Home Selling Assistance for Military Members

Many military members are not aware of the Homeowners Assistance Program
(HAP) that went into effect when the Stimulus package was signed last month.
Most of the info on the "Homeowner's Assistance Program" is found on their
website (http://hap.usace.army.mil).

- Current provisions from HAP:
*Reimburse the applicant for part of your loss from selling the
home.
*Assist the applicant if you don't receive enough proceeds from the
sale of the home to pay off the mortgage
*Buy the applicant's home by paying off the mortgage (not available
for overseas applicants).
*Help the applicant if the mortgage is in default.

- Individuals eligible for HAP now that the Economic Stimulus Package is
signed:
*Wounded warriors with at least a 30% disability rating relocating
for medical treatment or medical retirement
*Uniformed Service Members under PCS orders to a duty station
outside a 50-mile radius of their current station. The primary residence
must have been purchased before July 1, 2006 and sold between July 1, 2006
and Sep. 30, 2012.
*Uniformed Service Members, & Federal Civilians including NAF
(nonappropriated
funds) employees who are affected by BRAC (Base Realignment & Closure),
without tying the decline in home values to BRAC.
*The Spouse of a member of the Armed Forces or a civilian employee
of the Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard if - the
member or employee was killed in the line of duty or in the performance of
his or her duties during a deployment on or after September 11, 2001, in
support of the Armed Forces or died from a wound, injury, or illness
incurred in the line of duty during such a deployment.

Whidbey Island Short Sales

Whidbey Island, Wa. is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Many of our homeowners are active military members and must relocate every 3-4 years. During normal economic times, purchasing a home, living in it for 3 years and selling when needed is not a problem. With a normal 3% - 5% yearly appreciation, selling costs are absorbed and a small profit can be made if the owner needs to sell after 3 years of home ownership. They have experienced the tax benefits, as well as all of the other benefits of owning a home on Whidbey Island during that time.

During today's economic times though, most of our homeowners that purchased a home in the last 3 -4 years are upside down with their mortgage. There is more money owed than the house can sell for thus creating a predicament for the homeowner. One of the solutions is to allow the bank to foreclose on the home, drastically affecting credit ratings, etc. Another possible solution is to work out a compromise with the lender and sell the home for less than what is owed. These are commonly known as a short sales.

On Whidbey Island today, we are experiencing quite a few short sales. It is a large segment of our real estate market at this time. Anyone considering purchasing a home would want to consider short sales. There are some unusual circumstances and time lines required with short sales and they should be entered into only with a knowledgeable agent as your guide.

View a list of Whidbey Island Short Sales and contact a qualified agent today.

Military Tax Credit Extension

We are pleased to present another reminder to all of our military and DOD personel about the Home Buyer's Tax Credit Extension that has been granted to those who qualify. Take the time to view the video and make sure that any of our Military Members who might qualify are aware of this benefit and extension.

Search homes that are currently available for sale

Whidbey Island Real Estate Update

The summer selling season is upon us. With good Whidbey Island weather, squadrons coming home, and a great real estate buying environment (low interest rates, plenty of homes for sale, tax credit availability for some of our military members) the real estate market is looking up.

Below are some statistics from Trulia.com for Whidbey Island and the surrounding areas. You may also search all homes for sale on our local website, http://www.whidbeyrealestate.com/

98277, Oak Harbor Homes For Sale

98277, Oak Harbor Homes For Sale

Saving Money on Renter's Insurance

While most renters insurance is competitively priced, discounts are available. Be sure to ask your agent about these discounts. Most companies offer ways to reduce the cost of your insurance through a wide range of discounts.

Be sure to let your agent know if you have any of the following

• Smoke Detectors
• Deadbolt Locks
• Fire Alarm
• Antitheft Devices
• Sprinkler System
• Fire Extinguishers

Most companies also provide discounts when you package your auto insurance with renters insurance coverage. The discounts are usually between 10-25%.

By using Electronic Funds Transfers, you can save time and avoid the cost of postage for mailing your insurance premiums. The Electronic Funds Transfer billing fees are usually lower than regular payment plans as well.

Increasing your deductible is another way to save money on renters insurance. Increasing from a $500 deductible to $1,000 or $2,500 deductible can save.

Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts and let your agent know what protective devices you have in your home.

Search homes that are currently available for Rent in Oak Harbor, Wa.

contributed by;
Shelli Trumball
Cascade Insurance Agency

Whidbey Island Realtor participates in STP

Whidbey Island Real Estate agent, John Adkins, from Coldwell Banker Koetje Real Estate, will be riding his bicycle in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic this year for the first time. He will be doing the ride with a group of 8 riders, all from Whidbey Island or family members of folks from Whidbey Island. The event is a major fund raiser for many organizations.

The Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, or STP, is an annual one and two day supported bicycle ride from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon in the United States. The STP "is considered one of the 10 biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country, drawing riders from across the nation and from other nations", and has been operating for more than 25 years. It is approximately 200 miles (322 km) in length. Most riders complete the distance in two days; however, about 15% complete the ride in one day. The event sold out with over 10,000 registered to participate.

Why Have Renter's Insurance

Contributed by:
Shelli Trumball
Cascade Insurance Agency

While you are renting, renters insurance has you covered in more ways than one. Your possessions are worth a lot to you. So when you rent an apartment or house, you need insurance that covers you and your belongings in case of an unfortunate event.

Renters insurance can give you the protection you need at a price you can afford. Most insurance companies provide solid basic coverage and allow to you add more options if you need them.

The essentials of quality protection include coverage for your furniture, clothing, appliances, coverage for items you take while traveling, additional living expenses, and more. Personal Liability coverage provides protection if someone is accidentally injured while in your home, or their property is damaged and the damaged is caused by: you, your children, your pets, your personal activities and most sports.

Most policies cover your contents in the event of a fire, windstorm, lightning, theft, smoke or water damage, and much more. Coverage can be provided for as little as $10 per month. Packaging your renters insurance with your auto insurance can save you money too. Talk to your agent about the benefits of having renters insurance or call us at (360) 682-2162 for a free, no obligation quote.

Whidbey Island Homes For Rent

There are many outstanding Whidbey Island homes for rent. A great place to find these Whidbey Island homes is Koetje Property Management. They offer a wide variety of homes from low priced studio apartments to large view homes. You can find great Whidbey Island homes for rent at their website. Click to Search Rentals


An example of a beautiful Whidbey Island home for rent is this 3 bedroom 3 bath home in Harbor Vista. It has a grand entrance, entertainment sized kitchen and impressive family room with glass doors to your private views of beautiful Oak Harbor, the eagles and abundant wildlife. To see more info or request info for this wonderful Whidbey Island rental please click the photo.


Also for rent on Whidbey Island is this cute 2 bedroom apartment. It is located just minutes from downtown Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey Island. It is within Walking distance of beautiful Harbor Station and Starbucks, as well as a grocery store. To see more info please click the photo to the right.


These great Whidbey Island homes for rent and many more are available from Koetje Property Management. They are located in Oak Harbor, Washington and would be happy to assist you in finding a rental or managing your investment property. You can find more info for Whidbey Island homes for rent on their website at http://www.whidbeyislandrents.com/ or by calling 360-675-2271.


Also during the month of July, if you rent one of these homes from Koetje Property Management your application fee will be credited towards your first month’s rent. To stay up to date on promotions follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/koetjerentals

Energy Efficient Construction Makes Good Sense

Contributed by:
Ted Clifton
Clifton View Homes
Whidbey Island, Wa

1. Why invest in Energy Efficient Options for your Home?

* Investments in Energy Efficiency are among the most secure investments you can make, offering high, guaranteed returns.
* Whether you are concerned about Global Warming, the diminishing supply of oil and other fuel resources, or the fact that much of our energy supplies come from foreign countries, reducing the amount of energy you use at home is a very good thing to do.

2. What kinds of Energy Efficient Investments can I make in my home?

* Some of the easiest investments are in compact fluorescent light bulbs and more efficient appliances. Just plug them in and start saving money!
* Replacement windows and additional attic and under-floor insulation are other easy options, but with a little higher initial cost.
* A full High Performance Energy Remodel often offers the highest return on investment, though it may take several weeks to complete. New technology allows the owners to stay in their homes, almost all the work is done from outside.

3. How can I compare a new home to an existing older home, when it comes to Energy Efficiency?

*New homes built in the last few years will use about half the energy of homes built thirty years ago, and only about 1/3 the energy of homes fifty or more years old.
* Compare energy bills, and add the energy cost to the amount of your monthly payment. Remember, though, that the Mortgage interest is tax deductible, the energy bill is not. how much more could the monthly mortgage payment be, if the energy bill was cut by 2/3?
* Consider having a High Performance Energy Remodel done on your home, it will usually more than pay for itself in the first few years, and by the time you have retired your mortgage, you may have several hundred thousand dollars more in your pocket than if you had just continued to pay the high energy bills.

4. So, what is Green Building, really?

* Green Building is really about building everything in a more responsible way.
* Built Green is the trademarked name for local Green Building programs.
* Built Green homes are likely to be more Energy Efficient than other homes.
* Built Green homes will probably last longer than other homes, requiring less maintenance.
* Built Green homes will offer better indoor air quality, for improved health of the occupants.
* Built Green homes typically are gentler on their surrounding, impacting the soils and surrounding water ways in a less harmful way than other homes.
* Less material waste is generated from the construction of a Built Green home, reducing the pressure on our disposal systems, and saving you money.

In summary, Energy Efficient construction and Green Building are two concepts that just make good sense. Remember when gasoline was 24 cents per gallon? It isn't any more! How much have you paid for gasoline over the last thirty years? You have most likely spent about the same amount for home energy. Imagine if you had about 2/3 of that back, with interest? Can you spell C-O-M-F-O-R-T-A-B-L-E R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T?