You are the source. What does this mean? It means that your knowledge, your emotions, your photos are what create the personality of the home you have lived in and are selling. Sharing these brings your home to life. So tell me your story. We have the time, and it does make a difference.

All homes have a story. Sometimes it is about the history of the people who have lived there, and many times it is just the story of why you bought this house and made it your home. I have heard some very funny stories from people who are just driving by a house and know that is the house they must live in. It may not be on the market right now, but they are going to live in it some day. Some even go up to the house and tell the owners if they ever sell that they want to be the 1st to know about it. Surprisingly this has worked many times, and they have ended up the owners of this home that called out to them.

Some people have raised their families in homes they sell, and I find the pencil marks on the door from the garage to the kitchen showing little Susie’s inch by inch growth over the years. It’s always hard to have those painted over. Out back might be an apple tree that you put in the ground the 1st year you were in your home, and today it means a fresh apple pie to those who visit in the fall.

Gardens are always full of stories, and just like the color you chose for your kitchen, the garden gives this home a certain personality which is a reflection of you.

I try to use these source stories when I sell your home, because otherwise it ends up just another house on the market with 3 bedrooms, a large kitchen and and a two car garage.

So when you sell your home, whether it be with me or someone else, tell the story. It will make you feel good, and it will be something special to pass on to those who love your home and buy it.

Watch this video about a home for sale on Plum Tree Lane on Whidbey Island in Clinton. This home is loved and cared for by Jill Johnson the long time owner. You can feel the history and emotions that come with this, and you know that soon someone is going to buy this home and love this home just like Jill.

Whidbey Island Farmers Markets

Starting at the south end we have the Bayview Farmers Market and the South Whidbey Tilth.

The Bayview Farmers Market is held on Saturday between 10 AM and 2 PM at Bayview Corner behind the Cash Store. This is one of the largest and most diverse. There are vendors serving hot food, plenty of music and entertainment, besides a glorious amount of fresh produce and flowers.

The South Whidbey Tilth is at Thompson Rd. and Hwy 525. There is music, handmade crafts, cooked foods and organic produce available; you can sign up and tour the experimental gardens and forest restoration projects; the WSU Master Gardeners will have plant clinics. There are often special activities for children.

Also on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.Greenbank Farm has a Sunday Farmers Market. Located at the historic Greenbank Farm, look for banners welcoming you to the market at the narrowest point of Whidbey Island. Organic produce, honey, art and crafts of all kinds. Hot food and coffee and a lovely setting. Walk your dog after you are done shopping on the trails and take in the beauty of the water from the east and west. The market is 10 AM until 3 through October.

Coupeville market is the quintessential small town market. Located at the heart of beautiful Whidbey Island, they offer a wide variety of local produce, plants, as well as tasty treats, such as homemade chocolates and fresh local honey. We also feature local artisans and crafters and hot food vendors. Saturdays, 10 am. to 2 pm, April thru October, then it closes with Harvest Fest. The market is held at Alexander and 8th Street (behind the library).

And if you miss the ones on the weekend you can still get fresh produce in Oak Harbor. Mid May and continue every Thursday through September 24, from 4 pm to 7 pm. It is located on State Route 20 next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center.

Maybe you know of another farmers market on the island? Are there some smaller farms you visit and buy produce and eggs at during week? What other specialty farm stores do we have on the island? I would love to hear more about your experiences.

Most of us today are concerned about our environment, and recycle paper products with enthusiasm. We try to not use paper products when we can avoid it, and we read our magazines and newspapers and then recycle them too.

That is why it is a mystery to me why some sellers insist on having a flyer box. Granted, not everyone wants one, but if you drive around you will see that many people have them, and they are stuffed with faded paper when it’s sunny, wet soggy paper when it’s raining, and a lovely combo of the two most of the time.

I figured out that I use two reams of paper a month to keep my flyer boxes “fresh”. Not only is this a loss environmentally in the production of the paper, but the ink, and of course the energy (power) to copy.

But if you want to know what the sad part is about this, it isn’t about the waste, the money, the time. It is about the fact that I may never get to talk to that person who looks at your house, thinks they might be interested, and then looks to eliminate it through either the price on that flyer or something that they think doesn’t match up with their needs. And that is really too bad
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You see the most important element of our agreement is my willingness to market and sell your home. I have spent decades talking to people about homes, finding what their needs are, and helping them find the right home. When they call about your home I get to take the power of my experience, the facts and the most interesting characteristics of your home and present them to the buyer in a way that will move them one step closer if it is the right home. It’s a win win for all. So what about that flyer box? Well if you are a seller working with me now, give me a call and we will take that off the sign. The sign has my telephone number, and people will use it.

If you have your house listed with someone else call them. Tell them you want them to sell the house to the interested party, so please pick up that flyer box. And if you haven’t listed your home, when you do, please call me, and together we can save a tree and sell a house.

The history and folklore of an area can be an interesting component of making a place your home. Here is a little bit of history about one of the special places on this island. South Whidbey is home to a profound 225 acre forest across the road from the So.Whidbey State Park.

The trail through this forest is call the Wilbert Trail in honor of Col. Harry Wilbert and his wife Myrl who led a four year struggle to stop the clear cut harvest of this land. There is a ridge in this woodland that the trail climbs that is approximately 450 feet high. Because of the shape and soils of both the ridge and the swamps below the growing conditions were good for the growth of several species of trees. In 1883 a great fire swept through this wooded area and only about 100 trees were left standing.

The fire permitted the trees to grow several years without competition, and along with great soil and plenty of water produced a small grove unlike any other in Washington. This is a truly wondrous area to hike through. There is a cedar there which is approximately 34 ft. in circumference. There have been bones found from woolly mammoths in this forest. These animals were known to be over 10 feet tall with a large head and tusks 7-10 foot long.

So take a walk on this trail of history, right here on So. Whidbey and you will know why it is so important to many islanders to buy the Trillium property which is adjacent to the Wilbert Trail and contains many of old growth trees and undiscovered treasures of our island past.

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust is in the throes of raising the money to protect this important piece of land from development. Read more at their website and then help save this natural part of our Whidbey history. Enjoy this perspective on saving forests..

If it’s spring, it is the beginning of salmon season in the Pacific NW. Wild salmon is an iconic symbol of our region, and every spring we are reminded about how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy this wonderful fish. It is a symbol of the the natural beauty and bounty of the Pacific NW, and rekindles our desire to protect and preserve this precious gift.

To the native peoples of the NW, salmon was their primary food source, and their traditional method of cooking was on a stick over an open fire. If you want to have the flavor of the traditional cooking but lack an open firepit or the knowledge and skill to cook in the traditional manner, we can approximate the flavor by using the cedar plank cooking method.

Cedar planks are available at a number of retail locations, to include Whole Foods and Cost Plus. However they are expensive, and if you have access to cedar shingles, they will do as an inexpensive alternative. Shingles are also the best choice if you want to cook a large fillet. No matter what type of cedar plank you use, be sure to soak it in salted water for at least 2 hours before cooking the salmon. Some recipes call for adding wine to the soaking water, but in my opinion, this a waste of wine.

Preheat your grill to medium hot. You can either cook the fish directly over the burner/coals or indirectly. I prefer the indirect method as it reduces the chances of the plank flaming.

Be sure you have selected wild salmon, not farm raised, as wild salmon is both more flavorful and healthful. I prefer wild king salmon, but sockeye is suitable as well. The cooking time will be less for the sockeye. You can either cut the salmon into individual serving pieces or use a large fillet. The smaller pieces will cook faster, and are easier to move around on the grill if you need to speed up or slow down the cooking. Leave the skin on and debone. The skin is easily removed after cooking, and if you are using a rough piece of cedar like a shingle, with the skin on you don’t have to be concerned about splinters. Lightly coat the flesh side with olive oil, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Place the fish skin side down on the plank and move it to the grill.

Cook the fish for about 10-12 minutes for medium rare on an indirect flame. If you are cooking on a direct flame, it will cook a bit faster, and tend the fire carefully to squirt the planks if they start to burn. When done, remove the plank from the fire, and slip a spatula between the skin and the flesh; the skin will slip off easily.

Enjoy the fish with that wine you didn’t waste on the plank!

What makes a good Windermere Realtor? It is a person who can cheerfully sort huge piles of miscellaneous clothing in different sizes, price them, and ready them for sale. He is a person who can work all day in rain or hot sun in a big garden without complaining. She is a person who can lift boxes, sort items, fill shelves, break down boxes, sweep the floor and all the time be having fun with other agents getting the work done.

Why does this make a good Realtor? Because Windermere believes in the importance of community. Because on Community Service Day you will find the Windermere team on Whidbey working hard at Good Cheer to get food and clothing ready and available for those on the island who are experiencing hard times. You will find Windermere busy in communities throughout the west making a difference. We all know that hard times are easy to come by lately, and that there are many less fortunate people than us. Every year since 1984, Windermere associates dedicate a day of work to complete neighborhood improvement projects as part of Windermere’s Community Service Day. This year the dates are June 18th and October 15th. This is a day we come together to work as a team, but let it be known that Windermere agents hear the call of community service throughout the year.

Another example from the Whidbey office is the association with Hearts and Hammers. Two agents are board members on Hearts & Hammers, and many are volunteers that helps people in need with repairs on their homes that these homeowners cannot do, or possibly afford. Many of the Windermere team pick up hammers, shovels, and tools that are not of their business trade, and make a difference for these folks in need.

There are many people who make a community. Some do it more than others; some do it as a lifetime commitment through government, hospitals and schools. What is important is that we all find a way to make our communities richer and rewarding for all its members. I for one, as a part of Windermere, am proud that this company takes this commitment seriously, and changes the lives of both the givers and the receivers. Take a look in your neighborhood and you will see Windermere there making difference.

A Selling Scenario…..

You have the nicest home on Whidbey Island, the friendliest neighbors , the best view, the most lovely gardens, and now you want to sell your home. You want to sell it for as much as you can.

How do we decide what is the “as much as you can” price without getting to the buyer’s “no way” price?

These are the factors we start with.
1) What homes have sold around your home in the last 12 months. We start with a radius of 1 mile and move out. Then depending on how many homes we get in this search, we add special features about your home. The view, the construction, age, community amenities etc.

We then take these homes that we have put in our cart and do a more complete analysis to find those that are the very best match for your property. If we are lucky in today’s market we have 2 or 3 at most in the last year sold that meet our criteria.

Now we need to look at how long these homes were on the market? What was the sales price compared to the list price. How many price reductions did the seller take?

2) Now things get tougher. We see what is available on the market now that we would see as the “competition”. These homes can be in a wider radius if necessary. Buyers usually give themselves a lot of leeway here. We take a look at these homes. Either we go together or you trust my evaluation.

3) Now we discuss what you can do to put your home at the top or near the top of this short list. You probably cannot change some things, and may be unwilling to change others. Where are you on the list after you decide on any improvements you will make? This is important.

Moving on to Pricing

This is the most critical moment. I can hear you now….. “Yes I see the market prices for these homes, however, I think I should be able to get a little more. Let’s start higher and see how it goes.” This is the worst decision you can make. We have all heard you are only new once. Well there is no truer statement in real estate.

You capture agents and buyers attention when you 1st come on the market. Once you are on over a week to two weeks, you are not new, you are not hot, and the buyers will still come, but they will be looking for pricing concessions if they decide to buy your home.

How to Avoid this Scenario

Price right in the beginning. You will sell your home more quickly and you won’t get put on the pile of houses that are eventually going to take price reductions to get sold.

Get the Facts and Deal With Them

Once you know the facts, you still have some options. Maybe there are some improvements that you can do to your home that will kick it up a notch on the potential sales price. Possibly, staging your home, or offering owner financing can make a difference.

If after we review all of these things you are ready to put your home on the market, please consider competitive pricing. The SOLD market does not lie. These are the prices people are willing to pay today, and if you want that 4 letter word attached to your home in the near future let’s get it right before we put in on the market.

Start Early

Give you self plenty of lead time to get your home ready. If your home is on the market now, and is not getting showings, we may need to do another market analysis. It is a moving target, so be sure you are always on top of it.

You must price it right when when your home 1st goes on the market. You have about 21 days to be “new”. After that you are just another home in the ever increasing inventory that we are all seeing now. I can show you comparatives, we can review the numbers, the days on market etc, I can provide good photos, but if you are not priced very competitively you will not sell your home.

Because buyers struggle with getting financing today, and home appraisals are very conservative, it is important that a client and their Realtor spend the time to be sure that your home is priced right from the start and that the evidence is clear on why it is priced correctly.

Important things to take in to consideration when pricing your home. 1) homes for sale or which have sold recently within a 2-3 mile radius of your home. Be sure that you know the facts about these homes. 2) On sold properties compare the original price to what it ultimately sold for, and how many days it was on the market. 3) Be sure your home is the best or at least one of the best looking homes on the market in your price range. It might be that you need to have new landscaping, paint, or update the window coverings. Part of having the right price is being the best property you can be at that price.

Trust your Realtor. We spend our time looking at homes, comparing statistics, talking with buyers. We know how to compare your home to others on the market. Ask the questions, get the right answers and then put it on the market to sell.

It is amazing the variety of homes that are available for sale on Whidbey Island. That is why I think I enjoy helping buyers and sellers find their dream homes. Because more times than not, we have the dream home here they are looking for.

We have homes on high bank waterfront which afford views of whales passing by in the Saratoga Passage, homes on low bank which let you race out the front door and kick up the sand, and fish from the shoreline. We have homes on acreage with gardens, ponds, wetlands and wooded spaces. We have small community style homes for those who want private space to live near others, and 20+ acre farms for land lovers.

And yes, now is really a great time to buy! Home prices are low, interest rates are low and some of the local banks like Peoples Bank and Whidbey Island Bank have incredible loan packages available.

Why is it good for sellers? Well even though there is plenty of inventory, when the pricing is right, savvy buyers and good agents will find your home. The internet has made everyone more aware of what a good priced home is. This is good for both buyers and sellers. Email me and request “10 tips for buying your home”.

No, I am not talking about grouchy people. Whidbey Island has many popular crabbing spots, but many crabbers like to keep their special spots secret. One of the best spots is off of Bells Beach, along Saratoga Passage, and the location of one of my great beachfront listings. Row your boat out to your crab trap, and bring home fresh crab for dinner. So keep reading, we are going to talk about how to clean and cook fresh, live crab.

Crab fishing is great fun, but be sure you understand and follow all of the rules from the Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW).  There is a good video they produced that helps understand the basics about crabbing regulations.

If you don’t have the opportunity to fish for fresh crab like we do, no worries, you can always head to your local market, most of whom have live crab available for sale.  Or there is always frozen crab, but be sure you buy US sourced Dungeness crab, not the cheaper Asian canned lump crab.  You should be able to find that at your local store as well, and Costco usually carries whole frozen Dungeness crab or unfrozen in a plastic container the size as the ones used for fresh salsa. It’s usually over with the salmon in the fish display case.

Regardless of how you obtained your crab, if it is live, you have to cook and clean it.  If you purchased cooked crab out of the shell, y0u can skip this section.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil and then put the crab into the pot.  Cook for about 12-15 minutes after it returns to the boil, cool the crab, then clean and remove the meat.  Here’s a video I found on You Tube that shows the full process from boiling through cleaning and extracting the crab meat.

I have two favorite crab recipes, crab cakes and crab fritters.  Here’s the crab cake recipe.  One good sized crab will make enough crab cakes to serve 4 people.  You do need to refrigerate the crab cakes for about an hour or so before cooking, so be sure you prepare the cakes far enough in advance of dinner.

• 1 pound cooked crab meat (4 lb live Dungeness Crab)
• 2 cups panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
• 1/2 red bell pepper diced small
• 1 small shallot diced
• 12-15 stems of Italian parsley chopped
• Juice from 1 large lemon
• 1-1/2 Tbsp Spanish sherry (Amontillado)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• pinch Kosher salt
• pinch ground white pepper
• dash Tabasco sauce
• pinch celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Spanish hot paprika (pimenton)

Mix Batter – Add 1 cup of the Panko (reserve rest for coating the cakes) along with the rest of the ingredients except the crab.  Mix thoroughly to make a batter.

Add crabmeat and mix well.

Divide mixture into 8 balls.  Form the crab patties and coat them with the remaining Panko.  Refrigerate for about an hour.

In a large skillet or pan, heat canola oil or clarified butter over medium high heat until it begins to smoke.  Reduce to medium and add crab cakes.  Sear until the cakes are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side.  Add more oil or butter as needed to keep the cakes from sticking to the pan.

Serve with a garlic butter, spicy Asian dipping sauce, or a simple lemon or curry mayonnaise.  My family prefers the lemon mayo.