San Juan Island, WA

One of my current home sales is in the Cape San Juan community on San Juan Island. When my husband first introduced me to the island, this was one of my favorite areas of the island. It's been awhile since I've spent much time at the south end, but I remember the draw. The Cape San Juan community is at the southern tip of San Juan Island and looks over Cattle Pass to Lopez Island and you look out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca making it a beautiful drive.

The community itself is unique in that it offers a private marina (homeowners only) and boat launch, a community swimming pool, and private, no bank, sandy beaches, The community has an established, organized homeowners association, Cape San Juan Homeowners Association, and earned its Firewise certification in 2007. The community is serviced by a private, community water system. The community members, or "Capers", organize several events throughout the year including a Salmon BBQ, Cookie exchange, Potlucks, Pancake Brunch, and community clean up day.

If you can't get enough in the community itself you're within walking distance to some of the most stunning beaches and trail systems the San Juan Islands has to offer. You can walk to the Cattle Point Interpretive area, the Cattle Point Lighthouse, South Beach, Fourth of July Beach, Jakle's Lagoon, and American Camp National Park. Visit the San Juan Islands Trails Committee page for details about the trails at the south end of San Juan Island.

On my various visits out to the Cape I have taken my 4-year old son. On our way home we have enjoyed several afternoons and evenings exploring the beaches, building driftwood forts, tossing rocks, and watching the boats. It is a beautiful area with scenery that never grows old. If you're considering a home on San Juan Island you might explore the Cape San Juan community!

We're getting ready for that big summer push here on the island. Regardless of the increasing ferry fares, the tourists and vacationers look to be returning for yet another season. My husband runs a vacation rental management business, www.sanjuanpm.com , and bookings are looking good for yet another record season! The restaurants, variety of retail shops, and the kayak and whale watching businesses are all in full gear. The question many of us have is how will this affect our real estate market?

There's no question that the San Juan Island market is different from your mainland suburbia. Limited, pristine land and stunning waterfront can make a place stand out not to mention the tranquil setting offered to boaters and kayakers. I continue to love every minute I'm here on the island and I think we'll continue to see that from others...in strong numbers. It's true, our first quarter sales volume is down a solid 40% in 2008 compared to last year. Do I think our second quarter will be down as well? Yes, indeed. But I think that our market will suffer a softer blow compared to our Seattle metro market.

Who wouldn't want to be a buyer in this market? We have record listing inventories and certainly some motivated sellers and good buys. No, do not expect to come in and pick up a waterfront home for pennies on the dollar. There are reasonable values out there with solid investment potential. Although not a lot compared to years past, San Juan Island does have a wide price gamut of properties currently under contract - single family residences ranging from $185,000 up to $3,950,000.

There is something here for everyone. As baby boomers continue to look for second homes, investments and retirement properties I think its safe to say that the San Juan Island real estate market will continue to be a solid market to invest in and I think this summer, more then ever, we'll see people realize the value and concur that there isn't a better time to buy in the islands then now!