Imagine driving 375 miles, about halfway from New York to Chicago, and getting $1,000 - $4,000 for every foot you traveled. The San Juan Islands are ringed by that much shoreline, with buyers willing to pay that much -- on average -- for their nugget of water-side property.

While ridge lines and inland parcels have gained popularity in recent years, shoreline lots have been and continue to be the jewels of the property market in San Juan County.

According to the 1950 U.S. Census, there were three pages of San Juan Island phone numbers in the phone book, compared with six pages of real estate related businesses in the 1999-2000 phone book.

The history of real estate in the San Juans is closely tied to land-use regulations designed to protect the land. Land-use regulations drove up the cost of property because of permits and development standards. The passage of the county Comprehensive Plan in 1979 signaled the change. Property values increased around 1980 and 1981, leveled off until a 1989 to 1991 increase, then leveled off again. The value of land in the county skyrocketed in the 1980s, more than doubling between 1984 and 1994. The value of property in 1983 for 1984 taxes was $897 million. In 1994, the value was $2.08 billion.

A guide to San Juan Island Realtors

COLDWELL BANKER/SAN JUAN ISLANDS, INC.
First & Spring Street -- PO Box 100 -- Friday Harbor 98250
360 378-2101 -- 800 451-9054 -- Fax 360 378-2998
Steve Buck, Owner

FRIDAY HARBOR REALTY, INC.
50 Spring Street -- PO Box 777 -- Friday Harbor 98250
360 378-2151 -- Fax 360 378-3946
Natalie King, Broker.

JOHN L. SCOTT, SAN JUAN ISLAND
185 Spring St -- P.O. Box 399 -- Friday Harbor 98250
360-378-4111 -- 800-552-8594 -- Fax: 360-378-4146
Pat O'Day

KMI, KENT MEEKER INC.
235 Web St -- P.O. Box 1814 -- Friday Harbor 98250
360-378-5367 -- Fax: 360-378-5387
Kent Meeker, Owner

REMAX - SAN JUAN ISLAND
165 Spring St. - PO Box 1459 -- Friday Harbor 98250
360 378-5858

WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE/SAN JUAN ISLAND
100 First Street -- PO Box 488
Friday Harbor 98250
360 378-3600 -- 800 262 3596 -- Fax 360 378-4651

For more island real estate information, check with Chamber members who are ready to help you with your real estate needs.