Boating Lifestyle Real Estate

The Best Three Marinas in The Northwest?

2010-08-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

Elliott Bay Marina

Shilshole Bay Marina

When it comes to Seattle, these outstanding Seattle marinas have been my favorites for years. And the "Best of the Best" is Elliott Bay! Just my opinion, ofcourse....Spend a week or week-end at any one of the three or all three and discover the reason Seattle is called the Emerald City. Great article from SEA Magazine

Bell Harbor Marina

TOP TEN BOATING COMMUNITIES

2010-05-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Of course Seattle and the Puget Sound are #1 in the United States, if not the world. Congratulations and thanks to all of you that make Seattle what it is.. a boater's paradise! Many boat owners in the Pacific Northwest enjoy having their boat moored on a dock in their backyard and water and mountain views..

And thanks to Boating Magazine for this article.

http://www.boatingmag.com/skills/10-best-places-live-and-boat

Best Time to BUY is now! Both Boats and Waterfront Homes

2010-01-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

Buy now before everything starts going up including prices, interest rates, terms, selection and just about everything else. We will look back at this period in time as the Bargain Era. Prices for luxury boats/yachts and waterfront homes are very soft and interest rates have never been lower. Now, and the Spring and Summer of 2010 should be a time of great bargain prices based on the last of the excess inventories of boats and luxury waterfront homes.

Google "Boat Shows" to get your local boat show dates. And of course, http://www.yachtworld.com/ . If you are looking for a great place to buy a vacation or retirement home in the protected inland cruising waterways of the Pacific Northwestern United States (Seattle, Washington) take a look at http://www.boatcommunities.com/ . This site is focused to Boating Communities where boats are just as welcomed as people. There are a couple of thousand homes for sale on this site in boating communities, some with private docks or moorage in a communtiy marina for your boat. Just click on the link above... Have fun in 2010!

Canal Front Home with Private Dock

2009-10-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

On Whidbey Island in the State of Washington, Pacific Northwest USA

Are you looking for the peace + tranquility of a small community? This 3000sf waterfront home with dock might be it. Beautiful landscaped low maint yard with a natural waterfall/pond. New kitchen has SS + granite. Views of Camano + the Cascade Range. Large master with office. Staircase leads to two bonus rooms and 3/4 bath. Lower level for entertaining has bar, family room, spa, sauna, exercise, wine cellar, guest BR + BA. This is a great getaway! Easy access to San Juan and Gulf Islands, Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle. Click on title for full listing information and photos....

Boat International Review of Monaco Yacht Show

2009-09-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Monaco show was more successful than expected. Still doesn't look like a good time to sell a boat, but a great time to buy! Click the title for Boat International article....

It's That Time Again! The Fall Boat Shows

2009-09-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I went to the Seattle "Boats Afloat" show on South Lake Union. The weather was perfect! This show continues to get better and the boats keep getting larger and larger. Have a look at http://www.boatsafloatshow.com/

On the other side of the United States. try the Newport, Rhode Island Boat Show http://www.newportboatshow.com/

Or the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Boat Show. "The World's Largest Boat Show"

http://www.showmanagement.com/

And talk about big boats and big boat shows, this is the time of year that a trip to Italy and the South of France will avail you to three of the worlds best Boat Shows - Genoa, Monte Carlo and Cannes. Eat well and maybe even buy a new boat!

http://www.salonnautiquecannes.com/

http://www.monacoyachtshow.com/

http://www.genoaboatshow.com/

Go to any or all and have a good time!!!!

ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST CRUISING WATERWAYS

2009-05-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

(The map shows all of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the lower part of Vancouver Island which contains the City of Vancouver, Canada. The other photos are of Gig Harbor, a small port west of Tacoma, Washington)

This is Puget Sound and the waters north to British Columbia. Not shown is the continuation of this massive protected inland waterway all the way to Alaska. What a treat! The shores are lined with hundreds of quaint ports and islands with sheltered coves that cater to the needs and wants of boaters like us. Whether you own a small outboard or a superyacht, the Puget Sound and waters north has everything to make your boating experience outstanding fun with lots of excitement. Come for a lifetime, retirement, build a getaway or second home, or just come for a summer or winter vacation. This Pacific Northwest is just the best! Link for more information http://www.seattlepi.com/getaways/050296/dock_map_top.html

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/puget/Puget_Sound.htm

Beautiful Building Lot with Dock For Sale

2009-05-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

RARE FIND ON PUGET SOUND, STATE OF WASHINGTON, USA

Want your yacht in your backyard? Now is the time to build your getaway or retirement home on 120’protected canal waterfront with new dock, all utilities in street or on property including natural gas and cable.12000 SF double lot in Whidbey Island’s premier Boating Community. Quick marine access to San Juan and Gulf Islands. Other properties are also available. Call or email me for showing/more info. Joe Marvin 206 605 1436 Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island $475,000.

MY MERIDIAN

2009-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would show you a picture of my boat "Meridian". She is a 50' Sport Sedan built by Knight & Carver in San Diego, California. She is a beautiful and seaworthy yacht!

MARINERS COVE STATISTICS

2009-04-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mariners Cove, Whidbey Island, Statistics and Comments

From: Joseph Michael Marvin

As most of us know, Mariners Cove is a beautiful and well maintained community with underground utilities, natural gas, plenty of community moorage, boat ramp, beach rights, great residents and is well managed. It is only six miles to Oak Harbor’s services, restaurants and shopping. And, moorage is protected all
year-round .

Compared to most other areas in Puget Sound, homes with private docks on Whidbey Island sell for less money than most other places in Puget Sound. This includes Mariners Cove. Take a look at the following:

Mariners Cove Home Sales with private dock 2006,2007,2008:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 1* 1705 152 $725,000 425
2007 1* 1534 173 612,300 399
2006 3 2444 177 658,333 271

Mariners Cove Home Sales with moorage rights 2006,2007,2008:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 1 2900 793 $446,000 154
2007 1 2256 210 350,000 155
2006 0 0 0 0 0

Mariners Cove Beachfront Home Sales with moorage rights 2006,2007,2008:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 0 0 0 0 0
2007 0 0 0 0 0
2006 3** 1933 65 $804,600 402

*The last two home sales with private docks totaled 130 feet of canal waterfront both with docks capable of mooring 40’ plus boats. They sold for an average of $10,287 per canal front foot including an average of 1620 square feet of improvements.
**These three beachfront sales totaled 241 feet of beachfront with a sold value of $10,017 per beachfront foot including an average of 1933 square feet of improvements.
This includes the Jouett sale. The Jouett home included 121 feet of beachfront on Stony Beach. Sales price was $1,295,000.

Looking at current MLS listings

Mariners Cove Current MLS Listings for sale with private dock:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
1 1978 393 $660,000 $334

Mariners Cove Current Listings for sale with moorage rights:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
3 2438 638 $616,317 $274

What do the above statistics tell us about Mariners Cove?

1) There is very little turnover, Mariners Cove is a very stable real estate market. MLS data shows only 10 sales in the last 3 years, 5 with private docks, 3 beachfront and 2 view homes. This does not include by owner sales.
2) Homes with docks that can handle large boats (40’ plus) continue to enjoy above average appreciation.
3) If realistically priced, Beachfront homes and Canal Front homes with private docks generally sell within 90 to 180 days. This is fast in today’s market.
4) Non-beachfront and canal front homes without private docks are having a harder time. Look at the Days on Market! For a boating community with low cost community moorage for its residents, the value should be higher and the homes should sell faster.
5) No other boating community has community moorage to the extent that Mariners Cove does. Owners need to promote the community moorage rights to realtors and prospective buyers.
6) There are only 3 active NWMLS listings, one with a private dock, two canal front without docks. One other is sold contingent to a sale in California.

Regards, Joe Marvin
BoatCommunities.com
Windermere Real Estate, Whidbey Island

BOATING COMMUNITIES HOME VALUES- PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON

2009-04-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

To: Boating Community Home Owners -Puget Sound
From: Joseph Michael Marvin

Subject: Update on Our Real Estate Market

Hi everyone! Hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health. Needless to say, we are in difficult financial times when it comes to our investment portfolios and home values. No matter where we turn, the air is filled with the reality of the moment, which seems to have nothing positive to say about today or tomorrow. And it is still unknown which way our portfolios and home values are headed from this date on, whether up or down. Enough said.

The purpose of this letter is to update you on what has happened over the last few years with home values in the Puget Sound Boating Communities, homes that have moorage rights or private docks. Saltwater properties and properties that have saltwater access like Lake Washington and Lake Union. As most of you know, I live in a Boating Community, Mariners Cove on Whidbey Island, work for Windermere Real Estate and manage my web site, http://www.boatcommunities.com/ and blog, http://waterfront-real-estate.blogspot.com/ Our goal is to promote and enhance our Boating Community Lifestyle. And, since my BoatCommunities.com associates and I are real estate agents, we also want to be of help listing and selling boating community homes and properties.

To start, I would like to divide the Greater Puget Sound area into four markets:

1) Metro Seattle including Lake Washington – the area that is less than a 30- minute work commute to the Seattle Metropolitan job market. Like the community of Newport Shores in Bellevue.
2) The Puget Sound area that is within an hour’s commute to the Seattle Metropolitan job market. Like the community and City of Bainbridge Island.
3) The outlying boating communities that are not really commutable daily to the Seattle Metropolitan job market. Like Mariners Cove on Whidbey Island.
4) The San Juan Islands – the main Islands with ferry service, San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez.

Of course, the ability of workers to commute to work has a major effect on property values, including our waterfront homes with moorage rights or private docks and this is reflected in the following statistics compiled from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS).

Home Sales with private docks / moorage statistics for the years 2006, 2007 & 2008:

Market #1 – Less than 30 minutes commute:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 63 4083 147 $3,327,584 $815
2007 96 3830 110 3,249,787 859
2006 97 4143 192 2,991,435 725

Market #2 -Within an hour’s commute:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 9 3803 156 $2,192,778 $570
2007 5 3372 148 1,606,400 450
2006 11 2901 118 1,342,295 527

Market #3 -Not really commutable on a daily basis, more than 1 hour:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 12 2313 233 $711,500 $307
2007 22 2251 175 819,916 345
2006 27 2446 160 840,602 324

Market #4 – The San Juan Islands:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
2008 7 2771 316 $1,632,000 $625
2007 13 2799 191 1,598,781 656
2006 12 3335 248 1,817,500 580

Remember that the quality, location, setting, view, waterfront footage, dock or community moorage specifications and many other things ultimately determine what someone is willing to pay for a property.

So what do the above statistics tell us?

1) Home sales with docks were down 33% in 2008 compared to 2007.
2) Selling prices were up 8% compared to 2007. The only market to go down in average sales price was Market #3.
3) Based on the Days on Market, homes did not sell as quickly as they did in 2006-2007.
4) It shows that Market #1 is not only one of the most expensive areas to live in Metropolitan Seattle, but also in the United States.
5) It also tells us that waterfront homes with moorage for yachts are a valuable asset even if it takes an hour or more to commute to work.
6) It tells us is that for some unknown reason, homes with private docks or community moorage in the outlying areas of Puget Sound (like Whidbey and Fidalgo Island) have sold at bargain prices compared to the other markets.
7) Look at the difference in cost per square foot and the fact that the average home size is 2,000 to 3,000 feet in Market #3 and #4 versus 3,000 to 4,000 feet in #1 and #2.

Looking at homes currently for sale on the NW Multiple Listing Service with private docks / moorage (saltwater or saltwater accessible):

Market #1 - Less than 30 minutes commute:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
107 4542 211 $4,908,631 $966

Market #2 -Within an hour’s commute:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
5 4440 212 $2,869,780 $541

Market #3 -Not really commutable on a daily basis, more than 1 hour:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
18 2961 298 $1,459,583 $521

Market #4 -San Juan Islands:

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
23 2597 389 $1,997,261 $806

So, what do the MLS Listings tell us about our current market?

1) The market for saltwater and saltwater accessible properties with boat docks around Puget Sound is relatively stable, and while 2008 produced slower sales, asking / list prices are not falling through the roof.
2) There are 107 homes with docks for sale within 30 minutes commute with an average list price of $4,908,631! If they sell for last years selling price of 91% of list price, then the average sales price should be $4,466,854…
3) There is not much for sale in Market #2.
4) The average Active list price in Market #3 is $1,459,583. That is over twice the average sales price in 2008. More than likely, this under-valued area should have higher appreciation or less depreciation during the next few years.
5) Days on Market for Market # 1 and 2 considerably less than 3 and 4.
6) Average home size is much larger in metro Seattle versus outlying areas and the San Juan’s. 4400 versus 2961
7) Look at and compare the Dollars Per Square Foot ($/SqFt).

Other statistics for Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands:

Current Active Listings for Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands with moorage or private dock: (this includes Mariners Cove, Skyline Marina, Shelter Bay, Lagoon Point and Sandy Hook)

Listings Average SqFt Days on Market Average List Price $/SqFt
15 2370 270 $881,090 $381

Whidbey Island 2008 Home Sales with private docks / moorage:

Homes Sold Average SqFt Days on Market Average Sales Price $/SqFt
5 2270 262 $525,800 $254

Additional Commentary:
Seems that homes with private docks on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands sell for unbelievable low prices. Shouldn’t they be priced equal to the San Juan Islands? I love the San Juan’s and boat there every summer. But in most cases, the moorage afforded by homes in the San Juan’s is not year-round due to a lack of protection from winter storms and wind. On Whidbey and Fidalgo Island, most moorage is year-round in the boating communities Mariners Cove, Lagoon Point, Sandy Hook, Skyline Marina and Shelter Bay. Services such as shopping, healthcare, and conveniences are also an advantage for extended stays or for full time residence.

To end, I hope this information is useful for those of you that own Boating Community homes or property or are considering buying or selling. I enjoy compiling it from time to time. If you would like BoatCommunities.com to do a custom analysis on your community or property, please call or email me. Questions? just call….

Best regards, Joe Marvin

Joseph Michael Marvin, REALTOR

Boat Community Specialist, e-PRO

Windermere Real Estate / Whidbey Island

Off: 360 675 5953 Cell: 206 605 1436

Email: joemarvin@BoatCommunities.com

Website: www.BoatCommunities.com

THE SEATTLE BOAT SHOW

2009-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, this is a great show, the best in the Northwest. Whether you are looking to buy or just looking, it is the most fun a boater can have for $10. Enjoy and get out to the show!

It ends on February 1st......

http://www.boatsafloatshow.com/

BEST SITE FOR CAPTAINS AND CREW

2009-01-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

This is the website for world cruising information.

http://www.dockwalk.com/

TIME TO BE IN THE WARM AND FUN CARIBBEAN !

2009-01-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Wow! Wouldn't it be nice to be in St. Lucia aboard your yacht right now?

Take a look at http://themarina.marig otbay.com/

Evening Cruise to La Conner for Dinner

2008-11-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

What a great time!!! Have a look at this video. Pacific Northwest living!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QichIGwFsrM

Waterfront homes, waterfront properties, condos and Boating Communities around Seattle Washington. Seattle Waterfront Home Search, waterfront condos. Waterfront Properties with moorage, boat slips and docks.

2008-06-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

Waterfront homes, waterfront properties, condos and Boating Communities around Seattle Washington. Seattle Waterfront properties and Home Search, waterfront condos. Waterfront Properties with moorage, boat slips and docks. Our expertise is real estate for boaters and boats in Puget Sound and Western Washington. Lots of links of interest to boat and yacht owners. Go to http://www.boatcommunities.com/ to find your boating community home.

GRAND BANKS RENDEZVOUS AT ROCHE HARBOR

2008-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

This years Grand Banks Rendezvous at Roche Harbor was nothing short of fantastic.... Warm, sunny, no wind, just fantastic weather! And the GBs all decked out in their best attire shining in the sun. Over 110 of them, all sizes and all ages and all standing tall..

I was there with "MY Meridian" as a sponsor displaying Boating Community properties in the San Juan Islands and other areas around Puget Sound. We also displayed facts on our soon to be announced Large Yacht Covered Boat Slips to be built in Commencement Bay, close to Brown's Point. These 60', 70' and 80' condo style boat slips will feature the lastest in boat slip design and safety including an on-site full time Marina Manager, personal yacht surveillance cameras, and owners clubhouse. Completion is currently scheduled for August of 2009. For more info, see my previous blogs on this project.

Enjoy the pictures!!!

Why I Love Mariners Cove!

2008-04-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Teresa. My husband and I moved to Mariner’s Cove, two and a half years ago. For me, it was a dream come true to move back home to beautiful Whidbey Island where I spent most of my childhood. Mariner’s Cove overlooks Saratoga Passage and the North end of Camano Island. It’s a little piece of heaven to see the sunrise in the morning coming up over the Cascades; the fog rolling in over the Saratoga Passage that almost never covers the Cove. It’s the rain shadow and micro-climate that keeps us in great weather, even when to the south and further north the rain is falling. Everyone goes for walks in the neighborhood—it’s so picturesque to look over the water and boats going by that it’s easy to end up strolling instead of the brisk walk that you started out on. The water really fills your senses and the air is clean. The birds sing in the morning and eagles live in the trees in the nearby hills and fly overhead; the blue herons, ducks, otters, and an occasional seal come into visit the canals. It’s incredibly quiet and a wonderful place to catch up on your sleep; read the book that you’ve been meaning to read; or go for a walk on the beach to collect shells.

Mariner’s Cove has several properties available right now. Properties with private docks or other properties that all have access to the two community docks are fantastic options to pursue. Find out more about waterfront or water view properties that you can choose from to make your dreams come true at http://www.boatcommunities.com/.

NEW LARGE YACHT MARINA COMING SOON TO PUGET SOUND

2008-03-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

NEW LUXURY YACHT MARINA!

2008-02-26T15:49:00.000-08:00

LUXURY YACHT BOAT SLIPS INTRODUCED AT THE SEATTLE BOAT SHOW.

Located in the heart of Puget Sound, these state-of-the-art covered 60', 70' and 80' boat slips will be available for reservation and purchase late Spring. Completion is currently scheduled for Summer of 2009. For more information, please call Joe Marvin, 206 605 1436.

WORLD'S MOST FABULOUS BOATING COMMUNITY

2007-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

MONTE CARLO! JEWEL CITY OF THE MED...

Monte Carlo! The Yachting Lifestyle at its Best! Luxury Yachts, Super Yachts, and Mega Yachts; they are all here. Along with garden terraced penthouses, the Casino, the Hotel de Paris, the Gran Prix, the Palace, Princess Grace, the Rainiers, world-class restaurants & shops, exotic autos, magnificent views in all directions. Whats not to like and love!

And there is a lot more to Monte Carlo than what is stated above. With more than 300 days a year of sunshine, residents in Monte Carlo can take advantage of the Mediterranean, and all of its seaside activities. Moreover, Monaco's close proximitiy to the Southern Alps, which are only 1 hour away by car, allows for easy access to the ski slopes.

Did you knkow that residents in Monaco, representing 108 different nationalities, can place their children in different schools which are either a part of or affiliated with the Ministry of Education?

Besides yachting, the sheer number of cultural events each year encourages the learning of artistic disciplines, as does the presence of reputable establishments such as the Rainier III Academy of Music, the Academy of Classical Dance and the Princess Grace Municipal Plastic Art School.

For what I believe was our 8th visit, my wife and I visited Monaco this fall. Like all the other visits it was nothing short of fantastic! These are just a few of the many pictures we took. What a true yachtsman's dream......

More on Dock Values!

2007-09-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Open the following link. This Wall Street Journal article really hits the nail on the head when it comes to how deep water docks in most parts of the United States increase property values. Big thanks to WSJ.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118308397101952525.html

Community Moorage Rights and Private Docks

2007-07-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

Putting a value on Community Moorage Rights. How much are Private Docks and Moorage Rights worth?

Do you own or want to buy a home in one of Puget Sound’s boating communities? Do you wonder how to value moorage rights or a private dock in your backyard? If so, this article might be of help.

To start, if you own a boat you basically have the following moorage options:

1) Moor your boat in a public or privately owned marina
2) Buy a condominiumized (condo) boat slip
3) Buy a home or building lot with a private or shared dock
4) Buy a home or building lot with moorage rights in a community marina

Each option has its pluses and minuses, benefits and costs. If you moor in a public or private marina, one good thing is that you can cancel your moorage at any time. But since you are renting, you don’t enjoy the benefits of ownership like appreciation in value and stopping the constant moorage rate increases. This assumes that you are lucky enough to find an available slip and not just on a waiting list that might last for years. Over the long haul, this option could be the most expensive. Current monthly rental examples for a 40’ slip are $480 at Salmon Bay in Seattle, $305 at La Conner, and $345 at Cap Sante in Anacortes. Again, that’s if you can get in!

The second option is to buy a condo boat slip when or if available. Since a condo boat slip is deeded fee simple real estate, the current value and demand for a condo boat slip is important input data in determining both moorage rights value in boating communities that offer moorage rights in a community-owned marina; and the value of a private dock. Current condo boat slip values provide an excellent frame of reference. One of the best barometers for condo boat slip values in the Puget Sound area is Skyline Marina in Anacortes. The community of Skyline does not have moorage rights or a community marina for its residents. All moorage is privately owned, mostly as condominiumized boat slips. Richard Sands of Richard L. Sands, Inc. (tel. 360 293 1255, http://www.richardlsands.com/ ) is the originator of the condominium boat moorage concept, and has 40 years experience serving the slip owners in Skyline Marina. Richard and Steve currently have a backlog of more than 150 qualified buyers interested in buying slips from 28 to 100+ feet! Richard sold the first condo boat slip in 1969 when the first slips at Skyline Marina were condominiumized and offered for sale. Have the moorages appreciated the same way other real estate has? The answer is yes. In 1969 the first slips in Division 17 sold for $100 per foot, that's $3,800 for a 38' slip. Recently, a 38' slip in division 17 sold for $115,000—$3,026 per foot. And a 48' foot slip in Division 22 sold for $155,000—$3,229 per foot! Current asking is $3,500 per foot for a 40’ slip. So purchasing a moorage rather than renting has been a profitable decision over the years. The past is no predictor of the future but the scarcity of new moorage has demand always outstripping supply. In addition to the purchase price, condo boat slip owners pay taxes and maintenance costs. A 40’ slip in Skyline will cost about $200 a month for taxes and maintenance.

Skyline Condo Boat Slip Sales have been brisk: 43 slips sold in 2006, over 20 slips sold or pending so far in 2007

Condominium slips are a valuable asset, but more importantly for the boater, they provide a permanent moorage for your boat. No risk of losing your spot – you own it! And if your needs change, the slip can be sold. Because the slips in Skyline Marina are deeded fee-simple real estate, you can also keep them in the family, passing them on via inheritance or family trusts. This has proven to be a good option and investment.

The third option is to buy a home or lot with a year-round protected private or shared “dock in your backyard”. This is almost every boat owner’s dream. The biggest benefit is you walk out your back door and there is your yacht! No monthly moorage fees, no rate increases… for just a million dollars or two or three and this dream can come true! Right? Truth is that there are still a few communities in the Puget Sound area where you can buy that “boat dock in your backyard” for under a million dollars. But not for much longer. I have been specializing in boating communities for over five years and the prices have been going up dramatically and all indicators say they will continue to go up. In determining an estimated total market value for a home or lot that has a private dock , the “moorage value” should be added to the property value (the land and improvements). Based on the convenience of having your “boat in your backyard” instead of at a condo marina somewhere, a conservative estimate of the moorage value would be at least one & one-half times the current value of a condo boat slip that can handle a similar size boat. You could go to 2 times depending on other conditions including quality of dock, ease of navigation, depth, width, etc. Although the size of the boat slip or dock is important, more important in estimating moorage value is what size boat the slip or dock can handle. Some 30’ private docks can handle a 50’ boat comfortably while some have trouble handling a 30’ boat. At a conservative 1 & ½ times a condo boat slip, a protected private dock that can moor a 45’ boat should have a current value of about $236,000. Add this to the land and improvements value to estimate total market value. (See current condo boat slip prices above). Example: 60’ canal waterfront lot value $250k, improvements (1500sf house at $150 per sf) $225k, and moorage value (private dock capable of 45’ boat) $236k = $711,000. Change the 45’ to 30’ capability and the moorage value drops to $98K and the total market value drops $138k to $573k! Yes, big boat moorage is scarce and expensive.

The fourth option, buying a home or lot with moorage rights in a community-owned marina has a lot of pluses. You get most of the advantages of the first three options with the only minus being “you don’t have your boat in your backyard”, but it might only be a block or two away. There are not many boating communities that have community moorage and/or private docks and they are not developing any more because of shoreline acts and regulations. One such community on Whidbey Island is Mariners Cove. A boating community developed in the early 1970’s, it consists of 170 homes and lots, some with private docks, others with beachfront, and all property owners have moorage rights in their community marina. And, moorage is available for only $2 a foot per month! No taxes or maintenance expense. Just $2 a month per foot. So what is the value of the moorage rights in a community like Mariners Cove? At least as much as a condo boat slip in Skyline? I would think so. Or more because your taxes and maintenance are nil. If you own property in Mariners Cove, a 40’ boat will cost you only $80 a month, less than half the cost of the taxes and maintenance for the condo boat slip! Let’s just go with the same value as the condo boat slip. 40’ x $3500 per foot = $140,000. Add this to the land and improvements value to estimate the total value. Example: view lot value $175k, improvements (2500sf house at $125 per sf) $312k, and moorage rights $140k = $627,000. With this option you get a beautiful home probably with a sound view and very inexpensive boat moorage.

I hope this helped. It is pretty straight forward once you understand the value of moorage. Finally, since most properties are somewhat unique, the only true market value is what someone is willing to pay…

Any questions or comments, give me a call. Regards, Joe Marvin

Joseph Michael Marvin is a Boat Community Specialist with Windermere Real Estate on Whidbey Island, Washington. He can be reached at 206.605.1436. His website is http://www.boatcommunities.com/

Whidbey Island, Waterfront Communities Open Houses

2007-06-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Take a Trip to Beautiful Whidbey Island!

WHIDBEY ISLAND WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES

OPEN HOUSES, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 7TH & 8TH

DON’T MISS REVIEWING THESE BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT AND WATER VIEW
HOMES IN SOME OF WHIDBEY ISLANDS MOST DESIRABLE COMMUNITIES

ALL HOMES WILL BE OPEN FROM 1 PM T0 5 PM

COME EITHER DAY AND VISIT ALL 14 OPEN HOMES. JUST PICK UP A
MAP FOR THE COMMUNITY LOCATIONS AND DIRECTIONS AT OUR

OFFICE LOCATED AT 32785 SR 20, OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON
(NEXT TO OFFICE MAX) OR AT ANY OF THE OPEN HOUSES.
JUST FOLLOW THE WINDERMERE OPEN HOUSE SIGNS

TO GET HERE:
DRIVE AROUND OVER THE DECEPTION PASS
BRIDGE OR TAKE THE MUKITEO FERRY.
QUESTIONS? CALL 360 675 5953

BOATER'S DREAM SPOT!

2007-06-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Is this not a beautiful spot? Meydenbauer Bay in Bellevue, Washington is one of the truly great places in the world to live if you are a boater. This bay on Lake Washington has access to the oceans of the world through the Ballard Locks to Puget Sound. Beautiful homes, docks for your boat and the Meydenbauer Yacht Club make the setting with downtown Bellevue just a few blocks away. Besides luxury homes, there are also a number of condominiums with great views of the bay, lake and boats. It doesn't get any better than this!

Windermere Mariners Cove Open House

2007-05-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

WHIDBEY ISLAND BOATING COMMUNITY

This past Sunday, April 29th, Windermere Real Estate and BoatCommunities.com held a "Community Open House" with seven homes open for boating home buyers to review. It was a very successful event with most homes having at least a dozen different parties (the high was 19!) looking at the wide selection of home sizes and prices. From a still-under-construction 1400sf canal front home with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2 fireplaces, granite and expensive woodwork; to a beautiful bay and mountain view 3500sf home with the best of everything! Three of the open homes have docks in their backyards for your boat....

Take a look at these photos and if you have any questions or want to view any homes for sale in Mariners Cove, go to Mariners Cove on www.BoatCommunities.com or call me at 206 605 1436. Thanks, Joe Marvin

Coastal Real Estate - WOW!

2007-03-03T05:10:00.000-08:00

BOATING LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES

Did you see the Special Advertising Section in the March 2007 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine titled Coastal Real Estate? You talk about Boating Communities! Seven Florida Boating Communities providing the best of lifestyle living for boat owners....Take a look at some of these pictures and go to their websites for more information. The market demand to help boaters find a home with moorage for their yacht continues to be strong on both coasts, especially California and Washington in the West, and Florida in the East. There has never been a better time to live and enjoy our boating lifestyle.

Also take a look at the article on Everett, Washington and their Puget Sound boating community development. It's an example of what is going on in the Seattle / Puget Sound area to help boaters live their lifestyle: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/11/13/focus20.html?t=printable

Websites of interest regarding the Florida boating communities:

www.aquapiyc.com

www.aandfhomes.com

www.ginnsurmer.com

www.theharborageclub.com

www.marinersclub.com

www.marlinbay-keys.com

www.newporttampabay.com

And don't forget if you are looking to buy or sell boating community homes or property in the Pacific Northwest to go www.boatcommunities.com Regards, Joe Marvin

Want To Buy an Island? Read On

2007-01-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you can purchase your own island for 20% less than you'd pay for comparable waterfront property on the mainland? Here's how to get your cays to paradise.

By Sean O'Neill, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
Slide show: 10 private islands for sale

Tom Brisson strides through the cathedral quiet of a spruce grove and emerges into a sunlit clearing. On an outcrop of granite, ocean waves spray a halo of mist. The elegant port town of Bar Harbor, Maine, appears across the water. "The only thing missing from this view is a hammock hanging between two trees," he says.

Brisson owns 13-acre Heron Island, a 20-minute boat ride from Winter Harbor, Maine. The 58-year-old financier had never seriously set his sights on buying an island until mid-2005.
But a few weeks after retiring from his job as a Sallie Mae financial analyst, Brisson saw Heron Island pictured in a magazine article. The Potomac, Md., resident quickly visited the island and sized up its value. On the plus side, it's close to Maine's top attractions, and he plans to boost the value of his wooded fiefdom by building a three-bedroom house and a storage building. He lowballed the $795,000 sale price with a successful offer of $715,000.

The own-your-own-island dream starts around $150,000. But you can also rent a private island for rates that start around $4,000 a week for two.
Consider the 1.75-mile-long chain of five islands in Maine's Brans Mill pond. You could build a cabin on the largest of the islands (4.8 acres), from which you could fish for brook trout and white perch. The archipelago was recently selling for $229,000, which included a lot on the mainland for parking your car and launching your watercraft. The pond is an hour's drive from Bangor. (See this island and others for sale in a slide show here.)

If you can afford waterfront property on the mainland, you can likely afford to purchase an island. As a rule, islands are about 20% cheaper per acre than waterfront mainland in the same locale. Yet islands offer more overall waterfront for your dollar -- with 360-degree views, of course.

What's more, the long-term investment value of an island often equals that of comparable mainland property. The main reason is the diminishing supply of islands that can be developed. State governments and environmental groups are restricting construction on many undeveloped private islands, especially in Florida and Maine. This trend is boosting demand for islands that don't have restrictions on renovating or replacing existing buildings.

San Diego Real Estate

2007-01-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

With its gentle Mediterranean climate and sand covered beaches bathed by warm sunshine, San Diego County real estate is one of the most desired coastal communities in the world. We welcome you to San Diego County's Fine Homes and Estates and Luxury properties presented by Louie Ortiz.

When you select Louie Ortiz and The Ortiz Group to represent your property or property purchase, you receive the extensive business and professional experience of Louie Ortiz and the resources and unrivaled support of the entire Century 21 system. Louie Ortiz with Century 21 Award possess an intimate knowledge of San Diego County communities and a keen grasp of the overall real estate market and its ever-changing landscape.

Throughout the years, Louie Ortiz through his business experience as CEO of his own companies has amassed an impressive portfolio of skills and expertise that give him a unique perspective and sales skills in marketing luxury properties and fine homes and estates. To go to the Ortiz Group Website, click on San Diego Real Estate above...

For Real Estate Blog

2007-01-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

Future of Real Estate

My crystal ball is starting to vibrate and when it does you will hear a high pitch sound or at the very least, feel wave particles pass through you and leave you in a state of bewilderment or enlightenment. The future of realestate is a reflection of the future state of global humanity.

When this phase is over it just all starts again.

I am very conscient of how this sounds, .........................and now, so are you.

Real estate is changing in a way that will not reflect the patterns and statistics of the past. A random event has taken place, a mutation if you will. This, in the form of the internet has shaken all parts of the globe not just because it has made it smaller, faster, homogenious but because it has taken a linear world of thinking, connections, measurment, analysis, business and process and instantly changed it to a quantum capable world and process. This is a process that approaches on multiple fronts at the same time allowing for elements that do not work or fit to fall or re-form into other directions.

Let me repeat a part of that.

"it has taken a linear world of thinking, connections, measurment, analysis, business and process and instantly changed it to a quantum capable world and process."

The internet has become a crude but effective modeling tool for how the universe deals with energy in a quantum fashoin. If you relate the way the internet spreads, absorbs and disperses information, it reflects and holds true to the law of thermodynamics. The collective consiousness ( people = energy ) and the data they input, pass on or delete (data = information) drives change.

If you want to argue for the parralell universe the internet shows us how this argument does not stand up. Just because the information does not reach you, does not mean that it is not out there affecting others and may in some other way touch your world. Regardless your world has changed. Look at the way the greening of the real estate market is a reflection of our overall sense of connectedness and exposure. Exposure to undiniable facts and information on the true condition of our depleted world resourse.

Back to my crystal ball. OK it is not so clear, but one thing is shining through, real estate along with most other industries are in what the old mind set says is chaos. But the new mindset sees it as pure potential. We are determining the real estate furture by our actions at xoompad, today! With each tool and decision we make we are not trying to guess the future of real estate, we are however stearing it a little at a time in the direction we belive is better for all.

Shane Katsoolis.

www.xoompad.com

SHELTER BAY HOME FOR SALE

2006-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for that special home for you and your boat? This might be it! Beautiful La Conner, Washington, part of the endless protected waterways of the Great Pacific Northwest

GREAT LOCATION AND BOATING COMMUNITY! 180
degree view of marina, boats, mountains and the La Conner Rainbow Bridge. 2900 sf finished plus 400 almost finished for a total of 3300. This home has been updated with hardwoods, tile, skylights, new furnace / heat pump,etc. The main level has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen with eating space and fireplace, living room with fireplace, dining room, large deck, utility/ pantry and a two car garage with lots of storage cabinets. Bring on your friends and relatives! Lower level water view guest suite has 1 bedroom and 1 bath, an additional kitchen, family room with fireplace, large bonus room and 400 sf of storage. Community amenities include beach, 2 pools, tennis, yacht club, 300 slip community marina for moorage, par-3 golf, RV/small boat storage, etc. Easy access to the San Juan and Gulf Islands, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, etc.
All this for only$495,000. Call me if you want more information. Tel: 206 605 1436

Boating Community Statistics

2006-10-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Boating Community Statistics for Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands

NOTE: This article should be of interest to owners and perspective owners of homes in the boating communities on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in the State of Washington.

I thought from a real estate perspective you might want to know what is going on in your boating community as well as some of the other boating communities on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. The following summarizes the average selling price for homes in the five boating communities on Whidbey and Fidalgo over the past 12 months commencing October 1, 2005 through October 17, 2006. This report separates the sale of waterfront properties and non-waterfront properties in each community. The intent is to provide the average selling price and selling price per square foot from actual sales data. Any questions, as always, please feel free to contact me.

On Whidbey Island, Washington

Sandy Hook in Clinton (8 sales total, 5 waterfront, 3 non-waterfront)

Waterfront – Average selling price $604,129. Days on market –76.
Average home size, 1642 square feet = $368 per square foot.

Non-waterfront – Average selling price $398,000. Days on market- 86.
Average home size, 1462 square feet = $272 per square foot.

Lagoon Point in Greenbank (15 sales total, 11 waterfront, 4 non-waterfront)

Waterfront – Average selling price $662,763. Days on market –140.
Average home size, 2139 square feet = $310 per square foot.

Non-waterfront- Average selling price $347,625. Days on market- 97.
Average home size, 1055 square feet = $329 per square foot.

Mariners Cove in Oak Harbor (8 sales total, 5 waterfront, 3 non-waterfront)

Waterfront – Average selling price $742,760. Days on market – 111.
Average home size, 2182 square feet = $340 per square foot.

Non-waterfront – Average selling price $437,333. Days on market – 28.
Average home size, 2556 square feet = $171 per square foot.

On Fidalgo Island, Washington

Skyline in Anacortes (51 sales total, 4 waterfront, 47 non-waterfront)

Waterfront – Average selling price $1,049,525. Days on market – 165.
Average home size, 2632 square feet = $399 per square foot.

Non-waterfront – Average selling price $426,965. Days on market – 60.
Average home size, 2347 square feet = $162 per square foot.

Shelter Bay in La Conner (61 sales total, 6 waterfront, 55 non-waterfront)

Waterfront – Average selling price $611,950. Days on market – 74.
Average home size, 2377 square feet = $257 per square foot.

Non-waterfront – Average selling price $336,951. Days on market – 63.
Average home size, 1997 square feet = $169 per square foot.

To find out what is currently for sale in each of these and 45 other Boating Communities from Olympia to Blaine, Washington go to http://www.boatcommunities.com/ If you are looking for a home in a boating community in the Puget Sound Washington area you will enjoy this website.

If you need assistance pricing or listing your boating community home, or want to scale up or down, please call me. I would be happy to help. You can call me at 360 240 9675 (home), 360 675 5953 (office) or 206 605 1436 (cell) or you can email me at joemarvin@BoatCommunities.com or joemarvin@windermere.com Regards, Joe Marvin

Poet's Cove on South Pender Island, BC

2006-10-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

What a Great Resort in the Canadian Gulf Islands just north of the San Juan Islands! Ellie and I along with two of our closest friends, Rich and Ruth Marchese from Vero Beach, Florida, chartered a float plane from downtown Vancouver and spent two nights at Poet's Cove. Our original plan was to boat to Poet's Cove but the weather was just too "iffy". You can always count on July & August and usually September, but this week looked like possible 25 to 30 knot winds on the Strait of Georgia and that's not for me. So, we left the boat home. Once we arrived, the weather was all sun and fun!

This resort seems to have everything! A marina setting, boats coming and going, 4 star restaurant, complete spa, swimming pools, gym, eagles in the trees, walking trails, and a manager, Peter, who aims to please. Besides driving us around the island, Peter stopped at a number of interesting island artist galleries and, at the Morning Bay Winery for tasting some hardy reds. He also, at Ruth's request, stopped at the "Button Lady" studio where you will find thousands of ceramic buttons designed and made, of course, by the Button Lady! Peter's staff was the best! Helpful and knowledgeable.

Whether you live locally or thousands of miles away, visiting the Great Pacific Northwest and places like Poet's Cove should satisfy that desire to get away, relax in the pools, hot tubs and spa, eat great food and drink good wines....We did and it was the best! Go to www.poetscove.com to review the resort and book a trip. You won't be disappointed.... Best regards, Joe & Ellie

What a great Lifestyle this is!

2006-08-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

What a great Lifestyle! This Labor Day weekend we are headed to Victoria, BC with the Oak Harbor Yacht Club... It is truly one of the best cities in the world to visit by sail or powerboat. From Whidbey Island, it takes us about 3 hours cruising time too get there and maybe since we are going past the south end of San Juan Island, we will run into the Orca whales again.....

Victoria has so much to do with great restaurants, shops and museums. It is a World Class City. We will moor our boat at the Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina. From there, we love to walk along the waterfront park to the center of activities around the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings. Lots of performers (jugglers, etc) along the prominade in front of the Empress. Take a look at the following link to the official site of the City of Victoria to get a better idea of the beauty and attractions of this outstanding Canadian city! We can't wait to get there again....

http://www.city.victoria.bc.ca/common/index.shtml

http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?viewPage=TRUE

Orca Whales (Killer Whales) Off San Juan Islands

2006-08-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Unbelieveable!!!On Sunday, August 20th, I was returning from a weekend at Roche Harbor when we ran into three pods of whales, some 90 whales in all!!! Orca whales can usually be spotted off the southwest side of San Juan Island, but very seldom three pods all at once......

It was quite a site for my son, his wife and daughters (2 of my grandchildren), let alone my wife and I. We will probably never see so many whales in one place ever again. Had a great weekend. Weather was great, Roche Harbor is just a fun place for boaters, one of the best resorts in the world....

2006-08-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Got more than 0ne boat?
Port Madison Home for Sale

This is Bainbridge Island in the State of Washington! Two homes on the best boating waterfront on the island. Built in '91 using a timberframe from an earlier structure to create a wonderful home. For boating enthusiasts, the deepwater dock has space for 4 boats, 9' draft @ -3' tide. The second home built in '01 doubles as a shop. Easily converted to living space. 3/4 acre, 160' waterfront, 4 BR septic and well, the possibilities are endless. The property contains two tax parcels and is available as a single unit. The asking price is $2,800,000. If you have an interest in this property, call Bill Slonaker at 206 842 5860

La Conner, Washington

2006-08-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

Beautiful La Conner, Washington Boating Community - SHELTER BAY

The Shelter Bay Community is a private gated community of almost 1,000 homes located on Fidalgo Island just across the Swinomish Channel from the historic town of La Conner. The homes range from cottages to million dollar waterfront homes with private docks. There is a 300-slip marina, swimming pools, tennis courts, parks, a private community beach, a par 3 golf course and a community clubhouse. It is also home to the Shelter Bay Yacht Club. The community has a long-term land lease from the Swinomish Indian tribe through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The waterways connect to the Swinomish Channel, with access to Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the oceans of the world. Convenient location. Just a great place for boaters! For more information, go to Shelter Bay on www.BoatCommunities.com

Beach House in Boating Community for Sale

2006-07-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for that special place? This might be it! Magnificent Beach House on 120' of no bank Mariners Cove beachfront. 180 view of Camano Island, mtns, and boat traffic to and from Deception Pass and La Conner. Moorage for your boat is currently available in the community marina. Over 2500 sf on one level + 3 car gar. Includes lots 61, 62, & 43. Built by quality builder Yonkman, it has water views from all living areas and master suite. On quiet deadend street in Whidbey Island's best boating community! Go to www.BoatCommunities.com for more information.
The picture of the home was taken from my boat, the other is of "A" Dock community moorage and some of the private docks in the Cove.

Want to live that Victorian Lifestyle?

2006-06-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

PORT TOWNSEND, Washington The quaint city of Port Townsend has a population of 8,000 and is one of only three Victorian Seaports on the National Historic Register. Port Townsend is located in the "rain shadow" of the Olympic Mountains and thus has only 17” of rain a year. The residential area above downtown with its preserved Victorian homes (like the one pictured here) and the downtown mostly brick buildings are designated a National Historic District. Live in a Victorian home on the hill above town and keep your boat in one of the two marinas that have a total of over 500 slips and lots of marine services, craftsmen and supplies. Bring your boat or buy one when you get here! Great area for wood boat maintenance and repairs.

Lake Union, Seattle, Washington

2006-06-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

LAKE UNION At the center of Seattle, Lake Union is an urban oasis that supports a diversity of use including marine industrial use, residences near and on the water, birds, sea life, boats, seaplanes, tourist attractions and city parks. Condominiums, houseboats and single family homes with water and city views, moorage, marine facilities and services, restaurants, boat shows, schools and activities. It is part of the passageway from Puget Sound to Lake Washington and the center of boating activities in the Pacific Northwest. This community is famous for its houseboats or floating homes with moorage. It has many Marinas close by, but very few private docks. Just blocks from downtown Seattle's business and shopping core. Condos, houseboats, and homes around Lake Union start at $300,000 upwards to over $2 million. To learn more about the Seattle boating lifestyle and Lake Union, go to www.BoatCommunities.com

Whidbey Island, Washington Boating Community

2006-06-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

MARINERS COVE - Beautiful community in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island consisting of 170 home sites of which approximately 150 have homes on them, some on canals with private docks in their backyard, or beachfront, or expansive water views of Saratoga Passage. There are two community docks with boat slips available for those who have a boat but no private dock. The residents share the Cove with eagles, great blue herons and sea otters. Mariners Cove is close to the facilities and festivities of Oak Harbor and Coupeville with easy marine access to the Deception Pass Bridge and the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Homes in Mariners Cove generally range from the high $300's to $1+million. Go to www.BoatCommunities.com to find out more about Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor and Mariners Cove.

The Birth of Mariners Cove, Oak Harbor, Washington

2006-06-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

BIRTH OF MARINERS' COVE
by Barbara Weyer
2126 Stoney Beach Lane
Oak Harbor, Washington

"On the shores of a pleasant little point, in that distant time, surrounded by virgin forests on the one side and sparkling blue saltwater on the other, thronged a horde of red savages. Forty or more mongrel dogs, shorn as close as sheep, sniffed and yelped around the group or raced away over the small bits of prairie which stretched between the heavily wooded ridges." Author unknown.

"Aside from the cries of small babies and a few naked children, the two hundred partly blanketed copper figures were standing in amazed attention. All eyes were focused toward the center of the group. There stood a man in the uniform of the Ship's Master in the Royal Navy of King George III. It was Saturday, the 2nd of June, 1792.
Representatives of two branches of the human biological tree stood examining one another. For the first time in the eons of development, scions of the Skagit tribe looked upon a white man. The native sons of the Island, tscga-kale-chey, faced the man whose name was to be given to their native land--Master Joseph Whidbey."
There had been many visits to the Island by white men in the period between 1792 and 1840, but civilization was yet to come.

The Oregon Donation Land Law was passed by Congress on September 27, 1850, and applied to all of the Old Oregon Territory, within which was Whidbey Island. First settlements were on the West shore of the Island across from Port Townsend. This was followed by settlements in Penn Cove and Oak Harbor.
In 1854 Charles Miller took the Northernmost claim on the Eastern shore of Whidbey and George Allen located back from the shore at Oak Harbor. In the 1860's and 1870's, once all the good land was taken, the population growth did not increase.

After a decade, in 1880 the Northeast portion of Whidbey Island was settled by pioneers from the Nordic countries, who had very little communication with the surrounding areas. The closest trading centers were Utsalady, on Camano Island's North shore, and the booming little town of La Conner on the Swinomish Slough, a close seven miles by boat.

The Langlands, a pioneer family, came from sturdy Viking stock that had weathered years of blizzards, grasshoppers, scourge and illness pioneering in Minnesota after their grandparents had come from Norway to the new land. A handwritten account by Olga Langland Simonson's father of his childhood in Minnnesota prepares one for an understanding of how these sturdy people undertook carving out a home on Whidbey Island when Indians were the only residents.

Olga's father was sent as a young boy of seventeen to the West Coast to scout the possibility of the family settling here. He arrived at Utsalady on Camano Island and went to work in the mill that was famous for lumber the world over. (Goodwill Matson, a long-time resident of this area, remembers his father saying that lie saw 14 sailing Ships from all over the world waiting to take on lumber.) Olga's father had never seen a sawmill before. What should he tell his parents to do? There did not seem to be a place out here for those who would till the soil. He wrote:

"The forest crowds so close right down to the sea with trees up to 10 feet in diameter".
The parents did come and after working nine years ill sawmills, purchased 138 acres above Bran's logging camp on Wlhidbey Island, (which later will be know as Olson's Landing. Pilings at the former location of the lauding still stand at the opening from Saratoga passage to the canals of Mariners Cove.) They were pioneers in the true sense of the word. The father could do anything, mend shoes, do carpentry, make furniture, as well as farm.
They soon cleared the sloping hillside of timber and planted gooseberries, strawberries, currants, and then tomatoes. It was difficult at first because people did not know what they were. However, people soon learned, and in one year they sold twenty-two tons. The produce was loaded aboard the steamship "Fairhaven" in mid-current from a row boat.

The women in the family, in addition to their duties of raising 500 chicks, attending to the house and gardens, corded, spun and wove wool to make rugs. Olga's mother wove 100 yards one summer for a woman in La Conner for which she was paid 10 cents a yard. The children of the area attended school in a one-room schoolhouse handling all eight grades. They learned by hearing others recite. Among the pioneer families attending the school were the Langlands, Seigfieds, Matsons, Frostads, Ellwongers, Borgmans, Liens, Hunskors, Olsons and Oyors. The schoolhouse was also a church on Sundays when a minister was available. If not, on Sunday the family dressed in their best clothes and the father read the Bible in the kitchen. Sunday afternoons were for visiting.

Another of the first families to settle in this area were the Hans Olsons, also of Norwegian ancestry. Hilda Olson, her parents and five brothers and sisters lived on a small island on the Skagit delta. When it came time for the children to attend school, Hilda's father, in 1906, purchased 60 acres of laud adjacent to the Langland property. This became known as Olson's Landing at the entry to the canals of Mariners' Cove from Saratoga Passage. Hilda remembers going with her father and brothers and sisters to trade in La Conner. " It was closer than walking through the woods to Oak Harbor," she said.

Hans Olson, Hilda's father, was also a carpenter and built their home and barns, as well as being a farmer. There was an area on their farm that made a natural entrance for a boat. He built a series of dikes to maintain water during the change of tides.

Olga tells of encounters with the Indians of the area. She said they were friendly but were constantly in need of food. They were particularly found of potatoes and would at times help themselves.
In 1924, a ferry route was established from Utsalady to Olson's Landing. It could carry ten cars, as well as foot passengers and made 3 trips a day. The three Olson brother--August, Albert, and Oscar (not related to the Hans Olson family) who owned and operated the ferry held a contest among the school children to find a name for the new ferry. The name "Acorn" was selected.
Howard Olson, no relation to either of the other Olson families, who resided in Utsalady, remembers riding the ferry. As a six year-old child he was allowed to steer the vessel on many crossings. They always made a trip over in August to view the Indian Water Festival held in Coupeville, and dedicated to Chief Charlie Snakeelum. The Water Festival, consisting of eight Washington and ten British Columbian Indian canoes, had such picturesque names as Rolling Thunder, and Shadow of Valdez.

The ferry continued to run until after the Deception Pass bridge was completed, stopping service in 1935 or 1936.
In 1965 Hilda Olson Hunskor and her brother sold the large portion of Olson's Landing to land developers Charles Reisdorf and Milo Norton. The original purchase price by the Olson family was $1500. The property was sold to the developers for in excess of $250,000.

From 1965-1967 the developers dredged a series of canals on the property forming a marina. The 180,000 cubic yards of dirt that was excavated to make this possible was used to fill in the low-lying swampy areas of the development. The area, now know as Mariners' Cove, was divided into 169 building lots. The first person to build a home in this area was Richard Pitt, now a retired Superior Court Judge. Most of the lots sold, but building did not begin to develop until about 1972. There are presently about 98 residences with more slated for construction. It is interesting to note that this area did not have electricity until 1932.

Hilda Olson Hunskor still resides in the family home. There is a cherry tree in her yard that is over 100 years old, and still bearing fruit. It blocks her view of Mariners Cove, ... she likes it that way.
Revised 1995 . (End of article)

To learn more about the status of Mariners Cove and Oak Harbor today, go to www.oakharborchamber.org and www.BoatCommunities.com

Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands

2006-06-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

ROCHE HARBOR The charming boat community of Roche Harbor sits on the northwest side of San Juan Island and enjoys a large deep-water marina. It is a boater's mecca during the summer months. Listed on the National Register of Historical Sites it is approximately ten miles by land from Friday Harbor. The harbor will take you back in time to a quiet, relaxed pace as you stroll the beautiful Victorian gardens and enjoy the ambiance of the historical buildings. Besides the marina, there is an airstrip, grocery store, restaurants, a hotel, a few shops and water-oriented activities. It has many homes and condominiums, some with private docks. Home prices range from around $300,000 to over $4 million. If you wish to view properties for sale in Roche Harbor go to the San Juan Islands on www.BoatCommunities.com

Beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington!

2006-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

GIG HARBOR, Washington With a city population of 6,500 and growing, Gig Harbor enjoys a vibrant economy with good shopping, fine restaurants, cultural arts, lots of marinas and marine services. Called the Maritime City, Gig Harbor is only a 45-minute drive from Sea-Tac International Airport and the city of Tacoma is just a few minutes drive across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Gig Harbor has a number of homes with marina views and private docks. It is one of the most picturesque small cities in America and a great boating community. Home prices range from the high $200's to over $2 million. To view homes for sale in Gig Harbor and other boating communities go to www.BoatCommunities.com

Seattle Area Boating Community Real Estate

2006-03-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

Spotlight on Real Estate for Seattle Area Boat Owners

Ever dream of having a yacht in your backyard? Having your own private dock? Or, how about owning your own private island or sharing an island with other passionate boaters? Does it sound like an impossible dream? Maybe for some of us it is, but for many of us it can come true somewhere in the Greater Puget Sound area. For some, just living within a short walking distance to their boat in a nearby marina would make both them and their boats much happier.
Dreams like these regularly come true for many Northwest boat owners who are buying homes and condominiums in one of the many Boating Communities located throughout Puget Sound. From Olympia to the Canadian border, from Lake Washington and Lake Union to the Hood Canal, boaters are buying primary residences, summer or second homes, floating homes, or depending on your phase in life, retirement homes and condominiums. Some boaters are buying vacant lots or property in these boating communities with plans of building a home for their family and boat sometime in the future. They are buying in Seattle Area Boating Communities like Mariners Cove, Port Ludlow, Skyline, Friday Harbor, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge and Mercer Island, just to name a few.

"Our reputation as one of the Best Cruising Areas in the World is also attracting many out-of-state boaters who are eager to snatch up waterfront homes and properties while they are still affordable" says Joe Marvin, founder of BoatCommunities.com, an association of real estate agents that exclusively focus on over 50 boating communities throughout the Greater Puget Sound area. (the title on his business card says Boat Community Specialist). "Waterfront with moorage that has access to the Oceans of the World is where it’s at from an appreciation standpoint. In fact, just being close to a marina or having community moorage available adds greatly to your home’s value and appreciation. It’s what boaters want. And it’s a hot market and getting hotter all the time."

"You can spend $ 3 to over $10 million for a home with 100 feet of waterfront and a dock on Lake Washington; or around $ 2 million for the same in a commutable distance to Metro Seattle like Bainbridge Island; or around $600 thousand for a home with a dock in a more remote boating community somewhere in Puget Sound" says Bill Slonaker, a Boat Community Specialist on Bainbridge Island. " With many homes and condominiums close to a marina selling for under $300 thousand, you don’t have to be a millionaire to live in a boating community. A 42’ boat slip with live aboard privileges just sold in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island for less than $80 thousand".

"But you need to be fast because any reasonably priced home with a private dock or a marina close by sells in a matter of days" states Marti Lewis, a Boat Community Specialist who lives and works in Gig Harbor. "My best advice to anyone serious about buying their dream in a boating community is to make sure you have an experienced team of real estate agents searching the boating communities for you and be ready to act fast when the right home or property comes on the market".

These Realtors (and boat owners!) agree that the best way to find and purchase your dream home in a Seattle Area Boating Community is to:

1) Get on the Internet and find a website that can help, like BoatCommunities.com
2)Next, use the website to help you evaluate and select one or more boating communities you think might just fit your lifestyle, location, price range, etc.
3)While online, review the currently available homes/properties for sale to help you get an idea of what the community’s homes look like, inside and out.
4)Get a knowledgeable specialist to show you around the boating community(s), answer questions, and maybe show you a home or two.
5)Make sure you are on top of any new listings just as soon as they are listed. Have the website notify you by email of any new listings just as soon as it happens and check the website at least daily.
6)Stay in touch with your Boat Community Specialist (or your agent). Make sure they fully understand what your needs and wants are.
7)Be patient! If you do the right things, your dream will come true.

For more information about our Greater Puget Sound boating communities and properties for sale, go to BoatCommunities.com

Boating Communities now have a new blog resource

2006-03-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Boat owners who live in a residential boating community now have a blog and news information site where they can post anything they think might be of interest to those whose lifestyle includes having their boat close by, like in a local marina, community moorage or private dock in their backyard. Joe Marvin, the founder of this Blog, has owned three boats over a 30 year period. He lives in a boating community, Mariners Cove, in Oak Harbor, Washington with his boat on his dock in his backyard. Joe sells real estate in the local Boating Communities and created a website, www.BoatCommunities.com to help boaters find real estate throughout the Greater Puget Sound area of the State of Washington.