April Swenson, Managing Broker at
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

April 2012
Ocean Shores/North Beach
Newsletter
Presented by April Swenson,
CRS, Realtor & Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

SNOWY WHITE OWL SIGHTINGS 2012

Rare sightings of the Snowy White Owl down at Damon Pt State Park/Protection Island. I personally saw these owls in January and April 2012. They are magnificent birds. There have been many visitors to Ocean Shores that have come just to see these birds. See more info, pictures and my videos at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/snowywhiteowl.html

ART SHOW 2012

The 43rd Annual Photo & Fine arts Show was held April 20-22, 2012 in the Convention Center. See more info and pictures at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/artshow2012.html

KITE SURFERS 2012

More kite surfing took place off the shores at Damon Pt State Beach. I was able to get some more pictures in February during a beautiful sunny weekend. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/kitesurfers.html

JANUARY 2012 SNOW STORMS

Ocean Shores, as well as the entire Northwest, were hit by 2 large storms that dumped about 6-12in. of snow in our beach town. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/winterstormjan2012.html

CLAM DIGGING

See my pictures of the popular Clam Digging. See more info, pictures and video at www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/clamdigging.html

Click on the following links to see my new videos uploaded to my YouTube site (http://www.youtube.com/aprilswenson):

• Snowy White Owls:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq81pBwlXYc   &   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGJYO-jfCM
• Kite Surfers:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XveYFTHfnug

• Damon Pt State Beach:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5fjD3yywaM

• The Ocean & Beach:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjsaVUGjfek

• Jan 2012 Snow Storms:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJo3RX0xIS4

• The EMS Replacement Levy was passed by Ocean Shores voters (about 58% to 42%).

• The Library Replacement Levy has been narrowly defeated (51% to 49%), but the City Council has voted to put the Levy back on the voting ballot in November ($.247/$1,000 assessed compared to the defeated $.287/$1,000 assessed).

• Sewer Rates are expected to DROP by 10% by July. The City Council approved this measure after reading the Study that was completed. It equates to about a decrease of $4.86/bill (every 2 months).

• The WDFW (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife) released about 1,000 Rainbow Trout into Duck Lake on March 28th (from the Humptulips Hatchery).

May 25th-27th ~ Grays Harbor County Expo: largest Irish music festival on the West Coast.

June 2nd-4th ~ International Kite Festival: huge kites fly over the downtown beaches. A Must See!

June 9th ~ Flag Day Parade: honor Old Glory with a parade in downtown Ocean Shores.

June 29th-July 1st ~ Five Star Dealerships Sand & Sawdust Festival: one of the best events in Ocean Shores. Sandcastle and woodcarving competitions. A Must See!

July 4th ~ Fireworks on the Beach: let off your own fireworks display on the beaches. Ocean City puts on a huge fireworks display too. A Must See!

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for some good deals on properties in Ocean Shores:

Homes Under $100K

Homes $100K-$150K

Homes $150K+

View Homes

Waterfront Homes

Condos

Lots $10K or Less

Lots $10K-$15K

Lots $15K-20K

Lots $20K+

View Lots

Waterfront Lots

Activity (both inquiries and sales) have definitely increased since the beginning of the year, as I have personally experienced.

OCEAN SHORES MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (1st Quarter of 2012):
Sold Homes
Sold Lots
Sold Condos
Sold Multi-Family
Sold Commercial

NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (1st Quarter of 2012):
Sold Homes
Sold Land

NOTE: All of the above data was pulled from the NWMLS and is not guaranteed.

"2011 Year-End Review" MARKET ACTIVITY/UPDATE

Sorry I did not send out a "2011 Year-End Review" e-mail update, but I thought you still would like to see the final numbers. I have also included 4th-Quarter numbers for Ocean Shores and the North Beach.

OCEAN SHORES MARKET:

NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:

SOUTH BEACH (Westport/Grayland/Ocosta) MARKET:

LONG BEACH PENINSULA (Ilwaco to Surfside Estates) MARKET:

NOTE: All of the above data was pulled from the NWMLS and is not guaranteed.

HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) has made changes to reach more home owners in need of some relief on their payments through refinancing to get a lower interest rate. If your loan is backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you may be eligible for this refinance program. Here are some key points:

• HARP is now extended through the end of 2013.
• In order to be eligible, loans must have been purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009 and have loan-to-value ratios of at least 80%.
• The 125% LTV cap on fixed-rate mortgages has been eliminated (meaning, no LTV cap) (there is still an LTV cap of 105% on adjustable rate mortgages).
• To qualify, borrowers must be current on their mortgage for the last 6 months, and have no more than 1 late payment over the past year.
• New appraisals may not be needed to qualify.

Interest rates are still very low at around 4% with 0 points (depending on credit and down payment). Funding is available through FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans to buy primary and secondary homes in Ocean Shores and the North Beach.

For more help on getting pre-approved/qualified, contact our local lender, The Bank of the Pacific. You can call Carol Warfield, the Vice President Residential Loan Officer, at 360-580-0187 (cell) or e-mail her at cwarfield@thebankofpacific.com. Interest rates are still very low.


Once again, if you ever have any questions about Ocean Shores, the North Beach, the surrounding Grays Harbor cities, and/or real estate, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
~ April Swenson

Your Beach Destination Awaits You at the #1 Washington Coast Town!