This is a fantastic time to enjoy the quite lifestyle that helps to re-energize our batteries before the pace picks up again.

Take some time to visit our local beaches…head to South Beach and watch the waves tumble over the weather worn rocks, better yet pick up the flat rocks and have a rock skipping contest! If you are on the north side of San Juan walk the paths of Roche Harbor and visit the mausoleum, you are almost guaranteed to have the place to yourself!

If one of your resolutions was to get in better shape try out one of the many nightly programs that our local Island Rec offers:

• Monday and Wednesday you can join others for some competitive Badminton (yep, Badminton) or Ping Pong
• Tuesday and Thursday you can join in a game of Adult Basketball
• Thursday offers Indoor Soccer

To see the full schedule go to www.islandrec.org.

The Community Theatre is hosting the Friday Harbor High School Drama Group as they present Little Women, to see all showings visit the Community Theater’s website at www.sjctheatre.org.

Enjoy this peaceful time of year!

There are so many things to participate in this coming week centered around the holidays or you can enjoy other fun things around the island.

Island Stage Left has prepared another fantastic play for us to enjoy. Wednesday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the Roche Harbor Pavilion the cast and crew present OMINIUM GATHERUM, A Celebration of the Season in Words and Music. The presentation is intended to warm hearts, tickle funny bones, and kindle the spirit of the season. The quality of the plays is fantastic and the setting is intimate. Showings also occur Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

If you want to try your hand (or your voice) at barbershop, you join the Island Chordsmen Plus as they rehearse and invite you to give it a go. This is happening Thursday evening at Villages in Friday Harbor.

This can be a tiring time of year! If you have all of your gifts bought but just don’t have the energy left to wrap them, here is your solution! You can take your gifts to the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, December 21st, and local high school youth will wrap your gifts and have them ready for pick-up late afternoon that same day. How great!

And for those last minute, fresh items for your holiday dinner don’t forget the Farmers Market Saturday 10am. Yum!

As always, the islands are a fantastic place to simply wander the festively lit streets and contribute to the local shops and enjoy the spirit of the season.

Their new policy, which took effect January 15, states:
• With a credit score between 500-579 a borrower would be considered if the borrower was able to make a minimum down payment of 10% (gifted funds and other down payment assistance is not allowed)
• With a credit score between 580-599 a borrower would be considered if the borrower was able to make a minimum down payment of 5% (gifted funds and other down payment assistance is not allowed)
• With a credit score 600 and above the minimum down payment would be 3.5%
So what are you waiting for?! Call your Wells Fargo lender now! (I have no affiliation with Wells Fargo; I am simply a supporter of policies that allow more options for the consumer).

1) Become familiar with the market. You probably have an idea of the general area that you would like to buy a home; there are a variety of ways for you to get familiar. One option is to simply pick up the phone and call a Realtor. That person should be happy to talk with you about what is available, what the current trends are in that area, what the prices may be, etc. 2) There are an abundance of websites that allow you to sign up for a FREE update program (we call ours a listing manager account). You can enter your specific criteria including price range, size of the land, number of bedrooms, etc. The more parameters you enter the more restricted the results will be, so if you are just starting out it may be best to keep it simply to price range, or simply to the size of the land that you desire. 3) Go online often and search local websites and watch the new listings and the listings that are selling. This will give you a good idea of the market values.

2) Understand the amount that is needed for the down payment. There is a huge range of amount due for down payment on a home/land. It is a percentage of the purchase price but varies based on the lender you use and the program that best fits your needs. At this point the down payment can be as low as 3% and as high as 20% (more if it is vacant land). The best resource is going to be a local lender. They will undoubtedly start the conversation off with “it depends” but you can usually get them to give a general idea of down payment amounts. If you are at a loss for a lender to contact, your Realtor can suggest a few alternatives.

3) Know how much you can afford. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a home only to find out that you cannot afford the payments. Again, a lender can help you with this magic number. Another tool that I find helpful is one of the online amortization calculators that you can play with the numbers and find out how rates and down payment amount affect the monthly payment. The one I have bookmarked is: http://www.bretwhissel.net/cgi-bin/amortize but there are plenty available.

4) Be sure to include other monthly expenses when you are figuring what the costs will be monthly. Include insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance items, and any homeowner’s dues or road maintenance amounts.

5) Get your credit score all cleaned up. You are allowed one free credit report for each of the 3 major credit reporting companies annually. Go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp to get started.

GOOD LUCK!

Truth be told short selling your home may have fewer, or less severe, repercussions on your credit and other records than a foreclosure.

Foreclosure Consequences
• Affects future mortgage rates for 7 years.
• Lower credit score from 250 to over 300 points; on your credit for over 3 years.
• Stays on your credit history for 10 or more years.
• Difficult to get security (such as military or government) clearance; current clearance revoked and position terminated.
• May face immediate reassignment or termination, if in a sensitive job.
• Can pose a challenge to gaining new employment.
• Lender can pursue a deficiency judgment if legal in your state.
• Higher deficiency judgment than short sale in most cases.
Short Sale Consequences
• Will not, in itself, affect future mortgage rates; late payments will affect future rates
• Lowers credit score about 50 points; on your credit for 12 to 18 months.
• Not reported on a credit history; loan typically reported as ’paid in full, settled.’
• Poses no challenge to most security clearances.
• No challenge to keep currently employment or gain future employment.
• Lender may not pursue deficiency judgment, especially if illegal in your state.
• Lower deficiency judgment than foreclosure in most cases.
The moral of the story is, do not assume that foreclosure is your only option. Talk to your lender or the representative at the bank in which your mortgage is held. They should be inclined to work with you; after all, it’s in everyone’s best interest.

Here’s how:

Text SIR to 87778
Type in this url: m.sir.com/sir

Off you go!

1) Price Adjustments are being made and prices are generally “soft”. On average, we are back to values similar to 2002 in and around the islands. Couple that with phenomenal interest rates and it simply makes sense.

2) Interest rates are still low, for now… If you are “waiting for the rates to go lower” you may miss the boat. We are seeing indications that rates may slowing begin to increase. It makes sense to step forward now and take advantage of these 30 year low rates.

3) Tax deductions in your mortgage payments. Owning a home is a great tax shelter and tax rates favor you if you are a homeowner. As long as your mortgage balance is lower than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Deducting the interest on your income taxes helps make the real cost of owning more attractive. Talk to your financial advisor for specifics.

4) Sales prices are lower than replacement values. You have a lot of choices in homes and raw land. But the cost of building can look down right scary if you compare it to buying a pre-existing home. Rates are lower, down payments are lower, and you can move right in upon closing!

5) Pride in ownership. There’s no place like home! Think of all the things you get to do: decorate your house, landscape your yard, brag about how cozy and wonderful your home is, take your Holiday pictures in your home and send them to everyone! You have worked hard to have a home and the sense of accomplishment is invigorating. Enjoy!

For more information about the real estate market in this area go to www.SanJuanConnection.com or email me directly at Michele@sanjuanconnection.com (text to 360.317.5683).

Most people who come to San Juan Island are aware of Roche Harbor Resort, and possibly a tiny bit of it’s history. What many people do now know of, or have never taken the time to visit, is the mausoleum.

This is not so much of a hike as it is a destination. A worthwhile destination! The walk itself is in total one mile (by my estimation) one way. If you start at the resort the front desk of the Hotel de Haro has a great pamphlet that outlines many interesting things about the history and symbolism that exists at the mausoleum site ~ it will make the trip that much more interesting…and might I suggest a delicious doughnut from the cafe? Or an ice cream cone on those sunny summer afternoons? Once on your way, enjoy the beautiful gardens that lead you to walk along the road/path that take you in front of the only privately owned church in our state, past the expansive lawn and swimming pool and past the original houses that you can now rent. You will follow the fence line towards, and ultimately past, the airport to the trail that is clearly marked. Once on the trail you are treated to a lovely half mile walk through the forest. The trail will then take you through a wooded graveyard in which several graves are surrounded by wrought iron or picket fences. It’s an easy trail to follow with plenty of signs pointing the way to the mausoleum.

You will then pass through a stone and iron gate that marks your arrival. Reference your pamphlet and you will wonder at the forethought that Mr. McMillin had.

This is a very simple, educational journey.

Enjoy!

http://sanjuanislands.kulshan.com/Washington/San+Juan+County/San+Juan+Island/Friday+Harbor/Outdoors/Afterglow+Mausoleum.htm

Another hike that you must do while on the island is on the south side of San Juan commonly known as Mt. Finlayson (some refer to it as Jackle’s Lagoon also). Once you finish skipping rocks at South Beach head just a bit farther south on Cattle Point Road and turn (left) into the parking lot above Jackle’s Lagoon. From there you head up the trail, that at times, skirts surprisingly close to the road, but, trust me, your perseverance will be rewarded soon enough!

Once you head up, and succeed in making it to the top, of what it nicknamed ‘heart attack hill’ you will be presented with sweeping views. You look north to Canada across the beautiful blue ocean, you can see all of South Beach (it’s a full mile long), most days you will see a handful of pleasure boats and with any luck you can spot the whales! On a clear day you can witness Mt. Rainier (it’s actually 123 miles away!). The views will mesmerize you!

When you tear yourself away and continue on your walk, enjoying the fresh air, you are surrounded by the feeling of an open prairie. The trail is easy to navigate and you can loose yourself in your surroundings. After a short time you can duck into the trees on one of the many off shoots of the trail. The dramatic change in scenery that will soon surround you is surprising. You will get the pleasure of looking at old growth cedar trees, salal, and untouched natural beauty.
One of the great things about this hike is that you can do a short walk (20-25 minutes) or you can follow the signs and stretch your adventure to a few hours. The possibilities are endless! One piece of advice…don’t forget your camera!

Enjoy!

http://www.thesanjuans.com/san-juan-island-places/sanjuan-parks-forest/jakles_lagoon_sanjuan_island.shtml