Tom White's Whidbey Blog

Tom White's Whidbey Bloghttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/en-usMon, 06 Feb 2012 10:50:00 GMT10GDRSSFeeds v1.0Whidbey Island Rain 2011http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/24/whidbey-island-rain-2011<div><strong>#228</strong></div> <div>Here are the rain figures for my home in Freeland, Whidbey Island for the past two years.</div> <div> </div>  Rain <br /> 2010  Freeland Wa<br />      total                          31.7inch<br />      days                          99<br />      days w/ trace           19<br />      days   measurable      80<br />       least                         0.1<br />        most                        0.9<br /> 2011 Freeland, Wa.<br />      Total inches                31.1<br />     Total Days                    134<br />     Days w/trace                20<br />     Days measurable            114<br />     least                             Trace<br />     most in Day                    2.2"<br /> <br /> <div><br /> </div> <div> </div> If you would like to know the figures by the day or month just let me know.<P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/24/whidbey-island-rain-2011" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/24/whidbey-island-rain-2011#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/24/whidbey-island-rain-2011Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:50:00 GMTRain on Whidbey Island 2011http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/07/rain-on-whidbey-island-2011<div><strong>#228</strong></div> <div>Here are the rain figures for my home in Freeland, Whidbey Island for the past two years.</div> <div> </div> <div> Rain <br /> 2010  Freeland Wa<br />      total                          31.7inch<br />      days                          99<br />      days w/ trace           19<br />      days   measurable      80<br />       least                         0.1<br />        most                        0.9<br /> 2011 Freeland, Wa.<br />      Total inches                31.1<br />     Total Days                    134<br />     Days w/trace                20<br />     Days measurable            114<br />     least                             Trace<br />     most in Day                    2.2"<br /> <br /> <div><br /> </div> <div> </div> <div>If you would like to know the figures by the day or month just let me know. <br /> </div> </div> <div> <br /> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/07/rain-on-whidbey-island-2011" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/07/rain-on-whidbey-island-2011#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2012/01/07/rain-on-whidbey-island-2011Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:30:00 GMTGarden Updatehttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/12/garden-update<div><strong>#227</strong></div> <div>Here are some pictures of my home Garden and my Greenbank Farm "Pea Patch" plots as they are really.....put to sleep, tilled and covered with some straw:</div> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/dec_12_2011_put_to_sleep_home_garden.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /></div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div><br /> </div> <div align="center">Here is the Pea Patch </div> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/pea_patch_3_and_6_dec_12_2011.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /></div> <div><br /> </div> <div><br /> </div> <div align="center">And the Greenhouse with lettuce</div> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/peapatch_greenhouse_dec_2011_letuce.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /> </div> <div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/12/garden-update" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/12/garden-update#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/12/garden-updateMon, 12 Dec 2011 16:30:00 GMTHighlighting our Community: Van, A local Quote masterhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/05/highlighting-our-community-van-a-local-quote-master<div><strong>#226</strong></div> <div>The Whidbey Community is made up of many Normal folks and  lots of unique individuals who have made their way to our Island Community. I'll be reporting on some of our unique and creative souls over the next few months.  The first on my list is first because I just received an email from him this morning, as I do every morning. G. Armour Van Horn, or Van, is a citizen of Freeland on south Whidbey and is the quote master for Quotes of the Day.  Here is a sample of this morning's email: </div> <div>  ...(Continued)...</div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/05/highlighting-our-community-van-a-local-quote-master" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/05/highlighting-our-community-van-a-local-quote-master#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/12/05/highlighting-our-community-van-a-local-quote-masterMon, 05 Dec 2011 12:35:00 GMTPutting the Garden to Bed for the Winterhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/20/putting-the-garden-to-bed-for-the-winter<div>Monday's Frost killed the tomatoes and Beans(sigh!!!).  We had another hard freeze yesterday morning and this morning, so I've been out cleaning up the beds, putting out Worm castings and getting ready to transplant lettuce to overwinter under row cover..  The Swiss Chard is a big question. It's seemed ok so far.</div> <div> </div> <div>Note the large compost pile at the end of the garden up against the fence. Oh yes, and notice the frost on some of the beds that are covered with straw</div> <div align="center"> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/nov_put_to_sleep.jpg" alt="" width="580" /></div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/20/putting-the-garden-to-bed-for-the-winter" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/20/putting-the-garden-to-bed-for-the-winter#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/20/putting-the-garden-to-bed-for-the-winterSun, 20 Nov 2011 14:10:00 GMTSouth Whidbey Pending Home Sales Updatehttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/09/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-update<div><strong>#224</strong></div> <div>Pending homes sales  have gone up again. Very positive for November. Below is one of the pages<br /> </div> <div>from the historical reports I keep. Provided by Diane Reed, our invaluable support. <br /> </div> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/pending_nov_3_2011.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /> <br /> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/09/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-update" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/09/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-update#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/09/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-updateWed, 09 Nov 2011 14:14:00 GMTFirst Frost, but no Freeze yethttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/02/first-frost-but-no-freeze-yet<div>Tomatoes and Beans still trucking, but not much push left in them after this first frost yesterday morning.</div> <div>Now  some rain is moving in and it's a bit warmer. We'll see???!!! <br /> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/02/first-frost-but-no-freeze-yet" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/02/first-frost-but-no-freeze-yet#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/11/02/first-frost-but-no-freeze-yetWed, 02 Nov 2011 18:10:00 GMTWhidbey Garden at Halloweenhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/31/whidbey-garden-at-halloween<div> <strong>Blog #222<br /> </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>The season is changing. Thankfully not as much as the two feet of snow in the Northeast. </div> <div>Whidbey is relatively mild temperature wise.</div> <div> </div> <div>Notice the former lettuce beds are now composted with worm castings, covered with scavenged   <br /> </div> <div>hay and planted with Garlic for next summer. New lettuce transplants from My Greenbank Pea Patch<br /> </div> <div>garden where I seeded them a month ago. <br /> </div> <div> </div> <div>The  Polestar and Purple cardinal pole beans are into there third week of harvest and way more than we can eat. I've never grown pole beans and am surprised at how tender they are when picked this size for "green beans". I just  steam them with my potatoes( 1/2 the time) and they make a wonderful dinner. I just planted these on July 23rd. Next year they'll be earlier.<br /> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div> <img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/october_31_garden_showing_last_transplants_seeded_to_pea_patch_and_moved.jpg" alt="" height="585" width="439" align="left" /></div> <div><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/october_31_Purple_cardinal_pole_beans_planted_july_23.jpg" alt="" height="168" width="224" align="left" /> <img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/october_31_garden__polestar_runner_beans_planted_july_23.jpg" alt="" height="167" width="224" align="left" /></div> <div><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/october_31_garden_at_noon.jpg" alt="" height="372" width="496" align="left" /></div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/31/whidbey-garden-at-halloween" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/31/whidbey-garden-at-halloween#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/31/whidbey-garden-at-halloweenMon, 31 Oct 2011 15:02:00 GMTSouth Whidbey Pending home Sales Increasehttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/21/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-increase<div>BLOG # 221 <br /> </div> <div>After 8 weeks of declining, The ratio of pending to sold homes on South Whidbey has gone up once again.The increase is small, but for this time of year it is great to have an increase rather than have sales slow down.  At present, we have about a year of inventory on the market, but buyers seem much more real and interested than they have in the past three years </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/21/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-increase" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/21/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-increase#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/21/south-whidbey-pending-home-sales-increaseFri, 21 Oct 2011 13:51:00 GMTWorm Bin cleaninghttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/18/worm-bin-cleaning<div>It's time to clean out the worm bin and start all over. Two of my bins allow me to keep the worms active and just move them around from side to side, but since my Wife, Karol, is juicing loads every day, I've had to use my compost bin as an additional worm bin. It's the large green composting affair in the picture. it's too deep to move from side to side, so I just keep adjusting and adding as best I can until the worms catch up.  That's usually this time of year. The results from this bin are on the blue tarp waiting for me to remove the worms and put the rest on the garden.  the worms will go back into the bin.</div> <div><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/worm_bin_cleaning_oct_2011.JPG" alt="" align="left" height="401" width="536" /> <br /> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Oh yes, the lid of the green  compost bin is full of  almost pure humus and I've already applied it to the garden.</div> <div> <br /> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/18/worm-bin-cleaning" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/18/worm-bin-cleaning#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/18/worm-bin-cleaningTue, 18 Oct 2011 15:43:00 GMTBasil Pesto Timehttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/14/basil-pesto-time<div>Last night I harvested all of my basil from the garden and made a quart and a half of Pesto!</div> <div>Pine nuts are now $40.+ a lb.,so I used my old favorites, Pecans, for the nuts.</div> <div>Here's my recipe:<br /> </div> <div>        2 cups basil leaves(or so- I just fill up the food processor for twice this recipe)</div> <div>        1/2 handful of Pecans<br /> </div> <div>        1/ 3 cup of olive oil<br /> </div> <div>        Handful of grated Parmesan cheese, or more if I have it.</div> <div>        2-3 cloves of garlic, depending on size and inclination.</div> <div>Melissa Airoldi gave me this recipe 25 years ago in Austin.</div> <div> </div> <div>The basil is under the arrow in this picture. I leaned two pieces of  glass up against this saw horse to add some heat to the Basil.<br /> </div> <div> </div> <div><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/toms_garden_sept_4_2011_basil_marked.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/14/basil-pesto-time" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/14/basil-pesto-time#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/14/basil-pesto-timeFri, 14 Oct 2011 15:16:00 GMT3 Sisters Farmers Markethttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/13/3-sisters-farmers-market3 Sisters Family Farms will open a limited seasonal farmer's market on the 3rd Saturday of October, November, and December at their Whidbey Island barn at Highway 20 and Monroe Landing Road in Oak Harbor. There will be an additional 10 vendors represented. This is great news for all of us that love our Whidbey Island local farmer's markets and despair at their closings every fall. Get the full story at <a href="Check this one out - A 60 X 120 all steel industrial warehouse building plus a small house on .62 acre of flat land. The house and building are metered for electric separately and the building has 3 electrical services to it. The house could make a great office with trucks and equipment in the warehouse or what a fantastic toy box! Lots of possibilities here......" target="_blank">The Whidbey News-Times</a>.<P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/13/3-sisters-farmers-market" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/13/3-sisters-farmers-market#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/13/3-sisters-farmers-marketThu, 13 Oct 2011 11:14:00 GMTWhidbey Island Wildlifehttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/12/whidbey-island-wildlifeWe have our share of wildlife on Whidbey Island. No bears or lions (that I know of), but lots of non-domesticated creatures just the same. One of the forest creatures most often in conversation is the coyote. Check out the local blog of Dan Pederson, author of Whidbey Island's Special Places. His story of a 'close encounter' with a coyote in his yard and the photos he took are fascinating. You can find his coyote story at <a href="http://wildwhidbey.blogspot.com/2011/10/face-to-face-at-high-noon.html"><u>http://wildwhidbey.blogspot.com/2011/10/face-to-face-at-high-noon.html</u></a>.<P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/12/whidbey-island-wildlife" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/12/whidbey-island-wildlife#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/12/whidbey-island-wildlifeWed, 12 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMTMortgage Rates Even Lowerhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/05/mortgage-rates-even-lower<div>I Know, I know.  We've been hearing that mortgage rates are low, but now they really are.  Here is  a table and graph showing some comparisons over the past 40 years(Please note that the graph shows the horrendous rates in 1981 thru 1985 whereas the table excluded those years):</div> <div><br /> </div> <div addgutter="" topborder=""> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; color: #73A2A5"> Mortgage rates and your payment</span><br /> <table style="margin-top: 5px; border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;" width="280"> <tbody> <tr> <th style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">Year</th> <th style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: #247c22; text-transform: uppercase; border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;"> Avg. rate<br /> for 30-yr fixed*</th> <th style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">mortgage amount**</th> <th style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: #247c22; text-transform: uppercase; border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;"> payment<br /> (inflation-adjusted)</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">2011</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">4.27%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$134,640</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$663.92</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">2003</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">5.83%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$144,160</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$1,044.83</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">1995</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">7.93%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$93,600</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$1,014.16</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">1987</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">10.21%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$68,480</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$1,219.69</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">1979</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">11.2%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$44,560</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$1,345.23</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">1971</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">7.53%</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$20,240</td> <td style="border: 1px dotted #7f7c75;">$793.91</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> * Source: Freddie Mac; For 2011 and 1971, figures are for the month of August only, not annual averages.<br /> <div> ** Mortgage amount calculated based on national median existing home price with a 20% down payment.</div> <div><img alt="" src="http://ei.marketwatch.com/Multimedia/2011/10/04/Photos/MG/MW-AN118_mortga_20111004143133_MG.jpg?uuid=1a53bb4e-eeb7-11e0-9cd6-002128040cf6" title="" height="398" width="569" /> <br /> Terrence Horan/MarketWatch <br /> </div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/05/mortgage-rates-even-lower" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/05/mortgage-rates-even-lower#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/05/mortgage-rates-even-lowerWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:37:00 GMTOpen Studio Tour This Weekendhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/03/open-studio-tour-this-weekend<p align="left">Enjoy the annual tour as you meet artists throughout Whidbey Island. Free maps and brochures featuring artists in 44 locations, including individual studios and group shows. Maps are available online and for pick-up, along with the tour All locations are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. In the studios, visitors can see new works by glass artists, painters, photographers, fiber artists, jewelry makers, sculptors, metal workers and potters. It is also the place to hear the artists talk about their muse and the process by which they create their work. Patrons are welcome to just browse, or to buy a piece of Whidbey Island art to take home. <a style="color: #3366ff" href="http://www.islandartscouncil.org/ost_info.html" target="_blank">http://www.islandartscouncil.org/ost_info.html</a></p><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/03/open-studio-tour-this-weekend" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/03/open-studio-tour-this-weekend#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/10/03/open-studio-tour-this-weekendMon, 03 Oct 2011 16:42:00 GMTUp Date and History of Pending Home Sales on South Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/26/up-date-and-history-of-pending-home-sales-on-south-whidbey<p>Pending home sales on South Whidbey<br /> </p> <p>On August 12<sup>th</sup>, 2011 I reported to you that Pending home sales on South Whidbey reached a Percentage of 21% for the first time since June of 2007 and I told you I would keep you posted about these pending sales figures.</p> <p>Below is a History since then and prior to that time for each year in Late Sept.</p> <p>                <u>Date</u>                   <u>% pending of active</u>        <u>Total active</u></p> <p>                August 11, 2011                21%                        307</p> <p>                August 18, 2011                19                           312</p> <p>                August 25                          18                           308</p> <p>                September 1                      15                          310</p> <p>                 “             8                        15                            309</p> <p>                Sept       18                        16                           307</p> <p>                Sept       22                        14                           308</p> <p> </p> <p>Here are the Sept figures for the past 4 years:</p> <p>                2010                                       14                           309</p> <p>                2009                                       17                           343</p> <p>                2008                                       9                             347</p> <p>                2007                                       14                           222</p> <p><br /> </p> <p><br /> </p><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/26/up-date-and-history-of-pending-home-sales-on-south-whidbey" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/26/up-date-and-history-of-pending-home-sales-on-south-whidbey#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/26/up-date-and-history-of-pending-home-sales-on-south-whidbeyMon, 26 Sep 2011 12:18:00 GMTComparison Pics 45 Days in Tom's Gardenhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/23/comparison-pics-45-days-in-toms-garden<div> <div align="center"><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/garden_at_home_August_11_2011_01.jpg" alt="" align="left" height="193" width="258" /></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/toms_garden_sept_4_2011.JPG" align="left" height="160" width="214" alt="" /></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/toms_garden_sept_23__2011__2.JPG" alt="" height="194" width="253" />As you can see, the sun is a mid day thing.Most of my garden space is on the north side of the house. Looks like the front yard, what there is of it, might soon go. Enjoy the warm weather we're having today.<br /> </div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/23/comparison-pics-45-days-in-toms-garden" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/23/comparison-pics-45-days-in-toms-garden#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/23/comparison-pics-45-days-in-toms-gardenFri, 23 Sep 2011 11:46:00 GMTGreat Deals in Oak Harborhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/22/great-deals-in-oak-harbor<p>Seattle Pacific Homes has announced a year-end inventory reduction sale for their Oak Harbor homes in Frostad Pond, Lyle Ridge, and Penn Cove Park III. All prices on these existing homes have been reduced by $20,000! PLUS there's a $5,000 or $10,000 Buyer Allowance depending on the project. PLUS rear yards and fencing are included. This is a great opportunity to own a fabulous new Whidbey Island home with upgrades at an unbelievable price!! Call our Oak Harbor office for details. 360-675-7200</p><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/22/great-deals-in-oak-harbor" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/22/great-deals-in-oak-harbor#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/22/great-deals-in-oak-harborThu, 22 Sep 2011 10:47:00 GMTExhisting Home Sales Increase In Augusthttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/21/exhisting-home-sales-increase-in-august<h1>August Existing-Home Sales Rise Despite Headwinds, Up Strongly from a Year Ago</h1> <p> Washington, DC, September 21, 2011 </p> <div>Existing-home sales increased in August, even with ongoing tight credit and appraisal problems, along with regional disruptions created by Hurricane Irene, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Monthly gains were seen in all regions.</div> <div> </div> <div>...(Continued)...</div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/21/exhisting-home-sales-increase-in-august" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/21/exhisting-home-sales-increase-in-august#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/21/exhisting-home-sales-increase-in-augustWed, 21 Sep 2011 09:59:00 GMTWhidbey Island Farm Tourhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/whidbey-island-farm-tour<span style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; font: 13px/19px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: rgb(0,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" class="Apple-style-span"> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 13px"><img style="width: 140px; height: 111px" border="0" alt="Whidbey Island Farm Tour" align="left" src="http://cbwhidbey.com/images/farm.jpg" width="140" height="111" />During the sixth annual<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Whidbey Island Farm Tour, </strong>Saturday and Sunday, families can visit 18 island farms on Whidbey Island and a chance to visit with the farmers, such as beekeeper David Neel of Freeland, who will teach about bees and offer honey for sale from Island Apiaries at Lavender Wind Farm.</p> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 13px">You can also purchase locally grown food, fiber and other products, and soak up the island's rural character.</p> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 13px">The tour is <strong>free</strong>, and you can start anywhere and take in as many or as few farms as you like -- just follow the yellow "Farm Tour" signs, posted on the main highways (Highway 20 or 525) from the island's southerly tip to just north of Oak Harbor.</p> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 13px">Some farms offer events at specific times, and some are starting later or not participating on Sunday, so plan ahead with the official tour map/brochure, available online at the website below, in the rack section on the ferry (Mukilteo/Clinton route) and around the island.</p> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 13px"><em>10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, (360-678-4708 or <a style="color: #003388; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.whidbeyfarmtour.com/" target="_blank"><font size="2">www.whidbeyfarmtour.com</font></a>).(Thanks to the Seattle Times for their coverage)</em></p> </span><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/whidbey-island-farm-tour" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/whidbey-island-farm-tour#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/whidbey-island-farm-tourFri, 16 Sep 2011 14:36:00 GMTTom's Home Garden Sept 15 2011http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/toms-home-garden-sept-15-2011<div>First Full size Tomato's of the year!  Worth the Wait.</div> <div><img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/first_tomatos_2011.jpg" align="left" width="580" alt="" /> <br /> </div> <div> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/toms-home-garden-sept-15-2011" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/toms-home-garden-sept-15-2011#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/16/toms-home-garden-sept-15-2011Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:24:00 GMTFree Computer Disposalhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/12/free-computer-disposal<div id="storyBody" jquery1315862209910="1"> <p>Free computer disposal and recycling will be available at Lincoln Computers in Clinton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14.</p> <p>Organizers of the event said only desktop and laptop computers will be eligible for this service; no monitors, printers, etc.</p> <p>People dropping off computers can watch as experts remove the computer’s hard drive, then use a hydraulic log splitter to crush the data storage device.</p> <p>Lincoln Computers is located at 9257 Highway 525. Call 341-2526 for more information.</p> </div><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/12/free-computer-disposal" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/12/free-computer-disposal#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/12/free-computer-disposalMon, 12 Sep 2011 14:19:00 GMTNew View of Fish Rd Planned Devlopmenthttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/08/new-view-of-fish-rd-planned-devlopment<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wj0YpgxUxxE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="560"></iframe><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/08/new-view-of-fish-rd-planned-devlopment" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/08/new-view-of-fish-rd-planned-devlopment#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/08/new-view-of-fish-rd-planned-devlopmentThu, 08 Sep 2011 14:53:00 GMTTom's Garden 3 wks later sept 4 2011http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/04/toms-garden-3-wks-later-sept-4-2011<img src="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/images/P1010020.JPG" width="580" align="left" alt="" /><P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/04/toms-garden-3-wks-later-sept-4-2011" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/04/toms-garden-3-wks-later-sept-4-2011#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/04/toms-garden-3-wks-later-sept-4-2011Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:34:00 GMTWelcome to Sherry Joynerhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/02/welcome-to-sherry-joynerColdwell Banker Tara Properties is happy to welcome Sherry Joyner to the Freeland office. Sherry is an enthusiastic broker with many years experience in land development. Give her a call at 360-331-0120.<P><a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/02/welcome-to-sherry-joyner" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/02/welcome-to-sherry-joyner#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Tom's Whidbeyhttp://tomwhiterealestate.com/blog/2011/09/02/welcome-to-sherry-joynerFri, 02 Sep 2011 13:57:00 GMT