If you are thinking about buying or selling a home this year this article gives a wealth of information on the how different demographic groups search to find a home and much more.
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Many experts are forecasting 2016 to be a sellers market. I am in total agreement. With continuing low inventory creating increased competition between buyers and homeowners, many sellers are not as motivated to sell and are negotiating harder, so buyers will need to move more quickly than in the past to secure a home that fits their needs and be prepared to negotiate.
Looking ahead to this year, a buyer needs to be early to the market. Traditionally, spring and summer have the highest inventory of homes for sale. Over 85 percent of buyers who plan to purchase in the next year intend to buy in the spring or summer of 2016, according to a recent Realtor.com survey. Now is a good time to begin the process of finding your home.
You should also take time now to comparison shop for mortgages. Mortgage rates are expected to go higher by at least 2% and prices are predicted to rise 3-5 percent during 2016. If you are planning to finance your home purchase you should put as much effort into getting the right mortgage as you do finding the right home. A lower interest rate can make the difference in qualifying for a home and save thousands over the life of the loan.
For sellers, it’s critical they have a good understanding of their local market, and the historical timing of when to put their home on the market so they can optimize the money they net from the sale.
If you are planning to a sell this year you want to list at the very beginning of the selling season. On Whidbey Island that would be late April. Remember there is approximately 3 weeks to a month of pre-listing work for your listing broker to do to get your home and property set up to market, from photos to early advertising commitments. So don’t put that off. Now is a great time to talk to us. The peak of the season is mid to late June, so a few weeks late can cost you the potential of many qualified buyers seeing your home.
Pricing your home is important. In 2016, prices are expected to increase nationally 3 percent year over year. Local prices changes are anticipated to be more dramatic this year with some markets expected to increase by 10 percent and more.
As a Seller, working with a local realtor will optimize the price you get for your home. Last year, 37 percent of all sellers offered incentives to attract buyers. Sellers who are open to negotiating beyond price are more likely to find scenarios that result in wins for both sides resulting in a potentially faster sale and more seller profit.
We have a unique market on Whidbey Island. For both buyers and sellers it is important to be working with a local professional. The investment you make in choosing the right broker can and will make a difference in your over-all satisfaction of the property that you buy or sell.
I look forward to talking with you soon. Linda
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COME LIVE THE WHIDBEY LIFE
If you live here now, congratulations! This will remind you of some of the
special things that we have here on this island.
1) ANNUAL FESTIVALS such as the Penn Cove Mussel Festival,The Maxwelton 4th of July Parade, and Langley’s Mystery weekend (which is coming up in late February) and later the Shakespeare Festival.
2) WINERIES & DISTILLERIES “must do” tastings and wine to buy for your gatherings as well as gifts. Take the wine trail and don’t miss Spoiled Dog Winery set in the picturesque Maxwelton Valley. If you love wine AND dogs enjoy walking through a gorgeous vineyard, this is the spot.
3) AMAZING PARKS, two historic villages and many artists in residence throughout the island giving you reason to thoroughly enjoy the 45 miles long, scenic drive along bluffs, beaches
and charming villages the this island.
4) B&B’s, BEACH HOUSES, HOTELS After long days of outdoor adventure, the island’s plentiful (and often very luxurious) B&Bs make the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate.
5) FARMERS MARKETS & ORGANIC MARKETS Farmers Markets from spring to late fall throughout the island, and fresh organic produce available in the many island grocery stores.
6) FERRIES TO THE MAINLAND every half hour!! Schedule starts early AM and goes to after midnight. Not as bad as a traffic jam on the 405. You can be at Costco and Trader Joe approximately 15 minutes after de-boarding in Mukilteo.
7) HOMES for YOUR LIFESTYLE You will be amazed at the choices you have for your island lifestyle. Do you want sunrise, or sunset views, top of a hill, in a valley, near others, or on large acreage. Whidbey island offers you more in the way of lifestyle choices than you have ever imagined or than I can write here.
Call or Email me for more information about homes on Whidbey Island.
360 770 5550
linda@lindacasale.com
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SEVEN GREAT REASONS TO VISIT FIRST, and THEN COME LIVE THE WHIDBEY LIFE
If you live here now, congratulations! This will remind you of some of the special things that we have here on this island.
- ANNUAL FESTIVALS such as the Penn Cove Mussel Festival, The Maxwelton 4th of July Parade, and Langley’s Mystery weekend (which is coming up in late February) and later the Shakespeare Festival.
- WINERIES & DISTILLERIES “must do” tastings and wine to buy for your gatherings as well as gifts. Take the wine trail and don’t miss Spoiled Dog Winery set in the picturesque Maxwelton Valley. If you love wine AND dogs enjoy walking through a gorgeous vineyard, this is the spot.
- AMAZING PARKS, two historic villages and many artists in residence throughout the island giving you reason to thoroughly enjoy the 45 miles long, scenic drive along bluffs, beaches and charming villages the this island.
- B&B’s, BEACH HOUSES, HOTELS After long days of outdoor adventure, the island’s plentiful (and often very luxurious) B&Bs make the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate.
- FARMERS MARKETS & ORGANIC MARKETS Farmers Markets from spring to late fall throughout the island, and fresh organic produce available in the many island grocery stores.
- FERRIES TO THE MAINLAND every half hour!! Schedule starts early AM and goes to after midnight. Not as bad as a traffic jam on the 405. You can be at Costco and Trader Joe approximately 15 minutes after de-boarding in Mukilteo.
- HOMES for YOUR LIFESTYLE You will be amazed at the choices you have for your island lifestyle. Do you want sunrise, or sunset views, top of a hill, in a valley, near others, or on large acreage. Whidbey island offers you more in the way of lifestyle choices than you have ever imagined or than I can write here.
Call or Email me for more information about homes on Whidbey Island.
360 770 5550
linda@lindacasale.com
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Whether you are staying home this year or visiting family, we want you, your family and your home to be safe. These tips will help ensure the safety of what matters most to you and allow you to enjoy your holidays wherever you may be, knowing that you have protected your home as best you can.
Have someone you trust pick up your mail and newspapers. Nothing tells a thief you are not home like a newspapers on your driveway and a stuffed full mailbox.
Put your holiday lights on an automatic timer. This prevents thieves from “learning” your habits by taking not of when your lights are turned on and off. It is also a good idea to put your indoor lights on an automatic timer if you are vacationing for the holidays.
Make sure your gifts and valuables are not visible from the street. If a criminal can easily see what is in your home, you increase the chance they will be tempted to come inside to steal the items.
Secure your home. Make sure all your doors and windows have functioning locks and install a home security system. The easiest way for thieves to get into your home is through unlocked doors and windows. Do not store a spare key outside.
Do not run extension cords for holiday lights through windows. Running extension cords through windows means that window cannot close and latch completely. This makes the window an easy entry point for burglars.
Do not post your holiday travel plans online. Broadcasting the location or duration of your trip on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can be dangerous. It may be something exciting you really want to share, but be aware that you are blatantly telling criminals, “I’m not home”.
Be wary of people going door-to-door soliciting donations. This is a common ruse used by criminals. Ask to see an I.D. that connects them with the charity. Don’t feel pressured to give, trust your instincts and never give cash. Call 911 if you believe something is not right.
Don’t advertise the gifts you received. Placing your empty boxes outside for pickup shows thieves what is available inside your home. We encourage you to recycle, but be smart about it. Break the boxes down, turn them inside out, put them in your trash receptacle and don’t place them on the curb until collection day.
Add video monitoring to your security system. If your budget can afford it, pairing video monitoring and home automation allows you to check in on your house no matter where you are during the holidays. Of course as always let a neighbor know you are gone, so you have someone who would notice something suspicious.
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!
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FEMA flood zone maps are a subject of vital importance to every owner and resident of beach property on Whidbey Island. In April 2016, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will issue new Flood Zone Maps for Whidbey Island. Those new maps may have a significant impact on you if you live in a beach community.
First a little background on the Flood Zone Map changes. Established in April 1979, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made. One of the responsibilities of FEMA is to provide detailed flood maps and hazard information in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for coastal areas in the US.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is aimed at reducing the impact of flooding on private and public structures. This is achieved by providing affordable insurance for property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. These efforts help mitigate the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. Overall, the program reduces the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the purchase and retention of Risk Insurance in general, and National Flood Insurance in particular.
Flood insurance is not mandatory, but if you have a mortgage, it is highly likely your lender requires flood insurance, and the rates are determined in part by the flood zone designation where your home is located. If you do not have a home mortgage, you are not required to carry flood insurance, but can obtain flood insurance for your home in the same manner as those who must, through insurance companies.
SO HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART: [click to continue…]
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2014 Home Sales – South & Central Whidbey
2014 showed a strong return of the real estate market on South & Central Whidbey Island. Below is a summary of home sales on South & Central Whidbey from 2011-2014, plus a tally of the YTD sales in 2015. The total number of homes sold in 2014 was 507 compared to 440 in 2013 for an overall increase in sales of 15%. Home sales in 2006 was right at 500, so we are definitely on an uptrend in unit sales.
Selling prices however, have not moved up even though volume has. The median price in 2014 was $325,000, which is only marginally higher than in 2010, when it was $320,000. For comparison, the median price in 2006 was $431,000. So what’s going on with regards to prices on Whidbey? Why is the volume reaching levels not seen since before the Great Recession, but prices seem to be stuck? [click to continue…]
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Sand between your toes and the sound of water gently lapping on the rocks may make you want to jump into the deep end and grab your own little piece of paradise. Islands are the state of Washington’s middle name.
What is the science behind our pleasure of the waterfront? [click to continue…]
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We all respond to sensory selling whether it be by our eyes, nose, ears, touch, or our memory. Using sensory effect is a subtle way to sell your home and may reward you with a higher price and quicker sale. Some examples of this might be a table in the family room with a monopoly game or scrabble game in progress, an open cookbook set by a kettle on the stove, bath salts, robe and candle set on the side of a deep tub. Small powerful visual effects that speak to home and the comforts of home.
Some other ideas that I have seen work to create this very positive effect are below:
- Potted flowers at the home entrance
- A nice Welcome mat at the front door
- If you want shoes removed, washable soft slip-ons available
- Soft music, either classical piano or acoustic guitar playing
- Fresh clean decorative pillows on the couch and chairs
- Cedar firewood in a clean fireplace
- A child’s bed turned down with a favorite book opened on the bed by the pillow
- Basket of fresh vegetables on the kitchen counter
There are many more, and I am sure you can think of some of your own triggers for a sensory sell. I would love to hear some of yours, so please feel free to send them to me at linda@lindacasale.com. I will publish a follow-up at a later date with the ones I hear from you.
I think it is important when you are preparing your home to sell that you consider creating a sensory experience. I am happy to help you find ones that fit your unique situation. They just might be what makes the buyer write the offer to buy your home.
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