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Windermere Real Estate | Orcas Island News
Welcome to the Windermere Real Estate Orcas Island News page. Here, we curate insightful articles about life on Orcas Island, offer expert advice for home buyers and sellers, and provide monthly updates on the real estate market on Orcas Island and the San Juan Islands. Stay informed and inspired as we bring you the latest and greatest in island living.
Shoreline Master Plan
Approved on October 30, 2017. The final amendments to the original 2016 Shoreline Master Plan have now been approved by the State Department of Ecology. Getting here has been years in the making, but it is finally done. Historically, much of our waterfront has been zoned Rural, Rural Residential, Rural […]
2018 Housing Forcast
There have been many forecasts published right now for 2018, for politics, the economy, the weather, and so much more. Here is what I expect to see in 2018. Interest Rates: Interest rates continue to be a great topic of discussion, with most predicting a rise. While the rates […]
2018 Homeowner Resolutions
As the excitement of the holidays wind down, we find ourselves at the point of making resolutions for the coming year. And, while ideas such as eating healthy, exercising and losing weight tend to be at the forefront of our minds, let us not forget to also set goals […]
Windermere Foundation Reports Record Day of Giving
Every week, the Windermere Foundation disburses grants to support non-profit agencies dedicated to helping low-income and homeless families. On a given day, thousands of dollars’ worth of grants can be issued. However, on one particular day, November 15 to be exact, an amazing thing happened…the Windermere Foundation disbursed nearly $254,000. […]
Property Assessments– What do they mean?
Our office and brokers have received many calls with questions regarding the newly received property value assessments. According to the San Juan County Assessor’s website “State law requires that assessors appraise all taxable property within the county at 100% of its true and fair market value, according to the […]
Thanksgiving Planner
We have reached that time of the year again that is all about getting together with family and sitting down to big, elaborate meals. And while we are supposed to be happy and celebrating, many people are simply thankful to get through the holidays in one piece. Why must […]
Real News – Article 5
WINTER PREPARATION FOR YOUR HOME With the early onset of winter weather, it seems an appropriate time revisit some home maintenance tasks. Though we go through these changes every year, sometimes it is nice to have a reminder of what needs to be examined before the temperatures changes too dramatically. […]
Real News – Article 4
AFFORDABLE HOUSING — WHAT COULD BE DONE This column is the second on the affordable housing issue. We all know what is needed, but it seems we don’t have a clear vision of how to accomplish it. Last time I mentioned an affordable housing solution on San Juan Island that […]
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, […]
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 […]
