To search for homes for sale in Anacortes, La Conner, or Oak Harbor, Please call us @ (360)-293-4511 or contact.  We would love to help you with your real estate needs whether you are looking to buy or sell your home.

 National Night Out is designed to do the following:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations
• Send a message to criminals letting then know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

 If you don’t live in Anacortes, La Conner, Samish Island, Guemes Island or one of the other very low crime cities in Skagit County, it is even more important that you participate.  Luckily in our Skagit County town neighbors look out for one another.  One more reason that this is a great place to live. 

 If you would like information on real estate for sale in Anacortes, Oak Harbor, La Conner, Samish Island, Guemes Island, or anywhere in the San Juan Islands, please visit our website at http:///www.CBIslandLiving.com.  If you would like we can set you up on listing alerts so you will be notified of new listings in your price range that meet your criteria.  Or call our office at 360-293-4511 and let one of our real estate brokers provide you with any information you need from who to go to for a home loan to what remodeling projects are the best investment for resale.

“In general consumers seem to be stuck in uncertainty surrounding the world’s economic concerns, our lack of jobs and the rollercoaster of the stock market. They seem to be hunkering down despite the lowest interest rates in years,” said NWMLS director Frank Wilson.

On a more upbeat note, Wilson said the deadline extension for the tax credit is good news. “Congress has acknowledged the length of time it is taking banks to close a transaction by passing this extension,” he remarked. Without the extension, the National Association of Realtors estimates as many as 180,000 buyers wouldn’t have qualified for a tax credit of up to $8,000 because they couldn’t meet the June 30 deadline to close on their purchase.

The latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows mixed news across its 21-county market area, with arrows going in both directions. “The current market is not as bad as some people think, and not as good as some people would like it to be,” observed NWMLS director Pat Grimm. He also said the combination of low interest rates and affordable prices are the best he’s seen in his 25 years of experience in real estate.

The MLS summary statistics for June show:

• Pending sales of single family homes and condominiums (combined) fell 28 percent from a year ago, but rose 5.8 percent from May.
• Year-to-date (through June), pending sales are up 12.4 percent compared to midyear 2009.
• Closed sales for June outgained the same month a year ago by 617 transactions (up 12 percent), and rose 8.9 percent from May’s total.

“The economy is still recovering and that makes some consumers hesitant to buy,” Grimm stated, adding, “On the other hand, with prices down and mortgage rates at their lowest in 50 years, homes are more affordable now than they were before the tax credit went into effect.”

Grimm said the market has created its own incentive for buyers who missed out on the most recent tax credit. “Lower prices and lower interest rates more than offset the benefit of the tax credit. Homes are actually more affordable than they were three months ago, and that factors in the tax credit,” he emphasized. To illustrate his point, he said the purchaser of a $500,000 property this month with a $400,000 mortgage would save more than $250 per month as a result of the interest rate drop. “Do the math and you can see you are way ahead if you stay in the property for more than three years.”

House-hunters have plenty of choices. Brokers added 10,354 new listings to inventory last month, bringing the selection to 42,940 residences being offered for sale system-wide. That’s up about 4 percent from a year ago. Included in the current listings are 36,027 single family homes priced from $8,500 to $25 million, and 6,913 condominiums priced from $20,000 to $15.6 million.

Asked if now is the right time to buy, Grimm replied, “You can’t time the real estate market any more than you can time the stock market,” but added, “If you want to buy a home, and can afford it, I haven’t seen a better convergence of affordable prices and low interest rates in the 25 years I’ve been working in real estate.”

Last week’s benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.75 percent, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. That’s the lowest rate for the 30-year fixed in the nearly 25-year history of Bankrate’s weekly survey. Freddie Mac reported an average of 4.58 percent, the lowest level in more than five decades.

Click to view large chart

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 24,000 brokers and agents. The organization, based in Kirkland, currently serves 21 counties in Western and Central Washington.

We Need Your Votes For BlueScape as The People’s Choice Innovator Award

You can’t spell innovation without “C and B!” Inman has announced the finalists for the 2010 Inman Innovator Awards and Coldwell Banker is the only national real estate brand with multiple finalist entries for both the new BlueScape search and our consumer blog Blue Matter.

But most importantly, for the first time Inman is presenting a “People’s Choice Innovator Award” and we need your votes for BlueScape to win this coveted recognition…

BlueScape Search is a finalist in the Web Service Category: taking cues from popular music recommendation websites, Coldwell Banker® developed BlueScape, a visually-driven real estate search platform to help “dreamers” find just that – the home of their dreams.

Blue Matter is a finalist in the Blog Category: Blue Matter is the official blog of Coldwell Banker and was created in February of 2010 with the intent of providing additional insight and commentary on the real estate experience to benefit consumers.

People’s Choice Category – Vote For BlueScape

And new for this year, Inman will announce a “People’s Choice Innovator Award” with the winner selected by a popular vote of Inman News readers. We want BlueScape to take its rightful place as the most innovative product designed in real estate over the last year, but we need your votes to help get there.

Click HERE to access the People’s Choice Award and cast your vote for BlueScape only. Please vote as soon as possible!

The winners of the 2010 Inman News Innovator Awards will be announced during the Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco, which runs from July 13-15 in San Francisco.

This month, the kids will be out of school and for a lot of families relocating, it is time to pack up and move. Moving brings on an entire new set of stresses and tasks for the family.

Here are some tips for moving, courtesy of Move.com. It might just help save you a bit of time, stress and headache for the move ahead.

4 weeks from move date: Get organized and start notifying the right people and companies that you’ll be moving soon and give them a date to forward or terminate service. Start looking for licensed and professional moving companies, moving guides and relevant coupons.

Tip: If using a professional mover, get quotes from multiple moving companies to get the best deal that is right for you and your needs. Ask plenty of questions like whether or not they give binding quotes and what kind of insurance is included. Be sure to talk with them about the different options available with full-service moves such as packing and unpacking services and providing boxes and packing supplies.

Tip: Important documents such as your child’s school records may need to be accessible during your transition. Make sure to put these items aside and make copies of any records for yourself, in case you forget what box they’re packed in.

3 weeks from move date: Once you’ve selected a mover, begin by taking inventory of your belongings and their worth and decide what will be coming with you to your next home.

Tip: Start cleaning out closets, drawers and storage areas of your home and divide things into categories: “pack,” “recycle” and “give to friend.” You can always have a garage sale or donate old items to charity. This will make packing day a lot easier and you may reduce the total weight you’ll be paying for to move.

Tip: If you’re moving yourself or contracting for a self-service move, pack the items you know you won’t need until 30 days after the move. It will feel great to get started early.

Tip: If possible, take pictures of rooms and areas inside the home or apartment you’ll be moving into so you can start thinking about placement of furniture, artwork and other items. This will help save time, headaches…and money…on moving day.

2 weeks from move date: If you choose not to take advantage of full service mover packing services, or are planning to do it yourself and rent a truck, start packing things into boxes. Figure out the logistics of the move, travel plans and if other specialized plans need to be made.

Tip: If you are using a professional mover find out what items are on their “non-allowables” list and discard those items or find a way to transport them separately.

Tip: Instead of stacking plates, pack them vertically; they will travel safer this way.

Tip: If you are moving long distance, remember travel arrangements for your pets. There are pet-exclusive airlines available such as Pet Airways but regular airlines have travel options for pets as well.

Tip: If you have young children, you may want to make childcare arrangements so you can be 100% focused on moving day and your little ones remain safe and busy with fun activities.

Tip: Schedule “move out” cleaning service, carpet cleaners and heavy appliance disposal if necessary for once you’ll be out of the home you’re vacating. Even if you’re selling your current home, it’s a nice welcome for the buyers to move into a clean and tidy home.

1 week from move date: Set aside valuable items and keep those with you. Clean before moving and leave your house or apartment as clean as it was when you moved in.

Tip: Make sure the details for paying the moving company are taken care of. Some will require money orders or cashier’s checks upon delivery; know their policy in advance to avoid stress on moving day.

Tip: Start eating all the frozen foods you have, or give them to a neighbor or friend. This way you won’t have to throw them away on moving day, or worry about packing an ice chest.

Tip: Also think about necessities for managing moving day like confining your pets and anticipating the amount of time you will need.

Tip: Place necessities such as toiletries, toilet paper, rags, “must-have” cooking supplies and organize them in boxes marked “open first” so it’s easy to find the initial items you’ll want handy on those first few days of being in your next home. Don’t forget the flashlight!

Tip: If possible, take one last tour of the new location and identify water and gas shut off locations, as well as the electrical breaker box just in case something happens in the first few days so you’re prepared. Might be smart to drop off a fresh box of light bulbs too!

Moving day and beyond: Take one last walk through and make sure nothing has been forgotten or overlooked. Also, make sure all doors and windows are locked and switches turned off, then you are on your way to your new house or apartment.

Tip: Go back to the photos you took when you began to pack up. Now you can show the movers or those helping you unpack exactly where everything goes with photos.

Tip: Unpack one room at a time according to basic needs starting with the kitchen and at least one bathroom…and don’t forget to make a bed as early in the day as possible if you’ll be sleeping in your home that evening! Remember, you don’t have to unpack everything in one day, or even in one week.

Tip: After you’ve settled in a bit, introduce yourself to some neighbors, ask for advice on the best places to eat, grocery shop, etc. This way you will feel like part of the community and can get some great local tips. Don’t forget, you can contact Coldwell Banker Island Living for any information you may need to find a new home & for relocation information. You can call any of our professional agents or email us at islandliving@coldwellbanker.com

Luckily, you still have time to feast your eyes on their intense and varied displays of color by taking part in the Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival continuing until the end of the month.

 Just minutes away from La Conner, Anacortes, Burlington and Mount Vernon are vast fields in bloom, or official gardens and displays.

 All the details are available on the festival website:  www.tulipfestival.org or stop by the Codlwell Banker Island Living Anacortes real estate office for more information.

 You will definitely want to pack your camera!

As part of a NATIONWIDE OPEN HOUSE event, lots of La Conner and  Anacortes homes are scheduled to be held open by local REALTORS® Sat. & Sun., April 10-11 in Anacortes.  Today is the last day!

It is a gorgeous day so go by and visit our La Conner and Anacortes real estate agents.  They can answer questions about the real estate market, give you tips on which remodels add the most value, and of course show you the home they are holding open.

This is a great time for home buyers to shop for a new home as interest rates and prices are low, and there is a good supply of home for sale. 

If you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit up up $8,000 is available for contracts in place by April 30, 2010.  Some move-up home buyers may qualify for a tax credit as well.  Click here to learn more about the home buyers’ tax credit.

 Coldwell Banker Island Living open houses will be easy to spot with blue and white balloons flying on the OPEN boards.  Maps for all the area homes being held open will be available from your Coldwell Banker Island Living real estate agent or the Coldwell Banker Island Living office at:   

3110 Commercial Ave.,        (NW Corner 32^nd & Commercial)

Anacortes            360-293-4511

Or visit our website wwwCBIslandLiving.com and click on the open house box on the menu on the left side of the home page.

http://cbislandliving.com/index.cfm/page/56210/Open_Houses.html

TULIP TEASER

 Here’s how the tulips of the Skagit Valley look today along Young Rd., March 31, on the eve of the ever-popular Skagit Valley Tulip Festival officially beginning April 1 and running till the end of the month.  Don’t forget to save some time for an outing to see the vibrant colors first-hand.  Visit Anacortes and La Conner at the same time for even more fun!

 For complete details check the TULIP FESTIVAL website:  www.tulipfestival.org

For moare information on Skagit County, Anacortes, La Conner, Samish Island, or Guemes Island,  visit  www.CBIslandLiving.com

March 29, 2010—As the April 15 deadline to file 2009 federal tax returns approaches, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is providing answers to some of the questions home buyers are most frequently asking about the home buyer tax credit.

“NAHB’s website that provides information about the home buyer tax credit, www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com, has received more than 8 million visits,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “We are doing everything we can to make sure home buyers are informed about this outstanding opportunity to benefit from buying a home before it expires April 30.”

Some of the more commonly-asked questions, and the answers, include:

1. How does a home buyer claim the tax credit?

The credit is claimed when the home buyer files or amends their federal income taxes. For qualifying homes purchased in 2009 or 2010, the taxpayer must complete IRS Form 5405 and attach a copy of the settlement statement. In most cases, the settlement statement is a properly executed Form HUD-1.

In circumstances where a HUD-1 is not provided, such as purchasing a mobile home or a newly constructed home, the IRS will accept an executed retail sales contract (mobile homes) or a copy of the certificate of occupancy (new homes).

2. Does the home buyer have to sell their current home in order to qualify for the $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credit?

A home buyer does not need to sell their current home in order to be eligible for the repeat buyer credit. They can continue to own both homes, and rent or use their former home for something else, as long as it no longer serves as their principal residence. The taxpayer is required to use the new home as their principal residence, and live in it for at least 36 months, or they will have to repay the credit.

3. Do married couples both have to meet the eligibility requirements in order to claim the credit, even if they file taxes separately?

Both spouses must fully meet all the eligibility requirements for either the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit, regardless of if they file joint or separate tax returns. However, if an unmarried couple purchases a home and only one person qualifies, the eligible person may claim the full credit.

4. Do all home purchases need to be completed by April 30, 2010, in order to be eligible for the credit?

There are two exceptions to the April 30 deadline. If the buyer enters into a binding contract by the deadline, they have until June 30, 2010, to complete the purchase. The deadline has been extended a year, to April 30, 2011, for members of the uniformed services, Foreign Service or employees of the intelligence community who have been on qualified extended duty outside the United States for at least 90 days between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010.  Contact any of our professional Real Estate Agents to find out more! Coldwell Banker Island Living … our door is always open to help you find your dream home!

“We are entering what is traditionally our busiest home selling season,” said NWMLS director. The NWMLS director also reported “significant traffic” at open houses, which he attributes to the first-time homebuyer tax credit and rising consumer confidence.

Pending sales (offers made and accepted, but not yet closed) jumped nearly 45 percent last month compared to a year ago, marking the 11^th straight month of month-over-month increases. Closed sales also outperformed year-ago totals, rising 33.5 percent. Members tallied 3,214 completed transactions last month, up from the 2,407 closed sales for February 2009.

 MLS members added 10,663 new listings to inventory last month, bringing the total number of active listings in the system to 36,350. That total is down 7.5 percent from the same month a year ago, creating a more balanced market that favors neither buyers nor sellers.

 Move-up buyers are accounting for some of the surge in activity. Brokers credit the combination of a $6,500 tax incentive for qualified repeat buyers and thawing jumbo loan market as factors in spurring activity for this segment.

 Interest rates on jumbo loans fell to 5.79 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate loan in the past few weeks. That’s a five-year low, according to Informa Research Services, whose clients include the nation’s top 25 banks.

Noting the peak real estate season is approaching, the MLS director pointed to several encouraging signs. “Homes are more affordable, mortgage rates are at all-time lows, and employment in the state appears to be on the rise,” said the MLS Director.

“All signs point to a strong spring,” she added.

 Earlier in the week, the state Employment Security Department reported the state’s economy “picked up some steam in January,” adding an estimated 12,400 jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008. The plethora of shorts sales and foreclosures has diluted the price point of many homes that are selling, making appraisals more challenging. Buyers should be reminded of the possibility of rising mortgage interest rates due to the Federal Reserve’s plan to stop buying mortgages by the end of March.

Click Chart to View Full Size

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest.