Ocean Shores Newsletter for Real Estate, Events, News, etc. ~ 2015 Year-End Review

Click on the following links to see my new pictures on my web site (www.OceanShoresInfo.com) and my new videos uploaded onto my YouTube site (http://www.youtube.com/AprilSwenson):

Christmas 2015: Pictures & Info: www.OceanShoresInfo.com/pics/christmas2015.html
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMurh6QLnOA&list=FLhRYWR0DBndaEDmu0zNpztQ

OTHER NOTABLE LOCAL NEWS

Storm protection and erosion prevention work is currently being completed by installing a huge rock bulkhead along the Ocean front properties located down by the Jetty.

New Business Opened: Medical Supply Store ~ 683 Pt Brown Ave NW.

Oyhut Bay Subdivision is under construction with homes and condos.

RANKING REPORTS: I was #9 among all Grays Harbor County brokers for the Number (#) of Transactions Closed for 2015. I was #7 among all Ocean Shores brokers for the Number (#) of Transactions Closed for 2015. I was #4 among all Grays Harbor County brokers for the Number (#) of Vacant Land Closed for 2015.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 15th-17th ~ A Pirates Life For Us: local pirate association gather for entertainment and merriment.

February 12th-14th ~ Antique & Collectibles Show: held at the Convention Center.

March 5th-6th ~ Beachcombers' Fun Fair: held at the Convention Center.

March 18th-20th ~ Razor Clam Festival & Seafood Extravaganza: held at the Convention Center.

March 20th ~ Dugan's Run: running event.

April 22nd-24th ~ Fine Arts, Photo, & Electronic Media Show: art show held at the Convention Center.

May 7th-8th ~ Shoppin' at the Shore: a Mother's Day Event held at the Convention Center.

BUYS IN OCEAN SHORES

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

Lots $20K+ / Decked-out Lots

View Lots

Waterfront Lots

2015 MARKET ACTIVITY/UPDATE
(January 1st-December 31st)

We have done incredibly well from in 2015. We have some very positive numbers:

# of Homes Sold in Ocean Shores increased from 198 in 2013 to 245 in 2014 to 306 in 2015

Median Sales Price for Homes increased from $139,900 in 2013 to $143,900 in 2014 to $159,950 in 2015

Sold Volume for Homes increased from $29.16M in 2013 to $37.35M in 2014 to $53.06M in 2015

# of Land Sold in Ocean Shores increased from 169 in 2013 to 190 in 2014 to 263 in 2015

# of Total Properties Sold in Ocean Shores rose from 391 in 2013 to 464 in 2014 to 612 in 2015

Total Sold Volume in Ocean Shores rose from $36.577M in 2013 to $45.6M in 2014 to $66.86M in 2015

The numbers below show that Ocean Shores is still one of the leaders for affordability, availability and productivity (# of properties and volume closed) compared to the other beach towns along the Washington Coast. Ocean Shores also offers a lot more availability and affordability for building lots and homes.

OCEAN SHORES MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (4th-Quarter of 2015):
Sold Homes
Sold Lots
Sold Condos
Sold Multi-Family

2015 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings (as of 12/31/15)	137	608	49	3	10	807
Pendings	28	7	7	1	1	44
Solds	306	263	33	3	7	612
Sold Volume	$53.06M	$6.11M	$4.22M	$780K	$2.69M	$66.86M
Sold Median Price	$159,950	$14K	$130K	$240K	$150K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	190	359	162	163	336

VS.

2014 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings (as of 12/31/14)	195	552	28	6	14	795
Pendings	19	12	3	0	1	35
Solds	245	190	17	4	8	464
Sold Volume	$37.35M	$3.796M	$1.44M	$812,500	$2.203M	$45.6M
Sold Median Price	$143,900	$12,700	$85K	$210K	$167,500
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	230	279	246	104	288

2nd-Half 2015	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	158	125	26	1	3	313
Sold Volume	$28.64M	$3.1M	$3.65M	$110K	$902K	$36.402M
Sold Median Price	$165,950	$16,250	$141,475	$110K	$185K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	168	367	92	98	467

VS.

2nd-Half 2014	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	129	112	11	4	2	258
Sold Volume	$20.03M	$1.94M	$978,400	$812,500	$1.278M	$25.039M
Sold Median Price	$144K	$12K	$99K	$210K	$639K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	200	265	293	104	388

4th-Quarter 2015	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	65	50	14	1	0	130
Sold Volume	$13.24M	$1.15M	$1.97M	$110K	$0	$16.47M
Sold Median Price	$182K	$20K	$141,475	$110K	N/A
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	180	394	105	98	N/A

VS.

4th-Quarter 2014	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	53	43	7	1	2	106
Sold Volume	$9.19M	$815,265	$469,500	$182,500	$1.278M	$11.935M
Sold Median Price	$159,900	$12,500	$47K	$182,500	$639K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	197	276	259	373	388

NORTH BEACH (Ocean City to Moclips) MARKET:

Click on the following links to view the MLS flyers for sold properties (4th-Quarter of 2015):
Sold Homes
Sold Land

Sold Commercial

2015 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings (as of 12/31/15)	44	115	2	2	7	170
Pendings	6	7	0	0	0	13
Solds	42	38	0	0	1	81
Sold Volume	$9.97M	$2.4M	$0	$0	$200K	$12.57M
Sold Median Price	$155K	$21,500	N/A	N/A	$200K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	302	334	N/A	N/A	63

VS.

2014 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings (as of 12/31/14)	58	160	1	0	1	220
Pendings	3	4	0	0	0	7
Solds	33	13	0	0	0	46
Sold Volume	$10.19M	$337,400	$0	$0	$0	$10.527M
Sold Median Price	$304,500	$19K	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	241	315	N/A	N/A	N/A

2nd-Half 2015	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	27	18	0	0	1	46
Sold Volume	$6.608M	$1.167M	$0K	$0K	$200K	$7.975M
Sold Median Price	$182K	$17,450	N/A	N/A	$200K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	283	387	N/A	N/A	63

VS.

2nd-Half 2014	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	17	9	0	0	0	26
Sold Volume	$5.263M	$253,900	$0K	$0K	$0K	$5.517M
Sold Median Price	$290K	$19K	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	202	361	N/A	N/A	N/A

4th-Quarter 2015	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	13	11	0	0	1	25
Sold Volume	$3.722M	$1.147M	$0	$0K	$200K	$5.069M
Sold Median Price	$185K	$29K	N/A	N/A	$200K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	271	408	N/A	N/A	63

VS.

4th-Quarter 2014	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Solds	11	4	0	0	0	15
Sold Volume	$3.4M	$175,900	$0	$0K	$0K	$3.576M
Sold Median Price	$290K	$24K	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	195	306	N/A	N/A	N/A

SOUTH BEACH (Westport/Grayland/Ocosta) MARKET:

2015 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings	44	50	12	3	11	120
Pendings	8	2	1	0	2	13
Solds	71	39	16	4	6	136
Sold Volume	$10.602M	$4.929M	$2.296M	$523,400	$2.206M	$20.556M
Sold Median Price	$132K	$44K	$147,500	$142,550	$225K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	212	377	199	20	210

VS.

2014 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings	62	74	13	2	15	166
Pendings	5	2	0	1	0	8
Solds	70	20	19	1	1	111
Sold Volume	$9.076M	$826,300	$2.486M	$99K	$5.955M	$18.44M
Sold Median Price	$130K	$25K	$145K	$99K	$117,750
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	178	276	105	25	145

LONG BEACH PENINSULA (Ilwaco to Surfside Estates) MARKET:

2015 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings	141	179	15	0	20	355
Pendings	40	12	1	0	0	53
Solds	346	122	36	2	3	509
Sold Volume	$58.26M	$6.61M	$4.44M	$403K	$640K	$70.353M
Sold Median Price	$149,900	$32K	$103,250	$201,500	$245K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	194	307	238	47	446

VS.

2014 Year-End	Homes	Land	Condos	Multi- Family	Commercial	Total
Current Listings	218	251	31	4	25	529
Pendings	21	5	2	0	0	28
Solds	261	111	27	1	5	405
Sold Volume	$41.77M	$3.947M	$2.16M	$89,950	$557K	$48.524M
Sold Median Price	$140K	$26K	$80K	$89,950	$150K
Avg. Days on Market (solds)	203	287	672	308	308

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

FINANCING NEWS

MORTGAGE NEWS

The following are some of the Federal loan changes that have gone into effect (most in October 2015):

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) now guarantee loans with as little as 3% down.

Borrowers in 2015 will have to comply with the 2014 �Qualified Mortgage� (QM) Rule requiring that no more than 43% of their gross monthly income can go toward their minimum monthly payment on all debt, including house payments. Previously, lenders determined the maximum debt-to-income ratios, some setting the limit as high as 60%.

The Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) Rule -- as long as a loan meets the Qualified Mortgage (QM) standards, the lenders can sell their loans to investors and not keep the debt on their books. If a loan does not meet the QM standards, then the lenders have to keep 5% of the mortgage amounts on their books for at least 5 years.

The Good Faith Estimate is now combined with the Truth in Lending (TIL) Disclosure and is now called the "Loan Estimate." The HUD-1 Settlement Statement is combined with the Final TIL and is now called the "Closing Disclosure." Perhaps the greatest change is that this "Closing Disclosure" must be in the hands of the Buyer/Borrower 3 days before closing.

**The items above were obtained form different news online sources, such as the Association of Realtors.

Interest rates are still very low at around 3.875%-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/vacation 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....Desi Goodwin, the Residential Loan Officer, at 360-500-4003, or e-mail her at dgoodwin@bankofthepacific.com. You can also contact Saul Schiffner at Wallick & Volk Mortgage Brokers in Bellevue at 425-422-6333, or e-mail him at saul.schiffner@wvmb.com. Or, Lee Hauser at Wells Fargo in Aberdeen at 360-537-7307, or e-mail her at lee.hauser@wellsfargo.com.

If you ever have any questions about Area Information and Real Estate in Ocean Shores and the North Beach, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
~ April Swenson

aswenson25@juno.com

360-589-2777 (cell/text)

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

April Swenson, Managing Broker & CRS
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers ~ Ocean Shores, WA
Cell / Text: 360-589-2777
Fax: 360-289-3941
aswenson25@juno.com www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Return to Home Page

Return to News/Announcements

April Swenson, Managing Broker at Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers Real Estate

April Swenson, Managing Broker at
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers Real Estate