Tuesday, November 04, 2008

cityofoceanshores.com newsletter 10.2008

Fall Time
The weather during the month of October has been so nice and warm out here on the beach lately. Guess that makes up for our not-so-nice summer this past year. These are the months that I really enjoy because the tourists are pretty much gone, the weather is actually nicer and I have the beach all to myself! Not really, but at least it doesn't look like a parking lot out there anymore.
Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
Sales are down. You knew that right? If you do, then you also know that this is the type of Real Estate market that a year from now everybody is going to say, "I wish I had bought back then." All the factors are lining up. Now is the time to buy. Just consider the following:
* Interest rates are dropping below 6% on residential mortgage loans.
* Lenders are all telling me that there is money available with five percent down or less.
* Buyers need to have steady employment and a reasonable credit rating.
* Home inventories are being absorbed - meaning that there are less homes to choose from these days.

As inventories shrink, and borrowing becomes affordable, sales will increase and values will again increase. Are the buyers who buy over the next year likely to be buying at the bottom of the market and benefit from excellent appreciation? Every indication that I see says yes. Now is the time to buy.

Dreamscape Condos Open House!
I though this was worth sharing. At an open house at the Dreamscape Condos last Saturday, a nice couple from the Seattle area were checking out the condos and enjoying the view of the Pacific and Westport when three whales all breached the water just in front of the condos and put on a little show for everyone. How cool is that?
Email or call me at 360.581.9020 for more info regarding Dreamscape Condos today!

Upcoming Events

Clam Digging!
2008 Clam dig schedule (Tentative) To confirm, please visit: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish.html
November - 13th (6:27 pm -1.6), 14th (7:15 pm -1.8), 15th (8:04 pm -1.6), 16th (8:54 pm -1.2).
December -11th (5:23 pm -1.1), 12th (6:13 pm -1.5), 13th (7:02 pm -1.6), 14th (7:50 pm -1.4)

Dixieland Jazz Festival
Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9, 2008Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 100 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores.
Winter Fanta-Sea Arts & Crafts Show
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2008Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.
North Beach Singers Christmas Cantata

December 12-13। The North Beach Singers present Yuletide favorites to bring in the holiday season. Admission is free.

10 Things About Ocean Shores You Probably Don't Know (Unless You Live Here)
1. Deer are everywhere. They cross the streets without looking. They stand around and hangout everywhere - the beach, your front yard, the side of the road.... everywhere. Seeing two or three deer grazing on the side of the road is no big deal. Seeing a big three point buck grazing on a vacant lot is normal. They have the right-of-way. Oh, the deer aren't really afraid of people or cars either. I've had them eat an apple and some Doritos out of my hand before. No, you can't take one home.
2. When it rains here, the rain comes down at an angle most of the time - sometimes sideways.
3. There are 23 miles of interconnecting freshwater lakes and canals in Ocean Shores. Fishing, boating, waterskiing, playing and just flat out relaxing is all encouraged. Where else can you have a lot or a house on freshwater with a dock and then be only a minute from the beach?

4. The bumpy roads are disappearing... Every inch of every road in Ocean Shores has either already been replaced with brand new asphalt or it will be soon. By the spring of 2010, the city will have completely repaved Ocean Shores.
5. The beach here is actually classified as a State Highway where the speed limit of 25 mph is strictly enforced. No dirt bikes or quads, but your car is just fine. Stay out of the soft sand unless you want to get stuck. Donuts in the sand are a no-no!
6. When it's really, really nice in the Puget Sound area (like in the upper '80s and up), it's very likely that for a good part of the day, Ocean Shores will be fogged out (the hot air mixing with the cold ocean water). And on the other hand, when it's crappy in the Puget Sound, there's a good chance it's nice here. Typically, our nicest (warmest) weather is in the months of May, June, September and October.
7. Nearly every home and camping lot has a campfire pit on it. Campfires are welcome year 'round. Most people keep them in the backyard.
8. Its crazy with wildlife here. Forget the deer - they're pretty much domesticated. It's the raccoons, possums, bear, rabbits, beavers, otters, eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, blue heron, seagulls, ducks, geese, pelicans, seals, sea lions, whales, porpoises and the occasional shark that are all eye candy.
9. It rarely ever floods here. When it rains heavy (mainly during the winter months), most of the water runoff ends up in the canals and lakes. That water level is controlled by a man-made overflow at the sound end of the Grand Canal. When the canal water level exceeds the height of the overflow, freshwater then spills into Grays Harbor. This can also be reversed when we have an extreme high tide and ocean water can enter the canal and lake system.
10. This is a great place to raise a family. There's the new elementary school, its safe here, there are tons of free outdoor activities and plenty of organizations for children to get involved with. More than anything, even though Ocean Shores is Washington's most visited seaside destination, this small town is perfect for raising a kid.
News
News at the beach is slow. With the exception of the ongoing Weatherwax property debate, the city's budget woes and some knucklehead who tried to set himself on fire, we're all busy watching the elections. Maybe next month.

Jeff दानिएल
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach


1.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free) - 1.360.289.3111 (fax)