Blaine Area Blog

I'm back to work!  I'm tanned, relaxed and ready to go back to work...maybe.

The short trip was outstanding!  I hadn't golfed in more than a few years and decided to bite the bullet and just do it.

Desert Canyon Golf Course was great.  There are two areas.  Front 9 is called the Lakes and the back 9 is called the Desert.  Both gives you great  golf and views that only enhance the average so-so game.

We won't go into how score was kept.  However,  I will  say that I made a bet I knew I couldn't loose.

My partner was putting, had about a 70- foot put.  I knew he would never be able to pull off this putt.  I make the crazy statement:  If you make that putt, I'll buy dinner.  I paced it off--65 big steps.  He made it, I bought dinner.  We'll be talking about this one for a long time.

Checked out real estate along the Columbia River.  Great views, great location, big lots.  Prices of waterfront lots were from $285K to about $300K.  That was with water and electric in the street.  In the area I looked they had propane and you would need to put in septic.  The lot sizes were about and acre +/-.

Still the view of the Columbia and the area mountains was phenomenal.  Nice way to enjoy the river, have a boat dock at your back door, jet ski in the garage. 

Looked like the buyer's market was alive and well on the east side of the mountains, just not as impacted as we are in Whatcom County.

Check out the view from one of the fairways.

Wes Nygaard - The Muljat Group - www.wesnygaard.com - www.WhatcomCountyHomeSearch.com -  Blaine, Washington - 360.201.1844

'Our Corner Of Paradise'

Check Out This Beautiful Home In Birch Bay Village:

NWMLS# 29071474

$286,000

Great, 4 bed, 2 bath rambler in popular Birch Bay Village, large yard with mature trees. Ideal floor plan with vaulted living room and mantled gas fireplace, home has radiant heat. Open design, kitchen and dining layout with lots of storage, appliances, washer/dyer, and refrigerator, stove all stay with the home. Finished attached garage. Birch Bay Village has a gated entry with 24 hour on duty guard, marina, golf, tennis, swimming pool and miles of beautiful beaches.

Visit the home's website at:   http://www.tourfactory.com/Inventory/TourDetails.asp?nTourID=514476

Wes Nygaard - The Muljat Group - www.WesNygaard.com or www.WhatcomCountyHomeSearch.com - 360.201.1844 - Our Corner of Paradise - Blaine - Washington

Still doing the holiday thing, still trying to keep updated on the business.  Today the Bellingham Hearld had some updates for the local real estate  business.  Worth the read.  For the fast update at their website www.BelllinghamHearld.com or go to the story direct at: Check out the information. 

Interest rates have started to inch up; however, take a look at what the B/H has to say, look at the  interest rates and it still says:  buyer's market:)

Back to the holiday thing.  Sleeping in...not!  Doing golf?  Yup!  I've attached a picture of the area.  Desert Canyon and the area is great.  Bright, dry, warm.  Greens are fast!

Hope you enjoyed this entry, you gotta come here and give it a try.  Golf, Lake Chelan, Columbia River, Levenworth, all the fresh fruit you could ever need.

I really shouldn't but I did.  I've taken some time off and have gone over to eastern Washington for some holiday time.

Right now I am sitting at a super resort named Desert Canyon.  The weather is perfect, I'm looking out the back deck watching the golfers and getting ready to take a short trip up to Lake Chelan.

We're thinking about renting a boat and touring the lake, then tomorrow taking the clubs and play the course.

Okay, why am I writting this?  I gotta say this is a beautiful area.  We are about five minutes from the Columbia River, half hour from from Lake Chelan and half hour from Wenatchee, WA.  The entire area is drop dead georgous.

Reason I am writting this?  Nice homes, nice condo's at a great prices.  If you are looking for a super location to get a second home, take some holiday time, this is the place to go. Quite, fresh air, the Columbia River, Lake Chelan, boat rentals, golf, tennis, warm, dry weather temperatures.  The scenery actually reminds of Scottsdale, but less expensive and not as many people.  However, there is no high-end shopping, just seclusion and naturaly beauty. 

We have tons of beauty of in Whatcom County, you need to the other half of the state.

We live in Paradise!

Some times you gotta do what you gotta do...holiday:)

Wes

There has been a lot of talk by everyone regarding where we are at in this current economic cycle.  My take on this is that no one really has their finger on the absolute accurate pulse.  The dynamics seem to be totally event driven, like trying to put your finger on mercury.

I'm not going to lean to left or the right.  Here is what the statistics are saying this week.  I track them weekly and have been for quite  some time. I would encourage you to take a look at the past weeks for each location to get a better look  at where we are.  As a realtor, I haven't seen ratios like this for a some  time.  Is it the good news that the newspapers and MSN that have  drived these numbers.  Or, just the normal cycle of spring and summer increases.

I'll let you stay awake nights trying to figure out what the numbers are  saying.  I say they are what they are...and they're great.

KeeRemember we are always a week behind.  Current week would be 06.06.09

Location               1st week January               Current week of 06.06.09             Increase or Decrease

Bellingham           13.50                               26.23                                         +12.73

Blaine                   8.27                               16.37                                         +8.1

Ferendale             11.16                              20.65                                         +9.49

Lynden               13.19                                16.77                                         +3.58

Sudden Vly         19.67                                24.18                                         +4.51

Side Note:  0-45 is a Buyer's Market        45 - 55 Balanced Market               55 - 100 Seller's Market

Buyers:  It is still a strong buyer's market, good deals are out there to be found!

Hope you found this blog entry to be helpful.

Any questions, give me a call.

Wes

Canadian clients-investors!

US banks are lending money to Canadians!

Are you looking for property in Blaine, Lynden or Ferndale, Washington?

Are you looking for a loan from a US bank?

Yes, there are some US banks lending to Canadians.  True some are not lending...even to American borrowers.

Here is a basic outline for US banks lending to Canadians:  1.  Minimum 700 (Canadian) credit score.  2.  Portfolio loan.  3.  Twenty percent (20%) down.

If you have questions, give me a call and I will be more than happy to direct you a person that is able to answer your questions.

If you are looking for a property in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, or Birch Bay, feel free to visit:  www.WhatcomcountyHomeSearch.com

I hope this blog information is helpful. 

Wes

Things have started turning around for Whatcom County Real Estate.  

The most current ratios have been uploaded to www.WhatcomCountyHomeSearch.com. 

You are  able to review the stats for:  Bellingham, WA, Blaine, Washington, Ferndale, WA, Lynden, Washington, Sudden Valley, WA.  I have also placed an overall graph for the Whatcom County Statistics.  Follow  the ratios back to the first of the year and you can see where we were and where we are now.  A welcomed change.  You can scroll down to the first week's statistics in January and watch the increase to the current week.

To make searching for a homes easier, I 'finally' placed a Real Time - New Listings button on my website. Top left hand side.

I've had a lot of positive feed back from buyers and sellers alike saying that they like the ability to search for homes in specific locations like:  Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden and Sudden Valley.  However, it has been requested that I put a 'Real Time - New Listings' button on my website.  This information shows all new listings being placed on the NWMLS by all member brokers.  You wanted instant information...you now have it.

Let me know what you think of the real time search and if you have any suggestions for improvement.

I hope this Blaine Area Blog entry was useful.

Wes

Great meeting at The Muljat Group's Tuesday Staff meeting!

Our guest speaker was Mr. Jim Logghe, Sr. VP  Residential Loans, Banner Bank, Bellingham, Washington.

It was a pleasure to hear Mr. Logghe speak about short sales, deed in lieu and foreclosures.  One of the most important statements made at this morning's meeting:  best advice to your client is to contact an attorney and their lender immediately when confronted with any of these situations.

Mr. Logghe was able to give a basic description of Banner Bank's position regarding short sale versus a deed in lieu and foreclosure.  Banner would rather, if possible, do a short sale.  As was reiterated, all banks are handling these procedures differently, that is why it is so important to work closely with the lender, attorney and your agent.

How is a short sale/deed in lieu, foreclosure impact your credit score/FICO score.  Mr. Logghe was not able to give the group an answer to that question.  Seems the three credit rating agencies are keeping that information to themselves.  Perhaps the best answer to that question would be to have the borrower call the agency and ask the question point blank.  I've tried and haven't gotten a definiteanswer.  Maybe after you talk to the credit agencies, give your legislative representative a call and let your voice be heard!

The big question is will the lender have recourse on the deficiency?  It should be in the fine print of the lenders contract and that is why the seller should contact an attorney.  The attorney should be able to navigate the seller through documents and let them know if there will be recourse or no recourse.

Next question:  how long will this transaction take?  There is no way of knowing.  Each lender is going to have different work loads, different procedures and different levels of the checker checking the checker.

Sounds like there is not a definite answer to any of your, mine or our questions.  You're right!  That is why it is necessary to get the best possible information--see an attorney, open up communication with your lender.

I think we are all working very hard to navigate in uncharted waters.

I hope this blog was informative.  If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.

Wes

Looking for homes or real estate in Blaine, WA?   Take a look at www.WhatcomCountyHomeSearch.com or www.WesNygaard.com                                                                        

New listing in Blaine, WA.  Located on the south side of H Street Road, close to Blaine and the Border crossings.  Easy access to White Rock, Canada, home is located on 10 acres with views to...everywhere.

Panoramic mountain, bay and strait views, incredible sunsets.  Gated community, custom NW contemporary 5000 sf home on 10.9 acres. Three fireplaces, acacia and granite flooring, cherry wood kitchen cabinets, custom hand blown, signed and dated light fixtures. entire home is on a water filtration system, security system, paved circular drive.  To view this home:  www.3905HStreet.com

New construction, great floor plan, whole house water filtration system, three fireplaces, mountain and water views, gated community and so much more.

If you would like to see this home, please feel free to give me a call.

Wes Nygaard

360.201.1844

By now everyone knows the great weather has arrived in Whatcom County.  Hopefully, you were able to get in on some the activities and didn't miss the hole in one (13th hole) during the NCAA Div II championship hosted at Loomis Trail, I don't think  anyone  in the area  missed The  Ski to Sea.

On a different note.  Real Estate activity in Whatcom County has started to increase.  It is that time of year when business does increase.  However, looking at the numbers, it appears that the $8,000 tax credit, low interest rates and a great inventory to choose from has sparked an increase in pendings and solds.

Lenders have tightened their guidelines and continue to do so.  However, with a great credit score a few other lender requirements, you can get a great deal on your dream home.

I have listed below the current ratios for the area.  January '09 numbers versus May 23, 2009.  The ratios give us numeric pulse of the business.  0-45% (buyers Market)   45-55 (balanced Market)                    55-100 (Sellers Market)

By watching the ratios, you can keep an accurate reading of market trends by price break and area.

Location          January (ratio)     May (ratio)

Bellingham      13.50                    26.09

Blaine             8.22                     14.41

Ferndale         11.89                    18.45

Lynden           13.19                    15.24

Sudden Valley  19.67                   22.70

The ratios have been tracked on a weekly basis.  If you want to look at the steady progression of  percentages, go to:  www.WhatcomCountyHomeSearch.com  Move down the left side of buttons.  You will find all of the above locations with individual buttons/information and graphs.

Hope this blog entry was helpful. 

If you need additional information, give me a call.