But don't take my word for it. Some data:

• Recent CNN article, The hottest zip codes, they have a chart of Seattle's hottest zip codes and you'll see that the forecast appreciation is down significantly.
• Seattle Times: Homes
• Seattle PI: Neighborhood guide
• Average condo prices
• Apartment market research and advice

3:53:31 PM   []

First:

[11 years ago...] Out of nowhere, [Bill Gates] told me that he had recently figured out who his competition was. It was not Apple, Lotus or IBM. He waited a couple of beats. "It's Goldman Sachs."

Today Microsoft is struggling to figure out what attracts and motivates the most talented employees within capitalism's free-agent system. The company had no such problem figuring that out in the 1980s and '90s. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer liked to call the old motivational carrot "The Deal." That arrangement worked like this: Come and work for Microsoft. Make do with a so-so salary but partake lavishly of options. Sure, you might be forced to grind away on 80-hour weeks for six or seven years. But you'll change the world and get rich -- wildly rich.

Microsoft needs a way to attract and keep future Bill Gateses and Steve Ballmers. It needs to revive The Deal.

A year ago, Microsoft announced it had removed the heart of The Deal -- stock options -- in favor of restricted grants.

...since there are no longer options for employees, only share reward -- paying a higher dividend -- is available as an incentive for high-IQ employees.

It's not The Deal, but it's a start.

3:16:36 PM   []