1. Understand the Local Whidbey Island Market
Cheri English’s website gives you up-to-date market data for Island County, including all of Whidbey Island, so you can get a feel for how competitive the market is, what inventory looks like, and what the trends are.
2. Work with a Local Real Estate Agent
The broker behind the site is Cheri English, a longtime resident of Oak Harbor. She brings local expertise, knows the neighborhoods, and has her connections throughout Island County.
3. Connect with a Local Lender
Because Whidbey Island has a unique housing market, Cheri recommends working with a local lender who understands island-specific issues (like property types, wells, septic systems, and lot sizes).
4. Choose Where on Whidbey You Want to Live
On her site, Cheri provides neighborhood-by-neighborhood insight: North Whidbey (Oak Harbor), Central Whidbey, South Whidbey/Langley, Coupeville, and more. Think about:
- lot size and rural vs. town feel
- proximity to services, schools, or ferry/docks
- factors like noise (for example, near Naval Air Station)
5. Do Your Due Diligence
Cheri’s site emphasizes how important inspections are on Whidbey — especially for wells, septic systems, and land surveys. She’ll help guide you through contingencies, title searches, and property disclosures specific to Island County.
6. Make a Competitive Offer
With Cheri’s market knowledge, you can write an offer that’s strong but smart. She’ll help you balance price, inspection contingencies, and closing timeline to make your bid as attractive as possible.
7. Inspections & Contingencies
Use inspections to your full advantage: beyond the typical home inspection, make sure you:
- Check septic systems
- Inspect wells (water quality, yield)
- Possibly survey the land to confirm property boundaries
8. Closing the Deal
Cheri’s site walks you through closing: escrow, title, recording the deed, and final settlement. She’ll help coordinate with all the relevant parties to make sure everything is done on time.
9. After You Buy
Living on Whidbey comes with its lifestyle: rural maintenance (wells, septic), community involvement, and appreciating the natural beauty of the island. Cheri’s site has resources to help you plug into island life.
Why Use Cheri English Real Estate?
- Local expertise across all of Island County
- Direct MLS access through her website
- Personalized service: she builds real, ongoing relationships with her clients
- Deep understanding of Whidbey-specific factors like septic, wells, zoning, and more