Mountain
Issue 16
April 2015

Community 
News

Featured Article 

  

 

Ask the Home Inspector Spring 2015

by   Bruce Klassen, WIN Home Inspection of Whidbey & Fidalgo Islands  | Apr 12, 2015
  

To save time and avoid delays in the transaction process, sellers should identify and provide clear access to all electric panels, attics, and crawl space access points. Here is a list that may be helpful for you in preparing your client for an inspection.

Many of these items can be done at little or no cost and are part of a regular maintenance program for any home. When a home seller is aware of the things they can do to prepare their home for an inspection, it's certain to help make it a smooth experience for all involved. 

Bruce Klassen

Bruce Klassen has been the Owner/Inspector of WIN Home Inspection of Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands for over 18 years. He provides home and commercial building inspections for buyers and sellers, and specialized inspections, including infrared thermal imaging and structural pest inspections. He can be reached 360-321-4303 or via email at [email protected]. 

Sellers' Preparation Checklist

Download a PDF version of the Seller's Preparation Checklist 

HOUSE EXTERIOR

  • Remove soil or mulch from contact with siding. Six or more inches of clearance is best.
  • Clean out dirty gutters and any debris from the roof.
  • Check to make sure all water from downspouts, sump pump, condensation and basement entry drains is diverted away from the house.
  • Trim trees, roots, and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding and chimney.

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 Area Events 

Courtesy of White Pass Scenic Byway

 

Packwood Mountain Festival
Downtown Packwood

May 1-3

This annual event is a celebration of mountain culture, heritage, crafts and customs, including Native American heritage. Packwood and surrounding history will be featured. The event is presented by the White Pass Country Historical Society and Museum. For information, call 360-494-4007.

 

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Junior
The Roxy Theater in Morton       

May 8, 15 at 7 p.m.;  May 10, 17 at 2 p.m.

Ronald Dahl's Willy Wonka Junior is the timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir.  Watch as young actors bring this tale to chocolate-covered life.

 

Packwood Flea Market  

Downtown Packwood

May 22-25

This bi-annual event turns the town of Packwood into a huge flea market, one of the largest in the Western US. Hundreds of vendors sell antiques, novelties, clothing, and all kinds of household and decorative items. Tools, toys, and extraordinary finds abound! Come join the fun!

 

Kid's Fishing Derby at Lake Scanewa  

Lake Scanewa

June 6

Every Spring for the last 21+ years, Lewis PUD and a host of community volunteers have hosted the local Kids Fishing Derby on Lake Scanewa.  Each morning of the derby hundreds of eager youngsters flip a line into the water in hopes of catching "the big one."  Throughout the day hundreds of fish are caught with the biggest trout weighing in at about 8 pounds.  There are various competitions throughout the day for everyone to participate in.  Kids can have their faces painted, learn how to clean fish, and participate in a number of mini-games around the area

 

Mossyrock Blueberry Festival 

Downtown Mossyrock

July 31 - August 2

Take a day to slow down and enjoy Mossyrock's small town flavor. This summer festival hosts free music on the lawn in the middle of town, a genuine home town parade, pie eating contest, quilt show, a great old car show and more! Don't miss our public market, a regular Saturday event! Take home local blueberries and sample what our country chefs and bakers can do with them!

 

 

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

The Roxy Theater in Morton

August 1, 4, 5, 8 at 7 p.m. and August 2, 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Presented by Centralia College East with Fire Mountain Arts Council, it's Oklahoma! -- Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, setting standards still followed in musical theatre. Amidst the high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys, two headstrong romantics, Curly and Laurey, find love's journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road.  A revival of the first Centralia College East Summer Musical (1987).

 

Morton Logger's Jubilee  

Morton

August 6-9
The 73rd Annual Loggers' Jubilee has become "the Granddaddy of all Logging Shows" and a celebration for people of all ages. From the Main Street Parades to the Lawnmower Races, the world famous Logging shows to the Jubilee Queen Coronation, Morton's Loggers' Jubilee promises a good time for all.

 

INFORMATIVE WEBSITES FOR PACKWOOD AND EAST LEWIS COUNTY

 

Destination Packwood

 

White Pass Scenic Byway


 
        Featured Properties         

 
$68,500
Riverfront Dream Getaway! This beautiful 5 acre parcel with 285' private frontage on the Cowlitz River.  This property is set up for recreational use. Gated development with two RV pads on the property with power and water. The septic is installed and currently in use.  This property as buildable with set back requirements in place.

 

$144,950
Quaint modified A- frame two bedroom,  1 3/4 bath. The living room and bonus room both have cozy wood stoves. Home has a loft area for extra sleeping or living space. The large dining area includes an eating bar that faces the compact kitchen. The laundry room opens to a large deck with a fully fenced back yard.  Storage shed and one a detached one car garage give extra storage.
 

 

  $84,000

Fun Ski and/or Summer Get Away Cabin in Skate Creek Terrace. Great Neighborhood, accessible year round. Both Mt. Rainier and White Pass Ski Resort both within 20 miles.

 

 

 

 

$148,000

Turnkey ready for your vacation getaway spot or full time living. Quiet cul-de-sac in Skate Creek Terrace about 2 miles from charming town of Packwood. Propane & wood stoves for heat. Nice deck with view through evergreens to Cascade foothills. Unique architectural details with exposed beams, unusual glass and ceiling angles. Roadside privacy fence and back fenced for pets. just minutes to White Pass Ski Area & Mt. Rainier National Park. Large storage shed. Third sleeping area in enclosed loft. 

 

 

Community News is brought to you by: 

Windermere Mountain Valley Real Estate
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13068 Hwy 12
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Broker's Byline         

 

Every now and then, a national survey is applicable to our little corner of the world.  This month, the National Association of Realtors published a great paper on the recent patterns of home buying which included primary residences, vacation properties and investment properties.  I am sharing some of this with you as I find the trends very encouraging for our predominately vacation property niche market.  The full report is titled "2015 NAR Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey".  The following information is quoted from the report.  If you would like a copy of the full nine-page survey, please contact me and I'll e-mail you a PDF copy.


 * 68% of vacation property  purchases were sold to people with income of $75,000+


 * Median income for  vacation purchasers was $94,380 compared to $79,950 for primary residences


* 58% had two incomes, 36% had one income


* 70% used mortgage financing with 48% of those putting at least 30% down
 

* 35% of vacation home purchases were in small towns and/or rural areas


* 36% of vacation home purchases were in country or mountain locations


 * The median square footage for vacation home properties was 1500 s.f.


* Median miles from primary residence was 200 compared to investment properties at 24 miles
 

* Share of home sales was up by 8% for vacation homes, down by 7% for primary residences, and down 1% for investment properties


* 57% more people bought vacation homes last year than bought primary residences


* Median sales price for vacation homes was down 11% to $150,000 reflecting 45% of those homes were either in foreclosure or short sales


All of these facts add up to an optimistic outlook for sales this summer.  We usually find ourselves six months to a year behind the national trends.  We are prepared with some lovely inventory, reasonable prices, and ready sellers.   If you'd like a market analysis for your property, just give us a call.

 

Maree

 

 
Foundation News      

Windermere Foundation 2014 Year in Review

Posted in Foundation

by Christine Wood
 

This past year, the Windermere Foundation had a milestone anniversary, celebrating 25 years of supporting programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children's programs, emergency assistance, and other services to low-income and homeless families. What started in 1989 as a grassroots foundation serving families in need in Washington State, has grown to encompass ten states and raised over $28 million-bringing us closer to reaching our fundraising goal of $30 million by the end of 2015.

It was a busy year for our Windermere agents and offices, whose participation and contributions make our funding possible. Here are some highlights from the past year...

Charity Challenge: We kicked off our anniversary celebration in March with the Windermere Foundation 25th Anniversary Charity Challenge. Twenty-one non-profit organizations were nominated by Windermere offices to compete via Facebook for $25,000. Almost 19,000 people voted to help determine the winners. The five non-profits that received the most votes were Hand in Hand, Friends of the Children of Portland, Family Promise of Spokane, Boys and Girls Club of El Sobrante, and Yavapai CASA for Kids, Inc. Each organization received $25,000, for a total donation of $125,000 from the Windermere Foundation.

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Office Roster

 

Maree Lerchen
Designated Broker
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Lisa Davis
Broker Agent
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John Sanders
Broker Agent
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Sally van Boheemen
Broker Agent
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Lisa Morehead
Office Administrator