Russell Says...

2010-09-17T15:15:00.001-07:00

HUGE $30,000 price reduction on BRAND NEW upgraded Camano Island home w/mountain views. Now only $319,900. http://ping.fm/cuHUj

2010-09-15T10:58:00.001-07:00

BIG $20K price reduction on Freeland, WA .22 acre commercial land on highway. Easy access. Now only $115K. http://ping.fm/3eikg

2010-01-29T15:51:00.001-08:00

Median Price, Average Price or Mode....Whats the difference? Find out here: http://ping.fm/jiDzT

2010-01-14T12:34:00.001-08:00

Just listed! This darling waterfront home on a pristine acre of land.
http://ping.fm/IuAsU

2010-01-14T12:30:00.001-08:00

Seen any ghosts lately? Almost 1 in 5 Americans have! http://ping.fm/axQ27

December on Whidbey--

2010-01-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

There are 3.9% fewer housing units on the market this year compared to last.

Pendings are up 19% for Whidbey with the biggest gains on the south end at 25.4% and Oak Harbor trailing at a respectable 16.6% more.

Closings ended the year 4.8% more than last. Yea! 8.4% on the south end, 7.6% in central Whidbey, and 2.8% in Oak Harbor.

2010-01-07T12:01:00.001-08:00

10 Important things to remember about the Homebuyer tax credit. http://ping.fm/PqVPY

2010-01-04T12:37:00.001-08:00

Create a special place in your own yard for quiet retreat. http://ping.fm/TyT3j

2009-12-28T16:26:00.001-08:00

We may not have had snow, but this fountain was frozen solid!

2009-12-24T10:29:00.001-08:00

Is a simple 3 bedroom home just too small? Check out: http://ping.fm/5BDbQ

2009-12-22T11:13:00.001-08:00

Meet Mr. Awesome!

2009-12-22T10:47:00.001-08:00

It seems that other Coldwell Banker offices like to have fun, too! http://ping.fm/iRHCO

2009-12-21T14:50:00.001-08:00

Just Listed! 5 acres on Wild Coyote in Freeland. Quiet & private. Call 331-6300 for details.

2009-12-18T15:01:00.001-08:00

Langley Good Cheer is having a Saturday Sale from 10am-8pm. Up to 25% everything in the store! Come on and support this great group. (There will be snacks, too.)

Spring has Sprung

2009-06-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

The cold weather is behind us (for now, anyway) and people have dug to the back of their closets for shorts and tank-tops. The sky is a beautiful blue and there are flowers everywhere! It's a glorious time of year on Whidbey Island.

Helping in Our Community-Hearts and Hammers

2009-05-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

Charlene Arnold, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Tara Properties was honored to present a check for $1500 from the Coldwell Banker Tara Properties Community Fund at the end of the Hearts & Hammers event day. We are extremely proud of the ongoing support our company and our agents have provided over the years. Hearts and Hammers is such a great project. It is truly a heartfelt effort on the community’s part. This year over 40 homes were repaired, and even one that had to be added the day before the event because it was too much for Heart to take on. Heart is the year round part of Hearts & Hammers. It handles small problems which might mean a tarp on the roof in December to hold it until May. Thank you very very much one and all who participated in this year’s event.

The Highlands is a Success!

2009-03-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sarah Jackson, features writer for the Everett Herald toured The Highlands and has written a wonderful post about it on her Everett Herald Eco-Geek blog. Take a look--http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090318/BLOG15/903189991#Eating.chocolate.building.green.on.Whidbey.Island

Last Snow (I hope)

2009-02-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

I woke up to a light layer of snow this morning. What a shock! Here I thought spring was here. The snow soon melted so it wasn't a repeat of our winter storms. Actually, a little snow like this is fun to roll in. Makes me look like a white dog!

2009

2009-02-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

My, this year started FAST! It's already double-digit February and I still have my New Year's resolutions to fine tune. Oh well, I guess they'll still be good for next year.

It's been a different winter for us. More snow than usual (at least it seemed so, but then I'm getting up there in dog-years). There was even some light snow today. But spring is coming--you can feel it in the air. Many of the trees and shrubs are showing bud swelling, so it won't be long now. I can't wait!

End of the Rainbow

2008-11-07T16:25:00.001-08:00

My friends always tell me that Coldwell Banker Tara Properties is at the end of the rainbow. Here's the photo to prove it!

Election is Over

2008-11-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

Back to business!
I've heard that on Whidbey Island, they have high inventory, lower prices and good mortgage rates.
It’s a Smart Time to Buy.
There are hundreds of great homes in our area — at good prices. Now’s the time to take advantage of today’s buyer’s market — while good mortgage rates and terms are still available. Visit the Coldwell Banker Tara Properties' website to search for your next home. Or call to speak with one of their experienced Sales Associates who will work with you each step of the way.

It Really is Fall

2008-10-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share this photo I took while out on one of my walks. Some of the trees in my neighborhood have turned a beautiful red-orange or gold. A few of these are my favorites under which to linger a while. It's a great time to get out and see the fall foliage and feel the autumn air.

Fall is in the Air

2008-10-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

The weather has definitely changed for the chillier. And it's now raining more often. My morning walk is now in the dark as is my evening constitutional. There's still a lot of activity on Whidbey, although a lot of it is indoors.

Here I am getting ready for Halloween. I really wanted a cat costume with pointy ears, but I was afraid I'd scare all my friends. No chocolates for me (chocolate is really BAD for dogs), though I'd like a dog cookie or two. And I wouldn't say "no" to a chew toy.

Autumn

2008-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is autumn on Whidbey Island. I've been really busy this summer and haven't had a chance to let everyone know what I'm up to. The weather has been fine and I've been hanging around the Highlands lately since they're getting houses built. There's lots of little nooks and crannies for me to hide in. I can't WAIT until the grass is in.

Here I am enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the sun!

Oyster Run was this last weekend where hundreds and thousands (it's estimated that it topped 20,000!) of motorcycles converged on the town of Anacortes. Many of them took the ferry across at Mukilteo and headed up the island. The number of motorcycles traveling the highway was astounding (and loud!). The Tour de Whidbey bicycle race is coming up soon. I'm just hoping someone has big enough handlebars to hold me.

Island County Fair

2008-08-19T08:54:00.001-07:00

The annual Island County Fair is now over for another year. The 4-day event is always a great time to meet up with old friends and have a good old-fashioned time checking out the quilting, flowers, the photography (plus lots of other crafty things) and especially the food booths. There was a constant flow of entertainment for those that just wanted to sit and relax. The 4-H programs are a sure hit. I really enjoy seeing the dogs perform and would LOVE to be able to chase a couple of sheep or chickens. Those cows are too darn big, though.

I helped out in the Coldwell Banker Tara Properties booth in the Commercial building. There were lots of interesting folks that came by. Some wanted to know about buying property on Whidbey and others were curious about what their homes were worth. Others just stopped by to say "hi" and enter our drawing.

I can hardly wait till next year....

Update on the Sounder

2008-08-01T10:31:00.001-07:00

Many of my agent friends at Coldwell Banker Tara Properties went on a field trip to see just how easy it was to commute from Whidbey Island to Seattle. I had a previous engagement that I couldn't get out of, but my nephew went in my place. Of course, he slept most of the way there!

It was a thoroughly successful trip from the bus ride down to the ferry, a walk on to the ferry, and then a quick jaunt over to the train platform in Mukilteo. Here's a photo of the train just as it's about to leave.

My friends had a great time "doing" Seattle--from Pike's Market to the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Center and shopping in between. The buses within the downtown area are free. Plus they boarded the monorail to round out the public transportation experience. Then it was back to the train for the ride home.

It was unanimous! The ride was pleasant and the scenery was fascinating. They can all testify now that to live on Whidbey Island and commute to downtown Seattle is easy, relaxing, and fun. No more waiting in ferry lines or freeway gridlock. And the best part? Home!

It's Time for Choochokam!

2008-07-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of my summer is the Choochokam Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Langley. First Street is roped off and part of Anthes to make room for vendor tents and food booths. It's amazing how creative some people are! It's a great time to pick up some one-of-a-kind birthday and early holiday gifts. The best part is that dogs are always welcome. Since it's a "street fair", there's no problem with lots of my fellow pooches checking out the wares with everyone else. I've met new friends there and have seen old acquaintances. I particularly like cruising around the food booths hoping someone will drop some goodies. Choochokam lasts all weekend and there's music and fun for everyone. I hope to see y'all there!

I support Whidbey's youth!

2008-07-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

It’s time for South Whidbey Youth Connection’s Annual Benefit Art Show and Sale featuring more than 45 of South Whidbey’s finest artists!

You’re invited to the Artist Reception Friday July 11th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM upstairs in Fellowship Hall at the Langley United Methodist Church, located at the corner of 3rd and Anthes, or come anytime from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM July 11th, 12th and 13th.

Proceeds benefit the South Whidbey Youth Connection, a non-profit organization providing valuable support to middle and high school age children in our community.

You will find hundreds of pieces of art in a variety of media and prices. As one visitor said, “It’s like going on the fabulous South Whidbey Art Tour without spending $’s for gas!”

Hope to see you there.

Working on Whidbey Island

2008-07-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've been helping out some of my surveyor buddies. I know all about surveying—after all, I've been marking corners since I was a puppy!

The Sounder from Mukilteo

2008-06-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

The new Mukilteo Sounder station is now open for business. It's easy to walk across the ferry and over to the train station to catch a relaxing ride into Seattle. What a great thing for commuters! There are currently 3 trains going south in the morning and 3 coming back in the early evening. Miss the traffic--miss the long ferry lines--travel in quiet comfort. UNFORTUNATELY, they won't let me on board--only service dogs and pets in small containers. Maybe if I put on an overcoat, tie and hat with some pretty big sunglasses, they won't suspect I'm a big furry dog. The tail may give me away, though, since I can't stopping wagging it.

For more information on the Sounder schedule and fares, go to www.soundtransit.org.

Distressed Homes?

2008-06-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

All of my Coldwell Banker Tara Properties' buddies are up-to-the-minute with the new legislation regarding Distressed Homes. It gives all of them a chance to meet back up with their sellers and explain the ins and outs of the new law. Since the new law goes into effect on June 12, they could be running around the island faster than me!

Let the Sun Shine!

2008-05-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a BEAUTIFUL weekend here on Whidbey Island. Highs will be slightly cooler than Seattle with our water influence. A great day to be out and around the island viewing the houses and land for sale. The opportunities are great! Whether it's a home on acreage (with room for dogs) or a house in town (with room for dogs) or just some vacant land for a future home (with room for dogs), it's all there.

Out and about

2008-04-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

I've been out and about at the Highlands in Langley.

I've heard there's some great trees around here.

Got some brochures and some yummy dog cookies!

Waiting to pounce.....

The Highlands

2008-04-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

Big news at The Highlands in Langley. Foundations for some homes are in. Open house to view the project and get information from one of the on-site agents is every Saturday from noon to 3pm. Or, you can make an appointment for your very own personal tour. Call 221-1026 or see www.langleyhighlands.com

Spring Open House

2008-04-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Coldwell Banker Tara Properties is holding their annual Spring Open House Celebration over 3 consecutive weekends: April 19-20, April 26-27, and May 4-5. Different categories of homes will be featured from waterfront to affordable to homes on acreage and golf course views. Hours will be from 1-4pm each of the 6 days.