The 2009 Port of Anacortes budget has been approved and this is great news for Anacortes home owners!  Since our property taxes are budget based, the funds that taxpayers pay this year will about the same as last year....$530,000.  The millage reate will actually go down one cent per $1,000 to $.84/$1000 (this is just for the Port of Anacortes portion of property taxes). The budget eas based on the moorage rate for the Cap Sante Boat Haven  to increase by only 5% rather than 10% which is great news for Anacortes boaters.  It also included some environmental clean up projects and a new boat ramp at Wyman's Marina another plus for boaters!  www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com   12/06/2008

CONGRATULATIONS ANACORTES MARINA INN!   The Anacortes Marina Inn has received a THREE DIAMOND RATING from AAA, North America's premier hotel rating program.   Located at 3300 Commercial Ave. ( on the left side of Commercial as you enter Anacortes) in Anacortes, WA this recently refurbished hotel provides the best accommodations in Anacortes!   Click on http://marinainnwa.com for more information!  The best place to stay in Anacortes! www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   12/05/2008

Washington State has several downpayment assistance programs for targeted areas and people groups in our state- see if you qualify for one. Couple these with the low interest rates and lower prices and you have unprecedented opportunities for home-ownership! Follow the link below to find out what you might be eligible for! http://www.wshfc.org/buyers/downpayment.htm 12/04/2008

I just went to an FHA class sponsored by Wells Fargo. For many years, the housing prices in Anacortes and the FHA loan limits did not even come close to matching up - so we didn't see a lot of FHA loans processed here. Now, thanks to new FHA limits in our county and some great prices in Anacortes, there are lots of properties that qualify. In some cases, the house price can go as high as $305K with the minimum amount down. FHA can be a great option not just for first-time buyers, but for any buyers looking for low down-payment options. There is no income limit, just loan cap amounts. It can also work really well for people looking to get their kids into something (co-sign) for very little money down. This is a great alternative to conventional financing for investment property that can ... 12/04/2008

After more than 35 Anacortes city council, commissioner and subcommittee meetings and public hearings, there is still no answer to the $64,000 question....or should I say 50,000 square feet question?  Should the city of Anacortes allow retail buildings larger than 50,000 square feet in the Commercial Marine area of Anacortes? The great debate will continue through 2009 requiring more work by city staff, planning commissioners and city councilors.  It is a difficult decision without an easy answer.  The city wants to not only protect but also promote local businesses, but with the possibility of the Samish Tribe providing land for a box store on land that would not generate city taxes, the city has a difficult decision on what is best for businesses, the city, and the tax payers.   www.A... 12/03/2008

Support our local Anacortes High School Band! You love them at the football games and in the parade - come and show your support for them at the Band Craft Fair, after the Christmas parade on Saturday. It's at the Anacortes Middle School gym from noon until 4:30. Lots of great local craftspeople will be selling their wares. Buy raffle tickets, enjoy a hot baked potato, find the perfect, unique gift for everyone on your list - there are lots of ways you can help out. Our band needs you! Fight fight fight for purple and white!     12/03/2008

  An Anacortes Christmas Friday, December 5 - Anacortes Community Christmas Tree Lighting - 5:45 pm - Chamber Parking lot - 9th and Commercial   Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6- Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Art Walk - Visit the Art Galleries Up and Down Commercial Avenue in Anacortes 6:00 - 9:00 pm on Friday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday   Saturday, December 6 - Anacortes Lions sponsored Christmas parade - 11:00 am downtown Anaccortes   Saturday, December 6 - Island Hospital Foundation's Celebration of Trees - Port of Anacortes Warehouse.   Anacortes is a Great Place to Live! 12/03/2008

Here are some interesting points from the National Association of REALTORS. If you are getting ready to buy a home, give yourself every advantage in the deal. It's easy to forget the basics when you are busy with househunting, inspections and negotiations. And when your ready to start looking in Anacortes - go to www.goseagull.com! Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes 1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. 3. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the homebuying process.4. They don't do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller. 5. They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only ... 12/02/2008

Here's what's happening in Anacortes this week... Town Tree Lighting - this Friday, December 5th, downtown. Enjoy an old fashioned tree lighting complete with carolers from the high school, hot cocoa and Santa, who sometimes shows up in a limo and sometimes on a fire truck! Starts at 6pm. Afterward - hang out downtown and go on the Art Walk - the holiday art walk is always the best one of the year - everyone is open late and there are plenty of holiday goodies around! Breakfast with Santa is the next morning at Fidalgo Center from 8 to 11:30, followed by the annual Lions Club Christmas Parade downtown on Commercial at 11:00. Parades are awesome in general, and this one does not dissapoint in the small town charm department! There is a good possibility that the majority of our population... 11/30/2008

The Anacortes Eagles will be providing a Thanksgiving Dinner to those in need in Anacortes.  Meals will be delivered in the morning hours.  The sit down dinner is available from noon until 4:00pm at 901 7th street in Anacortes.If you wish to have a meal delivered call 360-293-3012. If you would like to donate and item for the dinner or Turkeys, please contact kelly -360-288-2746.   www.AnacprtesHomeTeam.com www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.CBIslandLiving.comwww.AnacortesHomesBlog.comwww.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   11/25/2008

We all know that people are flocking to rural areas to escape traffic, crime and pollution.  In Anacortes we have what baby boomers today are looking for.  This is reflected in our market stats, but to give you an idea of how quaint our town is, I thought I would let you know that this week Anacortes Amercian has an article on the front page of the paper about a major issue that was discussed at the City Council meeting ... people that drive to fast through our neighborhoods. This is a serious issue as it can endanger children and pets...but don't you wish you lived in a beautiful quiet town where people driving too fast through 25 mph neighborhoods was front page news? For more information on Fidalgo Living in beautiful Anacortes, WA go to www.JeanGroesbeck.com   www.AncortesRealEstate... 11/22/2008

WI FI is available on the ferries through BOINGO.  If you have tried to log on at an airport you might have gotten a pop up screen that said Boingo.  Boingo Wireless, Inc., is the global market leader in Wi-Fi with over 100,000 hotspots worldwide.  The cost at the time of this writing is to purchase Boingo AsYouGo day passes for $7.95, or unlimited use for  $21.95 per month. If you are wondering how long the Ferry wait is check out the Ferry Cam.  To view the current ferry schedule click here   www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.CBIslandLiving.comwww.AnacortesHomesBlog.comwww.AnacortesHomeTeam.com Coldwell Banker Island Living   11/18/2008

The Anacortes American reported on Wednesday that assessments in Anacortes won't change much this year - except for Skyline. Skyline is anticipated to see some decrease in assessed values this year.  According to the American, "Anacortes was physically inspected in 2007 and its assessed value went up nearly 20 percent, increasing from about $4.342 billion to about $5.275 billion. The value is for all properties in the Anacortes School District boundaries, including residential land and commercial property, such as the refineries. The assessed value increase was an accumulation of what happened over the past few years." The recent market downturn probably won't be reflected in most assessed values until 2010. Skyine residents will see a drop this year of about 5%. Skagit County uses an o... 11/13/2008

FHA's new loan limits have been posted For Skagit County - the max loan amount is $295,550 according to Diane Martin at Wells Fargo in Anacortes. Currently in Anacortes, there are 43 active residential listings. Not all will meet FHA guidelines, but most probably will. The great thing about FHA is that the downpayment requirement for buyers is very small and can be contributed in part by the seller. Find out if you qualify for FHA and take advantage of this great buyers market! Check out all Anacortes listings at www.lawscraig.com.   11/12/2008

  New Homes Proposed Next to Anacortes Ferry Terminal Leeward Subdivision Partners LLC, a Bellingham developer, has requested to build a 48-unit condo building and 22 single-family homes along the Guemes Channe near the Washington State Ferries terminal and the Portalis development.This Wednesday,  the Anacortes City Planning Commission will consider Leeward's request. The public can speak on the proposal Wednesday night at the commission meeting. Leeward plans to build 22 homes and 48 condos close to the site of the developer's plan to build 40 condos and a waterfront hotel. Anacortes Planning Commission  7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008  Anacortes City Hall, 904 Sixth St. www.JeanGroesbeck.com www.AnacortesRealEstateBlob.com www.CBIslandLiving.comwww.AnacortesHomesBlog.comwww.Anacor... 11/11/2008

Real Estate sales and marketing of the future - what will it look like? Will blogging be the thing? Holographic agents? What do you look for on the Internet or other venues if you are a browsing buyer? Do you ever use the On-Demand TV stuff for real estate? I was using the Western Washington University library last night, and they have a really cool function where you can press a box next to a book or periodical listing on their computerized listings, and it will send you a text message with the call number and library location! How awesome is that! I didn't have to write anything down with those little library/golf pencils. I know this is probably old hat to the younger students, but I was wildly impressed. When you are surfing the Internet - what do you wish you could see more of in t... 11/11/2008

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Anacortes Community Theatre   Don't miss this classic (rated FAMILY) playing at the Anacortes Community Theatre in Anacortes, WA.  It runs from Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 2008.  Thursdays - 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday - 8 p.m. and Sunday - 2 p.m.  Tickets are only $16.00 According to the ACT website:  George Bailey's dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation.  His guardian angel descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him that it has been, after all, "A Wonderful Life".  One of the many things that makes Anacortes A Wonderful Place To Live!  www.JeanGroesbeck.com www.AnacortesRealEstate.com www.CBIslandLiving.comwww.AnacortesHomesBlog.comwww.AnacortesHomeTeam.com Coldwell Banker Island Living   11/10/2008

  Former Anacortes High School Student "Giving Back"  Two former students Anacortes High School student called their former teacher Val Boyce and offered to spend a day with Anacortes High School students to discuss technology.  The think that was so wonderful about the subject was that   wanted to stimulate excitement in technology by sharing something that students would find fascinating....winning experimental race cars.Kelly and Olausen are automotive engineering students in the Vehicle Research Institute at Western Washington University.  Together with three other Anacortes High School students they developed an experimental car which they will submit for an international competition! Another tribute to our great local Anacortes High School For more information on Anacortes go to w... 11/10/2008

Chandler's Square Considering Expansion Chandler's Square, a retirement community in Anacortes, WA, is looking at expanding!If the City of Anacortes will vacate an alley, Chandler's Square will be able to add a 25 unit wing. Currently Chandler's Square has a waiting list, and the need will only increase.  Anacortes is a great retirement destination, and as our population ages Anacortes home owners want to find a way to stay in Anacortes. The Anacortes City Council had the alley vacation on the agenda at last Monday's meeting and no one spoke against the alley vacation. Let's hope that there is no opposition and Chandler's Square will be able to expand to meet the needs of Anacortes residents!  www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.JeanGroesbeck.com www.CBIslandLiving.comwww.AnacortesHomes... 11/09/2008

I live in Anacortes, WA.  It is a small town on Fidalgo Island with a population of only 16,000. Today I ran across an article in A NEW VOICE FOR PAKISTAN In this article about America's cup: BMW Oracle it referenced Anacortes, WA! "BOR 90 was built and launched in Anacortes, Washington, where it underwent initial sea trials. The boat was barged to San Diego and testing resumed in early October. The crew could be here into next year while the syndicate's appeal is heard." You can read the entire article by clicking here. It was amazing to see the vessel as it cruised down the Guemes Channel in Anacortes! www.AnacortesRealEstateblog.com www.JeanGroesbeck.com     11/09/2008