Opening Day of Crab Season On Camano Island!

The BEST day of the year! Opening day of crab season on Camano Island is truly a special day.  Even though I had to work today, it’s not going to stop me from going out there this evening to try our luck!  I’ve got my grubbies on, license ready, bait thawed, and boat is in the water ready for this very important day on our island!  I would say this is a national holiday on our island!

The locals around here will tell you they have “their seceret spot.”  We have ours….and NO, I’m NOT telling you! Well, maybe if you buy a house from me I’ll tell you “the general area.”   

How many of you are crabbing today?  What? You didn’t take the day off?  Well, ok, you have until Monday.  Be safe out there!

Jamie

E News

Check out my new E-Newsletter for RE/MAX June 2011!

http://bit.ly/iveeDr

~Jamie

My Big Move!

I am very happy to announce that I have joined REMAX Associate Brokers Stanwood/Camano and pursuing advancement in my career! I will be taking a lead role in marketing, training, presentations, mentoring, and of course selling property! I am very excited to be working with the nations top real estate company!  My new email is: jamiej@remax.net

Camano Island Makes the Seattle Times!

Camano Island is not only a great place to live, it’s an exciting place to vacation!  Visit this article from the Seattle Times that was posted yesterday. 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2015084387_nwwcamano19.html

For expert local real estate advice or information on the Stanwood/Camano area, please call Jamie Johnson 425.268.7291 or visit www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com

Email jamie@windermere.com

Is Your Agent Tech Savvy?

For the second time, I have been asked to speak at the annual Women’s Expo on Camano Island on April 30th.  The topic will be Social Networking in today’s world.  There are many social networking sites gaining popularity, and it’s changing our world and how we communicate and do business.

Social networking and internet technology has opened up a new way to do business, making  advertising such as print less effective.  It is said on average about 90% of the population start on the internet to search for their home or an agent.  We are savvy…we search for cars, clothes, sales, electronics, gifts, etc. on the internet to compare prices and quality.  We have search engines such as Yelp and blogs that give reviews, and we listen. 

How does this apply to my profession and you?  Selling real estate has transformed in a big way.  We have the ability to reach clients all over the world with the click of a button.  I find it interesting through Google Analytics to see who is viewing my listings.  I get viewers from all over the world: China, Japan, India, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and the list goes on.  As a buyer or seller, the world is at your fingertips. 

When you search for a real estate agent or company, it’s important to “Google” them.  How visible are they?  How involved are they on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Active Rain, Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, and do they have a blog?  If 90% of clients are starting their search on the web, you want maximum exposure.

I challenge you to “Google” your agent.  Go ahead, Google me.  I think you will like what you see!

For more expert real estate advice please contact Jamie Johnson 425.268.7291 or jamie@windermere.com.  Visit my website at: www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com

Waterfront Living On Camano Island!

Enjoy waterfront living at it’s best! Full access to community beach to fish, crab, clam, beach comb, or enjoy Camano’s famous Westside sunsets. With an open floor plan, enjoy views of Saratoga Passage, boat traffic, whale watching, etc. HUGE 3 car garage with shop below for storing all your toys and hobbies! Daylight basement has tons of space, a wet bar, and hot tub on deck that is great for entertaining. A boat winch located on the beach is grand fathered in for owners use. Don’t miss this!

Visit: http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.PartnerLanding&listingid=129860316 to see more information and a photo gallery of this property!

Contact Jamie Johnson 425.268.7291 or jamie@windermere.com for information about this property or your local real estate market.

www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com

Immaculate Rambler On 13 Acre Farm In Stanwood

Immaculate rambler on 13 beautiful acres. 3 large bedrooms, 2 full baths, office, living r00m, family room, dining room and laundry. Granite kitchen counters with island and separate eating area.  Skylights,hardwood floors, master bedroom w/ walk-in closet. Heat entire home with efficient wood stove. Huge barn, firewood shed, separate 4-car carport. Fenced & cross-fenced, no barbed wire! Ideal for an equestrian estate/livestock. Creek on corner of property perfect for watering hole for animals. 2006 1-bdrm park model included. Come see!

To see this listing online click: www.windermere.com/198065

For a showing or information please call: Jamie Johnson 425.268.7291 or email jamie@windermere.com or mobile: mobile.windermere.com/198065

Camano Island Welcomes Boeing Employees!

THE VICTORY DANCE continues in Washington state and beyond after the announcement Boeing was awarded the contract for the U.S. Airforce’s NewGen Tanker.  Experts estimate the 767-based tanker contract could mean as much as $693 million to the regional economy every year!

Not yet knowing the true economic impact of the contract, many experts and politicians are hopeful the trickle effect will bring the boost our local economy has needed.  “At a time when our economy is hurting and good-paying aerospace jobs are critical to our recovery, this decision is great news for the skilled workers of Everett and the thousands of suppliers across the country who will help build this critical tanker for our Air Force,” Washington state Senator Patty Murray said in a statement (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Boeing+wins+massive+tanker+contract+Everett+Wash+plant/4342815/story.html). 

Always interested in the local real estate market and economy, I was curious to see how this contract is going to have an impact on Everett and surrounding areas, specifically rural towns surrounding the Everett based plant.  Everett, about 25 miles north of Seattle, has a total population of 103,019 according to the 2010 census.  According to Wikipedia, Boeing currently employees over 72,000 people in its Everett based plant. I’m not an expert, but not ALL residents of Everett work at Boeing, which tells me Boeing employees are looking for housing surrounding Everett.  In addition, as new jobs are created not only for Boeing but for other businesses that must accommodate to the rise in jobs (i.e. restaurants, grocery stores, banks, coffee stands, etc.), there will be a higher demand for housing. 

Camano Island, WA, according to Google Maps, is about 35 miles to The Boeing Company in Everett.  We currently have many residents that commute to Boeing from Camano.  Many take advantage of the carpool system provided by the WSDOT Rideshare program (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Choices/rideshare.htm).  Not everyone wants to live in the city, so Camano Island is a close alternative for a quieter, less crowded lifestyle.  Marysville, Smokey Point, Arlington, Lake Stevens are cities to the north of Everett, but none quite compare to living on Camano Island.  Surrounded by beautiful beaches, wildlife, peacefulness, and beauty, I’m positive Boeing employees will be making the move here.  Economical impact?  No one has a crystal ball, but all indications tell me this is going to BE A GOOD THING!

For more information on Camano Island, local real estate and news, visit my website at: www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com  There you will find many community links and information about our little paradise we call home!

~Jamie

What Is a Homeowners Association?

Thinking of buying a home in a development?  Most developments have a homeowner association (abbrev. HOA), an organization created by a real estate developer for the purpose of controlling the appearance and managing any common-area assets during the marketing, managing, and selling of homes and sites in a residential subdivision (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowner_association). 

There are many pros (and cons) to living in a development with an HOA.  HOA’s protect the aesthetic appearance of your community.  For example, common guidelines to follow are house color, architecture, yard maintenance, yard art, number of autos in driveway, fence height and type, and concealing toys such as RV’s, boats, jet skis, etc.  HOA’s also usually maintain the appearance of common areas that are shared and roads.  These guidelines aren’t for everyone, but if you want to live in a community that is well-kept and watched, then a development with HOA’s might be for you. 

For more information on HOA’s, I found Wikipedia has a great description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowner_association

Wondering about communities in our area with HOA’s?  Give me a call or send an email to: Jamie Johnson 425.28.7291 or jamie@windermere.com

www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com

Looking to Build on Camano?

North end building lot with fantastic views of Skagit Bay, Utsalady Bay, Whidbey Island, boat traffic, Utsalady Point. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets! Community water system and septic design completed. Close to schools, parks, stores, and has beach rights at Utsalady. Located in the Olympic rain shadow, unique beaches, crabbing and clamming, fishing, and boating are just a few things that make Camano Island special!

Visit http://frame.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=listing.listingDetail&listingid=129346940

For more information on this property or other properties on Camano or surrounding area please call or email Jamie Johnson! 425.268.7291   jamie@windermere.com

www.JamieJohnsonHomes.com