Friday, July 19, 2013

Ocean Shores and North Beach Newsletter for Real Estate, Events, News, etc. ~ July 2013

July 2013
Ocean Shores/North Beach
Newsletter

Presented by April Swenson,
CRS & Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

aswenson25@juno.com    360-589-2777 cell/text     www.OceanShoresInfo.com


NOTABLE NEWS and EVENTS

 
INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013 

Fireworks seen and let off all along our beaches....a Must See.  See more info, pictures and my video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/july4th2013.html


FIVE STAR DEALERSHIPS SAND and SAWDUST FESTIVAL 2013

Sandcastle competitions on the beach (off the Chance a La Mer beach access street)...you will like the sand sculptures created..."Candy Land" won the Master's Division.  Wood carving competitions and displays held at the Convention Center.  Held on June 21st-23rd.  See more info, pictures and my video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/sand&sawdustfestival2013.html


FLAG DAY PARADE 2013

Ocean Shores honored Old Glory with its traditional Parade in downtown on June 8th.  See more info, pictures and my video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/flagdayparade2013.html


ART SHOW 2013

The 44rd Annual Art Show was held in the Convention Center on April 19th-21st.  See more info and pictures at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/artshow2013.html


NEW PICTURES and YOUTUBE VIDEOS UPLOADED

Click on the following links to see my new pictures on my web site (www.OceanShoresInfo.com) and my new videos uploaded onto my YouTube site (http://www.youtube.com/AprilSwenson):



OTHER NOTABLE LOCAL NEWS
  • Ocean Shores Brokers is now Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers
  • There is a new Farmer's Market at the Library open on the weekends during the Summer


UPCOMING EVENTS

July 13th-14th ~ Ocean Shores Tri and Foot Fest: compete in running events.

July 26th-28th ~ Sun and Surf Run: motorcycles come to Ocean Shores.

August 17th-18th ~ Body and Soul Festival: explore options in creating healthier lifestyles.

August 17th-18th ~ Fun Fly in Ocean Shores: kite flying on the beaches of Ocean Shores.

August 31st ~ Old Fashioned Labor Day Picnic & Paddle-a-thon: picnic and water activities at North Bay Park on Duck Lake.



BUYS IN OCEAN SHORES

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for some good deals on properties in Ocean Shores:

Homes Under $100K

Homes $100K-$150K

Homes $150K+

View Homes

Waterfront Homes

Condos

Lots $10K or Less

Lots $10K-$15K

Lots $15K-20K

Lots $20K+

View Lots

Waterfront Lots  



MARKET ACTIVITY/UPDATE
(1st-Half and 2nd-Quarter 2013: January 1st-June 30th)

Activity (both inquiries and sales) have definitely increased since the beginning of the year, as I have personally experienced.  Currently, we are selling more homes than land.

OCEAN SHORES MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (2nd Quarter of 2013):
Sold Homes
Sold Lots
Sold Condos
Sold Multi-Family
Sold Commercial 

1st-Half 2013
Homes
Land 
Condos 
Multi-
Family 
Commercial 
Total 
 Current Listings 267 437 40 4 19 767
 Pendings 50 18 6 0 1 75
 Solds 77 79 9 1 3 169
 Sold Volume $11.5M $1.613M $1.015M $260K $575K $14.963M
 Sold Median Price $138K $12,500 $135K $260K $287,500 
 Avg. Days on Market (solds) 280 271 313 60 291 

 2nd-Quarter 2013
 Homes Land  Condos  Multi-
Family 
 Commercial  Total 
 Solds 39 51 4 1 3 98
 Sold Volume $5.89M $969K $493K $260K $575K $8.187M
 Sold Median Price $145K $12K $113,975 $260K $287,500 
 Avg. Days on Market (solds) 245 245 259 60 291 

 
 

NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (2nd Quarter of 2013):
Sold Homes
Sold Land

1st-Half 2013
 Homes
Land 
Condos 
Multi-
Family 
Commercial 
Total 
 Current Listings  64  121  3  1   7  196
 Pendings  5  4  0  0  0  9
 Solds  10  15  0  0  1  26
 Sold Volume  $1.33M  $1.1M  $0  $0K  $125K  $2.555M
 Sold Median Price  $24,500  $18K  $0  $0K  $125K  
 Avg. Days on Market (solds)  81  376  N/A  N/A  882  

2nd-Quarter 2013
 Homes
Land 
Condos 
Multi-
Family 
Commercial 
Total 
 Solds  6  8  0  0  0  14
 Sold Volume  $799K  $969K  $0  $0K  $0K  $1.768M
 Sold Median Price  $65,725  $31K  $0  $0K  $0K  
 Avg. Days on Market (solds)  67  223  N/A  N/A  N/A  
 


SOUTH BEACH (Westport/Grayland/Ocosta) MARKET:

1st-Half 2013
 Homes
Land 
Condos 
Multi-
Family 
Commercial 
Total 
 Current Listings 80 84 21 4 13 202
 Pendings 12 4 3 0 1 20
 Solds 23 15 6 1 0 45
 Sold Volume $2.79M $744K $1.518M $215K $0 $5.267M
 Sold Median Price $90K $36,500 $264,500 $215K $0 
 Avg. Days on Market (solds) 266 477 172 139 N/A 


LONG BEACH PENINSULA (Ilwaco to Surfside Estates) MARKET:


1st-Half 2013
Homes
Land 
Condos 
Multi-
Family 
Commercial 
Total 
 Current Listings 314 308 46 8 31 707
 Pendings 44 8 5 0 0 57
 Solds 108 43 5 1 1 158
 Sold Volume $14.14M $1.415M $757,500 $210K $100K $16.62M
 Sold Median Price $116K $24K $176K $210K $100K 
 Avg. Days on Market (solds) 237 379 1,343 135 18 

NOTE: All of the above data was pulled from the NWMLS and is not guaranteed.

FINANCING NEWS

FHA CHANGES

FHA announced some changes to new FHA Loans as of April 2013:
  • All loans with a loan-to-value of 90% or more (in other words, loans with 10% down or less) are required to carry PMI (Mortgage Insurance) for the life of the loan
  • Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) is increased by .1%

OTHER NEWS

Interest rates have increased to around 4.5-4.75% for a 30-yr fixed rate with 0 points (depending on credit and down payment), but are still very low.  Financing is available through FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Loans to buy primary and secondary/vacation homes in Ocean Shores and the North Beach.


For more help on getting pre-approved/qualified, contact our local lender, Timberland Bank.  You can call Brian Bednarik, the Residential Loan Officer, at 360-591-5772 (cell) or e-mail him at bdbednar@timberlandbank.com.

If you ever have any questions about Area Information and Real Estate in Ocean Shores and the North Beach, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
~ April Swenson

aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777 (cell/text)





Your Beach Destination Awaits You at the #1 Washington Coast Town!

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Ocean Shores Events: Independence Day ~ July 4, 2013


OCEAN SHORES EVENTS/NEWS
 
Celebrate 4th of July on the Beaches of Ocean Shores, WA
 
 
July 4, 2013 ~ Independence Day fell on a Thursday this year and it was packed. We saw beautifully sunny skies, but some wind. Independence Day is one of the greatest and most amazing sites visitors and locals can see along the beaches of Ocean Shores and the North Beach. The beaches are lined with cars and people packing it in as nighttime approaches. The fireworks can be heard as the days lead up to the 4th, but America's birthday brings the most unbelievable sites you will see as the sky is lit up with tons of colorful fireworks. There are personal firework displays one right after the other. The Casino puts on a firework display too. I saw the fireworks from a different vantage point this year...looking at the fireworks shooting off on the Beach behind the hotels (taken from the Downtown Golf Course area on Minard Ave). I was also able to get some great shots overseeing the action on the beach from my Chevy Tahoe. To all of those who have not spent July 4th in Ocean Shores -- you must come out and see it for yourself.

See more pictures and info at http://www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/july4th2013.html

Click on Video Tour to see my video of the Fireworks on the Beach.