“Locally-owned businesses are at the heart of the American economy,” the article says on the paper’s Web site. “They create jobs, boost local economies and add vibrancy to nearby communities — and that is particularly true in the 25 cities on our list. These metropolitan areas, which range from bustling New York City to towns in central Oregon, are hotbeds for small businesses and local entrepreneurs.”

They say that Bellingham: “is encouraging residents to chime in with their ideas for a revamped downtown using an online survey on the city’s Web site. The city will share its plans with residents early next year.”

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Fannie and Freddie combined have about 215,000 homes with more coming into foreclosure every day. This program could help get some of those homes lived in again and even help stabilize the housing market as there will not be so many distressed sales dragging down property values. Since rates are beginning to rise in many parts of the country this may help stabilize the rental market as well.

This program will probably take place in selected markets where there are large numbers of foreclosures. Reading between the lines I don’t think this will have much effect here in Bellingham.

The graph looks like we bounced up a bit from last month, but we’re still in a downward trend overall, and ended the year that way. I  think that what happens next year in the housing market will depend a lot on what happens in the economy in general, and even in the European economy as that will affect ours.

Stay tuned for 2012.

There is still a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Available through a program called the Mortgage Credit Certification. It is a Tax Credit paid on Mortgage interest.

Interest rates are at historic low’s and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house or condo.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Data are based on information provided by the NWMLS

If you don’t have a boat and are looking for a participatory event, there is the Superhero Lighted Bike Parade tonight. Come dressed as your favorite superhero and bike through down town Bellingham. Be sure to decorate your bike with lights and reflectors, riders will rendezvous at 6:30 pm at the Pacific Arts Festival grand opening (formerly TubeTime) next to Public Market on Cornwall Avenue

image courtesy of flicker.com by kevincole

The graph looks like we are at the lowest prices of the past 6 years.

What’s next. stay tuned.

There is still a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Available through a program called the Mortgage Credit Certification. It is a Tax Credit paid on Mortgage interest.

Interest rates are at historic low’s and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house or condo.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Data are based on information provided by the NWMLS

Looks like both the residential and condo markets are down from last year . The number of sales in the county is up for 18 homes for tesidential.  Stay tuned to see where we are heading.

The Wall Street Journal is predicting Bellingham’s Real Estate prices to rise by 4.9% this year and another 12.4% next year. Let’s take a look next month and see how close they were.

There is still a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Available through a program called the Mortgage Credit Certification. It is a Tax Credit paid on Mortgage interest.

Interest rates are at historical lows and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Data are based on information provided by the NWMLS

The following data is for Single Family Residential Homes:

New Listings: 8
Closed Sales: 7
Pending Sales: 14

• Average List Price: $196,229
• Average Sale Price: $190,380
• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 97.0%
• Average Days on Market: 75

Total active listings at the end of the week: 438

If you’d like any information or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

The following data is for Single Family Residential Homes:

New Listings: 13
Closed Sales: 7
Pending Sales: 24

• Average List Price: $217,112
• Average Sale Price: $209,450
• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 96.4%
• Average Days on Market: 78

Total active listings at the end of the week: 454

If you’d like any information or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

The following data is for Single Family Residential Homes:

New Listings: 15
Closed Sales: 17
Pending Sales: 16

• Average List Price: $257,035
• Average Sale Price: $248,537
• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 96.7%
• Average Days on Market: 168

Total active listings at the end of the week: 471

If you’d like any information or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

The good news is the number of home sales is up from same time last year but the sales prices are slightly down. The overall price is down about 20% since the highest peak of the market in 5 years ago, Oct 2006.

The average  condo prices are just about equal to last year interesting that median price are up almost 30%, number of sales is and days on market for condos are both down from last year.

There is still a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Available through a program called the Mortgage Credit Certification. It is a Tax Credit paid on Mortgage interest.

Interest rates are at historic low’s and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house or condo.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Real Estate feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Data are based on information provided by the NWMLS