San Juan Islands

Buyer's Page

COMMITTED TO MAKING YOUR DREAMS become A REALITY

Making a Smart Purchase: A Quick Checklist*

*This checklist is meant as a brief, general overview as purchasing property in the islands can be a complicated process.

Find Your Optimal San Juan Island and Property Type. We’ve created a short questionaire to help you make these challenging but exciting decisions. TAKE SURVEY.
Select an Agent to Represent You. When selecting an agent, it’s always best to review the LAW OF REAL ESTATE AGENCY.
Determine Your Purchasing Method.
– Cash Purchase?
– Institutional (Bank) – Financing?
– Seller Financing?
– 1031 Tax Exchange?
– MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
Familiarize Yourself with the Current Market. Regularly follow homes that meet your criteria and monitor their respective market activity. SEARCH CURRENT PROPERTIES for sale in the San Juan Islands.
Consider the Positive and Negative Features of Each Property of Interest. Your real estate agent will be able to help you identify and grade all pertinent property characteristics, not excluding:
– Water availability
– Electricity availability
– Septic service
– Internet service
– Ferry service
– Future development of the property
Make an Informed Purchase Offer. Be prepared to negotiate counter offers.
Reach a Purchase Agreement with the Seller. You will be required to deposit earnest money and open escrow.
Acknowledge receipt of Seller Disclosures. Review this list carefully and solicit your agent for any clarification.
Order Insurance. Homeowners and possibly flood insurance policies may be warranted.
Conduct Feasibility Studies, an Appraisal, and Home Inspection(s). Island properties can be very complex, so it’s critical that you utilize your realtor’s expertise and guidance while these prepurchase elements are being procured.
Negotiate for Repairs and Revisions. Use your list generated during previous step.
Remove Contract Contingencies. Perform a final walkthrough of the property and all structures.
Sign Escrow and Closing Documents. Deposit the remaining balance of funds.
Close Escrow.