Interest rates are at a historic low, inventory is high and sellers are motivated.  Discovery Coast Real Estate can help you find just the right property at the right terms.  Visit our site, sign up for updates, contact one of our Brokers, get started on your future! 

And while you’re thinking about the beach, please visit our wonderful Visitor’s Bureau site and check all the new features.  And be sure to watch the Today Show video!

The Long Beach Peninsula is where it’s at! is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Salmon Fishing starts July 1 – visit the Port of Ilwaco for more info on fishing and special events held there.  Saturday Market is going on all summer long.  The next Art Walk will be July 8 – you won’t want to miss that!

And while we’re talking about Ilwaco, be sure to “Feel the Thunder” on Saturday, July 3.

The 4th itself is filled with activities – Ocean Park hosts their “Old Fashioned 4th of July” with a parade (watch for me on the Rotary “float”) and the first annual Art in the Park (I’ll be there too with the Clatsop Weavers & Spinners Guild).

Long Beach’s popular Summerfest continues and Fireworks start at dusk.

Seaview Tri-Plex	Chinook Lot	Near Loomis Lake
Oysterville Lot	Fixer w/new septic!	Read about seller incentives below
10 acres w/pond	Seaview Condo	Affordable Ocean View

Surfside Seller Incentives!  Several of Discovery Coast Real Estate’s exclusive listings are offering a great incentive to buyers this summer.  Buy one of the great lots (contact me for info) and the seller will pay your HOA dues and assessments through 2012.  Some restrictions apply.

Please check our new website and explore the great features we’ve added.  You can search by community, price, features, newest listings.  You can sign up for updates.  We’re committed to helping you find the right property for your needs so give us a try.

Here comes July, ready or not! is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Today, March 26, Judy took the money they had collected and purchased dog food which was delivered to the shelter.  Judy also donates  the money for ingredients.

Look for these great dog treats in various businesses on the Long Beach Peninsula, including Discovery Coast Real Estate where you can find a home for you and your best friend(s)!  Don’t have a best friend?  There are several loving dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes at the South Pacific County Humane Society. Remember, the adoption fee for all the cats in the “Jungle Room” has been paid for by Discovery Coast Real Estate.

Karen Kissler’s Kritter Treats Co. is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Remember, your credit score is priceless, so protect it!

Did you know there’s still time to qualify for the home buyer’s tax credit for 2010?  If you’ve been dragging your feet about buying a home because you didn’t think you’d make the cut-off, call me now and let’s get going!

Big Clamming Weekend coming up, along with the 6th Annual Bluegrass Festival.  Ongoing during Spring Breaks is the Spring Fling at the Kite Museum.

If you’re in the area, stop by the Shelburne Inn, Seaview, and chat with the Clatsop Weavers & Spinners Guild who demonstrate spinning Thursday evenings at 5:00 p.m.  Just to make it more special, this Thursday, March 25, from 5-7 pm, it’s the Twitter WAMerlot Wine Tasting!

And there’s one good reason to visit the beach (other than looking for real estate!) so check it out at FUNBEACH!

That’s all for now.  Enjoy the sunshine if you have it (we do!) and call me soon to take advantage of the tax credit, great prices, low interest rates and plenty to chose from.

Credit Consequences is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

$69,900!

3 bedroom, 2 bath

50′ x 100′ lot

Close to Skating Lake Park

New carpets, paint, vinyl in bathrooms.  1995 Redmond home is located in a quiet area of Surfside, walking distance to Skating Lake Park and close enough to the ocean to hear it!  The Long Beach Peninsula has so much to offer and this tidy home is offered at a price you can’t refuse!

For more info call Discovery Coast Real Estate at 877-637-1412 or email us!  ML # 29107529

2200 303rd Pl., Surfside is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Marine toxin clouds razor clam dig,

prevents opening at Long Beach

OLYMPIA – Rising marine toxin levels have prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to cancel a razor clam dig scheduled at Long Beach and delay final decisions about digs at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches until next week.

Olympic National Park will also wait until next week to decide on a dig at Kalaloch Beach, pending the results of further biotoxin testing.

Previous plans for a dig starting late next week were put on hold after routine testing found elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in clams collected on coastal beaches, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

PSP is a marine toxin produced by a certain type of algae that can cause paralysis and even death if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Ayres said toxin levels in clams dug this week at Long Beach violate health standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ruling out an opening at that beach.  Early next week, WDFW will conduct additional tests on clams collected at the other beaches, where PSP levels also appear to be on the rise.

“It’s always disappointing to cancel a razor clam dig, and we hate to make people wait for answers on the other beaches,” Ayres said.  “But public safety comes first, which is why we test razor clams before every public dig.”

Ayres said final decisions on a revised razor-clam opening will be announced by Thursday, Jan. 28.  Unless it is canceled, the dig at Twin Harbors will be delayed, since it was originally scheduled to open Jan. 27, Ayres said.

Updates on the razor clam dig scheduled for next week will be posted on WDFW’s website athttp://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/razorclm/season.htm.

Frank Cox, marine biotoxin coordinator for the Washington Department of Health, said he suspects PSP is moving northward from the Oregon coast, where beaches have been closed to razor clam digging since December.

“There are a lot of uncertainties about how this will affect Washington beaches, which is why we recommend erring on the side of caution,” he said.

Cox noted that the PSP toxin cannot be removed by cooking or freezing.  Although no human fatalities from PSP have been reported in Washington since 1942, people still get sick every few years – usually after eating toxic shellfish collected from closed beaches, Cox said.

No coastal beaches have been closed to razor-clam digging because of elevated PSP levels since 1993, Ayres said.  A different marine toxin, domoic acid, prompted a season-long closure in 2002-03.

Razor Clam Dig is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

And did you know it’s been proven that people who hire an agent, whether Realtor® or not, usually get more for their property than if they sold it themselves?  In addition to that, you’ve got someone on your side who knows the market, keeps you informed of changes and takes the stress out of phone calls, showings, negotiations.   And don’t discount the social networking aspect of hiring an agent.  Their network of other agents, social media, blogs, etc and go a long way towards getting the word out about your unique property.  Many areas employ a multiple listing service to spread the word.  Your agent can take advantage of that and other advertising venues you may not think about.

Finally, think of the paperwork!  While a few years ago homes or land were sold on one piece of paper, a typical purchase and sales agreement will run 15 pages or more!  Your representative will not only prepare and/or present offers, they will make sure that each form you need is there, filled out correctly.  Do you know about Seller Disclosure Forms?  Lead Paint Disclosures?  What’s the ordinance on septic inspections in your area?

And that brings me to the final point – if you needed medical attention for your foot, would you go to a doctor who works in a different area?  Who is going to get the job done best, the podiatrist or an optometrist?  If you’re a buyer, you need an agent who lives and works in the area you want to buy in!  While your agent in Seattle or Vancouver or (insert your town here) may be a great person, good friend, relative, and superb agent, do they know all the little facts and nuances about the neighborhood you’re interested in?  A local agent will have local knowledge, plenty of information on the area and possibly even the home you’re looking at!  If you’re a seller, do you want an agent who can be at your home or on your property as soon as a prospective buyer calls?  Buyers don’t want to wait for an agent to drive a couple of hours to show them a home.  Or maybe they’ll “refer” the buyer to a local agent.  So why not start local?  An agent in the area where your property is for sale is better qualified to advise you on pricing, terms, and provide an insight into the market and the best way of marketing your specific property.

Start your journey into real estate with a knowledgeable guide, one you can count on to be there even after the transaction closes.  Look for someone you want to be neighbors with because, especially here on the Long Beach Peninsula, we’re all neighbors!  My philosophy has always been that I want to do the best job for you that I possibly can, because I’m going to see you at the post office, the grocery store, maybe walking down my own street!

Remember, Discovery Coast Real Estate is looking out for you, whether you’re buying or selling.  We specialize in Pacific County property!  Live here, work here, want the best for our community and our customers and clients!

Evening razor clam dig approved for New Year’s holiday

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) gave final approval for the evening digs after a series of marine toxin tests confirmed the clams on all five coastal beaches were safe to eat.

Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch beaches will be open for clam digging Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1.

All of those beaches, with the exception of Kalaloch, also will be open Saturday, Jan. 2. One beach – Twin Harbors – will open for a fourth evening of digging Sunday, Jan. 3.

All digs will be held on evening tides, with digging restricted to the hours between noon and midnight.

Ring in the New Year!  Fireworks at midnight at the Bolstad Beach Approach, Long Beach, Washington
Sponsored by: The City of Long Beach

I’ll be looking forward to helping you with all your real estate needs in 2010!  Peace and prosperity to all!

A New Year Coming! Time for Real Estate? is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

$180,000

2bedroom, 1-3/4 bath

Surfside

How Sweet It Is! Enjoy the ambiance of the California Knotty Pine paneling in this charming beach home with two adjoining lots. Two BR, 1 3/4 BA with a brick faced gas fireplace for those chilly evenings. The loft affords extra sleeping space or room for an office or hobbies. Storage abounds upstairs and down. Your dues include membership to unlimited water, security patrol & access to recycling depot…along with fishing in the canals and lakes.  2 adjoining lots also available. 

For more info, contact Discovery Coast Real Estate 877-637-1412 ML# 29136095

32209 K Pl., Surfside is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Our guild meets monthly for business on the 3rd Tuesday at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, WA.  The spinners meet on the 1st Tuesday either in Ocean Park (the beautiful Long Beach Peninsula) or Astoria, OR (also beautiful!) and every Thursday evening at the Shelburne Inn.

Clatsop Weavers & Spinners Workshop is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com

Cute photo of the week! Frank (on top), Porsche the Boxer and Julie the American Shorthair.

Fish on!  Buoy 10 opens August 1 through August 31.

Like Covered Bridges?  Mark your calendars for the Grays River Celebration.

Remember, you can keep up on the latest listings from my website, Discovery Coast Real Estate.  Just visit NEWEST LISTINGS and contact us for more information.

Here’s something to plan for:  The SW Washington YMCA is planning a big weekend at the beach and it sounds like lots of fun for everyone:

August 22^nd 1pm Hilltop Bowl in Ilwaco $20 entry fee gets you 2 games and lunch. We are looking for a total of 8 teams of 6. We will have raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle for cash money too. As well as a grand prize for the team with the combined highest score. And special prizes for the team with the best Hawaiian shirts or team shirts. Contact Craig at Lost Weekend Clothing Company for your team shirts at 360-642-LOST or www.lostweekendclothing.com

August 23^rd 10am at Peninsula Golf Course $40 entry fee gets you 9 holes and a BBQ lunch afterward. We are also still looking for hole sponsors ($50), a hole in one challenge sponsor for hole #4 and raffle items. We will be selling Mulligans, Putting String and a 50/50 raffle for cash money.

For more info, contact Trish Potter.

THIS WEEK’S PICK OF THE LISTINGS:

PORT OF ILWACO TURN KEY RESTAURANT WATERVIEW DINING $240,000 CLICK PHOTO FOR MORE INFO.

Just a reminder: Starting in August, I will no longer be sending out regular emails. Instead, I’m encouraging all of you to sign up for my website’s RSS feed. This new technology is great! Here’s how it works: click the link below and type in your email address. The next time I post a new listing on my blog, you’ll get an email with all the information! This way, you’ll hear about my hot new listings right away, instead of having to wait until my next newsletter. If the signup link here doesn’t work for you, you can also sign up on my website – look for the big blue box at the top of the sidebar. And, of course, please call or email me if you have any questions or problems with signing up!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR RSS FEEDS!

Monday Musings… is a post from: discoverycoastrealestate.com