San Juan Islands

Lifestyle, San Juan Islands

We’ve Got You Covered on Orcas Island

With the weather changing and winter rapidly approaching, Windermere Real Estate offices in Snohomish and King Counties are participating in the “We’ve Got You Covered” campaign; collecting cold weather gear for homeless youth in the city. While we are lucky to not have a large homeless population here on Orcas, there are still many people […]
Articles, Financial, Lifestyle, San Juan Islands

What is the Windermere Foundation?

The Windermere Foundation was started in 1989 by the owners of Windermere Real Estate, which is based in Seattle. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $33 million to support it’s mission: helping low income and homeless families. The Foundation began in Washington, but now has grown to serve the 10 western states. […]
Articles, Lifestyle, San Juan Islands

Autumn has arrived on Orcas

There is nothing like stepping outside, taking a deep breath, and pulling your jacket just a little closer around yourself. I haven’t worn a jacket in months – oh the joys of summer. But I can’t resist the smile that emerges on my face as the goose bumps rise. Maybe it has to do with […]
Articles, Buying, Housing Market, San Juan Islands, Selling

Real News – Article 2

A few months ago, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that the San Juan Islands are the fastest growing luxury home market in the country. This article has created many discussions in the local real estate world all revolving around the question: “What does this statistic mean?”. It also asks the question: “Who […]

Lifestyle We’ve Got You Covered on Orcas Island With the weather changing and winter rapidly approaching, Windermere Real Estate offices in Snohomish and King Counties are participating in the “We’ve Got You Covered” campaign; collecting cold weather gear for homeless youth in the city. While we are lucky to not have a large homeless population here on Orcas, there are still many people […]

Articles What is the Windermere Foundation? The Windermere Foundation was started in 1989 by the owners of Windermere Real Estate, which is based in Seattle. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $33 million to support it’s mission: helping low income and homeless families. The Foundation began in Washington, but now has grown to serve the 10 western states. […]

Articles Autumn has arrived on Orcas There is nothing like stepping outside, taking a deep breath, and pulling your jacket just a little closer around yourself. I haven’t worn a jacket in months – oh the joys of summer. But I can’t resist the smile that emerges on my face as the goose bumps rise. Maybe it has to do with […]

Articles Real News – Article 2 A few months ago, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that the San Juan Islands are the fastest growing luxury home market in the country. This article has created many discussions in the local real estate world all revolving around the question: “What does this statistic mean?”. It also asks the question: “Who […]

Articles The Gardner Report – Q2 2017 ECONOMIC OVERVIEW The Washington State economy has been expanding at a rapid pace but we are seeing a slowdown as the state grows closer to full employment. Given the solid growth, I would expect to see income growth move markedly higher, though this has yet to materialize. I anticipate that we will see faster […]

Articles Fourth of July weekend on Orcas Island – Wow what a show! Orcas may not be a big island, but it sure celebrates like one. Although July 4th falls on a Tuesday this year, this island will be rocking all weekend long leading up to the big day. Whether you are into shopping, eating, or just enjoying the festivities, there is plenty to keep everyone busy. Here’s […]

Articles Island Support – GiveOrcas Month It’s GiveOrcas month here on the island and everyone is feeling the love. Locals skip through the streets of Eastsound hugging, laughing, and catching up on the latest gossip. Okay, so maybe it’s not quite as cheesy as one of those quaint villages from your childhood storybooks; life is not all sunshine and rainbows after […]

Articles Elevation Certificates One of the greatest things about owning property on Orcas Island is that you are, well, on an island. Let’s face it, who doesn’t like being surrounded by water on all sides? Okay, so maybe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are into the whole water thing, purchasing land here can be […]

Lifestyle Top 30 island escapes Orcas Island, WA The long summer weekend was invented in Washington’s San Juan Islands, or should have been. Summer stretches languorously here, with 16 hours of daylight— enough time to savor orcas and eagles, kayaking and hiking, and a wonderful food scene. Orcas is the island of superlatives. It’s the biggest of all the San […]

Lifestyle Why Washington's Orcas Island Should Be Your Next Family Getaway This was just posted to the Conde Nast Traveler website Written by Rebecca Misner August 02, 2016 On remote Orcas, off the coast of Washington State, the summer is short, the days are long, and the empty beaches, gin-blue lakes, and dense forest trails add up to the castaway vacation you’ve been dying to take. […]

San Juan Islands Travel & Leisure Magazine Picks the San Juan Islands as the 5th Best Island In the Continental US for 2016 by Melanie Lieberman If you thought you had to travel to Hawaii to experience island life in the U.S., you may be surprised to discover that some of the most well-loved islands are scattered around the country’s coasts. Every year, T+L asks readers to rank their travel experiences in our World’s Best survey. Here, they […]

Lifestyle Living on the Water is a Lifestyle Posted June 8 2016, 3:00 PM PDT by Kelly Weisfield subscribe to post Email-icon Buying Waterfront Properties – What You Should Know Before You Take the Plunge Posted in Luxury Homes, Premier Event , Selling, Buying, and Living by Kelly Weisfield Living on the Water Is a Lifestyle Enjoying direct and private access to the […]

Lifestyle 15 Islands You Need in Your Life: No Passport Required CHECK OUT #11! By Kelly Hickey Deal Expert, Chicago posted on December 21, 2015 on travelzoo.com Stunning, shimmering sunsets across the water, the peaceful lullaby of waves crashing and the wind blowing, the feeling of truly being removed for your everyday life … yep, islands are pretty much the best. While it’s wonderful to get […]

Lifestyle Just Hanging Out This was taken by Diane from her home on Buck Mountain.

Lifestyle Sun in the Madronas taken by diane whitley

Lifestyle View from the Orcas Island Ferry This was taken by Deborah Hansen, a broker in our Windermere Real EState/Orcas Island office.

Lifestyle Halloween on Orcas Island One of the many reasons I love living on Orcas Island is Halloween. All the merchants in town decorate then pass out candy to all the little and big monsters! Fire pits are set up, hot apple cider is passed out, pumpkin carving and of course Trick or Treaters are everywhere. The costumes are inventive […]

Lifestyle Sunrise on Orcas Island This was taken by Bob Shipstad at his home on Orcas Island

Lifestyle Why I Love Living On Orcas Island On Orcas Island, we LOVE parades. Any excuse, we are going to have a parade. The entire community comes out and supports them. Yesterday was Homecoming, which is a big deal just about anywhere, but for a small community like ours, it’s huge. The parade started at the high school down Prune Alley, right on […]