Living The Bellingham Life!

A Day in Sumas Wa!

The Bellingham Life! — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:09:00 GMT

Sumas is one of those darling Small Towns, USA! Located in Whatcom County, WA it is an ideal place to live for those who go back and forth between the US and Canada or those that love the American Small Town feel, open farmland and picturesque Sumas River and Sumas Mountain.

With a population of about 1000 people and located on the Canadian/US border it is both sleepy and full of life. The locals are friendly and a close knit group and the hustle bustle comes from those passing through to and from Canada.

There are many community events in Sumas that locals and visitors alike just love! There is the Sumas Community Days the last Sat. in June, the Junior Rodeo July 31^st, Bull O Rama July 10^th, and theCar Show July 10^th to name a few. All of them worth checking out and taking in the events charm and good fun!

Today, while viewing homes in the area, it was raining but beautiful. The local, in town, neighborhood was full of flowers and bright green manicured lawns. The houses were all looking very well kept and very traditional. Some would say ‘postcard perfect.”

The price range for homes in Sumas today is from: $110,000 for a 2 bedroom 1 bath cottage to $279,000 for a 3 bed/ 2 bath home on 2 acres, to $539,000 for a 3 bed/ 2.5 bath custom built home with 3 acres, barns, pastures and an apartment.

I would love to take a drive back out to Sumas if you want to take a look at homes in the area. Call, text or email! 360.224.1065 or mindyprice@comcast.net

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Blue Heron at Mud Bay/Bellingham/WA

The Bellingham Life! — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:36:00 GMT

After a busy open house at 1204 Clearbrook Place on Saturday, I was able to take a break and visit Mud Bay, Bellingham, WA.

Mud Bay is located by Chuckanut Village & Chuckanut drive on the East, the Briza area on the North, and the Burlington Northern Railroad and tracks on the South. Mud Bay has a small parking area and canoe/kayak access at the end of Fairhaven St. Chuckanut Creek, a salmon-spawning stream, lets go in Mud Bay. Except for the railroad and three homes at the shoreline, the immediate surrounding area is virtually undeveloped and much of the tide and shore lands are owned by the City of Bellingham.

Now that you know where I was, I will share what was happening there on this fine Saturday afternoon. The sun was glistening on the bay and nature was alive and well! This area is home to a variety of wildlife such as clams, crab, oysters, Chuckanut Sandstone, the Chum spawn here and of courseï¿½birds, birds, birds. Out and about were the Bald Eagles, red winged black birds, seagulls and most fascinating, a whole bunch of blue heron ( would that be a flock of blue heron-whats the correct term here? ). The blue heron were spotted in an evergreen tree above the beach. I started to watch and wait for them to fly. I am no Blue Heron expert, but it seemed that they were tending to a nest. After watching for over an hour, they finally took flightï¿½all 8 of them. They landed in Mud Bay and seemed to be eating and basking in the sun. It was quite a unique site. They didnt like it that I was approaching them with my camera, so I stayed back. Observing from a distance was ok by me.

Between the Blue Heron, a couple kayaking, and a nice woman walking her two German Shephardï¿½s, it was a quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and ralaxing Blue Heron watching afternoon at Mud Bay! Always a good time in this unique Bellingham park!

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The Home Buying Process

The Bellingham Life! — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 07:35:00 GMT

BEGINNING THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

Whatever your reasons for buying, finding the right home, in the perfect neighborhood, and at a cost that is within your budget, is no small task. We are licensed professionals. There are many benefits you receive from working with an experienced agent.

Organization is the key to finding the home you want while spending the least amount of time and energy. Find out how much house you can afford. Do this before you go house-hunting. I can refer you to a loan officer who can help you determine how much of a down payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment you qualify for. (To help determine how much house you can afford, see page 3 of this guide on my website.)

Make a list of everything you want in a home. Is a master suite important? How many bathrooms? What about closet space? Do you need a yard for the kids and pets to play in? How about a fireplace or a bay window? Do you prefer a rambler or multiple-story house? Are schools or access to transportation important? Separate the essentials from the items you could do without and put them on the "A" list. Prioritize the rest of the items into a second and third list in order of importance. We'll then go over the list so that I'm very clear on what you want and need in your home.

Keep good notes as we look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home. Some buyers make audio tapes as they go along. When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs. For more information on how to assess the home's condition, refer to"Home inspections" on page 7 of this guide on my website.

Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you. As your agent, I'll check with you regularly, even if you haven't found a house that suits your needs. Keeping in contact with you allows us to establish a good rapport, and helps me to learn how to help you effectively. I'll continue to be on the lookout for homes that suit your needs.

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Home Staging-It's a Must!

The Bellingham Life! — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:24:00 GMT

I recently had a listing that had been on the market for just over 4 months, and prior to me listing the home, with another agent for 6 months. It was in an affordable suburbanFerndale, WA neighborhood with sidewalks, cul de sacs, and fenced backyards. There were other homes listed in the neighborhood that were selling within the first 90 days of being on the market. Why was my listing not selling? The house was practically the same house as the one up the street that sold quickly; same square footage, same kitchen cabinets, same bathrooms, same price range. My listing was being shown, but no offers!

After taking a good hard look, and comparing the homes that had sold to the one I had listed, I could come up with just one reason:Staging! The homes that had sold looked like they could be featured in aPottery Barn ad. Stylish wall colors, neutral toned furnishings and clean- clean- clean! My listing was currently not going to be featured inBetter Homes and Garden and I needed to change that! My product must be competitive!

I called in for back up-my managing broker and my co worker, both women with a good eye for home décor!. They were brought on to play bad cop while I could remain good cop to my seller. With very minimal resources…basically our time, our energy and the seller’s reluctant approval, we went in the home and got down to business. I began cleaning the house and my co workers began re arranging the furniture and decorations. As I vacuumed and scrubbed, they hauled out furniture, moved beds, and rearranged the paintings on the wall. After a couple of hours and one dismayed seller, the house looked GOOD! It was more inviting and spacious, clean, smelled fresh, and just made more sense.

Within one week, I had three offers on the table! This is no joke! The seller was delighted to say the least. She got98% of her asking price and was able to pack up and move…finally!

The experts say that Home Staging will reduce the time on the market by 1/3 to ½ and acquire 10 to 15% more money than an empty home or a messy home. I am a home staging believer after having just had this experience. In today’s real estate market you must not only be competitive with your pricing, but with your presentation!

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Birch Bay Village Today!

The Bellingham Life! — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:30:00 GMT

I love it that my career takes me to so many different neighborhoods in Whatcom County, WA. I had the joy of touring Birch Bay Village in Birch Bay, WA yesterday. I was pleasantly reminded of what a beautiful, affordable waterfront community it is!

This planned beachfront community is just a twenty minute drive north of Bellingham, WA and a mere 6 miles from the Canadian border, and less than five miles to Birch Bay State park. It is situated right on Birch Bay and the Strait of Georgia where the eagles, blue heron and occasional whale swimming by add to the Northwest ambiance here.

The community features a gorgeous, unobstructed view of the bay, a community club house, 9-hole golf course, private marina, two man made lakes, swimming pool, 24/7 security/ gated, and what I really love….houses! There are beachfront waterfront homes, high bank waterfront homes, luxury homes, golf course homes, cottages, cabins, and vacant lots to build your dream home!

The homes range from $129,000 for a 2bd/ 1 bath cabin with 900 square feet, to a 3 bd/ 2 bath 2300 sq ft home for 349,000, to a luxury 3 bd/ 2.5 bath waterfront home for $760,000. And vacant lots starting at 85,000!

The atmosphere is friendly, fun and fabulous, so come take a look with me!

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Teddy Bear Cove, Bellingham WA

The Bellingham Life! — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:17:00 GMT

The Sun Was Shining On Teddy Bear Cove, Bellingham, WA Yesterday..... And so was I!

Teddy Bear Cove, in South Bellingham, is one of my most favorite places. It's such a beautiful hike in right off of Chuckanut Drive. And when you hike around that last corner to the beach...ahhhhhhh. It's heaven! Teddy Bear Cove is amazingly beautiful with it's sparkling white beach ( I think it's made up of crushed clamshells ), Madrona Trees, tidepools ( which were full of baby crab and huge purple starfish yesterday!) , rock formations, and stunning views!

It was a bright and sunny day yesterday! Just perfect for a walk, a hike, a jump, skipping rocks, and a hunt for starfish! I look forward to heading back there this weekend!

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Silver Beach Neighborhood

The Bellingham Life! — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:56:00 GMT

Bellinghams Silver Beach neighborhood has quite the history. Originally, way back when, in the early 1900s, Silver Beach had a hotel, Farris wheel and park. It must have been a site to see! Bloedel-Donovan Park, located on the east side of Lake Whatcom, is a 20-acre park that fills up with sunbathers, picnics, bbq, family gatherings, swimmers, and dog owners!

Miles of trails await runners, walkers, or park-goers who simply want to stroll from Bloedel-Donovan to Whatcom Falls. Bird watchers can take advantage of Scudder Pond, a preserved wetland that is always bustling with wildlife. Some backyards are simply a gate away from this wildlife, essentially having an entire park behind their house. I lived in the Silver Beach neighborhood and deer walked through my back yard on a regular basis.

The nearby Silver Beach Elementary School, originated in 1912 and remodeled in 1992. It is situated as such that the children have a great view of Lake Whatcome before going down the twisty slide!

The area is filled with many different types of housing. The Silver Beach neighborhood boasts some of the only affordable lakefront homes in the area. Condominiums are available in the northeast area of Lake Whatcom, perfect for those who need water more than square feet or who want the perfect summer getaway.

A favorite quick stop for all going through or to the Silver Beach area is the Silver Beach Grocery! It is great to go to a place that knows your name! Stop by some time! Enjoy the beauty of this neighborhood!

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A quick Trip To Glacier and Maple Falls, WA

The Bellingham Life! — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:26:00 GMT

I had the pleasure of working in Glacier and Maple Falls, WA this week. I would call these communities the gateway to Mt Baker as they are your last two stops before entering the Mt Baker National Forest. These communities are about 24 miles west of the Mount Baker Ski Area, and about 32 miles east of the intersection of I-5 and State Route 542 in Bellingham, WA.

On this trip east, I was focused on touring the Mt Baker Rim. This is a planned community with darling cabins, homes, and recreation facility with views of the mountain and located on the river. It is very picturesque!

On my way back I was able to pop into the Maple Fuels, in Maple Falls. This is a grocery, gas station, café, and gathering spot. The food and coffee was great. The service was friendly and fun!

This area is beautiful in all seasons and worth checking out if you have never been. So, next time you want to take a drive...Go East on Hwy 542! I will meet you there!

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