Topic: Real Estate
San Juan County Faces Low Housing Inventory As Pandemic’s Demand For Rural Relocation Grows
Written on April 12, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
San Juan County Dips 55% In Inventory, Grow 39% In Pending Sales By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc The first-quarter results for San Juan County and San Juan Island maintained the momentum that was present during last year. As compared to the first quarter in 2020, the data Continue Reading
Homes For Islanders To Suspend Operations After Foxhall
Written on March 27, 2021 at 1:28 pm, by Hayley Day
From Homes for Islanders The affordable self-help housing non-profit Homes for Islanders is nearing completion of their Foxhall neighborhood homes. This will bring the organization’s owner-built affordable home production total up to 129 completed homes built over 17 years between 2004 and 2021. Although Homes for Islanders has been searching diligently for a future location(s) Continue Reading
Merri Ann Simonson Gives The 411 on Septic Systems
Written on March 25, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc As real estate agents, we are constantly learning and then sharing our knowledge with our clients. We must even expand our knowledge into some related industries that are not comfortable discussing with a client, such as septic systems and their functions. The real Continue Reading
Building Custom Construction on San Juan Island
Written on February 28, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc As inventory is very low for existing single-family homes, more and more buyers are considering custom construction. Building custom allows you to design and build the exact floor plan and exterior elevation that suits your needs, your budget and is well cited to Continue Reading
San Juans Real Estate Sales Increase 50% From 2019
Written on January 18, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc Holy cow, what a year! In reviewing the year-end results for 2020, the sales dollar volume for the real estate market in San Juan County per the Northwest Multiple Listing Service was $466,709,745 which reflects a substantial increase in volume of 55% as Continue Reading
Six Steps To Purchasing A San Juans Home
Written on January 10, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc 1. Select an Agent to Represent You As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Continue Reading
Library Plans Move to Former Life Care Site
Written on December 24, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan Island Library The San Juan Island Library District has completed the purchase of 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor for the future library building site. The site is the location of the former Life Care Center. The district considered alternative locations for a library for several years given the limitations of the Continue Reading
County Tax Assessments: Purpose, Market Value Comparisons, Effect On Taxes
Written on November 23, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
Higher Tax Assessments Don’t Always Lead To Paying More Taxes By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc All of us island property owners received our tax assessment notices from San Juan County recently. As real estate agents, we have been fielding many questions about the statements and new assessments. As Continue Reading
What To Consider Before Remodeling
Written on November 5, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc While showing property, I am often asked, if the home could be renovated or increased in size as the lot is perfect but the home is too small or too dated for the prospective buyer. As I have said numerous times, it is Continue Reading
Hometrust: It’s Annual Meeting Time!
Written on November 2, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Please join us for a celebration of the completion of the Sun Rise II neighborhood, to review the past year, to elect new board members, AND to preview the next development of permanently affordable homes, HolliWalk. Date: Thursday, November 19th Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm Place: Virtual meeting via Zoom Alas, no pizza this year, nor Continue Reading
San Juan Real Estate Market Reaches All-Time High
Written on October 23, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands The third-quarter results for San Juan Island and San Juan County were consistent with the first quarter results; very robust. The second quarter was in COVID shock but that gave way to a strong third quarter. Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume year-to-date on San Juan Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s San Juan Island Lifestyle Videos
Written on September 14, 2020 at 9:30 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson shares another episode in her video series and says, Local San Juan fishing derbies, they are the best!
Corner Stakes and Purchasing Property
Written on August 3, 2020 at 2:24 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
We hear from Merri Ann Simonson… Corner stakes are one of the most important components of purchasing real estate, I have learned this over 25 years of selling real estate on San Juan. For the properties that transacted years ago, corner stakes were not a big issue; of course, nor was a water source, Continue Reading
HomeTrust’s Sunrise II Neighborhood Finished
Written on July 25, 2020 at 7:06 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Community Home Trust is pleased to announce the completion of its twelfth and final house in the Sun Rise II neighborhood. This home, known as “Stewart,” is the only one of the houses not barged over from Victoria, B.C.. Instead, the house was donated by the DuPar family from Decatur Island and Continue Reading
New Rental Spaces in Town
Written on July 18, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude Two living spaces intended as vacation rentals have become year-round residences instead because of Covid 19, and two others have become commercial spaces, according to Lynn Danaher, the owner. Ryan Bennett, Lynn’s son and co-owner, has been remodeling and upgrading the four units at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street, Continue Reading
San Juan County Real Estate Market Summary
Written on July 6, 2020 at 2:49 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson checks in with a Second Quarter Real Estate summary… The second quarter results, which complete the first half of the year, in San Juan County were extremely good when considering the virus impact. Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume in San Juan County was $118,381,567 with a total of 201 transactions. The Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s Video Series
Written on July 1, 2020 at 7:24 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson has a new entry in her San Juan Island Lifestyle Video series. This one is about San Juan Island Real Estate and COVID
San Juan County Announces 2020 Funding Round for Home Fund Program
Written on June 19, 2020 at 8:06 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Health & Community Services wishes to announce to eligible organizations the County’s intention to release a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for a 2020 funding round for the Home Fund program. The County intends to release this NOFA on July 1, 2020 with responses being accepted through August 5, 2020. Applications will Continue Reading
Self Directed Retirement Accounts For Real Estate
Written on June 16, 2020 at 9:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another Real Estate tips column… Do you realize that you may use all or a portion of your retirement funds to invest in real estate? Retirement accounts are basically Trust accounts for your benefit when you retire. In the 1970s, the IRS approved real estate as an investment option Continue Reading
SJCHT Says Thanks!
Written on June 8, 2020 at 1:35 pm, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan islanders, you are the best! The Board and Staff of the San Juan Community Home Trust want to thank you for your great response to our recent Appeal. This was made in order to set up an Emergency Fund for our home owners, who have had hours cut back or have lost jobs Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s SJI Information Source Video
Written on June 3, 2020 at 11:38 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson is back with another San Juan Island information source video. This one provides you with a quick real estate market update.
Letters
Written on June 2, 2020 at 7:37 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Response to the discussion about the Land Bank and Affordable Housing REETs. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Editor, I am writing as Board President of the San Juan Community Home Trust, a non-profit organization on San Juan Island. Our mission is to build and sell permanently affordable housing for ownership, to low and moderate income-qualified islanders. Continue Reading
San Juan County Faces Low Housing Inventory As Pandemic’s Demand For Rural Relocation Grows
Written on April 12, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
San Juan County Dips 55% In Inventory, Grow 39% In Pending Sales By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc The first-quarter results for San Juan County and San Juan Island maintained the momentum that was present during last year. As compared to the first quarter in 2020, the data Continue Reading
Homes For Islanders To Suspend Operations After Foxhall
Written on March 27, 2021 at 1:28 pm, by Hayley Day
From Homes for Islanders The affordable self-help housing non-profit Homes for Islanders is nearing completion of their Foxhall neighborhood homes. This will bring the organization’s owner-built affordable home production total up to 129 completed homes built over 17 years between 2004 and 2021. Although Homes for Islanders has been searching diligently for a future location(s) Continue Reading
Merri Ann Simonson Gives The 411 on Septic Systems
Written on March 25, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc As real estate agents, we are constantly learning and then sharing our knowledge with our clients. We must even expand our knowledge into some related industries that are not comfortable discussing with a client, such as septic systems and their functions. The real Continue Reading
Building Custom Construction on San Juan Island
Written on February 28, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc As inventory is very low for existing single-family homes, more and more buyers are considering custom construction. Building custom allows you to design and build the exact floor plan and exterior elevation that suits your needs, your budget and is well cited to Continue Reading
San Juans Real Estate Sales Increase 50% From 2019
Written on January 18, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc Holy cow, what a year! In reviewing the year-end results for 2020, the sales dollar volume for the real estate market in San Juan County per the Northwest Multiple Listing Service was $466,709,745 which reflects a substantial increase in volume of 55% as Continue Reading
Six Steps To Purchasing A San Juans Home
Written on January 10, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc 1. Select an Agent to Represent You As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Continue Reading
Library Plans Move to Former Life Care Site
Written on December 24, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan Island Library The San Juan Island Library District has completed the purchase of 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor for the future library building site. The site is the location of the former Life Care Center. The district considered alternative locations for a library for several years given the limitations of the Continue Reading
County Tax Assessments: Purpose, Market Value Comparisons, Effect On Taxes
Written on November 23, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
Higher Tax Assessments Don’t Always Lead To Paying More Taxes By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc All of us island property owners received our tax assessment notices from San Juan County recently. As real estate agents, we have been fielding many questions about the statements and new assessments. As Continue Reading
What To Consider Before Remodeling
Written on November 5, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc While showing property, I am often asked, if the home could be renovated or increased in size as the lot is perfect but the home is too small or too dated for the prospective buyer. As I have said numerous times, it is Continue Reading
Hometrust: It’s Annual Meeting Time!
Written on November 2, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Please join us for a celebration of the completion of the Sun Rise II neighborhood, to review the past year, to elect new board members, AND to preview the next development of permanently affordable homes, HolliWalk. Date: Thursday, November 19th Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm Place: Virtual meeting via Zoom Alas, no pizza this year, nor Continue Reading
San Juan Real Estate Market Reaches All-Time High
Written on October 23, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Merri Ann Simonson, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands The third-quarter results for San Juan Island and San Juan County were consistent with the first quarter results; very robust. The second quarter was in COVID shock but that gave way to a strong third quarter. Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume year-to-date on San Juan Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s San Juan Island Lifestyle Videos
Written on September 14, 2020 at 9:30 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson shares another episode in her video series and says, Local San Juan fishing derbies, they are the best!
Corner Stakes and Purchasing Property
Written on August 3, 2020 at 2:24 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
We hear from Merri Ann Simonson… Corner stakes are one of the most important components of purchasing real estate, I have learned this over 25 years of selling real estate on San Juan. For the properties that transacted years ago, corner stakes were not a big issue; of course, nor was a water source, Continue Reading
HomeTrust’s Sunrise II Neighborhood Finished
Written on July 25, 2020 at 7:06 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Community Home Trust is pleased to announce the completion of its twelfth and final house in the Sun Rise II neighborhood. This home, known as “Stewart,” is the only one of the houses not barged over from Victoria, B.C.. Instead, the house was donated by the DuPar family from Decatur Island and Continue Reading
New Rental Spaces in Town
Written on July 18, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude Two living spaces intended as vacation rentals have become year-round residences instead because of Covid 19, and two others have become commercial spaces, according to Lynn Danaher, the owner. Ryan Bennett, Lynn’s son and co-owner, has been remodeling and upgrading the four units at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street, Continue Reading
San Juan County Real Estate Market Summary
Written on July 6, 2020 at 2:49 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson checks in with a Second Quarter Real Estate summary… The second quarter results, which complete the first half of the year, in San Juan County were extremely good when considering the virus impact. Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume in San Juan County was $118,381,567 with a total of 201 transactions. The Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s Video Series
Written on July 1, 2020 at 7:24 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson has a new entry in her San Juan Island Lifestyle Video series. This one is about San Juan Island Real Estate and COVID
San Juan County Announces 2020 Funding Round for Home Fund Program
Written on June 19, 2020 at 8:06 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Health & Community Services wishes to announce to eligible organizations the County’s intention to release a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for a 2020 funding round for the Home Fund program. The County intends to release this NOFA on July 1, 2020 with responses being accepted through August 5, 2020. Applications will Continue Reading
Self Directed Retirement Accounts For Real Estate
Written on June 16, 2020 at 9:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another Real Estate tips column… Do you realize that you may use all or a portion of your retirement funds to invest in real estate? Retirement accounts are basically Trust accounts for your benefit when you retire. In the 1970s, the IRS approved real estate as an investment option Continue Reading
SJCHT Says Thanks!
Written on June 8, 2020 at 1:35 pm, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan islanders, you are the best! The Board and Staff of the San Juan Community Home Trust want to thank you for your great response to our recent Appeal. This was made in order to set up an Emergency Fund for our home owners, who have had hours cut back or have lost jobs Continue Reading
Merri Ann’s SJI Information Source Video
Written on June 3, 2020 at 11:38 am, by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson is back with another San Juan Island information source video. This one provides you with a quick real estate market update.
Letters
Written on June 2, 2020 at 7:37 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Response to the discussion about the Land Bank and Affordable Housing REETs. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Editor, I am writing as Board President of the San Juan Community Home Trust, a non-profit organization on San Juan Island. Our mission is to build and sell permanently affordable housing for ownership, to low and moderate income-qualified islanders. Continue Reading