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Drinking Water on Whidbey Island
Where Does Your Drinking Water on Whidbey Island Come From?
WATER IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY
As Whidbey’s premier real estate brokerage, Windermere agents get asked about our Island’s drinking water A LOT! Why? Water is a precious commodity, and one of the essentials of life. Knowing where your water comes from should be a primary concern of someone thinking about living on an island.
WATER ON WHIDBEY ISLAND
Many people who move to Whidbey have never experienced life with a well and even those who have rarely understand the implications that a well surrounded by saltwater might have. With the exception of the City of Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey Island, who get all their drinking water piped in from the Skagit River (yes, it travels under the Deception Pass bridge), the rest of the island depends on tapping into our skinny Island’s network of underground aquifers.
WHAT IS AN AQUIFER?
Think of an aquifer as a of pocket of freshwater, or more like a saturated sponge. Under the surface, sometimes DEEP under the surface, these pockets have enough permeability to absorb new water that seeps through the layers of dirt, rock, and gravel of the ground but can also store enough water to keep from running dry. Maybe a visual would help…
The problem with the graphic above for Whidbey Island is we are not on bedrock and we have very few large lakes. In fact, we are surrounded by saltwater which can become a real issue for saltwater intrusion when removing a large amount of freshwater from an aquifer too quickly.
WHAT IS SALTWATER INTRUSION?
Saltwater intrusion is a condition in which saltwater enters an aquifer and contaminates the water supply. The intrusion occurs when too much water is pulled from the aquifer, too fast. The reduction in pressure pulls in saltwater from the surrounding shoreline, ultimately contaminating the freshwater. Take-a-look at the graphic below for a better understanding.
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/process-saltwater-intrusion
HOW TO PREVENT SALTWATER INTRUSION
One way to prevent saltwater intrusion is to slowly and steadily remove freshwater from the aquifer and store it so when demand spikes, like during summer, the sucking from the aquifer doesn’t become so intense that it pulls the saltwater in. Think of a straw poked into the pocket of freshwater. If you suck too hard it will pull saltwater in from the surrounding sea.
Another important activity is to regularly monitor wells across the island and collect enough data to see signals of wells that have a higher risk of saltwater intrusion than others.
HOW IS IT PREVENTED ON WHIDBEY?
Here in Island County, we are so incredibly lucky to have a full-time hydrogeologist, Doug Kelly. Doug has a very rare and critical position. He has helped develop a data-gathering system and monitoring program that helps to give Island County residents early warning signs if their well is at risk and provides them with steps to take to prevent that from happening.
WHERE DO I GO TO FIND OUT MORE?
There is a phenomenal database that anyone can access on Island Counties website called ICGeo and with the layer for wells turned on you can see where all the wells on Whidbey are located. Within a few clicks, you can also get a report that is hyperlinked with all sorts of additional information and a great color code to quickly gain a bunch of info on the health of the water.
If this gets too confusing and you want info on a specific well just call your trusty Windermere Real Estate Broker! If you do not have one of these gems already, call us today!
Oak Harbor 360.675.5953
Coupeville 360.678.5858
Freeland 360.331.6006
Langley 360.221.8898
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Old Growth Tree
Near Cranberry Lake
What You Will Find
During a typical trip to Cranberry Lake, at Deception State Park it would not be uncommon to see kayaks floating atop the still waters, fisherman sitting along the winding edges of the lake, and kids splashing in the shallow waters while their parent’s BBQ.
Have You Seen It All?
But if that is all you have seen you have not gone far enough. Just past the lake is a trail that will lead you through a very rare treasure to this region. SAND DUNES. Dunes are created as grains of sand accumulate into a sheltered area when the wind blows. The limited nutrients, high winds, sun exposure, and salty spray from the ocean makes it extremely difficult for plants to grow here. Many of the plants you see today have adapted to the harsh growing conditions causing them to develop things like small leaves that stand perpendicular to the sun to avoid direct sunlight that assists in the plant’s survival.
The Old Growth Tree
However, despite the challenges stands this old-growth tree. It is quite a unique Douglas-fir.
This particular tree has stood for over 850 years watching as the dunes have taken shape. Its thick bark has guarded it against the harsh conditions in addition to storms, fires, droughts, and disease that claimed others over the years. For generations, people have climbed this stunning tree. Unfortunately, now the bark is thinning but it can still be appreciated from afar.
Take a Look at Our Interactive Map of the Area Here:
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Water Sports on Whidbey
A Trip to Langley
Plan your Trip to Langley
A Little History Before You Plan Your Trip to Langley
On the southern side of Whidbey Island along the Saratoga Passage lies the lovely little town of Langley. With a population of just over one thousand, this quaint town is home to a creative culture and endless entertainment.
Langley’s history has led to its unique and diverse culture. Established in 1891, Langley served as South Whidbey’s trading center for all types of goods with the wharf connecting island merchants to Everett and Seattle. In the 60s and 70s, that same wharf brought in a wave of hippies who would forever shift the culture of South Whidbey.
Although Langley’s docks no longer see the traffic they once did, downtown is filled with remnants of the original trades-town married beautifully with the artistic culture of the mid-century hippies. It’s quite a treat to visit. If you get the chance to spend a day in Langley and aren’t sure what to do, you’re in luck! We’ve created an itinerary for the perfect one-day trip in Langley. Just don’t forget your mask and keep a social distance!
Itinerary for Day Trip to Langley
Coffee at Useless Bay
Enjoy some amazing early morning coffee from this local roaster to give yourself an extra boost at the beginning of your day. Between the friendly baristas, great drinks, and buzzing atmosphere you’ll be excited to return to this cafe over and over.
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Breakfast at The Braeburn
BEST. BREAKFAST. EVER. Or at least it’s hard to top. The Braeburn has an amazing assortment of breakfast choices ranging from light and sweet pastries to hearty mashes and breakfast burritos. There’s something for everyone!
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Morning Stroll Down Seawall Park
When you make your way out of The Braeburn you might consider taking a stroll down Langley’s Seawall Park. This seaside park is full of beautiful art that pays tribute to past island tribes and a walking path to help you get the most out of the beautiful view.
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Lunch at Ultra House
Ready for lunch? This ramen house is tucked away in the dead center of Langley village and serves absolutely incredible food! Enjoy slurping noodles and sipping broth and feeling like you’re another world away.
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Ice Cream at Sprinklz
What better way to end lunch than with some sweets?! Sprinklz is a local favorite when it comes to ice cream. It’s hard to beat their fun store or their incredible old fashioned ice cream.
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Explore Downtown and the Star Store
Even though a few of the Langley shops have closed their doors during the pandemic, The Star Store alone could keep anyone’s attention for quite some time. This century-old mercantile seamlessly transitions from produce to products and more.
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End the Night at the Taproom at Bayview
What better way to end the night than with some comfort food and a good beer? Bayview Taproom provides that and much more. You’ll love this community watering hole for its juicy burgers, kind servers, and joyful atmosphere.
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Q2, 2020 Report Quarterly Stats
Q2, 2020 Report Quarterly Stats by Whidbey Communications
Collaboration, Competition, & Putting the Client First
-Why we are better together at Windermere
Many people think of real estate as a cutthroat competitive sales business akin to the dynamics that are portrayed on a TV show like Million Dollar Listing. The world is always pitting competition vs. collaboration against each other as if these two things are completely exclusive from one another.
This is why it is so darn refreshing when you see collaboration amongst “competitors,” and it’s something we see at Windermere all the time.
One of Windermere’s core values is that we are all better together, and we are huge believers in the very different way Windermere real estate agents operate. But what does “better together” really mean? How does this play out in the day-to-day?
Of course, “better together” in part refers to the collaboration aspect in real estate. No one doubts two heads are better than one when it comes to problem-solving, and how about ten heads or a whole brokerage full of knowledgeable professionals to draw from? In our brokerage, a seasoned agent or a total newbie who comes up against something unusual (which happens more often than you would think) can easily pick the brains of agents representing 100’s of years of experience. From in-person conversations to our Facebook group page; we encourage ideas, questions, new information, resources, and sometimes just funny memes. Real estate is about being creative, not taking no for an answer and problem solving like a maniac. Having a support group you can rely on results in miracles for your clients other agents can’t produce.
“Better together” also means we have a lot of pride in the standard Windermere sets in the real estate industry. This translates to holding each other accountable when a colleague is delivering less than their best. For those of us who thoroughly understand the benefits of holding the real estate industry to a high standard, it literally hurts our hearts when we see agents acting in ways that are embarrassing for our profession and even worse, harmful to the client. This is why we believe in continually raising the bar on this industry so others have to stretch themselves just to keep up.
We take the idea of “better together” seriously but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to have fun doing it!
The video below was envisioned, orchestrated, and paid for by the agents. It is a pure collaboration amongst some of the most successful agents at Windermere in Oak Harbor who have intense respect for one another and understand that being better together helps everyone.
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Water Sports on Whidbey
Whidbey Island Water Sports: Just in Time for Summer
As Island County transitions into
we’ve noticed quite a few changes.
Restaurants have re-opened their doors.
Parks are now open to the public again.
Even a few offices are welcoming back their employees.
For many, this change couldn’t have come soon enough. For those who enjoy water sports, the lifted restrictions were right on time.
Water sports is something particularly special to Whidbey as we are after all, completely surrounded by water. With the sun making more and more guest appearances in the sky you can place a good bet on the expectation of increased activity on the waves. Between kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and more; the Whidbey shores offer quite a bit of enjoyment for those willing to get wet.
Below are just some water activities popular on Whidbey.
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Kayaking
Kayaking is easily an island favorite when it comes to water sports. The flexibility of kayaking regardless of weather and the ability to do it alone is a HUGE draw for many.
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Tubing
Another island favorite, especially in the summer, is tubing! The wonderful thing about tubing is the community feel to it. It’s a great activity that brings people together and almost always results in a few humorous stories.
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Water Skiing
Want to kick tubing it up a notch? Water skiing is for you! This sport requires a bit more resilience and core strength, but once you get it down you are sure to leave the water with some epic pictures of yourself.
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Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is a slightly newer interest on the island, but well deserving of the hype. This sport is made for those who simply want to enjoy the water. Sit, stand, lay down, it doesn’t matter! Paddleboarding allows you to enjoy the sea the way you want to.
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Sailing
Sailing is a Whidbey Island classic. There is a long history of sailing on Whidbey that has been passed down from generation to generation.
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Awareness is the First Step to a Better Tomorrow
Many people are starting to realize that racism is a lot more widespread and day to day than most realized…
One of the first questions people are asking themselves is What can I do? What should I think?
At Windermere on Whidbey Island, we know that knowledge is empowering and clarifying when times are stressful and people are confused. It sounds like it’s almost too easy but it’s absolutely true that one of the best things you can do is listen, read, and watch with a heart to learn more. This is a shortlist of high-quality talks, videos, animations, and articles we think will help to get you started. There are thousands more. If you have a recommendation please leave it in the comments below. Thank you for showing up to this issue.
Why what has happened recently is such a big deal…
Trevor Noah on current events (18:12) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c
For those with young kids this short video may help explain racism…
Book reading of “Something Happened in Our Town” (8:50) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOhOFGcWm8
Why being color blind is not a good thing…
TEDx Fighting to be Seen in a Colorblind World by Traci Ellis (14:34) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqvZRO2LPmw&t=101s
What does white privilege mean…
Sociology Live explanation (4:09) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLgbw_A1mLI
A talk about Charlottesville by Brene Brown (12-32 min) answer begins around 3:30 https://www.facebook.com/brenebrown/videos/1778878652127236
What is systemic racism…
Explanation of how our systems have been built in a racist way (4:23) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHIQIO_bdQ
Help in understanding the big picture with racism by academic Robin DiAngelo…
A book option: https://www.amazon.com/White-Fragility-People-About-Racism/dp/0807047414
An article option: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/16/white-fragility-racism-interview-robin-diangelo
How the Real Estate industry has contributed to racism…
Explained, Racial Wealth Gap (16:12) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqrhn8khGLM&t=34s
The Disturbing History of the Suburbs (6:19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETR9qrVS17g&t=7s
Real Estate Investigation: Testing the Divide (41:17) https://projects.newsday.com/long-island/real-estate-investigation-videos/
How a Real Estate brokerage should be talking about racism https://www.redfin.com/blog/its-not-enough/
3614 Portage Lane 100, Anacortes
Pristine 2-Bedroom End-Unit Condo Awaits in Premium Mariner’s Ridge Community in Anacortes
Offering the opportunity for low-maintenance living and completely move-in ready, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in the premium Mariner’s Ridge community presents a fantastic opportunity! Not only has this spacious 1,114-square-foot home been lovingly cared for over the years, but the community association keeps your surroundings looking pristine. $220/month covers common area maintenance, garbage, and lawn service, meaning you have more time to spend on the things you love!
Located at 3614 Portage Lane 100 Anacortes, WA 98221 on the eastern hillside of Anacortes and close to NAS Whidbey, Anacortes Community Forest North, grocery shopping, restaurants, and more. This condo is listed for $329,000.
Featuring a captivating blend of modern nautical exterior architecture and northwest craftsman interior finishes, this condo is sure to inspire pride in ownership each time you arrive home. Picturesque mature landscaping leads you right to your front door, and the end-unit location ensures you have a peaceful, quiet atmosphere and extra privacy. Gorgeous hardwoods guide you into the main living area, an open-concept space where abundant natural light cascades in through tall windows.
The well-appointed kitchen shows off a smart layout replete with generous cabinetry storage, shimmering granite counters, and sleek stainless steel appliances. Several electrical outlets make it easy to put appliances to work while you whip up home-cooked meals or spend the day baking, and the breakfast bar allows you to entertain with ease. The dining area is just steps away and overlooks the living room, a bright and airy haven designed with entertaining in mind. From here, sliding glass doors lead to a private patio and a lush lawn that extends your living space even more, and you can relax out here all summer long!
This condo’s 2 bedrooms and 2 baths provide flexibility, and the master suite is especially not to miss. In addition to a spacious bedroom layout where large windows fill the retreat with rejuvenating natural light, there’s also a walk-in closet and a sumptuous 5-piece ensuite bath. Spa-inspired amenities rest alongside a palette of neutral-hued finishes that make indulgent bubble baths and wellness routines all the more luxurious.
Living in Anacortes
At 3614 Portage Lane 100 Anacortes, WA 98221, you’re tucked away in Homestead Northwest’s premium Mariner’s Ridge Community. Located on the eastern hillside overlooking Fidalgo Bay, this community not only offers the possibility for an easy “lock up and go” lifestyle, but you’re also merely minutes from local conveniences. From here you’re only about a 17-minute drive to Naval Air Station Whidbey, and you’ll find schools, grocery stores, the library, restaurants, medical services, the marina, and much more no more than a 10-minute drive away.
For those who love adventuring outdoors, you’re also surrounded by opportunities to spend time out in the fresh air! Just around the corner, you’ll find the 2,800-acre Anacortes Community Forest North, an expansive park network that includes lakes for fishing, well-marked and maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as scenic wetlands, meadows, and old-growth forests.
For more information about this Anacortes home, click here! You can also get in touch with REALTOR® Holly Reynolds at holly@whidbey.com and at (360) 914-7585 for more information about this property.
Should I Sell My House Right Now?
Ahem… I mean yes, it is an excellent time to sell. However, we don’t want to just tell you our professional opinion. We will show you and we will make it simple.
- Prices keep rising.
- There are not enough available homes for the number of buyers ready to buy.
- Demand will keep prices rising.
Let’s start with point #1: Prices keep rising.
This chart shows the median sales price since the beginning of 2015 for residential homes + condos. Pretty steady upward trend. Would you like another data point telling the same story? Ask and you shall receive…
This chart shows you the median price per square foot since the beginning of 2015 to now. Again, pretty easy to see what’s going on here.
Let’s look at point #2 a little closer:
There aren’t enough homes to satisfy all the buyers out there.
As you can see by this graph of the number of homes for sale there are consistent seasonal variations but the overall trend has been a precipitous downward slope.
This is another way to look at the same story but takes into account how many homes are going pending (or being sold). North Whidbey only has 1.2 months of inventory (pending). This means that if homes kept selling at the rate they are and no new listings came on the market it would only take 1.2 months to completely run out of homes. Anything less than 4 months indicates a seller’s market. We’ve been in a seller’s market since 2016 but it just keeps going down and we are now at a dramatic low.
OK now for Point #3: Demand will keep prices rising.
This is just basic supply and demand economics. When demand exceeds supply, prices rise. Until we have less demand, or the supply of homes comes up to meet the demand we will continue to see home prices inch their way up. For homes in good condition, with quality upgrades that have been well maintained and professionally presented, we are seeing a much bigger bump in what buyers are willing to pay.
To see a few examples of recent homes that were expertly staged and prepared for the market to help sellers fetch top dollar check out these beauties…
Keep an eye out for our next post addressing the BIG question on seller’s minds when contemplating taking advantage of this amazing seller’s market…
We will also address the fact that we actually have two markets happening right now. If you are in the lucky position to sell a home under 400k to move into a home over 600k this is the perfect time!
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North Whidbey Q1: 2020 Stats
Report Quarterly Stats by Whidbey Communications
