April 2012
Ocean Shores/North Beach
Newsletter
Presented by April Swenson,
CRS & Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties
aswenson25@juno.com 360-589-2777 cell/text www.OceanShoresInfo.com
NOTABLE NEWS & EVENTS
SNOWY WHITE OWL SIGHTINGS 2012
Rare sightings of the Snowy White Owl down at the Damon Pt State Park/Protection Island. I personally saw these owls in January and April 2012. They are magnificent birds. There have been many visitors to Ocean Shores that have come just to see these birds. See more info, pictures and my videos at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/snowywhiteowl.html
ART SHOW 2012
The 43rd Annual Photo & Fine arts Show was held April 20-22, 2012 in the Convention Center. See more info and pictures at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/artshow2012.html
KITE SURFERS 2012
More kite surfing took place off the shores at Damon Pt State Beach. I was able to get some more pictures in February during a beautiful sunny weekend. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/kitesurfers.html
JANUARY 2012 SNOW STORMS
Ocean Shores, as well as the entire Northwest, were hit by 2 large storms that dumped about 6-12in. of snow in our beach town. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/winterstormjan2012.html
CLAM DIGGING
See my pictures of the popular Clam Digging. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/clamdigging.html
MORE YOUTUBE VIDEOS UPLOADED
Click on the following links to see my new videos uploaded onto my YouTube site (http://www.youtube.com/AprilSwenson):
Snowy White Owls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq81pBwlXYc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGJYO-jfCM
Kite Surfers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XveYFTHfnug
Damon Pt State Beach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5fjD3yywaM
The Ocean & Beach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjsaVUGjfek
Jan 2012 Snow Storms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJo3RX0xIS4
OTHER NOTABLE LOCAL NEWS
- The EMS Replacement Levy was passed by Ocean Shores voters (about 58% to 42%).
- The Library Replacement Levy has been narrowly defeated (51% to 49%), but the City Council has voted to put the Levy back on the voting ballot in November ($.247/$1,000 assessed compared to the defeated $.287/$1,000 assessed).
- Sewer Rates are expected to DROP by 10% by July. The City Council approved this measure after reading the Study that was completed. It equates to about a decrease of $4.86/bill (every 2 months).
- The WDFW (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife) released about 1,000 Rainbow Trout into Duck Lake on March 28th (from the Humptulips Hatchery).
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 25th-27th ~ Grays Harbor County Expo: largest Irish music festival on the West Coast.
June 2nd-4th ~ International Kite Festival: huge kites fly over the downtown beaches. A Must See!
June 9th ~ Flag Day Parade: honor Old Glory with a parade in downtown Ocean Shores.
June 29th-July 1st ~ Five Star Dealerships Sand & Sawdust Festival: one of the best events in Ocean Shores. Sandcastle and woodcarving competitions. A Must See!
July 4th ~ Fireworks on the Beach: let off your own fireworks display on the beaches. Ocean City puts on a huge fireworks display too. A Must See!
BUYS IN OCEAN SHORES
Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for some good deals on properties in Ocean Shores:
MARKET ACTIVITY/UPDATE
(1st-Quarter 2012: January 1st to March 31st)
Activity (both inquiries and sales) have definitely increased since the beginning of the year, as I have personally experienced.
OCEAN SHORES MARKET:
Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (1st Quarter of 2012):
Sold Homes
Sold Lots
Sold Condos
Sold Multi-Family
Sold Commercial
|
1st-Quarter 2012 |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 220 | 465 | 46 | 4 | 15 | 750 |
| Pendings | 35 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 55 |
| Solds | 26 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 66 |
| Sold Volume | $2.88M | $704,250 | $53,500 | $81K | $240K | $3.96M |
| Sold Median Price | $116,700 | $19K | $26,750 | $81K | $120K | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 219 | 387 | 282 | 273 | 582 |
NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:
Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (1st Quarter of 2012):
Sold Homes
Sold Land
|
1st-Quarter 2012 |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 55 | 100 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 164 |
| Pendings | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Solds | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sold Volume | $799,500 | $47K | $0 | $0K | $0K | $846,500 |
| Sold Median Price | $85K | $23,500 | $0 | $0K | $0K | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 268 | 646 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
NOTE: All of the above data was pulled from the NWMLS and is not guaranteed.
“2011 Year-End Review” MARKET ACTIVITY/UPDATE
Sorry I did not send out a “2011 Year-End Review” e-mail update, but I thought you still would like to see the final numbers. I have also included 4th-Quarter numbers for Ocean Shores and the North Beach.
OCEAN SHORES MARKET:
|
4th-Quarter 2011 |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Solds | 56 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 92 |
| Sold Volume | $7.29M | $920K | $762,800 | $0K | $77,500 | $9.05M |
| Sold Median Price | $121,950 | $18K | $152,400 | $0K | $77,500 | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 213 | 248 | 190 | N/A | 154 |
|
2011 Year-End |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 213 | 460 | 39 | 2 | 12 | 725 |
| Pendings | 20 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 34 |
| Solds | 169 | 132 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 321 |
| Sold Volume | $24.2M | $3.73M | $2.29M | $179,900 | $601,500 | $31M |
| Sold Median Price | $130K | $17K | $187,450 | $179,900 | $149K | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 223 | 254 | 430 | 117 | 97 |
NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:
|
4th-Quarter 2011 |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Solds | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Sold Volume | $2.46M | $178,900 | $115K | $0K | $0 | $2.754M |
| Sold Median Price | $209,068 | $89,450 | $115K | $0K | $0 | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 196 | 165 | 196 | N/A | N/A |
|
2011 Year-End |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 51 | 102 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 163 |
| Pendings | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Solds | 38 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| Sold Volume | $9.66M | $1.81M | $115K | $0 | $0 | $11.59M |
| Sold Median Price | $257,035 | $32,500 | $115K | $0 | $0 | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 237 | 360 | 216 | N/A | N/A |
SOUTH BEACH (Westport/Grayland/Ocosta) MARKET:
|
2011 Year-End |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 110 | 123 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 221 |
| Pendings | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Solds | 73 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 110 |
| Sold Volume | $9.15M | $2.21M | $1.76M | $120K | $421K | $13.66M |
| Sold Median Price | $95K | $50K | $130K | $120K | $210,500 | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 222 | 333 | 300 | 691 | 65 |
LONG BEACH PENINSULA (Ilwaco to Surfside Estates) MARKET:
|
2011 Year-End |
Homes |
Land |
Condos |
Multi- |
Commercial |
Total |
| Current Listings | 263 | 272 | 41 | 2 | 21 | 599 |
| Pendings | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Solds | 167 | 63 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 251 |
| Sold Volume | $25.88M | $2.66M | $1.97M | $140K | $1.64M | $32.29M |
| Sold Median Price | $130K | $25K | $121,325 | $140K | $240K | |
| Avg. Days on Market (solds) | 238 | 335 | 181 | 109 | 339 |
NOTE: All of the above data was pulled from the NWMLS and is not guaranteed.
FINANCING NEWS
HARP CHANGES
HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) has made changes to reach more home owners in need of some relief on their payments through refinancing to get a lower interest rate. If your loan is backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you may be eligible for this refinance program. Here are some key points:
- HARP is now extended through the end of 2013.
- In order to be eligible, loans must have been purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009 and have loan-to-value ratios of at least 80%.
- The 125% LTV cap on fixed-rate mortgages has been eliminated (meaning, no LTV cap) (there is still an LTV cap of 105% on adjustable rate mortgages).
- To qualify, borrowers must be current on their mortgage for the last 6 months, and have no more than 1 late payment over the past year.
- New appraisals may not be needed to qualify.
POSITIVE NEWS
Interest rates are still very low at around 4% with 0 points (depending on credit and down payment). Funding is available through FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans to buy primary and secondary homes in Ocean Shores and the North Beach.
For more help on getting pre-approved/qualified, contact our local lender, The Bank of the Pacific. You can call Carol Warfield, the Vice President Residential Loan Officer, at 360-580-0187 (cell) or e-mail her at cwarfield@bankofthepacific.com. Interest rates are still very low.
Once again, if you ever have any questions about Ocean Shores, the North Beach, the surrounding Grays Harbor cities, and/or real estate, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
~ April Swenson
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777 (cell/text)
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