SPRING IS HERE ON WHIDBEY!

This is a great time to come and visit Whidbey.  The spring festivals are starting up - farmers' markets open soon, both at Tilth and at Bayview.  The variety of quality produce is simply astounding.  And, you are supporting our small local farmers.

The Welcome the Whales Celebration in Langley is so much fun.  Don't miss it!  Local children dress up in costumes as sea animals, then they parade down First Street.  There are many educational activities associated with this festival, too.

Christina will be happy to show you the wonderful neighborhoods and scenic areas of Whidbey.  There are many waterfront and waterview properties that are quite affordable now and there are some very unique properties on the market currently.  Come up and see!

WINTER ON WHIDBEY - A GREAT TIME TO BUY, SELL OR VISIT!

Winter on Whidbey Island is a magical experience. It is a wonderful time to come, stay and experience the island.  It is also a great time to buy or sell property.  Waterfront properties will most likely never be this price again so if you've been dreaming of that summer place or beach cabin getaway, now is the time to act. Christina just loves to show people around the island, so come on up!  Whidbey is "the shortest distance to far away" as the saying goes.  Just hop on the Mukilteo ferry and 20 minutes later, you're HERE!

The summer crowds are gone but all of our artists, shops, restaurants, art galleries and wineries are still welcoming guests.  There are no less than five different holiday markets to enjoy.  There is a very special Artists Studio Hop event happening November 29 & 30, the same dates as the Country Christmas at the Fair Holiday Bazaar in Langley.  Shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts and vintage collectibles.  Both Langley and Coupeville will be all dressed up for the holidays and the decorations are really wonderful to see.  Whidbey Island Dance Theater celebrates "The Nutcracker" with performances from December 3-22nd. 

The events don't end with the holiday season; the fun continues into January and February.  January 4th, Langley hosts its annual Sea Float Scramble at Seawall Park.  Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) offers several concerts and exhibits throughout the winter months.  February 1st, the Beach Watchers present the very popular Sound Waters Conference, a one day university on issues of importance to Puget Sound and its residents.  Feb 15-17,   island wineries host the Whidbey Vintners Red Wine and Chocolate Tour.  March 1st & 2nd is the weekend for the Coupeville Mussel Festival which draws seafood lovers from all over.

We hope to see you here on Whidbey this winter!

New Beginnings for a New Year-A Buyer/Seller Success Story

Sometimes it is a real challenge to make a change in life.  One of my clients was struggling with just that.  She had lived in a low-bank waterfront beach home for 41 years.  The property had been in the family even longer.  But reality was starting to set in and she realized that the challenges of waterfront living just weren't for her anymore. 

She wanted to find a home that was close enough to her old neighborhood that she could walk there and visit her friends.  She wanted to still be able to see the water and mountains.  A one-level low maintenance house was important as was room for her adorable canine companion.  We looked and looked for months and, finally, the right house came along.  She was able to sell her waterfront home and make the move to the new home.

Every time I visit, she tells me how happy she is and how glad she is that she finally made the move.  It warms my heart to see how well this worked out for her.  If you are struggling with the same challenge, I'd be happy to discuss options with you.  That perfect new home for you might be just around the corner!

Holiday Time on Whidbey Island

November and December are wonderful months to visit scenic Whidbey Island.  The summer crowds are gone and you might even have a beach all to yourselves.    The charming towns of Freeland, Coupeville and Langley get all dressed up in holiday decor.  It is such fun to wander through these towns.  In Freeland, Christina's Island Real Estate & Fine Art is hosting a Holiday Open House & "Meet-the-Artists" Party Friday November 23rd 5-8pm.  Pam Mitchell of Color Me Warm will be demonstrating a knitting technique anyone can learn.  Debra Aaron, founder of The Blessing Project, will be creating custom gifts for Gallery visitors.

Cultural events abound this time of year:  Nutcracker performances at Whidbey Island Dance Theatre Dec 7th - 16th; Orchestra, Choral & Acoustic Concerts throughout the holidays; Live music at two wine tasting rooms in Langley, Ott & Murphy and Useless Bay Wines; and, Scrooge, the Musical is being performed at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.  These are just a few of the cultural offerings during the holiday season.

Come to Whidbey for a magical holiday experience....

A Seller's Success Story

One of the best selling experiences I have had was with a property owned by a Commander in the Navy.  The military had transferred him to Texas and he had to sell his Whidbey Island home which he had enjoyed owning very much.  The property had been listed for some time with another firm but it had no offers and not many showings.  After terminating his agreement with the previous firm,  the Commander called me in to see what could be done.  He flew in from Texas and we met at the property, going through it room by room.  My recommendations were judiciously chosen and simple but they had a big impact on the way the house looked to buyers and brokers.  The commander had 17 light fixtures replaced, painted rooms on the lower floor, had some minor plumbing repairs taken care of and did a couple of cosmetic improvements outside to improve the curb appeal.  Once the work had been done, I took full advantage of the property's new look and made sure the online presence was the best it could be.  The Commander's house sold in just a few months after that.

“Christina was proactive in all that needed to be done... She communicated with me in a consistent and appropriate manner. She is by far the hardest working Realtor I’ve ever dealt with. I’ve sold 5 homes and she was hands-down the best one to work with!”
— A. McCoy