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Port Angeles, WA Real Estate News

By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
As of November 5th, sales of homes in Port Angeles had exceeded last year's tally. We have had 374 homes sell this year, versus 365 for the total sold in 2006. And as we draw to the last portion of the year many good bargains are still available.There are 58 homes currently on the market priced under $200,000. Moving up to the $200,000 - $249,999 bracket the number has dropped from 54 last month to 46 now while there are 55 homes priced from $250,000 - $299,999. Last month there were 58.In the $300,000 - $349,999 price range there are 27 homes; 34 priced from $350,000 - $399,999; and 28 homes are on the market in the $400,000 - $499,999 grouping. Looking at the top two price levels, the $500,000 - $599,999 segment has 20 homes to choose from, down four from last month and the top level ...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Traps for the UnwaryAudio Versions As Broadcast Daily on KONP Radio (1450 AM Port Angeles and Sequim)Buying real estate in Port Angeles or Sequim.  There are many traps for the unwary buyer.  These tips will help you avoid some of those traps, and save yourself a lot of stress, money, and time.  As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing." Trap for the Unwary #1:    The Trespassing FenceTrap for the Unwary #2:    The Trespassing DrivewayTrap for the Unwary #3:    Timber TrespassTrap for the Unwary #4:    The Good SamaritanTrap for the Unwary #5:    Encroaching BranchesTrap for the Unwary #6:    Road (Driveway) MaintenanceTrap for the Unwary #7:    View EasementsTrap for the Unwary #8:    Speed BumpsTrap for the Unwary #9:    Private Well on Vacant LandTrap for the Unwary #10:  Sh...
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By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
While this has been a banner year of homes for sale, inventory levels are beginning to drop. As of October 8th, there were 314 homes in supply, almost 60 fewer than a month earlier. While the media has been reporting declining sales nationwide, to date, home sales in Port Angeles have exceeded last year's levels. In the $199,999 and under bracket, we have 53 homes. There are 54 in the $200,000 - $249,999 range and 58 priced from $250,000 to $299,999.Breaking the $300,000 barrier, you see a lower inventory per segment. In the $300,000 - $349,999 grouping there are 31 homes currently available; 38 priced from $350,000 - $399,999; and 35 with an asking price between $400,000 - $499,999. The premier properties priced from $500,000 - $599,999 number 24. There are 21 homes priced at $600,000 ...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
                       Click on the Charts to EnlargeThese two graphics compare total sales of homes in the Sequim and Port Angeles areas (excluding new construction) in the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 (below). It's an interesting comparison in light of all the doom and gloom talk about the real estate market. We are down, but not by alarming proportions. The total number of houses sold in the first nine months of 2006 was 758, and in 2007 it was 697. That's a decline of only eight percent (8%). This does not include new construction, which we will look at later.                       Click on the Charts to EnlargeBuyers are still buying, and this is good news for sellers. The key is pricing your home right. Overpriced listings will get stale in this market, while the house down ...
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By Alan Burwell
(McHugh Realtors)
Because this post is about Rich's most beloved 8 legged, beady eyed crustacean.                                      All hail the Dungeness Crab!Did you know:The Dungeness crab was named after the small village of Dungeness, Washington which is located just north of present day Sequim.The crab's habitat consists of eel-grass beds and muddy to sandy bottoms from the low inter-tidal zone to depths in excess of 600 feet.They can be found from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to south of San Francisco.Crabs average a little under 7 inches wide but have been found as big as 10 inches wide.It eats almost anything including clams, fish, crabs, starfish, worms, squid, and snails.It is eaten by humans, large fish, eels, octopus, and of course, Rich Jacobson.Male crabs start breeding at 3 to 4 year...
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By Alan Burwell
(McHugh Realtors)
Come to the North Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles and enjoy the roar of thunder as the best and most competitive teams of the Unlimited Light Hydroplanes Racing Association compete in the 5th Annual Strait Thunder Unlimited Light Hydroplane races.Held in Port Angeles from Sept. 28 through Sept. 30, these ultra fast racing boats can be heard from almost anywhere in town as they travel a 1.25 mile loop within the Port Angeles harbor.These are the same boats you see racing at SeaFair, or Silverdale, or Issaquah, among many other places. Watch the races from along the Discovery Trail at the waterfront or from the City Pier.  Or get a guided tour through the pits and see the boats up close.  This is the last race of the season and the points double making it possible for many teams to ult...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Are you checking out homes or land in the Port Angeles area? You may have started out from the comfort of you own home computer, and you're just checking to see what the market looks like right now, and what prices are for your ideal property.Now is an Excellent Time to Buy Real Estate in Port Angeles.Some would call the Port Angeles real estate market a buyer's market. Maybe. Maybe not. But I can tell you that the market has noticeably slowed down, meaning sales have dipped significantly, and you know what that means? It means as a buyer you are in an excellent position to find the perfect home, whether it is a water view or mountain view, or a home or land with some acreage. Don't misunderstand. Now is a good time to hold real estate here, too. The market has been very good to Port A...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Port Angeles Real Estate:  Who is Your Transaction Coordinator? Are you buying or selling real estate in Port Angeles or Sequim? If you are, who is your transaction coordinator? A transaction coordinator is extremely important, perhaps one of the most important people in your entire transaction. This is the person who coordinates everything about your transaction from the minute a Purchase and Sale Agreement is signed by buyer and seller. Top producing Realtors have a full time transaction coordinator, and there are some Realtors who do their own, but there is much much more to being a transaction coordinator than just baking a pie (although that would be pretty hard for me).The Purchase and Sale Agreement must be reviewed for legal sufficiency, with signatures by all parties on the ti...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Legal DocumentsHomes and Land If you are selling a home or land in Port Angeles or in Sequim, getting the right legal documents and disclosures required under the law (and there are many) and drafting clear and unambiguous language is no small challenge. Legal Requirements Are Complex and There Are Many You'll need a good Purchase & Sale Agreement, Contingency Addendums (financing, inspection, etc.), legal descriptions (legally "sufficient"), disclosures required under Federal and State law (lead paint, environmental, Form 17 with brand new requirements effective June 22, 2007 and possibly Form 17C), and you'll need to handle all the "little" issues that come up between the signed agreement and closing. Any one of these "little" issues can kill the transaction. Read the rest of the sto...
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By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
Regionally, there are more homes for sale than ever before. Between Sequim and Port Angeles there are almost 900 homes on the market. The Port Angeles market inventory is at record levels, about four times the normal amount. For example, at the end of May, ‘06 there were 85 homes on the market. This year there were 265. As of August 20th, there were 373 homes for sale in Port Angeles. The week previous to that there were 372. Do not let that confuse you. In that one week 18 homes sold or went off the market and 19 more came on. Sales of homes -- 282, year to date -- is almost even with last year. Dollar volume; however, is down more than a million dollars. Surprisingly though, homes continue to sell at 95% or more of the asking price.Homes under $199,900 are still the fastest selling. T...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Another sunny day in the beautiful Port of Port Angeles looking easterly over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to International waters.  Ships come and go, and the Ferries between Port Angeles and gorgeous Victoria deliver tourists to our shores.  You can view more photos of Port Angeles by going to my Online Album here or just click on the photo below.  Enjoy!  Port Angeles Photos by Chuck Marunde
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
The Olympic National Park is incredible, if you love nature, the outdoors, stunning scenary, photo opps, hiking, jogging, biking, steep trails, rivers, lakes, and serenity.The park is a hop and a skip outside of Port Angeles, Washington. If you are within driving range, you've got to get out here.  If you can get on an airplane, you've got to get out here.  Check out the TRAIL CONDITIONS, or check out the Park Main Website.This photo is one I took of some old growth trees far up a mountain trail. I love this stuff! 
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Investor's CornerIf you are an aspiring investor, there is much to learn. If you have already done a few deals, there are many traps for the unwary ahead. If you are an experienced investor, you know the need for knowledge, good counsel, careful and wise planning, and you know the value of what is freely shared on this site.Here are some special areas of interest for real estate investors.  Here we hope to put some meat on the skeletons of some of what you have learned at real estate seminars.Buying/Investing in the Right Property (see Landlord Section)Real Estate Foreclosures (Deed of Trust Foreclosures)Real Estate Contract Forfeitures (Real Estate or Land Contracts)Paper Transactions (Profit Without Owning Real Estate)Joint Ventures (the best kept secret if done right)Suit on a Promis...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Port Angeles is one of the best kept secrets, and I want it to stay that way, so please don't tell anyone about this article.  I'll reveal the secret reasons we love to live here.  Consider that:The beautiful Strait of Juan de Fuca is on our front porch, stretching into International waters.  What a view.There is so much water view property here in both Port Angeles and Sequim that it is almost too good to be true.As a back drop we have the Olympic National Park with old growth timber and Hurricane Ridge for skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, and natural beauty that will make you just stand in awe of creation.That means we have some of the most gorgeous mountain view property on the West coast. We have hiking, bicycling, kayaking, boating, fishing, and lots of airplane enthusia...
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By Alan Burwell
(McHugh Realtors)
The Circus Came to Town!Last week I invited everyone to come visit Port Angeles for the Sand Sculpture contest and Arts in Action Festival.  For those of you who were able to make it, I'm sure you had a wonderful time watching the artists at work and enjoying the music and craft booths of the many other artisans in the area.I promised pictures for those of you who weren't able to make it so without further adieu......The theme was "The Circus is Coming to Town"  First Place Winner - Not So Fast. (Edited 8/2)  Second Place - Inflated Ego  Third Place - Monkey See, Monkey DoOther winners were    Peoples Choice - Ye Circus Cometh       Sculptors Choice - Playful Pachyderm My apologies for the shadows on some pics (Good sunny weather makes for lousy photos sometimes)Here are a few other scu...
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By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
     If you follow the national news in home sales, you'll have seen that home sales are down. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales are down 10.7% from the levels in 2006. The association postulates that this is strongly related to a lack of subprime lending. Regionally, sales of existing homes are down 15.6% over last year. But, as NAR President Pat V. Combs related, "All real estate is local so conditions can vary widely."     In the Port Angeles area we are not seeing the slowdown. Home sales this year are almost even with last year at this time. By Memorial Day last year 153 homes had sold in the Port Angeles area. This year the tally is 148. Thirty homes sold in May, 2007 -- the same as number as last year.     As of the 27th, there were 328 homes ...
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     Looking for a great family event that will delight and amaze?  Then check out the Nor'Wester Rotary's Arts in action Street Fair, held the fourth weekend in July (this year held 7/27 - 7/29) on the city pier in Port Angeles.       One of the most popular sections of the street fair is the Windermere North American Master Sand Sculpture Invitational where internationally recognized master sand sculptors compete over three days for prize money.  Each artist is given 10 yards of sand and 21 hours to complete a sculpture that matches the theme selected for that year.  Quite literally, it's the best of the best in sand sculpting and the only artist invitational in North America.  Arts in Action is a street fair with arts and crafts vendors, many of whom give demonstrations as to how the...
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By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
     I had a client look at me the other day and say, "I can usually figure out where the market is, but I'm not sure from everything I've been hearing.  Where are we now, versus a year ago?"  The answer... about the same.      In looking at sales in the Port Angeles area from January 1, 2006 to April 30, 2006 and comparing it to the same time frame for this year, the general pace of the market is almost the same, although there are a few differences that might be of interest.  Bear in mind, this is for site-built, manufactured homes, and condo/townhouses only, not land sales.     In 2006, there were eight properties that sold for under $100,000.  In 2007, there were three.  In the $100,000 to $149,900 range nine properties sold in 2006.  This year there have been seven.  Looking at $15...
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By Doc Reiss
(Town & CountryReal Estate)
"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" may be applicable for the weather, but in housing terms, March has held as most of the first quarter. Since the beginning of the year, the Port Angeles market has held an average of 274 homes for sale in any given week. As of the twenty-ninth, 78 homes have sold this year. At that rate, there is about eight-and-a-half months of inventory on the market.Breaking it down, at this time there are 32 houses priced under $199,000; 47 in the $200,000 to $249,999 range; 55 in the $250,000 to $299,999 range; 42 priced from $300,000 to $349,999; 35 from $350,000 -$399,999; 28 in the $400,000 to $499,999 segment; 22 listed from $500,000 to $599,999 and 23 at $600,000 and above.While homes are being listed and sold every day, the average home is ...
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Port Angeles, WA Real Estate Professionals