Taken from the weekly newsletter at Realtor®.org

They can select a home in an independent living community, an active adult community with or without age restrictions or communities that offer continuing care options – as well as all the traditional options available to buyers of all ages. Some may choose to migrate downtown to enjoy the city life for their golden years, while others will want to settle in the suburbs near their families.

While downsizing might immediately come to mind, the truth is some actually desire more space. Another survey conducted by VibrantNation.com found that nearly two-thirds… read full article

Are you curious about how your home compares with the national housing figures?
Here is a segment of a very interesting collection of statistics that Mark Brian, Silver Star Real Estate compiled from HUD’s 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS). HUD started this revealing survey in 1973, and it’s interesting to see how homes have changed. Take a look at HUD’s 2009 figures revealing everything from square footage to front porches as home owners have come to expect amenities not standard 37 years ago.

•There are 130,112,000 residential housing units in the US; 86% are occupied and
… read full article

Scaling Down, Downsizing, Cutting Back, Minimizing, Simplifying: there are many words we use for sorting through our things and releasing our control of them to others. Formerly thought of as, well, second-class, currently the handed down item is now a recycled, green, unique and admirable thing. Websites such as EBay and stores like Value Village have capitalized of the current search for used properties. What is the appeal?

A used thing takes on a sort of persona. To the second hand buyer, it has a sense of mystery. It often is something from far away or long ago.… read full article

I live on San Juan Island, but I have a second home in the wilderness without even a television or cell phone coverage. Lots of people have second homes in the San Juan Islands. What is it that makes a second home work? Here is what I think

1. A second home should be a different setting for you that will refresh your attitude and leaves you pleased to return to your first home. It also gives you a place to dream about and escape to when things at your first home or job get stressed. You can… read full article

The market is beginning to show some movement here on Whidbey Island. We had a very early spring and then the weather did turn for a couple of weeks, keeping buyers away. And of course, Mother’s Day isn’t a time to go house hunting, particularly if you want to stay on the good side of Mom!! But things are definably feeling different, with calls from out of town buyers, renewed interest from people who have kept away for a couple of years and most importantly, a good economic outlook on a federal level. Areas of California are showing… read full article

We’re getting ready for that big summer push here in the islands. Regardless of the increasing ferry fares, the tourists and vacationers look to be returning for yet another season. My husband runs a vacation rental management business, www.sanjuanpm.com , and bookings are looking good for yet another record season! The restaurants, variety of retail shops, and the kayak and whale watching businesses are all in full gear. The question many of us have is how will this affect our real estate market?
There’s no question that the San Juan Island market is different from mainland… read full article

Part 1

There seems to be a change in the way people are thinking about true wealth, true happiness, and the homes in which they choose to live. Many Americans find their hearts turning toward visions of a mellower and somehow more fundamental lifestyle.

Many yearn for a simpler life – one more attuned with the natural world, based on pleasures rather than possessions, guided by needs rather than trends. At the same time, we are becoming aware of the earth’s limited resources, and the necessity of doing more with less. These desires dovetail in a way that… read full article