Real Estate Blog

Taken from the Wenatchee World newspaper online version, here are some of the suggestions recorded during public input sessions on shoreline development in Douglas County, Washington earlier this year:

* Build an amphitheater down by the river

* Try to make park benches more comfortable

* Put in restaurants that overlook the river

* Extend the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail

* Don’t extend the Loop Trail

* Get rid of the out-of-commission silicon plant in Rock Island

* Put in more parks, trails and viewpoints

* Protect existing wildlife

* Support low-density residential development

* Improve access to parks and trails

* Limit industrial uses

* Protect orchards

* Get ferry service or build a bridge from Orondo to Entiat

* Enforce buffer zones

* Discourage seagulls

Source: “Citizens Vision for Douglas County Shorelines” report, released to the public in May.

For specific information on real estate in the area, contact:

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com   
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source: Douglas County, WA Shoreline Planning

"For a Special Breed of Homeowners"There is a new 18 lot equestrian community currently being developed in East Wenatchee.    The "Highland Estates", situated over the ridge (below) the Highlander Golf Course, is touted as being "For a Special Breed of Homeowner".  The lots are 2 acres each and the community will feature a private equestrian facility and a 37 acre riding trail.   For additional information, individual listing details, or a plat map of this new home community for horse lovers, please contact:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

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source: New Equestrian Community Coming To East Wenatchee

 404 E. Birch St. * Waterville, WA 98858
Porch & Pillar Entry
Porch & Pillar Entry      
List Price:  $416,000

Escape the noise and traffic in historic, tranquil Waterville, Washington.  This beautiful Old Georgian Style home is the perfect place to relax and enjoy, with nearly 1 acre of park-like landscaped elegance on the homesite.  Included with the sale of the home is an additional  pastureland parcel that has development potential.   The landscaped yard is easily maintained with an in-ground, timed sprinkler system serviced by a 135′ deep private well. 

The home was originally constructed in 1920 and underwent an extensive remodel in 2002.   Along with the other improvements, the home now has a BIG diesel CAT generator to service the home if the power ever fails.  There are top of the line appliances including a sub-zero refrigerator/freezer, Jenn Air Oven and range, plus a Bosch dishwasher.  The Fisher & Paykel EcoSmart Washer & Dryer are also included.  As a matter of fact, the owner would consider selling most of the furnishings with the home. 

2,028 Sq.Ft Garage/Shop
Fenced Pastureland parcel  For additional information about this unique and beautiful property contact:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
http://TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

source: New Listing: Old Georgian Style Home

A few weeks ago, I started another blog called "Wenatchee: Birth-Of-A-House" which is solely for the purpose of following the process of having a custom home built with my clients, Wayne and Susan Gerald.  This will chronicle EVERY step of the process, including choosing a lot, selecting a builer, identifying and customizing a floor-plan,  and on through the completion of the home.    Over the next several months, I will post photos and commentary covering the process step-by-step.

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: The Birth-Of-A-House Blog

Wenatchee Valley College is in the middle of an aggressive expansion plan.  Most obvious is a huge new, 82,000 square foot, Allied Health & Science Building currently being constructed (pictured here) on the Fifth Street side of the campus.  Not as obvious is a new Central Washington University - Wenatchee Valley College Educational Center in the middle of the campus.   Washington State University also has an education center on campus.  WVC is also planning for future expansion with the purchase of the former Eagles property across Ninth Street. 

As construction continues outside, there are new progressive programs being planned inside… poising Wenatchee Valley College for a prominent and envious position among community colleges.   Besides their own degree programs, WVC has become an excellent alternative for those students wishing to transfer to 4-year universities.   

For information about the Wenatchee Valley in general… and real estate in particular, contact:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: Wenatchee Valley College Expanding

From Skyline Drive, this is looking North and down on the mighty Columbia River cutting through the Wenatchee Valley. Wenatchee is in the foreground  and East Wenatchee in the background on the right of the river.      What you can’t see in the photo is where the Wenatchee River flows into the Columbia (on the left) just below the bridge in the center portion of the picture. 

The Columbia River is truly at the center of our economic strength, providing water to irrigate the fruit orchards,  produce hydro-electric power and support our vast recreational opportunities.  The Hydro power production literally provides some of the least expensive electric rates in the entire nation.  This has been a significant factor in attracting Yahoo and Microsoft to expand into Central Washington.    The Columbia River is the most hydroelectrially developed river in the world. 

The Columbia River flows approximately 1200 miles, originating in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, winding through Washington state, and taking a westerly turn to separate the southern border of Washington State and the northern border of the state of Oregon. 

The Columbia River is truly the "signature" feature of our beautiful valley.

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: The Mighty Columbia River

Here is an excerpt from today’s Wenatchee World:
"Work has begun on a temporary access road to Fancher Heights.   The road is expected to open next spring and may one day become a permanent extension of Eastmont Avenue to relieve traffic congestion on Sunset Highway.   For now, though, it’s little more than a dirt track running from the end of Eastmont Avenue north to about Northeast 31st Street, then cutting up to Fancher Heights.

“They’ve pretty much scratched a pilot road all way to the top this week,” said Douglas County Engineer Jolene Gosselin.

The work on the road will continue through the summer, though the road will not open to the public until next spring. It will serve as an alternate route to Fancher Heights when the county closes Badger Mountain Road for renovations. It will be a two-lane oil-and-gravel road."

For more details on this project, contact me:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: Second Access Road To Fancher Heights

For the last few weeks, I’ve been negotiating with a builder to assist some clients to get a custom home built.  About 3 weeks ago, we spent 4 hours on-site discussing everything the buyers wanted.  Eventually, the builders came back with an estimate of costs.    So, we sat down over a conference table last Saturday to hash out the details.  At that time, the builders indicated they wanted to work on a "cost plus" basis.  This means cost of materials, labor, plus a guaranteed profit margin for the builder.   My buyers wanted a day or so to make a final decision.   In the meantime, the builder came back with an "actual list price".    Without going into all the details, let me just say this sounded safer for the buyers knowing they would be locked in with an actual price.  So, we agreed to their terms (with a couple of minor conditions attached).    WELL, the builder came back to us this morning saying they WON’T attach an actual price to the home until the home is framed and drywalled.   This could be 3 or more months away because it will take 5-8 weeks just to get the permit approved, then the foundation must be poured before the framing can begin.   Good grief.  What a merry-go-round. 

The gist of the apprehension on the builders part is that costs are going up so fast, they are literally scared to set a price this far out from completion.   Don’t ask me why they made the offer in the first place.   In the meantime, what do my buyers do?  Do they wait or do they go shopping for a different home that has an actual price attached?   

Stay tuned…

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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Residential Blog

source: New Construction Dilemma

I would like to try to make some sense of the insanity that is settling into the local real estate market right now, but I’m not sure it’s possible. 

As I was driving around Wenatchee, East Wenatchee and Malaga today, looking at new listings, I came across several random lots with For Sale signs.  I called each of the listing agents to get some details and each one told me they have offers pending on them as of the last few days.  These are lots that have been sitting for quite a while, and not in prime locations.  

Although there is plenty of new development going on, it appears these scattered lots are being scooped up… probably by independent builders desperate for a spot to build.   The small independent home builders are having a difficult time finding building lots.  Development of a large parcel is so expensive (and time consuming) that it’s prohibitive for the smaller builder.   The larger parcels that are being developed are being controlled by the developers, leaving the "little guy" scrambling. 

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: Building Lots Scarce

Douglas County CourthouseHere is the Douglas County Courthouse in Waterville, where all the real estate transactions in the county are recorded.  This is a beautiful old building, originally built in 1905.  Waterville was incorporated in 1889.   

Click on the image to enlarge.

To Sell Or Buy a Home Contact Carol at:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
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source: Douglas County Courthouse At Waterville, WA