Upscale Coastal Living

I came across this listing today in the RMLS for a property in Ocean Park. This is a fabulous 3400 plus SF home is situated on a large 15,000 foot lot with stunning views of the beach and the mighty Pacific Ocean. This is grand coastal living with spacious accommodations and beach access.

I love featuring properties at the coast. I have shown some affordable condos and mobile homes within in a couple of blocks of the beach at less than $125k. Every now and again it's nice to dream big.

This modern style cape cod has all the beach charm without giving up the metro amenities. The listing is priced at $699k and that would be a decent price for house this big in a garden variety neighborhood in Portland or Vancouver. This one is on the beach however and that makes the price amazing.

I would love to be able to enjoy the fabulous Long Beach Peninsula in this fantastic home and I am sure you would too. Today it is toasty warm in Vancouver with the mercury teasing the 90 mark. meanwhile it is a gorgeous sunny day with a nice cool 65 on the thermometer.

 So get out to the coast and soak up some summer weather at the beach. Poke around at some real estate while you are there. Who knows, maybe your dream property is waiting for you. You never know and your won't find out till you take a ride west.

Enjoy.

Featured Coastal Home

Every once in a while I like to post a listed house that is active out on the coast. I have found this property in in Ocean Park for just $250,000. This home is 5 blocks from the beach and features more than 1700 square feet of living space.

Coastal living in Washington state is affordable and fabulous. Imagine taking a stroll along the beach with the mighty Pacific Ocean crashing against the sand.

This fantastic property was built in 1995 and is in great shape. This house would be this price in the 'Couv' in a garden variety neighborhood. This is the beach my friends, the beach! I love the Washington Coast.

Hot Inland Today, Cooler at the Coast!

Today Long Beach enjoyed a nice low 80 degree day while Portland and Vancouver we sizzlin' under an angry sun in the upper nineties. Yes, I said UPPER 90s. Days like this makes Coastal Living so nice. It is hard to beat the Beach when you are trying to beat the heat.

This weekend is of course the Fourth of July and this year could be a great year for people to get out and experience fireworks on the beach. Long Beach puts on a great show and this year should be no different. While you are out at the coast enjoying our celebration of independence, check out the local Real Estate scene. Talk to Tom and Cathy Rowe and tell them Rod sent you.

Have a safe and sane 4th and enjoy the Coastal Living; even if it is just for a weekend.

Summer is upon us!

Summertime is upon us. The sun is out late and the temps are warming up. Soon people will flock to the cool seashore by the thousands. You may be among them. The coast typically enjoys a cooler and breezier climate in the summer. When those east winds blow and that heat is on in the 'Couv' the temperatures at the coast are often perfect.

When our first summer heat wave hits be sure to come out and visit the Long Beach Peninsula and while your there check out the amazing homes for sale. Maybe you can become apart of the "coastal living".

Here are some upcoming events...

Reverse Mortgage can be used for Purchase.

Put down 75 to a 100 grand and never make a payment again!
That is the power of a reverse mortgage purchase

This was posted on my retirement blog recently and since many beach loving homeowners are retirees it falls nicely into place here on "Coastal Living".

The Reverse Mortgage has been around for quite awhile but many people are unaware that the FHA has made them very viable and affordable in recent years. Early reverse mortgages were burdened with outrageously high fees that made them a poor option for nearly everyone. The feds however cracked down on the less desirable practices and the result is a fabulous opportunity to get paid for living in your own house.

The ideal situation for a reverse mortgage for the retiree looking to downsize that giant house that the kids were raised in. Let's say a homeowner is 62 years old and lives in a house that is worth $300,000 and has a debt owed of $150,000. That homeowner can sell the house and walk with roughly $130,000 in cash. Options include buying a smaller house valued at say $225,000 and putting $100,000 down and making a small payment for the next 30 years which is likely the rest of his life.

What if he were to take that $130,000 profit and put it down on a reverse mortgage for a nice smaller but upscale home valued at $260,000. Now that homeowner has a nicer home say in Fairway Village and instead of making payments to the bank the he lives in the house free of charge until he dies. Each month interest is added to the principle balance.

After the reverse mortgage is over the bank will sell the home. If the home clears more money than is owed after the owner dies, his estate will receive the remaining proceeds. If the balance owed is higher than the proceeds the bank takes that as a loss and no action is due on the part of the heirs.

These programs are not for everyone, but for many they are ideal. Any person nearing the age of 62 should sit down with a qualified reverse mortgage professional and take a look at the options. Although the cost of doing a reverse mortgage is much better than it used to be, they are still a bit more expensive than a traditional loan.

I have seen many happy folks retire right here in the great state of Washington with a reverse mortgage and cash to spend on the things you are supposed to do when you retire. Relax, travel and have fun!

Is Your View a Forever View?

I wrote an article on my Realtor page about views and the value of a forever view versus that of a fleeting view. Along the gorgeous Washington Coast a view is often a big part of properties listed for sale. I feel this article still has merit for the "Coastal Living" blog despite being more focused on Clark County.

Give it a read by following the link below.

Real Estate with Realtor Rod Sager: Fancy a View? Find a Forever View:

Beachfront Property is so Alluring

Photo from RMLS

There is just something magical about a beachfront home. In past articles on this blog I have shown properties across a variety of price ranges even the $100k range right on the beach. Today I found a 2,800 square foot home situated on more than 3/4 of an acre right at the feet of the mighty Pacific Ocean. This Ocean Park home is listed on the MLS for $545,000. It is by no means an inexpensive home, but compared to its brethren on the Oregon Coast just a few miles south, it is a bargain. I continue to remain amazed at the shear value offered to buyers on the Washington Coast. There is nearly an acre of ground fronting the largest body of water on Earth. This home is spacious, nicely appointed although not overly luxurious. It offers high vaulted ceilings with lots of glass to take in that gorgeous ocean view. 

Photo from RMLS

I write another blog; Retire to Washington and I often tie in our amazing coastal value to posts on that blog. The coast is after all ideally suited for retirees. The weather is more consistent, lacking the hot weather often found inland and perhaps more importantly less frequent snowfall. Retirees need not commute into work so that is completely off the table. Everything you need is right there in town. 

Come out and visit Washington's somewhat less famous coast and see for yourself just how wonderful it is. While you are there take a peek around at some real estate. You can find some outstanding values on property you may have thought was unattainable.