The economy roller-coastered over the past five years, so I thought it might be reassuring to see how South Whidbey real estate performed in that same period. The worst case were home prices of $300,000 or under that fell 12% since 2006 and land prices in the lower (0-$50k) and higher ranges ($200k+) that fell by 16.7% and 18.1% over the same time frame.

I’m gratified that these drops compare favorably with 20-50% drops in stock and bond portfolio values during the same period, which tells me that real estate on South Whidbey is a relatively stable investment.

Data derived from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service figures for areas 811 and 812, covering South Whidbey from the Clinton ferry dock to Libby Road north of Coupeville.

Great News– Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle is offering a FREE Shopping Shuttle during the Holidays  from Clinton to Oak Harbor with stops in between!   See following e-mail from Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle: 

“In the spirit of the Holidays we at Whidbey-Seatac Shuttle will be offering a Special FREE Shopping Shuttle Roundtrip between Oak Harbor and the Clinton Ferry dock on Sundays only, since Island Transit does not offer any Sunday service, starting  Sunday November 28th thru Sunday December 19th.   [Read more...]

Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s effort to purchase 664 acres of the foreclosed Trillium property north of Freeland excited Windermere agents, who toured the land on July 6^th with Trust Director Pat Powell and Stewardship Associate Jessica Larson. Pat told us about the importance of the watershed on that acreage for Mutiny Bay drainage and of the wildlife corridor connecting with South Whidbey State Park. If the Land Trust is successful in raising the $4.2 million purchase price, the land would be owned by Island County and open for use as a community nature and recreation area. Vulnerable wetland and forest areas would be protected under a conservation easement held by the Land Trust.

            Over half the funds have already been pledged, and the banks have granted a 90-day extension – until September 10^th – to raise the remaining $1.8 million. Realtors want to challenge vacation and second home owners who value Whidbey’s calm beauty, to step up and support this critical campaign.

            Want to help? Send your check payable to WCLT to 765 Wonn Road #C-201, Greenbank, WA 98253 or email Elizabeth@wclt.org for additional information.

Windermere celebrated its 26^th annual Community Service Day on June 18^th. Agents and support staff from all ten western states gave back to the communities that support them by dedicating a day of work on neighborhood improvement projects. For the third year running, South Whidbey agents chose to work at Good Cheer at Bayview — the food bank/thrift store that aids needy South Enders. Three agents spent their day repainting the meeting room at the Freeland Library.

Good Cheer’s Executive Director Kathy McLaughlin put agents to work laying gravel in the entry drive and parking areas. Damien Cortez, Food Bank Coordinator, organized a crew to repaint the entry a “welcoming butter yellow,” while Cary Peterson showed others how to prepare planting beds in the vegetable garden. More agents helped price donated clothing and household items or sorted food products. [Read more...]

Like many rural areas, Whidbey has become a hub for back-to-the-farm folk selling organic produce via subscription to their green thumb-challenged neighbors. On the South End, Tilth Market organizers Anza Muenchow and Marc Wilson provide a sampling of that week’s best harvest for their subscribers from their Maha Farm off Glendale Road in Clinton. Just an egg’s throw away, Mike Nichols of Whidbey Green Goods, will deliver his week’s produce to you.

Molly Petersons offers organic produce from Molly’s Island Garden in Langley. Email petersns@whidbey.com or call (360) 321-5547. In Freeland, Lois Wenzek womans a year-round farm stand at Forget Me Not Farm, 5700 Double Bluff Road. 

North Enders rely on Linda Bartlett’s Rosehip Farm and Garden in Coupeville, (360) 678-3577 or email rosehip@whidbey.net) and Karry Brooks’ Laughing Ducks and Barking Dogs Farm in Oak Harbor, (360) 679-2914, for their farm-fresh offerings.

Summer farmers’ markets from Bayview to Oak Harbor offer fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, eggs, and local crafts. Throw in a marimba band and what better way to start your morning? Bayview and Tilth Farmers’ Markets run from 10am to 2pm on Saturday morning off State Route 525 at Bayview. In Coupeville, the Coupeville Farmers Market kicks off during the same Saturday morning hours at Alexander and 8^th Street behind the library.

If you overslept on Saturday, Greenbank Farm’s Sunday Market, located off State Route 525 in Greenbank, can provision your larder. Oak Harbor’s Thursday Market sets North Enders up for the weekend. Stop by between 4 and 7pm at their State Route 20 location near the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center.