Belfair and Hood Canal waterfront/recreation property was favorably mentioned in the November 2008 issue of the Seattle Homes Lifestyles Magazine. The article, written by Lindsey Rowe, was entitled "Close To Home" and focused on Seattle area second-home buyers looking closer to home for recreational type property.
The editorial stated that the top five western Washington vacation-home locations are San Juan Island, Chelan, Whidbey Island, Hood Canal and Belfair. It was also noted in a 2006 survey of Vacation properties that over 60% of vacation homes are owned by Puget Sound residents.
A check on were Mason County Buyers were coming from showed the following: Of the 449 Sales for first quarter of 2008, 418 sales were to Washington State Buyers. 285 of the Sales were to people from the 985xx zip code (Mason County), followed by, 62 from 983xx (Jefferson County), 24 from 980xx (Kitsap), 23 from 981xx (Seattle), 17 from 984xx (Tacoma), 6 from 982xx (Snohomish) and 1 from 990xx (Eastern Washington).
There were 31 out of State Buyers of which 11 were from the State of California, 6 from Oregon, 2 each from the states of Wyoming, Texas and Idaho. Other out of State buyers of Mason County Properties (8) were from all over the county.
With the high cost of gas, airline travel and lodging people appear to being staying closer to home and looking for second homes within an average of 100 miles from their primary residence. Lindsey pointed out in her article that the Boomers want to be closer to their children and grandchildren and the younger second homes buyers are foregoing long vacations and instead opting for longer weekend getaways. She also stated that "close-in second homes allow telecommuters the ability to create a more peaceful workday." That's terrific news for Mason County property owners because we are wired, thanks to the investment made by PUD 3's Fiber Optic installation a few years back.
Hood Canal, South Puget Sound, and the Olympic Peninsula offer potential buyers countless opportunities in recreation and finding that ideal second-home. Our County has become highly prized for its Hood Canal shrimp, crabbing, oysters, gooey duck, wine, boating, golfing, camping, hiking, biking just to name a few of the activities enjoyed by us all.
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