The Seattle Times – Chris Stiebler, sales director for Escala, the luxury condo project in Downtown Seattle where home prices average $2 million, says that he has sold four units for all cash. Stiebler says that he and his colleagues expect that 40 percent of the building’s sales will come in the form of cash deals, and 60 percent will include mortgage financing, typical for the luxury end of the market. Stiebler says luxury buyers sometimes buy in cash to facilitate a quick closing. They can always seek out a mortgage or home-equity loan after the fact so that their cash isn’t completely tied up in the property. Photos of Escala Condos in Downtown Seattle.