Buying and Selling Waterfront in Washington State

9 acres, big house, huge master suite overlooking Columbia River in Longview, Washington

2008-02-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out this home at 200 Kathy Road, in Longview, out at oak Point. This home has a fabulous spacious kitchen with a 425 squre foot pantry! The master suite is almost 1,000 square feet. It has a den and a solarium with river views, a big gathering room on main floor next to kitchen, a study upstairs, plus two large guest rooms on main floor. The home sits on 9 extremely private acres overlooking the Columbia River where you can watch ships going by on wy to Portland; on clear days you can see Mt. St. Helens. Just about 20 minutes west of downtown Longview and I-5. Check it out.

Save $50,000 on fabulous ocean view condos on Long Beach Peninsula

2008-02-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

These units are a real deal. Other units sold in this complex for $325,000 just last year; now some are just $224,000 -- and they are exactly the same. Total of 10 units available, so you'll have to be quick. Give me a call and I will meet you down there. Buy as an investment; rent out as vacation rentals; rent out year-round; or just use as a fabulous getaway. But I think you'd better hurry; rumor has it 3 are tied up already in last 2 weeks. Barbara 1-800-346-9236

Great beach houses on Bainbridge Island WA

2008-01-31T17:55:00.001-08:00

Today I showed two great houses: one with a fabulous floor plan and so many fabulous amenities including half a block to the community beach and looking straight across at Seattle. This house was one of the nicest I have ever seen. It is a bit pricey at $1.3 million, but it is a winner!!!

The second house has a great floor plan; a garage with aprtment above; is on no-bank watefront (not A+ waterfront but nice nonetheless!) and I think it is priced VERY well at $1.2 million.

Don't forget to look into the house above the Columbia River with the master suite almost 1,000 square feet.

Call me about any of these!

Also, lre-read my blog about getting seller to buy down interest rate - yo could end up with a 3% mortgage loan. Thik of it!

Barbara 1-800-346-9236

Oceanfront Multi-family Sites

2008-01-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

For those of you who might want to do some major developing, I have three sites for you to consider along Washington's Pacific Coast.

The first is an ocanfront condo or hotel site in the heart of Ocean Shores and close to the beach. Much of the oceanfront at Ocean Shores is a long way from the actual shoreline; this one is much closer. It can accommodate 65-85 units, can be 5 floors (I'd put parking underneath to raise up lst floor for better views); and it has existing rentals on it. This 11-unit 1960's condo project is rented out weekends plus there is a small chalet rented out to a moped rental company. Thwese will bring you income until you have your designs, permits, financing, etc. in order. This property is for sale for $2.2 million and has water and sewer and a cooperative city.

The second site could accommodate up to 275 units in a master planned resort community, the first of its kind on the cost of Washington. Though not yet permitted, it has avery high probability of success. With 60 acres and 1300 feet of oceanfront, this site is a total winner. Asking $5.5 million.

The next site is also oceanfront, in the Long Beach community in southwest Washington. The designs show 65 units on this 200-foot site on the ocean. Both sewer and water are available; there is a road to the site; asking is $1.9 million

"see you on the blog tomorrow."

Barbara

how to get a great interest rate

2008-01-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

January 26, 2008

With interest rates so low, why would I be recommending that you go for the lowest rate you can almost think of when buying a new home? If you are ready to buy a home, you likely think the best thing to do is to make a 'lowball' offer on the house. In some markets, like the Pacific Northwest, that just doesn't work very well. Our market is too strong so far. But if you really want to save actual money, like over $100,000 on a $400,000 home, do this: Ask the seller to 'buydown the interest rate' for a period of time. They can buy it down for 5 years, 10 years, or the whole time. Another great way to save money is to combine having the sellers buy down the rate while getting a 15-year loan instead of 30. You can save almost $200,000 over the term of the loan, reduce your loan balance extremely quickly and have a low payment to boot. Right now it is relatively inexpensive to buy a 15-year loan down to 3.5%. I'd say that was pretty darn good, wouldn't you? If you would like to talk about this option and then start looking for a home, let me know at 1-800-346-9236.

Barbara Blowers

January 21, 2008

2008-01-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd take a moment and talk about a few of my favorite properties now available.

My favorite, by far, is a home overlooking the Straits of Juan de Fuca, out to Victoria and Vancouver Island, with unmatched views of the Olympic Mountains and the shipping lanes. This home was carefully designed and wonderfully crafted with one of my favorite kitchens. There is a place for everything and was designed for multiple cooks. The master suite is located for comfort on the main floor, with a guest room upstairs and two separate loft spaces for his and hers office areas. In addition, there is an extra room upstairs for hobbies. The spacious garage has a door for the ubiquitous RV and a pleasant sinding driveway thru trees to the home. Located on Whidbey Island, there is access either by ferry on the south or west or by coming down from the Deception Pass Bridge. If you'd like pictures of this house, let me know. It is not yet on the market, so d0 check in. Price is $839,000.

For you investors, we have a condo or hotel site right on the ocean at Ocean Shores that will accommodate from 65-80 units. It presently contains an old 11-unit condo which is rented out seasonally. Now is the time to get ready for the next wave of new sales along the shoreline. $2.2 million.

If you are looking, just send me an e-mail of your wants and you will hear from me right away. "See you on the blog" tomorrow.
Barbara 1-800-346-9236

January 20, 2008

2008-01-20T15:29:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready to go home to watch the rest of the football game, but just wanted to let you know that from today on I should be posting information on a pretty much daily basis.

Here in Washington State, we have not been suffering the indignities of the down real estate market the way some areas have been. While we have not had much movement upward, neither have we had much movement downward. I would guess it is because of two major factors: the number of people who want to move here and the many job opportunities that continue to be found in the region.

As for waterfront, it is a great time to buy, though there aren't many properties available. For sellers, now is a great time because there isn't much competition among available properties. For buyers, be sure to read my article on my website, www.waveswaterfront.com, about making sure your potential property is buildable - or, in some cases, remodelable. Changes in septic rules and setback rules must be carefully scrutinized. For sellers, if you don't have septic systems and wells already installed on a vacant lot, I'd get with the program. Give me a call if you have questions at 1-800-346-9236.

Tomorrow I will talk about some pretty good buys around the Puget Sound area. Keep tuned.

Barbara