First on the list of houses to view this morning was my listing at 1208 Washington Ave So., Long Beach.  A great 4 bedroom home walking distance to everything in Long Beach, including the beach!  $279,795.

After that, we visited a cute cabin in Long Beach, west side; a like-new home with huge shop in Vandalia (Ilwaco); a Windward Passage condo that would make a great vacation home or vacation rental, or both; a vintage home north of Long Beach; a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 1.5 acres; and a custom beach home with mean high tide ownership.

Want to find YOUR dream home?  Here’s where to start your search:  Discovery Coast Real Estate!  Sign up for automatic emails when new listings that meet your criteria show up, find listings in the last 7 days, search by city, read the blog!

Be sure to call with questions: 360-642-3325 or 877-637-1412.  We’re looking out for YOU!

PS – thanks for sharing with your friends!

August 2011

And around the whole state,

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Sept. 6, 2011) – August now ranks as this year’s best month for both pending and closed sales around Washington state , according to the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Last month’s volume of pending sales was the highest number of mutually accepted offers since April 2010 when the homebuyer tax incentive expired….  Selling prices are still below year-ago levels. Area-wide, the median price for last month’s completed sales was $236,000, about 12.4 percent less than twelve months ago. Year-to-date through August, prices for sales of single family homes and condominiums (combined) are down about 9.4 percent.

It’s still a great time to buy and if you’re a veteran, retired or active duty first time homebuyer, you’ll want to read this:  FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER GRANTS AVAILABLE.

If you’re a seller, or want to be a seller, there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the good weather, tourists and the low interest rates (as of today, at a record low for 2011.  The 30-year fixed averaged 4.39 %.  The 15-year fixed &  5-year ARM set new historical record lows with an average of 3.54% and 3.18% , respectively.)

But there are a lot of things you can do to make your house be the one at the top of a buyer’s list.  Here’s a “top ten” list that might give you an edge over all those other listings!

Changes have been made to Discovery Coast Real Estate’s website! You can now search for WATERFRONT/WATERVIEW, HOMES UNDER $100K, and CONDOS with one quick click!  And don’t forget you can search the NEWEST LISTINGS, EXCLUSIVE LISTINGS and by CITY.

Lots of fun stuff to do this month:  Jake the Alligator Man’s Birthday, Jazz & Oysters, Blues & Seafood, Oregon Tuna Classic, Kite Festival… plus Summerfest, Farmer’s Market, Saturday Market at the Port of Ilwaco, Art Walk and more.  Better check out Funbeach and schedule your vacation time!

So much to do, it's exhausting!

Just a few items of interest if you’re wondering what there is to do in the winter and early spring.

The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum will be FREE for the month of March.  Free is a very good price!

Beach property is available in all sizes and shapes!  Whether you want a water view home or lot, cabin in the woods, condo on the beach, or townhouse overlooking the whole peninsula, start looking now and be settled in for summer!  Be sure and check our EXCLUSIVE LISTINGS, plus search the entire area through our interactive map on our home page, Discovery Coast Real Estate.

Tentative Clam Dates:  February 27-28.  Stay tuned!

Whale Watching: The northward migrations begin mid-March. The immature whales, adult males and females without calves are the first to head north, passing the Peninsula in March and April.(Courtesy of Funbeach)

Peninsula Quilt Guild Show, March 20-21 at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco.  Demos, raffle & refreshments!  Sponsored by Peninsula Quilt Guild, annalena.com and and the museum.

Spring Fling at the Kite Museum!  Each year, during spring breaks, the Museum focuses on family events. This year, the emphasis is on the two-line kite.  Each Saturday, there will be someone on the beach, teaching two-line kite flying.

6th Annual Bluegrass Festival, March 27, 28 & 29!  You’ve got to hear this!

Just a quick note to let you know about our newest agent, Warren Ani!  Warren is such an asset to Discovery Coast Real Estate!  If you have a minute, please say hi to him: warren@discoverycoastrealestate.com. He’s here to assist you in buying or selling.  Remember, we’re looking out for you!

There’s a lot of real estate going on right now and by that I mean going on the market.  New listings practically every day.  You can find all of Discovery Coast Real Estate’s exclusive listings at Our Listings.  Remember, you can also search for all listings through our “Real Estate Links” on the home page.

Another great feature is the interactive map.  It’s located on our home page – be sure to scroll down and see it!  We’re planning some changes to the site to make it easier to find.  Suggestions?

Just a reminder that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching!  Don’t let your sweetheart down.  There are so many fun things to do here at the beach.  Check out Funbeach for all the details.

I ran across an interesting article regarding color.  Written for Realtors, it has interesting advice on paint colors and how they might relate to getting your house sold.  Read about Color Psychology.

Well, that about wraps it up for now.  Remember, Discovery Coast Real Estate can assist you with all phases of real estate.   We know the beach!  Whether you’re interested in buying or selling; whether on the ocean or in town; investment or vacation home, condos or vacant land, we’re looking out for you!  Come see us soon.