Real estate tends to be a favorite topic of conversation in Jefferson County. It involves our community, our homes, our work, recreation and dreams. Our neighbors want to know if they can still afford to “get into” the market, and current home owners want to know that their asset is appreciating or whether the remodel they are contemplating will add to its value. We talk shop everywhere, from the Food Co-op to soccer games.

Real estate is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as land, including all the natural resources and permanent buildings on it. Real estate is our roots in the land and in the community. We strongly believe that building roots in our community is important, but not only because we’re your local Realtors. We impress on newcomers that the bonds of community are what make Port Townsend/Jefferson County a special place, because we are all in this together.

Sellers and buyers in Jefferson County have the choice to be represented by locally rooted Realtors, who know the varied attractions, concerns, beauties, lifestyles, changing regulations and opportunities in our unique Jefferson County very well. Local Realtors can knowledgeably guide sellers and buyers through the selling and buying experience with less stress and great success.

Our mantra to the buyer is: “You are not just buying a house, you are buying a community.” So, if you are a buyer working with a broker, we want to introduce you to our beloved communities. We act as your guide to show you all the aspects of each community, neighborhood, even down to homeowner associations. We take the time to learn how you live, not just ask questions about how many square feet you need in a home. We want to be sure you are happy in your home’s location for many years to come.

If you are a seller, you are likely selling the largest asset you own and a place where memories have been made, which can be emotional to let go of, and we recognize that. We want to help you in all aspects of the selling process, from preparing your home to making sure the showings are painless. And a knowledgeable broker also walks you through your responsibilities, as well as the buyer throughout the sale.

It is important to have a guide who recognizes the forces in the market, but does not discount the human aspect of this service. And truly, when considering a Realtor, it is vital that you find someone who is serving your needs and matches your personality, as you will be working closely with this person for months or even longer.

Here is the kind of experience you should expect:

“We were pretty independent shoppers. Our Realtor was so helpful, willing and knowledgeable with any questions we had. She is an excellent communicator and one of the most creative thinkers we have ever met. She has a real talent for brainstorming ideas, and we learned a lot from her about how to keep an open mind and consider many angles and aspects of a situation.”

“Excellent – my Realtor exceeded my expectations and is truly service oriented from her heart.”

“Excellent – above anything we expected. Our Realtor was honest, fair, explained everything clearly; he never left us second-guessing. He offered advice when needed and [told us] what to expect. We felt blessed to have him as our Realtor.”

We believe in community here at Windermere, and as such, we support and donate to local nonprofits and schools yearly.

Michelle Sandoval has been a broker with Windermere Port Townsend since 1993 and an owner since 2005. Michelle has been a member of the Port Townsend City Council since 2002, having served two terms as mayor. Windermere employs 23 brokers locally.