About Everett's North Everett Historical District

A local doctor and his family purchased a small 50 year old home perched on an Everett bluff. As the family grew they found that the 1400 sq. foot home would no longer serve their growing family needs. They learned that remodeling wasn't feasible; so it would have to be a "tear down" so they could rebuild on the beautiful lot. They felt like it was a waste to destroy a historical home that had sat there for 50 years. So they contacted a Canadian Company that opened an office in Everett to buy the home. This company specializes in moving houses and other super-sized loads. The home had good bones and curb appeal and charm so it made sense for the company to buy it and relocate it.

The owner of the moving company usually buys a home for a silver dollar minted the year the house was built. A post-World War II shortage on silver, however, had him improvising on the 1950's house. He handed the owners two 50-cent pieces and a silver dollar from another year, and shook hands. He saved the owners over $15,000 in demolition costs by hauling away their home.

It wasn't an easy task, loading the home on a flat bed, running it through narrow city streets, trying to avoid electrical wires and stop lights. Moving it a few miles across town took over two hours. It finally made it's way on to Puget Sound sailing a few miles to Hat Island - a vacation get-away that is only reachable by boat.

Meanwhile a local attorney and her policeman husband was looking for an "island get-a-way cottage" for their weekends they decided to buy a "recycled home". They were able to purchase the home that was moved from the Everett Historical District and placed on Hat Island.

What a wonderful story to salvage a piece of Everett history and have another family enjoy it.

So instead of getting the bull dozer ready, think of recycling! It just might make someone else happy.

For all your Snohomish County real estate needs visit my web site or call Karen Schweinfurth, 425-308-3669.

I went to my first real estate auction today in Snohomish County. It took place, right outside in the rain and cold weather just north of the courthouse. There were 3 auctioneers with a list of homes to auction off. The first guy had 3 properties, the second had none but was making public announcements and the third had 5-10. I only saw 2 properties that were actually bought by someone at the auction for $1 over the reserve amount.

When I returned back to the office I looked up the properties on the MLS. The 2 properties that were sold were average deals, nothing to write home about. A good agent who knows what they were doing would be able to accomplish the same thing for their buyer with a regular home on the MLS. From what I saw today, most of the properties that were auction off, were not a good value.

I ended up talking at length with one of the auctioneers during one of the many breaks and he was telling a number of horror stories on what can happen to someone who has never done this before. He's seen someone who failed to do their homework and ended up buying a condemned building. He has also seen someone buy a 2^nd for $40,000 only to find out the following week that the first was sold for the amount owed. This buyer managed to lose $40,000 in one week by not doing their homework, an expensive lesson to learn.

I'm not 100% sold on the idea of buying a property at auction. There are no guarantees on the condition, if its vacant and what is on title. I'm planning to continue with my research but as of now, I won't be jumping in and buying any property at auction.