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Whale Bell Park
Spring brings with it a special excitement for Whidbey. As the waters warm, we welcome back one of our favorite travelers; whales! Orcas and Gray Whales grace the Puget Sound waters every spring on their migration to the wild waves of Alaska.
Luckily, sightings are not at all uncommon on the island. To commemorate the love we have for these ocean friends, both Coupeville and Langley have erected what is called a “Whale Bell.” These bells have a simple instruction: “See a whale, ring the bell.” These bells serve as both a monument to the whale’s impact on our island culture and a creative way to notify others of the whale’s presence so they can also look out and see! So next time you’re at the water’s edge, keep a keen eye on those beautiful blue waves.
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
Bird Watching on Whidbey Island
50 miles South of the U.S./Canada border and 25 miles North of Seattle lies Whidbey Island, an incomparable destination for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts. On Whidbey, you can get lost for hours and find yourself mesmerized not only by incredible views but by a breathtaking variety of birds.
Whidbey Boasts 148 miles of winding shoreline, 6 state parks, 4 lakes, hundreds of miles of trail, and a ridiculous variety of habitats from bogs to estuaries to the prairie. It is not surprising then that Whidbey accommodates roughly 250 resident and migrant bird species.
Birdwatchers will declare some of the best times to watch for birds on Whidbey are:
Spring:
Late April through May you can expect to be woken early by the Songbirds singing a pleasant tune.
Fall:
Late July through September It is hard not to miss fat red-breasted Robins filling the apple trees and spot migrant visitors from the north like wigeons, ducks, coots, waterfowl, and red-tailed hawks.
Winter:
November through mid-March is a great time of year to watch for Northern Shrike, Bald Eagles, and other raptor-type birds.
Best places for birdwatching:
If you are just trying to take advantage of easily accessible shoreline almost any time of year works. Some of the best places to watch for shorebirds birds on Whidbey Island are Penn Cove, Keystone Landing, Fort Casey State Park, and Dugualla Bay.
If you don’t live on Whidbey and are coming just for birdwatching be sure to schedule more than one day for viewing. Plan time so you can experience multiple locations, each with its unique features. To better understand all the places you can access the shoreline you really need to buy Getting to the Waters Edge! We sell it at our Windermere offices both in Oak Harbor and Coupeville.
Frequently asked questions:
Some people wonder if there is a time of day that birds are most animated. Typically speaking most birds are bustling around sunrise and sunset but that rule does not apply to all birds. For example, the morning is typically the best time for spotting diurnal species, while nocturnal species are generally spotted in the evening, but it really depends on the bird and the time of year.
Whidbey Island is native to species like Eagles, Northern Harriers, wading birds, loons, grebes, sea ducks, including Harlequin Ducks, dabbling ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Marsh Wrens, and more. It is also is a temporary home for migrant birds who frequent the island seasonally for the island’s ideal breeding habitats. But do not be fooled. Some birds like robins, hawks, cardinals, finches, sparrows, and more stay here all year but they seem to “return” because they become active again during the spring through fall seasons after they have bundled down in their nests and shelters during the winter.
Additional resources:
To learn more about the birds that can be spotted on Whidbey and a guide for when you will likely catch a glimpse check out this detailed Whidbey Island Bird List created by the Whidbey Audubon Society.
Here are some of our favorite spots on Whidbey to watch for birds let us know your favorite spots in the comments below.
Greenbank Farm
In the early 1900s, the Greenbank Farm in Greenbank was used to harvest trees and maintain a dairy herd. The main barn you see today dates back to 1904. By the 1940s the farm was sold to John Molz who began loganberry farming. By 1970 it was the largest Loganberry farm in the US. Later it was sold to Chateau Ste. Michelle who planned to sell the 522 acres for residential development. Luckily in 1997 the Port of Coupeville, Nature Conservatory, and Island County combined forces and purchased the Farm for public use.
Today, this picture-perfect farm features dog-friendly walking trails, demonstration gardens, solar power demonstrations, wetlands, wildlife, several shops, and art galleries. One of our favorites is the Whidbey Pie Cafe that brings tribute to the history of the farm with their loganberry pie among many other delicious choices.
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
Mukilteo/Clinton Ferry
The Mukilteo/Clinton ferry has dutifully sailed the waters of Puget Sound to transport passengers from the busyness of the mainland to the serenity of Whidbey Island for over 100 years. Originally started in 1919 by the Island Transportation Company it remained primarily within the private sector until the formation of the WSDOT Washington State Ferries in 1951. Today, the Mukilteo/Clinton route is run by the State and is the 2nd most utilized ferry route in the Puget Sound, transporting over 4.1 million people annually. While on this 20-minute commute, enjoy a snack from Ivar’s in the cafeteria while relaxing and taking in the picturesque view. You might even get lucky enough to see a whale!
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
Set Yourself up for Success by Doing These 7 Things When Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home can be easy when you are adequately prepared and you have a good agent on your side. But where to start and what actions are most important? We will get you pointed in the right direction. Let’s get started!
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Know your credit score.
Many first-time homebuyers fail to recognize that one of the most important factors in getting approved for a mortgage is their credit score. The health of the score determines not only the interest rate but also whether they will be approved for a mortgage in the first place. Some people wonder why the interest rate really matters. The truth is that the slightest difference in rate can mean big money over 30 years! As the chart below demonstrates, a lower interest rate helps buyers afford a higher-priced house and still pay less monthly. Check out this article to learn more about Credit score rankings and what they mean.
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Set a clear budget and stick with it.
Another big mistake first-time homebuyers make is not budgeting realistically and then finding out they cannot really afford the house they chose. A great way to get an idea of how much you should realistically spend on a mortgage is to determine your debt-to-income ratio. This number can be calculated by adding all your monthly debt payments (mortgage, credit card bill, car payment, etc.) together and then dividing by the gross monthly income. A conservative percentage of your income spent paying down debt would be 20-25%, a medium would be 25-30%, and a high would be 30-38% (or higher when using gross income vs. net).
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Remember there are other fees other than the mortgage payment.
Homeownership comes with fees and other bills that you may not have as a renter. In addition to principal and interest on the mortgage payment, there will be real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Check to see if the home is part of a homeowner’s association as there may be annual or monthly dues for that (a great agent will let you know about this). These fees typically show up as part of the mortgage payment. However, what is often forgotten or inaccurately calculated is the utility bills like water, sewage (or septic inspections/pumping), garbage, and energy bills. Furthermore, unlike renting if a pipe breaks or roof leaks there is no maintenance man that just shows up to repair it. Remember to budget for the maintenance of the home. This includes mowing the lawn… do you have a lawnmower yet?
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Leave a cushion.
As discussed, buying a home has a lot of upfront costs. A bank account that seemingly had a plethora of cash can quickly be drained after the down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, and furnishing a new home. Having a healthy emergency fund is so critical as a homeowner.
Check out this helpful article by Dave Ramsey.
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Once steps 1-3 are completed get pre-approved.
Don’t just meet with any lender, be sure to find a highly reputable local lender that the top listing brokers recommend (this will give you a competitive advantage). Not only does the pre-approval give buyers a realistic idea of how much they can borrow, but it can also be the defining factor of whether or not they get the home. Let us explain. A pre-approval speeds up the process and demonstrates the person is a serious buyer, not just a lookie-loo. When it comes down to multiple offer situations, as we see so frequently now, it is critical to have the most well-presented offer. Showing the seller that you are not only serious but that you have been pre-approved for the funds needed to buy with a lender they respect sends a strong message that you are the one the seller should choose! Check out our local lenders here.
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Ask questions about your options!
Not everyone’s situation is the same. Similarly, loans are uniquely created to fit individual needs. Historically, it has been thought that buyers need to come to the table with at least a 25% down payment. Today that is just not true. While it is always good to have money for your mortgage down payment, there can be alternative options if you don’t. VA mortgages can be secured for 0% down and conventional mortgages for as little as 3%. Check out these different mortgage types meant to uniquely fit your life.
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Hold off on any spending spree and do not take out a line of credit.
Remember that “debt-to-income ratio” mentioned above? Your mortgage approval is linked heavily to this number. This is not the time to go out and buy a new sportscar, purchases new appliances, and or upgrade your electronics. Borrowing money after getting pre-approved increases the debt-to-income ratio, and this will be re-checked just prior to the loan being approved. Applying for a new loan or credit card will also likely decrease your credit score. If either of these things happen prior to closing it could mean losing the mortgage and the interest rate you locked in. So, hold off on spending or even giving out your social security number to anyone!
We hope this helps point you in the right direction. We would love to be your guide as you prepare and navigate the path to homeownership! Call us today and we can connect you with an expert Buyers Broker! 360.675.5953.
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