July 10th, 2009
Pending Sales Continue to Increase, Inventory grows as well during June 2009
The number of homes that were placed under contract during June 2009 (83), was 12% higher than the previous month, and 24% higher than during June 2008. Both factors are signs the Whidbey Island market is improving.
However, the number of homes available for sale increased 11% from May 2009, to nearly the same number one year ago.
Sales prices are still declining, but at a slower rate than during the first quarter of 2009. During June 2009, the median sales price for single family homes and condominiums was $265,000, which is 4% less than the median price of $276,000. The average sold price for homes sold during June 2008 was $292,000 which is 14.6% less than one year ago ($342,000).
Homes that were sold during June 2009, sold on average for 92% of the original listed price, and were on the market for 167 days.
For more information: june-2009-stats1
June 26th, 2009
Windermere South Whidbey Community Service Day 6.19.09
A sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, only matched by a desire to do more, was the result of the 2009 Windermere Community Service Day in South Whidbey. For the second year, Windermere Freeland & Windermere Langley chose Good Cheer as the “must do.” Good Cheer is the only food bank in South Whidbey, and, in addition to the food bank, it operates an item receiving and distribution center, two general thrift stores and a clothing boutique thrift store. A staff of 14, headed up by Kathleen McLaughlin, and nearly 400 volunteers keep the operation moving at an impressive rate. The numbers of people served by Good Cheer increased dramatically in 2008 - 4,044 individuals — about 1,200 more people than 2007 turned to the Food Bank to help put food on the table.
The Windermere staff, agents & family members did a myriad of jobs from stocking shelves in the grocery to filling and reapportioning bulk foods for distribution, sorting and pricing clothes & donations for the thrift stores to working in the vegetable garden and performing some really hard yard work 
projects. We at Windermere found it stunning to see a non-profit organization responsible for so many different aspects be run so well. It also made it an easy decision to spend our time with Good Cheer a second year. Whether one wants to call it the “stars aligning “or pure brilliant executive decision making, the team that runs good cheer could not be a tighter organization, and it is fortuitous for South Whidbey to have had this team securely in place during these very difficult economic times —-for more neat information, visit Good Cheer.
June 26th, 2009
Oak Harbor Community Service Day June 19, 2009
Everyone knows who Habitat for Humanity is-but most think they just build houses for families. I would say they do much, much more than that; they help build dreams.
Last Friday, all 4 Whidbey Island Windermere offices were closed for Community Service Day, as we do 
the third week in June every year. The Oak Harbor office helped build those dreams while siding and landscaping a Habitat house. This was a very special day for us, as the awaiting homeowner was also on-site building away on her first home. We worked, we laughed, and most of all, we had a good time. If you ever get the chance to help on a Habitat build, I would highly recommend it. For information on how to volunteer, visit Island County Habitat.
June 9th, 2009
Pending Sales Surge during May; Inventory still less than 2008 levels.
Pending Sales on Whidbey Island increased 45% for single family homes priced under $400,000, increased 33% for homes priced between $400,000 and $799,000, and stayed flat for homes over $799,000 during the month of May.
The number of homes available for sale also increased significantly (11%) during May, which was the largest increase during 2009, but was still down from May 2008. Typically, the number of homes listed for sale increases at the beginning of the year until a peak during August and then declines for the remainder of the year.
Looking at the pending home sales, it is very apparent that the market was driven by first time home buyers as 85% of the pending sales were homes up to $399,000. Homes priced between $400,000 - $799,000 represented 14% of the pending sales, and the remaining 1% of pending sales took place in the higher end homes priced at $800,000 and above.
Real Estate Market Summary by price segment: Read More »
June 5th, 2009
Quilters on the Rock
Quilters on the Rock, the Whidbey Island quilters guild, is sponsoring a quilt raffle for a beautiful Queen size quilt, designed and constructed by guild members . The quilt will be raffled off to the public as part of a fund raiser for the guild.
You may view the “Opportunity Quilt” on the guild’s web page, or in person at various fabric stores on Whidbey Island throughout the summer.
To purchase a $1 raffle ticket, contact me, or any guild member. Raffle tickets may also be purchased at fabric stores where the quilt is displayed.
Quilters on the Rock gives back to the community throughout the year with the construction of “Community Quilts” for Whidbey General Hospital and “Quilts of Valor” for injured soldiers returning to Madigan Army Hospital at Fort Lewis.
June 5th, 2009
Coupeville’s Organic Community Garden
The town of Coupeville has sponsored their first community garden for residents of Coupeville who want a garden but lack the space on their own property.
Organic gardening is the #1 rule. Use of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides made from synthetic materials and chemical fertilizers are strictly forbidden.
The town provided the initial plowing and fertilizer on the plots and mows the paths and common areas. The shed is full of tools, free seeds, watering cans, a wheel barrow, literature and a message board for gardeners. A water tank and pump are located on site, so all you need are your gloves! All this for only $30 per plot! Opening day was May 1st and the season ends October 17th.
The location is wonderful. It is behind the Coupeville Foursquare church in a large 
field boardered by trees, the highway and a small pond. A local engineer volunteered his time to plot out the sun’s location throughout the summer in order to maximize the sun on the gardens May through October.
June 2nd, 2009
New Septic Rules and Higher Fees on Whidbey Island
The Island County Board of Health adopted new rules in 2007, that were in response to the Washington State Health Department’s regulations that require the monitoring of private sewer systems in the twelve counties that border Puget Sound.
Generally, all gravity fed systems must be checked every three years. More complicated systems must be checked annually. Besides the inspection requirements there is also a new $62 registration fee payable to Island County for submission of inspection reports. Homeowners can take a class to self inspect basic gravity systems, but alternative systems must be inspected by a qualified professional.
frequently-asked-questions-septic
More Information in May 27th Whidbey Examiner Article
May 29th, 2009
SCUBA Dive Whidbey Island
“What do you see under there?” That is the first question I get when people find out I SCUBA dive on Whidbey Island. The cold water is a breeding ground for a very diverse and dynamic ecosystem. The Pacific Northwest is rated the number one dive location in the United States and Whidbey Island is centrally located to a collection of exciting northwest dive sites. The king of northwest marine life is
the Giant Pacific Octopus; the largest octopus in the world. He can be found hiding in a den under the rocks, his front door littered with scraps from dinner, mostly crab shells. You will also see many fish like kelp greenling and ling cod. The invertebrates are the most numerous and can range from very small colorful nudibranchs (sea slugs) to purple, orange or red sea stars to giant white plumose anemones that stand over a foot tall.
Whidbey Island has many dive sites from Deception Pass to Possession Point but the most popular are the Keystone Underwater Park and the Langley Tire Reef. The Keystone Underwater Park is located next to the Keystone/Port Townsend ferry dock. It consists of two dives; “The Jetty” and “The Pilings.” The jetty dive is the most common dive and consists of a long rock jetty that separates the dive site from the ferry lane. Keep the jetty on your right as you enter the water and descend. Take your time and look closely in the bull kelp that grows near the shore, this is where you will find the Read More »
May 27th, 2009
Building Green on Whidbey Island
BuiltGreen is a program sponsored by local builder associations that promotes environmentally-friendly projects that are cost-effective to own and operate. It’s intended to educate contractors and property owners on green building options that will result in homes crafted to exceed local building codes.
Projects are rated on a 1-5 star standard, with 5-star being the most rigorous. One to 3-star ratings can be self-certified, following the BuiltGreen checklists. Ratings of 4 to 5-star must be verified by qualified third-party consultants.
Colorado has been in the forefront of the BuiltGreen initiative, but many other states and regions now have their own programs. Take a look at the Web site, http://www.builtgreen.org for additional information on participating builder associations in your area and to review checklists that will get you to the rating you desire.
Our local association, the Skagit-Island County Builders Association (SICBA) is currently developing its criteria for 4 and 5-star ratings. They are using King County’s standards as a starting point, but modifying them for our more rural setting. We’ll talk more about that as my building project proceeds.
May 26th, 2009
2009 Gardner Report; 1st Qtr
Windermere Real Estate is delighted to be partnered with Gardner Land Use Economics to provide analysis and commentary on the Western Washington Real Estate market.
Summary of Report for Island County:
Western Washington Employment: Number of layoff notices are slowing, and employment picture should be improving over second half of 2009.-
Unemployment rate has increased in Island County 1/2% to 9.1% over last twelve months.
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Closed Sales for Residential and Condominiums are down 28.2% compared to last year as of March 31st.
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Median sales price of single family homes is down 4.4% compared to one year ago, down 14.3% compared to two years ago, and up 24.3% over five years ago (as of March 31st).
For Full report See: 09129_gardnerreport_f