RealEstate weekly RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RENTALS • LAND/ACREAGE
AUG 5 - 11
TWENTY-ELEVEN FREE
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
SELLING
OPEN DOOR POLICY PAGE 3
TOP 10 DREAM HOME FEATURES PAGE 5
Q&A
LOANS WITH LITTLE DOWN PAGE 6
1611 E. KINCAID STREET, MOUNT VERNON
$419,000
One-of-a-kind home & property. Designed and built by Henry Klein in 1955, this original-owner home is situated on 1.56 private ACRES in town. One-level living with over 2800sf of original custom craftsmanship. From the 1 ¼ inch tongue & groove clear, vertical grain fir ceiling to the solid beam construction, the materials in this home could not be replicated today. Corner master bedroom with ¾ bath; 3 additional bedrooms & a full Windermere Real Estate bath round out the sleeping wing. Spacious formal & informal living areas 1030 E. College Wy are designed around a central kitchen, and all look out to the private, park-like Mount Vernon yard. Expansive covered patio. Two fireplaces, vast built-in storage. Potential 360.424.4901 • 800.849.7939 to divide lot into 2 additional building lots. Truly a hidden gem in a private MeganOBryan.com paradise. MLS#258533 Megan O’Bryan (360)708-5817
FEATURED ARTICLE: REQUESTS FOR GREEN FEATURES Due to demand, builders today are constantly learning about the new and advanced technologies for home construction. Owner-clients want to be assured of living in the healthiest, most durable, least wasteful house possible -- and therefore, building a home from the ground up is the best opportunity to get it right.
GREEN FEATURES PAGE 7
OPEN HOUSES PAGE 7
EASY WAYS TO BOOST HOME VALUE PAGE 8-9
CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 10-11
(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
Brown McMillen Real Estate w w w. b r o w n m c m i l l e n . c o m
www.WindermereSkagit.com
360.757.6013 1.800.869.7084
Windermere Real Estate/ Skagit Valley 1030 East College Way • Mount Vernon (360) 424-4901 • 1-800-849-7939
235 W. Rio Vista Avenue, Burlington 8635 GARDEN OF EDEN, SDW
$129,900 401 WARNER ST., SDW
$318,500
8496 PINELLI RD., SDW
$169,900 10943 MARY LN, BRL
$348,000
511 SHADY LN, MV
$179,000 1519 BRENTWOOD LN, MV
$369,500
20799 W. JORDAN RD, BRL
$185,000 16663 BEAVER MARSH RD., MV
$399,950
725 JOHN LINER RD, SDW
$239,950 13076 BUCHANAN LN, MV
$499,000
31086 W. MAIN ST., SDW
$278,900 3416 LINDSAY PLACE, MV
$519,000
7110 STEELHEAD LN, BRL
$279,000 42615 WATERS VIEW CT, CNC
$529,000
7759 F & S Grade Rd, SDW
$295,000 8002 UNION RD, SDW
$589,000
SUNDAY 2-4
Charming home on 7+ acres overlooking the valley. Large upgraded kitchen, formal living & dining rooms & cozy family room. Extra bonus room for guest, MIL or art studio. Call Rita Ingram at 708-8338. #243405
For Details and directions, visit openhouse.com
2340 CROSBY DR, MV
$299,900 1231 S. 10TH ST., MV
$619,000
535 STATE ST, SDW
$299,900
Cute little 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on the edge of town. 2 acres & lots of room for all the toys or gardens. Home needs some work. Call Karine Anderson at 421-1189 or Lee Ann Dean at 421-3082. #185076
BOW HOME... with 36X48 shop. Beautifully remodeled 2640 sf house on 8 acres, gorgeous sunsets & views of Mt. Baker. Impressive property. $599,000. #250045 GREAT FIRST TIME BUYER... 3 bedroom, newer electrical service, hot water tank, gas furnace, vinyl floor covering. On a large city lot. $132,000. #191135 129 ACRES... nicely wooded and great opportunity to buy large acreage at just $3,837 per acre. $475,000. #104177 LOCATION, LOCATION... at the end of cul-de-sac, featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and many updates. Open floor plan, fenced with a greenhouse, separate shop. Borders school district property with 8 acres of playfields. $199,000. #230813
SAMISH ISLAND HOME... 1 ACRE.. beautiful setting, drive on Island, 15 minutes to I-5, 20 Spacious living/ dining rooms, 3 bdrm, 2 baths, 1800sf. lg shop. $349,500. #242499 OUIET STREET... updated home on lg private lot. 2400 sf home lg kitchen w/granite & tile. The private backyard is one of a kind w/lg patio, hot tub, $279,500. #189312 BEST BUY IN TOWN... absolutely beautiful! 3268 sf , office, formal living & dining, lovely kitchen w/adjacent family rm. Lg fenced back yard, new deck. On Cul-de-sac $349,500. #186484 NO STEPS!!... New 3 br Rambler close to all the action in City of Burlington with nice level access. $148,950. #251447
Evening Phone Calls Welcome Ron Wortham 661-1500 Fritz Inman 661-0147 Shelah Inman 661-0145 Holly Brown-Hilts 661-5538 Phil Hurtig 770-0787
Galen Kindred 770-7083 Terri Heyntsen 391-0938 Dick Best 770-1491 Jan Scally 421-5160 Jeff Ingman 202-2859
COUNTRY CLUB RAMBLER... views of 1st green from deck of traditional style home. 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths, 1548 sf, formal dining rm, gas heat, newer roof & nice lot. $247,500. #251125 BURLINGTON COUNTRY RAMBLER... Outstanding views from front porch, 3 bdrm, 2 full baths, well built Rambler. Just 4 years old, large kitchen, $274,950. #251248 WELL MAINTAINED... Mt Vernon hill home, 3 bdrm, 1.75 baths, partially finished basement, in formal living area. All appl incl. Fenced yard, 2 decks $198,500. #211656 GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD... in center of Mt. Vernon. Roomy 1984 sf, 3 bdrm, 2 bath Rambler on large lot. New carpet & vinyl installed thruout. $199,500. #89952
Tod LeHecka 333-1032 Mary Jo Reitsma 770-6013 Tim Reichert 391-5587 www.brownmcmillen.com
North Homes Realty Inc.
OPEN HOUSE
360.424.2100 • www.century21northhomes.com 2725 E. Fir St, Mt Vernon #58 & 119
$119,000
#257273
• 1 acre • Septic & water • Very private • Owner financing
4013 M Ave, Anacortes
$349,900
$254,500
#255395
$44,500
#255605
$429,500
#126345
$349,500
#237970
#187336
• 4 bdrms • Custom kitchen • RV parking • 2nd kitchen
$164,900
• Small town • 4 bedrooms • Lots to offer • Close to river Anita Kohl 961-7795 Cleaver Sanders 941-3482 Dawn Hardman 540-0058 DJ Jacobs 941-5279 Duane Gish 770-9299 Dominic Pettruzzelli 333-5210
• Traditional 4 bdrm • Over 3660 sq ft $292,500 #56859 • Historical home • Pool & hot tub • 3 bdrms, 2.75 bths • Fam Rm + $259,500 MLS#239241 Office/den • Huge Corner Lot • 6.6 acres close in • 3 bdrm home • Lovely views • 960 sf shop
SOLD
#256370 $399,500
• 1.2 acres • 4th bdrm above garage • Gourmet kitchen • River rock fpl
George Herner 840-3743 Jackie Lindeman 770-9080 Karl Morse 395-5405 Margie Ernst 708-3198 Marlene Deasy 661-6720 Megan Daly 206-383-4407
Mike Newman 708-1419 Noli Goode 630-6527 Paula Margerum 220-0681 Rick Kiesser 770-1195 Sandi Hocking 708-1523 Sandi Riley 770-8670
Newly remodeled 5 bedroom, 1888 sq.ft. home with a complete new kitchen & new stainless appliances. Located between Burlington & Sedro Woolley on a quiet dead-end street. Call Jamie Yantis at 540-5264. #29155941 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths in this one level home in immaculate condition. Air conditioning, just under 1600 sq.ft. 2 car garage, outbuilding & manicure landscaping. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #243055
Lovely 1 level home nestled along the Samish River with 73+/- ft of high-bank riverfront. 4 bedrooms, 2.25 baths. Many upgrades. New exterior paint. Covered patio & gazebo. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #243904
4 bedrooms, 3 baths with over 3700 sq.ft. of living space. Western valley & sunset views. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #241764
Updated home offering views of Mt. Baker & surrounding farm land. 2.7 fenced acres, barn, 4 bay garage & shop. Hot tub & in-ground, glass enclosed swimming pool. Call Alice Hansonat 770-8791. #166950 Award winning certified Built Green! Stunning lake & mountain views from this custom home on 1+ acre. 3 bedrooms, 2.75 baths. Over 3200 sq.ft. Call Elizabeth Miller 420-3607. #218757 Custom Craftsman home. 4000+ sq.ft., with gorgeous master suite & huge kitchen with granite. Outdoor living area on covered deck. Huge finished shop in basement. Call Megan O’Bryan at 708-5817. #28602 1 level home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. 3 car garage & additional 2 car & RV garage. Plus 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 900 SF apt. all on 2.56 acres. 255 ft of Skagit River frontage. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #29061495 Beautiful 3300+ sq.ft. home with amazing view includes detached shop, pond & garden area all of which sits on 52 acres of land. Privately situated at end of road. Call Traci Gilbertson at 333-3479. #29147848 Completely restored 1929 home on nearly one acre with expansive views of the Skagit River, tulip fields & beyond. Updated kitchen with cherry cabinets & granite counters. Call Jim Glackin at 428-2828. #192233
Great investment opportunity. 2 separate parcels, one with 1045 BLACKBERRY LN., CAMANO ISLAND $975,000 duplex unit & the other offering 3 stand-alone 1 bed/1 bath 2430 SF waterfront home. Large lot located at dead end with outstanding views of the Olympics, Mt. Baker & Sunhomes. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #174821 sets. 70’ of waterfront. New metal roof, trex decking. Call Traci Gilbertson at 333-3479. #164059
• Shy 3,000 sf • Huge master suite • 3 car garage • 1+ acre
• Over 2000 ft • Huge deck • Glenhaven amenities • Newer 3 bdrm
• 55+ Community • 2 shops • 3 bdrms + den • Family rm
Lovely 1 story home with 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths & nearly 2100 SF, large master suite, kitchen with eating bar & pantry. 2 car garage, 2 storage sheds & heated 24x48 shop/garage. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #243332
Immaculate custom rambler. Master has walk-in closet, Great price on this Stonebridge Condo; 55+ community. Nice duplex style home; 2 bdrm, 2 bath, gas fireplace & all jetted tub & shower. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, den & all appliappliances stay. More info. at www.skagitvalleyhomes.com. ances stay. Low maintenance yard. New Swiss Trax flooring in garage. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #202411 Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #198150
Home on 1 acre, fenced & ready for occupancy. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large master suite with jacuzzi. Over 1800 sq.ft. 2 car garage, RV parking. Built in 2002. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #172757
SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.
SATURDAY 1-4
Wonderful 2 bedroom, 2 bath manufactured home on 2.5 private, level acres with 2100 sq.ft., 5 bay shop. Only 10 minutes east of town! Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #161265
Beautifully restored Victorian! Built in the 1890’s, restored in 2003. 2400+ SF, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Breathtaking stained glass, garage, shop & lovely grounds. Call Sarah Minton at 770-3076. #200779
REAL ESTATE CLASSES STARTING NOW! CALL SCOTT 360-540-2121 Sharon Stokes 661-6164 Shaunna Harris 206-715-1623 Tim Garrod 206-422-5236 Traci Cypher 708-9481 Veronica Lopez 420-0696 Jim Lyon Prop. Mgr. 542-2134
STOP! Let us make this easy for you. Go to WindermereSkagit.com for Photos, Open Houses, and Maps for EVERY listing. We give you all the details, on every listing, at windermereskagit.com!
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly
Condo warehouse space. 18'x60'. All amenities. Security. Call Rick, 360-3197359
DON'T MISS THIS! ESTATE REDUCTION $32,600 Beautifully maintained 3 bdrm, 1 ¾ baths, many recent remodels and updates. $126,900. 523 N. 4th, Mount Vernon. 360-7572259
NEW PRICE!! $229,000.00 Located at 202 S. 30th ST. MT.V This 3br 1 3/4ba is on a corner lot, in a well established neighborhood, maintained home is move in ready! Natural light makes the kitchen bright and inviting. Master bedroom w/walkin closet and sky light over vanity. Two more oversized bedrooms and storage galore. Has newer roof, central heating and air system. Finished garage is well insulated. Minutes away from shopping, playgrounds, and golf course. Please call Sherry @ Lake Cavanaugh Realty, 360391-3891. MLS# 162761
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 11-1
August 5, 2011 11
PRICE REDUCED AGAIN!!! FOR SALE BY OWNER Stonebridge Condo with View
17979 Best Road, Mount Vernon Dir: Hwy 20 W. Left on Best Road. Home on left. From Seattle: Exit 221/Lake McMurray. Left on Pioneer Hwy. Right on Fir Is Rd/it becomes Best Road. Home is on right. Panoramic picturesque views from this dream location. This 4,400sf, 4BD/2BA has all the amenities you could ask for. 800sf fully finished attic, fully finished basement; possibly used as a MIL or your very own Bed & Breakfast. Close to freeway and historic downtown La Conner. One hour to Seattle. Minutes away from Tulip Fields. Come see your dream setting! #224037 $795,000 Brett Farrar 360-391-3654 Preview Properties Skagit LLC
Price reduced 3 times! Current price now $399,950.
Quality construction with oak flooring throughout, vaulted ceilings, master suite w/walk-in closet and oversize shower; guest room & bath, den/home office, gas heat, hot water and fireplace. Kitchen has spacious pantry, gas range, and built-in microwave, laundry room with utility sink and cabinets, approx. 1368 sq. ft. Private covered deck, double car garage all on single level, attic storage. '55 & Better' community with clubhouse, group activities and walking paths. Close to shopping and medical facilities. An outstanding value at $185,000. Call Barbara for previewing appointment, 360-428-5617.
2 for the price of 1 Beautiful country setting, 5 miles West of Sedro-Woolley on South Skagit Hwy. Income property pays for itself. 2 homes: each 2 bdrm, 1 bath, both have current tenants under leases. $325,000. Call Karen 360-202-8843.
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
10813 Wilson Lane, Mount Vernon. 3 Bedroom home on 6.72 acres with great location, sound and mountain views. Downstairs stone masonry fireplaces in kitchen and living room. Hardwood floors in kitchen and bedrooms. Remainder carpeted. Upstairs loft, bathroom and space.
bedroom, computer
1900 sq. ft. barn, heated shop, stalls, ample storage. For more info. 360-3911295
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.
Country LivingCraftsman Style Home 2.56 acres. 1342 sq.ft. 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath 3 Car Attached garage Deck, Garden Space, Shed Territorial View #247557 $230,000 Linda Piazza (360) 713-3623 Preview Properties Skagit LLC
Call 360.424.3251 Today!
REALESTATE W EEKLY
In print and online
goskagit.com
adservices@ skagitpublishing.com
10 August 5, 2011
Rent today, take the money and play. Move in and receive a $250 VISA card for all qualified applicants. Call for details on our Burington & Oak Harbor 1 & 2 Bdrm apts., W/S/G pd., no pets. 360708-3427
1 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts 2 x 1 ½ Town homes Garages / Storage Avail. Complete Appliance Pkgs Sport Courts / Playgrounds Pet Friendly
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly
MV 3 bdrm, 1 ba, single car La Conner 2 Bdrm, 2 Ba, garage, remodeled, $1000/ covered parking, porch, gar- mo., 1st & $800/dep. No den. Walk to post office, gro- pets/smoke. 360-293-3603 cery, waterfront. G incl. Avail. RENTALS June 11th. $900/mo. Avail. Houses & Apartments. 9/1. 921 S. 4th St. 840-4335 See our listings at MV studio apt. for rent www.skagitrentals.com $550/mo. includes utils. Quiet Remax Property Mgmt. neighborhood, no smoke/ 823 N. 4th, Mount Vernon pets. 360-333-1429. 360-424-3198 NO HIDDEN FEES! Fairhaven Manor 757-2149 Norris Place 757-3060 1, 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts. Affordable. Section 8 okay. 2 bdrm, great location, 700 Talcott, S.W., All appliances, Now accepting applica- No smoke/pets. $695. 360tions, affordable 1 bdrm, 840-5728 senior/disabled housing, 2 bdrm., 1 ba., S.W. W/S/G must be income qualified. pd. Gas heat. $700 + $500 Evergreen Manor, Con- dep. No pets. 360-421-2416 crete. Call 360-853-8885.
BAKER MTN VIEW Beautiful 2 bdrm luxury décor, all new, private, quiet setting. Multiple floor plans. W/S/G incl. Only $825, $875, $925/mo. Call 206409-9317
MOVE-IN SPECIAL Call Today! 360-856-4803 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, 315 W. Woodworth, S-W. $700 + dep. W/D hookups, no pets/smoking. W/S/G pd. 360-755-1362 2 Bdrm, MV, W/S/G pd. College Way & 19th. $705/mo. 360-424-6757 Apartments for Rent: All utilities paid including power and cable TV. 24 hr. on-site laundry, close to college. Call (360)424-0221. Concrete 2 bdrm, across from park, all applcs. incl. W/D, $675. 360-770-7470 HARBORVIEW APTS in Anacortes. 2 bdrm. Income limits apply. Affordable housing. Call 360-299-0916 Large studio on busline. Great MV location. $550-$700 360-420-0606
S.W. Newer 2 bdrm, 1 ½ ba, with garage, W/D hookup. $850/mo. No dogs. Call Mark BURL. 3 BDRM 1,300 sq. ft. $985/mo. Incl. W/S/G W/D, at 360-708-2694. no pets/smoke 360-202-5401 Spacious 2 & 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba, CONCRETE 2 bdrm, W/D, WD, W/S/G/cable pd. carport, W/S/G/Gas included. $775/$875. No pets. 1825 $675 + dep. (360) 293-4553 E. Division MV. 428-8980 DUPLEXES 2 bdrm, 2 ba, S.W., $795. 2 bdrm, 2 ba, S.W., $895. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, S.W., $1025. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, Burl. $1045. 1 - 4 Bdrm Rentals. www.skagitrentals.com Piazza Realty Property Remax Valley Homes Mgmt., Inc. 360-424-RENT 360-424-3198 (7368) www.prpmrentals.com MV 1700 Cleveland Ave., 1 Burl. 2 bdrm, 1 ba, lrg. yard, Bdrm plus bonus room, new no smoke/pets. $1150/mo. paint & carpet, W/S/G pd., $1000/dep. 206-697-9226 $650 + dep. No pets/smoke. (206) 321-8953 HOUSES 3 bdrm, 2 ba, S.W., $845. 3 bdrm, 1 ba, M.V., $1100. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, S.W. $1200. www.skagitrentals.com Remax Valley Homes 360-424-3198
MV 319 S. 20th, 4-plex, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, new carpet, W/D, gas heat, end unit, garage, $800/mo. $500/dep. 360424-6974 MV townhouse 2 bdrm, 2 ba, MV Hill, 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba, family covered patio, garage. No rm., $1,250/mo. The Rent smoke/pets, $850/mo. 360856-4172 or 360-708-0316 Lady, 360-540-3334.
MV nice 2 bdrm, 1 ¾ ba, garage, gas heat. W/S/G pd. No pets/smoke. $850/mo. + $800 dep. Background chk. 360-610-9860 9am - 5pm
MV 2 bdrm, 2 ba, in 4-plex, carport. $800 + $800 dep. MV nice 2 bdrm, 1 ba, carport, $700 + $700 dep. W/S/G pd. W/D hookups. No smoke/pets. Background chk. 610-9860, 9am-5pm
Spectacular Views Build Your Dream Home 6 - 20 acre parcels East of Sedro-Woolley $110,000 each Water share for each parcel Owner terms Private area Close to nature Deer and Elk abound Nicely treed acreage Great for hiking, horseback riding or motorcycle riding
Midway Realty 360-659-3644
Roommate to share very nice quiet secluded home on Fir Island, all utilities incl. except phone. 5 min. from I-5. Rent negot. (360) 202-9460
Weekly rates start $260. SPECIAL - 4 wks., $790. WHISPERING FIRS MOTEL Alger 724-3477
Move in Special. Big Lake waterview RV space. $300. No dogs. (206) 778-8147
MV. RV space. $310. $50 dep. Incl. W/S/G. Background check. 360-595-2611
Prof. Office Space, approx. 1000+ sq. ft. on Riverside Dr., MV. Move in ready, available now. 360-595-2611
18562 VALENTINE ROAD, $399,750 Charming and gorgeous classic craftsman home on desirable Pleasant Ridge overlooking Dodge Valley. Great location! 1.78 acres with pasture and territorial views. 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 2798 square feet, Built in 1908. Many major renovations. Has a wonderful historic feel with contemporary aspects. Recent addition shows impeccable craftsmanship. Gorgeous original fir floors, french doors to a brand new and beautiful deck, spacious laundry room, cozy home office. Unique, classic kitchen range in charming eat-in kitchen. Newer insulation, wiring, and foundation. Large shop/studio on acreage, many fruit trees. Very desirable location. A rare opportunity! Call Don Zimmer at Preview Realty: 360.848.8900
HOME OF THE WEEK! Nookachamps – Big Lake 17201 Bulltrout Lane 3150 sq. ft. $389,500 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, granite countertops, cherry cabinets, hardwood and carpet flooring, full kitchen appliance package. Agent Jones Atterberry 360-708-8935 John L. Scott See online at www.jonesatterberry.com
OPEN HOUSE AUGUST 7TH 1-4PM! Escape to waterfront living! Offered at $1,650,000. Telecommute from Seattle! 3 master suites, 4.25 baths, top floor chart room, multiple private decks, secure gated entry, 5-car garage parking, 2-room art studio with bath, 90+ feet of Samish Bay waterfront. 4824 G Loop Road, Samish Island, WA. George Roth, REALTOR Managing Broker Coldwell Banker Bain 360-707-1431 George@HomeTourClub.com More pics and information at HomeTourClub.com!
Work on the yard
Replace the carpet
An appealing lawn is still a great way to catch a prospective buyer’s eye. When a home boasts a lush lawn and well-manicured trees, it’s hard to ignore that For Sale sign out front. If landscaping has proven an Achilles’ heel in the past, make an effort to take better care of your property in the months ahead. It doesn’t take long for even the most neglected lawn to rebound from disrepair. By the time you feel confident to put that for sale sign out front, you might just be putting it up in a lush lawn no buyer can resist.
A clean carpet might make a world of difference to a home’s inhabitants, but a new carpet will be more appealing to prospective buyers. Choose a neutral-toned carpet that will boast a more universal appeal.
Upgrade appliances Prospective buyers won’t be thrilled if they walk into a home and see outdated appliances. Some might even feel older appliances indicate a homeowner who cared little about appearances and might begin to wonder if there are any additional areas that might have been neglected around the house. Stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and even new fixtures in the bathroom are aesthetically appealing and tend to excite buyers. Homeowners who aren’t immediately putting their property up for sale can gradually upgrade their appliances to lessen some of the financial toll such purchases take.
goskagit.com/reweekly
Paint the home A fresh coat of paint or new siding is always attractive to prospective buyers. If your home hasn’t had a new coat of paint in awhile that might make buyers feel the home is musty or old. Many buyers judge a book by its cover, and sellers want their home’s exterior to be as attractive as possible. Homeowners can also paint rooms inside the home to give it a fresh and welcoming feel.
Clean up around the house A cluttered house will almost certainly repel buyers. Buyers want a home that’s roomy and well kept, but clutter creates the opposite impression. Organize the closets to make them appear more roomy and clean up any areas that have become cluttered -- consider temporarily renting a storage unit to house excess stuff from closets. Basements or utility closets might be handy for storage, but they should be open and clean before hosting an open house. The less clutter a home has, the more spacious it will appear and the more money sellers can likely demand for the home.
STAT
BUYING BOOM
6.1%
Increase in single-family home sales for 2011, as projected by the National Association of Home Builders. FYI: The National Association of Realtors expects existing home sales to rise 5 to 10 percent this year.
Real Estate Weekly August 5, 2011
9
Easy ways to
boost home value
Though the housing market might not be booming, there are still buyers out there looking for a place to call their own. Some potential sellers might prefer a patient approach to selling their homes, choosing to do so when the market rebounds and homes regain some of their lost value. Other sellers might not have a choice and must make due with selling in a lackluster market.
8
August 5, 2011
Regardless of which category you’re in, there are easy ways to boost your home’s value. Making minor changes to a home can add to your asking price, whether you’re putting your home on the market this week or waiting for the market to rebound. The following tasks might not take much effort, but they pay dividends.
Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly
BUILDERS EXPECT TO HEAR REQUESTS FOR GREEN FEATURES (cont. from front cover)
“In addition to fixtures and materials, be sure to ask for the most advanced construction methods,” says Todd Blyth at Nudura, a leading name in building system technology. “For example, more and more builders, on request, are discarding the traditional wood-framing method -- now seen as inefficient and wasteful -in favour of concrete walls.” Why concrete? This advanced technology consists of pre-assembled, interlocking forms delivered to the construction site. The specialized panels consist of two, stay-in-place forms of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) connected with a hinged, folding web. The forms are stacked, reinforced, and then filled with concrete, creating a solid monolithic wall. “The benefits are extensive,”
Blyth explains. “Architects are inspired by new design possibilities; builders cut their construction time in half; and the homeowner (or commercial building owner) can feel satisfied for cutting back on an enormous amount of wood.” As importantly, the quality of life continues long after construction is completed, he continued. As time goes on within “the most technologically advanced walls”,
OPEN HOUSES SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.
North Homes Realty Inc.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH 1-4 P.M.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH 1-4 P.M.
2725 E. Fir St. #119, Mount Vernon $32,500
2 bedrooms + TV area off kitchen- ample storage + Lg island bar. 2 baths-mst bath has jetted tub. Lg covered deck, hot tub + storage shed is included. 1400+sf, large liv rm. overlooks green belt area + home backs up to large green belt area Directions: E. on E. College Way, R. on 18th St. L. on Fir- L into Park Village ) follow signs)Fir- L into Park Village ) follow signs)
360.424.2100 • www.century21northhomes.com
goskagit.com/reweekly
fire resistant; nine times stronger; and far more resistant to thermal bridging where outside cold seeps in to cause uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness.” Floor and ceiling construction is now far advanced too. More information is available online at www.nudura.com.
& SHOWCASES SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH 1-4 P.M. 23191 State Route 9, Lake McMurray $525,000 O PE
O NH
USE
5241 Razor Peak Dr, Mount Vernon NE W
PR I
$165,000
CE
2725 E. Fir St. #58, Mount Vernon $32,500
Jackie Lindeman 360-770-9080
2 bedroom plus den/office. Nice open floor plan. 2 baths-mst, sep, tub & shower. 55+ park w/rec center, pond, green belt areas + RV park. View of pond. Storage bldg w/power. New roof. Lg covered deck. Covered pkg. for 2+ cars. Liv rm, din. rm, has vaulted ceilings. Directions: E. on E. College Way, R. on 18th St. L. on Fir- L into Park Village ) follow signs)
your energy bills could drop by as much as 70 percent. “This type of concrete building envelope delivers twice the efficiency compared to stick frame walls -- and with no wood rot and mould it delivers none of the related toxicity. Concrete walls are up to three times more sound resistant; up to four times more
Beautifully appointed, custom home offers lots of light, amazing views & unique park like approach. 4 bedrooms, formal living & dining rooms, vaulted ceilings & large kitchen w/stunning view. Daylight basement offers kitchenette & office/ library; could be a separate living area for guests. Dock, boat launch & 75 ft. of Lake McMurray waterfront. MLS#236420 DIRECTIONS: From I-5 exit 221 (Conway), drive East on Highway 534. Right on Hwy 9 (approx. 1 mile). On lake side. Danya Wolf
(360) 708-8294
Beautifully maintained home shows pride of ownership both with interior work and outside landscaping. One of larger lots in Division V. 3 bedrooms, 2.25 baths, double garage, lovely garden area & separate fenced area that Ron Proctor works well as dog run and/or barbecue site. MLS#246070 (360) 333-0303
360.424.0300 or 360.853.8888 3780 E. College Way, Mount Vernon www.skagittraditionrealty.com
Real Estate Weekly August 5, 2011
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Q&A
Loans with Little Down QUESTION: My broker says now is the time to buy real estate because prices are low, mortgage rates are down, and it will soon be difficult to finance a property with less than 20 percent down. Why will it become hard to get loans with little down? ANSWER: There’s been considerable confusion about this, so let’s try to straighten it out. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act lenders are allowed to make whatever mortgages they like. However, if they make mortgages with
certain characteristics - say, with fully documented loan applications and points and fees equal to no more than 3 percent of the loan amount - they then get certain benefits such as less liability and no need to set aside 5 percent of the loan amount in a reserve fund. Dodd-Frank also says that loans within the “safe harbor” created to protect lenders from liability must have 20 percent down. But - and here’s the part you don’t hear too much about - there are huge exceptions. For instance, the 20-percent rule does not apply to FHA or VA financing, conventional loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or loans that lenders keep in portfolio. The question is this: Who would benefit if mortgages with little money down were increasingly unavailable? Not sellers. Fewer sales would mean lower prices. Not lenders. They would originate fewer loans and lose
AMERICAN DREAM REAL ESTATE SERVICES, INC.
Gorgeous 2 story home custom built on 2 acres on Samish Island. This home 3400+sqft home features 3brm 2.5bth and was designed for entertaining. Open floor plan with gourmet kitchen & huge living space overlook Padilla bay, Olympic Mountains, and features cement counters and rock fireplace.
Custom Quality Rambler #220759 • $349,900
Industrial Building #217864 • $2,650
Business Opportunity! #217607 • $700,000
For Lease- 6600sqft free standing Prime Light Industrial building. Property is just of I-5 at Anderson Rd. Approx. 2200 sqft feet of A/C finished office, storage & bath. Wired for phone system and Internet service, T-1 available also. Ware house features 8 roll up doors (4 drive through) and 1 dock high door as well as office space and rest room. Ample parking and great location!
Historical Home
#212423 • $439,900
3 brm + office 1.75 bth. Large cooks kitchen w/ Viking Beautiful slice of Skagit history right here! Working dual fuel range, granite counters, 2nd oven, whisper nursery mini-farm tucked deep into the fertile quiet D/W & 2 skylts. Main living features custom hickory fields of Skagit Valley. Built 1896, this 3 bdrm 2 hardwood flooring, crown moldings, gas F/P w/TV alcove, bth home is still sound as can be, has hardwood plus another lrg family sunroom. 3 car garage+ fenced Fir flooring, T & G pine ceilings. Everything has RV parking. Energy efficient. Hot tub, fire pit, private yard! been upgraded now.
1 acre of flat paved, security fenced & gated yard with a 4900 sqft Shop building with offices in the city limits with water and sewer connected. Shop features roll up doors propane heat and high ceilings, 2 main floor offices, BA upper level with kitchen 3rd office and storage. All this right off I-5 and Highway 99. This is a rare find. For sale or lease at $4000/month + NNN.
Beautiful Custom Home #251842 • $459,000
Eaglemont Golf Course community. Open, bright, and spacious. 3,121 sf, 3 car gar, high-end. Hrdwd floors, extensive millwork, chef’s kitchen w/granite slab, custom cabinets, top of the line appliances. Formal din and liv rooms, master BD w/tiled 5 piece mstr BA. 1- 2 year lease also available.
“Fulfilling Northwest Family Dreams” Anacortes Office
1202 Commercial Ave Anacortes, WA 360-588-1515 • adrhomes.net
Like American Dream Real Estate Mount Vernon
6
August 5, 2011
Mount Vernon Office
2788 E College Way Mount Vernon, WA 360-416-6500 • adrskagit.com
www.adrhomes.net
By Peter G. Miller
substantial business. Not servicers. They would have less to manage on behalf of mortgage investors. Not real estate brokers. They would have fewer homes to sell. Not states and local communities. With fewer real estate transactions their tax collections would plummet. There’s now an effort to raise the FHA down payment from 3.5 percent to 5 percent and exchange Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for institutions from the private sector. But even if we make changes, borrowers will still want loans with little down, and, as a matter of self-interest lenders, brokers and government will still want to make sure that such financing is available with far less than 20 percent down. (c) CTW Features
NORTH PUGET SOUND ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® 525 East College Way, Suite J
Samish Island Home #217345 • $799,000
Ask Our Broker
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Tel. (360) 416-4902
www.npsar.com
What is a QR Code & How Do I Use It? More and more, you will begin to see these strange little graphics on print advertising, sales flyers and on signs for Homes for Sale by REALTORS® in your neighborhood. You may already know how to use them, or you’ve been curious. “QR codes (quick response codes) is a type of 2D bar code that may be decoded using your smartphone with a QR code reader. There are two main things that you have to have when you deal with QR codes: 1. A mobile phone with a camera and Internet connectivity 2. A QR code reader (free downloads available at iTunes, and more) After you have your reader installed, fire up the application and snap a picture of the QR code. Make sure that your hand is steady and that you are able to include the whole code into the picture. Depending on your software, it may take some five to thirty seconds for the application to resolve the link for you. That is , to decode the information written behind the code. If it is a URL, the QR code reader will open your browser and let you surf the mobile site the code links to.” (beQRrious.com)
Mission Statement: The North Puget Sound Association of Realtors advocates for Realtors and their clients, provides services to help members prosper, and promotes the protection of property rights.
Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly
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DREAM HOME FEATURES
If you were given a chance to design a dream home, what features would you choose first? Take a look at the most popular wish list in 2011 1
Curb appeal. Home exterior, driveway, and landscaping must attract admiring attention.
6 Natural hardwood flooring like Brazilian cherry and
2
Concrete and natural stone, rather than wood framing and brick. These homes are not only beautiful, they are stronger, more sound resistant, and far more energy efficient than wood frames and brick.
7 A sunroom, a front porch, and a backyard finished patio. 8 Vessel sinks, or freestanding bowls above the bathroom
3 4 5
Maximum energy efficient throughout from top to bottom. Solar panels in the roof to generate a personal energy source.
sustainable bamboo.
countertop, accompanied by wall-mounted faucets.
9 Bedroom walk out or balcony. 10 Designer bathtubs and walk-in shower with marble tile, a seating bench and rainfall showerhead.
A large, designer kitchen with natural stone countertops and futuristic appliances, cabinetry and waterworks. Source: Nudura
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Real estate Weekly
august 5, 2011
5
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.
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August 5, 2011
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Look Seriously and Be Prepared. With generally busier lives, buyers who visit open houses nowadays are more serious about making a purchase rather than just being voyeurs, says Al Becker, marketing director for Jack Conway and Co. Realtors in the Boston area. Greco agrees, “People aren’t coming for the cookies or coffee. They want information.” It’s also essential for the real estate salesperson hosting an open house to be well-informed. Linda Black, associate manager and branch training director of Coldwell Banker in Marina Del Rey, Calif., provides a printout of comparable area open houses. Real estate marketer Becker urges salespeople to be prepared to field questions about the neighborhood and house rather than just babysit it or work on a laptop. Golden agrees, citing a list of do’s and don’ts that can guide homeowners about what they should expect of anyone they hire: • Don’t follow people around; it makes them uncomfortable and they tend to avoid staying. • Do share a few pertinent facts about the house. Tell visitors to walk around and follow up by asking if they have questions; • Do make sure the house and lawn are in the great shape. • Do make yourself aware of all neighborhood listings for comparison. Increase the Odds with Bigger Bait and Volume. The odds of improving attendance and getting a contract can be improved with newer methods:
Interactive mingling. Create an interactive environment to help a space come alive. The RitzCarlton Residences at LA Life, a condo in downtown Los Angeles, has used pop-up art galleries, live-art installations and musical performances, says Elizabeth Lascaze, who helped orchestrate them. Cohesive staging. Staging remains important to get a listing ready to view, but besides cleared countertops, a unified design theme and palette improve the odds of a sale, says Shanna Middleton, an agent in Cary, N.C. Multiple open houses. To attract buyers and make it easier for them to look at more homes over a weekend, a group of colleagues, several area companies or real estate associations now organize neighborhood-, city- or statewide open houses. “It draws more attention to the homes - and hopefully more traffic,” Golden says. This spring Jack Conway and Co. Realtors’ 42 residential offices hosted more than 300 open houses one weekend. Michael Saunders & Co. has piggybacked its open houses onto ones organized by the Florida association. When the stars align, sales contracts may materialize - and quickly. Becker attributes at least two sales contracts to his firm’s recent open-house weekend. “One sold five minutes after the open house began,” he says. (c) CTW Features
Real Estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly
SellinG
The New Open-Door Policy
By Barbara Ballinger CTW FEATURES
Many view open houses as essential to help promote a listing, attract buyers and appease sellers, many of whom still consider open houses critical to a well-conceived marketing plan. “They give buyers an opportunity to see a lot of inventory and compare similarly-priced properties and neighborhoods,” says Barb St. Amant, of Harry Norman, Realtors in Atlanta. But others are less certain they generate sales and consider them to be time consuming, costly and a way mostly to bring in nosy neighbors
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Forget the nosy neighbors on the hunt for freshly baked cookies. Today’s open houses have one goal: attracting buyers
or those looking for decorating tips or free food. “Homes rarely sell as a result of an open house,” says salesman Bill Golden with RE/MAX Metro Atlanta. Yet, he adds, “you never know.” But one thing is certain. Today’s open houses are a different breed than those of yesteryear, due to buyers’ increased use of the Internet, which has helped educate them in advance of looking about pricing and values. Following are tips for homeowners and real estate pros to make an open house as effective as possible for all involved: Use the Internet. Because of the proliferation
of listings, virtual tours and subsequent sale prices posted on the web, more potential buyers start their search by researching possibilities online rather than when they cross an openhouse threshold. Doing so saves them time to weed out possibilities, says Ria Scoma, an associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Delmar, Calif. It’s therefore critical for salespeople and brokers to have an online presence with realistically listed prices and information updated regularly, adds Karen Greco, an agent with Michael Saunders & Co. in Sarasota, Fla. (continued on next page.)
Real Estate Weekly August 5, 2011
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Real estate weekly content sponsored by:
whidbey Island Bank
taBle of COntentS Selling - Open Door Policy
Pg. 3
Top 10 Dream Home Features
Pg. 5
Q&A - Loans with Little Down
Pg. 6
Builders Expect Green Features
Pg. 7
Open Houses & Showcases
Pg. 7
Ways to Boost Home Value
Pg. 8-9
Classifieds
Pg. 10-11
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DReaM hOMe FeatUReS
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or other Skagit Publishing publications, Call 360.416.2180 or e-mail ads@skagitads.com View this publication online at www.goskagit.com/reweekly ©2011 by Skagit Publishing | 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,
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.
Territory NW
Go to our website for a quick and easy way to search all listings! 320 S Burlington Blvd • Burlington www.SkagitValleyRealEstate.com (360) 755-9494 • (800) 775-0153
OPEN HOUSE: Sat 1-3PM Aug 6
DRA STIC ALLY REDU CED
204 E Spruce, Mount Vernon $199,950 Mount Vernon Historic Neighborhood. Beautiful Craftsman Style home. Updated & move in ready. Lg kitchen, updated appl. New windows, vinyl siding, gutters. Updated flooring including tile & laminate. Walking distance to schools, businesses & bus line. MLS#236901 Directions: From Riverside Drive, East on Spruce. Home on South side. Call Elizabeth, 708-8800
Sedro-Woolley
$144,900
Beautiful ground-floor condo. 2 BD, 2 BA. Patio & deck backs to greenbelt. Handicap accessible. Jetted tub, lots of storage. Attached garage. MLS #220403 Call Elizabeth, 708-8800
Sedro-Woolley
$199,950 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath traditional. Home, 1574 sq. ft. of living space +. Pull basement with 2. Bonus rooms. Wood flooring, Many built-ins. Roomy, fenced backyard. Detached. Two car garage. MLS #257235 Call Debbie, 708-8780
PRI CE RED UC ED
Mount Vernon Mount Vernon
$229,000
Classic 4 bdrm/1.75 bath home. Well taken care of, 2004 SF. Oak hardwood floor, new kitchen. And tasteful master suite. New insulated windows and great. MV hill location. MLS#219520 Call Lisa, 391-2232
Wilma Louia Owner 661-1631
2
Lisa Davies 391-2232
Ivana Wood 770-3550
august 5, 2011
$259,350
1761 SF single family rambler. 3 BR, 2 baths. Large rooms and wide hallways. 5 pc master bath, oversized tub and walk-in closet. Attached garage with taller than average doors. Fully fenced yard with plenty of space. Built with energy efficiency in mind, move in ready. MLS#257812 Call Amber, (360) 969-4030
Amber Partridge de Soria 969-4030
Angie Sullivan 391-4108
John & Annette Howe 770-5237
Ron Van Pelt 333-1045
Clear Lake $215,500 Charming 1912, 3 bedroom bungalow. 1+ acre of a beautifully landscaped corner lot. Partial Lake and Cascade Mountain views in the historic community of Clear Lake. Original wood wainscoating, dining & living rooms. Large family kitchen. 2 detached garages. MLS #221106 Call Pete, 708-6500
Mount Vernon $228,800 2,182 sq. ft, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home on corner lot. Easy I-5 access. Low maintenance yard, fully fenced backyard. New carpet, freshly painted. Owner financing available. MLS#252997 Call Wilma, 661-1631
NEW LIST ING
Mount Vernon
$289,000
Beautiful remolded Hilltop Rambler. Shy 1900 sq. ft. 3 BR + office/den, 2 baths. Open floor plan, elegant tile flooring. Granite counters, new SS Appliances. New Hardi-plank siding, new ext. = int. paint. On .30 acre – fenced, air conditioning. MLS#255568 Call Charlie, 708-1415, Jeannie, 708-9645
Elizabeth Detillion 708-8800
Debbie Allen 708-8780
Michelle Mitzel 630-4423
Jim Stransky 708-1681
Real estate Weekly
NEW LIST ING
Stanwood
$295,000
This property is a MUST SEE!! Mostly flat w/ some gentle slope. Located on the far north end of 44th Ave, off 300th. Large pond on the property, w/ lots of building locations. There is a gravel road through the property. May consider owner financing with a large down. MLS# 157771 Call Kirk, 770-7470
Kirk Campbell 770-7470
Dan Soria Property Mgr. 348-6655
Stephanie Henry 661-6097
Alger
$339,900
2005 Private Alger Home. 1 Minute From Freeway for Commuters. 2002 Sq. Ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath. Stream running through property. Propane, heat, PUD water, security System. Vaulted ceilings, high tech cable. MLS#257174 Call Jim, 708-1681
Charlie & Jeannie Boon 708-9645
Mike Welling 540-1341
Racquel McDermott 420-1830
Pete McDougal Broker 708-6500
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