Seabrook, WA: Pacific Coast New Urbanist Town Takes Shape

Seabrook, Washington, yet another "New Urbanist" development, is located on the Pacific Coast of Washington State, 2 1/2 hours from Seattle. The new community is doing well, say the latest news reports, despite the downturn in vacation home sales. When completed, the beach community will have 400 homes on 303 lots. According to a recent article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, quoting developer Casey Roloff, Seabrook has sold 18 homes this year and in 2007 sold 34 houses, up from 23 in 2006, while other real estate areas struggle. Meanwhile, owners put 49 houses in Seabrook's rental pool in August, and they were more than 90 percent occupied. Its literature proclaims that Seabrook is a "pedestrian-friendly community where a short walk will get you anywhere you want to go." Prices began at $399,000 but waterfront property carries much higher price tags.A spokesman said that buyers were from 26 states and 3 countries but about two-thirds are Washington residents.

Portofino: First Two-Tiered Destinations Club

The universe of ultra-luxe "destination clubs" changed today as two clubs -- Portofino and Signature -- merged. According to a press release, the newly named "Portofino Destinations Club" will be the first residence club with two tiers and will "provide its members access to high-end homes all over the world: the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Italy, France and the United Kingdom."

Membership for the Portofino properties cost as much as $250,000, plus annual membership dues of up to $19,800. Signature membership costs as much as $150,000, with dues of up to $11,500. Each has a core of members in a particular region: Signature is based in Colorado while Portofino's focus is the Pacific northwest.