On February 22, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm, Skagit County’s Sustainability Office will host an open house to kickoff the Skagit County Community Energy Challenge (“SCEC”).  This  program was designed to encourage and facilitate residential energy efficiency.

This program will help homeowners achieve energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction,  and creation of wildlife habitat.

The program will provide a home energy assessment and report which will show homeowners opportunities on how to lower their home bills through insulation, air sealing, and other measures.  The assessment, normally valued at $500-$600, will only cost the homeowner $95, and is the only cost for this program.   The remainder of the cost is being funded by a grant to Skagit County from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The SCEC provides valuable information to homeowners on how to make their home more sustainable (including rebate and incentive programs), and the necessary steps to make these recommended improvements.

The open house will be held in the lobby of the Skagit County Commissioners Administrative Building located at 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon.  Those interested in attending the program can email SkagitCEC@co.skagit.wa.us or call (360) 419-7607.

For more information on Skagit County, or homes for sale throughout Skagit County, please contact Jean@JeanGroesbeck.com or call (360) 941-3734.

Now, in our own “front yard” we on Fidalgo Island can satisfy our yearning for good old-fashioned BBQ  at Anacortes’ new Dad’s Diner A-Go-Go on the corner of Commercial Ave. and 22^nd .

For details on the mouth-watering offerings or  catering or delivery options, call owners Fletcher Mc Lean or Neil Stuchal at 360-840-2938.  If they don’t answer, they may be out stoking the fire for the BBQ pit!

If you are interested in learning more about Anacortes, or homes for sale in the area, please contact me at (360) 202-8888 or email AnacortesRealEstate@gmail.com

Fabulous view of Skyline marina, boat traffic, Rosario Strait, Burrows Island, Allen Island,  and more! Recently reduced to $699,000!

Enjoy dramatic sunsets and panoramic unobstructed views of Skyline Marina, Burrows Bay, the Mountains & even Thatcher Pass! The open 3,478± sf floor plan of this quality 5 BD / 3.5 BA home built in 2000/updated in 2006 and the see-through fireplace allow sweeping views from every room. Luxurious master suite on the main level has walk-in, jetted tub, and linen storage. MIL/guest suite on lower level has a kitchen and separate entrance. Oversized garage is 700± sf-room for 3 cars. This has it all!

Driving Directions:  W on 12th. Left on Anaco Beach Rd., right on Kingsway, right on Heather, home is on the left.

For more information on this property, please contact (360) 941-3734 or email Jean@JeanGroesbeck.com

1. Faster sale

When your home sells faster, you save taxes, insurance costs, mortgage payments, maintenance costs and other ownership costs.

2. Less inconvenience

Showing your home takes a lot of time and work.  You have to prepare for showings, keep your home spit-shined, arrangements to have pets and children out of the home during showings……  Proper pricing reduces this.

3. Exposure to buyers in your price range

At market value, you open your home up to more buyers who can afford the price.

4. Increased salesperson response

Buyers and real estate brokers are excited about a home that is priced right, and real estate brokers make special efforts to contact all their potential buyers since they know homes that are priced right sell faster.

5. Better response from advertising and sign calls

Ad calls and sign calls turn into showings when price is not a deterrent.  Your home looks good vs. competition.

6. Attracts higher offers

When a home is priced right, buyers are less likely to offer low out of fear of losing a good home.

7. Means MORE money to sellers

If a home is priced right, the excitement of the market produces higher sale prices. You NET more, both in terms of actual sale price and in less carrying costs

If you are considering selling your home, it is important to contact a full time professional real estate agent to  assist you with the home selling process.  It involves much more than just filling out some forms.  I would be happy to help you with your real estate needs! You can email me at Jean@ColdwellBanker.com or call (360) 941-3734.

A  luxury condo located in The Gardens!

Take a peek inside…

Amazing value!!! Just reduced to $359,000!!!

The real estate market in Anacortes and through Skagit County is picking up!

In a perfect world you would have 2 days lead time for showing appointments, but that seldom happens.  Here are 10 tips to get ready for a home buyer that wants to come with their real estate agent in just 10 minutes to see your home for sale!

1.             Put dirty dishes inside the dishwasher (or quickly wash them).

2.            Make the beds and hide the clutter.

3.            Wipe the counters, appliances, and kitchen sink.

4.            Empty the garbage.

5.            Hide dirty clothes in the washing machine.

6.            Wipe bathroom counter, sink and faucets.  Hide toiletries and valuables.

7.            Turn on all the lights and lamps.

8.            Check the clock, if time, run the vacuum.

9.            Check the front porch for cobwebs, papers….

10.          Go get a cup of coffee and relax!  You did it!

If would like to receive market statistic graphs, please call me at 360-941-3734 or email me at Jean@ColdwellBanker.com.  I can update you monthly in any area in Western WA for any price range!

If not, I know someone who is—at least more often than I am.  That’s why I love my friend and dog trainer, Debbie Exley so much!  She works very hard at being smarter than our dogs, and when “smarts” don’t quite work, usually Debbie’s enthusiasm, energy, creativity,  and obvious affection for her “students” seem to win them over.

If you live in Anacortes or the Skagit Valley and need a wonderful dog trainer, you can contact Debbie at 360-421-5968.  Debbie is a Certified Dog Trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.  She stresses Positive-Based Dog Training for puppies and adult dogs.  Class curriculums cover the core obedience skills:  Sit, Down, Stay, Come!, Loose-Leash Walk, and Leave It” in addition to “Good Manners” behaviors.  Private sessions are available for problem issues, such as the one we have been experiencing with our young goldendoodle not wanting to jump into the back of our vehicle.  At this moment in time, the combined intelligence of Debbie, my husband, and me IS greater than our dog’s!  Debbie always had “one more idea”, and we thank her!

If you would like to know about “Smarter than Your Dog” or help with a dog-friendly move to Anacortes, please call me.

Linda Harris, Broker
Coldwell Banker Bain-Anacortes
360-202-8888

If you share my passion, for delicious, hearty and nutritious artisan bread, stop at the Breadfarm in Edison for your own taste of heaven.   The staff there describes themselves as “ A PASSIONATE BUNCH OF MIXERS, SHAPERS, BAKERS, AND DRIVERS WITH ONE COMMON GOAL—TO PRODUCE THE FINEST LOAVES AROUND”.  And that is just what happens here where each loaf has been hand formed and hearth baked since the doors were opened in July of 2003.

Every time I show real estate in Bow, Edison, or Samish Island, I try to include a stop at the Breadfarm.  Maybe it’s even helped me make a sale!  If you live in Anacortes, you will find their bread at The Market and D Avenue Nursery/Coffee Shop.  In Mount Vernon, there will also be a nice selection of Breadfarm products at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op.

For all the tempting details on this gem of a bakery, visit their website: www.breadfarm.com

If all else fails, call me and I’ll take you there!

Linda Harris
Coldwell Banker Bain-Anacortes
AnacortesRealEstate@gmail.com
Cell: 360-202-8888

Home sales for 2011 finished much stronger than they started.  According to the figures from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, pending sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 out gained the first quarter of 2011 by 21 percent.

Pending sales for December 2011 also increased by 20 percent from the year before.  Also, both November and December 2011′s pending volume exceeded the total number of new listings.  A disproportion like this has not occurred since November of 2006.

December 2011′s closed sales also surpassed the totals recorded from December 2010 by 7 percent.  Prices continue to come down, due in a large part, to the  many distressed typically low-priced  properties on the market.

In addition to low prices, there is also little inventory in the marketplace with a 17.2 percent decrease in the amount of active listings in the MLS database from December 2010 to December 2011.  The inventory in Seattle  is also down 30 percent from the previous year.

The combination of shrinking inventory with favorable financing is causing some areas to lean toward a seller’s market, as measured by the supply of homes.  Currently there is about a five month supply of homes, which is usually considered a balanced market for both buyers and sellers.

This bodes a happy 2012 for the real estate community!

Statistical Summary by Counties: Market Activity Summary – Dec. 2011

*This information is provided courtesy of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service

We would love to help you with your real estate needs whether you are looking to buy or sell a home. For more information on Anacortes real estate, please contact Jean Groesbeck or Linda Harris!

Contact Jean Groesbeck – Jean@ColdwellBanker.com or (360) 941-3734
Contact Linda Harris – AnacortesRealEstate@gmail.com or (360) 202-8888

Enjoy beautiful Anacortes and be part of the boating capital of the Northwest!!!  Easy access to the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands.  Get ready for the boating season and take advantage of  this great buying opportunity!

3101 V Place #31 $274,500

COVERED 55±Fft slip in Fidalgo Marina. Approx. 19±ft wide. Full time manager, 2 story club house with full kitchen, fireplace, meticulously maintained showers, hot tub, sauna, and laundry facilities. Large private storage locker, concrete docks, concrete pilings and assigned parking. Very protected moorage. Great location close to town, shopping and restaurants. Easy access. These large slips don’t come up often, so buy now while you have the chance!

Driving Directions: From R Avenue, East on 30th, North on V Avenue to Fidalgo Marina.

For more information on this boat slip, please contact Jean Groesbeck at (360) 941-3734 or email Jean@ColdwellBanker.com