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Sequim, WA Real Estate News

By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Clallam County Property Taxes are collected and spent, but have you ever wondered what your dollars are spent on?  Here's a nice little pie chart answering that question.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
I just completed a full analysis of MLS data for all price reductions in the past three months in Sequim and in Port Angeles.  While I do get the weekly emails from my colleagues broadcasting the "price improvements," which are usually $5,000 or $10,000, I did not realize how large the cumulative reductions actually are. Here is a graphic that shows modest price reductions overall of 9 to 10% for Sequim and Port Angeles, respectively, but to see more data in a spreadsheet, you will want to read my full article at Sequim Real Estate Price Reductions.  When you see the full spreadsheet, you will see price reductions of $40,000, $65,000, and $80,000 and more.  It is much worse than I thought until I fully examined and interpreted this data.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim B&B’s and Port Angeles Bed and Breakfasts are perfect places to stay if you are visiting for a weekend or holiday, or if you’re looking at real estate here. For your convenience, I’ve included a list of the Sequim and Port Angeles B&B’s with all their contact information, including their websites at:  Sequim Bed and Breakfasts. This photo is Lost Mountain Lodge in Sequim. It is very peaceful, and the kitchen and the Espresso maker are amazing. I know from personal experience.  
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
What homes are selling in Sequim, and in what price range do most of the homes sell?  Here is a chart covering the last 7+ years.  The biggest market for homes is $200,000 to $400,000, representing 68% of homes sold.  It's still hard to find a nice home in a good area for $259,000 in Sequim that appeals to the majority of buyers.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim, Washington is a popular retirement community. Of course, we have the so-called “rain shadow” and pilots talk about the hole in the sky over Sequim all the time. Our sunny weather is wonderful, although it doesn’t rain in the northwest nearly as much as people think. I’ve rarely been in Seattle when it was actually raining. A few times yes, but many more times no. We’re away from the nightmare traffic of the I-5 and I-405 corridors of the Seattle and Tacoma metropolitan areas. Since Sequim is on the northern Olympic Peninsula just over two hours drive from Sea-Tac International Airport, it is a rural or country setting. Being on the Peninsula, we get less traffic, because we don’t get people passing through on their way from one place to another. We have the beautiful Olympic Mou...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim and Port Angeles site built (or stick built) home sales get a lot of coverage, but what percentage of the market of homes sold are manufactured homes and condominiums? Here’s a chart of the comparison of all homes sold since January 2004 through June of 2008. Manufactured homes (and mobile homes, which are included in this data) make up 25.5% of homes sold. That’s a larger percentage than I realized until I did this analysis. Condominiums (and townhouses, which are included in this category) make up 3/4 of 1% of homes sold. This means that one out of four homes sold in Sequim and Port Angeles is a manufactured home or mobile home. [Source of Data: Olympic Listing Service]
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Selling a home or land in Sequim or Port Angeles in the current market conditions is no small challenge.  Many sellers are reaching the emotional and financial exhaustion point, because they are NOT connecting with prospective buyers.  What used to work doesn't work so well anymore.  Buyers are more astute in using the Internet, and sellers are rarely experts on the new marketing required to sell a home. Actually, very few real estate agents on the Olympic Peninsula understand technology and Internet marketing. Times are changing, and selling real estate is no longer a simple matter of running an ad in the local paper, or putting it in the MLS.  Many are finding that out about now.  I'll finish with this point.  There is a massive difference between the experienced and the inexperienced...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
People from around the Western United States often ask, "What is the secret of the weather in Sequim?"  We have a rain shadow, and it's a big attraction to the area. But it also does not rain on the Northern Olympic Peninsula as much as people think, unless you climb up into the mountain rain forest south of us.  But if you like water, mountains, sun and a wonderful community of generous retired people, all basking in this rain shadow, you would love Sequim. For a detailed weatherman's explanation, go to the "Secret of Sequim Weather."
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
What is the best Sequim real estate blog?  Or the best Port Angeles blog?  Well, that question might be broken down into smaller questions, more specific questions.  For example, of the Sequim and Port Angeles real estate blogs and websites, 1.  What real estate blog has more content with solid substantive real estate material than any other? Answer:  Clearly Sequim-Real-Estate-Blog.com, with 100's of articles witten by professionals.  The primary author is a professional author with many publications. 2.  What real estate blog has outstanding photographs, including photos of local scenary and events? Answer: No doubt - Sequim-Real-Estate-Blog.com, with 100's of local photos by a a very experienced photographer who has had many photos published, including in national magazines. 3.  What...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Price reductions for real estate listings in Sequim and Port Angeles in the month of June, 2008 are revealing.  There were about 95 properties that were either sold for less than the listed price or are still listed for sale but had a price reduction.  The average price reduction in June is 91%.  [Source of Data:  Olympic Listing Service]. This is valuable information, because it tells us where the market says prices are with respect to the listed prices.  While each property is unique, whether you are buying or selling, it is good to know that prices have been generally reduced in the month of June by 9.0%. To view all the data on these price reductions, view Sequim and Port Angeles Price Reductions.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Traps for the Unwary Millionaire Over the the past 25 years, I’ve had many incredible clients as an attorney and Realtor, and some of those clients became millionaires buying, selling, and developing real estate. Several were home builders and are now worth ten to fifty million dollars net. A few lost everything once and earned it all back.  I admire  successful people. All of these people had some things in common: an intense drive to succeed, tenacity and perseverance, creativity, and each of them took massive action to get where they are now. There is one other thing most of them also have in common. Think of it as another Trap for the Unwary. Eight out of ten have done almost no estate planning to avoid probate and taxes, and they have done virtually nothing to shield their personal...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
You can buy Sequim real estate anonymously, but do it right.  Who wants to buy real estate in Sequim quietly and with no one ever knowing they own it?  Plenty of people. For example, law enforcement officers (police departments, FBI, CIA) or judges who move here may have a need to shield their families from the risk of criminals tracking them down. Wealthy or famous people have a need for anonymity.  We live in crazy times, and there are stalkers out there, and over zealous fans. There are many ways to accomplish this, and it involves some discussion about estate planning, asset protection, entities, and so on. If you’re going to retain a Realtor, your Realtor needs to construct your offer anonymously from the get go. I enjoy helping clients with this, because as a Realtor I can bring ...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Planning to build your next home in Sequim or Port Angeles?  Want to shop online from the comfort of your dining room table?  The good news is that the No. 1 Custom Home Builder in Sequim and Port Angeles now has a great website where you can: 1.  Look at house plans; 2.  Look at photographs; 3.  View a photo gallery of homes by this builder; 4.  Read real testimonies of actual clients; 5.  Request a price; and 6.  Earn referral fees from this builder. With a great reputation for building the finest quality homes in Sequim and Port Angeles, this builder has built over 400 homes since 1981.  I personally have walked through many of his homes, and I've talked with the homeowners, and they are ecstatic.  I've never heard higher praise for a builder, and that's no small feat. The builder is...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Who is the best real estate agent or Realtor in Sequim or Port Angeles? That’s a tough one. Maybe the question would be better asked, “Who is a really good, competent, trustworthy, and experienced in the area?” I think it’s a short list, but let’s face it, if we were asking the same question about lawyers, the list would be short, too. [I've been both.] Read the full original article Who is the Best Realtor in Sequim?
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim homes for sale can be searched now from the comfort of your own home by searching the entire Sequim MLS of over 1,500 listings at:  Search Sequim MLS.You can also subscribe to receive a weekly email newsletter from the No. 1 Sequim Real Estate Blog, which has megabytes of targeted local real estate news, prices, sales data, legal help, tips on foreclosure sales, and help for serious buyers and sellers of homes in the Sequim area.  There are even articles for For-Sale-By-Owners to assist them in making wise decisions in the coming months in this market.  And you can email an experienced retired real estate lawyer and now real estate broker any of your questions.  Courtesy of Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate, LLC.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim real estate sales and homes for sale in recent months are put into perspective with this chart showing homes sold for the first half of the year for the past eight years. Courtesy of Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate, LLC.
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Building a new home in Sequim or in Port Angeles is a challenge and can be stressful, but the beginning of the process may be the most important:  selecting a home builder. People often assume facts not in evidence, such as this one:  hiring a small builder will get them more personal attention and higher quality. This assumption is not necessarily true.  What is a small builder?  Generally a small home builder in terms of construction volume is 25 homes per year or less, but in a smaller rural area, such as Sequim and Port Angeles, I would suggest most people consider a small builder to be one who only builds a few homes each year.  Large builders would be those building at least one or more per month. Can a small builder provide greater personal service or quality?  Not necessarily.  ...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
Sequim real estate is very precious, and when it comes to negotiating, whether you are buying or selling, it's a matter of real money, your money.  I see poor negotiating at least once a month and sometimes more often.  Negotiate your sale or purchase poorly, and I can guarantee you will lose $1,000's of dollars, and maybe even $10,000's.  Treatises are written on the subject of negotiating, and if you search Amazon.com, you get 130,000 results.  Perhaps a real life example of one aspect of poor negotiating will make my point. A young couple searched for a lot for their new home.  They were very excited about building their dream home.  They looked at 100's of house plans, and finally narrowed down their search to one beautiful plan.  They began searching for the perfect lot for their l...
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By Chuck Marunde, Sequim Real Estate Broker
(Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate)
The average price of Sequim homes sold in the first five months of 2008 (from January 1, 2008 to May 31, 2008) is $324,450. The primary reason I compiled this data from our local MLS is because periodically I receive requests from someone outside the area who wants to purchase a stick built home for $50,000 to $100,000. In Sequim, the least expensive vacant lots start around $80,000 and many are $150 to $300,000. That's before a home is built on the lot. A home that is inhabitable and listed under $225,000 will be sold yesterday. They just don't exist. A search of sold homes in the MLS will show a small list of homes sold under $200,000, but these are typically small lots with an old shack that may or may not be livable. I just sold a home in May for $210,000 in Carlsborg, often referre...
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By Alan Burwell
(McHugh Realtors)
Call McHugh Realtors for all your real estate needs.  Alan, Paul, Rochelle, Jane and Patrick are ready for your call.  If you are looking to retire or relocate, Sequim is a great place to live.  With 300 sunny days a year, every day is a good day! Home sales in May increased over April and prices continue to zero in on what the buyers are looking for.  Numbers are average.                                         Homes                     Land Selling Price             $277,769           $114,685 Original List Price      $292,176           $139,629 List to Sale Ratio              95%                  82% Days on Market                111                   148 Total Sold                         46                       7  
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