Topic: Real Estate

Are You Considering Selling Your Property?

Written on February 14, 2020 at 5:47 am, by

By Merri Ann Simonson Thinking about selling your property? You may want to consider researching, collecting and completing the items detailed below. This is not a check list for planting flowers on your porch and painting your front door, you can go to the internet for that information. This list is to prepare sellers in  Continue Reading

Merri Ann’s Lifestyle Video Series

Written on January 31, 2020 at 5:44 am, by

Merri Ann Simonson checks in again with another entry in her San Juan Island Lifestyle Video series. This one shares with you Real Estate in 2020 with Purple Power…

Merri Ann’s Real Estate News

Written on January 15, 2020 at 5:45 am, by

San Juan Island Real Estate Market Summary In reviewing the year-end results for 2019, the sales dollar volume for the real estate market in San Juan County per the Northwest Multiple Listing Service was $299,854,773 which reflects a small decrease in volume of 2.3% as compared to 2018 when the volume was $306,903,509. The County  Continue Reading

2020 Detached Accessory Dwelling Units

Written on January 2, 2020 at 10:35 am, by

San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) is now accepting eligibility applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU eligibility applications must be received no later than 4:30 pm February 10, 2020.   In 2020, six eligibility slots are allowed for the construction of new ADUs and  Continue Reading

Letters

Written on December 26, 2019 at 8:43 am, by

The Cattle Point Estates Owners Association opposes BLM’s proposed changes to the San Juan Islands Monument. See their letter to the BLM below… To: Bureau of Land Management Director Re: San Juan Island National Monument RMP for Cattle Point , San Juan Island, WA From: Cattle Point Estates Owners Association PO Box 644 San Juan  Continue Reading

2019 Home Trust Ornament Project – Completed

Written on December 20, 2019 at 5:47 am, by

Ornaments now available by donation at the Home Trust Office Being able to participate at the Farmers’ Markets throughout the year and at the Holiday Market in December has been a wonderful means of outreach to our entire community for the San Juan Community Home Trust.  Not only have these Market interactions led to new  Continue Reading

Merri Ann’s Real Estate Tips

Written on December 16, 2019 at 5:46 am, by

Merri Ann Simonson is back with more real estate tips and information for you… Custom Construction or Buy Existing and Remodel? In the current market it is much more affordable to buy an existing home than it is to purchase new or custom construction.  Why is that?  The costs of materials and labor did not  Continue Reading

Chardonnay Shopping

Written on December 14, 2019 at 12:55 pm, by

Merri Ann Simonson shares another video in her San Juan Island Lifestyle series… This video features our Chardonnay Shopping event. Shop local!

Home Trust at the Holiday Market

Written on December 11, 2019 at 5:46 am, by

Come see the San Juan Community Home Trust at the Brickworks Old Fashioned Christmas Market! We will have a table with information about what we do PLUS we have ornaments for your Holiday Tree. These are decorations, made by Justin Ha and Mathew Vogel of Friday Harbor High School, in the shapes of our moved  Continue Reading

Docks; Fun Facts to Know and Tell

Written on November 19, 2019 at 6:17 am, by

Thanks to Merri Ann Simonson for this informative article… During the real estate boom years of 2005 through 2007, waterfront homes on San Juan Island appreciated around 8- 10% per year and homes with docks appreciated around 13%. Docks have always been a coveted property amenity as they truly allow easy access to boating; the  Continue Reading

Merri Ann’s Real Estate News

Written on October 15, 2019 at 8:09 am, by

Here’s a San Juan Island Real Estate Market Summary from Merri Ann Simonson… The third quarter results for San Juan Island and the County were consistent with the first and second quarter results.   Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume year-to-date on San Juan Island was $84,048,800 with a total of 135 transactions. This reflects a  Continue Reading

Home Trust Awarded 2K Grant

Written on October 5, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

The San Juan Community Home Trust has been awarded a $2000 Grant for its Operations! Jamie Cier, Branch Manager of Washington Federal Bank (soon to be known as WaFD) on Orcas, notified Home Trust Executive Director, David Gow of the award in late September. Coincidentally, Jamie was on San Juan Island on the date of  Continue Reading

Thank you, SJI Community Foundation!

Written on September 14, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

The Matching Grant opportunity at the Fair was a real boon to the San Juan Community Home Trust as we plan for our next project on Price Street in Friday Harbor. Our permanently affordable homes are critical to the health of our island community. As we wrap up our third neighborhood, Sun Rise II, we  Continue Reading

Real Estate News with Merri Ann

Written on August 22, 2019 at 5:44 am, by

Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another article covering real estate news… Excise Tax Increase, Decrease and Shift There will be a major change in real estate excise tax taking effect January 1, 2020 for the State of Washington.  I have provided a link below to the Senate Bill which created this change to a  Continue Reading

Considering Buying an Investment Property?

Written on August 13, 2019 at 5:44 am, by

Merri Ann Simonson checks in again with real estate news and tips… Vacation Rental Versus Long Term Rental Now would be a good time to purchase property held for investment and due to market conditions, a rental home in the San Juans would be the best investment. We are not like the metropolitan areas nearby  Continue Reading

Come See Us At The Fair!

Written on August 3, 2019 at 5:45 am, by

Once again the San Juan Community Home Trust will have a booth in the main exhibition hall at the East Entrance of the building. We will have news about the completion of our latest neighborhood, and can tell you about plans for our next projects. Board members, staff and new homeowners will be on hand  Continue Reading