The forum will be held from 7:00-8:30pm at Eagleridge Elementary School on Tuesday, January 24th, parents, teachers, principals, community members, district administrators and school board members are all welcome to attend.  At the form the Ferndale Board of Directors will sharing their facts and data on each elementary school and explaining the school board’s process and timeline for making their decision on the school closure in addition to listening to public opinions.

To learn more about the forum you can click here to view the flier sent home with elementary school students presents by the Facilities Advisory Committee.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

If you are looking for a great place to spend an afternoon, time spent at the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center will be time not soon forgotten.

Tennant Lake Fragrance Garden

The site includes:

• Tennant Lake which is a birders paradise
• Elevated boardwalk from which you can explore the marshes
• 50′ tower that, from the top, you get a 360 degree bird’s eye view of Whatcom County & beyond
• Fragrance garden that is full of exotic smells
• An interpretive center

The Fragrance Garden at Tennant Lake

All and all it’s a place where time has no meaning and before you know it, the sun will begin to set & you’ll wonder what happened to the day.

Enjoy your tour through Tennant lake, the Fragrance Garden, the 50′ Tower and The Interpretive Center.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War

Civil War enactors will celebrate the 150th anniversary of  the Civil War at Hovander Farm this week-end in what is known as The Battle of Hovander Farm. The schedule is chuck full of exciting events that will take you right back in time to the battlefields of Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee & Ferndale Washington.   To include parades, demonstrations of artillery & hospital activities, battlefield skirmishes – there will be something for all ages.  Both camps open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PP Aug 6th & 7th. 

The Battle of Hovander Park Aug 6th & 7th

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Saturday kicks off with car show at Central Elementary at 8am. At 10am the 5k walk/run gets underway and at 11am the Old Settler’s Grand Parade through downtown ferndale.  Sunday starts with a motorcycle show and shine from 11am to 3pm at Central Elementary along with several other community games and vendors throughout the school grounds.

One of the most unique aspects of Old Settler’s Days in the resident registration.  People who attend Old Settler’s Day are asked to pay $3 and register how long they have lived in Whatcom County. Upon registration you will receive a ribbon proudly proclaiming how long  you have lived in Whatcom County as well as a booklet with all the information on Old Settler’s Day and the weekend events.

The weather is supposed to be amazing this weekend so be sure and show your Whatcom County pride and head on out to Old Settler’s Days!

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Most of these items should be checked before a storm but also after to evaluate possible damage caused by the storm. Often the initial damage caused by the storm becomes much more significant if not quickly repaired. Many of these items should be corrected or inspected by a licensed professional as doing so can be hazardous. Work with reputable contractors & ask for references.

 -Block your foundations vents but be sure to remove blocks after freezing weather ends.

- Keep water running slightly at sinks to help prevent freezing pipes.

-If you have a vacant home keep the temperature above 55 degrees & cupboard doors open to help prevent freezing pipes.

-Collect any loose items in yard such as toys or lawn chairs that may be blown against a home. Even larger items such as detached sheds or storage buildings may need to be strapped down or anchored.

-Review your fence for loose panels or boards. The wind can further damage these or potentially blow them into the home.

-Have a licensed inspector or contractor check to see that your skylights are properly secured to help avoid having them blow off.

-Have a licensed home inspector or contractor check flue caps & other items on the roof that may come loose during a storm. (Damaged flues can allow carbon monoxide to enter the home which can be deadly)

-Have trees & branches professionally trimmed back from the home & power lines at least six feet to help prevent them from causing damage.

-Have trees around home & other structures evaluated by a licensed arborist to be sure they are healthy & do not pose a threat to the home. (Trees may sometimes appear healthy but have significant rot or disease that may result in fallen branches or entire trees.)

-Have at least a 72 hour supply of food, water, flashlights, batteries, medicine & etc in case of power outages & the potential inability to leave your home due to blocked roads or other issues.(Go to www.redcross.org for more information)

-With a pair of binoculars evaluate the roof for loose or missing shingles. One loose shingle can create a weak spot allowing more damage in future storms not to mention potential leaks.

-Have your chimney professionally reviewed before & after the storm for loose mortar & bricks. Bricks can be blown off damaging more than just your chimney.

-Evaluate your windows for cracks that may grow or possibly lead to shattered windows during a storm. If damaged during the storm cover broken windows or other holes in the home immediately to avoid water damage.

-Be sure all drains & gutters etc are clear to help prevent leaking or flooding.

-After the storm visually check for loose power lines. Do not, under any circumstances, go near downed power lines. Be aware that the ground near downed power lines may also be electrified.

-After the storm, be sure all drains, gutters, & roofing are cleared of debris as this could lead to structural damage. This should be completed by a qualified contractor.

-Remove debris from yard as this can attract insects.

-After the storm check to see that garage doors are not damaged and are safely on their tracks.

Thanks Jefferson for the helpful tips and hints! Stay safe in the wind.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Fall in Whatcom County can be a beautiful time to hike – just pick your day and get out to enjoy the crisp air and the vibrant colors.  Rich, Mia and I took this one several weeks ago, but the colors will be even better now.

For additional photos and information access The Johnson’s Team online photo gallery.

Start from the parking area on the Northeast side of the Slater Rd bridge over the Nooksack River.  You will need a parking sticker, available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold (Yeager’s is one option.)  The cost is $14 and it is good from April 1 to March 31. 

The trail heads off to the North, along the top of the Nooksack River dike.  Views are across the fields to Mt Baker and the Sisters to the East, with an occasional glimpse of the Nooksack through the trees to the West.  As the trail leaves the dike and cuts across to Tennant Lake, you will catch glimpses of Hovander Farm’s big red barn and start to recognize the wetlands that surround Tennant Lake.  

The Tennant Lake Interpretive Center is impressive, with a viewing tower looking out over the lake toward the mountains and a fragrance garden where visitors are encouraged to touch and smell as well as look.  The boardwalk allows visitors to explore the wetlands up close and stay clean, but note that it is closed during hunting season.

From the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center, it is an easy, level walk over to Hovander Farm Park, a beautiful site featuring one of Whatcom County’s early homesteads.  The house and barn are surrounded by expansive lawns available for picnicing and family gatherings.  The Highland Games and Civil War Re-enactment are just two of the events that are often held here, but a major attraction is the animals and the petting zoo with animal babies in the spring. 

The Hovander grounds border the Nooksack, so it is easy to pick up the trail along the top of the dike that will take you back to your car.  When the river is low, there are several spots where it is possible to scramble down the bank to broad sand bars.

Two to three hours will give you time to make the loop, enjoy the scenery along the way and explore the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Hovander Farm Park.  Part of the route allows dogs off leash, but make sure you take supplies to clean up after your pets.  It’s a wonderful introduction to Whatcom County’s outdoors and history.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

•Total Whatcom County sales were up by 13%, with Blaine/Birch Bay leading the pack with a 54.5% increase in the number of homes sold and Ferndale close behind with a 41% increase.

•Lynden is still struggling, with a 6.3% drop in sales and a 20% drop in the average sales price.

•Nooksack Valley prices managed to maintain last year’s levels, but every other area of the County dropped – down 9.9% to 20.4%.

Inventory levels continue to fall, which is normal for this time of year, and pending numbers increased again this month, which is not normal for this time of year. It looks as though a few more of these pending sales are translating into solds, based upon the higher September sales numbers, and if we look at the price distribution of those sales, we can see why the average and median prices have fallen. As the table below shows, the under $300,000 portion of the market in Bellingham increased by 7.5% from September of last year, but the pricing in that segment of the market dropped by 9%. This provided a double hit to the median and average prices.

Click to enlarge

To view the complete month end statistics, where we see the real estate market heading and information on Short Sales and Foreclosures visit The Johnson Team Real Estate Market Update Page.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Bellingham Senior Center

Whatcom County is home to eight senior centers. The largest of the Whatcom County senior centers is operated by The Whatcom County Council on Aging.

Each senior center has a full calendar of events ranging to games to volunteer activities, and meals.  Each senior center also takes part in a senior wellness program which includes screening for glaucoma, hearing and cholesterol. A wonderful nutrition program provides meals to visiting seniors and several centers also deliver meals to seniors unable to make it to the center themselves. Not all centers serve meals so it is wise to call and check with your center before visiting.

Enjoy Your Senior Center!

Below is a list of the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Senior Centers in Whatcom County:

Belligham Senior Activity Center: 315 Halleck St, Bellingham (360) 676-1450

Blaine Community Senior Center: 763 G St, Blaine (360) 332-8040

Everson Senior Center: 111 W Maint St, Everson (360) 966-3144

Ferndale Senior Activity Center: 1998 Cherry St (360) 384-5113

Lynden Community Senior Center: 401 Grover St, Lynden (360) 354-4501

Point Roberts Community Center: 1487 Gulf Rd, Point Roberts (360) 945-5424

Sumas Community Center: 461 Second St, Sumas (360) 988-2714

Welcome Valley Senior Center: 5103 Mosquito Lake Rd, Deming (360) 592-5403

For additional information on senior centers in the Bellingham area feel free to visit the senior resources portion of the Whatcom County Park website.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

• Bellingham sold 100 houses in June of both 2008 & 2009
• Sudden Valley was up from 8 sales in 2008 to 22 in 2009
• Ferndale & Birch Bay/Blaine also had more sales in June 2009 than in June 2008
• Lynden had the largest drop in sales, from 21 last year to 15 this year
• Whatcom County as a whole was up almost 12% in the number of residences sold

The higher numbers were not totally unexpected, as pending sales have been rising for most areas relative to last year, while inventory levels continue to fall.

Prices dropped across the board from June of 2008, but the average sale price for Whatcom County as a whole is up by 3% and the median by 2.2% from May, which is more indicative of what our market is doing right now. An interesting side note is that the percentage of sale price to list price has stayed quite consistent over the past year.

• Bellingham: June 2008/June 2009 Average down 18%, Median down 10.8%
• Bellingham: May 2009/June 2009 Average up 6.3%, Median up 9.6%
• Total Whatcom County: June 2008/June 2009 Average down 17.7%, Median down 9.6%
• Total Whatcom County: May 2009/June 2009 Average up 3%, Median up 2.2%

As the chart below clearly shows, we went to a new, lower “normal” price range after August of last year, but unit sales are showing a sharper seasonal increase than they did a year ago.

So where is the Bellingham and Whatcom County Real Estate Market going? Visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com to view the complete June 2009 Month End real estate report .

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

As of today July 6th the pending ratio in Bellingham was 23%. Bellingham’s pending ratio remained stable from the previous week’s percentage of 25%. 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 20%.

The Lynden area in East Whatcom County has a pending ratio of 15%.

The Sudden Valley pending ratio was 23%.

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

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!