RECENT BLOG POSTS
Now might just be the time to (insert)….  “Sell” or “Buy”In life, business and politics…. balance is important. In our real estate market, a lot of folks have exclaimed to me “What a great market it must be?!” Homes are selling like hotcakes and in days! Prices are going up and multiple offers!No...
05/06/2018
True Cap Rates (return on cash) expressed as percentage in Whatcom County run 5-7%.An absence of Inventory leads sellers to think they can push the boundaries of values.  Which is fine as long the information is accurate. However, they forget they are dealing with like minded professional investo...
04/08/2018
Northwest living and investing is only 60 minutes from downtown Vancouver and 90 minutes.  Whatcom County offers great value to between 2 of the highest priced markets on the Westcoast. Whether it is water view cabins starting in the low $300's, or a brand new zero bank waterfront luxury townhome...
01/19/2018
A Canadian buyer interested in Whatcom County was chatting with me about exchange rates as he considered a purchase in Whatcom County, specifically Semiahmoo.  This very knowledgeable man made excellent points about short term rates. Recent CDN dollar strength on interest rate increases.  I would...
07/18/2017
New Home Sales In Whatcom County! Wow that is pretty clear. Depending on your point of view, we should be building a lot more homes!  If you want a new home, now is the time to buy it!   
04/14/2017
We don't need to be reminded about bad markets. We all lived them only too recently.  High inventory, few buyers, dysfunctional lending, dropping prices etc.  Now many of us are seeing the other side.  Today in Whatcom County folks will say to us, "Wow what a great market! I hear prices are up an...
04/11/2017
Think about your "long game" in real estate investing!In a market where homes sell in a day, we may be tempted to chase a deal or reduce our standards. It is a natural reaction. Stay the course and be consistent. Remember there are fundamentals and if the deal doesn’t fit… move on!  Remember you ...
03/15/2017
  Wake up! Time to do something fun!  Rather than look at another beat up, badly managed, or empty building let’s do something new. That triplex lot, that sad empty commercial corner, that undeveloped acreage with great zoning.  Local Counties and Cities are even supporting building more homes an...
11/21/2014
RE: Income properties – residential multifamily properties. When someone tells me they are looking for a 10 CAP deal I always cringe. Then I weigh the effort to educate them verses the potential of a deal.  It is almost as tough as explaining why great commercial and multifamily deals in my Count...
01/23/2014
The condo market in Bellingham continues in the doldrums this summer.  A snap shot of this market shows what few transactions are occurring are for larger, low priced units.  Quantity over quality is clearly what folks are picking up.   Issues remain in the condo market due to a high number of sh...
07/20/2012
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