ResalesWashington"s San Juan Islands Rise In Housing Costs
While the volume in sales is about the same as last year, San Juan Islands Realtors report rising home prices.
"The San Juan Islands are a string of evergreen jewels scattered across Washington"s Puget Sound," says Realtor Jim Valmurrey. "Sheltered by the Olympic Mountains to the southwest and Vancouver Island to the west, the San Juans sit in a rain shadow, receiving an average of 29" a year. The relatively mild year-around climate is ideal for such outdoor endeavors as hiking, kayaking, biking, boating, fishing and wildlife watching. Depending on the season, you might spot soaring eagles, sea birds, nesting Harbor seals and pups, and Orca or Minke whales."
Valmurrey explains, "During the first half of 2003, the dollar volume of real estate sales for the San Juans was up approximately 14 percent over sales during the first half of 2002 ($59,811,730 for 2003 vs $52,438,064 for 2002). However, slightly fewer transactions took place (198 for 2003 vs 201 for 2002). The average prices of new and used single-family homes were also up significantly, while the average price of land went down. The average used single-family home price went from $293,699 during the first half of 2002 to $311,786 for the same period in 2003. For new single-family homes, the 2002 first half average price was $155,904, vs $336,250 for 2003--quite a jump!"
"The Conde" Nast Traveler January 2003 issue features a biking, hiking and kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands and calls them an outdoor playground," he continues. "Writer Tracy Young says, "Lying in the lee of the Olympic Range, the San Juans enjoy a more felicitous climate than other parts of the Northwest; the sun had already warmed the air enough that I can watch from the bow as we steam through what looks like a broken necklace of enormous evergreen pearls." Fortune magazine names the San Juan Islands as one of the new "hot spots" for second homes and retirement. According the Geoffrey Colvin, "They"re gorgeous, not crowded, assessable only by ferry, and already frequented by Hollywood executives and software millionaires, but costs are far lower than in more famous retreats."""
Says Realtor Diane Giesy, "The San Juan Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth.
She suggests, "The average time for a property to be on the market right now is about 120 days, although the lower price range seems to be selling quicker than this."
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