If you are shopping loan rates for a new home purchase or refinance you will want to read this! It’s that time again, time to update you on the latest in home loan and mortagage rates. If you are in the market for a home loan below are the mortgage rates as of yesterday April 4th, 2012, courtesy of Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank Barkley Branch here in Bellingham.
Down Payment
Interest Rate
APR
Credit Score
Points
Conventional 30 yr fixed
20%
3.750
3.895
740
1
Conventional 15 yr fixed
20%
3.000
3.213
740
1
Jumbo 30 yr fixed
20%
4.500
4.622
740
1
FHA 30 yr fixed
3.5%
3.750
4.181
660*
1
VA 30 yr fixed
0%
3.750
4.104
640
1
*Score requirement will vary by lender
To view homes or property for sale visit our Bellingham Real Estate Search Page. For more details, or a custom home loan quote, contact Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank, 360-676-4597 or sidney.stonecypher@peoplesbank-wa.com. Remember that many variables come into play in determining the rate a lender will give a borrower. If you are getting a rate quote from a lender who does not have all your information, that rate may not be real. What with the low rates, it is still a great time to buy a house!
Things are looking up a bit in the Whatcom County Real Estate market. Let’s look at some examples:
March was up strongly over February in both units sold and prices in most areas of the county. This is a typical spring occurance. Bellingham sales increased 63%, average prices were up 15.8% and median price rose 7.2%. Whatcom County sales increased 50%, average prices 18.5% and the median was up 11.2%. All good.
Compared to March of 2011, the numbers were a bit more mixed, but still not too bad. While Bellingham sales numbers were down 4.6%, that will probably change with some late reporting. Whatcom County sales overall were up 9.7 %. Average sale prices in Bellingham were up 7% over last March, while the median dropped 4.6%. All of Whatcom County saw averages up 6.3% and the median down 0.4%. Indications are that the market is holding steady relative to a year ago, with changes being relatively minor in most areas.
The first quarter relative to 2011 clearly showed the increased demand in areas outside Bellingham, with increases in number of homes sold from 15.0% in Blaine/Birch Bay to 51.7% in Lynden. Bellingham sales were down 11.3% from the first 3 months of 2011. Pricing was mixed, with the county as a whole, including Bellingham, down 4% in average prices and 6.3% in the median.
So, to summarize, the shift of activity from Bellingham to the county seems to be continuing, prices have softened since a year ago, but are showing a bit more strength over the past 2 months.
Sales numbers and prices are giving us some positive market indicators, and there are other factors worthy of attention.
Last month we noted the decline in the number of short sale and bank owned properties listed for sale. That continued in March.
Inventory levels are remaining extremely low. As sales increase, there could be upward pressure on prices. Throughout the county, the average number of days a property is on the market before an accepted contract is down by 10.4% from last year, to 146 days. 23% are selling within 30 days, at almost 98% of list price.
While interest rates have bumped up a bit, they are still extremely low.
The distribution of sales in Bellingham in March showed more strength in the ranges over $300,000. While the past few months had 70+% of sales in the under $300,000 range, March was back to a more typical under $300,000 percentage of 58.1%. That could be the result of move up buyers as well as more incoming population.
In summary, underlying conditions are supportive of a stronger market through the spring.
Spring is here and with Spring often times comes the feeling to spruce things up around the house. But, don’t rush out and buy all the kitchen and bathroom cleaning chemicals you can find. You might be suprised to learn that you have many ingredients you could use to clean already in your pantry. Below are some green cleaning solution mixtures courtesy of Sparkpeople.com
- Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
- Countertops and bathroom tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.
- Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar with about a gallon of hot water. If desired, add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pleasant scent. After damp mopping the floors, the smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind only the scent of the oil.
- Wood furniture: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive and oil. Apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub onto the furniture in long, even strokes.
- Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub away! Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.
- Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use a spray bottle. Wipe clean.
- Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.
- Air freshener: Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball, and stash it in a corner of the room. If you have kids, make sure it is out of their reach as essential oils are very strong and could irritate their skin. Lavender is a relaxing scent that is great for bedrooms, and cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils are great for the rest of the house. You can stash a few in the car too—try peppermint, which may help you to stay alert.
If you are shopping loan rates for a new home purchase or refinance you will want to read this! It’s that time again, time to update you on the latest in home loan and mortagage rates. If you are in the market for a home loan below are the mortgage rates as of today March 28th, 2012, courtesy of Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank Barkley Branch here in Bellingham.
Down Payment
Interest Rate
APR
Credit Score
Points
Conventional 30 yr fixed
20%
3.750
3.895
740
1
Conventional 15 yr fixed
20%
3.000
3.213
740
1
Jumbo 30 yr fixed
20%
4.500
4.622
740
1
FHA 30 yr fixed
3.5%
3.750
4.181
660*
1
VA 30 yr fixed
0%
3.750
4.104
640
1
*Score requirement will vary by lender
To view homes or property for sale visit our Bellingham Real Estate Search Page. For more details, or a custom home loan quote, contact Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank, 360-676-4597 or sidney.stonecypher@peoplesbank-wa.com. Remember that many variables come into play in determining the rate a lender will give a borrower. If you are getting a rate quote from a lender who does not have all your information, that rate may not be real. What with the low rates, it is still a great time to buy a house!
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required as of April 1, 2012
As of April 1st, all sellers of residential property must have carbon monoxide monitors installed in their home prior to closing. In addition, anyone doing a “significant” interior remodel (requiring a building permit), must also install the monitors. These events require installation of monitors regardless of the type of appliances and heating system in the residence.
Installation requirements are as follows:
A monitor outside each sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
At least one monitor on each floor of a residence, even if there are no sleeping areas on that floor.
Battery operated and combined smoke detector/carbon dioxide monitors are available for approximately $25.
Even if a homeowner is not required to have the monitors, it is a good idea. In Washington alone, more than 1000 people reportedly had carbon monoxide poisoning and 8 died after the strong 2006 windstorm. More were treated after the January 2012 storm. Carbon monoxide is invisible, colorless, odorless and can cause death in minutes. It can pass through walls and first affects small children and pets. Symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches, and are often confused with flu symptoms.
Make sure to follow the law to cover your liability, but install them in your own home to protect you and your loved ones.
If you are shopping loan rates for a new home purchase or refinance you will want to read this! It’s that time again, time to update you on the latest in home loan and mortagage rates. If you are in the market for a home loan below are the mortgage rates as of yesterday April 4th, 2012, courtesy of Sidney Stonecypher at People’s Bank Barkley Branch here in Bellingham.
Spring is here and with Spring often times comes the feeling to spruce things up around the house. But, don’t rush out and buy all the kitchen and bathroom cleaning chemicals you can find. You might be suprised to learn that you have many ingredients you could use to clean already in your pantry. Below are some green cleaning solution mixtures courtesy of Sparkpeople.com
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