The Skagit Real Estate Blog

Blanchard Mountain - Bow area

2007-01-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

Finally!

We have what seems to be a compromise to the on-going battle to "Save Blanchard Mountain." If you are a hang-glider no doubt you've taken flight from the Mountain, hikers and naturalist abound throughout the many hiking trails.

According to the Skagit Valley Herald's article dated Thursday, January 25, 2007, after nine months of meeting, a nine-member advisory board has arrived at what they feel will be a win-win resolution to all sides involved in this long-drawn out battle. Apparently the plan would set aside the land containing the most popular trails, in exchange for money to purchase other land locally that can be logged. The monies would need to be provided by the State Legislature and could cost an estimated $15 milllion. Much of the timbered land on Blanchard is in trust for the Burlington-Edison School District and the annual revenues derived from logging have supplied the District with about $250, 000.

It will be interesting to see how everything will shake out, but for now it gives locals the opportunity to know that their interests have been taken seriously and the hope of saving Blanchard Mountain will be done.

To read more on the article that appeared in the paper log onto www.skagitvalleyherald.com , front page story.

Why Should We Recycle?

2007-01-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Why should we recycle?

As we are clearing out our junk left over from 2006 and preparing the way for 2007 lets get off to the right start. Instead of hauling it all out for curb-side pick up maybe we could recycle some of the valued junk? So, why should we recycle? How about: for the good of our fellow man and our future children/grandchildren. It is good for the earth. It helps to make you feel good. It sets good examples for our kids. The industry employs tens of thousands of people.

Did you know that recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to run a computer for three hours! We use over 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans per year. Wow, now thats a lot!

A fantastic resource site is http://1800recycle.wa.gov/ provided by Washington State Ecology and if you use the on-line source here is what they say: You will find more details about particular services as you search out sites in the database. If you still need more details, phone numbers will be found in the listings. And youre always welcome to call 1-800-RECYCLE during business hours.

Here is the web address for Waste Management, they serve unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Check out the site for information on pick-up days, fees ect. http://www.wmnorthwest.com/skagitcounty/index.html

Recycle Information for Sedro-Woolley

Located at 315 Sterling Street in Sedro-Woolley the center is open on Mondays from 8am 1pm. If you should have questions they can be reached at 360-855-1884 or 360-855-0929. They are closed on all holidays and accept:
NEWSPAPER HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES STRYROFOAM PEANUTS
CARDBOARD MIXED PAPER BUBBLEWRAP, AND old printing cartridge
ALUMINUM PLASTIC WRAP from your printer or copier are also accepted
METAL GLASS all colors USED MOTOR OIL
TIN CANS VEHICLE BATTERIES

You can also call to arrange pick-up or to drop off the following items of which there will be recycling fees for:
Appliances Wood Waste Computers, Laptops, Notebooks, Scanners, Fax Machines, VCRs, Stereos, DVD Players, Cell Phones, etc. Tires Electronic Waste: TVs Vehicles Microwaves

See our Real Estate Blog at www.4WAHomes.com

Co-author of "How To Make Your REALTOR® Get You the Best Deal" - WA Edition

An Allen Hainge Cyberstar(tm) www.Cyberstars.net
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Permanent Burn Ban for Skagit County Areas

2006-12-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's to All!

Important Burn Ban information has just been released for Skagit County, as seen in your local newpaper(s), the postoffice etc. the following is provided as a public service announcement via www.SkagitCounty.net. Be sure to read the article in its entirety.

On January 1, 2001, Washington State law permanently banned both residential and land-clearing burning in the following cities and their urban growth areas (UGA’s): Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley. On January 1, 2007, the permanent burn ban areas for both residential and land-clearing burning will be extended to the following cities and all remaining UGA’s: Concrete, Hamilton, La Conner, Lyman.

Fire Warden Wefer promotes safe outdoor burning in unincorporated Skagit and Island Counties. Fire Warden Wefer works closely with Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Department of Natural Resources.
Agricultural burn permits can be obtained by calling the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 428-1617.

General Rules that apply to all types of burning (WAC 173-425):
Burn piles over 4 foot by 4 foot are illegal to burn without a burn permit issued by the Skagit County Fire Warden. Call the Fire Warden at 360-428-3293 to schedule a sight visit so you can obtain a permit. The Fire Warden is usually in the field issuing permits so please leave a message. He retrieves his voice mail messages while in the field and will return your call as soon as possible.

It is only legal to burn natural vegetation or firewood. Garbage burning of any kind is prohibited (this includes paper except for the amount it takes to start a fire).

It is illegal to burn construction and demolition debris.
Burn barrels are prohibited statewide.

Smoke, odor or ash that unreasonably impacts neighboring property is prohibited.

It is illegal to burn any materials that are not generated at the burn site.
Burning at a permanently located commercial establishment is prohibited except for land-clearing operations where burning is allowed.
Burning is allowed only during daylight hours (contact Fire Warden for exceptions).

Do not burn during periods of air stagnation.
Burn only when the wind does not exceed 7-10 miles per hour.
Most types of burning are not allowed during burn bans.
You may be charged a fee by your local fire department if they are called out to respond due to illegal burning on your property.

Permit Process
If you wish to obtain a burn permit, please contact the Fire Warden at 360-428-3293 to arrange a site visit. Once he has visited the burn site and determined you are eligible for a permit, he will issue one at the site.

Permit fees for a 7 day permit are as follows:
Residential: $20.00 Land Clearing (over 10' x 10'): $50.00

Pre-Listing Appraisal Can Open The Door To A Fast Home Sale

2006-11-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

As real estate markets are adjusting around the nation--often more to the buyer's advantage--home sellers are increasingly ordering appraisals before putting their homes on the market. Paying $300 to $400 to have a home appraised prior to listing can be a very effective sales strategy.

Of course, we always provide a detailed competitive market analysis to help our clients pick the right listing price--one that will get their homes sold for as much as possible and within the desired time frame. Our analysis takes into consideration many of the same factors appraisers look at when evaluating the worth of a property.

Unfortunately, in these changing times, a price pegged to the current market isn't always as high as sellers hope for. That's one reason why some sellers are seeking a paid valuation from appraisers--professionals who specialize in providing independent and unbiased valuations based on current market conditions.

Besides confirming the right price at which to list a property, sellers who have an appraisal in hand can use it as a sales tool. First, they can refer to the appraisal to reinforce their asking price.

Second, buyers will be more comfortable making an offer on an already appraised home as compared with other homes that lack an appraisal. The appraisal can help assure buyers they're not paying too much--especially important in changing markets.

If the sales price tracks with the appraisal, both buyer and seller can reasonably expect that the buyer's lender (who will no doubt order another appraisal) will support financing for the agreed-upon price.

Finally, even if sellers choose not to share their appraisal with buyers, they can use information in it to increase the value of the home. For example, if the appraiser rates the home's condition as "poor" or "fair," rather than "good," the seller can take steps to improve the home's condition in order to justify a higher list price.

INCENTIVES THAT SELL

2006-11-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

INCENTIVES THAT SELL
How To Attract Home Buyers WithoutGiving Away The Farm

If you've been reading the headlines, you already know that the housing boom has been declared "over" for many markets around the country. The pool of homes for sale has grown in many places--three and four times more than last year in some markets--while the pace of sales has slowed and price increases have modulated nationwide.

Whether due to interest rate increases, high home prices, jittery investors, wait-and-see consumers, or all of the above and more, today's market requires sellers and their agents to adjust expectations and to market homes more creatively.
Back To Basics Of Price And Condition

Of course, the fundamentals will always hold true, no matter how a real estate market is behaving. To sell a home quickly, at the best possible price, owners must ensure the list price is in line with today's market (not yesterday's), that the home is in good, preferably move-in condition and that it has enough curb appeal to attract buyers inside.Among these, price is still the critical variable.

Sellers may benefit by getting a pre-listing appraisal to ensure their asking price is attractive. (Find out more on page 4.) They may even want to price their home a little below appraisal and, of course, advertise that fact to buyers.

Pricing a home below the competition--say, 5% below the last comparable sale-- may be advisable.You can tell your price is too high if you've had no showings at all or if you've had, say, 10 showings but no offers or if the competition has dropped their price below yours. Also, keep an eye on comparable properties whose listings have expired; they tell you what price is too high in today's market.

Beyond Basics

Still, the fundamentals may not be enough to get the job done for many sellers in today's market who want to meet their moving timetable without "giving away the farm." Offering incentives to buyers could be the key to attracting a purchase offer at a reasonable price.Take a cue from builders and condo developers who have been offering incentives including:

Drawings for a free home (increases traffic to builder's model vs. competitors' properties).
No-money-down financing.
Buyout programs for sellers with a home to sell.
Guaranteed pricing (if prices go down before settlement, the buyer gets the lower price).
Six months to a year of mortgage payments.
Free upgrades (better carpeting, flooring, fixtures, custom paint colors, etc.).
Discounts for buying during a "12-hour sale" period.
Free vacation lodging and/or round-trip plane tickets.

Customize Your Strategy

Although many of the types of incentives offered by builders and developers may not be feasible--nor advisable--for individual sellers to offer, you can take their cue. For example, you could:

Offer to take back a second mortgage for qualified buyers who can't quite finance the purchase price.
Pay the buyer's closing costs, reducing the amount of cash they need to pull off the deal.
Add conveyances to the sale, such as a lawn mower, yard tools, drapes, playset, etc.
Pay for a year's membership to the neighborhood recreation center or gym; or pay a year's worth of homeowner association dues.
Paint the interior or exterior of the home in the buyers' choice of colors, so it's exactly as they want it at move-in time.
Include a home warranty or redecorating allowance.
Guarantee payment of a year's worth of utilities, lawn service or pool cleanings.

The list of possibilities can go on and on. The important point is to tailor your incentive to what the most likely type of buyers--families, singles, retired couples, etc.--will most likely appreciate. And ideally, of course, the incentive should have minimum impact on your bottom line.

We hope you'll call us if you're getting ready to put your home on the market. We'll be happy to work with you to make sure your home gets the attention it deserves and sells quickly at a price you can be happy with. If you're looking to buy a home, or replace your current residence, you could be in for a treat—or maybe an all-expenses-paid vacation!

Drawing Traffic To Your Door

When there's a glut of homes on the market, and not enough buyers to go around, getting buyers to even look at a home can be challenging. That's where "traffic incentives" pay off--enticing potential buyers and their agents to choose your home over others for a look-see.
Here are some offers other sellers have used effectively to generate showings.

Drawings (where legal) for, say, a free weekend at a five-star hotel or a week-long vacation at an exotic place (if you own a time-share, give your week away!). Be sure to select a prize with wide-ranging appeal.

Bonus or higher commission for the agent who brings in your buyer.
Broker open house with caterer and gifts.
Discount coupons, gift certificates or free tickets to area sporting events, restaurants, concerts, movie theaters, stores, etc.
Let your imagination go wild, but limit your offers to agents and to serious buyers who are qualified to purchase your home.