real estate weekly | december 23, 2011

DEC 23-DEC 29TWENTY-ELEVENFREE

RealEstateweeklyRESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RENTALS • LAND/ACREAGE

FINANCE: GIVING UP THE

HOME. SORT OF…

PAGE 3

SAVVY HOME IMPROVEMENTSPAGE 4

Q&AASK OUR BROKER

PAGE 7

TAXES:PROPERTY

PARTICULARS

PAGE 8

CLASSIFIEDSPAGE 10-11

INSIDETHIS ISSUE

YOUR KEY TO REAL ESTATE IN SKAGIT, SNOHOMISH, ISLAND AND WHATCOM COUNTIES

goskagit.com/reweekly A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and the Anacortes American

21737 STERLING DRIVE, SEDRO-WOOLLEY $339,900One level living offering 4 bedrooms, den/offi ce, spacious living room, large family room off the kitchen and a formal dining room. Wood fi replace in the living room and free standing gas stove in the family room. Enjoy the hot tub located just off the family room with complete privacy after a game of tennis on the sports court. Attached 2 car garage, detached shop/outbuilding. Situated on over 1.25 acres, over 5,000 sq.ft outbuilding. MLS# 266058

FEATURED ARTICLE:

Windermere Real Estate1030 E. College WayMount Vernon360.424.4901 • 800.849.7939www.windermereskagit.comAgent:

Linda Eastman (360)202-4075

SAVVY HOME IMPROVEMENTS. If you’re looking to sell your home or just want to upgrade your current space, you need to know which home improvement projects will pay off in the long run and which ones will end up costing you. The best home improvements will increase your resale value, (cont. on pg. 4)

2 December 23, 2011 Real estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly Real estate Weekly December 23, 2011 3

www.SkagitValleyRealEstate.com320 S Burlington Blvd • Burlington(360) 755-9494 • (800) 775-0153

Go to our website for a quick and easy way to search all listings!Territory NW

Wilma LouiaOwner

661-1631

IvanaWood

770-3550

RonVan Pelt333-1045

ElizabethDetillion708-8800

DebbieAllen

708-8780

MichelleMitzel

630-4423

JimStransky708-1681

KirkCampbell770-7470

DanSoria

348-6655

Charlie & Jeannie Boon

708-9645

MikeWelling540-1341

Lisa Davies

391-2232

Pete McDougalBroker

708-6500

Amber Soria

969-4030

Burlington $137,375Solid rambler on large lot and great location. New Vinyl windows and partially fi nished basement. 4 bedrooms and 1 bath. A large detached shop/garage. Hardwood fl oors and a great country kitchen. MLS#281231

Call Mike, 540-1341

Sedro-Woolley $129,9501984 Stick built 3 bdrm, 1 ½ bath home with good size living room adjoining dining area. Kitchen has large pantry & plenty of storage. 1 car at-tached garage plus a huge fenced backyard with greenhouse make this a great buy. MLS#289699

Call Ivana, 770-3550

Burlington $189,000Spacious rambler located on the outskirts of Burlington. 3 bd/2 ba. Open fl oor plan, brick fi replace. 1/3 acre lot. Nice condition, ready for new owners. MLS#294493

Call Ron, 333-1045

Mount Vernon $230,000Well cared for 2 story home. Desirable Blackburn Ridge area. 3 BR, 2 ½ baths, 1628 sq. ft. Gorgeous new mahogany deck. Newer int & ext paint, many new updates. On fully fenced lot. MLS#290421

Call Charlie, 708-1415, Jeannie, 708-9645

Bellingham $249,000Gorgeous mountain view lot. Almost 9 acres and equipped with a tranquil pond. Private setting , a mini forest in your backyard. A guarantee for a beautiful sunrise. MLS#258795

Call Amber 360-969-4030 or Dan 360-348-6655

Anacortes $279,950Classic home has wonderful built-ins & traditional features. Magnifi cent shop is 24X48 w/ over-large door for RV or large boat clearance & shop depth. Gas radiant heat & commercial-style power allows for a business. Over 1 acre lot w/ Hwy 20 visibility. Great views of Padilla Bay & Mt. Baker. MLS#187399

Call Elizabeth, 708-8800

Burlington $284,000Beautiful Burlington Bayhill rambler on shy ¼ acre lot. Shy 1800 sq ft, 3 br, 1 ¾ bath. Large kitchen w/ generous amounts of storage. Im-maculately clean. MLS#223100


Bayview $440,000Beautiful newer home on shy 5 acres. Bayview area, 3 BR, 2.5 Baths, 2897 SF. Extensive use of Travertine Tile & granite. Master BR on main fl oor w/ FP. Kit. w/island, eating bar & pantry. 2 car at-tached gar + Lg 2 bay shop/garage. MLS#160988


Burlington $785,0003400 sq ft home features 3 bedroom and 2.5 baths. Open fl oor plan designed for entertain-ing. Huge trex deck surrounds the whole house. Kitchen features cement counters and rock fi replace. Fully fenced & gated, gardens and fruit trees. Private Beach Access. MLS#287415

Call Wilma, 661-1631

PRICE REDUCED

VACANT LAND

PRICE REDUCED

PRICE REDUCED

PRICE REDUCED

SAMISH ISLAND

GREAT LOCATION

PRICE REDUCED

Merry Christmas

and Happy

New Year!

OPEN FLOOR PLAN

TABLE of CONTENTSFinance - Giving Up The Home. Sort of… Pg. 3

Savvy Home Improvements Pg. 4

Q & A: Ask Our Broker Pg. 7

Taxes - Property Particulars Pg. 8

Classifieds Pg. 10-11

To advertise in

or other Skagit Publishing publications, Call 360.416.2180 or E-mail [email protected]

View this publication online at www.goskagit.com/reweekly©2011 by Skagit Publishing | All rights reserved.

All real estate advertised in Real Estate Weekly is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin,

or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimi-nation.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

RealEstateweekly

For further information call HUD Toll Free at 1-800-669-9777.

All Houses subject to prior chang-es without notice. Neither advertisers nor Skagit Publishing are responsible for any errors in the ad copy. Skagit Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, which we deem unsuitable for our publication.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Skagit Publishing and may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission.

Skagit Publishing is not respon-sible for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers.

SKAGIT PUBLISHING

8Pg.

Real Estate Weekly content sponsored by:Whidbey Island Bank

Home values have taken a

hit, but property taxes remain

high. Here’s why


It’s difficult to sell real estate these days. But it’s getting more popular to give it away.

In this troubled economy, charities “are realizing that cash gifts are hard to come by,” notes Dennis Bidwell of Bidwell advisors, a charity consultancy based in Northampton, Mass.

Moreover, “there are more and more older people who’ve arrived at a point where they want to dispose of their vacation homes,” Bidwell adds.

Charities and nonprofits, such as universities, have long accepted real estate, from homes to farms, but the downturn is prompting an uptick, Bidwell emphasizes, with even some small-scale charities hiring consultants to help them accept the gift.

Indeed, real estate donations can be packaged in a variety of legal mechanisms, offering tax or financial benefits to the donor. Donors typically begin exploring donating by contacting their attorney and

tax advisers, says Bidwell.Consider, for instance, an older

homeowner who would like to remain in his home but would like to donate to his alma mater. He can create a “retained life estate,” notes Caroline Camougis, managing director at Delphi Partners, a New york City consulting firm. that allows him to give the home now, but continue to live in it, as well as enjoy a charitable tax deduction for a portion of the property’s value, avoid some capital gains taxes and remove the property from the donor’s taxable estate, she explains.

In another arrangement, Camougis says, the donor transfers the property to a charitable trust, with the trustee then selling the property. From the proceeds, the donor can receive regular income payments, much as if they purchased an annuity, and enjoy tax benefits. the charity receives the remaining proceeds on the death of the last beneficiary of the trust.

Giving Up The Home. Sort of…

FINaNCes

Donating your home to charity has its own set of benefits

“There are more and more older people who’ve

arrived at a point where they want to dispose of their vacation homes.”


Home ImprovementsSavvy

If you’re looking to sell your home or just want to upgrade your current space, you need to know which home improvement projects will

pay off in the long run and which ones will end up costing you.


Brown McMillen Real Estate235 W. Rio Vista Avenue, Burlingtonwww.brownmcmi l l en .com

Evening Phone Calls Welcome

JUST REDUCED!! BOW RAMBLER… 3 Br, 2 Ba nearly 1500 sf. Home sitting on 1 acre, enjoy country living. $184,500. #283695SMALL BUSINESS?… perfect location just 1/2 block east of Burlington Blvd., with lots of parking. Priced at 149,950. #103783

HISTORIC BANK BLDG… on busy Fairhaven Ave, Brl. Lots of natural light, appx 1950 sf, 2 baths & 2 entrances. Loads of charm, remodeled, newer lighting & appl. Alley access. $197,000. #297564VERY PRIVATE 20 ACRES… secluded bldg site, mostly level end of road prop-erty. $179,000. #297233 RAMBLER W/DAYLIGHT BASEMENT… 3 Br, 2.5 Ba, hardwoods, French doors opens to deck, vaulted ceilings, soak-ing tub & more. $275,000. #28187196AFFORDABLE LIVING… great invest-ment property or fi rst time buyer. 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath condo, convenient Burl-ington location. $99,000. #153357

LOVELY SKYRIDGE… home w/4 bdrm & 2,870 sq ft of top quality living area+ a 3-car garage all on a .55 acre lot! $387,000. #28079612VERY PRIVATE… on 1.65 Ac parcel w/adjoining 4.59 Ac tract. 3 bdrm, 1 3/4 ba home, 840 + sf shop & out bldgs. Unique pond, $340,000. #267821

Jeff Ingman 202-2859Jan Scally 421-5160Fritz Inman 661-0147 Tod LeHecka 333-1032

Shelah Inman 661-0145Mary Jo Reitsma 770-6013Galen Kindred 770-7083Dick Best 770-1491Holly Brown-Hilts 661-5538

Phil Hurtig 770-0787Tim Reichert 391-5587Terri Heyntsen 391-0938Ron Wortham 661-1500

360.757.60131.800.869.7084

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Thank you for your continued business with

Brown McMillen Real Estate.Our professional staff is looking forward to serving

all your real estate needs in the coming year.

The best home improvements will increase your resale value, positively affect utility bills, or reduce the cost of maintenance.

• Instant Curb Appeal: While high-tech showers or appliances are perks to buying, they do not set the stage when a potential buyer enters the house. So if you’re going to invest in a renovation, it should be one that instantly leaves an impression. Landscaping, new siding and refinished floors all show that a house is well maintained. They also send a message about the quality of an entire home more strongly than a single upgrade can.

• Seek Out Safety: How sturdy are your stairs? Are your walkways free from tripping hazards, such as cracked concrete or uneven paving? How secure are your doors and windows? Are your entrances and pathways well lit? Upgrading these areas will make your home safer for your family and help alleviate concerns for any potential buyers.


• Get Energy Efficient: Making energy-efficient additions and repairs helps reduce the home’s operational costs. Improvements, such as added insulation and upgraded HVAC systems, could reduce cooling costs by up to 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Home appliances account for about 20 percent of your utility bills, so efficient choices can cut your costs while helping the environment.

When planning an improvement project, consider the long-term benefits of high-quality materials. Using low-grade products to save money now can actually cause more headaches - and potentially cost you more money - later. Cheaper materials usually don’t hold up as well over time and often require more maintenance.

When upgrading building materials, look for options that require little maintenance and have a high perceived value. Fiber cement siding is a great example of this concept because it can recoup as much as 84 percent of the cost upon resale. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report, re-siding with fiber cement is one of the best home improvement investments, providing more of a return on investment than kitchen and bathroom remodels. Additional benefits, like termite and fire resistance, add to the savings in the overall cost of maintenance.

What home improvements are not worth the money?• Room additions can be costly and risky, especially if the

space added is customized, such as a sauna or wine cellar, which may not appeal to future buyers.

• Marble countertops may look nice in the beginning, but the porous stone needs constant maintenance. Marble can be damaged by water, burned by hot pans and eroded by cleaning products. Unless extreme care is used, it is possible that marble countertops will need to be replaced at the time of sale.

• High-tech systems for the Internet or sound are a nice luxury, but because technology is continuously improving, updates will become outdated rather quickly.


GIvING THE GIfT Of HOmE?

QUESTION: I own a home and paid for it in cash. I have

paid all the bills on time. No problems with the property. Based on these factors can I sign my house over to anyone? Can I sign a house over for less than I paid for it? after a house is purchased, how long is it before it can be signed over? are there other issues that might

arise from signing a house over?

ANSWER:as a sane and sober adult

you can generally give your property to anyone. that said, let’s look at some issues.

First, if you give the home to someone there will be gift and estate taxes to consider.

second, if you sell the home to someone for less than fair market value there may be tax claims based on the “imputed value” of the discount.

third, changing title may set off transfer taxes. However, if you transfer an interest for “good” consideration, such as love and affection, then in some jurisdictions there may be no transfer taxes. Property taxes will continue to be based on local assessments.

Fourth, instead of an all-cash purchase, if you quickly resell a financed home the lender may feel you got low-risk, low-cost residential

financing, but you’re really a stealth investor. Depending on the facts and circumstances, that might lead to claims of mortgage fraud.

Fifth, you want to use proper paperwork and recording to avoid future liability.

sixth, the rules may change if you’re facing such situations as bankruptcy or divorce.

seventh, capacity counts. Gifts from older people, for example, are sometimes challenged with claims of diminished mental capacity. you really do have to be sane and sober when giving away a home.

the bottom line: a home is a huge asset. If you want to give real estate to someone, do it right with help from a fee-only financial planner, tax professional and local attorney.

Q&A ASk OUR BROkERBy Peter G. Miller

Record-low interest rates and record-low housing prices are renewing interest in the fl oundering housing market for many people. “When sellers are interviewing real estate agents to market their homes, their primary focus is usually on the advertising that the agent will offer them,” says Jessica Goodbody of Weichert Realtors.Let us help you meet your marketing goals by advertising your listings in Real Estate Weekly.

Now could be the time to sell a new home and earn a slice of the real estate pie.

RealEstateweekly

Call 360.416.2180 Today!

[email protected] In print and online goskagit.com


With home values plunging in many

markets around the country, it seems

only logical that most homeowners

today would pay lower property taxes.

Yet, according to the National Association of Home Builders, property taxes across the nation have increased by nearly 20 percent from 2005 to 2009 (the most recent data available). And several experts say those numbers may continue to get worse, especially if the American economy continues its downward trend. What many taxpayers fail to understand is that a decrease in home values has little impact on property tax bills.

taxes

Property Particulars

Home values have taken a hit, but property taxes remain high. Here’s why - and how you can lower yours


“Property taxes don’t bear any relation to real property values. Each school district and municipality sets a budget for the coming year, then collects that total amount by dividing it proportionately among all real property in their district,” says Charles D. Rubin, president, PropertyTaxDatabase.com, Red Hook, NY.

Adds James Lumley, author of “Challenge Your Taxes (Wiley, 1998): “Property taxes are more a function of how much money a community, municipality, and/or county need to operate. As state and federal dollars previously spent for local needs shrink, communities must often make up the difference with property taxes.”

Several factors are considered when determining property taxes. Local governments typically examine a home’s previous value, as well as recent sales in the neighborhood and whether any improvements or modifications made to a property or neighborhood add value to a home. The methods that assessors use to arrive at taxable values also can include market averages and replacement cost, and these methods can involve arbitrary conclusions, excessive averaging and human error.

Ultimately, property taxes are usually based on an equation of the mileage rate or levy (the amount of money you pay per $1,000 of value) multiplied by the government’s property assessment.

Complicating matters is that many localities reassess properties on a three- or even five-year basis, which means that assessed values in some areas are only now catching up with actual home prices,

says Pete Sepp, executive vice president of the National Taxpayers Union.

If you believe your property tax is too high, there are steps you can take to possibly get it lowered.

“First, check over the accuracy of your property assessment. Are the proper features - like bathrooms and garage - recorded?” Sepp asks. “What about the age of the home, or occupiable square footage, or lot size? Human errors can and do occur, and they often boost a tax bill. If you discover an outright error, bring it to your assessor’s attention, along

with any evidence you need, like photos, blueprints or deeds.”

If you find no errors, step two requires examining properties in your neighborhood with comparable features and comparing their assessments to your own. If yours is significantly higher than others, you can file for an appeal-usually with your area assessor’s office or a local-level independent review/grievance board that will hear the evidence you gather and decide if an assessment reduction is in order.

To increase your chance of success, ask a local Realtor to conduct a comparative market analysis and consider paying for a property appraisal by an independent professional, says Nadine Lewis, an attorney in Santa Monica, Calif.

If your appeal is rejected, depending on your state laws, you should be able to take your case to a state-level board or court where you can ask for a hearing. The further up the ladder you go, however, the greater the likelihood that you’ll need legal representation.

Lastly, don’t expect the property tax upward trend to change anytime soon, says Susan Stynes, a Realtor in Midlothian, Va.

“If home values continue to fall, I would predict a higher chance of property taxes increasing,” she says. “However, much of that is counting on factors that many can’t predict. How will the economy rebound? What will that mean to home values? Can we get rid of the current oversaturation of foreclosed and short sale homes? These will all be trends to watch.”

10 December 23, 2011 Real estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly Real estate Weekly December 23, 2011 1110 December 23, 2011 REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly

IN A TIGHT MARKET,KEEP PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT YOU,

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Spacious 3 bdrm, 1.5 baunits, W/D hook-ups, singlegarage, gas heat, on 1+acre in a parklike setting.W/S/G pd., $1000/mo. +dep. Background/credit ck.$45, Skagit Tradition RealtyLLC, Danya Wolf, broker360-708-8294. Sandy Ev-erett, broker 360-202-3706

2 Bdrm, 1 Ba, 4-plex, up-stairs unit, gas heat, newpaint, single car garage, nopets, no smoke, 1017 BCrestview Ln., MV. $695 +$600 damage dep. Creditcheck. Call Joe 360-424-4886.

2 bdrm, 5 new appliances,no smoke/pets, W/S/G pd,credit report required. $695 +$600 dep. 700A Talcott S.W.360-840-5728

MV 2 Bdrm, 1 Ba, W/D,$725/mo. & $725/dep. 360-420-1685

RENTALSHouses & Apartments.

See our listings atwww.skagitrentals.comRemax Property Mgmt.

823 N. 4th, Mount Vernon360-424-3198

Newer MV 3 bdrm, 1 ¾ bath,double car garage, separate14x28 storage bldg. Close tohospital. No smoke/pets.Refs req'd. $1300. + $1000dep. 424-9595 or 708-8664

GREAT VIEW 3 BR / 2 BAAnacortes remodeled manf.home with water view fromhuge deck. Borders Skylineopen space. $1200. (360)333-7431.

Burl. very nice 2 story, 1550sq. ft. home, with carpet, fr-plc., granite countertops, 1car garage, applcs. incl.,$1,000 damage, $1200/mo.Contact Mike (360) 202-4700after 5 p.m.

Anac. Mt Baker view 3 bdrm, 3 bath, $1400, 2 car

garage RV garage, workshop,sunny deck 360-391-6204

4 bdrm., 2 ba. home in Ly-man, fenced yard, $1100mo., 1st & dep. Avail. 1/1/12.360-661-6502

3 Bdrm in S-W, fenced yard,$900 mo. 1St, last & $500damage dep. No smoke/pets.360-856-1757

2 bdrm, 1.5 ba, MV hill, fullbasement, private 1/2 acre,fenced yard, view to river &sunsets. No smoke/pet. $995+ $1000 dep. 360-661-6173,961-9502

1 - 4 Bdrm Rentals.Piazza Realty Property

Mgmt., Inc. 360-424-RENT(7368) www.prpmrentals.com

NO HIDDEN FEES!Fairhaven Manor 757-2149

Norris Place 757-30602 & 3 Bdrm Apts.

Affordable. Section 8 okay.

New remodel. Big Lakeview. 2 Bdrm, 1.75 Ba, largemaster suite, granite & tile ac-cents, W/D, D/W. No smoke/pets. $995/mo. 206-778-8147

MV, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, W/S/Gpd., $30 application fee,$635 + dep. 360-873-8396.

MV VIEW CONDO 1 BDRM,55+. Maddox Creek, $850.Call Judy 360-202-0349

2 bdrm, MV, deck, redeco-rated, clean quiet, W/S/G/basic cable pd. Refs + dep.$725. No smoke/pets 360-424-1695.

1ST MO. FREE! 1, 2 & 3bdrm, MV, near college, on-site laundry, reserved park-ing. W/S/G pd. Qualify today!Move in tomorrow! 428-3887

1 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts2 x 1 ½ Town homes

Covered-Assigned ParkingGarages / Storage Avail.

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Pet FriendlyCall Today! 360-856-4803

1 & 2 BDRM MV APTS., qui-et, W/S/G/recycle & basic ca-ble pd. Covered parking andstorage room including laun-dry on-site. No smoking/pets. 360-708-1721

10 December 23, 2011 Real estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly Real estate Weekly December 23, 2011 11REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly December 23, 2011 11

www.WindermereSkagit.comWindermere Real Estate/ Skagit Valley 1030 East College Way • Mount Vernon (360) 424-4901 • 1-800-849-7939

We give you all the details, on every listing, at windermereskagit.com!

STOP!Let us make this easy for you.Go to WindermereSkagit.com for Photos, Open Houses, and Maps for EVERY listing.

24442 WICKER RD, #40, SDW $29,000One of the largest homes in the community. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1848 sq.ft. Very well kept all age community with afford-able space rent. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #284879

22216 FRANCIS ROAD, MV $48,500Fannie Mae owned home approved for Homepath. Cute 1900 farmhouse has been remodeled, 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in the middle of farmlands. Sitting on .29 acre with mountain & farmland views. Call Lee Ann Dean or Karine Anderson at 424-4901. #29935994 WILLOW LN, MV $108,999 Great starter or rental home on dead-end street. Over 1/4 acre lot with a carport/storage shed & RV parking. New roof & paint. More info. at skagitvalleyhomes.com. Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #2850141710 SKYLINE WAY, #105, ANA $120,000The park is your back yard! Nicely updated 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Skyline. All new appliances, flooring & fixtures. Close to marina, parks, beach & ferry. Call Mel Foley at 770-3115. #253952

2426 W MEADOW BLVD, MV $153,000Very nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with new flooring, paint, appliances & exterior paint. Fannie Mae owned home ap-proved for Homepath financing. Nice deck & huge backyard. Call Lee Ann Dean or Karine Anderson at 424-4901. #299818127 E. LAWRENCE ST., MV $169,0005 bedroom hilltop home, located near the YMCA. Gas heat, 2 car garage. Photos & more info. at SkagitValleyHomes.com. Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #289068

41947 CHALLENGER RD, CON $231,500 Charming 1354 sq.ft. log home nestled in the woods. Over 29 acres, some acreage in forestry. This home is rustic with nice Southern exposure. Call Lee Ann Dean at 421-3082 or Karine Anderson at 421-1189. #30289218653 BLACKBERRY LN, MV $239,900Enjoy beautiful views of Big Lake from a private covered deck or from the picture windows that surround this gorgeous 1760 sq.ft. home. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. Fully finished lower level. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #275165

19331 84TH AVE. NE, ARL $246,900Wonderful home in desirable Crown Ridge. Fannie Mae owned & approved for Homepath. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, hardwoods & property backs up to green belt. Call Lee Ann Dean or Karine Anderson at 424-4901. #2983757110 STEELHEAD LN, BRL $279,000Lovely 1 level home nestled along the Samish River with 73+/- ft of high-bank riverfront. 4 bedrooms, 2.25 baths. Many upgrades. New exterior paint. Covered patio & gazebo. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #2439042340 CROSBY DR, MV $279,9004 bedrooms, 3 baths with over 3700 sq.ft. of living space. Western valley & sunset views. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #2417643319 E. SECTION ST., MV $284,990Spacious & sunny home with a great floor plan. Nice kitchen/family room combo with a fireplace. Main floor master suite plus a bonus room upstairs & 3 more bedrooms. Big 3-car garage. Call Robin Luif 420-2026. #271177

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To our Community, American Dream Real Estate would like to thank everyone for keeping Skagit County a vibrant and desirable place to live through these changing times. 2011 was a challenging year for most, and yet we saw our local businesses make thoughtful and responsible decisions to better serve our community. The past few years have been hard on many and still we saw our charities supported. More importantly through all the bad news you could still count on being treated to smiling faces and constant courtesy in our shops and on our streets. More often than not we take for granted what we have to be thankful for. This Christmas we can all be proud of our individual contributions to this great commu-nity that we know as The Valley.

We wish Everyone the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest and Healthiest of New Years.

Mark & Nancy Redis - American Dream Mount VernonLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream AnacortesLeonard & Suenema Johnson - American Dream Anacortes

American Dream Real Estate - A Skagit County Business

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www.skagittraditionrealty.com

MOUNT VERNON $359,000Beautifully maintained executive home featuring 4 bdrms, 2.75 baths, daylight basement, formal dining room, private patio & yard. MLS#235143

MOUNT VERNON $255,000Well maintained rambler featuring bonus side lot, 3 spacious bedrooms, oak cabinets in kitchen, breakfast bar & large living room. MLS#302029

SEDRO WOOLLEY $139,000Beautiful 1.13 acre property boasts mature landscaping with full fencing, storage shed & 2-car garage. The current 3-bdrm manufactured home can be removed and replaced with a new one or to custom build your dream home. MLS#300921

THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH TOYS FOR TOTS.WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

3780 E. College Way, Mount Vernon360.424.0300 or 360.853.8888

real estate weekly | december 23, 2011

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