INSIDE
This Issue HOME MAKEOVER PAGE 5 HOME DELIVERY IS RE-SHAPING HOMES PAGE 7 CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 7
DEC 4-DEC 10, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q&A
Ask Our Broker.......................................................................P4
Home makeover .............................................................P5 Home Delivery Is Re-Shaping Homes...............P7
INSIDE
Classifieds............................................................................P7
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RE-Weekly To advertise in RE-Weekly or other Skagit Publishing publications, Call: 360.416.2180 or Email: ads@skagitads.com ©2020 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
Cathy West Oak Harbor Escrow Manager/LPO 360.679.5055
Eldon Brown Skagit County Manager 360.707.2158
Christa Canell Freeland Escrow Manager/LPO 360.331.4838
Brandi Jensen Stanwood Escrow Manager/LPO 360.629.9737
Katey Von Hagel Marketing Representative 360.707.1076
LAND TITLE AND ESCROW W
Service you deserve with people you trust Visit any of our 5 locations in Oak Harbor, Burlington, Freeland, Stanwood and Anacortes
Ltco.com 2
Shelley Nevitt Anacortes Escrow Manager/LPO 360.299.0565
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.
NORTH PUGET SOUND ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®
Shelley Miner Burlington Escrow Manager/LPO 360.707.2312
Holly Mathers Island County Title Manager 360.675.2246
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.
525 East College Way, Ste J, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Tel. 360-416-4902
www.npsar.realtor
SPEAK UP - STOP DISCRIMINATION Washington Law Against Discrimination protects people from negative housing actions that occur because of their protected class. In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on a protected class:
Refuse to engage in a real estate transaction Refuse to negotiate for housing
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Make housing unavailable or otherwise deny a dwelling
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on a protected class Read more at: https://www.hum.wa.gov/fair-housing
Mission Statement: The Nor th Puget Sound Association of Realtor s advocates for Realtor s and their clients, and promotes the protection of property rights.
2025889
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STAT Real Estate Stat
36 The number of hours most realtors worked per week in 2019. Source: National Association of Realtors
FEATURED HomE FRom covER: Skagit Tradition Realty LLc 3780 E. college Way mount vernon, WA 360-424-0300 www.skagittraditionrealty.com NEW PRIcE!
December 4, 2020
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$349,000
Danya Wolf
360-708-8294
Great 3 bedroom Mount Vernon home on the hill nearby Little Mountain Elementary and Mount Baker Middle schools. Offers kitchen with lots of cabinets, all appliances included; updated vinyl windows, fresh paint inside and out, one car garage, large yard with patio, blueberry and marionberry bushes! Yum! Parking for small RV or boat. Heat pump/central heating and air conditioning provides year round comfort. 325 square foot garage (per Skagit County Assessor). Mostly fenced. MLS#1689654 3
2038746
1102 S. 21St Street, Mount Vernon
Enter to win $15,000 to go toward your rent or mortgage! Enter November 16 – December 14 goskagit.com/contests
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December 4, 2020
in the house,” adds Maxwell. “But you have to choose the right paint color for your front door and do a quality painting job for this tip to be effective.” The five previous do-it-yourself projects aren’t the only ones worth considering, the experts agree. “Consider painting some or all of the interior of your home, preferably in neutral colors, which can be a quick way to improve your home’s appearance, “Maxwell says. Also, “take time to deep clean all your rugs and carpets. Declutter everything everywhere – remove clutter from shelves, counters, and closet floors. And plant fresh flowers and plants, if it’s the growing season, for better curb appeal,” recommends Greene. John Romito, an agent and founder of Heart & Home Real Estate in Eugene, Oregon, says decluttering would top his DIY project list. “Buyers like to envision each room with their own furniture and decorations, and this process becomes harder when the seller has their furnishings and decorations present,” says Romito. Cusick cautions against trying to make too many aerty, House Method, says most of ing is also important, so I also especially after listing it. 5 DIY upgrades that can help “Surprises at the home showthese recommendations are recommend removing any your home sell more quickly spot-on. heavy or dated window treat- ing are rarely welcome. Make sure you complete the project “Upgrading your lighting can ments and replacing them before the listing photos are into your home to enhance its Replace your faucets in the not only improve your home’s with clean panels or solar bathroom and kitchen. marketability. value, but it can also make shades in addition to cleaning taken,” he says. Also, don’t bite off more than Spruce up your yard with bet- your listing pictures stand For help in selecting worthy the windows thoroughly.” you can chew. projects for DIYers seeking to ter landscaping, which could out. And it’s a double-win be- Lindsey Maxwell, blogger/ sell a home soon, Zillow and yield a 2.6% increase in your cause it’s a DIY project that’s co-founder of Whereyoumak- “Be careful, for example, about attempting DIY landThumbtack researched doable sales price. neither too expensive nor too eit.com, says she was a little scaping unless your skills are projects that could up your Paint your front door – Zilsurprised to find painting time-consuming,” he says. up to the task. There’s a difhome’s resale value. Here are low research reveals that black Joanne Greene, real estate your front door so highly ference between raking leaves five they suggest: front doors can help a home agent with Brown Harris recommended. and completely redoing your Replace old lighting fixtures sell for up to $6,000 more. “But it makes sense because Stevens in New York City, hardscapes and plantings,” with new ones, and smart Implement a fire pit, which the house’s exterior is what agrees. explains Cusick. “Lastly, keep light alternatives – Zillow could help your property sell “New lighting fixtures can can grab a new buyer’s atany DIY project within its found that listing descriptions for 2.8% more. change the entire atmosphere tention. And if they notice scope, and establish a budget that mention smart lights David Cusick, chief strategy of your home and provide a the new coat of paint, they and timeframe before you help those homes sell seven officer for Durham, North might be intrigued about whole new look to a space,” days faster than anticipated. Carolina-headquartered she notes. “But natural light- what else is new or updated start.”
Home makeover
By Erik J. Martin CTW Features n real estate, first impressions go a long way. That’s especially true of a property for sale, which needs to visually entice and excite home shoppers. Only you don’t want to pour precious dollars into remodeling projects and upgrades that won’t yield a good return on investment at resale. That’s why it often pays to choose your improvements carefully and make them yourself, if possible, without hiring a contractor or professional: You can save money and put some personal TLC
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Monthly costs inquiry Question:
We bought our home in November 2018. That was a period when mortgage rates had spiked. We got a $225,000 mortgage at 4.75%. We are now refinancing at 2.75%. We know the monthly cost will be lower, but how does the smaller monthly cost impact our credit standing?
Answer:
A $225,000 mortgage at 4.75% over 30 years means you have a monthly payment of $1,173.71. The current balance is $218,198. If you refinance with a 30-year, $218,200 mortgage at 2.75%, the monthly payment will be $890.78. Here are several credit-related ideas to consider. Should you replace an existing 30-year mortgage with a new 30-year mortgage? Sounds logical, but you’ve been paying interest for two years on the current financing. Maybe the better idea is to get a 28-year mortgage. If you refinance for 28 years, the
new payment will be $931.91. Let’s say you go with the 30-year refinance to get the lower payment. You will save $282.93 a month or $3,395 per year when compared with the original loan. One great benefit from saving almost $3,400 a year is that there’s no tax on savings and discounts. Credit scores are the byproduct of several measures—one of the most important factors in credit use. A rate-and-term refinance -- trading in one mortgage for a loan of equal size with a lower rate -- is not a utilization problem because the amount owed does not increase, the amount owed for different types of accounts has not changed, the number of accounts with balances is the same, and you continue to use credit. However, credit in a general sense includes more than credit scores. Creditors are very interested in the size of your required monthly debt payments versus the size of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income. This is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and
Q&A
ASK OUR BROKER By Peter G. Miller
lower is better. With a mortgage refinance, a borrower’s DTI improves; it gets lower. In the example, we’re using the required monthly mortgage payment falls by almost $283 per month. Lenders will be elated. But while a better DTI is a big deal to lenders, it should be seen as a starting place for borrowers. The big question is how best to use the saved money. If you really want better credit, then have a budget and use the new-found cash from refinancing to pay down bills, bulk-up savings, or maybe prepay the new loan. With increased cash, you’ll be able to avoid late payments, late payment fees, and related credit dings. As a result, if you want to buy another property or refinance, you’ll likely have an easier time with the underwriting process. Email your real estate questions for Mr. Miller to peter@ctwfeatures.com.
own the local real estate market expand your reach when you combine the power of our digital audience and premium print ads in the re weekly ask your multimedia account executive for details. ContaCt: 360.424.3251 • ads@skagitads.Com 6
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CLASSIFIEDS
Alpine Ridge Retirement Apartments in MV is accepting applications for 2 Bdrm apts. Income limits apply. 360-424-9622 for more info.
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE
Home Delivery Is Re-Shaping Homes By Marilyn Kennedy Melia CTW Features enters and homebuyers have a consideration they wouldn’t have even given a thought to a few years ago: How to safely retrieve package deliveries? Already, 77 percent of apartment buildings have a dedicated space for storage, like a package locker in the lobby, according to a 2018 survey by the National Multifamily Housing
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Council. While some multifamily building dwellers would prefer the convenience of packages delivered to their door, a secure common pick-up area is the practical alternative for residents to safely receive parcels when they’re not home, says Andisheh Ranjbari, manager, Urban Freight Lab, University of Washington. When package storage isn’t available, another twist on that crucial real estate
element – location – comes into play. Secure storage spots nearby can be a valuable perk to a renter or owner. Currently, there are about 70,000 package pickup points around the country. These access points are “available in all major cities,” but many are restricted to certain residents, or allow packages from certain carriers, like UPS or Amazon, notes Ranjbari. In rural areas, pickup stations are more
far and wide. That’s opened up a market for products allowing an individual to craft their own secure home delivery. BoxLock is one firm offering boxes which open when delivery people scan barcodes on shipping labels. Other product options involve security cameras and other tech solutions, like alerts that delivery people can send to the owner’s phone to temporarily unlock a door for a drop-off. While it’s not top-
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of-mind, where and how packages will be securely delivered is promising to become more of a consideration as online shopping becomes an ingrained habit. Even how that secure location looks could come into play. In one Las Vegas development, luxury home builder Toll Brothers is partnering with a firm to provide secure lockers – which can be styled to complement the home’s design.
All rental and real estate for sale advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for the rental or sale of real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD at (206) 220-5170.
2 Bdrm house with loft on 1/4 acre, needs remodeled but is livable, asking $159,500. To view call 520-221-1607 or 360-840-3292.
10 - January 29, 2019
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7704 SIlVER lAkE ROAD, MAplE FAllS
$349,000 657 HUMpHREy plACE, BURlINGTON
$499,000
Beautiful views from this 5 bedroom, 3 bath Hansell Mitzel Home built with many upgrades, built on the “perfect” cul de sac, fenced yard; with a country feel yet wonderful location for commuting to Bellingham, Anacortes, or Everett/ Lynnwood/Marysville. Lighted stone pillars at end of driveway welcome you home. Covered front porch offers seclusion for one’s morning cup of coffee or tea; hardwood entry; wainscoting; air conditioning; under cabinet lighting, pantry; and granite countertops in baths. Back yard offers custom decking and incredible sunset views. Danya Wolf 360-708-8294 MLS# 1679704
This home ‘lives bigger’ than its stated size of 1491 sq.ft., offering 2 beds, plus bonus room, 1 3/4 baths on a large lot with ample parking, a detached 2 car garage and a HUGE storage building. The kitchen has a large pantry, skylight and plenty of cupboard/counter space. Master has a large shower with an oversized vanity and a walk-in closet. Living area features vaulted ceilings and ceiling fan. Main bath has 2 doors for easy Patricia Box access to the laundry room and the outdoors. This home is set Office Manager/Broker back from the road and has a beautiful front yard or you can enjoy Sherry Ruderman O: (360) 424-0300 the privacy of the large yard in the back, as well. MLS# 1694535 360-540-1552 C: (360) 941-9186
3092 GAlENA DR., CAMANO ISlAND
18582 CASCADE RIDGE CT.,MOUNT VERNON $998,000 5+ Acres
Elegant finish work in this 3130 square foot custom home: European hardwood floors with inlay; 3 fireplaces, one which is open to both the country kitchen and the dining room; 3 large bedrooms, two with a “Jack and Jill” bath; 2 family rooms. Plenty of parking. 36 X 36 barn with three stables; a tack room; a storage room; plus a loft. Three separate fenced areas for horses, plus an outdoor arena. Wonderful trails throughout the wooded portion of the acreage. Danya Wolf MLS# 1673949 360-708-8294
$350,000 2xxx URBAN AVENUE, MOUNT VERNON
$600,000
Prime 1 acre level, commercial parcel, subject to boundary line adjustment. MLS# 1649968
Danya Wolf
360-708-8294
Custom built Camano Island rambler. Built with quality materials throughout. Great starter or retirement home. Beautiful stamped concrete driveway and covered porches, 50 year metal roof, Granite counters, Cherry Wood Cabinets, CVG (Clear Vertical Grain) Douglas Fir trim and interior doors, porcelain tile flooring, luxuriously padded carpet, freestanding propane stove, tankless water heater. Storage shed with loft. Covered porches have foundation walls/footings. Roof and foundation already there - making for a easy addition if desired. All appliances, TV, BBQ grill, smoker and patio furniture Suzanne Jenkins Carla Fischer (360) 941-2983 (360) 982-0010 included. MLS# 1693329
360.424.0300
17180 MEMORIAl Hwy MOUNT VERNON
$415,000
6.98 acre tract zoned Rural Intermediate. Level acreage with great road access both from Memorial Highway and from Avon Allen Road. Stop light and curbs at the intersection. Special Use Permit potential. The Animal Hospital and an espresso stand is across the road to the west. 980 feet along Memorial Highway (SR-536); 620 feet along Avon Allen Road. MLS# 1572330
Danya Wolf
360-708-8294
3780 E. College Way, Mount Vernon
www.skagittraditionrealty.com 2038742
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