Please call me with any questions (360) 384-1010 or Toll Free (888) 676-1010

First, two very important questions…

Q.   What is my home worth?

A.   I have a site that uses current market data to answer just that question. It will give you detail about your neighborhood and trends for your area. You’ll find it very useful. Here is another link you might find useful. It's to the Whatcom County Assessor's Office.

Q.    What if I don’t have a lender yet? I’m not pre-approved.

A.    I have worked, for a long time, with Jude Williams and recommend her help with your financing needs. From pre-approval to closing documents Jude has helped my clients get a handle on the paperwork. She is clear and concise. Whether a first time buyer, or an experienced property investor, Jude can help you every step of the way.

A.    The Bank of the Pacific is a local business that has some wonderful loan programs. They also have some very useful tools to help answer your questions. You can apply for a home mortgage easily and without any commitment. They even have programs for Canadian buyers and investors! Take a moment to check them out and see what they have to offer you.

 
Now, about our area…

        Whatcom County is in the Western part of Washington Sate abutting the Canadian border to the North. Bellingham is the largest city in the county, and North of Seattle. The West side of the county, and Bellingham, are right on the Pacific Ocean. In the Eastern part of the county you will find Mount Baker. You can only imagine the diversity of activities available. In just over an hour a person can drive from the marina in Bellingham all the up the mountain for some skiing, hiking, or sight seeing.

        Many of the outlying areas of Bellingham are small communities, Ferndale and Lynden being the larger of them. Nooksack, Everson, Sumas, and Custer are even smaller and removed enough from Bellingham to please those that want to be away from it all. Birch Bay is a wonderful place to spend the weekend or make a home right on the water. Whatever your taste, there is plenty to do and see. Whatever you envision for a home setting, from urban to ‘out in the sticks,’ we have it all.

Bellingham

        Bellingham is a very small ‘Big City.’ There is Bellis Fair Mall for the shoppers. The Mount Baker Theater offers everything from local live performers to big names (George Carlin was recently in town.) The variety of restaurants here will satisfy everyone’s tastes. Hiking, camping, boating, art, wineries, breweries, wandering the waterfront, and so much more is available. There is something for everyone. The Bellingham Herald will give you an idea of what’s going on today and a preview of what’s coming soon. It serves all of Whatcom County. Bellingham has a good economy and is a popular destination for vacationers and tourists.

Ferndale and Lynden

        These are beautiful, small towns that offer some modern amenities combined with rich history and a quiet country setting. Ferndale and Lynden have been farming communities, traditionally. You can find large, gorgeous, homes on several acres of land. Lynden has a very large yearly fair that is quite an event in the county. The fair lasts a week and includes smash up derby, rodeo, quilting, crafts of all kinds, big name singers and bands, and of course 4H animal displays. The local economy is good and growing. The schools are great and kids get the attention they need. There just isn’t the crowding in class like you find in big cities. The Ferndale Record-Journal newspaper serves the small town of Custer also. The Lynden Tribune is another fine newspaper with a lot of local flavor. Both will give you a wonderful sense of the community. Ferndale is closer to I-5, for those that need easy access to the corridor, while Lynden is a bit more removed from the main stream.

Blaine and Birch Bay

        Blaine is located right up against the Canadian border and is where the I-5 crossing is located. This is a small city that burgeons due to the international traffic. Blaine is also located right on the waters of the Pacific Ocean and has many waterfront businesses. Restaurants, and antique shops, attract travelers passing through the border who need to pass some time as well as tourists who are weekending here. Blaine's local newspaper is The Northern Lights and serves the Birch Bay community also. Birch Bay is removed a little from the city of Blaine and is where I call home. This is waterfront, beach, living for the residents, and a place to ‘get away from it all’ during the summer months for vacationers. This is largely a residential community except for the tourism time of year when time-shares, condos, and beach front houses are filled with travelers. During the Winter Birch Bay is a very quiet community where local businesses regroup for the next travel season.

Nooksack, Everson, Custer, and Sumas

        These small towns are more removed than the previously mentioned areas. These are places where people live to farm or live away from it all. Aside from farming, there isn’t much business to speak of but there are several home based businesses, some telecommuters, and other small store fronts. These areas are mostly residential areas and very quiet in the evenings. The people are very friendly, down-home, and down right neighborly. Homes here are either older farm properties with land or newer construction in newly developed neighborhoods. Sumas is up against the Canadian border (just East of Blaine) while Everson and Nooksack are nestled in the flat lands, and Custer is on I-5 between Blaine (to the North) and Ferndale (to the South.)