Let’s face it—the air quality here, with the region’s seasonal rains and lush forests, is simply superior. In searching for your perfect acreage of Washington land, it is helpful, so as not to get overwhelmed, to choose your ideal region. Yakima Valley? Tri-Cities? Puget Sound? The rocks and cliffs of the spectacular coastline? Consider the pros and cons of each area and write down what is most important to you. Once this has been determined, you’re far better equipped to begin your search in earnest. Land Central has many plots of Washington land for sale—all you have to do is choose the parcel that is right for you and yours.

Disclaimer: I never once claimed to be unbiased when it came to preaching my love for the Northwest. It is by far the most beautiful place in the world and I believe—this is a personal statement here, folks—that you’re crazy if, during your search for the perfect slice of land for you and your family, you overlook this amazing region. But hey, don’t take my word for it…

This is a truly special time for local agriculture.  As the heat picks up, strawberries, spinach, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and lettuces are jumping from the soil. The cherry orchards of central Washington are beginning their busy packing and shipping season to provide us all with that timeless taste of summer. Now, you may be asking yourself, what’s all this fluffy stuff about food have to do with land purchasing opportunities? Well, friends, the point is this: If you wish to grow, thrive, plant, travel, play outdoors, and be a part of a community that values its small farms and local agriculture, you can’t do much better than Washington state.

Land here is, for the moment, cheap. Why? Cause there is just so much of it. But slowly folks are realizing that this land won’t be on the market at these prices much longer. The soil is rich in volcanic nutrients and everywhere people are recognizing the value and pleasures of sourcing their produce locally. And with thousands of small farms scattered through Washington, you wont have to look far to buy a flat of fresh-picked Hood Strawberries or beefy heirloom tomatoes. Love good food, local wine, supportive community, and plenty of clean air to breathe? We thought so.

Ever heard of Vantage? I hadn’t either until a little while ago. It’s a tiny (see: teensy weensy) town along the coast of the Columbia River just off Interstate 90. A stones throw from thousands of acres of BLM land, the landscape is truly breathtaking. With canyon views stretching as far as the horizon and incredible rock formations, this land is something special. Though in the rain shadow of the cascades, deserts storms not infrequent. Also, in wintertime, the area is dusted with snow, making it unique, bizarre, and exciting.

Just to the southwest of Vantage is the more urban center of Yakima. If you enjoy fresh apples, asparagus, cherries, peaches, and other fruits/veggies, you may be surprised to learn that in the heart of scrubland and rolling desert is a verdant world of produce.  With homes spaced far apart with plenty of land for development, Yakima is well worth a second look. More on this gem to come!

As developers move in to claim fertile soil and pristine lands to put on the market, local officials are countering by working with farmers to ensure they stay put and continue to do what they do best: provide local, sustainable produce, dairy, and hay to their community.

“[Andrew Albert's] 90 acres of green hay fields and barns near Arlington hug the Stillaguamish River, which, with some restoration, could be home to abundant salmon and clean water running into Puget Sound. The fields are a picturesque contrast to the sprawl of houses rising nearby. Horse owners line up to buy hay fresh from Albert’s fields.

So a few years ago, local politicians hit on an idea to keep Albert’s farm and others in this valley from turning into subdivisions: Get developers to pay Albert money to never build on his land. In return, the developers would get to build more houses elsewhere.” (Please click the above link to read more.)

The Puget Sound, while still very much alive, is threatened by increasing development and unconscientious developers. It is our duty as land sellers and buyers to be aware of these issues and to not use toxic chemicals that may leach into the waters of the Puget Sound. Talk to your contractor about how best to manage your land and assist in the protection and respect of the area.

Before you decide in which region to purchase your little slice of heaven, look into the history of the surrounding area. Is your future property close to a protected area? Will there be zoning restrictions? Noise limitations? Issues with aesthetics? It is not uncommon for land to be purchased and for the owner to begin to build only to discover that certain rules and regulations are being broken. For example, always check with your contractor (who should be up to date on the laws of regional development) to determine if it is appropriate to dig. There may be regulations on how best to access water and road building restrictions. These are all important questions to be discussing during this process.

While the state’s many protected areas may appear to be a hindrance in terms of managing your land with ease, it’s actually fairly routine. It is true that because there are so many lands under state protection, there is less land available for development, but this just serves to provide you with more privacy and incredible natural views. Let’s be honest—you’re interested in Washington because you have a passion for the outdoors. Well, the outdoors awaits.

First and foremost, one cannot talk about Washington’s economy without mentioning the large presence of the Boeing Company. Specializing in the manufacturing of aircraft products, Boeing employs roughly 73,000 people in Washington alone and generates approximately 60 billion in revenue annually. The state also leads the nation in shipbuilding—the Puget Sound being the epicenter for both these industries.

Close behind, in terms of annual revenue, are the following: food processing, farming and livestock, mining, and fishing. Washington is also a leader in the real estate, personal finance, and insurance markets. The state is the unlikely hero behind such international giants such as Starbucks, Microsoft, REI, Nordstrom, and Amazon.com.

One wouldn’t think it when looking at the many towns, small urban centers, and coastal villages sprinkled all over the state, but the region is a true economic powerhouse, creating and owning many of our countries most successful businesses. Production and creativity is never lacking, with new ideas buzzing around all the time—also, cash flow never seems to be an issue. Rich in more ways than one, Washington is the perfect balance of serenity and productivity.

For centuries, Washington’s livelihood has been focused on fishing. The harbors are home to numerous fishing villages, largely unchanged for decades. These villages and towns rest atop jagged cliffs where the waves crash and carve out the coastline. The fisherman haul in catches of Tuna, Sturgeon, and Salmon, among many others. And let’s never forget the bounty of fresh Razor Clams that come from the region. The freshness and availability of the seafood is only a tiny part of what makes Washington’s western region so special.

The native peoples of this region were settled, which means that were able to create a rich history rooted in the place. This culture is still alive and vibrant today, with Washingtonians fiercely proud of their heritage and traditions.

If you interested in the investing in land in Washington’s western half, take a visit up the coast. Talk to the local merchants and fishermen, and see what they have to say about what makes Washington a special and beautiful place to call home.

What helps to make this state so special is its balance of rural and urban culture. The Puget Sound region is largely metropolitan, while the outskirts and surrounding areas are forest and farm lands. A good example of this juxtaposition are the two Vancouvers.

Okay, so yes, the northern most Vancouver is in Canada. But hey, it’s a stone’s throw from the boarder and many Washingtonians make it a habit to visit this vibrant and multicultural city regularly. Winter snow? You got it. Delicious local catches and cuisine? Most definitely. Shopping, spas, parks, and beautiful old homes? Plenty. The southern Vancouver, however, sings a different tune. Right across the bridge from Portland, Oregon, this tiny town is host to farms, livestock, and acres of fertile land. In the summers, the Columbia River tempts residents to cool off and explore the Gorge’s many trails and views.

With so much to offer visitors and residents, it is no wonder that Washington’s tourism has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. As the state’s popularity increases, land becomes more and more valuable. Grab your piece of the pie today!

Having lived in Tacoma for four years, I speak from first hand experience when I say that the Puget Sound region is truly like no other. The sense of community is palpable, and the access to water, snow, and mountain sports is unrivaled. One can hike in the Olympic National Forest, kayak in the Sound, and climb Mt. Vernon all in the same day if desired. The area is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Densely populated around the coastline but sparse inland, Washington has something to offer the adventurer in each of us.

Is your idea of a great day shopping and navigating the maze of Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, or would you rather rent a boat and speed around the San Juan Islands to the north? Snow shoe, or dine on fresh crab, halibut, and sablefish with a glass of local Riesling? One has to ask oneself, why not do it all?

If you’re considering purchasing land in the Pacific Northwest, explore all the Puget Sound region has to offer. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

First: high return. At the moment (as you may have noticed), the market is hurtin’. Foreclosed plots are at record highs and folks are looking to sell land as laughably low prices. As you also may have noticed, this are getting—albeit, slowly—better. Now would be the very best time to snap up land. If you’re looking to resell later on, buying at these prices is a sure deal. If you’re interested in building, land value will only increase and property tax is, at the moment, still quite low.

Second: growth. Washington’s economy is growing rapidly, as is its population. Cities like Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellingham, and more are experiencing new waves of development. You would be moving onto land that will be soon in high demand.

Finally: access. I’ve already stated the fact that Washington residents will likely never have trouble accessing water, but the access I’m referring to now is expansion. If one were to buy now, they would likely have room to grow on their own land. Land Central has many options for sparsely populated rural lands. And if one so wished, they would be able to grow without having to move.

So many choices! So little time…