I have received several foreclosure and short sale inquiries in the past few months. Many people are not aware that short sales and foreclosures are not necessarily the best deals in Whatcom County, WA. When you are searching for these homes there are a few things to keep in mind.

With the market changes in the past couple of years, many home mortgages have increased to the property values of the past. Home values have dropped and now many people owe more than their home is worth. Many homeowners either bought their homes at a higher price than it is worth now or took second and third mortgages out when the home value was higher. Today’s short sales and foreclosures are a reflection of this and may not necessarily be the best deals available. These circumstances have limited many homeowners in the negotiation process and have left the negotiation up to the banks.

There are many great deals in Whatcom County, WA that are not short sales and foreclosures and those homeowners are in a position for negotiating more than the banks. Many banks are already asking less than what is owed on the home and are not willing to come down much further on the price. Homeowners that are trying to compete with the current home values and do not owe to the limit of their property values, are in a position to negotiate more with buyers. Some are relocating or down sizing and are able to sell for less with the intention of moving on to another great deal as well.

I strongly suggest you keep your options open when searching for homes in Whatcom County. Search for all homes available in your price range, short sales will also be included. That way you won’t be overlooking a great deal.

Another thing that home buyers do not always realize about short sales and foreclosures is that repairs before closing may not be open to negotiation. Meaning that you may be purchasing the property in as is condition. Less negotiating can lead to less of a great deal for the buyer.

Whether or not you are considering a short sale or foreclosure, a home inspection is something I highly recommend. It is an added expense to the buyer of a few hundred dollars, but it can save you thousands of dollars later.

If you are considering buying a home in Whatcom County, WA., I would be happy to answer any questions you have or set up a search for you. Many home buyers do not always realize that having their own buyers agent does not cost them anything. My services are of no cost to the buyer. Please feel free to comment or contact me if you are interested in more information.

Bellingham, Washington Entertainment

The Mount Baker Theater

In Bellingham, Washington there are many forms of entertainment, but one of the most well known places for entertainment is the Mount Baker Theater. The theater originally opened in 1927 as a part of the 20th Century Fox Chain and was renovated in 1995. The Mount Baker theater  was styled after the architecture of Moorish Spain which was unlike many of the other Theaters which were arising in the 20′s. It is also said the Mount Baker Theater is inhabited by the spirit of a woman named Judy. Haha! Not the Judy Schneider from  eXp Realty in Bellingham though!

This building is a preforming arts center and has many different types of entertainment through out the year. Many local schools have yearly field trips to the Mount Baker Theater to see different types of performances ranging from common plays to acrobatics. Also preforming here are singers and musical groups that many adults enjoy taking a trip to go see.

Herbie Hancock, a modern Jazz icon, is performing at the theater on the August 28th, 2010 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are on sale anywhere from $35-$75 on The Mount Baker Theater’s website: http://bit.ly/dj32Fk

Also playing at the Mount Baker Theater soon is Cash: The Living Tribute on September 10th, 2010 at 8:00 pm. Ticket are $24.  Buy your tickets online here: http://bit.ly/amKBtc

Also visit the Mount Baker Theater’s website for additional information about their upcoming events, ticket sales and group sales: http://bit.ly/bFAovJ

This beautiful remodeled two bedroom one bathroom home listed for just $22,000 is in a quiet senior park near Fairhaven and Bellingham, Washington in South End Mobile Estates. This neighborhood has an age restriction of 55 years and older making this a great retirement home. It has a  new roof and has been recently repainted. Inside are European Wide plank laminate floors, Mohawk premium carpet and ideal storage space, but also included is a 10 x 12 shed which provides extra storage space. The appliances are newer and all are included in the sale of this home. South End Mobile Estates also has a home owners clubhouse with TV’s, a pool table, and an exercise room.

This home is in a very convenient location close to walking trails, shopping areas, Lake Padden, Fairhaven and Bellingham, Washington.

If you would like to know more about this conveniently located retirement property go to: http://bit.ly/a50wav

144B Harbor View Dr. Bellingham, WA

Sunday August 22, 2010 from 2:00 pm – 4:oo pm

This beautiful home in Sudden Valley is for sale at a listing price of $218,000. It is a two bedroom 1.5 bathroom home in a secluded lightly wooded area. It has a large sun deck, vaulted ceilings, and a very spacious feel.

In addition to living in this beautiful area, Sudden Valley also has many recreational amenities for home owners. Club house amenities include: Golf course, swimming, tennis, lake access, a boat launch, walking and biking trails, and dog run areas.

Stop in for an open house on August 22, 2010 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm to view this home. It is move in ready!

For more information on this listing go to: http://bit.ly/bRXFAS

7788 Kendall Rd. Maple Falls, Washington 98266

I have shown homes and condos in Birch Bay, Washington many times over the past few months and it is apparent that the Birch Bay, Washington area is admired for many different reasons. Some like it as a vacation spot, some like the convenience of being so close to the Canadian border crossing, and some just like the small beach town feel to the area. There are many people who look for vacation homes here due to the liveliness of the area in the Summer months.

If you have any questions or are interested in seeing some of the properties that Birch Bay, Washington has to offer I’d be happy to help you as I have come to know and love this area myself.

JUST LISTED:
This beautifully maintained 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home with a new covered porch and deck area located on 4.88 acres, with a private gated entry. Included is a huge 40′ x 42′ shop equipped with 220 wiring and a loft area for additional storage. Adorably landscapes acreage is level, partially cleared and partially wooded giving this property a secluded yet open feel. New roof, porch, and interior paint. Convenient location and circular driveway makes the turn around for large vehicles very easy. If you are looking for a home with acreage and a large shop with a private setting give me a call to set up an appointment.

For more information please see: http://www.postlets.com/repb/4287600

The first and one of the most well known home improvement project is painting the rooms in your house. When painting, make sure that you choose neutral colors that will, in general, appeal to many people. Extravagant colors can sometimes take away from the space and the good features in a room if the buyer looking at your home is not fond of the color. Neutral colors are the safer choice.

How long has the flooring in your house been in your home? Another good home improvement project is replacing the flooring in your home. This can be fairly inexpensive and could make a good do-it-yourself project for the summer and wood floors are very attractive to many buyers as well.

Lighting can be a downfall in some older homes for some buyers. Therefore, updating outdated lighting fixtures can be both inexpensive and beneficial to potential buyers. You can often find light fixtures at home depot or another local hardware or light fixture supplier in your area.

If your kitchen has a lot of floor space and not enough counter space another Summer project could be building an island for your kitchen. If you don’t feel comfortable building your own it is not hard to find inexpensive islands to buy for your home as well.

Sometimes it is the small things that make the biggest differences. If you are worrying about spending too much on home improvements in today’s economy, keep in mind that there are inexpensive ways to make your home more appealing to buyers.

Larrabee Beach

Larrabee State Park, one of Northwest Washington’s many beautiful scenic sites, was named after Charles Xavier Larrabee whose family donated 20 acres of land to Washington State. Those 20 acres soon became Washington’s first state park in 1923. This beautiful area is a popular recreational stop and a place where many Northwest Washington families go for a day of fun.

Larrabee has two fresh-water lakes and many coves and tide lands that are fun to explore or just to walk by on a nice summer day. Larrabee also has many hiking trails and beautiful views of the  ocean that leave you breathless. Larrabee also has over two and a half thousand acres of camping area and over 8,000 feet of shoreline. Everything about the elegant scenery of this area is sure to have you coming back over and over again.

Explore The Tide Pools and Tide Lands

“Larrabee State Park.” www.parks.wa.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2010.
<http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Larrabee>

Bellingham

The festival has individual tickets, season tickets, and parking passes available for purchase on their website: http://www.bellinghamfestival.org/