This Sunday, April 27th, the David Friesen Trio performs for the Jazz Project’s Art of Jazz Series, 4:00 pm at the American Museum of Radio and Electricity in downtown Bellingham, 1312 Bay Street.  Advance tickets may be purchased on line only at www.jazzproject.org by going to the Jazz Project Store.  This Portland-based trio features David Friesen bass, Rob Davis saxophone, and Greg  Goebel piano.  Doors open at 3:30.  Jazz Project members are admitted for free, general admission is $12 at the door on a space available basis.

Currently this week in Bellingham, WA the Pending Ratio is 20%, which is stable with last week’s ratio of 20%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Bellingham Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Currently this week in Blaine/Birch Bay, WA the Pending Ratio is 12%, which is up down percentage point with last week’s ratio of 13%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Blaine/Birch Bay Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Currently this week in Ferndale, WA the Pending Ratio is 18%, which is stable with last week’s ratio of 18%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Ferndale Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Currently this week in Lynden, WA the Pending Ratio is 12%, which is down one percentage point from last week’s ratio of 13%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Lynden Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Currently this week in Sudden Valley, WA the Pending Ratio is 13%, which is stable from last week’s ratio of 13%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Sudden Valley Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Friday I received a great publication in the mail from St. Joseph Hospital, titled Health Today. Inside was an update on what is going on out at the hospital and various health tips. Below are some events or changes which I found interesting.

- The Haggen Families, Sylvia & Rick and Don and Kahty Haggen has together donated $2 Million Dollars to the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation to fund the Family Emergency and Trauma Center which now will bear their name. The center recently expanded to almost double its previous size and added another 16 beds to the facility.

-Wireless Internet is now available free of charge to hospital patients and guest. The service is available in the patient rooms, waiting areas and cafeteria.

- Madrona Medical Center is now offering KidShape which is a family based program for kids ages 6 to 14 who are interested in losing weight. A combination of instructors promote an active lifestyle, goal setting and healthy eating habits. The nine week progam is $325.

I am happy to announce a new weekly edition to the blog. Sidney Stonecypher with the People’s Bank Home Loan Center in Bellingham will compile a sample of the weekly rates, along with notes and advice for those of you looking to purchase or refinance. Look for the new rates to be posted to the blog every Monday afternoon.

Conforming Home Loan Interest Rates Week of April 14
(Whatcom County limit $417,000)

30-Year Fixed – Loan Amount $250,000
Payment: 1459.00 Points: 1.5 %Down 20 Rate: 5.75 APR: 5.935

15-Year Fixed – Loan Amount $250,000
Payment: 2026.00 Points: 1.625 %Down 20 Rate: 5.375 APR: 5.683

These rates are available 4/14/2008 for qualifying Fannie Mae
or Freddie Mac approval on home purchases

30-Year Fixed Jumbo – Loan Amount $800,000
Payment: 5255 Points: 1 %Down 20 Rate: 6.875 APR: 7.45
Cash out up to 80% Full Documentation Only (90% available)

FHA/VA 250,000.00
Payment:1425 Points: 1.25 %down: 3 Rate : 5.5 APR: 6.133

FHA is a great loan to use right now with all the changes Fannie and Freddie has implemented, even with a credit score of 580. Loan limits for Whatcom County are 375,000. FHA also allows a low down payment of 3% all of which can be gifted and the seller is allowed to pay closing costs.
Sidney Stonecypher- Peoples Bank Home Loan Center
For more information feel free to contact Sidney at her office at (360) 676-5880

Starting in June Allegiant Airlines will begin non stop flights to San Francisco and San Diego three times weekly. Allegiant Airlines currently offers flights non stop from Bellingham to Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Reno, Nevada.

Word of these new flights is music to my ears as I love to visit California, and have many friends who live within close driving distance of both of the airports. Flights from Seattle to California has always been relatively cheap and easy, but flying into Bellingham just makes the trip almost seamless, no hours and a half drive down I-5 to get to Sea-Tac Airport, no hassles of a big airport, this is really going to be a great change!

Introductory fares will start at $59 each way to San Francisco and $69 each way to San Diego and the flights will be seasonal tentatively running from June to the end of August. So for those of you in California who maybe thinking of a move to Bellingham, this is the perfect opportunity to take a trip up to Bellingham and see what this area has to offer!

I must admit that sitting here in the office looking out at the grey skies with the space heater blowing on my feet below my desk…. I am really missing the warmth of Saturday.

What a glorious day Saturday was! I awoke to the lovely sunshine peaking through the blinds and thought today is definitely a day for a motorcycle ride. Casey and I got on our riding gear and headed out on the motorcycle. Spring was in the air with more warmth than I have felt in a long time in this area.

Our route took us through Bellingham, down Chuckanut Bay through Edison and the Skagit Valley, back through Alger, around the South End of Lake Whatcom and back through Acme, Van Zandt, Deming and finally home to Everson.

I wish I had some beautiful pictures to post of the amazing views I saw along the way, but alas snapping pictures and holding on the back of a motorcycle just didn’t seem to go hand and hand.

If you have any pictures you took while out and about on Saturday feel free to send them my way. I would love to post some for our out of town readers to enjoy.