Real Estate Weekly | December 7, 2012

RealEstate weekly RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RENTALS • LAND/ACREAGE

DEC 7-DEC 13

TWENTY-TWELVE FREE

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

RENTERS’ REMORSE PAGE 4

X VS. Y: REAL ESTATE READY PAGE 6

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME PAGE 8

Q&A 17125 SOCKEYE DR, MOUNT VERNON RE/MAX Territory NW 320 S. Burlington Blvd.

Burlington, WA 360-755-9494 www.SkagitValleyRealEstate.com www.DebbieAllenHomes.com Debbie Allen

360-708-8780

$315,000

Lovely one-owner home with 3 bedrooms + office. 2.5 baths and panoramic view of the foothills. Kitchen boasts tile countertops and a Jenn-Air® range.

Hardwood flooring. Gas fireplace. Very spacious master suite with walk-in closet and private bath. Attached 3 car garage. Gorgeous yard with fruit trees and garden space. Huge oversized crawl space is perfect for a workshop and extra storage. MLS#422408

UNDERWATER AND UNINSURED PAGE 9

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 10-11

FEATURED ARTICLE:

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME If at first, you didn’t succeed, should you try again? Some sellers got discouraged during the depths of the downturn and took their homes off the market. Now, Gus Grizzard, an agent with ERA in Leesburg, Fla., is giving them a call to see if they... (cont. on pg. 7)

YOUR KEY TO REAL ESTATE IN SKAGIT, SNOHOMISH, ISLAND AND WHATCOM COUNTIES goskagit.com/reweekly

A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and the Anacortes American

Real Estate Weekly content sponsored by: Whidbey Island Bank

TABLE of CONTENTS Renters' Remorse

Pg. 4

X vs. Y: Real Estate Ready

Pg. 6

Getting Back in the Game

Pg. 8

Q & A: Ask Our Broker

Pg. 9

Classifieds

Pg. 10-11

Pg.

6

To advertise in

RealEstate weekly

SKAGIT PUBLISHING

or other Skagit Publishing publications, Call 360.416.2180 or E-mail ads@skagitads.com View this publication online at www.goskagit.com/reweekly ©Skagit Publishing LLC 2012 | All rights reserved.

All real estate advertised in Real Estate Weekly is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin,

Mount Vernon - College Way and Urban Ave. Burlington - Burlington Blvd & E. George Hopper Rd. Anacortes - 2202 Commercial Ave. Sedro-Woolley - 339 Ferry Street

Territory NW

Go to our website for a quick and easy way to search all listings!

320 S Burlington Blvd • Burlington (360) 755-9494 • (800) 775-0153

!

RS FFE O ING BR

D CE DU E R ICE PR

La Conner $145,000 Affordable fee simple in La Conner. 1680 sq. ft., 3 BR/2 BA mfg home on nice size lot. 24 X 36 shop w/hoist, compressor & woodstove. Snee-Oosh beach, boat ramp and amenities. All new carpet plus new vinyl in master bath. Possible rent to own with good down payment. MLS#366246

Call Debbie, 708-8780

Call Ivana, 770-3550

Sedro-Woolley $279,000 Beautiful home in a lovely wooded setting. 5 + acres. Fantastic custom tile work through out.

RV parking, garden areas, wonderful private setting. New carpet, appliances and paint.

MLS#389352 Call Elizabeth, 708-8800

Wilma Louia Designated Broker/Owner 661-1631

2

Elizabeth Detillion 708-8800

December 7, 2012

Ron Van Pelt 333-1045

Mount Vernon $149,500 MV rambler. 3 BR/ 1 ¾ BA. Fully fenced ¼ acre lot. 2 car attached garage. Room for RV parking. All appliances included. MLS#426818

Call Jim, 708-1681

Kirk Campbell 770-7470

Mike Welling 540-1341

Mount Vernon. 3 BR/1 ¼ BA. Dining room w/ built in hutch, and rec room. Fenced backyard. Home has dishwasher, washer and dryer. $1100 Rent/$1100 Deposit. Call 755-5555.

Charlie & Jeannie Boon 708-9645

G TIN LIS

W NE

Mount Vernon $209,000 Extensively remodeled 3 BR/2 BA rambler. Formal living room with gas fireplace. Remodeled kitchen with eating space/pantry. Large yard w/2 outbuildings for addl. Storage. Centrally located in town. MLS #427647 Call Ron, 333-1045

AL NT RE

AL NT RE

La Conner $479,500 Beautiful Shelter Bay house. Approx 100’ of waterfront. 56’ Shared dock. 2 BR/2 BA, w/2035 sq. ft. Gourmet kitchen w/ granite counters. All Shelter Bay amenities.

MLS#237028

Debbie Allen 708-8780

W NE

Call Charlie, 708-1415, Jeannie, 708-9645

E! SE ST U AM

ED UC ED R ICE PR

www.SkagitValleyRealEstate.com

N IO AT C LO

Mount Vernon $149,000 Roomy 3 BR/2 BA home with 1782 sq. ft. on 1+ acre. Convenient location right on edge of Mount Vernon. Deck. Outbuildings. MLS#416805

or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

For further information call HUD Toll Free at 1-800-669-9777.

All Houses subject to prior changes without notice. Neither advertisers nor Skagit Publishing are responsible for any errors in the ad copy. Skagit Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, which we deem unsuitable for our publication.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Skagit Publishing and may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission.

Skagit Publishing is not responsible for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers.

Jim Stransky 708-1681

Ivana Wood 770-3550

Sedro-Woolley $240,000 Commercial Property. On shy 1 acre. Great Hwy. 20 frontage. Building is currently being expanded. Current business is 2nd Winn (Previously Mariah Log Homes). MLS #428232 Call Charlie, 708-1415, Jeannie, 708-9645

AL NT RE

Alger. 2 BR/1 BA home. 20 X 30 shop. $1050 Rent/$1050 Deposit. Call 755-5555.

Steph Richardson 206-229-2668

G TIN LIS

Pete McDougall 708-6500

Shannon Henderson Office Manager

S. Mount Vernon. 3 BR/1 BA home. Easy I-5 access. $1100 Rent/$1100 Deposit. Call 755-5555.

Jennifer Absten Property Mgt. Division

Jodi Dynes Property Mgt. Division

Traci Erickson Property Manager 391-2969

Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly

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Real Estate Weekly

December 7, 2012

3

Renters’ Remorse

In a hot rental market, scam artists are finding ways to fraudulently rent out properties they don’t own.

Renters, beware.

With a historic number of foreclosures sitting on the market, scammers posing as landlords are preying on vulnerable potential tenants.

And they are getting away with it.

They find unoccupied homes and list them for rent at lucrative rates on websites such as Craigslist; once they have pocketed the rent and deposit money, they vanish.

“I am seeing this all over the place,” says Robert OHara, real estate agent with Re/Max, Flossmoor, Ill. “The rental market is tight and it’s all about the money.”

always better to have a professional by your side, OHara says.

much later.

There are specialized agents handling rentals, and they’re

Rusty Miller, a real estate agent for Betsher and Associates,

knowledgeable about properties in the market.

licensed in Maryland, says someone recently used his property

• Don’t go alone: If you like a home that you found on the

listing and robbed an elderly woman of $5,000. Miller is now

Internet and decide to go see it, be cautious. Take someone

trying to get the word out so others won’t fall prey.

with you when you visit a rental property, and don’t carry any

The rental scams are happening all across the country.

cash, Miller says.

There’s no way to find out the exact number of fraudulent

• Speak to neighbors: Residents in the community are often

incidents that have happened, but the stories are pretty similar,

aware of what’s going on with homes in the neighborhood, and

and they occur frequently.

they could be your best source. Knock on a few doors and

“I think what’s driving it is there are more foreclosed

inquire about the property before dropping any money.

So, how does this work? In many cases, the con artists

properties sitting on the market than we have seen histori-

• Hire an attorney: Lawyers cost money, but they can do

find homes, which are already listed for sale or rent by own-

cally,” says Robert Hagberg, Freddie Mac’s associate director

an asset search and dig up information on property owners.

ers. They lift photos and descriptions from real ads and repost

of fraud investigations. “It’s like a typical fraud scheme, one

They can find out who the homeowners are and if they have

them on Craigslist and other websites under their name. They

person gets to work and then others jump on board, and it

any assets in their name.

create new email avatars and tell their victims that they have

gets contagious.”

• If you see a “for sale” sign on the property with a seller’s

to relocate and need to rent their home immediately. Some-

From California to New York, Freddie Mac alone has

information, call the number or try to find out more about the

times, they even look up tax records and open e-mail accounts

approximately 50,000 homes listed for sale, under contract

seller. “That’s the easiest one,” Hagberg says. “And before you

using the real owner’s name.

or being readied for sale. Real estate agents, contractors and

send money or give out any information about yourself, look

Oh, and that “for sale” sign on the front yard with a real

other home representatives can’t babysit these homes around

up the county records. If they are making an effort to steal

estate agent’s information? Ignore that, they tell their victims.

the clock, thus providing a fertile ground for the con artists.

your money, there’s no guarantee that they won’t steal your

They just haven’t gotten around to taking it down.

Hagberg says there were more rental frauds reported in the

identity.”

The scammers even encourage the victims to drive by the property to check it out. They often tell them that keys would only be handed over once they mail in the security deposit.

Sometimes they would go to the extent of changing locks in

4

the house, and victims don’t realize they have been duped until

December 7, 2012

last few months than in 2011.

Here are a few tips on how to guard yourself against scammers when you are shopping for rentals.

• Hire an agent, or go through a property manager: It’s

• Lastly, if the rent price listed is too good to be true, it probably is. Do your research on the going rates on similar units and homes in the area. If the listed price looks like a steal, that should be the first warning sign.

Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly

www.WindermereSkagit.com

STAT sky-high rents

9.7

Percentage of rent increase nationwide since 2011.

w w w. b r o w n m c m i l l e n . c o m

Evening Phone Calls Welcome

Holly Hilts Tim Reichert Shelah Inman Fritz Inman

661-5538 391-5587 661-0145 661-0147

goskagit.com/reweekly

Jan Scally Jeff Ingman Dick Best Ron Wortham

421-5160 202-2859 770-1491 661-1500

3618 TUNDRA CT., MV $249,999 2010 HiLine Home, 1940 sq. ft. with large master suite, 2 guest rooms. Open living area with vaulted ceiling, spacious cooks kitchen & SS appliances. Call Megan O’Bryan at 708-5817. #424110

905 CARRIAGE CT., SDW $42,500 Open, bright & well maintained home with nice floor plan.

Kitchen with eating area. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. A large deck & separate shed & located in a quiet secure 55+ park with clubhouse & RV parking. Country feel yet close to town. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #375782

7119 TYLER PL, STANWOOD $284,000 Beautiful 2121 sq.ft., 2 story home with 4 bedrooms & 2.5 baths. Maple cabinets, tile, large master bedroom with 5 piece bath. Nicely landscaped, fully fenced back yard. Call Lee Ann Dean at 421-3082 or Karine Anderson at 421-1189. #388597

21356 ROLLING RIDGE DR., SDW $285,000 CMeticulously maintained residence in the pristine Rolling Ridge neighborhood. Approx. 2800 sq.ft. of spacious living, on over 1/3 acre. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #366212 21737 STERLING DR., SDW $299,900 1-level home on 1 acre, 4 bedrooms, den, living & family 334 N. BAKER ST., MV $155,900 rooms, formal dining, 2 fireplaces, 3 baths. Court yard with hot tub, tennis court, 2 car attached garage, detached shop & large Large 1.5 story West Mount Vernon home on nearly ¾ acre lot. Large private back yard, access to Skagit River for fishing, outbuilding. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #266058 $319,950 garden space, outbuildings & shop space all in a quiet neigh- 901 JAMESON ST., SDW. Restored & updated historic 1903 Victorian home. Many borhood setting. Call Jim Glackin at 428-2828. #356433 16792 STATE ROUTE 536, MV $184,900 original features. Beautiful new gourmet kitchen. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3142 SF. Large garage/shop, beautifully landscaped. More Lovely remodeled 1 story home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, built-in cabinets, pine floors, ceiling fans & gas fireplace. Plus photos & info at SkagitValleyHomes.com. Call Bill & Jannette large deck, raised beds, garden shed & 2 car detached garage. Krieger at 421-4446. #331718 944 PARK ST., LAC $134,950 Adorable 2 story home with-in walking distance to downtown.

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, hardwood floors & plenty of storage.

Assigned 2 car parking, club house & beautifully landscaped common areas. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #353981

537 LAKESIDE DR., SDW $325,000 Classic waterfront home with dock. 3 bedrooms plus office, 2406 STONEBRIDGE WAY, MV $187,500 1.75 baths. 46’ no bank shore on Reed Lake. Enjoy the lake or the Community Clubhouse & swimming pool. Call George Comfortable 2 bedroom condo in desirable Stonebridge Active Adult community. New floors thru-out living area, new Bellos at 708-9762. #354920 $424,950 gas range. Open living area with vaulted ceilings. Large master 303 E. JONES RD, SDW suite. Attached 2-car garage. Call Megan O’Bryan at 708-5817. Immaculate custom 3 bedroom, 2.25 bath home. 2 car garage, 30x20 shop & 60x36 shop both with heat. Located on .86 acre #413642 12648 MARKWOOD RD., BRL $217,900 with additional 1.33 acres adjoining with development potential. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #345096 Burlington rambler approx. 1470 SF on .67 acre lot, approx.

360.757.6013 800.869.7084

235 W. Rio Vista Avenue, Burlington

83 ACRES… beautiful pasture land, CRAFTSMAN STYLE… w/covered some wooded areas. 3 BR, 2 BA mfg porch, 2+BR, 1.5 BA. Approx 1600 home, 2 shops, horse barn, hay loft. sf. Pergo flooring in liv/dining rooms.

Great for cattle ranch, equestrian use. Lg rec rmw/woodstove. $119,900. $495,000. #284837 #368858 SMALL BUSINESS?… perfect loca- RARE OPPORTUNITY… no bankw/ tion just 1/2 block east of Burlington front bldg site. Almost 1/2 acre. 94’ Blvd., lots of parking. $149,950. w/front at Lk McMurray. 5 miles from #103783 I-5. $299,500. #408448 2 HOMES ON 5.23 ACRES… up- IN TOWN ACREAGE… 2.73 level & dated 3 BR, 1.75 BA rambler + cozy cleared acres close to all the action in accessory dwelling. Many upgrades, town of Concrete. $86,400. #359855 cook top range, radiant heat. Shop/ NICE 20 ACRES… fronts on access garage. $379,950. #393236 road with great mountain views. Has ROUGH 20 ACRES… a few miles east power & water available. $99,500. of Sedro-Woolley. Borders state forest #330544 land on 2 sides. $49,500. #330679 SHY ACRE… permitted building lot INDUSTRIAL ZONED… 6.9 Acres in near Big Lk, great valley & mounBrl w/6 bldgs & 81,868 sf of enclosed tain views, public water available. building area. $2,300,000. #412187 $149,500. #331392 VACANT LAND… 5 ac level parcel. CHARMING HOME… A MUST SEE..3 Bldg site ready for new mobile or BR, 2 BA, 2 car garage home on dead stick blt home. West of I-5 location end street, small creek bordering (Hobson Rd). $100,000. #2929150 back yard. $184,500. #352692

7524 MAPLE ST., CNC $28,500 Well maintained manufactured home on a large lot. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. A great get-away & close to many outdoor activities & the North Cascade National Park. Call George Bellos at 708-9762. #201029

All in the country with Mt. Baker view. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #372960

Source: Apartment List; based on 1.8 million rentals, January 2011 to June 2012

Brown McMillen Real Estate

Windermere Real Estate/ Skagit Valley 1030 East College Way • Mount Vernon (360) 424-4901 • 1-800-849-7939

NEW PRICE… 5 BR, 3 BA..1728 sf Palm Harbor home. Open living rm, master w/walk-in closet. Covered front deck,1 car garage. $125,000. #352434 4BR MV RAMBLER… 1300 sf rambler in MV hill location (close to hospital), fenced back yard, dining rm off kitchen, laundry room, and detached garage. $157,000. #388808 CONCRETE… fixer on 3 useable acres, partially cleared. 1 1/2 story. 4 BRs up, 1 down & 1 BA. $119,000. #239452 GREAT INVESTMENT… cute 2 BR home in Burlington sitting on 2 duplex building lots. $149,500. #387567 A-1 SEDRO-WOOLLEY LOT… affordable, ready to build on. Minutes from I-5. $49,950. #310437 AFFORDABLE HOME… 1/2 ac..

Living rm/w free standing woodstove, adjoining kitchen & dining. 3 BR+ den/hobby rm. 1 3/4 BAs. 2 outbuildings. $155,000. #233664

4220 MONTGOMERY PL, MV $459,900 Beautiful custom residence in Park Crest. Approx. 3218 sq.ft., on over 1/3 acre. 5 bedrooms, 3.75 baths. Full attached 1 bed/1.5 bath MIL with garage & private entry. Call Elizabeth 415 N. 4TH ST., MV $229,900 Miller at 420-3607. #363599 17422 W. BIG LAKE BLVD., MV $689,900 Beautifully cared for Vintage home on the hill with river & Gorgeous Mt. Baker, Cultus Mountain & Lake views! 5+ acres mountain views. 4 bedrooms, 2.75 baths, plus den. Great with 2 homes on separate parcels! Great barn, heated shop location; just a short stroll to town. Call Elizabeth Miller at & additional outbuildings. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607.

420-3607. #395780 1319 DIGBY PL, MV $235,000 #374149 720 SF, detached 2 car garage with RV door & attached carport with 1 car garage, 2 overhead storage areas with pull down staircase access. Newer roof & exterior paint, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. #413014

Maddox Creek end unit townhome with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths & westerly views. Lovely landscaping. Open floor plan with kitchen with granite counters, skylight, alder cabinets & stainless appliances. 2 car garage. Call Karen Beckner at 840-9455. #357295

9690 SAMISH ISLAND RD, BOW $2,450,000 Custom 6550 SF, 4 bedroom beachfront home on Padilla Bay. Slab granite in kitchen with wrap-around bar, Viking appliances. Media, exercise & family/game rooms. 4 car garage with car lift. Covered patio & moorage buoy. Clam, crab & fish. Call Warren Bingham at 770-2421. #395055

Mary Jo Reitsma 770-6013 Terri Heyntsen 391-0938 Tod LeHecka 333-1032 Galen Kindred 770-7083

Real Estate Weekly

December 7, 2012

5

X vs Y: Real Estate-Ready

Generations X and Y know to do their homework before buying a house and will pinch pennies to buy it.

Generations X and Y experienced the housing crisis at very different times

home with their parents in order to save for a house.

Where people in both

in their lives, but they

generations split ways is

have similar views on real

their idea of a dream home.

estate, according to a new

According to GfK Roper

survey by Better Homes

Reports, a consumer insight

and Gardens Real Estate.

group, the parenting gen-

More than 77 percent of

eration (X) imagines a fam-

all respondents believe they ily-oriented dream home. have a better understanding

Their top three household

of real estate because of the

items are a state-of-the-art

increased media coverage of kitchen,

walk-in

closets

the housing market down- and a fireplace. Generaturn. “When you involve tion Y’s preferences focus fear and hard times with any-

on entertainment and fun:

thing, people pay attention,” Whirlpool, swimming pool says Leighton Dees, CEO of

and game room make the

Better Homes and Gardens

top three for them.

Real

Estate

Generations,

based in Mobile, Ala.

Technology is one thing that connects them. Dees,

The survey categorized who is a member of Genpeople ages 18 to 34 as eration X, says: “TechnolGeneration Y, and 35- to ogy was something that en45-year-olds were labeled

thralled our generation. The

Generation X.

generation behind us has

Additionally,

the

done nothing but advanced

“American dream” is still that movement. I think our alive and well – 75 per-

mindset is close... in the way

cent of people see owning

we utilize tools and things

a home as a sign of suc-

around us to interact with

cess, more so than fancy

our environment.”

vacations, expensive cars or

Kathy Sheehan, the execu-

designer clothes. Dees says tive vice president of GfK there is a common belief

Roper

Reports,

predicts

that getting a loan is diffi- that the generations’ difcult nowadays: “It’s a sign of fering preferences will stay accomplishment when they in place, even as Generaactually obtain a home.”

tion Y grows up. “Gen Y is

To achieve this, 62 per-

delaying family formation,

cent of people are willing

they’re getting married lat-

to eat out less, 40 percent er, they’re having kids later. would work a second job and Their needs are different,” 23 percent would move back

6

December 7, 2012

she says.

Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly

STAT

eat, drink and be merry

41

Percentage of American consumers who say the kitchen is the most-used room during the holidays.

SOURCE: Coldwell Banker survey

SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

North Homes Realty Inc. 360.424.2100 • www.century21northhomes.com $116,000

MLS#399143

$435,000

MLS#409607

• Detached garage • 3 bdrm 1 bath • Close to hospital • New listing

$75,000

MLS#370392 $109,900

MLS#256370

$218,900

MLS#351611

• Small town • 4 bedrooms • 3 bdrm + den • 28x30 shop • Fully fenced • West Camano Island • Lots to offer • Close to river

• Secluded location • MIL apt • 3 car garage • Rustic 4 bedroom

• 60’ low bank waterfront • Solid cedar cabin • 80’ long deck • Samish Island

$250,000

MLS#396159

• Shy 10 acres • Beautiful Baker View • Two 4.8 acre building sites • Silver creek frontage

$215,000

,

$199,500

MLS#193527 • Shy 1700 sf • Like new rambler

• Excellent condition • Large shop • New carpet & paint • 3 bedrooms

$450,000

Anita Kohl 961-7795 Arlene Vonachen 853-6429 Dawn Hardman 540-0058 Diane Weyer 424-2100 Duane Gish 770-9299 Dominic Pettruzzelli 333-5210

Real Estate Weekly

• Lovely new kitchen • New carpet & tile

SOLD

$118,900

MLS#201498 • Affordable 55+ living • Close to

• 9 unit building • Fully rented • Updated • Centrally located

goskagit.com/reweekly

• Several units available • 55+ parks

MLS#382378 • Starting at $9,000 • Call Today

amenities • Active clubhouse • Inside Courtyard

George Herner 840-3743 Jackie Lindeman 770-9080 Jeff Dowrey 661-2161 Karl Morse 395-5405 Lisa Wondoloski 443-975-9426 Lorie Groth 425-422-7145

Margie Ernst 708-3198 Marlene Deasy 661-6720 Mike Newman 708-1419 Noli Goode 630-6527 Pam Fields 982-0360 Rick Kiesser 770-1195

REAL ESTATE CLASSES STARTING NOW! CALL SCOTT 360-540-2121 Sandi Hocking 708-1523 Sandi Riley 770-8670 Sharon Stokes 661-6164 Tamara Cooper 630-9127 Traci Cypher 708-9481 Veronica Lopez 420-0696

December 7, 2012

7

Getting Back in the Game

If at first, you didn’t succeed, should you try again?

Some sellers got discouraged during the depths of the downturn and took their homes off the market. Now, Gus Grizzard, an agent with ERA in Leesburg, Fla., is giving them a call to see if they are ready to give it another shot.

But he’s only making that argument to certain owners. “We have a critically low inventory of properties $150,000 and under,” Grizzard says.

Indeed, while many experts are pronouncing that it’s a good time to buy, they don’t make a similarly sweeping recommendation on the optimum time to sell.

That’s reflected in consumer attitudes. The consumer sentiment gauging whether it’s a good time to buy has rebounded, according to an index calculated by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan. But the index on home selling conditions is still stuck in the doldrums.

Grizzard says that a homeowner should consider selling if there were a relatively low number of similar homes currently for sale in his/her specific market. Another good sign is if the last few comparable sales showed price stability or a gradual uptick. All those conditions fit the lower end of the market in his central Florida area, he adds.

“Some sellers are waiting until the spring,” says Michele Silverman Bedell,

8

December 7, 2012

principal of Silversons Realty, Scarsdale, N.Y. While that’s the traditional peak season, “Selling a home in any season is usually a function of price and the amount of competition in the market and the number of buyers.”

Ask an agent for “concrete” data on inventory and price trends, suggests Susan Camiliere of RE/MAX Central, Roselle, Ill. “Then don’t listen to what you want to hear, listen to what is real.”

Here, how successful selling hinges on realty realism: Less Pain

“In recent years, as prices fell in many markets... many were faced with the prospect of selling for less than they paid,” says Justin Sydnor, assistant professor in the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

“We know from research in behavioral economics that those types of perceived losses are very painful – we call this ‘loss aversion,’” he says.

Now, owners are able to accept lower values because time has allowed them to “adjust their expectations,” Sydnor explains.

Big Picture

The loss aversion may also have been exaggerated, Sydnor adds, because

sellers tend to focus on a single reference point – like the price they paid.

With time, he adds, more homeowners think of their home’s value in context with other parts of their financial lives.

That’s just what Mike Litzner, of Century 21 American Homes, East Meadow, N.Y., says he’s observing. “People are realizing they’re making up the loss on their new home, since they’re getting that for less [than boom year prices] too.”

Sellers are also weighing the costs of not moving, Camiliere says. Downsizing, for example, might eliminate paying expensive mortgage and maintenance bills, she explains. Then, there’s the cost of lost opportunities. “Maybe you’d like to move to be closer to your grandchildren, and they’re growing up.”

Best Effort

It’s not just price that second-time-around sellers are changing their attitudes about, Camiliere says.

She takes note of the comments that prospective buyers make and informs the sellers. Now, sellers are more amenable to making changes based on those reactions.

It may not be easy to take down wallpaper you love or repaint a room, but sellers who want to be successful this time are determined, she says.

Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly

Q&A underwater and uninsured QUESTION:

We have an 80/20 loan.

We’re not behind on payments, just having trouble because my husband lost his job and is disabled. We pay $1,200 a month and have a $132,000 loan balance, but our property is valued at $94,000. The lender says it will not allow a loan modification. What can we do?

ANSWER:

You bought property with nothing down by using an 80-percent conventional loan and a 20-percent second lien.

Because equity in the property has fallen, you are financially upside down – you owe more than the property is worth.

Not every lender participates in the government’s loan modification program; however, you should see what options are available under the Home Affordable Unemployment Program. There is also a $7.6 billion Hardest Hit

goskagit.com/reweekly

Ask Our Broker

By Peter G. Miller

Housing Markets Fund that may be able to provide assistance.

Call an HUD loan counselor at 888-995-4673 for specific information. There is no cost for this service.

Please be aware that you may not have been speaking with your lender, the party that owns your loan. Instead, you are likely speaking with a “servicer,” a company that collects payments for the lender and initiates foreclosures when payments are not made.

Buying real estate with nothing down is attractive, but for most borrowers – and lenders – the better financing choice is to get financing with mortgage insurance from such sources as the FHA, VA or conventional loans with private mortgage insurance.

There are costs to mortgage insurance, but there are also benefits. The FHA and VA both have programs to protect borrowers against foreclosure and to encourage loan modifications, as do private mortgage insurance companies.

The purpose of such programs is to keep borrowers out of default. Why? For insurance plans, fewer defaults equal fewer claims.

When looking at a loan modification, see if you can get an interest-rate reduction, a principal write-down, a longer mortgage term or all three.

Now could be the time to sell a new home and earn a slice of the Real Estate pie.

Record-low interest rates and record-low housing prices are renewing interest in the floundering housing market for many people.

“When sellers are interviewing real estate agents to market their homes, their primary focus is usually on the advertising that the agent will offer them,” says Jessica Goodbody of Weichert Realtors.

Let us help you meet your marketing goals by advertising your listings in Real Estate Weekly.

Call 360.416.2180 Today!

RealEstate weekly In print and online

Real Estate Weekly

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December 7, 2012

9

2 bdrm 1 ½ ba, Burl., W/D hookup, W/S/G pd., no pets. Move in ready! $777/mo. 360-757-2923.

Now accepting applications for our wait list for Section 8: 1, 2, 3 and 4 bdrm apts. Skagit Village Apts., MV. 360-424-4051.

WOODLAND APTS

1, 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts 2 x 1 ½ Town homes Covered Parking Complete Appliance Pkgs Sport Courts / Playgrounds Pet Friendly Call Today! 360-856-4803 1 BDRM, MV, MADDOX CRK Beautiful, safe condo, 55+ building, $825 Water sewer, garbage included. 360-9414432 1 bdrm, MV, safe & quiet, 1 level, near hospital. Corner of 16th & Skagit. $690. W/S/G pd. 360-652-6560 1ST MO. FREE! 1, 2 & 3 bdrm, MV, near college, onsite laundry, reserved parking. W/S/G pd. Qualify today!

Move in tomorrow! 428-3887 2 bdrm, 1 ½ ba, MV, 1211 N. 9th St. #2 & #3, W/S/G pd., $700/mo. Amy 360-757-0708 2 bdrm, 1 ½ ba, newer townhome, single garage, W/D hookup, 960 sq. ft. $850 + $800 dep. 625 Township #9, Sedro-Woolley. No pets.

For showing 360-708-8665 Cute downtown studios, on bus line. Great MV location $500-$550.

ASK ABOUT OUR MOVE IN SPECIAL! 360-941-6986 Fairhaven Manor 757-2149 Norris Place 757-3060 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts. W/S/G pd.

Great location, some restriction apply. Call or stop in today.

MV 512 S. 20th, 2 bdrm, 2 ba, garage, W/D, deck. $800.

424-6974

10 7, 7, 2012 10- December December 2012

Now accepting applications for our wait list for Rural Development: 1, 2 and 3 bdrm apts. Olympic Apts., MV. 360-424-4051

Now accepting applications for our wait list for Senior/Adults with Disabilities: 1 and 2 bdrm apts. Fircrest Apts., MV. 360-424-4051

2 Bdrm, 1 Ba, shown by appt only.

360-755-0125 55+ community, well taken care of 2 bdrm, 2 ba mfg home, $650/mo. Includes space rent & note payment (you own it) and TV cable, S/G. Carport & storage building, handicap ramp & all appliances. Located in Colonial Park. Call Keith Johnson, 360-420-3096.

Clear Lake charming 1 bdrm guest cottage. Clean & freshly painted. All util. pd. $600/mo. $200 damage dep.

360-856-4860

Shelter Bay 3 Bedrooms, 2 ½ Baths Formal Living Room Formal Dining Room Family Room w/ Fireplace Office & 2 Car Garage $1,199/mo. rent The Rent Lady (360) 299-2353 www.rentlady.com Shelter Bay, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, open floor plan, electric heat with woodstove, detached guest house/studio & sauna, detached garage. $1350/mo. $800/dep. Bob 360-941-8300

MV, Eaglemont, 4 Bdrm, 2 ½ Ba, 3 car garage, avail. Now, 1 bdrm Big Lake $700+$300 $2,200. 360-941-7188 dep. W/D hookups, garage.

No smoke/pets. 422-8516 New home for 2 Bdrm, 1 ½ Ba, gas heat, Christmas!

W/D hook-up, garage, $795.

Choose from (3) Bdrm, 2 Avail. Now. 1000-A Sterling Ba homes. $1350-$1450.

St., S.W. 425-773-0573 www.skagitsolutions.com 2 bdrm, 1 ba, S.W. 2 car caror call 420-0606 or port + extra storage, includes 420-9808 to see W/S/G, no smoke/pets. $775.

New quiet garden cottage, + $500 dep. Call 856-4334 1 bdrm, great location, near Burl., 1076 Andis Rd., 2 hospital, $750/mo. incl. all Bdrm, 1 Ba, gas heat, util., no pets/smoke. Call garage, W/D, yard, $850 mo., 360-848-9114 $500 dep. 360-424-6974 Newer 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba, on private street, garage, applcs., close to shopping & park, $1400/mo. 360-661-6674

Pleasant Ridge. Architect Spacious 1 bdrm apt. Incl design cottage, great view util. $650. Great area in MV. day & night, 1 bdrm, office / 360-336-5412/425-387-6483 den, 1 ba, laundry room / pantry, garage, forced air furnace, raised garden beds.

The Rent Lady, 299-2353 1 - 4 Bdrm Rentals.

RENTALS Piazza Realty Property Houses & Apartments.

Mgmt., Inc. 360-424-RENT See our listings at (7368) www.prpmrentals.com www.skagitrentals.com 1 bdrm lakehouse for rent.

Remax Property Mgmt. $1,000/mo. Avail now.

823 N. 4th, Mount Vernon Call 360-422-6206 360-424-3198

Furnished room, Mount Vernon, $450 mo., near 30th & Division, share with older singles & small dog. References.

Call 360-416-0340.

Open House Sat. Dec. 8th, Sun. Dec. 9th Sun., Dec. 16th.

1pm-3pm

MV near college, TV & internet, $500/mo. $100/dep. 360424-6974

Mobile home city lot in Sedro-Woolley for rent in January, $450/mo. 360-724-3704

Burlington Business Park, warehouse/office combo, 4,060 sq. ft. warehouse, 1,066 sq. ft. office, 600 sq. ft. mezzanines, loading dock.

Call Al Brown, 360-770-9877

Marvelous home for entertaining in "Old Town" Anacortes. Views of Guemes Channel; Approx. 2266 sq. ft., 4 bdrm, 2 ¾ baths; Wolf cooktop, Subzero refrig, granite, 4 landscaped lots on corner with paved alley; Buy your dream house for Christmas! 2102 10th St., Anacortes. $639,000. Call Jim or Joyce to see anytime (360) 293-5409 or (360) 770-4334.

WHY ADVERTISE IN THE SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD? EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. CHOOSE A PROVEN SOURCE FOR

MV, 1010 S. 16th St., 2 bdrm, 1 ba, near hospital, woodstove, attached garage, W/D, patio, yard, ground floor. $775/mo. $500/dep. 360424-6974

AVAILABLE NOW Warm indoor saltwater pool & spa, Clear Lake view luxury home, all util. pd., no pets/ smoke, $850. 360-856-6949

RETURN ON INVESTMENT. You should be advertising in these tough economic times.

To advertise in the most powerful local media available, call us at 360.424.3251

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly

2107 Meadows Ln, Anacortes

HUGE MASTER BEDROOM & BATH. This 4BD 3BA has recently had a face lift. Fresh landscaping, fresh paint, new carpets, new granite kitchen counters. This home has casual and formal living and a bonus room. A DREAM YARD terraced and fully fenced. Imagine a neighborhood barbecue in your backyard, on your deck with room to spare. Go to www.rondeboer.com for photo gallery. $339,960.

Windermere Real Estate Whatcom Inc., Ron DeBoer 360-201-5282

RENT TO OWN 3 bdrm 2 ba + bonus room, 2 car garage, large fenced yard. Close to school & play fields. $1500. www.skagitsolutions.com 360-420-0606

RENT TO OWN Cute 3 bdrm, 2 ½ ba, 2 story, quiet MV neighborhood, great starter home, $1400. www.skagitsolutions.com 360-420-0606

1011 N. LAVENTURE RD. MOUNT VERNON

OWNER'S CONTRACT Owner's contract with $19,000 down - 5% interest, $900 per month payments, 35 year cash-out. Single level 3 bedroom, full bath, 3/4 bath, and 1/2 bath home, living & family room. New roof.

Disabled access. Newer gas forced air furnace. 2-car garage. Large fenced yard. $169,000.

RE/MAX Whatcom County Keith Cook 360-739-5600 www.BuyerMax.com

FOR SALE BY OWNER $35,500

2007 Evergreen mfg home 44'x27', 2 bdrm, 2 ba, appliances including W/D, electric heat pump & A/C, shed, carport with covered walk-way in small park in Sedro-Woolley.

Call 856-5578

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly

901 JAMESON ST., SEDRO WOOLLEY $319,950

This beautiful restored and updated home will be featured in the 2012 SW Holiday Home Tour. Many original features, such as fir floors & all woodwork.

Home boasts an impressive entry; parlor with French doors; a brand new upscale kitchen; den/office; formal living & dining rooms & a bonus room. A corner lot with privacy hedge & cobblestone pathways. More info and photos at SkagitValleyHomes.com. #331718 Call Bill and Jannette Krieger, (360)4214446. WRE/Skagit Valley

RANCH RAMBLER 27930 Hoehn Road, Sedro-Woolley 32 LEVEL ACRES $369,000

New price for custom built 3 bdrm, 2 ½ ba w/family room off kitchen, dining room overlooks private backyard, fresh interior paint, oversized 2 car garage, circular drive.

Acreage suitable for farming or livestock, some marketable timber. Possible lease option to buy.

MLS 202725 425-985-9643 Terry Smiley Champions Real Estate

ROOMY PRIVATE PARK-LIKE HOME 3BD/2BA home on 5 acres.

Home has an open floor plan and skylights to bring the outdoors in. Enjoy privacy on the patio off the master bedroom. Kitchen features stainless steel appliances. Attached 2 car garage, carport, and RV parking. woodshed, shop/ garage. $289,900. Possible Lease Option. $4,800 Cash Down Payment, $1470 per month. 1/2 acre lot next door also available at $39,000.

RE/MAX Whatcom County Keith Cook 360-739-5600 www.BuyerMax.com

Find your bargain today!

Smart shoppers know about the bargains hidden within the Classified pages. In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from tickets to trailers.

It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want, and it’s used by hundreds of area shoppers every day.

Call 424-4567 to place an ad.

RENT-TO-OWN this BRAND NEW certified built green 3 bedrooms 2 bath home in Sedro-Woolley.

Enjoy lower utility bills and a small easily maintained landscape. Some of the many green built features include easy to clean ceramic tile and cork flooring, low flow dual flush toilets and a high efficiency natural gas furnace. For more information visit our website at skagitsolutions.com

Real Estate Weekly

December 7, 2012 -11 11 December 7, 2012

19945 PARSON CREEK RD, SEDRO-WOOLLEY

MEET THE TEAM!

Jessie Cavazos……360-770-5623 Hablo Espanol Suzanne Jenkins…360-941-2983 Brett Tacker…… 360-840-7931 Sandy Everett……360-202-3706 JoAnn Boudreau…360-391-0746 Richard Dickman…360-420-3155 Jewell Gibbs…… 360-540-2257 Linda Dietrick……360-840-6771 Donna Kurras……360-770-7596 Chris Miller………360-333-1868 Russ Lanker………360-708-1117 Danya Wolf………360-708-8294 Designated Broker

!

Option to buy. Wonderful 1620 sq. foot home offers a large shop/garage, detached studio, generous deck with hot tub; on fenced 1.25 WHO WE ARE… Skagit Tradition Realty, a family owned and operated real estate firm, has been serving the Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties acres. Nice location convenient to I-5, between for more than 70 years. We are a full service real estate office highly proficient in a variety of fields, which include residential, Mount Vernon and Bellingham. MLS#334536 commercial, property management, international transactions, first time home buyers and other real estate investments.

502 SHADY LANE, MOUNT VERNON

$189,950 1520 MEADOWLARK LANE, MOUNT VERNON W

NE

Nice home in Stonebridge 55+ community. Quiet, dead-end with gated access to walking trail. Home features vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace and sliding door to covered patio. kitchen has walk-in pantry; master has spacious walk-in closet. Utility room has nice cabinets and large sink. Generous sized double garage features cabinet storage and tool bench. Quiet location; yet comfortable Danya Wolf distance to club house. MLS#421739 360-708-8294

1508 LINDSAY LP #105, MOUNT VERNON

W

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Beautiful 4 BDRM home with Saltwater view & with beach access. Large fenced backyard w/brick patio, hot tub, fire pit, 9 fruit trees, raspberries, strawberries, garden area & large evergreens. Open floor plan.

Electric & propane hookup for range. Master bedroom w/retreat & deck that overlooks scenic Hale’s passage. Kitchen has island and lots of cabinet space. Master bath has double Suzanne Jenkins sinks, large soaking tub & shower. MLS#412892 360-941-2983

Creative Financing. Just across the street from Bakerview Park. All appliances included. The home boasts brand new carpet and paint in all 3 bedrooms, living, dining and bonus room. Master has a full size bath. The other 2 bedrooms and 2nd bath are located at the opposite end of home from the master. Fenced yard and off-street Sandy Everett parking. MLS#362042 360-202-3706

$215,000 28260 LAKE CAVANAUGH RD, MOUNT VERNON $1,500/MO. 3 STARVATION RIDGE LANE, MOUNT VERNON $249,000 XXX OERTEL DR, BLAINE TRY

Beautiful Condo 2 bedrooms plus a den. 2 bath rooms, Granite counter tops, vaulted ceilings, large tile master shower, Great floor plan. All on one floor with no steps. 2 car garage with Boudreau auto opener. Must see this one. MLS#394504 JoAnn 360-391-0746

R

This huge, modern, remodeled triple-wide is located on a private .89 acre cleared lot, backed by trees. New floor coverings & paint are found throughout. The ground area around the home has been freshly graveled & a new deck & porch will be finished soon. The 25’x17” living room complements the 4 spacious BR & 2 full BA. The kitchen boasts newer appliances, tiled counter tops, an eating area & skylight. Bonus Rm off kitchen. $45 app fee per Sandy Everett adult applicant 18 & over. MLS#411048 360-202-3706

This is it! Last Available building lot (#25) in a desired area. Great 20’x40’ shop on site. Level lot is just shy of an acre with beautiful, mature trees. Community water system. MLS#419801

Perfect Location. Perfect View. Perfect ambiance. 2.5 acre parcel near Bayview sets nicely back from and above the bay to afford the maximum view of the water and mountains. Power, cable, PUD water, and phone lines to tract. Will consider owner financing. MLS#347366

$99,000 1601 N WAUGH RD, MOUNT VERNON

BEAUTIFUL LOT - READY TO BUILD!

Richard Dickman 360-420-3155

$399,900

YEAR ROUND BEAUTY!

AL ENT

$38,000 XXX IDA DR, SEDRO-WOOLLEY

BUILD YOUR DREAM!

If you like beautiful mt. scenery & enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll love 2 lots in Sauk River Estates at gateway to High Cascades near North Cascade Hwy. Great place to relax around the BBQ and view peaceful mtns & close to Sauk Riv. Certified to build in 2003 & water/septic system on property. High water quality. MLS#412710

Danya Wolf 360-708-8294

Mechanics Dream! Features a 36x70 Shop; designed and built by retired auto body shop owner, includes a bathroom with shower and a washer/dryer!

Has covered RV parking with power and dump station. Unique, custom built 1568 sq. ft. home with bonus 1260 sq. ft. unfinished basement/ garage. Large deck looks out over 3.17 acres Danya Wolf offering beautiful sunset views! MLS#426584 360-708-8294

IC

4500 SQ. FT. CUSTOM HOME. Beautiful, spacious, striking custom design by Ladies Home Journal architectural editor.

Many, many custom built ins; with each room a generous size. Three bedrooms, yet two family rooms, a den; each which could provide additional bedrooms. Two natural gas log fireplaces. Lots of light! One steps out onto expansive decking with beautiful views of the estate. SUBJECT TO BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT. 2+ additional Danya Wolf acres available. MLS#347359 360-708-8294

UN CO

14833 MOUNTAIN VIEW LANE, CONCRETE

$499,000

ON !

W KET E N AR M

$349,900 2548 MACKENZIE RD, GOOSEBERRY POINT $200,000 2905 TIMOTHY PLACE, MOUNT VERNON $1200/MO./$145,950

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$199,950 23682 PACIFIC HWY, MOUNT VERNON

ED UC RED,950!

E C 9 PRI $19

Sandy Everett 360-202-3706

360.424.0300 or 800.697.4118

Danya Wolf 360-708-8294

$450,000 XXX MOUNTAIN VIEW LANE, ROCKPORT

INCOME POTENTIAL!

Two four-plex tracts for $150,000 ea & one five-plex tract for $175,000. Building permit ready for thirteen (13) units. Or, administrative conditional use potential for prof/med offices.

All utilities; incl off-site, fenced storm retention pond. Enjoy sunsets & Mount Baker view from this level 37,800 SF city tract. MLS#29133170

Beautiful low bank 50’ waterfront lot.

Spectacular sunsets and views of the Straits of Georgia and White Rock. Great crabbing and clamming. Just the place for your dream home on Semiahmoo Bay. MLS#375264

Suzanne Jenkins 360-941-2983

$147,500

ROOM TO ROAM!

Danya Wolf 360-708-8294

PRICE REDUCED. Beautiful, wooded mountainous property located in the gateway to the Cascade Mountains. Two parcels 38.55 (P31040) ac & 3.31 (P31041) ac w/possibility to subdivide into two residential buildable properties. Easy walking distance to scenic Sauk River & adjacent to Sauk Richard Dickman River Estates. MLS#341205 360-420-3155

3780 E. College Way, Mount Vernon

www.skagittraditionrealty.com