Imagine driving 375 miles, about halfway from New York to Chicago, and getting $3,446 for every foot you traveled. (Average cost per foot, vacant water front land sales 2017 & 2018) 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.
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. Currently in 2012 total county assessed property value is almost $8 billion.
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.
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. Currently in 2012 total county assessed property value is almost $8 billion.
Year Number of Total Sales Price Range Average All Homes Sold
2007 92 175,000 - 3,400,000 800,000
2012 118 100,00 - 2,800,000 490,000
2017 90 250,000 - 4,350,000 790,000
2007 39 175,000 - 1,200,000 465,000 Homes on Lots
2012 78 100,00 - 950,000 360,000
2017 46 250,000 - 730,000 450,000
2007 26 335,000 - 1,400,000 600,000 Homes on Acreage +2 acres
2012 36 150,000 - 2,800,000 510,000
2017 15 265,000 - 1,500,000 590,000
2007 25 725,000 - 3,400,000 1,600,000 Homes on Water Front
2012 27 325,000 - 2,700,000 860,000
2017 24 675,000 - 4,350,000 1,400,000
2007 92 175,000 - 3,400,000 800,000
2012 118 100,00 - 2,800,000 490,000
2017 90 250,000 - 4,350,000 790,000
2007 39 175,000 - 1,200,000 465,000 Homes on Lots
2012 78 100,00 - 950,000 360,000
2017 46 250,000 - 730,000 450,000
2007 26 335,000 - 1,400,000 600,000 Homes on Acreage +2 acres
2012 36 150,000 - 2,800,000 510,000
2017 15 265,000 - 1,500,000 590,000
2007 25 725,000 - 3,400,000 1,600,000 Homes on Water Front
2012 27 325,000 - 2,700,000 860,000
2017 24 675,000 - 4,350,000 1,400,000
The Following Chamber of Commerce Members may assist you with your real estate needs.
Better Properties Real Estate
360-298-5034 sanjuanisland@aol.com |
Coldwell Banker-San Juan Islands
360-378-2101 property@sanjuanislands.com |
Island Group Sothebys Int'l Realty
360-378-2151 chris@sanjuans.com |
Nancy Young
Coldwell Banker-San Juan Island 360-378-2101 nancy@sanjuanislands.com |
Rebecca Hughes
Windermere Broker 360-298-1923 rebeccash@windermere.com |
Windermere Real Estate-San Juan Island
360-378-3600 gary@windermeresji.com |