What I Offer You!
I CARE. As a BUYER's Agent, having lived here since 1964, I offer years of Whidbey Island experience; an intimate knowledge of island features like schools, recreation, hospitals, weather (I love weather!), history, investment opportunities, professional relationships with the best lenders, inspectors, builders, etc., and strong negotiating skills to get you the best property for your best price. As a SELLER's Agent, I offer strong pricing skills, statistical knowledge of our markets (we have many), access to buyers, marketing expertise with a proven track record of success and great communication skills. I CARE for my clients; it's genuine and extends well beyond the sale. I have hundreds of satisfied clients in my many years in the business. I am a licensed Managing Broker which means my extra training benefits you in a transaction.
Growing up on Beautiful Whidbey Island
Island Boy! My dad and mom brought me here in 1964. We lived in an old house built in Seattle but brought up on a barge by a smart real estate developer. Back then, Oak Harbor was quite rural and I think we only had one stoplight! I had a wonderful childhood picking potatoes for Farmer Darst, selling Grit newspapers to the folks on Zylstra, Van Dam and West Beach roads, fishing off the San de Fuca pier, exploring abandoned old Fort Ebey, putting up hay for many of the local farmers and attending First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor. I loved it here! The island is still a kid-friendly place. After I graduated from Oak Harbor High in 1978 and went off to Annapolis, I dreamed of one day coming back home to Whidbey and building my own house. Following four years at the Naval Academy, I received my commission as a Naval Officer and Uncle Sam trained me to fly S-3A Vikings, TA-4J Skyhawks and T-45A Goshawks. I received my Masters of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1993. Twenty-four wonderful years after leaving home, now with a wife and five sons, my original dream came true and I was able to bring my family back to this great island. My mother, one of my two brothers and my sister and their families still live here. My wife and I found a beautiful 20 acre parcel in San de Fuca, near where I used to fish and play as a young boy. We completed the construction process in July 2005. In 2001, my wife’s mother, a widow, visited us from San Diego - she too fell under the charm of the island and bought an adjacent historic 5 acre homestead parcel where she also had her home built. Now Grandma is across the meadow from us! My parents and four of my five sons and their families live here too. A natural fit for me was to end up in the real estate business, helping folks like you find the perfect house or vacant land to build on...or helping people sell their island properties. Or even helping people pick out a great piece of investment property. I am very familiar with Whidbey, the local history, location particulars and with the military move. My hobbies include having served as the Scoutmaster for the local Boy Scout Troop, backpacking, drawing, nature-craft and helping Bev, my beautiful wife, enjoy our grand kids. My boys have served our Country in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (yes all four!). My oldest son and youngest son both work with me in the Windermere office. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Ebey`s Landing National Historic Reserve
How would you like to live inside a National Park?!! While some things changed a lot since I left in 1978, one thing did not: right after I graduated the United States Government began a first-of-its-kind relationship with the local community of Central Whidbey and set up a unique program to secure the cultural rights to Penn Cove, Ebey`s Prairie and the immediate area. You may read more about this by visiting this URL: http://www.nps.gov/ebla/ Among other things, this new relationship ensured that Coupeville will always look charming and rural. You can imagine what this did to the desirability of living in Central Whidbey! Immediately Hollywood discovered what many of us had always known...this is a place where people want to live. Movies like The War of the Roses, Practical Magic, Billy Graham’s The Prodigal and more recently, Snow Falling on Cedars were all filmed on Whidbey Island. Within the Ebey`s Landing National Historic Reserve, there are old farms, Victorian homes, scenic byways, pioneer blockades and cemeteries, miles and miles of hiking trails and beaches waiting for you to enjoy. Drive through Prairie Perks Coffee three blocks east of the flashing light on South Main Street in Coupeville and pick up a fresh Mocha Latte (or your favorite coffee/tea) and head out to take it all in. If you have children, they’ll love to visit old Fort Casey, or build their own forts out of driftwood down on the beach, or see Rosie the Whale out on the old Coupeville wharf. You will want to browse the stores down on Front Street and be sure to visit the museum and see our history on display. And just think, you could even live here yourself! Give me a call at 360-969-2058 and I bet I can find you the perfect property, within your budget, or that Mocha Latte is on me! I specialize in helping dreams come true!
Best Way to Reach Me
I have a cell phone: (360) 969-2058. You may call/text 24/7. If I am asleep, in a meeting with another client or in church, it will be off but you may leave a message and I will return your call. I have email: clay@windermere.com. I will get back to you. My office phone has a toll free number: 1-866-686-4200. Feel free to call it and ask our helpful Windermere Receptionist to connect you to my cell phone. I do not work on Sundays because of a commitment I made to the Lord when I got into this business. I work Saturdays by appointment. My work ethic is to do whatever it takes to exceed your expectations and to make the purchase or sale a pleasant and financially rewarding experience for you. I believe in education so I will teach you about the process so you can make the best informed decisions. My goal is to do such a great job for you that you will refer all your friends to me for the same level of first class service. I would love to be your Realtor for life.
