I reported on my Kirkland blog about Google’s decision to lease about 40% of their new office space out to other hi-tech companies and while researching blogs about the topic, I found a blog post about the possibility of Microsoft downsizing in mid-January
This clearly is important information for the neighborhoods around Microsoft. As I mentioned in a previous post, not every home near Microsoft sells to a Microsoftie, but many homes have in the past. There have been many Microsoft home buyers who liked the idea of living just minutes from work. Changes in hiring and/or layoffs at Microsoft will no doubt affect the real estate in the area, but the West Redmond/East Bellevue area is still a fabulous location for those working in Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle.
Here are the reasons I mentioned in the previous blog post mentioned above:
- Redmond is close to employment centers in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and Seattle.
- Redmond’s location provides shorter commutes.
- Available public transportation.
- Some of the more affordable housing on the eastside. The eastside is not an inexpensive area, but the majority of homes in the Redmond area fall in the $500-750,000 range. The number of homes available in the $400+ range is also increasing.
- Good schools.
- Convenient shopping centers, such as Redmond Town Center.
- Great parks.
Will next year bring changes to real estate in the neighborhoods around Microsoft? More than likely, yes. But the area still holds most of the eastside real estate cards. It’s still one of the best places to live on Seattle’s Eastside.

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in fact, I think the preponderance of real estate arrow signs can actually hurt someone trying to sell a home. The number of signs gives the impression there is a fire sale happening. Posting arrow signs is from the old school of real estate marketing.
I finally got there this past weekend. It was a lot of fun and definitely a different movie experience. No sticky floors, great service, good food, clean bathrooms, and…quiet! for those of you unfamiliar with this type of movie theater, 



