Beach Updates
Vertical rain, 70 mph wind and 30-foot swells don't sound much like visitor attractions, but Washington coast storm watching is the thing to do out here on the beach during the winter months. I think I said the same thing last year, but this is the time of the year out here on the beach that can be really cool! Last weekend, there were hundreds of people visiting just to check out the monster waves hitting the North Jetty and all the beaches for that matter. Dozens of ferocious storms typically batter our coast between November and March. January and February traditionally deliver the most wicked weather. The wintertime storms in Ocean Shores are awesome to watch and experience. Watching Mother Nature do her thing is truly a spectacular site. If you can, make your way down to the North Jetty next time we get a good winter storm. This is really one of my favorite times of the year out here on the beach.
Roundabout / Traffic Updates
Well, it's finally starting to look like a roundabout at the intersection of Chance A La Mer & Point Brown Avenue, but it's still a huge mess that was supposed to have been completed by now. I'd give it another month before they're done. Avoid it if you can. When they finally do complete it, be aware of drivers looking all around like they're scared to enter - those will be the ones causing the wrecks, etc. The Washington State Department of Licensing has a website dedicated to showing people how to actually drive in a roundabout if you can believe that. Click "HERE." If you know someone who can't drive well (like most people who live out here), please share this link with them...
Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
It's been pretty steady out here on the beach. A lot of homes closed in October as a result of a really busy August/September. Sales will slow down now as the rain season hits. The bigger news is on the state/national level in which sales are still strong and new additional incentives have been put on the table to entice buyers to buy now.
Great News for Washington Homebuyers!
President Obama recently signed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 that greatly expands the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit by making more first time homebuyers eligible for the credit and now includes homebuyers that are not first time homebuyers. The new law has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. It also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.
First Time Homebuyers
The current law is extended until April 30, 2010. Buyers have until that date to have a signed purchase agreement. There is an additional 60 day grace period to complete the financing. More first time homebuyers are eligible because the new law raises the annual income limits from $75,000 to $125,000 for singles and from $150,000 to $225,000 for married couples.
Current Home Owners
Over 60 percent of current home owners will be eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they purchase a home by April 30, 2010. These homebuyers must have lived in their home for five consecutive years over the previous eight years to qualify. Qualified homebuyers can get the credit if they purchase a home for $800,000 or less as their primary residence between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. The income limits are the same as the First Time Homebuyer listed above.
Please see the links below for details regarding the new legislation:
Frequently asked questions regarding the new Homebuyer Tax Credit.
Here's the I.R.S. rules regarding the new law
This new law seems like it could also apply to a large number of buyers looking to buy a getaway home or condo at the beach that would be willing to call their new condo or home their primary residence and then possibly use their current home as their second home. But before we get too carried away, please contact your accountant or CPA for advice about this... then call me.
October Home Sales
Sales jumped big time in October and this is the fourth straight month in a row that we've seen an increase in home sales at the beach. 24 houses sold in October, compared to 16 houses in September. Average sales price dipped down to $148,270 (factor in 7 fixers that were unloaded for under $90,000 each). There are currently 25 homes pending in Ocean Shores right now - down from 39 homes pending last month. Sales will slow down now a little bit as they usually do during the winter.
There's only 202 homes on the market right versus 215 homes on the market last month. Home inventory is still shrinking which will likely cause prices to start creeping up. Average price is $225,552.
October Vacant Lot Sales
11 Lot sold in October. 11 sold in September too. Average selling price was $37,091. The cheapest one was $16,000 and the most expensive was $79,900. Average time on the market was only 260 days (up from 209 last month). There are currently 11 lots that are pending around town... There's 528 lots on the market right now versus 551 lots on the market this time last month.
October Condo Sales
Two condos closed during October at the beach which is a dip in sales from 2 sold last month. Average price was $117,750 up from $88,833 in September. Still good news in condo sales is that there are currently 4 of them pending right now. There are 97 condos on the market in Ocean Shores right now.
Image from:
http://oceanshoresrealestate....
Dreamscape Condos - Only twelve units are left and are now being offered as Short Sales ~ meaning that the owners are now offering them for less than what is owed to the bank. This is a great opportunity that will not last. "Here's More Info."
BrandNewBeachHomes.com is a real estate blog about new homes and new construction out at the beach. Take a look!
If you have any questions regarding Ocean Shores/North Coast Real Estate, call Jeff Daniel of Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties at 360.581.9020 or visit my website at www.cityofoceanshores.com. Thanks! All real estate numbers and stats apply to the Ocean Shores real estate market. All statistics are supplied from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
Upcoming Events
Winter Fanta-Sea
November 27-29, 2009
Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids as Santa will be there to listen to all of their Christmas wishes.
North Beach Singers Christmas Cantata
December 11 - 12, 2009
Now at Faith Community Church - 240 Canal Drive. The North Beach Singers present Yuletide favorites to warm your heart, delight your senses, and welcome the Holiday Season. Admission is free, canned food donations appreciated and help support the local food bank.
Antique & Collectible Show
February 13-14, 2009
The 8th Annual Ocean Shores Antique & Collectible Show will take place February 13th and 14th, 2010 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Join them along with over 60 vendors for Valentine's Weekend !
click the logo and be a fan of Ocean Shores Real Estate
Razor Clam Season Tentatively set to Open at 5 Beaches
Image from:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MR...
View image on Bing
Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with an evening razor-clam dig starting Saturday, Nov. 14. Tentative dates have also been announced for upcoming digs in December and January.
Digs at all beaches will be held on evening tides, with digging restricted to the hours between noon and midnight. The National Park Service approved the one-day dig at Kalaloch Beach, located within Olympic National Park, to coincide with those at the other beaches.
Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, advises clam diggers to check weather and surf forecasts before heading out.
"With the rough weather we had during the last opener, digging dropped off significantly as people played it safe," Ayres said. "On the plus side, there's likely enough clams remaining in the quota to offer more digs later."
Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.
Digging days and tides are:
Saturday, Nov. 14 (4:34 p.m. -0.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Sunday, Nov. 15 (5:21 p.m. -0.7 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Monday, Nov. 16 (6:05 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2009 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
Additional digging days and tides tentatively scheduled through Jan. 3 are:
Wednesday, Dec. 2 (6:32 p.m. -1.2 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors
Thursday, Dec. 3 (7:18 p.m. -1.4 ft.) Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Friday, Dec. 4 (8:04 p.m. -1.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Saturday, Dec. 5 (8:51 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Thursday, Dec. 31 (6:16 p.m. -1.1 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Friday, Jan. 1 (7:01 p.m. -1.8 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Saturday, Jan. 2 (7:45 p.m. -1.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Sunday, Jan. 3 (8:29 p.m. -1.2 ft.) Twin Harbors
Beaches scheduled to open are:
- Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
- Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
- Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
- Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
- Kalaloch Beach, which extends from the South Beach Campground to Brown's Point (just south of Beach Trail 3) in the Olympic National Park.
Razor Clam Logo Contest
If this is your cup of chowder, the Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce is having a new logo contest for the 2010 Razor Clam Festival. Entries will be accepted until December 31st, and can be mailed to PO Box 382, OS or dropped at the Chamber's office located at 873 Pt Brown Ave NW. The winner gets a cash prize of $250 and will see their work on all of the festival's marketing material celebrating the 2010 event. For more info, call the chamber at 360.289.2451.
Beach News
This is where I've been getting mine lately:
Jeff Daniel
Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties Cell Phone: 360.581.9020
749 Point Brown Ave NW PMB 1568, Ocean Shores, WA 98569 360.289.3111 (fax
