The annual Holiday Port Festival - Friday, Dec. 3 -5

Continuing the Holiday Spirit in Fairhaven, this weekend the action will be at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The annual Holiday Port Festival will have performances by local choirs, bands and dance groups. There are lots of free family activities, including horse drawn wagon rides, children’s art activities, complimentary gingerbread cookies and cider to name a few! Santa Claus will around.

The Gingerbread House Contest

Gingerbread Homes are open for public viewing all 3 days of the Festival. There are 9 categories each awarded a 1st prize as well as a people’s choice award.

One of the many great aspects of Bellingham are the assortment of trails that one can hike.  My favorite is in Fairhaven. This is the Interurban Trail that will take you all the way to Arroyo Park(1.8 miles) and Larrabee State Park(6.6 miles).
I usually catch it at 10th and Donovan and make my way westerly down to the edge of Bellingham Bay. This path is a level cleared path, landscaped with dense brush and foliage and old trees. Along this path, Padden Creek passes through on its way to the Bay, hydrating all the vegetation.   I love the quietness of this path.  Except for the distant horn of the train, you can hear the leaves fall, the dewdrops as they hit the ground, the pitter patter of squirrels and rabbits.  Peaceful and serene.

Along the way you hit the off leash dog park, it is set down in a large bowl well protected from the streets and elements.   Usually I’ll have my Jezebelle with me and will have to sit a good while to watch her romp and play.  One can’t help but stop and watch the interaction between the pups. I’m convinced this is therapy.

Go a  little bit further and you reach the Heron Nesting Colony. From February through
summer, the colony will be alive with the Heron and their young nesting, breeding and teaching their young.

At the west end is Marine park and the Bay with its views of Lummi Island.  On this particular morning it is beautifully fogged in.

This is how I start my day each and every day.  With views like this, with sounds of nature, with the play of my dog and others.  I never tire of this route, or for that matter any of the trails around Bellingham.  They change every day, with every step.  There is always a new color to see,  a new sound or scent, a new experience.  Like I said,  I start each and every day with a hike and so tomorrow will bring a new day and a new trail.         Happy Hiking!

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Founded in 1883 by Dan Harris, aka ” Dirty Dan Harris” ( a nickname given to him due to his poor hygiene or lack of it), Fairhaven was originally  planned as the big import city of the upper West Coast, but lost this title to Seattle.  After a exodus of the towns people and laborers, the city revamped itself and became the charming town that it is today. Fairhaven still has many historic buildings and homes that were built in the late 1800′s.

It is also home to Bellingham’s Train Station, one of the best ways to travel to Vancouver or Seattle for a days visit.  I have rode the train to Seattle and what a fun day and trip it was.    You can also catch the Ferry to the San Juan Islands , Victoria or Alaska from the Bellingham Ferry Terminal.

Oh and don’t forget that ” It all ends in Fairhaven”.  Every Memorial Day Weekend, the annual Ski to Sea race is held and it does end in Fairhaven at the Fairhaven Festival.  A festival that overtakes the town with the race winners being awarded, food and craft vendors and much fun to be had.
As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous styles of homes from 2 Bedroom to 5 for the families out there or for those that love the older architecture or condos for those of you that are retiring and don’t want the responsibilities of a home. Prices in Fairhaven vary from Single Family Residence average selling price of $330,000 to  Condos average sale price at $580,200.

If you are looking to relocate to the Bellingham area you must visit Fairhaven.   Close to the university and in the Sehome School District, and Sehome High which was recently voted by Newsweek as one of the top High Schools in the nation, you can see that Fairhaven has so much to offer.

If you would like more information on Fairhaven or Bellingham Homes for Sale feel free to contact me at 360-303-3898 or email me at roberta.soares@exprealty.com.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your real estate goals.

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

With south bellingham being one of the more desired places to live, it’s good to see what’s moving and why.

As you can see only 10 homes sold in this area, the average price was $329,634 and the average days on market was 34.  With this being a larger area on the map, it’s no surprise the  large range in prices from $75,000-$688,000.  Views, property sizes and locations are all affecting this variation. In looking at the numbers, the common price brackets that sold were between 200,000-249,999 as well as 350-399,999. You’ll also notice 9 Pendings all ranging from $70,000-849,000. South Bellingham is one of the more desired areas in Bellingham with views of the bay, 19th century style architecture and the home of great boutiques and shops.

Tonight is the opening night for the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema at the Village Green in the Historic Fairhaven District of Bellingham. The show starts at 8:30 with Music by Marion Weston, the the first movie of the season is “Whip It”, a movie directed by Drew Barrymore about roller derby and a teenage girl.  It is rated PG-13 and is a great family movie to start off the season.

Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema will run for 10 weeks this summer. Bring a blanket or some folding chairs and meet your friends at the Village Green for outdoor movies on Saturday nights!

This weekend is also the time for the 8th annual “Imagine This! Home & Landscape Tour” June 26-27 throughout Whatcom County sponsored by Sustainable Connections.

Take a tour of  one of Fairhaven’s most popular neighborhoods, close to Marine Park and the Bellingham Cruise terminal.

It’s a neighborhood of mostly older craftsman style homes with lots of character, with a sprinkling of condos as well as some newer homes and additions. It’s a nice short distance into the Historic District and also close to the dog park. Great for bicycles and close to the bay for kayakers.  A quiet neighborhood with no major thoroughfare, and limited access through only a few streets. It’s no wonder it’s such a popular neighborhood ’s.

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There are a few homes for sale in the neighborhood. I have one at 614 Donovan  Ave.

If you’d like to find a home in Fairhaven or any other neighborhood in Bellingham feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

This is the 18th year for the Solstice art walk!

*The official name is just “Community Boating Center”…

Beginning as a small shop in the mid-70′s, the Boating Center became a non-profit organization in 2007, and is now headed by executive director Mike Callaizakis. Their primary mission is to promote education and safety, featuring programs in cold water safety, environmental awareness, and beginner-to-intermediate courses in kayaking, rowing and sailing.  According to Callaizakis, “it’s all about getting people on the water and creating access…” Proceeds are allocated to at-risk youth programs and community projects, such as the planned construction of a new dock nearby.

Among the center’s many classes, the most popular are the kayak series, sailing series and the sculling camp. Click here for a full list of their 2010 classes.

In addition to educational programs, the center offers guided tours, rentals and storage. There are some very affordable rental packages, including an unbelievable $125 season pass for unlimited kayak rentals, $250 for the whole family!  They’re open from 9am-8pm (last boat at 7pm) Wednesday-Sunday, May 1st -October 31st
555 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98227 360.714.8891 info@sailpaddlerow.com

Special thanks to my Dad for his editorial assistance with this article. Luckily for me, he went to a private school and has a much firmer grasp of the language than I…

Thanks for reading! Please leave comments or suggestions below, e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent!

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Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.