real estate weekly | may 4, 2012

MAY 4-MAY 10TWENTY-TWELVEFREE

RealEstateweeklyRESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RENTALS • LAND/ACREAGE

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOOKIN’ GOOD FOR LANDLORDS PAGE 3

IS IT TIME TO ADD A HALF-BATHROOM?PAGE 4

Q & AASK OUR BROKER PAGE 5

SIGNS YOUR ROOF MIGHT BE WEARING DOWNPAGE 6

SIMPLE WAYS TO SOUNDPROOF A HOMEPAGE 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

1520 MEADOWLARK LANE, MOUNT VERNON $750,000OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 5-6 1PM-4PMBeautiful, spacious, striking, custom home with Frank Lloyd Wright fl avor. Many, many custom built ins; with each room a generous size. Three bedrooms, yet two family rooms, a den; each which could provide additional bedrooms. Two natural

gas log fi replaces. Lots of light! One room in particular is full of windows and light. From this room one steps out onto expansive decking with beautiful views of the estate. Perfect for horses (small barn). Buyer has option to divide property. MLS#347359 Directions: From E. College Way, turn north onto Windsor Drive (College Heights) & turn left (west) at the “y” & continue northwesterly to Meadowlark Lane. Turn right up Meadowlark Lane to end/E. Johnson sign.

FEATURED ARTICLE: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOOKIN’ GOOD FOR LANDLORDS. Commercial real estate sectors are showing signs of improvement, especially the multifamily housing market. (Continued on page 3)

Skagit Tradition Realty3780 E. College WayMount Vernon, WA 98273360-424-0300www.SkagitTraditionRealty.com

Buyers Agent Sandy Everett

360-202-3706

Listing AgentDanya Wolf

360-708-8294

2 May 4, 2012 Real estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly Real estate Weekly May 4, 2012 3

Real Estate Weekly content sponsored by:Whidbey Island Bank

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

Charlie & Jeannie Boon

708-9645

MikeWelling540-1341

Pete McDougallBroker

708-6500

If you are looking for someone to manage your

rental home or just looking for a home to rent,

Call Wilma Louia @ (360)755-5555

RE/MAX Property Management

Burlington $129,900Updated 3 bedroom rambler conveniently located near schools and shopping. Freshly painted indoors and out. New carpeting. Large fully fenced backyard with gardening shed. Very nicely landscaped. MLS#335337

Call Wilma, 661-1631

Burlington $129,900Solid 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 (360) 540-1341

Alger $324,5002005 Private Alger Home. 1 Minute From Freeway for Commuters. 2002 Sq. Ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath. Stream running through property. Propane, heat, PUD water, security System. Vaulted ceilings, high tech cable. MLS#257174

Call Jim, 708-1681

Sedro-Woolley $132,000Lovely 3 bd/1 ½ ba bungalow located in the heart of Sedro-Woolley. Cute picket fence and a lovely sunroom. Has a partial basement w/ 3rd bed-room, and storage area. Great country kitchen. MLS#161197

Call Ron, 333-1045

Sedro-Woolley $459,000Awesome 3 BR, 2 BA home on 5.5 acres. Gourmet kitchen, open fl oor plan. Full in-ground pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen. 38 X 58 shop with bath. Fenced Acreage with 2 stall barn. Lovely setting, private but not too far out. MLS#232535

Call Debbie, 708-8780

Bow $1,100,000Hobby Farm & Home. Incredible park-like 20 acres w/easterly view on Bow Hill. This property is fully fenced w/plenty of room for livestock. Marketable Timber. Large Shop w/Outbuildings. MLS#347951

Call Jim, 708-1681

Sedro-Woolley $179,500This fantastic house is move-in ready on a large fenced lot. RV Parking, with possible MIL unit on lower fl oor. Beautifully remodeled including new roof, hot water tank and fi replace. Large 500+ sq. ft. deck for entertaining or relaxing. MLS#315835

Call Elizabeth, 708-8800

Burlington $159,000The Cedars Condo “Stand Alone Home”, 2 bedroom, 1.75 baths, Kitchen with center island, Slider to patio, 2 car garage, 1113 sq. ft. with natural gas forced air heat. MLS#261718

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

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

PRICE REDUCED

NEW LISTING

Mount Vernon $290,000Priced to sell! Rare 6.7 fenced Bayview acres! 3 bd, 2 bath, radiant heat & huge barn/shop with 220. Zoned 2.5 Acre minimum. MLS#350292

Call Ivana, 770-3550

PRICE REDUCED

PRICE REDUCED

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

View this publication online at www.goskagit.com/reweekly©Skagit Publishing LLC 2012 | 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.

RealEstateweeklyFor 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.

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SKAGIT PUBLISHING

TABLE of CONTENTSCommercial Real Estate Lookin’ Goodfor Landlords Pg. 3

Is It Time to Add a Half-Bathroom? Pg. 4

Q & A: Ask Our Broker Pg. 5

5 Signs Your Roof Might Be Wearing Down Pg. 6

Simple Ways to Soundproof a Home Pg. 8

Classifieds Pg. 10-11

6Pg.

Mount Vernon - College Way and Urban Ave.Burlington - Burlington Blvd & E. George Hopper Rd.

Anacortes - 2202 Commercial Ave.Sedro-Woolley - 339 Ferry Street


Commercial real estate sectors are showing signs of improvement, especially the multi-family housing market.

If you’re a renter, now might be a good time to try to lock in your monthly payment.

According to the National Association of Real-tors’ quarterly commercial real estate forecast, all major commercial real estate sectors are showing improvement, especially multifamily housing. This landlord’s market means they can command bigger rents.

“Vacancy rates are steadily falling. Leasing is on the rise, and rents are showing signs of strength-ening, especially in the apartment market where rents are rising the fastest,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR.

The NAR estimates the apartment rental market is likely to see vacancy rates drop from 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2012 to 4.5 percent in Q1

2013. Multifamily vacancy rates less than 5 per-cent generally are considered a landlord’s market, with increased demand justifying higher rents.

The areas with the lowest multifamily vacancy rates currently are New York City, at 1.8 percent; Minneapolis and Portland, Ore., each at 2.5 per-cent; and San Jose, Calif., at 2.7 percent.

Office and industrial space, however, remains a tenant’s market. Vacancy rates in the office sector, currently at 16.4 percent, are expected to fall to just 16 percent in Q1 2013. After rising 1.6 percent in 2011, office rents are expected to increase another 1.9 percent this year, and 2.4 percent in 2013.

According to the NAR’s recent quarterly Com-mercial Real Estate Market Survey, 87 percent of participants feel that office/industrial tenants are getting a range of benefits, from moderate conces-sions to deep rent discounts.

Commercial Real EstateLookin’ Good for Landlords

Vacancy rates are steadily falling. Leasing is on the rise, and rents are showing signs of strengthening, especially in the apartment market where rents are rising the fastest.

“

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When it comes to renovating a home, homeowners expect to spend money. No home

renovation or home improvement project is free, but some are less costly than others.

The addition of a half-bathroom is a popular project among homeown-ers, and it won’t necessarily break the bank. If converting existing floor space into a half-bathroom, such a renovation can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, making the addi-tion of a powder room one of the few home improvement projects where the value added to the home exceeds the cost of the renovation. Before deciding to add a half-bathroom, it helps to consider some of the pros and cons of the project.

Pros• Convenience: A half-bathroom

is often added on the home’s main floor or in the basement or attic. This makes it more convenient for guests to use the restroom during a

dinner party or when coming over to watch the big game in a base-ment home-theater area.

• Problem-free: Half-bath-rooms are smaller because they don’t have a shower or bathtub. That means common bathroom

problems like mold and mildew are not as big a concern as they

are for full bathrooms.• More choices: Because mold

and mildew aren’t likely to present a

problem in a half-bathroom, home-owners have more options at their disposal when choosing floors and countertops.

Cons• space: As their name implies,

half-bathrooms are much smaller than full bathrooms. As a result, they tend to feel cramped.

• Value: Though an inexpensive half-bathroom addition might recoup its value and then some at resale, the project won’t add as much resale value to a home as a full bathroom addition might.

• Loss of storage: If storage around the house is sparse, home-owners might be better off keeping the area designated for the half-bathroom as a storage closet instead of a bathroom.

Once the pros and cons have been weighed, homeowners who want to go forward with the project should then check with their local municipality to ensure the codes and requirements won’t restrict their project. Size or window restrictions might curtail the project or limit what homeowners can do, which might change their minds on the project altogether.

The addition of a half-bathroom often makes practical and financial sense. But before making any addi-tion, homeowners must weight the pros and cons to make the best deci-sion possible.

Is it time to add a

half-bathroom?

The addition of a half-bathroom is a project that often

makes practical and financial sense.


3780 E. College Way, Mount Vernonwww.skagittraditionrealty.com

360.424.0300 or 360.853.8888

Mount Vernon $186,000

This Mount Vernon home has it all! 4 BD, 3 full baths on a beautifully landscaped, fully fenced yard w/large evergreen trees. All appliances stay. Nice deck off dining room. Located minutes from I-5. MLS#350041

Sedro-Woolley $269,000

This is a spacious rambler in a beautiful, established neighborhood. Home features bamboo fl oors, wall-to-wall carpet and vinyl upgrades throughout. Remodeled, gourmet kitchen comes complete w/a place for double ovens built into the design. Outdoors offers a large fenced yard w/raised garden beds! RV parking is available separate

from fenced yard. MLS#111942

Burlington $189,000

Affordable country living yet only minutes to town. This unique farmhouse has had many upgrades including oak kitchen cabinets and tile counter tops. The 2nd fl oor master bedroom has loads of storage and a separate bonus room for offi ce/den/hobbies. The detached 30x50 2 story shop offers plenty of work space and the 2nd fl oor can be used for M.I.L. Bldg also has attached carport for RV. MLS#286030

Bayview $259,000

Perfect Location. Perfect View. Perfect ambiance. 2.5 acre parcel near Bayview sets nicely back from and above the bay to afford the maximum view of the water and mountains. Power, cable, PUD water, and phone lines to tract. MLS#347366

Danya Wolf360-708-8294

Sandy Everett360-202-3706

Suzanne Jenkins360-941-2983

Donna Kurras360-770-7596

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

360.757.60131.800.869.7084

Terri Heyntsen 391-0938Galen Kindred 770-7083 Shelah Inman 661-0145Fritz Inman 661-0147Jeff Ingman 202-2859

Tod LeHecka 333-1032Mary Jo Reitsma 770-6013Dick Best 770-1491Tim Reichert 391-5587Jan Scally 421-5160

Holly Hilts 661-5538Phil Hurtig 770-0787Ron Wortham 661-1500

Evening Phone Calls Welcome

WONDERFUL COUNTRY HOME… with dramatic 2 story cupula. 2300 sf home with 1440 sf shop building on 5 private acres. $369,500. #310015BORDERING STATE LAND… Lovely 20 ac. Mostly pasture surrounded by forest,north of Burlington, well power & driveway in. $259,500. #336159POTENTIAL OF EXTRA BLDG LOT!… Immaculate hom on Mt Vernon hill, updat-ed, 3 Br, 1.75 baths, ally access w/carport & shop. $200,000. #305608ZONED MANUFACTURING… 6000+sf bldg with clear span at 24’ and 16’. Doors are perfect for user or investor. Call for location & viewing. $325,000. #163367

COUNTRY CLUB RAMBLER… UPDATED kitchen/bath, warm bright colors thru-out, hardwood flrs, gas f/place. Bose sound sys-tem & more. $394,000. #313474BRAND NEW 2012… Legacy Homebuild-ers just completed beautiful 4 BR Rambler in great Mt. Vernon location. $319,500. #321277NEAR CITY HALL… Large Office and Warehouse building in great location. Per-fect place for your business. $399,500. #318151VERY PRIVATE 20 ACRES… secluded bldg site, mostly level end of road property. $179,000. #297233GREAT BUILDING SITE… 17 acres in pri-vate setting near Mt Vernon. Already has is-sued Blgd Permit. $269,500. #311102

READY FOR SUMMER FUN?… low bank waterfront, lg level lot & cute little cabin for total enjoyment. $159,500. #322508TOP OF THE WORLD… 1 acre lot. Un-matched views of Skagit Valley, Mt Baker &, sound.! Well in,septic approved. Access thru locked gate. $695,000. #27181672YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!… great floor plan, 4 Br, 3 Ba home with new roof, car-pet, paint, a move-in ready dream home. $309,900. #299079CUTE MT VERNON RAMBLER… 3 BR, 2 BA home in desired Thunderbird neigh-borhood. Nice lg back yard. $179,900. #324882

POSSIBLE HYDRO SITE… 20 acres near Sedro Woolley with nicer little stream, could possibly be used to generate Hydro power. $75,000. #330569SECLUDED 20 ACRES… privacy, wonderful mtn views .Wa-ter & power available to edge of property. $99,500. #330567

WATCH THE TREES GROW… 20 acres logged some years ago. Trees are now 10’ to 20’ tall. Great investment near Dar-rington. $39,500. #331175READY TO BUILD… one acre lot, w/a pending building per-mit & PUD water at street. Near Big Lake. $135,500. #331400

N E W L A N D L I S T I N G S

SELL & LOSE,OR hANg ON

QUESTION: I bought a 2-bedroom, 2-bathoom condo

in California in 2007. I paid $665,000 with $250,000 down and financed the rest with an interest-only loan to keep monthly costs as low as possible. My 3.25-percent loan expires in five years, and I cannot afford the higher payments because I will then be retired. I believe in the next few years that interest rates will rise but home values will not increase to the levels seen in 2007. Does it make sense to sell now at a loss and then rent at a lower cost and save money, or should I hang on?

ANSWER:We don’t know what the

future will bring in terms of either home prices or interest rates. What we do know is this: In several years your home will be unaffordable if rates rise above today’s record-low levels.

Right now you have the opportunity to control your finances by selling. Having bought at the top of the market, you will have a loss. If you sell you will then need replacement housing, most likely something less costly.

However, there are other choices to consider:• Offset your current monthly costs by

renting part of the property to a relative. then refinance to a long-term, fixed-rate FHa mortgage.

• Sell an interest in the home – equity share – to an investor and refinance at today’s rates.

• Stay in place and sell the home under the condition that you can remain as a tenant with a given rent (a sale and leaseback). Because the buyer has no vacancies you may be able to get a lower rent.

• Find additional income, save and then refinance to a smaller loan (though interest rates may increase).

• Sell your current property and buy, not rent, a less expensive replacement home that can be paid off over time.

For further information please speak with local real estate brokers and lenders, in addition to a fee-only financial planner.

Q&A ASk OUR BROkERBy Peter G. Miller


Replacing a roof is a costly venture few homeowners look forward to. Accord-ing to Remodeling magazine’s 2010-11

“Cost vs. Value” report, the national average cost of a roof replacement is nearly $22,000, a costly endeavor considering the tenuous na-ture of the economy. What’s more, homeown-ers who choose more upscale roofing materi-als can expect to spend almost $40,000 on their roofs.

Such costs make it no small wonder that many homeowners fear the dreaded diagno-sis that their home needs a new roof. While there’s little homeowners can do to reduce the cost of a roof replacement, there are warning signs homeowners can look for that might indicate a roof replacement is on the horizon. Recognition of these signs can help homeowners be more financially prepared should the day come when the roof needs to be replaced.

1. The presence of algaeIf the roof has lots of dark streaks and

stains clinging to it, that is likely algae, which can grow on the roof for quite awhile. Algae does not necessarily do any damage to a roof, but it does do some damage to a home’s physical appearance, as algae on the roof is not very pleasing to the eye. Algae is most often found on the roofs of homes located in climates that have warm, humid summers. If algae is a problem on your roof, spray wash-ing with a mixture of water and bleach can effectively remove it.

2. Buckling shinglesLike algae, buckling shingles are another

unsightly problem on a roof. But buckling shin-gles are more than just an eyesore, they actu-ally might indicate significant problems. When shingles buckle, that’s typically because hot

air from the attic is forcing the shingles away from the home. Buckling shingles also indicate that the roof is poorly ventilated, which can take years off the roof’s life expectancy while driving up home cooling costs along the way.

3. granule lossGranule loss is typically a byproduct of normal shin-

gle wear and tear that results from inclement weather, such as hail. Older roofs might experience granule loss, but granule loss can also occur on a new roof if a defective roofing product was used. Any granule loss, even if slight, should be addressed, as the side effects of granule loss include a weakened roof and leaking. If granule loss is not addressed, the consequences could be severe the next time a storm occurs.

4. MoldUnlike the warning signs already discussed, mold is

not visible on the outside of the home. Instead, home-owners should look in the attic of a home to see if there is any mold growth. If there is, the roof is likely leak-ing, and the health risks of mold growth in a home are

5 signs your roof MighT Be wearing down


NORTH PUGET SOUND ASSOCIATION of REALTORS525 East College Way, Suite J Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Tel. (360) 416-4902 www.npsar.com

Why use a ReaLTOR®?Buying or selling a home can be one of the most exciting, and most stressful things you will ever do. The terminology, the paperwork and the amount of investment you make can seem overwhelming. When you make the decision to use a REALTOR®, you can be sure that they will be looking after your best interests. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark, the use of which is earned by your real estate agent or broker through ongoing training and membership in the largest trade organization in the country, The National Association of REALTORS®. *Every member of the National Association of REALTORS® makes a commitment to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. The Code of Ethics is a promise—as a customer of a REALTOR®, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. It is mandatory for REALTORS® to take the Code of Ethics orientation and they are also required to complete a refresher course every four years. If you want to be sure that you are dealing with a REALTOR® member, visit our website at www.npsar.com/realtor_offices to see a listing of current local member offices, or look for an office that has earned the distinction of displaying the REALTOR® logo:

Mission Statement: The North Puget Sound Association of Realtors advocates for Realtors and their clients, provides services to help members prosper, and promotes the protection of property rights.

*Source: National Association of REALTORS®

VALLEY HOMES823 N 4th St • Mount Vernon

(360) 424-7166

Visit Our Web site at buyingvalleyhomes.com

Call us today or email us [email protected]

Property Management Services / Rental Listings Available (360) 424-3198

814 Cul De Sac Rd, Burlington Main house with an attached ADU/mother-in-law apartment.Main house:3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms,own septic & drain field,living

room with gas fireplace,breakfast nook,dining room,bonus/rec room & small attached shop.Attached apartment:living room,kitchen,bedroom, bathroom,own

septic & drain field.Large fenced lot w/room for a garden & to park RV/boat or plenty of

cars.Room to build a carport or garage if city allows.Live in one side & rent out the

other or invest & rent out both sides.Call Laura Bird 360-630-9692

MLS#: 285523 $135,000

1110 N Bel Air Dr, Mount Vernon Beautiful home complete with large fenced backyard & nice deck.Master bedroom on main floor.Rec Room upstairs is spacious & could be used as a master or bedroom plus

playroom.Has 3 bathrooms,3 bedrooms plus den.Nice kitchen & dining room

with sliding glass doors off dining area which allow a lot of natural light.Cedar

siding,new roof in 2008,close to walking trail,Great location with friendly block

watch neighborhood.Covered front porch.Recently appraised for $230,000.Not a

short sale!Call Becky Elde 360-770-9427

MLS#: 350206 $215,000

23357 Oakland Lane, Mount Vernon Beautiful 2812 sq ft 3 bedroom 2.50

bathroom 1997 dream home, granite counter tops 10 ft ceilings & a view of Big Lake, Mountains & July 4th fireworks, 900 sq. ft of storage space. Wet bar & Sound

Sys. & 2 washer dryer sets up & downstairs. Viewing deck with gas BBQ. Just a few

steps to the 60 ft water front floating dock to your paddle boat covered hydraulic

boat lift. A power boat that could be yours with a little negotiation. 6 covered parking

spaces & RV pad.Call Jim Nicholas 360-708-9379

MLS#: 350417 $649,700

1048 Cassius Ct, Camano Island Priced under assessed value. Owner

financing available. A great deal for the buyer who wants a beautiful, well built, custom home with one of the best views of Utsalady Bay, Mount Baker, Whidbey Island and LaConner. Located west of

Interstate 5 through Stanwood, WA via State Route 532 bridge crossing to Camano

Island.Call Jim Nicholas 360-708-9379

MLS#: 292797 $548,000

1050 Sinclair Wy, BurlingtonCharming home in the wonderful 55 & better community of The Cedars in Burlington. The floor plan is open &

welcoming. Large Rooms, 2 bedrooms, each w/it's own bathroom. There is a

garage plus 2 parking spaces & RV parking. Homeowner Dues include Cable TV,

Free use of Clubhouse, Exterior Building Insurance, Building Maintenance, and lawn

and yard care. Call Laura Bird 360-630-9692

MLS#: 287212 $133,900

12432 Wedge Wood Dr, BurlingtonMagnificent home on the golf course with beautiful patio and landscaping

surrounding the property. High ceilings, skylights, gourmet kitchen, and open floor

plan with gas fireplace surrounded by beautiful rock. Third bedroom is currently used as an office. Garage is large enough

for park your golf cart plus has shop space. This is a custom built, top of the line home

and has been very well cared for. Just appraised for the asking price.Call Becky Elde 360-770-9427

MLS#: 350225 $435,000

air from the attic is forcing the shingles away from the home. Buckling shingles also indicate that the roof is poorly ventilated, which can take years off the roof’s life expectancy while driving up home cooling costs along the way.

3. granule lossGranule loss is typically a byproduct of normal shin-

gle wear and tear that results from inclement weather, such as hail. Older roofs might experience granule loss, but granule loss can also occur on a new roof if a defective roofing product was used. Any granule loss, even if slight, should be addressed, as the side effects of granule loss include a weakened roof and leaking. If granule loss is not addressed, the consequences could be severe the next time a storm occurs.

4. MoldUnlike the warning signs already discussed, mold is

not visible on the outside of the home. Instead, home-owners should look in the attic of a home to see if there is any mold growth. If there is, the roof is likely leak-ing, and the health risks of mold growth in a home are

substantial. Mold is not necessarily easy to detect, so a professional inspection might be in order if mold growth is suspected. If a professional determines mold is, in fact, present, then the mold will need to be removed and all options, including a roof replacement, must be considered to keep mold from coming back.

5. roof roT

Perhaps the most discouraging sign a homeowner can see on his or her roof is roof rot. Roof rot appears when a roof is in considerable decay and, if not ad-dressed, its consequences can stretch far beyond the roof, damaging other parts of the home, thanks in large part to water getting through the roof. If roof rot is either not noticed or just ignored, it won’t take long for water to get through the roof and blaze a destructive path through the rest of the home.

Homeowners might fear a full roof replacement be-cause of the cost associated with such a project. But if ignored, problems with a roof could eventually prove far more costly than the price of replacing the roof.


Install soundproofing tile on ceilings. Soundproofing tile on ceilings is another effective way to reduce the transference of sound from room to room and keep external noise out of the home-theater room.

Simple wayS to soundproof a home

Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever before for homeowners to create a mini movie theater in the comfort of their own homes.

The affordability of home-theater systems and big-screen televisions, once deemed a luxury only available to the super-wealthy, has made it possible for everyone to enjoy theater-style entertainment at home.

But one thing that can put a damper on those home-

theater plans is external noise. Movie theaters are sound-proof so customers can’t hear noise from the nearby freeway or their fellow moviegoers “oohing” and “aahing” in the theater next door. Private homes, however, are not so soundproof, so homeowners must take it upon them-selves to soundproof their homes to create the ultimate home-theater experience. The following are some of the ways homeowners can do just that.

Add some layers of drywall. An extra layer or two of drywall will block sound coming from neigh-boring rooms. Simply add a layer or two of drywall to the existing wall.

Install double-paned windows.If it’s noise from outside the home that’s ruining your home theater experience, then consider install-ing double-paned windows with acrylic frames. Such a job can be costly, so if it’s going to be a bud-get-buster, then sound-deadening drapes are a cheaper alternative that can also be effective.

Decorate the home with sound-absorbent items. Another way to soundproof a home is to decorate the house with sound-absorbent items. Fur-nishings with substantial cushion-ing, carpeting and fabric on the walls will each absorb sound, re-ducing the transfer of sound from room to room. Upstairs rooms should be carpeted to further reduce the transfer of sound.

1 2 3 4


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

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JEFF LATHAM KWNWRE

VIEW LOT NEEDSDREAM HOME. All utilities

and approved plans.Owner contract. $119,000.

360-422-5708 www.skagitsolutions.com

FOR RENT$900 & up

The Cottages of

Highland Greens II(Village Ct @ 3200 30th St.)

Salem Village II(Hoag & LaVenture)

Seniors 61+Mount Vernon

Call 360-540-1438Water, garbage, cable incl.Universal Design-No Steps

2 BEDROOM MOBILESedro-Woolley, $725 + 350deposit 360-855-9747

MV 6 plex 427 N. 21st St., 2bdrm, 1 ba, lrg. countrykitchen, lrg. deck, upstairs,central laundry, carport,$695/mo. $500/dep. 360-424-6974

MV 4-plex, 512 S. 20th, 2bdrm, 2 ba, 1200 sq. ft.,ground floor, garage, deck,W/D, $800/mo. $500 dep.360-424-6974

MV 4-plex, 400 S. 20th., large1 bdrm, 1 ba, W/D, garage,yard, gas furnace, $700/mo.$400/dep. 360-424-6974

2 Bdrm, 1 ¾ Ba, S.W.Garage, W/D, gas heat, ap-prox. 1100 sf., lrg. Closets,built in storage, 1 level.$825/mo. Piazza PropertyMgmt., 360-424-7368

MV 4-plex, 312 S. 20th, 2bdrm, 1 ba, W/D, garage,yard, $750/mo. $500/dep.360-424-6974.

2 bdrm, 1 ba, S.W., W/S/Gpd. Gas heat. $750, 1st, last +$600 dep. No pets. 421-2416

2 bdrm, 1 ba, nice quiet So.MV area, W/S/G pd. W&D in-cl. Gas heat. No smoke/pets.$25 app fee. $725/mo + sec.dep. 360-629-0430

S.W. 3 bdrm, 1 ba, de-tached carport with work-shop. Big kitchen, living &family rooms. Recent interi-or remodel. Gas furnace(plus wood fireplace). Largecity lot with yards, gardenspace. Close to schools,shopping. No smoking.$1,175/mo. + security de-posit. Pets negotiable.Credit check required. 360-542-2203.

RENTALSHouses & Apartments.

See our listings atwww.skagitrentals.comRemax Property Mgmt.

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

S.W. 1 bdrm, ¾ ba, fridge,stove, W/D, no smoke/pets.

$500/mo. (425)743-2850

Newer rambler on 1 acre,gated community just N. ofS.W. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, 3 cargarage. All applcs., naturetrails, pet upon approval.$1350/mo + dep. Marty 425-308-0753

MV 4 bdrm, bonus room, 2 ½ba, garage, gas heat, $1300/mo. $800/dep. 360-652-6080

MOUNT VERNON. 1 bdrm, 1bath, w/carport. W/S/G pd.No smoke/pets. $500/mo. +sec. dep. $25.00 app fee.360-629-0430

2 bdrm, 1 ba, in Sedro-Wool-ley, $850/mo. + dep. Nosmoke/pets. 360-274-4964

2 bdrm house, 312 Union St.No smoke. Small pet negot.$30 credit ck. $685 + $600dep. S/G pd. 360-202-8678

1 - 4 Bdrm Rentals.Piazza Realty Property

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

Spacious Apts. & Homes!2 & 3 bedroom flats,

2 & 3 bedroom townhouses3 bedroom houses; $705

to $1300 starting rent.Klinger Estates, Dolly St.Townhomes, Trail West,

Cascade View.360-854-2010

DESIRABLE APT. HOMESSedro-Woolley. 3 bdrm flator 2 bdrm townhouse apts.

$830-$905. Incl.: W/S/G,W/D, stove, refrig., DW.

Clean & well maint.Trail West Apts. 854-2010

MV 2 bdrm near hospital,corner of 14th & Fowler, quietlocation. Patio. W/S/G pd. Nosmoke/pets. $750. 421-7978

Beautiful 1 bdrm, upstairs,955 sq. ft. $650. Avail. imme-diately. 360-421-1782

ANACORTES 1 BDRM.Old Town, wood floors,

laundry, $750. 503-369-3250

Anac., sunny, private 1 bdrmapt. $650. incl. W/S/G/TV. Nosmoke/pets. 360-293-2251

Alpine Ridge RetirementApartments in MV is accept-ing applications for 1 and 2bdrm apts. Income limits ap-ply. 424-9622 for more info.

2 BDRM MV APTS., quiet,W/S/G/recycle & basic cablepd. Covered parking andstorage room including laun-dry on-site. No smoking/pets. 360-708-1721

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 and 2 bdrm apts.2 bdrm townhouses.W/S/G pd. No dogs.

Call for details,360-856-6652

WOODLAND APTS1, 2 & 3 Bdrm Apts

2 x 1 ½ Town homesCovered Parking

Complete Appliance PkgsSport Courts / Playgrounds

Pet FriendlyCall Today! 360-856-4803

10 May 4, 2012 Real estate Weekly goskagit.com/reweekly goskagit.com/reweekly Real estate Weekly May 4, 2012 11REAL ESTATE WEEKLY goskagit.com /reweekly May 4, 2012 11

700 N. REED STREET #87,SEDRO WOOLLEY

$35,500

One of the nicest doublewide manufactured homesin Valley View. Close totown, shopping & all ser-vices, Hwy. 20 & Hwy.9.Many upgrades includingnewer appliances, roof,large outdoor shed for ex-tra storage. Fully fencedyard. Very clean & wellmaintained with lots ofroom to grow. 1431 sq.ft.,4 bedrooms & 2 full bathswith skylights bringing inlots of light. Pellet stove.MLS# 275029

Rita Ingram,(360)708-8338

WRE/Skagit Valley

BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME2281 S. 19th Street

2000 sq. ft. rambler on9950 sq. ft. lotVery quiet & secludedS. Mount Vernon area4 bdrm, 2 ½ bathsGranite countertops,stainless appliancesOpen floor plan withhigh ceilings thru-outMaster suite featuressoaking tub, doublevanities, double showerClose to schools, shop-ping, easy I-5 accessNow 100% completeOpen Sat., Noon–3

$319,500.JEFF INGMAN(360) 202-2859

Brown McMillen Real Est.

STOP RENTING – BUY!MV 3 / 2 ½, bonus room,

garage, large fenced yard,quiet neighborhood.

$1445. 360-422-5708www.skagitsolutions.com

WATERFRONT COTTAGE$107,000; salt water & Mtnviews; 5 min to LaConner;pics at:www.vrbo.com/198695.Call 425-787-6070

READY FOR BUSINESS!Prime Location at 1200 River-side Dr Reduced price !$299,000. Paved 21,780.00square feet sales lot withlights,signs and ready to goon busy Riverside Dr. Over2000 sq ft building with of-fices, shop, lobby area, bath-room, attic storage area.Large shop door with garagedoor opener. Upstairs officehas view of entire sale lot.Land Use (550) RETAIL/AUTO/TIRES/MARINECRAFT/AIRCRAFT & ACCESS.Neighborhood (6R9) AUTOSALES/SERVICE FACILITIES.Reduced Price $299,000.Contact: Terry Minor Email:[email protected]: 360-428-5040 Website with photos:http://cmrvs.com/cmsale

MONEYMAKER5545 Chuckanut Dr./

Bow Hill Road

2300 Sq. Ft. CommercialBldg on 17,000 sq. ft cor-ner equipped w/walk-incooler Plus seperate freez-er-both with showcase fea-tures. Highest/Best Us-ages: Retail dist. Center,Rest., Mini Grocery, Barand/or Fast Food; Pizza.Price reduced $235,000Assume $100,000 1st.

Listed MLSCOMM #335106

BRUCE FLANAGANREAL ESTATE360-298-4777

Professional, medical,dental office space forlease or sale, 1500 sq. ft.,near Island Hospital in An-cortes. (360) 293-6998

QUEEN OF THE HILL

OPEN HOUSESat. & Sun. 11-4627 Waugh Rd

2340 sq. ft., .32 acres, 3bdrm, 2 ½ ba, sunroom,bonus room over garage.Spectacular views of city,valley and surroundingmountains. Large corner lotwith private park like set-ting. A gardener's delightwith greenhouse, pond andsheds. Beautiful gardens,Rhododendron's, maples,perennials. Huge brick pri-vate patio – perfect for en-tertaining. Many updatesincluding new roof and fur-nace in 2005. By owner$359,500. 360-424-6786.

Anita Kohl 961-7795Dawn Hardman 540-0058Duane Gish 770-9299Dominic Pettruzzelli 333-5210George Herner 840-3743Jackie Lindeman 770-9080

Jared Storrs 853-6895Jeff Dowrey 661-2161 Karl Morse 395-5405Lorie Groth 425-422-7145Margie Ernst 708-3198Marlene Deasy 661-6720

Megan Daly 206-383-4407Mike Newman 708-1419Noli Goode 630-6527Paula Margerum 220-0681 Rick Kiesser 770-1195Sandi Hocking 708-1523

Sandi Riley 770-8670Sharon Stokes 661-6164Shaunna Harris 206-715-1623Traci Cypher 708-9481 Veronica Lopez 420-0696Prop. Mgmt 542-2134

North Homes Realty Inc.360.424.2100 • www.century21northhomes.com

SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

REAL ESTATE CLASSES STARTING NOW!

CALL SCOTT 360-540-2121

$249,000 MLS#345898• 30x40 shop • 17+ acres• Year round creek • 2+ bedroom

$27,000 MLS#347721• Desirable 55+ park • Shy 1700 sf• Newer roof • Backs to greenbelt SOLD$379,999

• New construction • 1 acre lot • 4 bedroom beauty • 3 car garage

$224,900 MLS#283607 • Inground pool • Nice location • 4 poss. Bdrms • Needs some TLC

$129,500 MLS#225091• All appliances stay • Cute yard • Great starter or rental • 2 bd, 1 ba

$215,000 MLS#193527• Excellent condition • Large shop • New carpet & paint • 3 bedrooms

$248,500 MLS#306633• Riverfront retreat • Private 4+ acres • Huge family rm • Garage + shop

$152,000 MLS#305982• 4 bedrooms • Fenced backyard • Close to schools • New listing$349,000 MLS#334020 • 5.25 acres • Bonus Room• Small pond • Fruit trees$225,000 MLS#335079• Detached shop • 4 bedrooms• Large deck • Many extras

$229,000 MLS#277434• Lg bonus rm • 4th bdrm/den • Newer 3 bdrm • Granite counter tops

SANDI RILEYRealtor®

[email protected]

KEVIN JOHNSONHome Inspector

[email protected]

RIC SHALLOWMortgage Loan Officer

[email protected]

CENTURY 21 NORTH HOMES REALTY INC.

PRIME LENDING

FOR BUYERS & SELLERS!WHO QUALIFIES AS A HERO?

Anyone can be a Hero! Our initial heroes have been firefighters and public safety officers. However, there are many Heroes in our

communities: health care professionals, military personnel, educators, and educational support staff, youth workers, pastors and more. Tell

us what you do for your community. When you are buying or selling a home, let us say Thank You for all you do!

HOW MUCH WILL I ACTUALLY SAVE?The savings will depend on the final selling or buying price of your home.

Homes for Heroes Affiliates have agreed to the following rebates & discounts: Discounted Lender fees on Purchases or Refinances with HFH preferred Lender •25% of the agent’s gross commission $100 off

a home inspection• 50% off title insurance loan discounts

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.

11453 BAYVIEW-EDISON RD., #23 MV $34,888Fantastic 2008 Fleetwood in pristine condition with Padilla Bay views. Master with step-in-shower. Guest room, additional full bath. Large cedar deck. Open kitchen with all appliances. Call Megan O’Bryan at 708-5817. #220167700 N REED ST., #87, SDW $35,500This large 4 bedrooms, 2 bath double wide is very clean & move-in ready. Many upgrades & improvements. One of the nicest homes in Valley View. Close to shopping & all services. Call Rita Ingram at 708-8338. #2750292819 CLUB CT., #117, MV $124,950A very nice 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo. 1 car attached garage. HOA dues cover exterior maintenance, water, sewer, garbage & cable. Community amenities include tennis & racquet ball courts & indoor pool. Quiet neighborhood with easy access for commuting. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #301505

2311 ALISON AVE., MV $135,000Move-in ready! Cute & clean, 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage with tons of woodsy charm. Built-ins everywhere. Private wooded in-town lot. 400 sq.ft. shop. Call Megan O’Bryan at 708-5817. #349412

322 GREENLEAF AVE, BRL $144,900Very cute completely updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. New siding, windows, natural gas furnace, electrical, sheetrock, floor coverings, light fixtures, trim, all new kitchen & a newer roof. More info. at skagitvalleyhomes.com. Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #349041

1405/1407 S. 3RD ST, MV $159,900Nice duplex in historic location. Great rental history. Recently remodeled. Each unit has 2 bedrooms, gas heat & its own laun-dry facilities, making this a very attractive rental to perspective tenants. Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #342302

39541 BAKER LAKE RD., CNC $219,000A nice rambler with basement & 3 bedrooms, 1 bath all on over 9 acres. Newer roof, windows, wiring & paint. Many outbuildings for your equipment. Close to lake & river fishing. Call Alice Hanson at 770-8791. #311226

18653 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

3319 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

21737 STERLING DR., SDW $339,9001-level home on 1 acre, 4 bedrooms, den, living & family rooms, formal dining, 2 fireplaces, 3 baths. Court yard with hot tub, tennis court, 2 car attached garage, detached shop & large outbuilding. Call Linda Eastman at 202-4075. #266058

125 N. 6TH ST., MV $364,500Built in 1923. Traditional 4 bedroom, 3000 sq.ft. home featuring hardwood floors, 10’ceilings, beautifully remodeled kitchen, many custom & gracious touches throughout. Very large yard, private & beautifully landscaped. Call Sarah Minton at 770-3076. #285329

12690 WAYWARD WAY, CL $409,900Very nice, large 3600+ SF, 4 bedroom home on 1 acre. Dining, living, family, rec/bonus & media rooms. Enjoy the sunset & lake view. 30x40 two bay shop. More photos & info. at skagitvalleyhomes.com. Call Bill & Jannette Krieger at 421-4446. #347053

16818 MARINE DR., STANWOOD $980,000One of a kind waterfront acreage estate. 3 master suites, 3200+ sq.ft. on 8.33 acres. Glistening views of Port Susan, Camano & the majestic Olympic Mountains. Call Elizabeth Miller at 420-3607. #348845

real estate weekly | may 4, 2012

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