We welcome Kim Iverson to discuss her new podcast "Anchored in Anacortes," which fills an important information gap for the community by covering local events and real estate trends. Kim shares her inspiration for starting the podcast and explains how it helps residents stay informed about happenings in and around Anacortes.

• Kim started "Anchored in Anacortes" after noticing people on Facebook constantly asking about local events they'd missed
• The podcast covers Anacortes events plus worthwhile happenings in nearby Whatcom County, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley
• Kim interviewed the Mount Erie Fire Chief for a 4th of July episode featuring home fire safety tips and resources
• Anacortes real estate market update: 14 new listings in the past 10 days with 7 under $700,000
• The market is balancing with homes under $700K still moving quickly, while luxury homes over $1M have more inventory
• Current market sees 98% list-to-sale price ratio, down from 100% a year ago, indicating more negotiation room
• Upcoming events include Shipwreck Fest, Shipwreck Music Fest, weekly farmers markets, Birds of Prey demonstration, and free summer concerts
• Kim recommends the farmers market vendor Skagit Gourmet Mushrooms and the fresh fruit trucks from Eastern Washington

Find and subscribe to "Anchored in Anacortes" on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

You can reach Kim Iverson at kimiverson@johnlscott.com

Rose Raivo shares her 25-year journey building and flipping six homes in Skagit County, revealing strategies for finding value in overlooked properties and turning challenges into equity-building opportunities.

• Finding deals by looking for land that others avoid due to complications like wetlands or required additional surveys
• Writing letters directly to landowners to find off-market opportunities, which resulted in successful land purchases
• Building on various properties from quarter-acre city lots to seven-acre rural parcels
• Recognizing that properties with challenges often sell at discounts that create immediate equity once issues are resolved
• Shopping discounts and materials more aggressively when building specifically to flip
• Using manufactured homes as investment properties for faster turnaround times (under six months vs 9-12 months)
• Walking land at different times of day to determine optimal home positioning and design features
• Leveraging construction loans to finance projects after thorough feasibility planning
• Working as a husband-wife team with complementary skills in construction and design
• Examining properties for potential views, light exposure, and unique features to maximize value

You can reach Rose at roser@johnlscott.com

The housing landscape is changing dramatically across Washington and Oregon, with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) at the forefront of addressing affordable housing challenges. Paul, Howard, and special guest Bert Clay from Anacortes dive deep into groundbreaking legislation that's creating unprecedented opportunities for homeowners and investors alike.

Gone are the restrictive days of limited ADU potential. New laws now permit up to two ADUs per single-family lot, with increased size allowances up to 1,000 square feet and eliminated owner-occupancy requirements. This opens doors for creative housing solutions that benefit multiple stakeholders in the community. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer looking to offset mortgage costs, a retiree seeking additional income while aging in place, or a family needing space for multi-generational living, ADUs offer practical solutions.

The conversation tackles important questions about implementation timelines (with full adoption coming by 2025-26), HOA restrictions (existing ones remain, future ones can't prohibit ADUs), and the genuine investment potential that could transform ordinary homeowners into landlords without purchasing additional properties. Unlike high-rise developments that dramatically alter neighborhood character, ADUs represent a gentler density increase that often improves communities by renovating underutilized spaces like alleys and old garages.

For those sitting on substantial home equity but struggling with monthly cash flow, ADUs provide a strategic path forward. By converting unused space or adding detached units, homeowners can generate rental income while maintaining their property's character—potentially transforming their backyard into a retirement plan. The hosts encourage starting the planning process now, even if implementation is still months away, as thorough preparation will position property owners to maximize these exciting new opportunities when they fully arrive.

Ready to explore how ADUs could work with your property? Connect with Bert Clay at John L Scott Anacortes or their property management division, Green Ocean Real Estate Services, to navigate this evolving opportunity landscape. Bert can be reached at bertclay@johnlscott.com