊ 8541 12th Ave NW A glassed-in front porch welcomes you to this light, spacious Cape Cod garden home. The rooms cascade back to a classy sunroom addition w/pine floors & vaulted ceilings overlooking the lush west-facing garden & opening to a coutyard deck. Gracious formal rooms, French doors, wood floors & new windows. A newly remodelled flex space w/ensuite bath, kitchen, vaulted ceilings & separate entrance for master, studio or office. Personality plus!Gorgeous Sunset Hill Garden Home
$475,000 ◊ 2847 NW 74th St A lush garden, organically tended for 17 years, surrounds this lovely Cape Cod, set back & up from street. Spacious living room w/ oak floors and big picture windows framing garden views, a fantabulous new kitchen w/vaulted ceilings & loads of windows & glass doors bring the outside in; acres of counters and tons of cabinets make cooking a dream, and it opens to the deck and south-facing back garden! Fauntlee Hills View!
$625,000 ◊ 8845 42nd Ave SW Enjoy knock-out Sound and Mountain views from the living and dining rooms, kitchen, master bedroom, and deck! The site was selected for privacy & light for the builder's own residence! Circular floor plan, updated w/attention to detail & respect for mid-century design. "Wow!" kitchen. w/breakfast bar, granite counters, slate floors, stone back splash, and Sub-Zero fridge; loads of cabinets & counter space! Clear fir picture windows. EZ access to yard from both levels. Seward Park!
$880,000 ◊ 6816 Seward Park Av S Designer-owner’s own special project: A stunning, re-imagined mid-century home with a gracious and practical floor plan oriented to maximize the views of Lake Washington & Mt Rainier. Extensive attention paid to every detail and exceptional continuity. Lives like a quiet-street house, with the benefit of no powerlines blocking the view.
Dwell Magazine's
"Nice Modernist Award" Since 2002, Dwell has been awarding Nice Modernists honors and tributes at an annual event. We were recognized for our boutique project, the 42nd Street Condos, which debuted in 2001. Other awards and recognition for the project came from the Seattle Chapter of American Institute of Architects, the Seattle Times / Post-Intelligencer, and the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.