Bellingham Real Estate and Bellingham Homes For Sale » Anacortes Buyers agent http://realestate.bellingham.net Bellingham Real Estate Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:58:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Teacher is the Student….. http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-teacher-is-the-student%e2%80%a6/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-teacher-is-the-student%e2%80%a6/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:21:45 +0000 Roberta Soares http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=5424 When I decided to become a Realtor 5 years ago, I was coming off of a long career in medical management (19 years) and wanted something less structured , more independent, was lucrative and would enable me to grow my own business.  The independence really enticed me.  In my 19 years of medical management I had trained a boatload of employees,  and had dealt with my fair share of corporate office psychology and politics.  I was ready to work on my own by myself, no staff, no more training,  no more setting up of policies and procedures.  In the real estate world I could work with a team, or not.
I chose to work with eXp Realty, a virtual brokerage, which enables me to work independently out of my home office without any interruptions or office distractions.  I am a truly disciplined person.  Although, to give a plug for this remarkable group, there is plenty of collaboration and meeting if you want it at our “office”, virtual office that is.
So when approached by our broker to mentor new agents, I said yes.  To be honest, really wasn’t sure what this would entail since I still felt like a newbie myself, still learning.  None the less, about 3-4 mos.  later, I was “assigned” a new agent to mentor.  New as in newly licensed,  first time working in real estate and never worked with clients.    Mentoring as I’m learning is one of the things I love about eXp Realty and it has nothing to do with financial gains.
I feel that we all learn best by doing . I could sit and talk my mentee’s ear off and tell her how to do this or that, but I know she will ultimately learn better by having hands on training.  So when I have a  showing or  listing appt. she is with me, shadowing and observing.  We have been previewing homes and practicing how to speak with clients. She is learning which questions to ask, how to see from a buyer’s perspective and from a seller’s perspective.  She is performing market analysis and how to refine it. She is learning about the lending process and loan programs.  Sending emails to all the online leads we get at realestate.bellingham.net , how to reply when she  receives a  response to her emails or if not, learning about our drip campaign mgmt. program.    So lo and behold she had her first request for showing on Sunday. YIPPPPEEE!!
Do you remember that feeling?  I do.  Exhilaration. Excitement. Purpose. This could lead to a sale. Oh my god, Anxiousness!  Can I do this? What do I do?  How do I do this?    No worries little grasshopper, I will be there with you.  First step is preparation.  So there she was on a Saturday night diligently doing analysis on the property she would be showing on Sunday, trying to gather as much info as she could , as best she could for a weekend night!  
When the time came to meet her clients ( they had agreed to meet at the property), we arrived early to preview it and know the layout and condition of the property.  Although she was not able to answer all of their questions and was glad to have me there with her to field some of these questions, she did GREAT!  She developed a rapport with her clients, #1.  She was there to assist in any way she could, #2.  She assured them to get the answers to their questions, #3.  And #4, Follow up and follow through.
Although this showing did not result in an instant sale, she was able to commit them to a 2nd showing in a week.  The prospective buyers were genuinely interested in this home and in hearing further information from their new agent.
After the showing and as we drove away, she said to me  â€œ I am so glad you were there because when they started to ask the questions they did, I had no idea how to answer them”.  This made me think back to when I first started in the business, realizing how little I knew but how far I had come and now here I was mentoring a new agent.    Real Estate in the past few years has been to say the least a roller coaster ride and at times it feels like we are still climbing one of the steep hills, but what I realize is that just as she is learning to see real estate through the eyes of her clients (buyers and sellers),  I have the opportunity to see real estate again from the fresh eyes of a new agent; her enthusiasm, her eagerness, her motivation, her passion.   Mentoring for me has created an even higher sense of standard, a sense of higher performance on my part that makes me want to be a better agent; a better and more knowledgeable agent for myself, for my clients and for my peers.
So it seems my career has come full circle and I’m teaching and training again and ……..learning anew.
If you are interested in learning more about how eXp Realty can benefit you as an agent or if you have any questions about Bellingham Homes for Sale, feel free to contact me directly at 360-303-3898 or via email at Roberta.soares@exprealty.com
]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-teacher-is-the-student%e2%80%a6/feed/ 1 FSBO or Realtor: What’s a Seller To Do! http://realestate.bellingham.net/fsbo-or-realtor-whats-a-seller-to-do/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/fsbo-or-realtor-whats-a-seller-to-do/#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:27:16 +0000 Roberta Soares http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=5399
Suffice it to say, this is one of the toughest markets to be in if you are a home seller.
A gluttonous inventory inundated with Short Sales and Foreclosure that are driving home values down, and a lack of buyers is prompting home sellers to choose self- representation rather than hiring a Realtor in an effort to maximize as much  profit as is possible in this highly competitive market. By  choosing “ For Sale by Owner” vs.  a Realtor’s representation,knowledge, and skill , sellers are ultimately setting themselves up to lose much more than just commission’s.   You could lose out on the sale itself.
Let’s imagine that you put your home on the market, yourself.  After a few of months of doing your own marketing, open houses  (keep in mind apprx. 85% of buyers are now shopping online) and very little exposure, you do get a buyer for your home and a cash buyer to boot who promises a closing within 15 days, enough time to do an inspection on your home.   Hopefully you are knowledgeable about writing up contracts and have prepared a clear cut contract complete with all the necessary  contingencies and protections.
So, inspection is done and the buyer agrees to move forward with the sale of your home.  Oh, and imagine also that you have found the home of your dreams since you now have a buyer for your home.  Great ! The proceeds from your home sale will help you purchase your dream home.  So moving along and 3 days prior to closing the deal on your home the buyer notifies you that they don’t have the funds and have at this point applied for a loan which will take at the least 4 weeks to close.  Yikes!  4 more weeks. And they’re just letting you know now. You now have the job of notifying the seller of your dream home that this sale will have to be postponed (extended) due to your buyer’s predicament.  But the seller of your dream home does not grant you the 4 week extension but instead will allow one week with non-refundable earnest money (they have a back up buyer) unless you can perform on this sale.  What would you do?
Imagine having to negotiate all this by yourself with no one to guide you, to counsel you, to be objective for you, to fight for you, to negotiate these offers on your behalf and with your best interest at heart.
Stop and think about  who you are allowing into your home.  How do you know this buyer is legitimate?  Have you screened them?  Do you know how to screen them?  These potential buyers that promise cash and a closing in a week, two at the max., any homeowner would get excited with this type of buyer knocking at the door. Common sense and reasoning are replaced with enthusiasm and eagerness and objectivity is lost.
Consider the many jobs a Realtor will do for you:
>First, Realtor’s can be objective about your home, no emotions involved.
Realtor’s, through years of experience, know how to talk to a buyer, know which questions to ask, know which answers are Red Flags.
>Realtor’s know how to weed out the serious buyer’s from the non-serious.
>Realtor’s are skilled in their markets and know what the values are in their communities and therefore will know what your home should sell for.
>Realtor’s are skilled in the art of negotiation and will work hard at getting the best offer and will strive to keep your deal from unravelling; we have a Fiduciary duty to our clients as well as your best interest at heart.
>Realtor’s know how to ride the wave of anxiety when your deal turns south or you hit a bump in the road.  It is a Realtor’s job to alleviate any worry, and help you think clearly and creatively.
>Realtor’s also will be able to get your home the exposure it needs in order to capture the right buyer.
>I consider my biggest job as a Realtor that of “hand holding”.  No one wants to go through something this major alone and that I believe is one of our most important jobs, Being There.
Consider the statistics.   In a 2006 study done by NAR only â€œ12% of home sellers chose to sell their home “ FSBO” style.  Of these 12%,   40% sold their home to someone they knew prior to the transaction.  This means that only 7% of these homes are actually open market FSBO transactions”
–Data from the 2006 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Your home is a major investment for you, these days on average a $200,00 to $300,000 investment if not more, at least here in Bellingham, WA.    You are willing to pay a Stock Broker or Financial Planner for guidance and investment services, yet willing to risk losing out on a sale or even a lawsuit over commission dollars.  To get the job done and done right, it “pays” to hire a licensed Real Estate professional.
And by the way, the scenario I painted above is a true story.  The woman chose to rescind her purchase offer rather than risk losing her earnest money.  The buyer for her home did not qualify after all and thus she lost out on the sale of her home.  She also was a skilled 20 year+ veteran in the Legal Field.  She eventually did entrust the services of selling her home to a licensed Realtor.

If you have questions regarding Bellingham Homes for Sale,  are a homeowner considering selling your home or a buyer in need of Buyer Representation, and want qualified and dedicated representation,  feel free to call me direct at 360-303-3898 or via email at roberta.soares@exprealty.com.
and remember, it”pays” to hire a Realtor!

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/fsbo-or-realtor-whats-a-seller-to-do/feed/ 1 10 Great Rainy Day Activities in Bellingham http://realestate.bellingham.net/10-great-rainy-day-activities-in-bellingham/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/10-great-rainy-day-activities-in-bellingham/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:43:53 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=3662

Thanks to happy reader Sonia for submitting the following question, which made it really easy to come up with today’s post!

“We’re looking at moving there in the next two years and are curious about  things to do during the REAL rainy season. We live in Florida and have visited the area around Bellingham in the Summer, Winter and Fall.”

I’m glad you asked, Sonia. It is no secret that it rains in Washington. Sometimes it rains a lot…for days and days. That is just the way it is.  And while to some that may seem like a downside to living here, it is, in my opinion, a perfectly reasonable trade-off when you consider the lack of poisonous bugs, snakes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes,  locust swarms and dragons, etc. so prevalent elsewhere in the country.  The reward is reaped in the Spring, Summer and Fall, when the mild temperatures and unparalleled beauty of the natural landscape make life in the Northwest feel like a well-earned privilege. Still, it is important to know how to cope with those dreary, cloudy days, and so I give you….

Top 10 Ways to Beat the Rain…

(and how they’ve become the roots of our economy)

#1 Drink Coffee: It should go without saying that Washington State is known as a place where people appreciate coffee. Given the potential for rain-induced lethargy, it is no wonder that large coffee companies like Starbucks, Tully’s, Seattle’s Best Coffee (now a Starbucks subsidiary) Woods Coffee and Tony’s (my personal favorites) are based here.

#2 Drink Beer: When coffee just won’t do it, bring on the cavalry. Washington is home to hundreds of breweries, ranging from small, regional brewpubs like Bellingham’s Chuckanut and Boundary Bay breweries, medium-sized operations like Elysian and Lazy Boy, to full-scale production heavies like Pyramid and Redhook. Those are just the tip of the iceberg- there are at least 71 functioning micro-breweries in Washington State. In fact, the nation’s very first micro was based in Washington… We love our beer here.

#3 Go Shopping: When the clouds and rain weigh heavy and dark….why not go hide inside a giant, well-lit building and spend some money! Along with numerous malls, Washington State is home-base to retail titans like Costco, Nordstrom and REI.

#4 Work on your computer: Washington is one of the most tech-centric places in the world. In addition to Microsoft’s colossal home campus in Redmond ( it has its own MLS area code), the region features headquarters of tech giants like Zillow, Amazon, RealNetworks, and Expedia.

#5 Go shopping on your computer: For efficiency’s sake, why not combine a #3 and #4…or all of the above, for that matter.

#6 Go to a game: With Seattle being the home of professional* sports teams like the Mariners, Seahawks and the Sounders, hardcore fans have learned to suck it up and cheer on their teams regardless of the weather. In the case of the Mariners, Safeco Field’s retractable roof prevents the rain from harming the dainty threads and manicured coifs of visiting Yankees fans… while Seahawks and Sounders loyalists at Quest Field are tougher than Postal workers, having learned to drink their way through any kind of weather, be it rain, sleet, or snow.

* I use that term loosely

#7 Make a record: Garages and basements are great for hiding from the weather. Just ask Jimi Hendrix…and whoever is left alive from local bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Modest Mouse, Death Cab For Cutie…etc.  The list goes on and on…Though Seattle’s music scene hasn’t been on the front page as much since the mid 90′s, there is still a strong and vibrant community of musicians throughout the region, boosted by local record companies like Sub-Pop and the World’s Greatest Radio Station, Seattle’s KEXP.

#8 Go diving: This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!”  If you’re gonna get wet, you might as well get REALLY wet. The Puget Sound area is known among the clinically insane as one of the best places to scuba dive in the world. There are dive shops everywhere…which is pretty much the extent of my knowledge…because I’m not a crazy person.

#9 Go to the gym: I find the rainy days to be great for getting a good work-out.  I don’t have a joke for this one…  It’s just a good, solid idea.

#10 Go somewhere else: When all else fails, it’s time to bail. The really rainy period (generally between February and January [sic]) is the time to consider an escape to some place warmer and drier. A little break is all it takes to clear your head and remember how much you love it here during the Spring and Summer. Is it any coincidence then that one of the World’s largest airplane manufacturers is based here?  I can just imagine the founders of Boeing sitting around drinking beer and coffee one fateful day saying,” You know what would be great? A vacation! But how are we gonna get there…?”

Special bonus answer: Write a blog! It happens to be raining today. So I am wrting this article at Woods Coffee in downtown Bellingham…So, obviously, I am doing numbers 1 and 4, and I have every intention of transitioning into  #2, possibly after #9. Let it never be said that I fail to practice what I preach!

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!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

Originally published at www.TheRealEstateNovelist.com

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

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/10-great-rainy-day-activities-in-bellingham/feed/ 2 The Winding Wonder of Chuckanut Drive http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-winding-wonder-of-chuckanut-drive/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-winding-wonder-of-chuckanut-drive/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:20:09 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=3363 Chuckanut Drive is, hands down, my favorite place to drive in the World. Admittedly, I haven’t had the chance to take the James Bond chase-scene route into Monte Carlo, but I’m pretty sure it would only be a close second.

Chuckanut Drive’s winding roadway hugs the hills between Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood South to the wide valley North of Mt. Vernon.  Regardless of the weather, the 30+ minute drive shows off the absolute best of Northwest Washington’s geographical character, including  incomparable views of Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and a peak at Mt. Baker at the Southern end.

Of course, words fail to capture the wondrous majesty of this truly unique highway. So, I took some pictures.  This past week, in spite of the fact that the Winter Olympics have been happening right up the road, has been unbelievably beautiful. With clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 60′s, conditions were set to get some truly fabulous pictures.

Click on the thumbnails below to see full-size pictures. You can also click here to see the complete collection of pictures I took.

The pictures are in order from South to North, between Mt. Vernon and Bellingham.

Thanks for reading!

For more information on Chuckanut Drive or Chuckanut Drive real estate, 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!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

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

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/the-winding-wonder-of-chuckanut-drive/feed/ 1 A View to Remember on Chuckanut Shore http://realestate.bellingham.net/a-view-with-a-room-on-chuckanut-shore/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/a-view-with-a-room-on-chuckanut-shore/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:09:15 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=3267 bellingham waterfront home

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.

UPDATE: As of November, 2010, this listing has expired, meaning it is no longer being actively marketed. However, arrangements can be made for serious buyers to have a look. Call me, Rob LeRoy, at 206.883.6668 for details.

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.

View Larger Map

Priced at $1,395,000, 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, 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!

Originally published at www.TheRealEstateNovelist.com

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/a-view-with-a-room-on-chuckanut-shore/feed/ 0 It Feels Like Spring in Fairhaven… http://realestate.bellingham.net/it-feels-like-spring-in-fairhaven/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/it-feels-like-spring-in-fairhaven/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:09:59 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=3237 

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 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!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

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

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/it-feels-like-spring-in-fairhaven/feed/ 0 Home-Staging Consultations FREE with New Listings! http://realestate.bellingham.net/home-staging-consultations-with-new-listings/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/home-staging-consultations-with-new-listings/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:58:59 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=3212 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.

Click the thumbnails below for some before-and-after staging shots

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.
]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/home-staging-consultations-with-new-listings/feed/ 1 Rob LeRoy’s Happy Client Stories http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-happy-client-stories/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-happy-client-stories/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:06:05 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=1716 Here are some of the nice things my past clients have had to say about working with me.

“You are heads above any of the other realtors we have worked with!” – Shelley T., Bellingham, WA

“As soon as I requested info on real estate in the Bellingham area, you were the first to respond.  Then you asked the right questions to learn what we wanted and sent me not only relevant listings, but also information about the area and other activities that helped convince us NW Washington was where we wanted to live. So when we arrived for our area tour, we were already pretty sure we wanted to live here.

Of course our wish list evolved as we actually toured the area and homes, and certainly your candid assessment of the different areas helped us more quickly focus on the areas that were right for us.   We saw a lot of homes, and you helped us screen well over a hundred before eventually buying one in an area you led us to.  The search was intense for several days, and we appreciated your energy, positive attitude, and daily research to help us reach our goal.

It was a pleasure to work with you!”  - Carl L. Anacortes, WA

“Rob was the only variable of our last home purchase that could be described as smooth. The current market conditions make hitting deadlines nearly impossible and Rob was there to keep all parties calm and working together to reach a common goal. His communication skills, outgoing personality and ability to bond with people of all personality types are sure to place him a step above his peers. Rob is an asset to any real estate transaction and if you are looking for someone enjoyable to work with that you can trust then you will truly enjoy working with him to buy the home of your dreams; I know I did.” - Vanessa C.  Bellingham, WA

“Rob made our home buying experience so easy. Buying a home sight unseen could have turned out very badly. However, he understood our needs and desires and was able to help us find the perfect home for us from across the country.” - Matt and Allison E., Bellingham, WA

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

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-happy-client-stories/feed/ 2 Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Bellingham, Part 8: Wall Art http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-guide-to-bellingham-part-8-wall-art/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-guide-to-bellingham-part-8-wall-art/#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:06:34 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=2939 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

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

]]> http://realestate.bellingham.net/rob-leroys-guide-to-bellingham-part-8-wall-art/feed/ 1 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Your Special Someone http://realestate.bellingham.net/last-minute-gift-ideas-for-your-special-someone/ http://realestate.bellingham.net/last-minute-gift-ideas-for-your-special-someone/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:35:53 +0000 Rob LeRoy http://realestate.bellingham.net/?p=2751 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:

gift house framed

  • 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…

Rockwell christmas

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

santa hat profile

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

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