Cityofoceanshores.com Newsletter ~ 08.2008

Summertime at the Beach!
Ocean Shores hosts some of the best birding locations on the West Coast with more species per location than possibly anywhere else in Washington. Currently, large flocks of brown pelicans are putting on spectacular displays, diving into the bay and surf along the coast. Hundreds and hundreds of pelicans migrate through our area between June and November and it's not unusual to see flocks of 30 to 40 at a time. If you're not really into watching birds, I'm with you. But these guys, they're cool to watch.Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
Here are some stats I recently pulled from the NWMLS website. All year-to-date (YTD) stats are based from January 1st through August 26th. These numbers do not include pending or contingent status properties. These are sold/closed properties only.

HOME SALES YTD
2008 - 135 sold at an average sales price of $204,357 or $148 per square foot.
2007 - 155 sold at an average sales price of $210,322 or $154 per square foot.
2006 - 174 sold at an average sales price of $204,119 or $152 per square foot.
My summary: average prices seem to be holding okay while the number of transactions is down. No surprises. It's also taking longer to sell: In 2006, it took on average of 125 days to sell your house. In 2007, you needed 173 days and in 2008, it's taking 190 days to sell a house. Another item worthy of mentioning is that out of the 135 homes sold so far this year, 59 of them were built between 2005 and 2008. That's means that almost half of all home sales this year in Ocean Shores were brand new or homes built in the last four years.

LAND SALES YTD
2008 - 143 sold at an average price of $50,966.
2007 - 214 sold at an average price of $56,380.
2006 - 271 sold at an average price of $53,880.
My summary: again, average prices seem to be holding. Land sales are way down and are almost being passed up by home sales for the first time in a long time.

CONDO SALES YTD
2008 - 14 sold at an average sales price of $262,714 or $249 per square foot.
2007 - 30 sold at an average sales price of $170,163 or $194 per square foot.
2006 - 60 sold at an average sales price of $165,729 or $200 per square foot.
My summary: Wow, condo sales are still not good. The average time on the market for 2008 is 413 days to sell. It was 186 days in 2007 and only 93 days back in 2006. Prices are up in 2008 due to a few sales in the high end, ocean front condo market. Other than that, the condo market in Ocean Shores is in trouble.

The Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores
The Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores is a new retail condominium complex that is now pre-selling phase 1 and they've already got commitments for 5 of the 7 units available. Now that's some good news in local real estate and it's not even my listing! This project is an exciting opportunity for Business Owners & Investors to own an affordable high visibility retail unit centrally located in downtown Ocean Shores on Point Brown. This Complex features 7 individual units connected by an extensive boardwalk. All units have metal roofs, bead-board walls & wood floors to create an authentic beach town feel. Want one? Email me. Groundbreaking is happening any day now.

Upcoming Events

Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Arts and Crafts Festival
Friday, September 5 - Sunday, September 7, 2008An end of summer annual event. Visit one of Western Washington's largest indoor & outdoor handmade arts and crafts fair. 1,000's of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free

Paddle the Shores
Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28, 2008North Bay Park, lakes & canals. Attention kayak, canoe, and rowing enthusiasts. All Skill levels are welcome! Human-powered boat activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Race, Poker Paddle, picnic, seminars and the latest in paddling gear at end-of-season prices.

Whale of a Quilt Show
Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5, 2008The Sea-Pal Quilters of Ocean Shores, "Whale of a Quilt Show" offers boutique vendors, handmade quilts, demonstrations, and quilted items. The show is judged and prizes are awarded. Free admission, donations welcome.

Cat Fanciers' Association Cat Show
Saturday, October 25 - Sunday, October 26, 2008
A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout a show hall. 120 W. Chance A La Mer Ave. Ocean Shores, WA 98569

News

New Fire Station Going Up

The Ocean Shores City Council recently approved a storm water system which means the city can develop a construction schedule for a new 20,000 square foot fire station, located south of the current station on Point Brown Avenue. According to fire chief, Jim Hodges, he hopes to start putting in foundation for the fire hall by mid-September and have the project completed sometime in February, if weather permits. The old fire station is garbage because the foundation sits on rotting logs beneath a pit of sand which is causing the ground to sink. The garage floor is mounded, with the center several inches higher than the floor near the wall. The rear wall of the garage has separated away from the building, creating the potential for collapse.A Roundabout at the Angry Intersection?The City Council also recently approved a design recommendation from the Public Works department on a roundabout that will be constructed next year at the intersection of Chance a la Mer Boulevard and Point Brown Avenue. The design will include a 34-foot wide median, a five-foot wide bicycle lane, and 10-foot wide sidewalks. (note the little green donut thing at the top right part of the picture - that's it.)
New Water Coming Soon?
Grays Harbor County Commissioners recently approved taking a $3 million loan to construct a new water system at Hogans Corner, between Hoquiam and Ocean Shores (just outside of Ocean Shores). The project is specifically geared to providing drinking water to existing development in the area as well as spurring on more building, specifically a proposed 542-acre resort and golf course that until recently had been stalled by a state-mandatory building moratorium. "The first line will bring in water to the state park, which will benefit the casino and all of those in Illahee and Oyehut and we're working with the City of Ocean Shores on an agreement for them to purchase water," Commissioner Al Carter said.
Permit Issued to Study Wind & Wave Power of the Coast

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a preliminary permit to grant the Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Co. the exclusive right to conduct a feasibility study for generating power from wind and wave energy on a 28-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast from Ocean Shores to Grayland over the next three years. The permit, issued Friday, does not authorize any construction.
The project foresees as many as 90 260-foot tall steel wind turbines, as well as wave energy converters to convert ocean waves and wind into a renewable source of energy. The project could supply enough energy to power the entire Olympic Peninsula and make Grays Harbor one of the largest producers of renewable energy in the world, according to Burton Hamner, president of Hydrovolts, Inc.-the creator of the Grays Harbor Energy Co. Hamner also said the project has the potential to create numerous jobs within the county because the renewable energy equipment would be manufactured locally.
The feasibility study will seek to find out if the turbines would affect gray whale migration patterns and flight patterns of birds, according to Hamner. Hamner said the study will also examine whether or not the locations of the turbines could limit the areas in which fisherman can fish. Even after the feasibility study is completed, it would take about four years to begin construction, Hamner said. - source - The Daily World

Jeff Daniel
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties1.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free) - 1.360.289.3111 (fax)

PROPERTY SEARCH: http://cityofoceanshores.postlets.com/
PROPERTY SEARCH: http://homepages.com/JeffDaniel/AgentHome.aspx
OCEAN SHORES INFO: http://www.cityofoceanshores.com

OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://oceanshoresrealestate.blogspot.com
OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://activerain.com/jeffgdaniel

Zillow measures homeowners' perception gap

Zillow measures homeowners' perception gap

Just like with most of life's unpleasant realities, the majority of Americans think the nation's housing crisis is something that happens to the other guy.
That's according to a survey of more than 1,300 homeowners conducted by Zillow. Two-thirds of homeowners believe their house has increased in value or remained the same in the last year. Yet, these same folks acknowledge the existence of foreclosures in their neighborhoods and believe that more are on the way.
The results even gave the Zillow people pause.
"We attribute this gap to a combination of inattention and a fair bit of denial that causes people to believe their home is insulated from the woes of the market that affect others, but not them," says Stan Humphries, Zillow's chief of data and analytics.
Zillow, of course, is the website founded by the brains behind Expedia that came on strong more than two years ago with its clever algorithms that assign a "value" to nearly every house in America. Initially, the site was a bit disappointing because, at least in many parts of Southern California, its estimates seemed wildly off the mark.
Since then, reality has caught up with Zillow, if not its homeowner-users. The company's data now appear to be in line with most other research that shows the vast majority of U.S. houses lost value in the last 12 months.
One of the more interesting findings of Zillow's latest survey shows that homeowners in the West seem to have a slightly better grip on the housing reality. More than half -- 56% -- of Western homeowners believe their home value had indeed declined in the last year, versus 38% of homeowners overall. (See the graphic above right.)
Maybe that's because homeowners here are facing a harsher reality. After years of tremendous price appreciation, the stinging face-slap of rapidly depreciating values has brought homeowners to their senses.
-- Annette Haddad
Graphic: courtesy of Zillow
Questions? Comments? Email annette.haddad@latimes.com

California's Discount Foreclosure Sales Point to Housing Bottom

California's Discount Foreclosure Sales Point to Housing Bottom
By Dan Levy and Daniel Taub

July 31 (Bloomberg) -- California led the U.S. into the worst housing recession since the 1930s. Now the most populous state may be the first to find the bottom.
In Stockton, the U.S. metro area with the highest foreclosure rate, home sales more than doubled in the second quarter after prices fell by an average 37 percent, said PMZ Real Estate Corp., the area's largest broker. Across the state, sales rose for three consecutive months starting in April after 30 straight months of declines, the California Association of Realtors said. About 40 percent of those transactions were foreclosure sales, DataQuick Information Systems reported.
``California is having a wrenching decline in wealth, but this is a cathartic event that will lay the foundation for a recovery,'' said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in an interview. ``This signals the beginning of the end.''
Almost $1.3 trillion of homeowner equity was lost in California since home prices peaked in December 2005, Zandi said. Discounts of as much as 50 percent will extend into 2010, helping clear a glut of foreclosures and leading to a more balanced housing market, said Ryan Ratcliff, an economist at the Anderson Forecast at the University of California in Los Angeles, and Christopher Thornberg, principal of Beacon Economics LLC in Los Angeles.
``Half off in a decent neighborhood is close to the bottom,'' said Bill Gross, co-chief investment officer of Newport Beach, California-based Pacific Investment Management Co., manager of the world's biggest bond fund. Property markdowns of 30 percent to 40 percent give the market ``price illumination if not sunshine,'' he said.
`Beginning to Happen'
California led the U.S. in default notices and bank seizures for the 18th straight month in June and had seven of the 10 metro areas with the highest foreclosure rates, according to Irvine, California-based RealtyTrac Inc., which sells default data. That drove down prices and led to ``discounted distressed sales,'' with two-thirds of transactions under $500,000, compared with 40 percent a year earlier, the California Association of Realtors said.
The amount of time it would take to deplete the supply of homes decreased to 7.7 months from 10.2 months a year earlier, and the median price fell 38 percent to $368,250 last month, according to the Realtors.
``Things are beginning to happen,'' said Karl Case, professor of economics at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and co-creator of the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index. ``We're not going to get reestablished in a stable market unless that inventory gets cleared out.''
Birth of Subprime
California led the boom in the U.S. housing market, as prices in the state more than doubled from 2000 to 2005, fueled by historically low interest rates, according to the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors.
As values soared, California gave birth to the subprime mortgage industry that specialized in lending to borrowers with poor or limited credit, who often used them to buy homes they couldn't afford, said Stephen Levy, director of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto.
Subprime products included ``zero-percent'' loans that needed no down payment, adjustable-rate mortgages, known as ``exploding ARMs'' because low interest rates rose after two or three years, and ``Alt-A'' or ``no-doc'' loans requiring no proof of income.
Almost half of the 25 biggest U.S. subprime lenders were based in the state, including New Century Financial Corp. in Irvine and ACC Capital Holdings in Orange, and a quarter of the country's subprime loans were issued there, more than in any other state, according to Inside Mortgage Finance and data from San Francisco-based research firm LoanPerformance.
County Breakdowns
Defaults on those loans began to accelerate in 2006, helping to push California into the lead in foreclosures.
Foreclosure sales accounted for 75 percent of June's total in Merced County, home to the Merced metro area with the country's second-highest foreclosure rate; 72 percent in Stanislaus County, home to the Modesto metro area with the third-highest foreclosure rate; and 66 percent in San Joaquin County, home to Stockton, data from DataQuick in La Jolla, California, and RealtyTrac show.
Sales of foreclosed properties equaled 63 percent of the total in Sacramento County, 62 percent in Riverside County, 58 percent in Solano County, 57 percent in San Bernardino County and 49 percent in Contra Costa County. Prices dropped as much 37 percent in those counties, DataQuick reported.
`Seen the Light'
About 1 million U.S. homes will be in some stage of foreclosure by the end of the year, and properties seized by banks will eventually sell at an average discount of 30 percent to 33 percent, said Rick Sharga, executive vice president for marketing at RealtyTrac.
Discounts will be higher in areas such as Stockton, about 80 miles east of San Francisco in California's agricultural Central Valley, and Riverside, 50 miles east of Los Angeles, that experienced above-average levels of new construction at the peak of the housing boom and where lenders made a disproportionate number of subprime loans, Sharga said.
PMZ, the Stockton-based brokerage, closed 1,707 home transactions in the second quarter, about 80 percent of them foreclosure sales, said Michael Zagaris, the company's president. Foreclosed homes are now getting multiple bids and the supply of homes for sale in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties shrank to 4.9 months in June from 18.2 months a year earlier, he said.
``We've found the bottom,'' Zagaris said. ``The financial institutions have seen the light and are allowing the market to find its own level.''
Loan Values
Bank-owned properties attract investors who can rent out the homes for 10 percent of the purchase price annually, said Sean O'Toole, founder of real estate auction Web site ForeclosureRadar in Discovery Bay, California. ``Those deals are starting to pop up and putting a floor on the market,'' he said.
Bruce Norris, president of the Norris Group investment firm in Riverside, said he purchased foreclosed properties for one- third of the outstanding loan value during the past two months.
Norris bought a three-bedroom home in the Moreno Valley section of Riverside for $106,000, a 65 percent discount on the $300,000 loan held by Bear Stearns Cos., now part of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He got a 61 percent discount on a home with $258,750 in loans held by Deutsche Bank AG, and a 63 percent discount for a home with $324,000 in loans held by Morgan Stanley, he said.
``The banks are stuck wholesaling to people like me,'' Norris said. ``They are starting to move product faster than the market would normally allow.''
Housing Bill
Banks will foreclose on about 700,000 properties with subprime mortgages this year, more than double the number a year ago, Sharga estimated. The increase is prompting overwhelmed banks to hire more workers to process purchase offers.
Executives from Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. in San Francisco told Congress last week that they've accelerated the pace of loan modifications and added personnel to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Wells Fargo, which services one in eight U.S. mortgages, expanded its staff to more than 1,000 from 200 in 2005.
The housing bill signed by President George W. Bush yesterday is intended to stem foreclosures and includes a program backed by the Federal Housing Administration to insure as much as $300 billion in refinanced mortgages, including many subprime loans.
Housing in Stockton and Riverside sprang up during the boom as builders purchased cheap land and potential buyers sought affordable homes away from expensive coastal cities, said Levy at the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy.
Stockton Couple
Inland home values mirrored coastal gains until a wave of ``insane'' subprime and Alt-A mortgages started in 2005 and resulted in record defaults, Levy said.
``All of those markets suffering from higher foreclosures are where prices went too high and leverage was applied too excessively,'' Pimco's Gross said. The housing bill will ``put a floor on certain mortgages'' and help stop price declines, he said.
Homeowners like computer consultant David Imig and his wife, Deborah, who live in the Stockton area and owe more than their house is worth, aren't helped by the bill. They paid $462,000 for a three-bedroom at the market peak in 2005. Now, their neighbor's foreclosed home is on sale for half its original price.
``We're a good $100,000 down,'' Imig said. ``If we could move without taking a huge bath, we would.''
Past Busts
Previous California housing busts had roots in local economic woes and U.S. monetary policy. The state lost 350,000 jobs in the early 1990s, about two-thirds in the aerospace industry, according to the Cato Institute and Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. Home prices tumbled 12 percent. In the early 1980s, existing-home sales dropped 61 percent amid interest rates of more than 14 percent and a national recession, the state Realtors said.
California may rebound more quickly from this decline than regions with fewer delinquencies and vacant homes, according to Zandi of Moody's Economy.com. The foreclosure process is ``more efficient'' than in states such as Florida where courts are involved, and Californians are typically ``more optimistic'' about housing after experiencing busts that were followed by property booms, Zandi said.
``They know it's going to be a good investment five or 10 years down the road,'' Zandi said. ``The fundamentals are good: supply constrained markets with lots of population growth, a solid and diversified economy and important global links'' in Los Angeles and San Francisco, he said.
`Bidding War'
It may take until 2010 for foreclosure sales to work their way out of the system in areas where defaults have soared, said Thornberg of Beacon Economics.
``Those sales are going to have a very large impact on prices for the next year or so until those homes get absorbed by the market,'' he said. ``Housing markets don't bounce, they splat. They hit bottom and they stay there.''
That's good news for buyers like Peggy Thorpe. She outbid seven offers for a foreclosed house in Vallejo, east of San Francisco, and still got a 34 percent discount. It was the sixth time since May she made an offer for a home in foreclosure.
``This time I jumped higher,'' said Thorpe, 43, who works at a vineyard in Napa and paid $190,500 for the three-bedroom home with a loan balance of $289,000. ``There's an extreme bidding war right now.''
To contact the reporters on this story: Dan Levy in San Francisco at dlevy13@bloomberg.net; Daniel Taub in Los Angeles at dtaub@bloomberg.net

Cityofoceanshores.com Newsletter ~ 06.2008

Summertime at the Beach!
Obviously that means the rain is gone. Well, mainly gone. Our dry months are here. Last year, Ocean Shores received only 1.31 inches of rain in July and 1.46 inches in August. Let the dry times roll...


Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
This month, we're focusing on waterfront lots and land in Ocean Shores. Ocean Shores has an estimated 70 miles of waterfront. The peninsula's western shoreline extends southward approximately six miles with sandy public beaches. The southern shoreline runs easterly along the entrance to Grays Harbor with views of Westport, two miles across the entrance to the harbor. The eastern shoreline is primarily a residential area offering eastern and northern views of the Bowerman Basin, the Olympic Mountain range, Mt. Rainier, the cooling towers in Satsop and more.

Ocean Shores boasts 23 miles of freshwater canals and lakes. Duck Lake is stocked and considered one of the best year-round fishing lakes in Western Washington. The lake and canals are power-boat accessible with multiple boat launches and is friendly to waterskiers and swimmers. NO JET SKIS HOWEVER. All of the fresh water in Ocean Shores is excellent for many different boating experiences. A lot of people who live here own kayaks, boats or canoes. Below is a bit of a summary on the current market:


27 Lake Lots on the market in Ocean Shores. Average listing price: $128,420. 341 Days on Market.
18 Lake Lots sold in Ocean Shores during the past 12 months. Average sales price: $115,628. 241 Days on Market.

82 Canal lots on the market in Ocean Shores. Average listing price: $85,849. 351 Days on Market.
43 Canal Lots sold in Ocean Shores during the past 12 months. Average sales price: $65,384. 205 Days on Market.

82 Ocean & Bay front lots on the market in Ocean Shores. Average listing price: $189,765. 331 Days on Market.
15 Ocean & Bay front lots sold in Ocean Shores during the past 12 months. Average sales price: $141,300. 308 Days on Market.

Upcoming Events
4th Annual Ocean Shores Independence Day Picnic - July 3, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: North Bay Park. Admission is free!! Come celebrate the birth of our nation. Bring a blanket and your picnic basket or take advantage of the many food vendors that will be on hand. There will be something fun for all ages at this gala event.
Ride the Smokey Mountain Railroad,
Slide down the Tot-Tanic Slide,
Embark on the Undersea Adventure obstacle course,
Challenge your friends on the Bungee Run,
Try your skill at Bouncy Boxing,
Join the super heroes on the Forces of Fun,
Smaller kids try out the Octopus Obstacle Course,
Challenge the Mutiny Pirate Ship with climbing, sliding and bouncing areas.
Hear numerous local artists perform on the grandstand.
Have fun with roving magicians & clowns.
Or just have a great time observing and visiting.

4th of July & Fire O'er the Water - July 4th
Celebrate Independence Day & stay over for the best fireworks show on the coast at Ocean Shores & Ocean City.

Big Weekend Triathlon & Footfest - July 12-13
The Big Weekend events are scheduled for July 12-13, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The triathlon events include: Swimming in Duck Lake, Biking on the city streets of Ocean Shores peninsula & running on ocean beach and city streets.

Sun & Surf Run - July 25-27
Over 2,000 motorcycles at the Convention Center. Enjoy bonfire, fireworks, motorcycle parades, stunt riders and vendors. www.sunandsurfevent.com

News
New Fireworks Rules
Tourists & residents planning to set off fireworks at the beach next summer will have some stiffer restrictions on where they can do it. The City Council Monday night voted unanimously to amend the city's ordinance on fireworks. The amendment will go into effect in 2009. Under the new amendment, people are restricted from discharging fireworks within city limits, except for between the Marine View Drive Beach Access and the Damon Beach Approach at a minimum of 100 feet west of the dunes. Currently, please stay at least 50 feet away.

The amendment also changed the city's ordinance to reflect state laws on the hours of discharge. It is now legal to discharge fireworks between the hours of noon to 11 p.m. June 28, between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. June 29 through July 3, between 9 a.m. and midnight July 4 and from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. July 5. The ordinance also made it legal to use fireworks from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve until 1 a.m. January 1. The previous city code did not include the New Year's holiday.

Offshore Drilling coming here?
In the Pacific Ocean off Washington state there are salmon, whales and a lot of water. But, apparently, there isn't much oil or natural gas. State officials say they haven't heard a peep from anyone wanting to drill off the coast. Oil and natural gas resources off the Northwest coast are minuscule when compared to Florida and California. A 2001 Interior Department study estimated there might be 2.35 trillion feet of natural gas off Washington and Oregon. The same study estimated there was 180 trillion feet of natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico and 15 trillion feet off California. Several companies oil expressed an interest in exploring deep-sea areas off the Northwest coast in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "There isn't much interest in Washington state," said Dave Norman, the deputy state geologist. "The Washington coast ranks real low in potential - almost near the bottom." Norman said exploratory holes and seismic testing off the coast have never found much, even though oil seeps have been discovered on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula.

Proposed Radar Station of the coast gets a $2 Million Boost
A congressional panel's support for a Doppler radar station on the Washington coast is a "huge start" toward a facility that could help predict the severity of approaching Pacific storms, a University of Washington meteorologist says. "This is a significant amount to get the thing started, but it's not everything," said the UW's Cliff Mass. Mass said he's encouraged by the action, supported by Sen. Maria Cantwell, even though the amount approved is less than half of the $4.5 million that the radar would cost to purchase and install. It could help forecasters, utility crews and emergency workers assess storms heading into Washington. Cantwell and Mass say the radar is necessary because the Olympic Mountains prevent a government radar station on Camano Island from seeing storms approaching over the ocean. The price of an additional radar is small compared to the estimated $1 billion in damage done in Washington by last December's storms.

Jeff Daniel
Designated Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties
749 Point Brown Ave NW/PMB 1568, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
1.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free) - 1.360.289.3111 (fax)
PROPERTY SEARCH: http://homepages.com/JeffDaniel/AgentHome.aspx
OCEAN SHORES INFO: http://www.cityofoceanshores.com/
AGENT INFO: http://www.coldwellbanker.com/for/jeffdaniel
OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://oceanshoresrealestate.blogspot.com/
OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://activerain.com/jeffgdaniel

Cityofoceanshores.com Newsletter ~ 05.2008

Whale Watching from the shores of Ocean Shores
After spending the winter months off Baja California, gray whales make their way north to their feeding grounds in Alaska. The Washington coast off Ocean Shores is filled with prime viewing spots to watch the whales during their spring migration. Some whales hang around and feed as they approach Grays Harbor. The majority of these gray whales will eventually reach their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. By then it will be late June, the peak of Arctic summer.
To watch for a Gray, scan the ocean surface for a spout (a spray of tiny water droplets) from the blowholes on top of the whales head. Then, use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer look. Most gray whales swim within 3 km of shore. While feeding, Grays tend to stay in a small area and follow a simple pattern of breathing and diving. Usually they spout three times at intervals of about 20 seconds while on the surface. Then they sound for two to four minutes to feed, resurfacing to repeat the cycle. A great spot to watch for Grays and the occasional Orca is down at the North Jetty. Sometimes, they get very close to the shore. On two occasions last year, a Gray Whale breached the surface within 50 feet of me and my little kayak. Good thing they don't eat people.




Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
It's supposed to be the end of Spring, but the weather has been so finicky this year. One day it's 80 and sunny, the next is raining and 50. Yuk! This has been affecting the market unfortunately. Anyway, here are some apple to apple comparisons of the Ocean Shores real estate market. Comparisons are from April 1st, 2007 to May 20th, 2007 and then the same time period for 2008.
Residential
4/1/07 - 5/20/07: 32 Sold, Average Square Footage: 1,512 sq ft, Average Price Per Square Foot: $163.15, Average Days on Market: 162, Average Sales Price $235,273.
4/1/08 - 5/20/08: 27 Sold, Average Square Footage: 1,431 sq ft, Average Price Per Square Foot: $135.53, Average Days on Market: 206, Average Sales Price $193,685.
Condos
4/1/07 - 5/20/07: 7 Sold, Average Square Footage: 976 sq ft, Average Price Per Square Foot: $243.51, Average Days on Market: 158, Average Sales Price $240,557.
4/1/08 - 5/20/08: 5 Sold, Average Square Footage: 996 sq ft, Average Price Per Square Foot: $232.35, Average Days on Market: 335, Average Sales Price $246,200.
Land
4/1/07 - 5/20/07: 48 Sold, Average Days on Market: 211, Average Sales Price $50,319
4/1/07 - 5/20/07: 36 Sold, Average Days on Market: 271, Average Sales Price $40,860


Conclusion: It's ugly! Sales are still slow out here on the beach. But, here's a few good excuses on why this is: the weather has for the most part been horrible this Spring (feels like winter most of the time). I thought this planet was heating up? Throw in the mix of record high gas prices and the uncertainty of the upcoming presidential election and things are just a mess. Even though numbers are down, if the property is priced right (and of course marketed properly), it will sell. Buyers are looking for deals out here. New construction is doing very well. Everyone is predicting the market to dramatically heat up during the summer. Overall, real estate values are a function of supply and demand. More and more people are still just discovering Ocean Shores and as they do, they tend to fall in love with this place and buy... All numbers & stats are from the NWMLS. If you have any questions regarding these numbers or activity in the real estate market, please call Jeff Daniel of Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties at 360.581.9020. Thanks!

Upcoming Events

Kite Challenge, Flag Day Parade & Dance, June 14-15
Kite fliers from around the world gather for competitions, activities and kite displays at Ocean Shores Convention Center, Ocean Shores; admission is free, 360.289.0667. A full day of activities! The Kite Challenge is sponsored by "Team Cutting Edge Kites" - 2005 and 2006 World Champions. Free kite flying lessons, stunt competitions, fun flies, displays and more. Also, honor our nation's flag with an old fashioned parade. Over 50 entrants parade through the streets of downtown. Dance to live music from 7-11 p.m. at the Convention Center.
Five Star Dealerships Sand & Sawdust, June 27 - 29
Master woodcarvers from all over the world compete. Auctions held daily. Saturday families and artists compete on the beach for the best sand sculpture. Free sand-sculpting lessons given on Friday.
4th of July Picnic & Fire O'er the Water, July 3 - 4
Celebrate Independence Day on July 3rd at our Community Picnic. Enjoy games, prizes, food, and fun. Stay over for the best fireworks show on the coast at Ocean City.
News

* Ocean Shores Liquor Store Now open 7 Days a Week
After this week's election for a new mayor and two new city council positions, the results are somewhat in and Dean Bunkers will be Ocean Shores' new full-time mayor. Meanwhile, vote totals for the two council positions are too close to call.
* Final Clam Dig of the Season!
Clam enthusiasts have received the go-ahead to proceed with a final razor clam dig May 24, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches were approved for the one-day morning dig after marine toxin tests showed the clams were safe to eat. Low tide at the beaches will be 9:58 a.m., at 0.5 feet. No digging will be allowed after noon. No digging will be allowed at Long Beach, where the state's annual allowable catch has been reached. Kalaloch Beach remains closed to harvest. Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said "WDFW is able to offer one more dig at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks because there are sufficient clams remaining in the total allowable catch for those beaches. Even though digging was excellent during our early May opener, the digger turnout was lower than expected, leaving enough clams for a last dig." Ayres said. "This is the first time in two decades that WDFW has been able to offer a razor clam opener this late in the spring. Ayres reminded people they must keep the first 15 clams they dig and not return any to the beach.
* Surf Fishermen Pulled Down by Rip Tide
A surf fisherman who was apparently pulled down by a rip tide near Ocean Shores has died. The Grays Harbor County sheriff's office says the 62-year-old Olympia man, Dae W. Rhim, was fishing Friday near the Roosevelt Beach approach when his wife, who was watching from shore, saw him go under. He was pulled out of the surf by a passer-by and died on the way to a hospital. Two people have already died this year on the Washington coast in rip tides. Ocean Shores Deputy Police Chief Russ Fitts says a simple safety rule for waders to follow is, "Ankles OK, knees no way".
* Ocean Shores Liquor Store Now open 7 Days a Week
Just in case you wanted to know...


Jeff Daniel
Designated Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties
749 Point Brown Ave NW/PMB 1568, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
1.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free) - 1.360.289.3111 (fax)
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OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://oceanshoresrealestate.blogspot.com
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347 Canal Dr NE Ocean Shores, WA 98569

Jeff Daniel | Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties | jeffgdaniel@hotmail.com | 360.581.9020 347 Canal Dr NE, Ocean Shores, WA Custom Waterfront Home is featured in the Master Builders Tour of Homes 2008. 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $349,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 1,852 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 9,000 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Winner! This Custom Waterfront Home is being featured in the Master Builders Tour of Homes 2008 and it can be yours! Open-concept floor plan, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, central vac, dock, tons of decking, massive upgrades & more! Luxury & affordability is here & now. This is the dream home you've always wanted. Location is excellent: on the grand canal, next to the golf course and just a minute from the beach. Another exciting brand new home from the award-winning Custom Builders NW! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Living room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Stainless steel appliances Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking Clubhouse Swimming pool(s) Sauna/Spa Tennis court(s) Golf course Lake Playground ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Jeff Daniel Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties jeffgdaniel@hotmail.com 360.581.9020 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: May 15, 2008, 10:40am PDT

1472 Tradewind Ave SW Ocean Shores, WA 98569

Jeff Daniel | Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties | jeffgdaniel@hotmail.com | 360.581.9020 1472 Tradewind Ave SW , Ocean Shores, WA Gorgeous Jetty/Ocean View Home!!! 3BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $349,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 1,752 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,250 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Brand New Construction! Gorgeous Jetty/Ocean View Home under construction & will be completed in June. Fantastic & Forever Views of the Pacific Ocean, the Jetty, Westport, Ships in the Harbor & all the marine wildlife you can handle. Open concept design, stone fireplace, real hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, decks on front & back, huge kitchen, an oversized garage and plenty of room outside for you rv or toys. Another brand new home from the award-winning Custom Builders NW! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Stainless steel appliances Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking Covered parking Guest parking Clubhouse Fitness center Swimming pool(s) Tennis court(s) Golf course Lake Playground ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Jeff Daniel Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties jeffgdaniel@hotmail.com 360.581.9020 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: May 15, 2008, 10:42am PDT