The Ocean Shores, WA Blog ~ Info & Real Estate: Washington: Ocean Shores: Ocean Shores

OCEAN SHORES WEATHER

Rain Storm on Labor Day Weekend
September 6, 2009

Labor Day Weekend 2009 was met with gorgous sunny weather and a rain storm.  The weather forcasters promised a big rain storm on Friday the 4th, but that day turned out to be a gorgeous day, as well as Saturday the 5th.  I was showing in the gorgeous weather on Saturday.  But the rain did come, but it was accompanied by thunder and lightening.  We do not get many storms with thunder and lightening, so it was neat to listen to.  A tree fell in my front yard, but it just fell across the road.  These pictures are taken from my front porch. 

Today is again a beautiful day of sun and partly cloudy with a slight breeze.

Always take a chance to visit my web site for pictures, real estate and other info at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

April Swenson
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores
Associate Broker & Realtor
360-589-2777  cell
aswenson25@juno.com

OCEAN SHORES REAL ESTATE NEWS

Mortgage Insurance is Now Available for Purchasing Vacation/2nd Homes with less than 20% Down

Mortgage Insurance is now available on 2^nd/vacation homes with the following terms:

Purchase or rate/term refinance

Up to 90% loan-to-value

At least 720 credit score

41% or lower debt ratio

This was not sent out from the MI company as a big announcement, so you are some of the first to know! 

Presented By:
Carol Warfield
VP Real Estate Loan Representative
Central Region
300 E Market Street | PO Box 1826 | Aberdeen, WA 98520
P: 360.537.4044 | C: 360.580.0187 | F: 360.533.0489 |

CWarfield@BankofthePacific.com
Visit our website at www.BankofthePacific.com

Writing from beautiful Ocean Shores!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
www.OceanShoresInfo.com
360-589-2777   cell

Ocean Shores Featured in The Vacouver Sun
As One of the Most Popular Places in Washington

Our fair beach town of Ocean Shores received some international praise from our neighbor to the north: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  One of the special writers for The Vancouver Sun wrote a piece about Ocean Shores in the Travel Section on January 13, 2009 claiming Ocean Shores as one of the most popular places in Washington.  It explained all about Ocean Shores and the fun things to do: hotels, restaurants, shops, games, rides and more.  It also went into the history of this peninsula, which was bought for $1M in 1960 and is now assessed of over $670M with about 5,000 full-time residents.

Check-out the full story at http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Ocean+Shores/1172868/story.html

Writing from beautiful sunny Ocean Shores, Washington!

April Swenson
Associate Broker & Realtor
360-589-2777   cell
aswenson25@juno.com

Ocean Shores Event
Fireworks on the Beach for Independence Day ~ July 4th
Ocean Shores, WA

July 4, 2009 ~ Independence Day is one of the greatest and most amazing sites visitors and locals can see along the beaches of Ocean Shores and the North Beach. July 4th brings in the most number of tourists than any other weekend or event. The beaches are lined with cars and people packing it in as nightime arrives. The fireworks can be heard as the days lead up to the 4th, but America's birthday brings the most unbelievable sites you will see as the sky is lit up with tons of fireworks. There are personal firework displays one right after the other, with Ocean City providing the big firework display off of 2nd Ave, the beach access street. July 4th fell on a Saturday this year, and even though the fog rolled in, people still enoyed the sounds and sites. I enjoyed the evening and night with some friends around a camp fire, enjoyed good food, and joined in with the rest of the beach and shot off some of our own fountains, roman candles and high in the sky fireworks. I was able to get some great shots overseeing the action on the beach from my GMC Yukon. To all of those who have not spent July 4th in Ocean Shores -- you must come out and see it for yourself.

See more pictures of the Fireworks on the Beach in Ocean Shores

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell 

Ocean Shores Event
Annual Five Star Sand & Sawdust Festival
Ocean Shores, WA

June 26-28, 2009 ~ The Annual Five Star Sand & Sawdust Festival was held over the weekend in downtown Ocean Shores and it was a great success. All three days enjoyed sunshine with temperatures in the 60's. A consistent theme for this year's competition was pirates....."Parrots of the Carribean," "Pirates of the Crab-I-Bean," a "Skull," and others. There were some very detailed and awesome works of sand art. The winner of the Master's Division was "Some Assembly Required," which was a view of a workshop of a toy man being put together. The other entrants were the "The Alligator Pit," "A Fool's Castle" and "Bear-It Art." The Beginner's Division included a children's creation of "Sea Urchins"....check out the picture below of the child working on this sand sculpture. My personal favorites were "Some Assembly Required," the "Race Track," "The Castle & the Lockness Monster," and the "Skull" with its red bandana and silver covered tooth.
The crisp cedar smell light-up the air at the Woodcarving Competitions in front of the Convention Center, which always produces many pieces of art. Master Chainsaw Carvers from Europe, Japan, Australia, and throughout the United States compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. The Sawdust Competition took place from 9-4 on Friday and Saturday and 8-1 on Sunday. The Awards Ceremony was held on Sunday at 4pm. Internationally known auctioneer, Boaz Backus, conducted the Auctions at the end of each day's competition. You will have to wait until next year to have a chance to take home a piece of original art! Additional activities at the Convention Center included approximately 100 Food and Craft Vendors.

This is a must see event of the year (next to 4th of July)!

See more pictures of the Annual Ocean Shores Sand & Sawdust Festival

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell 

Ocean Shores Event
Flag Day Parade
Ocean Shores, WA

June 13, 2009 ~ Ocean Shores honors Old Glory by holding its annual Flag Day Parade. It is fun to see all of the people line Pt Brown Ave and W. Chance a La Mer Ave to watch the presentation of our Nation's Symbol by marching bands, politicians, companies, non-profit organizations, and local clubs and citizens. The Lt. Governor Brad Owen served as the Grand Marshall this year riding in a convertible. There were over 40 entries, including the Girl Scouts, the Habitat for Humaninty Float, the Tillicum Middle School marching band, and many more. What would a classic American parade without the classic and muscle cars.....from the early 1930's to the brand new Corvettes....these car owners revved their engines along the streets. The most impressive show was the traditional entry and most notable of all of the floats....the Pirate Ships. The parade ended with showcase of local heroes...police, fire and EMT workers and their vehicles. See the pictures below of the fun time. Also, the Cutting Edge Kites put on their traditional kite flying show at the Chance a La Mer beach approach.

See more pictures of the Ocean Shores Flag Day Parade 2009

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell 

Ocean Shores News
The Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores
A New Commercial Downtown Project
759 Pt Brown Ave NW, Ocean Shores, WA
** For Sale or Lease **

April 2009 ~ These Retail Commercial Shops are completed and 4 shops are now open! The Dusty Trunk, The Kite Shop, Beach Bum Sunglass Company, and Fashions For Fun have moved from prior locations into this more desirable location. See more pictures below.

Move-in Lease Specials: $600-$750/mo until December 31, 2009 if you sign a lease for 1 year. After 12/31/09, the lease will be $900-$1,100/mo.

August 2008 ~ The Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores breaks ground! Lease or Buy your own unit and be a part of this exciting new commercial project being built by Ocean Beach Construction.

Located in Washington's #1 beach destination of Downtown Ocean Shores fronting the busy main drag of Pt Brown Ave and backing Minard Ave. These commercial shops are centrally located: next door to the newer Coldwell Banker and Caffe Amici building; across Pt Brown Ave from Peppermint Parlor & BJ's Family Fun Center (ice cream parlor, go-cart track & bumper cars); across Minard Ave from the Miniature Golf & Family Fun Center; and kitty-corner to the large Convention Center.

This 1st phase consists of 7 individual retail commercial "Clam Shacks" with a 3,000 sq.ft. Boardwalk connecting all of the shops. There are 4 facing Pt Brown Ave (18' x 40' each) and 3 facing Minard Ave (24' x 30' each), but each shop has front and rear entrances onto the boardwalk. There is signage along Pt Brown Ave and Minard Ave with parking along both streets as well. There is easy access from both streets with paved parking lots.

This retail complex was built to have that "beach cottage look & feel" with the boardwalk flowing into a wood flooring of each unit, and the exterior features a different color for more eye appeal. Customers are able to roam from shop to shop with ease along the boardwalk. 

Each unit features 720 sq.ft. and a 1/2-bath (handicap accessible). Large Storage Closet next to the bathroom. There is plenty of natural light with glass doors in front and back, and the vaulted ceilings. The interiors have some great design features such as bead-board walls, wood-wrapped windows, upgraded laminate floorings, and Venetian-style plaster ceilings. Click here to see the specs list.  

These shops offer all that an investor and business owner could want: visibility, access, street appeal/draw for the public, quality, and affordability. Buy for only $149,000 (facing Minard Ave) or $169,000 (facing Pt Brown Ave). OR, Lease a unit for only $900 to $1,100 per month. See the specials listed in the 1st paragraph.

See more pictures of The Boardwalk Shops of Ocean Shores

 
For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell

Washington Coast's Diamonds Team Wins National Award
Ocean Shores, WA

April 2009 ~ April Swenson and Bob McDougal, under the team name of the Washington Coast's Diamonds Team, were awarded the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society Team Award for 2008. We became part of the top 45% of sales associate teams nationally. This award is based on production for the entire year of 2008.

We also were the #3 Ranked Agent in Grays Harbor County for the number of closed sales and the volume of closed sales for 2008 (per NWMLS data).

With strong Internet marketing for sellers, more selections and great prices for buyers, especially for beach property, there is a lot of activity.

This is the last award that Bob and I won before his passing due to cancer in May 2009.

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell

Ocean Shores Event
Winter Snow Storm at the Beach
2 Stories Rolled Into 1
Ocean Shores, WA

December 20-22, 2008 ~ The Northwest was belted again with another snow storm. Not since about 1969 have we seen this much snow. Ocean Shores probably got upto a foot of snow. This time around, it was even more beautiful as everything was coated with this fresh powder. The bad part of these storms is that people were stuck everywhere without 4-wheel drive and without chains. I even had to drive into Aberdeen to pick-up chains for some clients of mine because I had a 4-wheel drive and they would have been stuck in Ocean Shores for days. But I did not mind one bit...I love to drive in the snow, especially fresh powder. It was an opportunity I gladly accepted. It was a very slow drive into Aberdeen/Hoquiam, but we were moving well on my drive back home. The snow lasted through Christmas, so we did have a White Christmas. It was lovely. 

December 13-14, 2008 ~ Ocean Shores residents, and the rest of Western Washington, woke up to to the beautiful sites of fallen snow. It is rare for Ocean Shores to get snow, especially as much as we got, and it stuck. It was such as joy to go out Sunday morning and take all of the pictures you see below. I went all over the peninsula with the wind blowing and big snow flake flurries. The Jetty was very exciting to watch as the surf pounded the beach sand and the waves crashed on the Jetty rocks. If you have never seen a storm in Ocean Shores, I definitely suggest spending time down here in the Winter because it is a wonderful and unique sight to view.
After church, I had the opportunity to show some clients a home in Elma...and what a beautiful drive! The snow flakes were coming down in bug chunks and the roads were covered in snow and ice, which I had to be very careful driving. Luckily I have some experience driving on ice and snow. When we arrived at this Elma home, it was like seeing a picture straight from a magazine or postcard...absolutely beautiful.
Take a look at the pictures at the bottom of the page...I got some really nice shots of the Hoquiam River along Highway 101. I took these shots on my way back home from showing homes in Elma. I do hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed being out in the snow.
The following Monday and Tuesday mornings, we awoke to the beautiful sunrises along the Bay and enjoyed perfectly clear, yet very cold (below freezing) days.

See more pictures of the Ocean Shores Winter Storm

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell

Ocean Shores News
I Passed the State Broker's Exam

November 11, 2008 ~ I am very excited to announce that I have passed the Washington State Broker Exam on this day after months of study. Even after all of my studying, I was nervous. But thanks to God, I did just fine and I am extremely excited, not to mention relieved that it is done!

I will be licensed as an Associate Broker, which has the same educational requirements of a Broker/Designated Broker/Branch Broker, but I do not own a real estate office. The requirements for obtaining a Broker's License in the State of Washington is as follow: be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, have at least 2 years of full-time salesperson experience, complete 120 hours of coursework study, and pass the state broker's exam. The 120 hours of coursework includes 30 hours in each of the following: Brokerage Management, Business Management, Real Estate Law, and an elective, which I chose Real Estate Finance because of my mathematics background, and this proved to be a very helpful course in passing the State Exam. But my favorite, by far, was Real Estate Law. I love the analytical part of law, and because of its extreme importance in my business, it has and will always help me. I loved all of the learning and knowledge I have gained, although learning is a process that never ends.

Completing this task was not just satisfying to me, but also to my dad and my business partner. Bob has been very ill, and it was such a joy to go from the testing center to the hospital on Tuesday night and run up to his room and tell him the good news. Although he was very tired, he was very happy for me and proud of me. I said my prayers that night and thanked God for His guidance and help.

For more information about Ocean Shores, see my web site at www.OceanShoresInfo.com

Here in Beautiful Ocean Shores ~ The #1 Beach Destination on the Washington Coast!

April Swenson
Ocean Shores Washington Realtor
Associate Broker, Listing & Selling Agent, Marketing Specialist
aswenson25@juno.com
360-589-2777   cell