Lease Assignment FAQs
Who owns the land at Northwoods?
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owns the land, and WFR, Inc. is the Master Lessee.
Does WFR have partnerships with any realtors?
No, WFR does not have partnerships with any realtors. Cabin owners are welcome to find their own realtor, or choose not to use a realtor at all. However, we strongly recommend utilizing a Title Company to ensure a smooth and secure transaction process.
What is the difference between The Northwoods Association and WFR, and why do I need to pay both?
​The Northwoods Association is the Homeowners Association (HOA) for the community. You are required to pay annual dues and fees to the HOA.
WFR, on the other hand, manages the lease for the land on which your cabin sits. Since your cabin is located on leased land, there is an annual cabin site lease that is due to WFR. These lease payments are invoiced each year in August and are due by September 1.
Why do I have to pay Skamania County taxes if I'm already paying the HOA and WFR?
While you are paying the HOA dues to the Northwoods Association and the lease payments to WFR for the land, Skamania County taxes apply only to the structure (the cabin itself). Since the land is leased and not owned by you, it is not included in the property tax assessment. The lease payment for the land and the HOA dues are separate from your county property taxes, which are based solely on the value of your cabin. Leasehold Taes due to Skamania County (and any other related taxing jurisdictions) for the land itself are annually invoiced to WFR and reflected on your annual WFR invoice under "Lease Hold Tax."
What can we expect for the 2025 lease year/the upcoming assessment?
As outlined in the Master Lease Agreement, Section 8.02, the State of Washington will be conducting an assessment to bring the lease rates up to fair market value. This assessment is currently scheduled for June of 2025.
Once the assessment is complete, the new lease rates will be communicated to each cabin owner and will be reflected in the 2025-2026 invoice.
What can I do once my tree(s) are approved for removal?
After payment for the timber value is made to WFR, Inc., you can have the trees removed. Checks can be made to:
​
Water Front Recreation, Inc.
38954 Proctor Blvd. #333
Sandy, OR 97055
​
How can I pay my Lease?
At this time, WFR only accepts check payments. Payments can be sent to the following address:
Water Front Recreation, Inc.
38954 Proctor Blvd. #333
Sandy, OR 97055
How long does the assignment paperwork take?
The general time frame for completing the assignment paperwork is approximately 3 weeks. WFR utilizes a mix of electronic documents and hard copies. Currently, Skamania County does not support e-filing, so the assignment documents require a wet signature and notary. These documents need to be signed by the buyer, seller, and WFR.
How can I speed up the process?
To help speed up the lease assignment process, please consider the following:
-
Complete the assignment application with your name as you'd like it to appear on the recorded documents.
-
Secure adequate insurance: If the insurance does not meet WFR’s requirements (listed [here]), we will not be able to complete the lease assignment.
-
Complete DocuSign elements promptly as you receive them.
-
Ensure payments are sent to WFR in a timely manner.
By following these steps, you can help ensure the process moves as efficiently as possible.