The Bellingham Real Estate Blog

Bellingham and Whatcom County Pending Ratio Update

February 8th, 2010 by Fawn | Posted in Bellingham, Pending Ratios, Real Estate Sales Statistics | No Comments

HomeBuyers2 Every week we take a snap shot of the real estate market and track the number of homes on the market that have offers on them and those that do not, this is what we call Pending Ratios.

As of Saturday, Feb. 6th, the pending ratio in Bellingham was 18% Pending is the time frame between when an offer has been mutual accepted between the buyer’s and the seller’s of the home and when the title actually transfers hands. This give the buyer’s time to get the financing, do inspection, review the title reports and more.

Birch Bay had a pending ratio of 18%.

Ferndale has a pending ratio of 16%.

The Lynden area in East Whatcom County has a pending ratio of 16%.

The Sudden Valley pending ratio was 21%.

To view a complete history of Whatcom County Pending Ratios or for other real estate statistics don’t hesitate to contact The Johnson Team at (360) 303-2734 or by email at Info@JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com

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Bellingham WA Real Estate Loan Rates

February 5th, 2010 by Lylene | Posted in Banking News, Bellingham, Mortgage Rates, Questions About Real Estate, Random, Whatcom County | 1 Comment »

Bellingham WA Weekly Financing Tip and Rates

There are red flags that may get your loan application turned down. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the most common. This week, let’s look at repairs and appraisals.

Repairs: Cracked windows, broken appliances, visible water damage or a leaking, mossy roof are examples of things that could cause your lender to turn down the property as collateral. Failure of the buyer & seller to provide the lender with copies of any agreements regarding repairs may be considered bank fraud, and a felony under the law.

Appraisal: While in the real-estate “bubble” appraisers were accused of collaborating with the lenders to make their number meet the purchase price. New rules make the appraisal process very different and the communication between a lender and the appraiser is very limited. Some lenders are also checking the appraiser’s number using a desk-top value analysis system and refusing to allow the full value of the appraisal.

Home loan rates as of Wednesday, February 3rd are in the following table. For more details, or a custom quote, contact Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank, 360-676-4597 or sidney.stonecypher@peoplesbank-wa.com.

	Down Payment	Interest Rate	APR	Credit Score	Points
Conventional 30 yr fixed	20%	4.75%	4.88%	740	1
Conventional 15 yr fixed	20%	4.25%	4.40%	740	1
Jumbo 30 yr fixed	20%	5.75%	5.86%	740	1
FHA 30 yr fixed	3.50%	4.75%	5.10%	580*	1
VA 30 yr fixed	0%	4.75%	5.12%	*	1
*Score requirement will vary by lender

If you have other questions about financing, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will get you the answer. If you are wondering, other people probably are as well. For general financing and market information, check out our website.

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One Week Olympic Countdown- Border Crossing Update!

February 5th, 2010 by Fawn | Posted in Bellingham, Random, Whatcom County Events | No Comments

The one week count down to the Vancouver Winter Olympics is on and preperations and decoration are up around Whatcom County in anticipation of the event. If you have a change to drive through Lynden it is amazing with Front St lined with flags in support of the US Olympic Atheletes. The Lynden-Aldergrove border crossing is also opening three hours earlier than normal at 5am starting today and lasting through the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The closing time of midnight will remain the same. The Peach Arch, Pacific Highway (aka the Truck Crossing), Sumas and the Point Roberts crossings will remain open 24 hours a day as normal.

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Small House? Simple tips for making your home and rooms seem larger!

February 4th, 2010 by Fawn | Posted in Bellingham, Random | No Comments

HomeStaging There are so many television shows out there featuring ways to change your home to make it seem larger, but no matter how much I try I never seem to get the same effect. Below are some simple tips from Pillar to Post Inspection Services of great ways to maximize the your space and make your home and room seem larger.

1. Lightening up your furniture.
Going neutral isn’t just good for walls – its good for sofas, too. Beiges and ivories reflect light instead of absorbing it as darker colors do. The result: a sense of airiness and peace that makes people want to stay.

2. Enlarging a cramped bedroom.
How? A small lamp and a large mirror can do it. Just hang the mirror on one wall and plug in the lamp directly across from it. The light will bounce off the mirror and reflect back, immediately making the room appear larger.

3. Expanding shelf space.
Store half of all personal items and prized possessions in the basement or garage. Too many knick-knacks can make a room look crowded; plus they make it harder for a buyer to imagine what his or her items will look like in the space!

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What’s Happening in Bellingham Real Estate? Learn how many homes have offers on them!

February 1st, 2010 by Fawn | Posted in Bellingham, Pending Ratios, Real Estate Sales Statistics | 2 Comments

Sold Every week we take a snap shot of the real estate market and track the number of homes on the market that have offers on them and those that do not, this is what we call Pending Ratios.

As of Saturday, Jan. 30th the pending ratio in Bellingham was 16% Pending is the time frame between when an offer has been mutual accepted between the buyer’s and the seller’s of the home and when the title actually transfers hands. This give the buyer’s time to get the financing, do inspection, review the title reports and more.

Birch Bay had a pending ratio of 18%.

Ferndale has a pending ratio of 13%.

The Lynden area in East Whatcom County has a pending ratio of 17%.

The Sudden Valley pending ratio was 21%.

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