<![CDATA[<style type="text/css"> P {text-align:justify; font-size:10pt; text-indent:10pt} div {text-align:center; font-size:10pt;} i {text-align:center; font-size:10pt;} H2 {text-align:center} H4 {text-align:right} div {text-align:center} </style> <base target="mainbody"> </head><body bgcolor="white"><center><h2>Your Kirkland Area Real Estate Experts</h2></center><table valign="top" width="465" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr><td><div align="center"><table valign="top" width="465" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr><td valign="top" width="465"><div align="center"><img src="images/cover.jpg" border="0"></div><br></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td width="465" border="0" valign="top"><table width="465"><tr><td><P>Who you select to represent your interests when buying or selling a house can make a BIG difference. After all, there's a lot of money at stake... <B>your</B> money!</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><table width="465"" valign="top"><tr><td width="222"><div><img src="images/map.gif" alt="map of real estate in kirkland" border="1" width="222" height="96"></div><i>We specialize in properties located on the east side of Lake Washington.</i></td><td width="10" valign="top"><img src="spacer.gif" alt="spacer for pagee" width="10" valign="top"></td><td valign="top"><P>You get the team approach when you work with us. We've been a team for more than 30 years - selling and developing real estate since Carter was in the White House and the Bee Gee's topped the pop charts.</p><P>Buying or selling a home can be a pleasant experience. Call us, we'll provide the knowledge and commitment you expect and deserve.</P></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><H4><I>Mel & Cherie Hester</I></H4></td></tr><tr><td width="465" valign="top" colspan="3"><hr></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><table width="465" border="0"><tr><td width="465" valign="top"><div align="center"><img src="images/info.gif" border="0"></div></td></tr></table/<table width="465"><tr><td colspan="3" width="465" valign="top"><div align="center">To request a copy of our Home Value Study and/or our Home Buyers Report please <a href="mailto:hest@wolfenet.com?subject=Home Value Study / Home Buyers Report Request">email</a> us or call (206) 369-1937 or (800) 677-0741 anytime.</div></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><table width="465" cellspacing="6" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2" width="475"><center><img src="images/bioh.gif" alt="Picture of realtors" border="0"></center><br></td></tr><tr><td width="265" valign="middle"><div align="center"><H3>Experience can make a BIG difference. Our background includes -</H3></div><ul><li>Selling and developing real estate since the 1970's<br><li>Partner/Co-Developer of several Seattle marinas<br><li>Partner/Co-Developer of Seattle ship container facility<br><li>Co-Founder of San Fancisco based technology firm<br><li>Partner in real estate computer software firm<br></ul><img src="spacer.gif" width="265" valign="bottom" height="1"></td><td width="200" valign="top" align="right"><img src="images/jjj.jpg" valign="top" align="right" width="200"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" width="465"><div align="center"><H3>What a client has to say...</H3></div><P><I> "I am a corporate attorney and I am told I am quite demanding. Mel Hester is, in my experience, simply the best real estate agent on the eastside of Lake Washington. Mel knows his market, knows real estate values and is an excellent negotiator."</I><H5><I>G.A.D., Attorney at Law</I></H5></P></td></tr></table><table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 width="480"><tr><td><div align="center"><img src="images/aboutkirkland.gif" border="0"></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" border=0><tr><td width="300" valign="top"><img src="images/downtown2.jpg" width="300" ><P><img src="images/marina.jpg" border="0" vspace="4" hspace="6" align="left">The small community of Kirkland, located on the shores of Lake Washington and a short drive from downtown Seattle, is fast becoming known as the jewel of the Northwest. Marinas, waterfront parks, a variety of wonderful restaurants, shops and fine galleries are the focal point of this small town. Lake Washington stretches 20 miles. A freshwater lake, it offers exceptional recreation opportunities and is home to several large boat marinas. One can sail from Lake Washington into Puget Sound and eventually into the Pacific Ocean.<br> The climate is mild year around. Although Seattle is located in the same latitude as Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast, the prevailing winds are part of the Japanese current from the Southwest. In the summer months, the cool air comes down from a high pressure area near the Gulf of Alaska. The Puget Sound Basin is protected by the Olympic Mountains from heavy rain and high winds from the Pacifc in the winter. To the east, Seattle is shielded by the Cascade Mountains and the winter cold of the mid-continent. Summer days are long - 16 hours of daylight in mid-summer. Summer months, July / August / September, are warm but seldom hot. <br> The afternoon temperatures average 70 degrees and the nights are cool, averaging 50 degrees. Winter temperatures are also mild with a daily range anywhere from 27 degrees to a maximum of 55 degrees.<br> Currently, there is no State income tax. Residents pay a state sales tax of 7.5% to 8.6% based on an additional variable fraction of a per cent levied by each town or unincorporated area. No sales tax is levied on food or prescription drugs.</p><P><img src="images/frenchcourtwalk.jpg" border="0" hspace="6" vspace="6" align="right"><BR><div align="center"><H2>But... Isn't It Always Raining?</H2></div><P>Yes, it rains in Seattle, but not nearly so much as in New York, Houston, or Miami. In fact, the rain measures out at about 38 inches annually here compared to 40 inches in New York and 59 inches in Miami. In actuality, cloudbursts of heavy rain are rare in the Seattle area. Average monthly percipitation figures for Seattle based on a 30 year period, show that 72 percent of our rainfall is recorded from October to March. All in all, our precipitation spreads itself out rather nicely.</P></td><td bgcolor="ffb573" rowspan="2" width="150" valign="top" border="0"><img src="images/art1.gif"><div align="center"><H2>Center For The Arts</H2></div><P>Kirkland is fast becoming known for its many fine galleries showcasing a wide variety of artistic expressions and public sculptures located throughout the city. Monthly art walks featuring revolving shows and artist receptions are held every second Thursday evening year around.<br> In addition, there are many fine restaurants. A wonderful library was recently completed and a new performing arts center has a full schedule of performances. The Parks and Recreation Department sponsers concerts on the waterfront all summer along with a children's arts series.<br> The beaches that stretch along Lake Washington are for popular spots for swimming, sun bathing, volleyball and fishing.<br><img src="images/art2.gif" width="150" border="0" vspace="10"><H2>Area Stats</H2><font size="-1">Population... 43,778<BR>Tax Rate...$12.17 per $1,000<BR>Average Household Income... $61,000<BR>Rent... $1,273<BR>Average Value of Homes... $202,423<BR>Seattle Commute... 30 min.<BR>Bellevue Commute... 10 min.</font></P></td></tr></table></body>]]>