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I never wanted to be a salesman.Or rather, I never wanted to be the guy selling you things that you didn't even know you needed. But everyone needs a place to live, and owning your own home brings a great deal of satisfaction and economic security. On the other hand, buying a home brings a great deal of insecurity. Which home will suit you the best? Are you paying a fair price? Will you be surprised with more information after you’ve made a commitment to buy? You deserve to have a professional on your side, making sure that your home buying experience is a positive one. I want to be that professional, working full time to help you purchase your home, and putting your interests first, always. That defines a real estate agent. I want to be your agent, not just a salesman.
If you're just moving to Whidbey Island, there are a few things you'll want to know, like . . . Where the Sun Does ShineSeattle’s reputation for rain seems to wash over the entire state, but we get an average of just seventeen inches annually in Oak Harbor. Once you’re settled in, you might want to explore Washington. Want to see a rainforest, or a desert? This map will show you where to look. Precipitation MapAnd please allow us to introduce you to . . . Our Favorite Noisy NeighborThe Navy is kind of like the guy next door who watches over the neighborhood, but has noisy parties. Here’s a link to the map showing where the Sound of Freedom is the loudest. Noise Zones MapIf you're looking for more local information, clicking these links will take you to the home pages for Island County, Oak Harbor, and NAS Whidbey Island. And last but not least . . . How in the World Do You Pronounce That??You don't have to speak like a native to feel welcome here, but there are a few names you'll want to know how to pronounce, unless you like to see people chuckle.Anacortes: City founder Amos Bowman named the town after his wife, Anna Curtis, but gave it some Spanish flair to go with the San Juan Islands. Just say her name, but with an “O” instead of a “U.” Skagit: The county, valley, river, and tribe. Say it with a “J,” not a “G,” and you'll be fine. Swinomish: The channel and tribe. Short “I,” like swim. The emphasis goes just before the “mish.” Snohomish, Skykomish, Stillaguamish: We have a lot of Native American names out here! The emphasis before the “mish” rules applies, always. Start with “Snuh-hoe-,” “Sky-koe-,” and “Still-uh-gwah-”; or just say “Stilly,” if you're talking to a fisherman. Check this website for some local history: http://chinookjargon.home.att.net/swantonwash.htm Puyallup: This city isn't near Whidbey Island, but some smart-aleck is going to make you try to pronounce it. Puyallup is home to the Western Washington Fair every September. Forget the spelling, and say "Pew-AL-up." Sequim: Same as Puyallup, but without the fair. Just say "Skwim." Sequim is best known for being sheltered from the rain by the Olympic Mountains, putting it in the sunny “rainshadow,” much like North Whidbey Island.
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