April Swenson, Managing Broker at
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

October 2011
Ocean Shores/North Beach
Newsletter
Presented by April Swenson,
CRS, Realtor & Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers

WHALE OF A QUILT SHOW 2011

This yearly event was held on the weekend of September 30th-October 2nd. Lots of quilts were on display, as well as tips and demonstrations, vendors, and voting on your favorite quilt.

I have been working on my YouTube site featuring videos of all of my listings, as well as videos selling Ocean Shores. You can see my channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/aprilswenson. Click on the following links to view videos of Ocean Shores:

Duck Lake:       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_qldgCRyOw

Bayou Canal:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au4fmSPSw5Q

Grand Canal:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXUs0qaku0o

The Jetty:         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKpYJe9bWE

The new Weather Station was dedicated/opened on September 29th in Copalis Beach, being dedicated as the Langley Hill Doppler Radar Station. Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Norm Dicks worked together to secure $9 million in federal funding. Cantwell said the station’s dual polarization is "the first in the nation to have this kind of technology...America wants more information so they can prepare, and today we’re ushering that in, in Grays Harbor County." Dicks said, "This will protect people, and save lives."

On September 21st at approximately 5:25 PM, a 50 foot commercial fishing vessel ran aground on the beach between the Ocean Lake Way and Taurus Beach Approach in Ocean Shores. Ocean Shores Surf Rescue Team was dispatched after being notified by the Coast Guard of the vessel in distress. Three crew members were rescued off the vessel by the Ocean Shores Surf Rescue Team and none of the crew from the vessel suffered any injures. The three crew members were two deck hands ages 31, 46, and the captain of the vessel a 43 year old Ilwaco male. According to the Captain of the vessel, they were attempting to locate the bar in order to return to Westport when the fog became extremely thick. The vessel was attempting to follow another boat but lost sight of it. The Captain of the boat stated that the reduction gear of the vessel then failed causing the boat to lose power and become adrift. The Captain then stated that the boat was adrift for approximately ¾ of a mile before it was caught in the waves just off shore. The Captain of the vessel called in a may day to the Coast Guard but eventually ran aground off the shore of Ocean Shores. (prepared by the Ocean Shores Police Department).
It was removed by the 24th.

• Burn ban in Ocean Shores, which occurs every Summer, was lifted on October 1st.

• Old pilings from a pier long gone at Damon Point were removed on September 28th.

• Attention Ocean Shores Property Owners: if you did not payoff your Street LID, look for the 1st bill in the mail this month. This 1st payment will be due in November.

October 21st-23rd ~ Celtic Music Festival: largest Irish music festival on the West Coast.

November 4th-6th ~ Jazz at the Beach: live jazz music held at different venues in town.

November 25th-27th ~ Winter Fanta-Sea Craft Show: holiday hand-crafted items available at the Convention Center.

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

Lots $10K or Less

Lots $10K-$15K

Lots $15K-20K

Lots $20K+

View Lots

Waterfront Lots

Ocean Shores is still the #1 beach town in the number of sold properties, as well as the top tourist destination along the Washington Coast. The North Beach area has seen a definite increase over last year, mainly due to Seabrook in Pacific Beach.

OCEAN SHORES MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (3rd Quarter of 2011):
Sold Homes
Sold Lots
Sold Condos

NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (3rd Quarter of 2011):
Sold Homes
Sold Land

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

Interest rates are still very low at around 4-4.5% 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!