THE WAY I SEE IT.: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

TOP 12 {homes for sale}

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

NEW LISTING - SWEET little COTTAGE IN THE VILLAGE

This is a new listing in Oceanside (just one day on the market) worth taking a look at: 1370 Sunset Avenue, current list price $325,000. I like this little house and I think it's a good value considering it sits on a double lot that may be able to be divided. Inside it's quaint and cozy with beautiful handscraped wood flooring and outside plenty of level yard space and just a block to the beach and three Oceanside restaurants. Plenty of 1946 charm left inside, but ready for your modern day vacation. Just over 1,000SF, concrete foundation, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, enameled pellet stove, window seats in upstairs bedrooms, white painted built-ins with beautiful leaded glass panes and a peek at the ocean.

Cute little houses like this on level lots in the village usually don't stick around too long! If you are coming to town give me a call and I will be sure to make time to give you a tour. Send me an email {wendy@iwantabeachhome.com} or give me a call {503.812.4615}. No question is too small. I am always happy to help!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

MORE TO EAT IN OCEANSIDE

Oceanside has been the same for a long time. Change isn't always welcome, but I think in this case it is positive and a great addition to the community. Just before the Fourth of July weekend to evevryone's surprise the "Brewin' in the Wind" coffee shop moved out of their long-time oceanview corner location and into the new "old" Anchor building just up the street. While they may have lost some nostalgic appeal, they have made up for it with an enormous increase in seating space, a coffee bar, and best of all they can serve more customers, faster. The food is the same -- still great and pretty much every table has a view of the ocean. When you visit you will feel compelled to linger not only because it is a wifi hotspot, but because there is plenty of seating which eliminates the annoyance of standing room only and the occassional table stalker.

The old building is not sitting idle. The "Ocean Front Deli" has moved in on its heels with a serious goal of feeding a family of four for as little as possible. You can easily walk in here off the beach with your kids and leave with everyone fed and happy serving items like corndogs for $1, nachos, grilled cheese, kraft mac-n-cheese, slushies, coffee, donuts, etc. There are made-to-order deli sandwiches and soup for a more advanced palate, as well (i.e. for parents and just generally hungry people!) It think this will be a successful Summer for both establishments.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Education Proves Useful When Buying and Selling on the Coast

One of my goals as a Real Estate Broker is to make certain my clients are well educated. I believe it is important to have a clear understanding of the current (local) market if you intend to make good, educated decisions when it comes time to buy and/or sell -- even if that decision is not to buy, or not to sell.

The stats below are based on data available to me from the Tillamook County MLS. I used Oceanside specifically because it paints a very precise picture of the decline since 2007 and slight recovery so far in 2011.

Average sales price of homes in Oceanside
2007: $556,000
2008: $429,000
2009: $336,000
2010: $286,000
2011: $410,000 (as of July)

Average price per square foot on homes sold in Oceanside
2007: $370
2008: $252
2009: $192
2010: $192
2011: $200 (as of July)

Average square footage of homes sold in Oceanside
2007: 1,500 SQFT
2008: 1,702 SQFT
2009: 1,750 SQFT
2010: 1,490 SQFT
2011: 2,050 SQFT (as of July)

Number of homes sold in Oceanside
2007: 21
2008: 18
2009: 18
2010: 21
2011: 10 (as of July)

It is interesting the volume of homes sold year to year has remained stable, though average sales price has declined by 27% (as of July 2011.) Notice the decline reached 50% in 2010! Buyers were spending less money and clearly getting more house. I see a slight recovery in this data where the average price per square increased to $200 after two consistent years of $192/SQFT.

It will be interesting to see what the remainder of 2011 brings. I will keep a close watch on this data and pass along the results to you when available. I still say it is time to buy. If you have ever wanted a home on the Oregon Coast our prices are scraping the bottom -- And, sales prices remain negotiable. If you would like more information about the current market call or email me anytime. I am always happy to help!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT NETARTS

I get the impression most people living in the Portland area do not know the coast fogs in when Portland gets much over 85 degrees. It makes sense if it is nice in Portland you may come to the beach for more of the same type of weather, or perhaps you actually are trying to escape the heat. On these "hot" Portland days I see people on, or near the beach wearing sandals, tank tops and shorts -- sometimes even bathing suits. I'm pretty sure if you had a truck full of sweatshirts to sell you could make some money! In the picture above dense fog hugs Cape Lookout, while sun shines over Netarts Bay.

So, you are wondering how the fog bank relates to the uniqueness of Netarts. I didn't know this when I chose to live here five years ago, but the fog doesn't hang over Netarts like it does the beach. It can be 55 degrees on the beach in Oceanside, Cape Meares, Cape Lookout (foggy, drizzling, etc) but 70 degrees in Netarts just a few miles away. Really something you have to experience yourself, and worth checking out if you aren't in Netarts and you are wondering where in the world the sun is. Netarts is a banana belt. Good to know!