http://www.soundtransit.org/projects/svc/link/ The reasons that explain the explosion of the Seattle Condo(minium) Market:

1) Paul Allen has some big plans to revitalize the South Lake Union area -- read in this article (if you have problems b/c USA Today changed the url on the article, email me & I'll send you the complete article).  Also, for more info, visit his company's website which sort of promotes the future there (Discover South Lake Union). 

2) The Mayor of Seattle and other folks have decided denser and taller is better.  Read more about it here.

3) We have probably the leading and best companies in the world based out of Seattle or nearby in Bellevue and surrounding cities.

4) Our region is host to many of the leaders in many arenas throughout the world.

5) We have some of the best weather especially in the summer.  Everywhere I've visited in life from Chicago to New York to Boston to L.A. or even abroad in many countries, humidity is abound.  Seattle is one of the dryest feeling places in the world!  I love that I don't feel like I have to take more than one shower a day. 

6) Two things will increase in value over time in life: a) land and b) water -- people complain about the rain in Seattle, but let's think about what people will want the most when global warming reaches it's worst extremes.  People will be wishing they lived in an area that gets so much rain -- even though I believe we don't get as much rain as people proclaim.  I think there is scientific data out there identifying many other areas throughout the world getting more than us.  Nonetheless, we do get enough which makes us still one of the greenest placest in the world & let's not forget what fuels oxygen in our systems -- lush green plants! 

7) The people here are some of the most reasonable, but yet enterprising people in the world.  We're nice & generous people, but also know how to make a buck for our families that will follow behind us. 

8) We're finally getting serious about Transportation locally.  While the Monorail debate swings one direction and the other, we at least have some movement on Light Rail.  And more importantly, we have these things on the ballot & we're spending money on them trying to do something about our lack of transporation solutions locally.