THE WAY I SEE IT.

INSPIRATION FOUND IN THE JOURNEY OF OTHERS

2012-01-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

For the last month I have been following a blog belonging to an Antarctic explorer by the name of Dixie Dansercoer of Belgium. The homepage of their site reads, "Antarctic Ice Expedition, Exploring the Limits, Propelled by the Wind." When I start up my computer each morning it is the very first thing I look at wondering what went on in their world while I was asleep. As of today he and his co-explorer Sam Deltour, also of Belgium, are 47 days into a trek across the Antarctic using only the power of the wind harnessed by kites for transport. The photo to the left, though not from their most recent adventure does give you a sense of what they are capable of!

You are wondering how this relates to the Oregon Coast, right? Put simply, I would not know of Dixie at this moment if I did not live on the Oregon Coast. He and his family choose to spend part of the year in our area rejuvenating, relaxing, playing, training, writing books and of course taking in the scenery. You never know who you are going to meet around here! If you find yourself with some free time and are interested in what his incredible journey entails visit his blog http://www.antarcticice.be/news.aspx.

Once to the site if you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on the lower left corner where it says "older posts" you can start at the very beginning. I highly recommend taking the time to read all entries to date. I have found much joy and inspiration in their words and experiences. I would also suggest you take the time to read about both of the explorers and their intended mission, as it adds quite a bit of depth to the blog knowing more about who they really are. These are truly amazing people doing exactly what they are meant to be doing! I am seeing things a little differently because of modern day explorers, Dixie and Sam. I hope you will enjoy reading the blog as much as I do!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE OREGON COAST!

2011-12-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

As of December 24 here in the Pacific NW we had only received .10 inches of rain. We were on track to break a record set in 1876 for the driest December. As of December 25 this possibility has become less likely -- A succession of storms are heading our way over the next five to seven days. The winds gusted to near 70 mph briefly early this morning and in the last 24 hours we have picked up .20 of an inch of rain. Welcome back Pacific NW Winter!

Dry, sunny weather on the Oregon Coast in December is something to cherish. If you were here and able to be outdoors, you know what I am talking about. There have been 22 visible sunsets out of 25 days so far in December. That is likely more than we see in an entire Summer! And on top of that, while sun on the North Oregon Coast is typically associated with North wind, the sun we have enjoyed over the last month, or so was not accompanied by wind from any direction. Many days Netarts Bay looked like a mirror. So, the purpose of this Christmas Day blog post is to share a few of the amazing sunsets I have experienced during the most beautiful December in memory. I am very grateful to live in such an amazing place and believe I would be acting selfishly if I did not share them with others!

Taken on the beach in Oceanside just as the sun dropped into the ocean.

Somebodys trash was my treasure tonight! Taken from the staircase at the end of Crab Avenue.

Taken from the bank of Netarts Bay just after sunset.

A beautiful sunset reflection near the creek at Happy Camp.

Foam created by heaving surf on the beach in Oceanside.

A trail of bubbles leading to another fantastic sunset in Oceanside.

Clear nights and days also means morning fog and cold temperatures. Just as beautiful as a sunset.

Is it a painting, or a photograph? Nature does something to amaze me every single day.

Looking South on the Netarts Spit toward Cape Lookout.

What a wonderful way to finish the year!

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. May 2012 be your best year yet!

FOR STORM CHASERS!

2011-11-21T19:41:00.001-08:00

Well, I have to admit I am a serious weather geek. I thoroughly enjoy Fall and Winter because of what Mother Nature sends our way. If part of what you love about the Oregon Coast involves Fall and Winter storms here are my favorite links to track what's coming our way, as well as up to the minute information about what is actually happening .

#1 http://www.ocrg.org/level2pages/weatherstations.html
This is my favorite weather site to keep an eye on approaching storms and to see it in action once it arrives...assuming we have power and Internet! It shows current wind speeds (sustained and gusts), rainfall totals, barometric activity, current temperatures and Doppler radar at the bottom of each screen. There is also a 10-day history on this site.

#2 http://www.nws.noaa.gov
This is by far the best website to keep yourself aware of what is heading our way - region wide.

#3 http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.43339456538528&lon=-123.94037246704101&site=pqr&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=marine
This link is also from NOAA. Click here to see a pinpoint forecast for Netarts, OR. It is always exciting to see warnings posted at the top of the screen when you click on this page!

#4 http://www.robtrost.com/html/rob_trost_weather_station.htm
Here's a link to our weather station mounted on top of the Schooner Restaurant and Lounge. Track wind speed in Netarts, barometric readings and current temperatures.

#5 http://schoonercamera.kicks-ass.org:8082/cgi-bin/viewer/video.jpg
There is also a web cam up there to see what is happening during daylight hours. It really looks best on a sunny day in the middle of Summer!

Storm chasing is very entertaining and of course fun, but it isn't always safe to be out on the beach when the wind is gusting to 85mph, the ocean swell is 28 feet and it is raining sideways (though I have to admit I have done it plenty, and later wondered, "What was I thinking!") If necessary the links above will allow you to enjoy the excitement from the comfort of your own home when it just doesn't make good sense to be outdoors. Sometimes I have all four sites open at once! Can you see the added benefit of knowing and following a weather geek?! I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do! Cross your fingers for an exciting 2011-2012! We are off to a good start. High winds and heavy rain coming our way tonight!

HWY 131 TO OPEN SOON?

2011-10-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

Just after I finished my post this morning I heard the highway between Netarts and Oceanside may open as soon as this weekend (weather pending)?! In just five days? I've had my eye on it, though as I mentioned, I have not been able to walk up there for a week, or so. Just a couple of days ago it was difficult to imagine how they were going to fill the large gap between the rock buttress and the level of the old road. What I didn't realize was the fact they had no intention of filling the gap, or returning the road to it's former level. Progress is being made at lightening speed. In this photo you can see the new road is much lower than the old road (which was previously at the level of the orange cones in the photo). I am encouraged and excited by this news and additionally what I was able to see with my own eyes. This looks promising! I'll keep you posted...

ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE - HWY 131

2011-10-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have any new photos to post of the Hwy 131 road closure site, which turns out is a good thing! The bids came back, a company was chosen to do the repair and the road department has closed the road to even foot traffic (or at least requested people stay out of there) until the project is complete. It appears progress is being made and can be seen from below. It looks as though a retaining wall is being built atop the rock buttress constructed over the Summer. Double trailer gravel trucks are back in full-swing hauling sand out and returning with loads of rock over and over again all day long. A truck passes by the office here in Netarts at least every five minutes (or so it seems.) I will not even consider expressing my displeasure in the speed the trucks travel through this confined area, as I really just want the work to get done and the road to re-open!

The latest report says mid-November. I have a feeling it will take longer, but you should consider my eye untrained. It just looks like there is still ALOT of work to be done. I can only hope my assumptions and judgements are wrong! I, along with many others, are ready to drive to Oceanside in less than five minutes -- truly a priceless convenience. My evening sunset trips have been confined to Netarts since the road closure in July (now I sound like a real whiner!) While there is nothing wrong with a Netarts sunset, I do feel a little trapped (I admit I have been spoiled!)

While we wait, here is a peek at what last night had to offer down at Happy Camp -- the reflection of a perfect Fall sunset. When you see a new picture of the Three Arch Rocks at sunset on here you will know the road is OPEN! I will certainly keep you posted. Until then...visit my website often for the latest updates! www.iWantABeachHome.com

BIRTHDAY BAY PLUNGE

2011-10-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

For me a birthday is a day to do something a little different than you would on other days. A reminder you are in fact alive and to live each day to the fullest. When you live on the Oregon Coast that "something" is not always easy to come up with. For me it usually involves the ocean. This year I decided a plunge into Netarts Bay would be perfect. Swimming across the bay sounded like an even better idea, but there were voices around me (specifically my mom and daughter) saying that was a bad idea! I will have to work on that one for next year. The video above features a good friend and co-worker, Dusty Trost. He was not only willing to join me in this small adventure, but also offered to go into the 45 degree water first so I would not be the woman that broke her neck and needed rescued on her birthday because she dove into shallow water. That may have actually been my idea, but he went for it. What a friend! I followed close behind, GoPro camera strapped to my head. No neck injuries to report, though it was cold enough, even in a wetsuit to take my breath away and force me let out a high pitched yelp. I knew I was alive!

Birthday mission accomplished.

Many more beach listings, adventure videos and photos to come! Visit my website and blog often to see what's new. There is always something going on here!

www.iWantABeachHome.com

Hwy 131 Update - Before and After

2011-09-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

BEFORE {July 2011}To say "before" is not quite accurate, as this "before" photo was taken after the road had already began to slide. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the road before it began to slide for the obvious reasons: Until it actually began to slip away it didn't seem photo worthy. It was just a road! When this photo was taken the road crew was still patching the crack with blacktop on at least a weekly basis. Every time they'd put a patch on 24 hours later it would open up again. This hillside clearly had plans of its own.

AFTER {September 2011}
The only word that came to mind while standing at the edge of this mess was, "WOW." It has been amazing to see the progression of this slide. To say this is an "after" photo though would not quite accurate here either, as "after" will be once the road is actually repaired and functional again -- If we are lucky (according to the road department) sometime in November of this year. This really is just a stop along the way. In this photo you can see the new "rock buttress" that's been constructed to the left intended to stop the slide (reported to be working) and support the new road project. No word yet as to who will be building the new section of road. I heard recently emergency vehicles will have an alternative road to access Oceanside from Netarts once the actual road repair gets underway. That makes me think we are stuck with this situation for a quite a while longer, but thank goodness they have an alternative. To make myself feel better about this situation I am going to plan on the road not being open until sometime next year, then when it actually opens in November I will be pleasantly surprised. My hope is a year from now we will look back and it will seem like this never happened! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

SHUCK & SWALLOW OYSTER CONTEST

2011-09-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

48 raw oysters in 10 minutes. Think you can beat that? You might have missed this event last year, but you won't want to let that happen again! This coming Saturday, September 10, 2011 the Netartian Beach and Bay Alliance {NBBA} will be hosting the 2nd Annual Pearl Street Oyster Festival where teams of two (a shucker and a swallower) pay an entry fee of $25 and compete for a $1000 purse (courtesy of the Schooner Restaurant and Lounge.) While not for the squeamish, this event requires these brave duos to shuck and swallow as many raw oysters as humanly possible in the designated time period of 10 minutes. While this is a very exciting event, there is much more than Netart Bay Oyster eating to this successful community event -- You will also find local artists, a variety of food vendors, a beer garden, non-profits and live music throughout the day.

Additionally, Kayak Tillamook will be offering demonstrations and kayak tours of Netarts Bay from the public boat launch, just steps away. Tours are $30 for each 1.5-hour trip, and include some instruction. Tours will be available from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those 16 and older.EVENT LOCATION: Netarts Boat Basin Road -- In front of the Schooner. Pearl Street will be closed to through traffic during the event.TIME: 11am - Dark. The Oyster eating contest starts at Noon on the deck of the Schooner Restaurant and Lounge.LIVE MUSIC: Noon - 8pm. 12-2pm: H.A.L (from Tillamook) 2-4pm: The Nobodys (from Netarts) 4-6pm: The Exiles (from Rockaway Beach) 6-8pm: Volifonix (from Eugene...this is a GREAT band!)

The Oyster Festival is a family and dog-friendly event. Mapquest this address for driving directions: 2065 Boat Basin Road, Netarts, OR 97143Come out and support the NBBA! This is going to be a great event...Fun to be had by all! I hope to see you there!

ALOT OF HOUSE FOR THE MONEY

2011-09-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

This wonderful home is located on Sandlake Road just North of Tierra Del Mar + Pacific City and is worth taking a very close look at if your are in the luxury bay front home market. It has been on and off the market for the last several years, but as of today, the list price is very competitive and realistic. There is quite a history here: The home was originally listed for sale in 2006 for $1.2M (no sale resulted), then listed in 2007 for $1.4M (no sale again), listed in 2010 for $879,000, reduced to $779,000, listed again in 2011 for $725,000, reduced to $675,000, then $625,000, now to an all time low of $599,000 after 1,268 days on the market! It is pretty easy to see the seller has finally decided it is time to sell..

Now, for the juicy details! Three words that best describe this home: "Casual Coastal Luxury." This is a very comfortable home full of natural light and elbow room with stunning ocean and bay views out of every window and flawless finishes such as slab granite counters, red oak hardwoods, solid maple cabinets, solid fir doors, cedar decking and

exterior, ceramic and glass block tiles, stainless steel appliances, and 9'+ ceilings. There is an ocean & bay view spa just off the fourth bedroom and kitchen area, a private boat launch just West of the home and 2400+ SF of unfinished basement perfect for dry storage of boats, ATV's, or really just about any recreational toy you can imagine. In addition to

all of this is the rarity of overlooking 900 Acres of the serene Sandlake Estuary & constant tidal influx. The 180+ degree ocean & bay front views are all on just one level and provide show-stopping wildlife, sea and shorebird shows 365 days a year. This is a one-of-a-kind property now listed for a price you can hardly turn away from. Somebody is going to end up with one of the nicest homes in Tillamook county and feel really good about what they paid for it!

Here is some additional information about the home: The main level is 2,682 SF, with the same square footage below for storage. The home has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, sits on just over an Acre and has a three car garage. If you would like to take a tour of this home give me a call 503.812.4615, or send me an email wendy@iwantabeachhome.com. I am always happy to help and think this is not only a great house, but also a great deal. View more details at www.iWantABeachHome.com

Oceanside's One and Only Real Estate Office

2011-09-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

We couldn't have planned a better weekend for the grand opening of our new Oceanside Real Estate office! It's hovering around 90 degrees outside and there are people everywhere. Do I wish I were out there enjoying this isolated weather event? I'd be lying if I said I no. Soaking up the sun and playing in the surf sounds just about right, but things aren't too shabby in here. The new office is pretty darn nice. And, lucky for me, I was just on vacation and I happen to love what I do!

Now, be me for a just a second...have a seat at my desk. Imagine music piped in from the coffee shop just outside the door. I can also see the ocean out the window to my right, so things are good! To my left is the doorway leading into the coffee shop. I love the chatter at the cafe tables. I have talked to several people here for a weekend getaway, but have also had the chance to chat with many locals just stopping in to see what we are up to. The biggest problem here may be the smell of freshly brewed coffee and good food in the air. I finally broke down and ordered a latte and a hot turkey pesto sandwich. Delicious!

Okay, so you've seen my accommodations for the day, now how about what I am missing. Here a shot from the public parking lot just across the street. While busier than usual (due to the nice weather and holiday weekend) this still looks very inviting. Maybe another hour, or so in here, then I am out the door and on my way! This may be the hottest day of the entire year. I think I should take advantage of the last little bit of the afternoon. Come visit us at our satellite office in Oceanside {503.842.9092} next time you are in town, or in our flagship Netarts office {503.842.9090}. If you can't make it to town search for beach Real Estate on my website www.iWantABeachHome.com.

SEE YOU AT THE BEACH :)

Same Ocean, just not in Oregon

2011-08-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've been in Maui for the last few days enjoying warm air and water temperatures. The beauty of the warmer ocean temps is having the opportunity to be submerged for good lengths of time. We snorkeled Honolua Bay on Maui two days ago and spent at least 90 minutes in the water.

The visibility was decent for this area and we were pretty much the first people there. Because of our good timing, and the expertise of our guide Jeffrey of Ed Robinson's Dive Shop we were fortunate enough to see at least ten different sea turtles, amongst other sea life.Just before we left for Maui I purchased a waterproof camera (Pentax optio WG-1.) This, to me, was worth it's weight in gold, as the pictures turned out amazing! The turtles seemed very calm and unafraid. We tried to be respectful of their personal space (not touching, or chasing) and still managed to be within a few feet over and over again. One turtle in particular, "Lucky" (identifiable by her missing a left front fin) seemed to be as curious of us as we were of her. At one point she was face to face with us! As we backed up she came closer. I'm not sure how Lucky lost the fin, but it didn't seem to hinder her maneuverability in the water.

We did eventually get cold while snorkeling. I imagine the water temperature was 70+ degrees, but still quite a bit lower than our body temperatures. Fortunately upon returning to the beach it was sunny and 85. I can say for sure nobody suffered today! I feel fortunate to have had this underwater experience. Thanks, again to Jeffrey for his knowledge and help! If you are visiting Maui anytime soon give Ed Robinson's Dive Shop a call. They were truly great to work with. We will definitely be back for more!

Add this to your "MUST DO" list. If you don't have one make one!

2011-08-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

I had an opportunity yesterday to do something I have waited nearly five years to do. Thanks to my experienced paddling co-worker and friend, Dusty Trost, I was able to paddle out to the Three Arch Rocks just off the shore in Oceanside. There is, of course a good reason it has taken five years for this opportunity. You can't {shouldn't} just jump in a kayak and head out there on any given day. The ocean conditions, current weather and short term forecast must all be conducive to ocean paddling at the same time. We have been {patiently} waiting for a day like yesterday: calm winds, small ocean swell, small surf break at the shore and nothing lurking on the horizon.

Simply put: we got lucky! The important details were in-line, and on top of that we had beautiful blue skies and a decent ambient temperature -- close to 70 degrees.

There is one more factor to consider: We are Real Estate Brokers and work pretty much every day. We decided to close the office at 4pm yesterday {an hour early} and took advantage of what was before us. Turns out it was a good call!

If you are not familiar with the Three Arch Rocks you should become so. This particular rock formation was the first designated National Wildlife refuge West of the Mississippi. It is is also one of the smallest covering just 15 Acres. The rocks rest about 1/2 mile offshore, each with a unique archway through the middle, thus the name Three Arch Rocks. The arches are not visible from most locations. Paddling out is the very best way to lay your eyes on them, as they are oriented North to South making them difficult to see from the beach to the East. For a very good reason May 1 - September 15 watercraft must stay within 500 feet of the monolith formations, as they provide a breeding habitat for Oregon's largest colony of tufted puffins, along with about 100,000 Common Murre {and too several other colonies of sea and shore birds.} Additionally this is the only pupping sight on the North Oregon Coast for the federally threatened Stellar Sea Lion. We saw several swimming in close by waters on our sea adventure. They were very curious, as well as large. My kayak suddenly felt small when one swam near!

So, we did not paddle through the archways, though I have to admit it was very tempting with the seas as calm as they were. We respected mother nature and the Federal governments request for a 500 Foot setback.

I believe it was just as enjoyable from this distance. The rocks are much larger up close and personal than I imagined. At times I felt as if I was watching a National Geographic documentary. And, then suddenly it would hit me we were actually out there! It was quite surreal.

I haven't told Dusty yet, but am assuming he knows by the look on my face for most of our paddle yesterday, I have BIG plans to return to the Three Arch Rocks. I realize this may require some patience. I am willing to wait -- again. September often brings calm weather. I can only hope this year will be consistent with years past. I am very interested in paddling through each of the archways once the watercraft restriction is lifted September 15. It is nice to have something so wonderful to look forward to! As the title reads, "Add this to your "must-do" list," but keep in mind the importance of getting good instruction if you are not experienced, and/or to paddle with someone that is. Also, never paddle alone. The ocean, while beautiful and exciting on a day like yesterday, remains powerful and can be unpredictable and dangerous. People are caught off guard every year -- some lucky enough to be rescued. Don't let that person be you. My advice is to be respectful and smart, but not afraid. Oceanside is the closest beach to Portland and has more to offer than most. What are you waiting for? Get out there and do something fun!

Visit my blog often! There is much more to come! And, you can always find me, view recent photos and of course all of my current Real Estate listings at www.iWantABeachHome.com.

TOP 12 {homes for sale}

2011-07-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

NEW LISTING - SWEET little COTTAGE IN THE VILLAGE

2011-07-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is a new listing in Oceanside (just one day on the market) worth taking a look at: 1370 Sunset Avenue, current list price $325,000. I like this little house and I think it's a good value considering it sits on a double lot that may be able to be divided. Inside it's quaint and cozy with beautiful handscraped wood flooring and outside plenty of level yard space and just a block to the beach and three Oceanside restaurants. Plenty of 1946 charm left inside, but ready for your modern day vacation. Just over 1,000SF, concrete foundation, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, enameled pellet stove, window seats in upstairs bedrooms, white painted built-ins with beautiful leaded glass panes and a peek at the ocean.

Cute little houses like this on level lots in the village usually don't stick around too long! If you are coming to town give me a call and I will be sure to make time to give you a tour. Send me an email {wendy@iwantabeachhome.com} or give me a call {503.812.4615}. No question is too small. I am always happy to help!

MORE TO EAT IN OCEANSIDE

2011-07-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oceanside has been the same for a long time. Change isn't always welcome, but I think in this case it is positive and a great addition to the community. Just before the Fourth of July weekend to evevryone's surprise the "Brewin' in the Wind" coffee shop moved out of their long-time oceanview corner location and into the new "old" Anchor building just up the street. While they may have lost some nostalgic appeal, they have made up for it with an enormous increase in seating space, a coffee bar, and best of all they can serve more customers, faster. The food is the same -- still great and pretty much every table has a view of the ocean. When you visit you will feel compelled to linger not only because it is a wifi hotspot, but because there is plenty of seating which eliminates the annoyance of standing room only and the occassional table stalker.

The old building is not sitting idle. The "Ocean Front Deli" has moved in on its heels with a serious goal of feeding a family of four for as little as possible. You can easily walk in here off the beach with your kids and leave with everyone fed and happy serving items like corndogs for $1, nachos, grilled cheese, kraft mac-n-cheese, slushies, coffee, donuts, etc. There are made-to-order deli sandwiches and soup for a more advanced palate, as well (i.e. for parents and just generally hungry people!) It think this will be a successful Summer for both establishments.

Education Proves Useful When Buying and Selling on the Coast

2011-07-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

One of my goals as a Real Estate Broker is to make certain my clients are well educated. I believe it is important to have a clear understanding of the current (local) market if you intend to make good, educated decisions when it comes time to buy and/or sell -- even if that decision is not to buy, or not to sell.

The stats below are based on data available to me from the Tillamook County MLS. I used Oceanside specifically because it paints a very precise picture of the decline since 2007 and slight recovery so far in 2011.

Average sales price of homes in Oceanside
2007: $556,000
2008: $429,000
2009: $336,000
2010: $286,000
2011: $410,000 (as of July)

Average price per square foot on homes sold in Oceanside
2007: $370
2008: $252
2009: $192
2010: $192
2011: $200 (as of July)

Average square footage of homes sold in Oceanside
2007: 1,500 SQFT
2008: 1,702 SQFT
2009: 1,750 SQFT
2010: 1,490 SQFT
2011: 2,050 SQFT (as of July)

Number of homes sold in Oceanside
2007: 21
2008: 18
2009: 18
2010: 21
2011: 10 (as of July)

It is interesting the volume of homes sold year to year has remained stable, though average sales price has declined by 27% (as of July 2011.) Notice the decline reached 50% in 2010! Buyers were spending less money and clearly getting more house. I see a slight recovery in this data where the average price per square increased to $200 after two consistent years of $192/SQFT.

It will be interesting to see what the remainder of 2011 brings. I will keep a close watch on this data and pass along the results to you when available. I still say it is time to buy. If you have ever wanted a home on the Oregon Coast our prices are scraping the bottom -- And, sales prices remain negotiable. If you would like more information about the current market call or email me anytime. I am always happy to help!

SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT NETARTS

2011-07-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

I get the impression most people living in the Portland area do not know the coast fogs in when Portland gets much over 85 degrees. It makes sense if it is nice in Portland you may come to the beach for more of the same type of weather, or perhaps you actually are trying to escape the heat. On these "hot" Portland days I see people on, or near the beach wearing sandals, tank tops and shorts -- sometimes even bathing suits. I'm pretty sure if you had a truck full of sweatshirts to sell you could make some money! In the picture above dense fog hugs Cape Lookout, while sun shines over Netarts Bay.

So, you are wondering how the fog bank relates to the uniqueness of Netarts. I didn't know this when I chose to live here five years ago, but the fog doesn't hang over Netarts like it does the beach. It can be 55 degrees on the beach in Oceanside, Cape Meares, Cape Lookout (foggy, drizzling, etc) but 70 degrees in Netarts just a few miles away. Really something you have to experience yourself, and worth checking out if you aren't in Netarts and you are wondering where in the world the sun is. Netarts is a banana belt. Good to know!

PC OFFICE TO OPEN JULY 4 WEEKEND

2011-06-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

I TOOK A DRIVE SOUTH to Pacific City today to see how things are coming along at the new office. The walls are freshly painted in a light buttercream shade, new carpet installed, crisp white moldings are in place, now if we just had some furniture! The good news is it's on its way and we will be ready for business come Sunday morning.

WHAT A LOCATION!
No question this is one great location! Take two steps to the left of BJ's [Ben and Jeff's] Burger's and Tacos http://www.benandjeffs.com/ [near the Pelican Brew Pub] and you'll see our OPEN sign. You can count on seeing at least one of us eating BJ's amazing fish tacos around the lunch and/or dinner hour (today was no exception.) We couldn't be more excited about the prospect of getting to know people in Pacific City -- homeowners and vacationers alike. Anytime you are out walking around stop in for a cup of coffee, or just to say hello. We hope the atmosphere in the new PC office will be as easy going as in our Netarts office. Been on the beach with your family? No problem! We have tile in our foyer and aren't afraid of wet & sandy feet. We plan to be open seven days a week and truly welcome visitors anytime. We give alot of driving directions, too! No question is too small.

I DO LOVE OUR NEW WEBSITE
There of course is a website to go along with this new PC baby. Visit www.RobTrostPC.com to see all of our Pacific City listings, as well as everything we have listed in Tillamook County. You can also visit www.iWantABeachHome.com, or our home site RobTrost.com to search the Tillamook County MLS and Portland RMLS. There is a ton of information between these three websites. We are very excited about having another Rob Trost Real Estate office to offer even more service to our clients. The possibilities are endless.

Here's today's photo: I pulled off along Netarts Bay on my way back to the office. What an amazing afternoon! Enjoy!

DETOUR: DESTINATION OCEANSIDE

2011-06-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

So close, yet so far away. That's what residents of Netarts will be saying if Oceanside is their intended destination. According to ODOT Highway 131 between Netarts and Oceanside will be closing toward the end of this week (July 1) for some much needed repair work. Once closed, a one-way trip between the tiny towns will increase from just two miles to nearly 15! We've certainly taken this scenic stretch of roadway for granted. Our fingers are crossed for speedy repair.

ODOT hopes to have the slide situation solved and the road back in working order by Fall, though I've heard the precise solution is still unknown. Already there is talk of creative travel while the road is closed: Driving on the beach from Happy Camp to Oceanside (might get you into some trouble), walking of course, biking and maybe a four wheeler trek through the woods. No doubt Netartians and weekenders will feel compelled to travel the shortest distance while the road is out of service. It will be fun and interesting to see what people come up with. We still love you Oceanside will surely make the best of this unfortunate situation!

My how quickly time passes!

2011-06-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been a while...Almost an entire year since my last post! I offer no excuses, but realize it is the perfect time to get this baby back on track! Many new things to talk about in our micro beach Real Estate world!

In no particular order:
1st...on a personal note :) My photo collection can now be viewed on my website! Visit www.iWantABeachHome.com and click on "Wendy's Photo Gallery" Currently 225 photos can be viewed, with more added weekly. Take a look and let me know what you think!

On Real Estate side...
1 - Rob Trost Real Estate [RTRE] mounted a Netarts Bay Cam and weather station high atop the Schooner Bar and Grill. The camera is great in the summer to check bay conditions and the weather station is a ton of fun in the winter giving peak wind gusts during and after storms. Visit my website www.iWantABeachHome.com, or www.robtrost.com to view both.

2 - RTRE is opening two new locations! Both in the Three Capes Loop Scenic Loop: Our new Pacific City office will have a soft opening July 1, 2011. It is located just South of the Pelican Brew Pub next door to the new walk up Taco/Burger shack. Our third office will open mid-July in Oceanside in the old [new] Anchor Building. We will be sharing this space with the Brewin' in the Wind coffee shop, which has already made the move from their original location. Our Netarts office will still be our main office open seven days nearly 360 days a year.

3 - Along with two new office we are also pleased to welcome three new Brokers: Steph McRea will be joining the Netarts office and Janis Holmes and Virginia Reid will be at our new Pacific City office.

More coming soon about all of these exciting additions!

Great weekend to spend in Netarts

2010-07-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for some fun it looks like you might be able to find it in Netarts this weekend! Saturday night (7/17) The Schooner presents a Bob Marley tribute band out of Portland. Live music should kick off by 9pm. Recent renovations to The Schooner will make for a great show -- Full size garage door opens up the side of the lounge, huge new bay view covered deck out front with tons of seating, tables and heaters (if needed!) Might want to bring a coat...www.nws.noaa.gov says 61 degrees and cloudy. Come prepared to have alot of fun! Hope to see you at the beach!

The Anchor is Open Once Again

2010-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Opening its doors once again is the infamous Anchor Tavorn in Oceanside Oregon, aka "Pacific Inn", now to be referred to as "The Schooner Inn and Bunk House." As the name implies, the owner's of "The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge" in Netarts have picked the place up, literally (lease with an option to purchase) and opened it's door for business.

If you are coming to Oceanside be sure to stop in and show some support. The new menu includes items like locally caught [crab] cake sandwiches, fresh fish tacos, manhatten clam chowder and french fries -- mainly items not currently offered by the two neighboring establishments, "Roseanna's and Brewin' in the Wind." Rumor has it they may sell picnic baskets to beach goers in the future and possibly offer breakfast if the demand is there. By early July the bar will likely be open, as well.

Five fantastic ocean view rooms are available for nightly rental, with rich Mahogany wood floors, down bedding, luxury bathrooms and unstoppable ocean and Three Arch Rock views.

A visit to Oceanside shall never dissappoint those in search of pristine beaches, unbelievable, untouched oregon coast tide pools & scenery, fresh ocean air, and a small town feel. If you love the beach, you'll fall in love with Oceanside over and over again. Hope to see you at the beach!

Paragliders in Oceanside

2010-03-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

While whale watching at the Cape Meares lighthouse, we noticed paragliders in the distance hanging out over Maxwell Mountain in Oceanside. We decided to head that way to see if we could catch them before they landed. By the time we reached the beach they were right overhead --Just in time!

If you want to see it for yourself, visit Oceanside May 1-2, 2010 for the Oceanside Open. Check out this website for more information http://www.oceansideopen.com/. I truly hope to see you at the beach.

Spring Break - Three Capes Loop

2010-03-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Sunday March 21) between rain storms we visited the Cape Meares Lighthouse. You can once again drive into the park after the vandalism they experienced a while back. We didn't arrive until 2pm, so we missed the "whale watchers" group that sets up between 10:00am and 1:00pm everyday (March 20 - 27) with high-powered scopes and binoculars for the public to enjoy. But, despite being without advanced technology, we did see at least 20 whale spouts with the naked eye. It appeared to be 2 whales swimming North just of the shore in front of the lighthouse. No whale tales, no backs, no jumping out of the water, but definately some activity! Visit http://www.whalespoken.org/ to find more information about whale watching and where the designated "spotter" locations are up and down the coast. The Cape Meares lighthouse is open, as well, but only the first floor, as the upper viewing area has not been repaired. It's worth the trip out -- the best weather days look to be Tuesday and Wednesday (23-24th). See you at the beach!

Two New Listings in The Capes Gated Community

2010-03-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

485 FALL CREEK DR, OCEANSIDE, OR: Posh ocean view retreat in The Capes gated community - the perfect blend of luxury & easy living. Floor to ceiling windows bring mesmorizing white water ocean views into the home, exquisite Cherry floors stretch wall-to-wall, while granite, tile, high coffered ceilings & crown molding fill the open floor plan. Flawlessly executed and cared for, this home is unmatched in quality, view & design. Listed at $695,000

505 CAPES DRIVE #5, OCEANSIDE, OR: Spectacular Ocean & Cape Lookout view cottage with mmacalute interior, wood burning fireplace, built-in cabinets, tile counters, breakfast bar, ocean view deck, vaulted ceiling, flex loft space, open floor plan & room to expand w/500SF unfinished basement. Very low maintenance condo unit, short walk to one of two private beach trails, tennis court, & community building. Listed at $335,800

View more photos and find additional details on my website www.iWantABeachHome.com. Click on "Featured Properties."

Homes For Sale on the Oregon Coast get A New Place to Hang.

2010-03-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

Finally my new website is up and running! Same domain name www.iWantABeachHome.com, but brand new site with tons of new functionality. One of the coolest new features is the ability to search current foreclosures. Additionally, under the "Search for Homes" tab you can search both the RMLS and the Tillamook County MLS! New listings will continue to populate the site over the next several days. It will just get better and better from here! If you have a minute, I'd love to hear what you think! Check it out and send me a message on how you like it now along with any suggestions you have for how it could serve you better!

Also visit www.iWantAnOceanView.com. This is the website you are used to seeing from me, now with a new domain. For now this site will remain updated with all active listings in our office -- over time, however, I plan to gear it toward ocean view homes only. More definately coming soon! Check back often, as new listings come up weekly. Anytime you have questions about a specific home, or just want to chat about the market drop me a line, or an email. Hope to hear from you soon!

Moving to the Beach!

2010-01-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

Hello, and Happy New Year!

I am excited to share the significant change I made to my Real Estate business in 2010! I am now affiliated with Rob Trost Real Estate located in Netarts, OR. This is excellent news for buyers and sellers (and myself), as I am now actually at the beach instead of 9 miles East in Tillamook. It's official...I live, work and play at the Beach!

I continue to specialize in beach Real Estate, helping both buyers and sellers achieve their goals. 2009 turned out to be a good year after all, despite reports of the market down in our area. Of the eight homes I listed in Oceanside and Cape Meares, seven sold before the end of the year. The market is down in the general sense, but not in sales volume. Check out these numbers:

(per Tillamook County MLS data)
In Oceanside, Oregon

2009- 22 homes were sold.
2005- 20 homes were sold.

2009- average price of homes sold in Oceanside:$329,000, average price per square foot:$178.
2005- average price of homes sold in Oceanside:$445,000, average price per square foot:$235.

I hope to see you at the beach in 2010! Visit my website www.iWantABeachHome.com and click on "Search the MLS" or "Featured Listings" to scope out new listings and price reductions before you come for a visit. Also, know you can call me anytime to chat about the market, or homes that look interesting to you. I am happy to help!

Sincerely,

Wendy Stevens

First Time Home Buyer Credit Update

2009-12-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Information Courtesy of Smyth & Clark PC:

The credit for first time home buyers has been increased to $8,000. Under 2008 law, the credit had to be repaid. Under 2009 law, for homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009, the credit does not have to be repaid (as long as you live there 3 years) and is refundable. This means you get $8,000 back even if you paid no tax for the year. In addition, you can amend your 2008 tax return and claim the credit immediately rather than waiting until your 2009 filing. On November 6, 2009 there was another change to this credit. Now you have until April 30, 2010 to enter into a purchase contract on a home. (Which must be completed by June 2010) In addition, long-time homeowners can claim a credit of $6,500 for purchasing a new residence. You must have lived in your old home 5 of the last 8 years. Some income limits apply to either credit.

Best advice: Use this as a guide, but check with your own CPA to know what will apply to you.

Oh, What A View! New Listing in Oceanside

2009-05-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Back on the market after a long winter break, priced $94,000 under the original list price!!! Perched high above the surf, with white water ocean views, this home was designed by an artist and brought to fruition by Loten Hooley, a reputable Oregon Coast builder -- inspiring architectural artistry meets solid, high quality coastal construction.

Behold the white water ocean view from the deck on the South side of the home. A hot spot on sunny days in Spring, Summer and early Fall, its strategic location offers protection from the cool North wind of the Summer months. For the days that "look" nice at the beach, on this deck, they really are nice. Warm, sunny, no wind and a fabulous view!

I love a home with a light and bright, highly functional, open floor plan, especially on the coast, where natural light can be fleeting at times. Besides the view and wind-protected deck, the floor plan of this home really makes it shine. It lives and flows well. You could fit a good size family in, but feel like you have your own spaces, while maintaining the feeling of being on the same vacation. Not too big, not too small. Just right!

3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, approximately 2,045 sqft, and mesmerizing ocean views located in Terrasea, a private community nestled in the hills of Oceanside. For more information about this home visit www.iWantABeachHome.com. Click on "Properties." Scroll down the page. It's all there.

Thanks for visiting!

Sincerely,
Wendy Stevens
Real Estate Broker

Beauty at the Beach

2009-04-13T12:25:00.001-07:00

I captured this photo at a listing appointment last Friday. I have many more to share, as the property itself is absolutely amazing! More on this home and acreage coming soon! So, the photo to the left: This light seeking giant was [is] gnarled into the earth with roots emerging 10 feet above my head the size of 80 year old tree trunks! I estimate the stump supporting this dynamic system to be well over 100 years old. Where else on earth do trees like these grow? Truly amazing!!! Though this tree is on the banks of Bewley Creek just South of Tillamook, hundreds of similar trees (most not quite as large) grow in and around the woods behind Cape Meares, Oregon. Each and every one equally unique and fascinating!

For more information about the Cape Meares area, visit http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/capemeares/.

To view my latest coastal retreat listings, visit http://www.iwantabeachhome.com/

Thanks for the visit! Comments welcome!

Sincerely,
Wendy Stevens
Real Estate Broker

Rockaway Beach Residential Listings Reach 115!

2009-03-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for a home on the Northern Oregon Coast? You might consider taking a look in Rockaway Beach. Of the 395 Active Residential listings in all of Tillamook County, 115 of those, as of March 30, 2009, are in Rockaway Beach! They are not all ocean view, or on the beach, but 115 listings ranging in price from $95,000 - $2.2 Million, is a large number of homes to choose from in one area! I would anticipate prices reductions coming soon! Not just due to the scarcity of buyers, but also the active listing saturation level. High competition between sellers is usually great news for buyers!

I had the opportunity to spend some time in Rockaway Beach showing homes to a prospective buyer this last weekend. If you were on the Oregon Coast, you know the weather on Saturday wasn't good. "Buckets of sideways rain." That's the best description I can give it. Despite the bad weather, the good news I thought was the competition level of seller's in the area -- a true buyer's market! While there are many homes to potentially look at and consider, the buyer I was there to show homes to had a relatively specific, but straight forward criteria -- things most people are in search of: Good ocean view, easy/short walk to beach, 3+ bedrooms, and not in need of major repairs. Of the 115 homes currently for sale, this simple criteria took our home tour down to just five homes. Wow!

With the tour narrowed down to just five homes, the chances of finding a perfect fit for this particular buyer in Rockaway Beach just became a little more difficult. Of these five homes, one did not have a view (eventhough the MLS stated it did), one had gone back to the bank (locks had been changed), one was a vacation rental (with people staying in it -- not open to having it shown) and two we were able to get inside of; one of which was severely overpriced for it's size and view, and the other actually a very nice home and a decent value, but with the potential of losing it's beautiful ocean view in the future.

I was sure with the high number of listings something would meet the needs of almost any buyer truly in search of a home at the beach. I am sure you guessed it already: We completely struck out! Back to Oceanside, Netarts and Cape Meares this time! Updates on these beach communities coming soon....! p.s. I would love to take a buyer to Rockaway Beach not seeking a home that is easy walking distance to the beach! There are many amazing view homes up on the hill overlooking all of Rockaway Beach with exceptionally low prices.

Visit http://www.iWantABeachHome.com/ to view homes and land in Tillamook County on the Northern Oregon Coastline. Use the MLS Search feature, but don’t hesitate to ask for help at any stage of your home search.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay informed by signing up to be notified
of new postings.

Sincerely,Wendy Stevens

History Reveals Insight: What Will the Market Do Next?

2009-03-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of making positive statements: Real Estate is going to get better. History says so!

Here are six interesting facts about the past that may give insight into WHEN: (Courtesy of Investment strategist James Swanson, CFA October 8, 2008)

1 - In January of 1970, a bear (down) market started and lasted until May of that year. The market during that time fell 35.4%. In May, a bull (up) market began and lasted until January 1973, bringing a 124% gain in stock values.

2 - In April 1981, another bear market commenced and lasted nearly a year, bringing a 24.7% decline. Then, in March of 1982, the market began to rise and continued doing so until June 1983. The overall gain in this period was 71.7%

3 - July 1990 brought a downward market that lasted three months, until October 1990, at which point equity prices had fallen 22.4%. Then, in the same month, a new, now legendary, bull market took hold and lasted nearly eight years, until July 1998. It delivered at stunning 330.7% gain for the market.

4 - Dating back to 1975, 8 of the last 15 bull markets have started in the Autumn months of September, October and November.

5 - Since 1957 there have been 15 bear markets, as measured from peak to trough, and on average they have lasted 10 months and brought an average decline of 29.4%.

6 - The duration and degree of these bear markets were significantly less than the duration and magnitude of bull markets. During the same period, there were also 15 bull markets, which lasted, on average, 30 months and brought average gains of 112.5%.

Visit http://www.iwantabeachhome.com/ to view homes and land in Tillamook County on the Northern Oregon Coastline. Use the valuable MLS Search feature, but don’t hesitate to ask for help at any stage of your home search.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay informed by signing up to be notified of new postings.

Sincerely,Wendy Stevens

Think You’ve Tried Everything? How About A Positive Attitude?

2009-03-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

It’s the lead story on the news morning, noon and night, on the front page of the newspaper almost daily, it’s the headline on your favorite search engine, and is being chatted about over water coolers around the world. I am sure you are familiar with it – I am talking about negative press. “The US economy has fallen off a cliff!” states billionaire Warren Buffet. That can’t be good.

Something tells me words like these don’t do much for the economy, and have a way of elevating the fear amidst the general public, driving any potential homes sales into the ground. I often wonder what it would be like if the media reported positive news, and had to make positive statements about the economy for seven consecutive days. What effect do you think that would have on the attitude of the general public? Even one day of positive news would make a difference.

I have big ideas about the effects of having a positive attitude! Here’s something you can do yourself: If you currently have a home for sale, the next time someone asks you this redundant question, “How are things going?” Instead of your usual, “The market stinks” turn to them and say, “Things are going well, thank you for asking! I have a really good feeling Spring and Summer will bring buyers back to the market. I am really looking forward to receiving several decent offers by mid-Summer.” Whether, or not you actually believe this statement to be 100% true at this very moment in time is beside the point. The more you say it, the easier it will be to say, and the closer you will be to believing it yourself. Say it to the mirror if you have to! Just hearing yourself say it aloud will help your brain produce positive thoughts. If you don’t like this positive statement, come up with one that works for you.

Positive attitudes are contagious, in much the same way negative attitudes are. Real Estate is no exception. The Three Capes Loop area of Oceanside, Netarts & Cape Meares is quaint. Just a few people making positive statements could spread like wildfire! If you haven’t tried positive thinking and/or making positive statements already, it can’t hurt to try. If nothing else, it could put a smile on your face as you say it, make the person you’re saying it to smile, and maybe even make their mouth fall open! I think that would be okay!

Something worth mentioning: Warren Buffet made a positive statement, as well. He said, "Everything will be all right. We have the greatest economic machine that man has ever created." Unfortunately, it was the last sentence in the collection of statements he made. Fortunately, we can recognize it to be “Better late then never!”

I think it is time to take as much as we can into our own hands. Maybe do things a little differently around here! Practice positive thinking. Make positive statements first and a positive attitude shall follow. It may not come easily, you might feel silly doing it at first, and it could require practice, but it can be done. Set your doubt aside and do it! Say something positive now!

Visit www.iWantABeachHome.com

View homes and land in Tillamook County on the Northern Oregon Coastline. Use the valuable MLS Search feature, but don’t hesitate to ask for help at any stage of your home search.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay informed by signing up to be notified of new postings.

Sincerely,Wendy Stevens

Traversing Northern Oregon Coast Real Estate: Great Value, or Overpriced?

2009-03-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

You already know Tillamook County offers many wonderful beach and inland communities. You love what this stretch of the coastline has to offer; hiking, beachcombing, crabbing and brilliantly colored sunsets enhanced by deep blue waves crashing over monolith rock formations just off pristine sandy beaches. You’ve been visiting for years; Oceanside, Netarts, Cape Meares, trying out a number of different vacation rentals – some better than others. Every time you visit, you look around at what’s for sale, pull flyers to see if you can afford the prices and dream about what it would be like to have a home of your own at the beach.

PRICES ARE DOWN
When you visit this Spring, you will notice many homes are no longer on the market, and the prices of those remaining have come down since last Summer. Oceanside had over 40 homes for sale Summer 2008. As of March 1, 2009 there are 25. Average price per square foot of ocean view homes in Oceanside, Oregon in 2007 was approximately $363. In 2008 it dropped to nearly $252 per square foot! You can do the math to get an idea of what 2009 may bring about.

NAVIGATING THE SEA OF SELLERS
Thinking of investing in a home at the beach, but not sure which homes are priced competitively, and which haven’t quite adjusted to the current market? It can be tricky! Beyond price, to confuse matters further, there is a wide range of sellers – those that have to sell, those that want to sell, and those that will sell only if they can get what they want for their home. To make an informed decision, and not feel as though you have overpaid for a home, you’d better do your homework. My advice to those considering Real Estate at the Coast: Consult a Realtor that is not only knowledgeable of the current market conditions, but knows the history of the homes for sale in the area you are interested in.

TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

Complete your own MLS search http://www.iwantabeachhome.com, or request to receive links (sent to you by Tillamook County Realtors) and look closely at the "History" tab in the details section of property links. In this tab, you can see the history of the subject property – past sales prices for the home, days on the market for each listing, and price reductions on the current active listing. It is not uncommon in this market to see homes for sale at prices lower than they sold for in years as recent as 2005, or 2006. It is also interesting to look at the length of current listings and their original list prices. On all three Northern coast MLS’s today, Tillamook, Clatsop and Lincoln County, you can find many homes that have been listed for 300 days, or more. Thought you had to pay $1,000,000 to get an ocean, or bay front home? The very real reality is you may now pay several hundred thousand less in many areas. Who imagined the time would come again where you could potentially buy a home with some form of an ocean view for a price tag as low as $239K?

SHOW ME THE DEALS

To see some great examples of price reduced homes in Tillamook County, follow this link: http://www.iwantabeachhome.com/mls-search-f13138.html and type the following MLS list numbers separated by commas into the designated field: 08-743, 09-7, 08-796, 08-14, 07-1042. Note: MLS #07-1042 is a fabulous Netarts Bay Front home reduced from $990K to $685K. Be sure to check it out!

QUESTIONS TO ASK
In addition to knowing the history of a home, here are some questions to seek answers to in determining if it is priced appropriately and/or if there is room to make a significantly price reduced offer. First, determine whether or not the subject property is a "Commodity" - Something of significant use, advantage, or value. Some questions to ask yourself and a Real Estate professions may be: Are there few homes similar to it for sale? Does it offer a one-of-a-kind location, or view? Is it a style, or type of home that could not be rebuilt for the price it is listed at? If you answered "yes" to any, or all of these questions, you may have a "commodity" type property on your hands. In this case, it's price may not be entirely reflective of the downturn in the market, unless the seller (private party, bank owned, or foreclosure) is distressed in some way. Not all homes will undergo large price reductions in the near future. Some can be considered a commodity, and/or have sellers that consider it to be just that. At the present time, there seems to be a collection of exceptionally nice homes for sale that typically would have been snapped up in a matter of hours after hitting the market. Even without dramatic price reductions, these properties can still be considered great opportunities, as in this market you will likely have more time to make a decision without another party competing for the same home.

ENTER THE LOW BALL OFFER
Established thus far is the imperative nature in the current market of knowing the history, or situation of specific Real Estate you are interested in. One final tactic to mention that seems to be gaining in popularity, is the so-called "low ball offer." As a general rule, I do not advise buyers to make extremely low offers, especially on homes they are not certain are in a distressed situation. However, I witness and assist buyer's making low offers with the following justification, "I want to see how desperate this seller is." Enter low-ball offer. In times past, unjustifiably low offers were shunned by sellers, often not looked at and/or not responded to. An interesting turn of events has occurred. Sellers seem to look at most offers, and respond even when they are undesirable. I applaud seller's for their steadiness through these difficult times. It is admirable to swallow your pride and respond even to offers you feel are way outside of your comfort level. I attribute this willingness to participate to the simple fact of offers becoming fewer and farther between. Sellers may be compelled to respond to offers they would have in years passed been insulted by.

SOMETHING TO NOTE: A counter to any offer in this market is an opportunity for a seller to make their situation crystal clear to a buyer. If they are highly motivated to sell, they will consider the offer and make a suitable counter to meet their personal needs, likely with a price reduction of some sort -- perhaps meeting in the middle, or slightly above. The alternative for a seller at this juncture, if they are not in a hurry to sell, or that price will not meet their needs, is to counter back at, or near their current asking price. This says to the buyer, boldly and clear, "We are not interesting in selling our home much below our current asking price." The "low ball offer" once viewed as a foe, has become a seller's opportunity to entertain offers and make statements through counter offers.

Don't be deterred by complicating factors in the current marketplace! Instead, as a preventative measure find a Real Estate professional to help you traverse the current situation. The opportunities on the Northern Oregon Coast are certainly plentiful.

Visit www.iWantABeachHome.com to view homes and land in Tillamook County on the Northern Oregon Coastline. Use the valuable MLS Search feature, but don’t hesitate to ask for help at any stage of your home search.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay informed by signing up to be notified of new postings.

Sincerely,
Wendy Stevens

Real Estate Professionals Bring Big Advantages to Buyers

2009-02-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

If Real Estate on the Oregon Coast is in your future, consider calling upon a Real Estate professional to act on your behalf as a "buyer's agent." If you are not sure exactly how this works, continue reading!

Something many people do not realize is that most Real Estate brokers are willing to work on a potential buyer’s behalf at no charge to the buyer. "Who pays a buyer’s agent?" Until a buyer makes an offer (that the buyers agent has written) on a property that is accepted and results in a closing, a buyer’s agent does not get paid. At closing (when a purchase is complete and the keys are being placed in the buyer’s hand), the buyer’s agent is paid out of the designated commission dollars, decided upon when the subject property was listed with a Realtor to put the home up for sale. Every property has a different commission rate negotiated at the time of listing, but it is in no way determined by the buyer’s agent.

Working with a Buyer's Agent -- Benefits to the Buyer:
1 - Representation by a Real Estate professional that is working solely on the behalf of the potential buyer's and in their best interest as a buyer.
2 – Have thorough property searches completed based on a criteria specified by the potential buyer.
3 – Receive results of the property searches via email in the form of interactive property links directly from the MLS completed by the agent for the buyer to review at their convenience. (Also a great way to learn the full history of a property, which these days can be surprisingly complicated and in-depth.)
4 – Have the agent preview homes upon request to save a buyer the time and money it would take to drive to the destination of each home, some of which may not be even be worth looking at. This works especially well once an agent knows the preferences of a buyer.
5 – Benefit from the buyer’s agent calling each and every listing agent of the homes of interest to set up multiple appointments at times that are convenient for the buyer. (No more calling the number on the sign!)
6 - Accompany the buyer to each and every home on the list, offering additional information upon request. Agents can open the door of any home actively for sale with the permission of the homeowner and listing Real Estate agent.
7 - Should the buyer decide to make an offer, the buyer’s agent will write up all offers with the necessary legal documents, provide consultation upon request regarding price and strategy, and ultimately handle all transactional details up to closing and beyond.

A Realtor may assist a buyer for six months, or more with property searches, write up multiple offers that do not result in a purchase, and still will not be paid. When a buyer successfully purchases a property, the buyer’s agent will be paid out of the sale proceeds by the seller. If a buyer never finds a home, or their offers are never accepted, the agent is not paid. The bonus to the buyer is their only responsibility is to accept the help of the agent they have chosen to assist them with their property search and acquisition attempts.

With MLS search options readily available on many Real Estate websites, a fair amount of information can be found through searches buyers do themselves. The pressing question is, "Why do it yourself when a professional can do it for you for free?" Often I hear people say they worry they will be obligated, or will be bothered and pressured by an agent if they ask for help. I understand how this feels, as before I was a Real Estate broker myself, I often felt like it would be a pain to have to answer someone’s questions when I really wasn’t even sure what I really wanted. Having gone through this process myself many times as a consumer, I came to realize whether, or not I knew exactly what I wanted, working with an agent helped me reach my goals faster and much more efficiently. I have to admit I still did some searching on my own, but it was the Realtor that made it all happen.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need! Don’t be afraid to get help from a realtor early in your search. And, most of all don’t be afraid to change realtors if you aren’t happy with the service you are receiving. If you connect with the right Realtor you will know it right away! You should not feel pressured or annoyed, and instead should experience feelings of satisfaction and amazement at the amount of information provided to you in a very short period of time.

It truly is in the best interest of each and every buyer to find a good agent to assist with a property search and offer placement process. If the Real Estate broker you choose knows the market you are interested in well, she, or he can complete home searches easily and quickly, respond to your need in a timely manner and ultimately handle transactional details, should you decide to make an offer on a home, or property.

Working with a buyer's agent can be a very rewarding experience that saves the buyer both time and money. Something to keep in mind: All Real Estate brokers are not the same. Don’t assume every agent will give you the same service and possesses the same level of knowledge, commitment and experience. Do your homework and you’ll surely have an experience worth telling others about. A great realtor strives for this small, but meaningful act of gratitude!

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Sincerely,

Wendy Stevens

Oregon Coast Statistics: Lincoln, Clatsop & Tillamook County

2009-02-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Here we go -- Let’s run the numbers!

Between Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop County, there are currently 1,771 residential properties actively listed for sale.

County to county, the statistics vary. Beginning in Lincoln County there are 878 residential listings, 383 have ocean views, 97 are oceanfront, and 51 homes are priced over $1 million. The highest priced active listing is $9.5 million located in Cloverdale, with views of Pacific City’s Haystack Rock.

Next in line, Tillamook County has 370 active residential listings. 80 of those have ocean views, 24 are oceanfront, and seven are priced $1 million or higher. 31 homes with ocean views are listed $400K and under. The highest priced homes in Tillamook County are $1.25 million and are located in Oceanside, Netarts and Manzanita.

Clatsop County, Oregon’s Northern most coastal county has 523 active residential listings. 111 homes have ocean views, 28 are oceanfront, and 34 are priced $1 million and above. The highest priced home in Clatsop County is $5,625,000 located in Cannon Beach.

There are 149 oceanfront properties for sale. With so many to choose from, those in the market for such are in a virtual candy store! The downturn in the market has created a stock pile of exceptional homes offering one-of-a kind architectural uniqueness and highly desirable locations. The opportunities to locate and purchase homes of this caliber have never been better. Everyone is feeling the pain of recession in one way or another - the positive light I have to shed on this situation is it’s bringing out the biggest and the best at the beach!

If you haven’t been out to the coast since summer, it’s time to come back down for a visit and take a look around. Prices have definitely dropped over the last six months. Many sellers have come to terms with realty and reduced their prices. They are more than ready to sell. Are we at the bottom? That fact we won’t know until prices start to climb back up! Get your Spring Break reservations set up now. Oregon Coast Real Estate is ready and waiting.