Finding Your Place in the Islands
At True North Realty / Orcas Island, LLC, we believe buying a home in the San Juan Islands is about more than a purchase—it’s about finding a place that supports the life you want to live. Whether you’re new to island living or deepening an existing connection, we guide you through the process with care, clarity, and local insight.
Our team brings deep knowledge of Orcas Island and the surrounding San Juan Islands, helping buyers navigate a market that is as unique as the place itself. We take the time to understand your goals, values, and vision so we can identify properties that truly align with your needs. From waterfront homes and quiet island retreats to town residences, land, and legacy properties, we focus on finding the right fit—not just what’s available.
Island real estate comes with distinct considerations, from access and infrastructure to zoning, shoreline regulations, and long-term stewardship. We help you understand these details clearly and confidently, so you can make informed decisions every step of the way. Our role is to serve as your trusted advisor—offering honest guidance, thoughtful strategy, and steady support throughout the buying process.
At True North Realty / Orcas Island, LLC, relationships come first. We work collaboratively, communicate openly, and remain responsive from your first conversation through closing and beyond. Our approach is grounded in integrity, professionalism, and a genuine appreciation for the islands and the people who call them home.
Our goal is simple: to help you find your True North—a place where you feel connected, grounded, and confident in your decision. We are honored to be part of that journey and committed to making your buying experience as thoughtful and meaningful as the place you’re choosing to call home.
To put yourself in the best negotiation position before you find the new home you want, hire a qualified real estate agent to help you put your home on the market. Once you write an offer on a new home, your offer will be "contingent" upon the sale of your home. Keep in mind that a buyer in this position may not have the same negotiating power as one whose home has already sold (or at least has an accepted offer). The seller may be more hesitant to accept your offer because there are too many things that must happen before the sale can close.
Your agent will call the listing agent for the home you have chosen and make arrangements with the seller to present your offer. The agent representing you will then explain the details of your offer to the seller and negotiate on your behalf.
If you offer less money, the seller has three options: they can accept the lower offer, counter your offer, or reject it completely. Remember that there could be another buyer who is also interested in the home you have chosen. If they happen to write an offer at the same time you do, the seller will have two offers to compare. There are usually many aspects of each offer to consider, but ultimately the seller will want to accept the best and most complete offer.
When you write the offer on the home you have chosen, you will be expected to include an earnest money deposit. The deposit is a sign of your good faith that you are seriously interested in buying the home.
Once the buyer and seller have a mutually accepted offer, the earnest money is deposited into a trust account. That deposit becomes a credit to the buyer and becomes part of the purchase expense.
Rarely does the buyer lose the earnest money. Most often, if the transaction falls apart, there are circumstances beyond the buyer's control that cause it to happen. If the buyer willfully decides, however, that they no longer want to buy the house and has no legal reason to rescinding their offer, then the seller has the right to retain the earnest money.
Some lenders require the cost of the appraisal and credit report at the time of the loan application.
As a team, we’re dedicated to equipping our brokers with the best tools and resources available to provide our clients with exceptional, personalized service. Our newly built office is designed with you in mind, a welcoming space where buyers and sellers alike can feel comfortable, connect with us, and experience properties showcased at their very best.