Fairhaven

A View with a Room on Chuckanut Shore

South of Bellingham, down the hill from the beautiful Chuckanut Drive, lies a small, cozy community of about two to three dozen homes perched on the cliffs above Bellingham Bay, overlooking the San Juans and the tiny Dot Island.  The setting is reminiscent of the cliffs of Malibu, California, mixed with the forest greens and cobalt blues of the Pacific Northwest.

Resting quietly at the center of this little community is a wonderfully updated 1960’s-era Cape Cod-style home with a commanding 180-degree SW facing view of the islands and the bay, with 103 feet of saltwater-frontage, complete with private dock.

The home itself contrasts perfectly with the breathtaking views by offering a refreshingly warm, intimate atmosphere, especially given it’s nearly 3200 square feet.  The main floor is comprised of a study, two living areas (one at each end) and dining area, surrounding a central kitchen.  A patio extends along the length of the house looking over the water. The layout is such that just about every room has a view of the islands.  There are a total of four bedrooms and three bathrooms.  Having received a face-lift in 2000, the home features Scandinavian-inspired character, with bright, vibrant colors, excellent natural light, and the best in modern appliances.  The decor is tasteful and inviting, carefully arranged by a loving owner with a true eye for design. Given the evident symmetry of home and decor, the owner’s are willing to include much of it with a sale.

Click on the pictures below for full-sized versions. Click here for a Virtual Tour.

Externally, this home and neighborhood have a lot to offer. In addition to the home’s 103 feet of private waterfront, there is a community boat launch nearby, as well as a  private beach available to owners.  The home itself has a private dock. The water is not deep for large vessels, though there is plenty of room for deep-water moorage out in the bay, with access by dinghy.  There is also a two-car garage, with guest parking available across the street.

Priced at $1,595,000, this home is a real treasure.  It is quiet, private, and unquestionably special, perfect for anyone looking to live in understated luxury while enjoying the peaceful serenity offered by one of the most incredible natural settings in the World.

Owner financing is available at competitive rates to qualified buyers.

For more information on this luxury Bellingham home, please e-mail Rob LeRoy at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me directly at 206.883.6668.

Please visit my website, www.TheRealEsateNovelist.com

It Feels Like Spring in Fairhaven…



I love Fairhaven. It is such a cool place… The classic brick architecture, boutique pubs and restaurants, open community space, and of course the beautiful setting overlooking Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.  I’ve lived just about everywhere in the Northwestern U.S., from San Francisco to Boise to Seattle, and I have to say that Fairhaven is in the top 5 neighborhoods in any of those cities.

Today, February 6th, 2010, was an absolutely gorgeous 65 degrees.  I seized the opportunity to get some pictures of some of Fairhaven’s most unique buildings and locations.  Click on the thumbnails for full-sized pictures. Click here for the full gallery of the 89 shots I took on this amazing day.  For those of you out there who still think the Northwest is all rain and no shine..let me I offer you a very different perspective.

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about Bellingham, WA or real estate, in general, please feel free to email Rob LeRoy directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

Originally published on my website, www.TheRealEstateNovelist.com

Home-Staging Consultations FREE with New Listings!

If you are thinking about selling your house this year, you might want to get ready sooner, rather than later. With the impending expiration of the First-Time-Buyer tax credit, many experts in the industry are nervous about the potential market adjustment to follow. Given that first-time buyers accounted for an astounding 47% of all home sales last year, it stands to reason that there is the risk of a slump in sales following the expiration of the tax credit.  At the very least, it looks clear that there are a whole lot of would-be buyers running around scooping up whatever they can find while there’s still time. With the expiration of the tax credit set for June 1st, time is of the essence, and I’m here to help.

How About  a Free Home Staging consultation?

From now until April 30th, I will be teaming up with Bellingham Home Staging to provide complimentary home staging consultations on all new listings.  The fabulous Kimberly Lee of Bellingham Home Staging will give your home the makeover it needs to sell quickly for a great price.  So yes, you will have to lose the fuzzy tapestry of dogs playing poker ( I really miss mine from college…), and she’ll probably make you hide any self-portraits from past vacations (sorry, but buyers don’t need to see you in a thong…), but it will be worth it. Don’t worry, we won’t mock you for having bad taste (at least I won’t)…it’s not your fault. Some people just have a gift for design…just like some people have a gift for writing humorous real estate articles…ahem… I should clarify that Kimberly will be telling you what to do…not me. I’m too nice to tell you that you have bad taste. I will, however, bring donuts. What is Home Staging?

“Home staging is a proven advertising method in real estate, interior design, and retail that uses principles in design, psychology, and marketing to make a house more attractive to the emotions of a purchaser. As Consumers, we see this every day when we look at our favorite issues of Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, shop at Ikea, or look through a Crate and Barrel Catalog. Items are placed, arranged, and organized to make the consumer want or need them. Everything is neat, orderly, and neutralized to attract a wide range of buyers who have differing styles and tastes. Ultimately, we want buyers to see and feel themselves living in your house. “ – Kimberly Lee.

If you have us list your home, you will get much more than this fantastic staging consultation. You’ll also get a custom blog article to accompany the MLS listing. I’ll write and in-depth portrait of your home that goes well beyond the limitations of the MLS, print media, and other traditional marketing avenues. You’ll see your home prominently featured on this website (with 7,000 monthly visitors!), as well as several similar sites to maximize exposure across the entire internet*. We’ll also broadcast the details by email to our database of thousands of website subscribers. For examples of my previous listing articles, click here, here and here. The combined force of our staging and unbeatable online marketing strategy will give your home the exposure it needs to sell for the best possible price in the shortest amount of time.

*87% of home buyers use the internet to look for homes, and 85% use buyers agents, who of course search online, as well.

For more information on Bellingham Home Staging, click here or join the Facebook fanpage here!

For more information on the benefits of home staging, in general, click here.

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions or want to schedule a listing consultation, please feel free to email Rob LeRoy directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

Be sure to check out my other website, TheRealEstateNovelist.com!

Lummi Island Ferry’s Test Run to Fairhaven

Whatcom County officials have scheduled a test docking of the Whatcom Chief in Fairhaven for Tuesday, Jan. 26.

The reason for this unusual test is that the Lummi Island ferry dock lease with Lummi Nation expires Feb. 14. Negotiations are in progress, but the county wants to be prepared if no deal is reached. The county needs to make sure they have a backup plan in place for getting people and vehicles on and off the island.

Port of Bellingham and County engineers have been studying the feasibility of docking the ferry at the port’s Bellingham Cruise Terminal, where presently an Alaska state ferry docks every Friday.

The run to Fairhaven would be 50 minutes compared to the 10 minute trip to the present site. There are also issues about getting children to school who go to Ferndale schools.

A new group of island residents has formed called Protect Lummi Island Community, they would prefer to see efforts focus on a long-term agreement with the Lummi’s to keep the ferry dock at it’s present location.

Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Bellingham, Part 8: Wall Art

The City of Bellingham is well known for encouraging and cultivating a vibrant artistic community. Venues like the Mount Baker Theater and Western Washington University host world-class speakers and performers, while small galleries, bars and restaurants display works from the many talented local artists.  However, some of the best works are actually to be found outside, adorning the walls of some of Bellingham’s most beautiful historic buildings. The walls of the city are host to a unique and varied collection of impressive, sometimes eccentric murals, some of which date back to the 19th century.  The wall art tradition in Bellingham is beloved and ongoing, with older classics carefully protected, and new works anticipated and encouraged.

Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-size versions. Click here for more full-size pictures from my gallery.

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Classy Pubs, Part 7: Hotels

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about Bellingham, WA or real estate, in general, please feel free to email Rob LeRoy directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

Bellingham and Whatcom County Golf Courses

Whatcom County has some of the best public and private golf courses in Western Washington. Many of the courses have earned praise from major golf magazines and travel publications and have hosted many pro and amateur tournaments. Western Washington’s temperate climate offers year-round play, just be prepared for any kind of weather. Many of the courses provide stunning views of Mount Baker or the San Juan Islands.

Here is a comprehensive list of the Golf Courses throughout the county, starting in and around Bellingham.

Lake Padden Golf Course has been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best municipal courses in the state. It is a beautiful 18 hole golf course that has been created in a second growth forest on the south end of Bellingham off Samish Way. The Lake Padden Golf Course is a public course that is owned by the City of Bellingham. It offers 18 holes with a driving range and putting green.

The Bellingham Golf and Country Club is a private golf course conveniently located in the heart of the city  at the north end of Bellingham off Meridian St. A creek flows through the course, and water hazards come into play on seven holes.  The Bellingham Golf and Country Club offers 18 holes and has a driving range.

The North Bellingham Golf Course is a public golf course located off the Smith Road in the Guide Meridian area of Bellingham. The North Bellingham Golf Course has flowering meadows and gently rolling fairways and panoramic views of Mt. Baker.  The North Bellingham Golf Course offers 18 holes and a driving range.

The Shuksan Golf Club is a public golf course named after one of the Cascade peaks in the near distance, Mt. Shuksan. It is in a rural setting split by Ten Mile Creek, which meanders through the fairways with alarming regularity. The course varies over 100 feet in elevation with terrain ranging from steep ridges to gentle meadows. The Shuksan Golf Club won Golf Digest’s 2008 & 2009 “Places to Play” Four Star Award. It offers 18 holes with a driving range and putting green. It is located near Lynden.

The Sudden Valley Golf and Country Club is a public golf course located along the shores of Lake Whatcom. The front nine is relatively open and flat and  borders the lake, the back nine follows a ridge uphill with narrow evergreen-fringed fairways and smaller greens that have more character. The course has water hazards on fourteen of the eighteen holes and some forty-seven bunkers sprinkled throughout the course. The Sudden Valley Golf and Country Club has a driving range and putting green.

The Hitting Zone is Bellingham’s premier golf driving range.  It  is located in the heart of Barkley Village and has quality facilities and professional service.

Pro Golf Center Golf Course Guide Meridian Rd. This “pitch and putt” course has some trees that can alter your shots, but no other hazards. This is an excellent course for junior and senior golfers. Additionally, this is a good course to work on your short game.

Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club was rated Washington’s #3 public course by Golf Digest in 2005, for its immaculately manicured fairways and stunningly contoured greens. It is a tree lined course surrounded by some spectacular homes in the Semiahmoo community. The course was designed by Arnold Palmer

Loomis Trail Golf Club was rated Washington’s #1 public course by Golf Digest in 2005 for its consistently smooth, fast greens, with water coming into play on every hole. It is  the only course in Washington state to make the nation’s Top 100. It is also surrounded by some spectacular homes.

New World Golf Par 3 Golf Course and Driving Range. Golf does not need to be expensive or time consuming. You can complete 9 holes in 40 minutes. This is a great way to practice your short game or learn to play golf. They have a covered driving range to keep you out of the weather so you can practice all year round.

Raspberry Ridge Golf Course. This 9-hole, par 34 course was built on the area’s natural topography, giving it superior drainage and the ability to stay open in the rainy winter months. There are open fairways, well-bunkered greens, and some fun challenges as well as spectacular views of Mount Baker. Good for all skill levels in all seasons.

Sandy Point Golf Course.  This is a private, residential golf facility that does not have a pro shop.

Wayne Olsen Riverside Golf Course.  This nine-hole course has fairways that are undulating and the greens are medium in size and speed. Water hazards come into play on five holes.

Homestead Farms Golf Course winds its way through an area that  was once fertile dairy farm land. It has been transformed to one of the real surprises of Northwest Washington golf. This is a true resort course, with wide landing areas and multiple tees for the recreational golfer – plus the length, doglegs and hidden hazards to challenge players with some game.

Grandview Golf Course is a 6,100-yard course that features water hazards on nearly every hole. It offers easy walking with a challenging layout for both beginning and experienced golfers.

Birch Bay Village Golf Course. This well-maintained course has some greenside sand bunkers and lakes coming into play on several holes. The terrain is hilly, and there is a standard cut of rough bordering the fairways. Additionally, the fairways are lined with pine trees, so shot accuracy is at a premium.

Birch Bay Golf Club. This course has small greens and water hazards coming into play on nine holes.

Sea Links Golf Course is a public course, located on beautiful Birch Bay with 400 feet of waterfront and scenic views of the Gulf Islands and the beautiful Mt Baker and the Cascade Mountains.

Evergreen Golf Course in Everson.This executive 9 hole course, built on flat terrain, is easy to walk. The greens are small, and the fairways are narrow. There are no sand bunkers, but there are water hazards coming into play on several holes.

Dakota Creek Golf Course was once a working farm, there is still an old farmhouse and barn on the site. It is laid out in the gently rolling hills of north Whatcom County and offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley and San Juan Islands.  It is a unique with each hole representing its own challenge with lots of natural ponds and wetlands.

Peaceful Valley Country Club in Kendall
This peaceful course is owned by the home owners of the city. The fairways are wide, and the greens are medium in speed and size.

A course often left out of Whatcom County lists is The Point Roberts Golf & Country Club. It is a bit of a challenge getting there requiring 2 border crossing each way due to it’s unique location, so remember to bring your passport. It has been it ranked 6th in the entire United States for unique golf courses, and has recently been added to the Golf Digest Best Places To Play list for 2008/2009.

You can reach me any time at 369-739-6981 or email me at: michael.eisenberg@exprealty.com

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Your Special Someone

Looking for a last minute gift for your special someone?  Still struggling to figure out what to get for the person who has everything ? I’m here to help!  Believe me, I know how hard it is to find the perfect gift. Fortunately, I am a master of creativity. In my capacity as Realtor Extraordinaire, I am commonly asked for assistance with some of life’s biggest decisions. Here are some thoughts for great gift ideas:

• How about a nice remodeled craftsman bungalow?
• Or maybe a water-view condo with easy beach access?
• Perhaps that Lake Whatcom waterfront estate with a dock for your boat?
• Maybe a Fairhaven fixer project?
• Maybe a nice little cottage on the water in Birch Bay?

Just imagine the surprised and happy looks you’ll get when they tear the wrapping off of that huge box under the tree on Christmas morning! Just be careful when you try to explain the inherent paradox of Santa coming down the chimney of your house while carrying another house in his sack…it might get a little messy with the kids. Go ahead and dumb it down for them, if you like…

There is still time left to shop! Operators and lightning-fast escrow officers are standing by:

*first 5 callers will receive a free 100 yard spool of giant ribbon! (green, red, or sparkly silver)

Happy Holidays from Rob LeRoy and eXp Realty!  You can reach me any time at 206.883.6668 or by e-mail at rob.leroy@exprealty.com

Fairhaven Library Ready to Re-open After Renovation

The 105 year old Fairhaven Branch of the Bellingham Public Library is  ready to serve the public for another 100-plus years. Saturday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. there will be a re-opening celebration with tours and refreshments organized by The Friends of the Library.

The library has gone through a renovation project that has taken seven months, it has gotten an exterior face lift with new stucco, new windows and other improvements including a complete rebuild of the entire stone entrance staircase, a comprehensive flashing system, with new gutters and downspout.  The Fireplace Room on the lower level received a major structural lift when rusted metal poles were replaced with a new beam system and the grounds around the library were re-graded to direct water away from the building, as well as landscaping being rearranged to provide better air circulation to the sandstone foundation.

The Fairhaven Branch will open to new operating hours: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday.

The Library staff want to remind everyone that most of the changes that occurred affected the exterior of the library – this was not the complete renovation originally proposed over a year ago. The building still requires some TLC to bring it back to its original glory, and some major structural improvements to address seismic issues, but those improvements will have to wait for a better economy.

Thanks for reading, feel free to leave any comments below. For more information about Michael Eisenberg read my bio.

Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Bellingham, Part 7: Hotels

For part 7 of my Guide to Bellingham, I would like to take a break from talking about the myriad ways with which to fill your days, and instead tell you about where to spend your nights, at least until you’ve purchased a home of your own. Like most American cities, especially those with major Interstate highways bisecting them, Bellingham has all sorts of overnight lodging options.  We’ve got everything from four and five-star luxury hotels with water views and swanky wine bars, to flea-ridden, boarded-up shanties with hourly rates.  It is upon the former that I will dwell here, though there are certainly some entertaining stories to tell about the latter. Not from personal experience, necessarily…but I know people…friends of my brother’s college roommate, as it were. Just kidding. I don’t even have a brother….

The Best Western Lakeway Inn: Situated right in the middle of town, just off of I-5, the Lakeway Inn is not your average Best Western. They’ve got a high quality restaurant, conference space, a nice indoor pool, and a great bar (Poppe’s ) with live jazz and one of the best Happy Hours in town.  It is about a 10-15 minute walk to downtown and has easy access to everything.  They also happen to offer special rates to clients of mine who are in town to look for homes… 714 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 (360)671-1011

The Fairhaven Village Inn: Nestled in the heart of the Old Fairhaven historic district, the Fairhaven Village Inn is a cozy (22 rooms) and inviting slice of Bellingham history.  The Inn is across the street from the Fairhaven Village Green Park, which features a farmer’s market, outdoor movies, and several shops and restaurants nearby.  You won’t have to bother with a car here, as everything you’ll need is within easy walking distance. Dozens of unique and boutique little restaurants, shops and walking paths are right outside the door. If you do feel like a drive, downtown Bellingham is just 5-minutes to the north, as is Western Washington University, with the fabled Chuckanut Drive beginning it’s long and winding road just a few short miles to the south. 1200 10th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-1311

The Chrysalis Inn and Spa: If you want luxury and unparalleled pampering, try the Chrysalis Inn, also in Fairhaven.  Overlooking Bellingham Bay, the Chrysalis features the very finest of everything. The restaurant and wine bar, Fino, is fantastic, and the views are breathtaking, looking west over the Fairhaven boardwalk, Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.  And then there’s the spa….Spending a day here will add years to your life, leaving you feeling younger and more vibrant than ever, like a real-life Benjamin Button… a character whose movie, ironically, took away what felt like years of my life…(Awwww…I kid David Fincher. It was pretty good…but 2 1/2 hours? Really? I finished college in less time than that!) 804 10th Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 756-1005

The Hotel Bellwether: Well, you can tell right off the bat that this place is pretty swanky…the name just sounds fancy.  Anytime you say the word “hotel” before the actual name, you know it’s gonna be nice…and expensive. the Hotel Bellwether is both. Situated on Bellingham Bay (almost literally) the Bellwether is a classic luxury hotel in every way.  With grand rooms, an outstanding restaurant,  the popular Harborside Bistro (whose talented young chef happens to be a close friend) and a location that defines the word “exceptional”, the Hotel Bellwether is the kind of place you’ll want to include in your boring family slide-shows for years to come. Stay there for the weekend…remember it for a lifetime.  One Bellwether Way, Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 392-3100

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Classy Pubs

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about Bellingham, WA or real estate, in general, please feel free to email me directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

This post simultaneously published by Rob LeRoy at theRealEstateNovelist.com

Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Bellingham, Part 6: Classy Pubs

The Bellingham bar scene has much to offer. There are great dive bars if you like to play pool, and great places to go see live music, but sometimes you just want a place to chill out and meet some people, or lay your weary head on a nice, wooden bar. That’s when you need a good pub, or maybe a swanky cocktail lounge. When it’s time to raise a glass with old friends, or get to know some new ones, nothing beats a good pub.  Whether your personal poison of preference be beer, wine or spirits, it is a comfort to us all to know a warm, inviting place to find it.  My palate tends to lean in the direction of beer, light or dark, domestic or imported, though I do have a special place in my liver heart for Canadian whiskey, the great gift of our neighbors to the North.  Years of exuberant experience have left me with a pretty good handle on the particulars of Bellingham’s many offerings. These are my favorites…in no particular order.

Uisce: OK, this one is my favorite, so I guess there is some particular order…  Uisce (pronounced “ISH-kuh,”, the Irish word for “whiskey”) is a glorious Irish pub in downtown Bellingham. Opened just a few years ago by native Bellinghamster Molly McGarry and her Irish-native husband, David, Uisce is a classic Irish pub, repleat with hardwood floors, a fire place, church pew benches, and a wide range of Irish and English beers on tap, not to mention a solid collection of The Pogues on the jukebox.  Lots of whiskey, too, of course…and darts. 1319 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 738-7939

The Copper Hog: Another newbie to downtown Bellingham, The Copper Hog is a European-style gastro pub with a rotating selection of 15+ beers from around the world, as well as a full bar.  Their menu is varied and enticing, and the atmosphere is cool, dim and classy, without being pretentious. They offer darts and free wi-fi, as well as limited outdoor seating in the warmer months.  The building The copper Hog occupies is about 100 years old, as evidenced by the beautiful woodwork and the rather creepy 19th Century asylum-esque bathrooms.  I mean “creepy” in the nicest possible way… 1327 N State St. Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 927-7888

Nimbus: Though known more for its innovative gourmet food menu, Nimbus is unique in that it sits atop the tallest building in downtown Bellingham, the Bellingham Tower.  From 14 stories above the city (ok…big small-town), the views from Nimbus are unparalleled.  With windows on three sides, the views make Nimbus is a great place for before, during, or after dinner cocktails, especially if you’re on a date… The custom blown-glass tap handles on the rotating beer selection add a cool, artsy touch to an altogether classy atmosphere.  The garlic French fries pair quite nicely with the Smithwick’s draught, I must say…  119 N Commercial St # 1500 Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 676-1307

The Archer Ale house: Epitomizing Old Fairhaven’s English atmosphere, Archer’s feels the way Cheers would feel, if Cheers were in some quaint little English village. Nestled underground beneath some of Fairhaven’s most popular boutiques, Archer’s is warm and cozy, with a good selection of European beers on tap, and a much larger selection of imported bottled beers.  Though the food is known to be a little hit-or-miss, the place is like none other in Bellingham.  The underground setting creates a genial, lively vibe that always feels inviting. They might not know your name, but everybody is in good spirits. 1212 10th St Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 647-7002

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Classy Pubs

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. I appreciate your feedback! If you have any questions about Bellingham, Seattle, or real estate in general, please feel free to email Rob LeRoy directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

This post simultaneously published by Rob LeRoy at theRealEstateNovelist.com

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