A home inspector sees lots of roofs -- new roofs, good roofs and leaking roofs. We see flat roofs, low-sloped roofs, conventional sloped roofs and steep roofs. In Bellingham and Whatcom County, primary agriculture areas, the inspector sees a fair share of barn roofs. From the standpoint of home inspection, we are more concerned with the potential of the roof to keep water out than we are with any particular style. For example, on a typical written report, I will describe the condition of the roof and note the slope of the roof. I do not go into great detail stating it is a hip roof, a shed roof, a gable roof, a mansard roof or a gambrel roof, etc. Now, sometimes I might identify a problem by referring to the issue at the shed roof or problems at the hip.  But, for the most part, the fan... 05/31/2009

 HUD has announced that first time home buyers tax credit of $8,000 has been approved  for all FHA loans. But the catch this time is that you can't use this tax credit for the required FHA down payment of 3.5%. The new rules say you can receive the first time home buyers tax credit upfront, as a second loan from any Federal, State, or local agency, or any FHA approved non-profit organization. What this all means is that you can borrow the money from the $8,000 Tax Credit as your down payment, but after you put down the first 3.5% of that down payment. You still need to come up with 3.5% of your own funds. With FHA loans, that can still be a gift from someone in your family, or it can also come from a non-profit or government agency but not from the tax credit . You can now borrow money ... 05/29/2009

I see this issue at more than half of the home inspections that I conduct in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The photos below tend to go together as often as not. First, to the left, we have a dryer duct and draft hood that is full of lint. When we get inside the home, we see our old friend -- not -- the accordion pleated flex-duct. This stuff is not our friend at the best of times but, in this case, the dryer has been pushed up against that wall and any exit for the dryer exhaust is essentially choked off. This creates a potential fire hazard. It can be a bigger problem yet with a gas dryer, where the combustion exhaust vents out this duct. And, as some friends of mine found out, when the dryer exhaust is cut off like that, it can lead to overheating of components in the dryer. When tha... 05/29/2009

WHAT--You haven't heard of biznik? It was started by a Dan McComb and his team of technogeeks in Seattle, WA and it's really taken off. It's all about meeting up in real life by using online network tools. This social networking site is really ripe for creative community builders like Active Rain movers and shakers to start their own communities, as many have. First: JOIN www.biznik.com and create your profile like so: http://biznik.com/members/susan-templeton You can opt to be a freebie for a while or select a higher level of access/tools. Like adding links to your networks and associations and more of your details like logos. Biznik also features an online message center so you can send and receive messages to others in confidence...neat trick!  Like exchanging ideas on where to stay ... 05/28/2009

Bellingham, WA homes sales fell almost 65% from the prior week. There were only 48 closed sales in Whatcom County for the week of April 7 to April 13, 2009. The Bellingham Herald listed a condo transaction for $800,000 as the largest sale for this week. Here in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County, we are still busy, especially if your property in under $300,000. In the past 6 weeks, days on market is under 30 days, for correctly priced single family homes in Bellingham, WA There is some additional good news for the higher end too. Since the first of May, 2009 there have been 13 homes ‘pend’ in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County, that are listed for more than $500,000. If you are an active buyer in Bellingham, WA, interest rates went up twice today!! Hurry and take advantage of historical low rates... 05/27/2009

There are 9 main condominium buildings located within the core of downtown Fairhaven. Condos in Fairhaven range in price from $175,000 up to $1M+. To give you an idea of what your money can buy in Fairhaven, I have broken down the condo availability within price ranges.   $175k - $250k - This is a very tough price range for Fairhaven. There are a couple of studios and one bedroom units available in Harris Square or the Fairhaven Square building. There are also 1 bedroom units in the Larrabee condos that sometimes become available under $200k.   $250k - $300k – Pushing you budget over $250k and up closer to $300k, will make a big difference in your Fairhaven condo search. There are typically 2 bedroom (900 sq.ft.) condos available in Harris Square under $300k. This is also the entry pric... 05/26/2009

I have lived in the extreme northwest corner of the country all of my life. Even though many things have changed over the years, many of the landmarks in this region remain the same. Downtown Bellingham, despite different names on the shops, has basically the same commercial buildings that I remember from my youth. A longtime friend, John Kamrar, a local attorney, and I will look at various buildings and recite exactly what was in there back when we were at Bellingham High School in the 1960's. The Assumption Catholic Church, the Whatcom County Museum, the Bellingham Towers, the YMCA are buildings that have had some face lifts over time but very little has changed since I was a kid riding my bike to the "Y" for swimming lessons. Leaving the buildings and Bellingham proper behind, Chucka... 05/26/2009

Home sales for the week of March 31 to April 6, 2009 in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County were quite brisk compared to the next week, which I will get to later.  According to the Bellingham Herald there were 74 closed transactions in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County. The top transaction was for $4 Million dollars in Everson, WA.  My guess is that seeing this address on Goodwin Rd, is that this would be a gravel pit.  This is the second gravel pit to sale in this past year.  Nice big ticket sale for Whatcom County, when you add the excise tax for the County coffers. Included in these weeks sales in Bellingham, WA was a closed transaction from Your2Agents.com.  We listed 2208 Henry St in Bellingham, WA and it SOLD for $390,000.  A great house in the Historic Columbia Areaof Bellingham, WA This w... 05/24/2009

It's Memorial Day weekend and what that means here in Bellingham is the annual Ski to Sea Race from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay.  The race is a relay starting on Mt. Baker with a cross-country skier handing off a baton to downhill skier who hands off to a runner who hands off to a bike rider who hands off to a canoer who hands off to a mountain bike rider who hands off to a kayaker who finishes the race in Fairhaven. The race is often traced back to the Mt. Baker Marathon held from 1911 to 1913. The marathon was a  foot race to the top of Mt. Baker conceived by the Mt. Baker Club as a publicity stunt aimed at focusing the government's attention on the region to have the North Cascades area designated as part of the National Park System To present Ski to Sea Race began in 1973.  Now a re... 05/22/2009

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS is working! Our Fannie Mae Freddie Mac lenders are rolling out the new 105%  DU- refinance for folks whose home is underwater with a mortgage higher than the house value.  If you have a loan without Mortgage Insurance now (would have been 80% 1st or an 80/20%)  combo then the good news is you won't have Mortgage Insurance even though the loan to value may exceed 105% on the first mortgage after your refinance! Credit scores are a little more flexible but these are not for 'stressed borrowers'. Rates are very competitive...in the low 5% range for primary home depending on risk factors. You can also refinance an investment property! Look up your property address so see if you have a Fannie or Freddie: BELOW IS THE FIRST STEP to establish who owns the mortgage now: Clic... 05/19/2009

We hear the most about earthquakes in California. But we feel the shakin' periodically here in Bellingham and in the Pacific Northwest. The reading I have been doing lately, I admit it, sounds kind of dry. It deals with earthquakes and seismic design according to the IRC -- the International Residential Code. I thought that the chapter on earthquakes was interesting. The goal is to "design buildings so they resist the load effects caused by ground motion from earthquakes and to limit the resulting damage". That has to be done differently in different areas. The IRC has created seismic maps specifically based on earthquake activity for different parts of the country. A builder builds, with the seismic design elements required, for his or her region. What happens when an earthquake hits? ... 05/19/2009

We had a beautiful weekend.  The sun was shining and the first start of the Ski-to-Sea was on.  For those who don't know about the Ski-to-Sea in Bellingham, it is a relay race that consists of different groups competing to finish first in the Fairhaven area.  Always on the Sunday during the Memorial Day weekend. They start by sking from Mt. Baker, running, bicycling, kayaking, to the finish line.  Great fun.  There is a grand parade the Saturday before. A carnaval comes to town.  So, lots to do for everyone.  They have the Junior Ski to Sea for children the weekend before.  Great opportunity for those who would like to visit Bellingham, Washington. For more information about other acitivities go to http://wwwjudybrackencommisasrishomes.com   05/18/2009

Wondering what's going on in the real estate sector of Bellingham's Geneva area neighborhood?  Here's a look at an overview of current properties on the market, pending homes that are on their way to the closing table, and properties that have sold from November to present.  This will give you a clear picture of present activity, as well as, what has happened over the course of the winter in the Geneva Area real estate market. Geneva Area Sold 11/20 - Present (5/15/09) Since 11/20/08 - 8  homes sold at an median price of $498,500K - days on market = 121  Of these properties sold - 1 of them were a short sale, 0 bank owned homes or estate sales. Avg. sales vs. list price was 93.05%   Geneva Neighborhood Pending Sales Currently there are 3 homes pending sale - mutual agreement between buy... 05/17/2009

This information, I assume, is somewhat universal. I know it to be the case where I inspect in Bellingham and Whatcom County. It is seldom the case in a newer house, because of modern construction and code requirements, but in older houses you find odd attempts at structural repairs. In this article we will look at a few post and pier problems in an older home. As a home ages, the chances of various problems increases -- settling, rot, wood destroying insect damage.  So, when we get underneath a 100 year old home, the photos below would be typical. People have tried to solve immediate problems with less than stellar work.    Today we are used to seeing positive connections, at least at the top of the posts. That might be wood members nailed from the sides of the post to the beam or ther... 05/16/2009

Community Outreach Clothing and Household Item Sale. Keller Williams Western Realty in Bellingham is sponsoring a "garage sale" featuring clothing and household items on Saturday, May 16th 2009 from 9am - 4pm at 3800 Byron Avenue, Suite 148, Bellingham.  There is a wide selection of clothing for women, men and children.  Plus, shoes, purses, accessories and baby items.  The prices are great and you will find something for everyone!  This community outreach is to support Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS).  All proceeds from this sale will go to DVSAS. DVSAS supports individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault and provides community education.  Their services are free and confidential.  For more information on the services DVSAS provi... 05/15/2009

I appreciate it when somebody does something that is creative. I am not talking far out here, simply something innovative, interesting and different. In this case, I decided that I did not want to do a re-blog but to actually re-feature and comment on a blog from another Bellingham Active Rain Member.  Ryan Martin is a Whatcom County real estate professional. Now, when you are my age, he looks young but he has been in the field for several years and knows the ropes. He is, also creative. I have seen some of his on-line videos before but this one I found to be especially fun to watch and worthwhile. Basically, he has put together an instructional video on coliform testing and wells. Here in Whatcom County there are many wells and this should be helpful for homeowners. One of my favorite... 05/15/2009

This  Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, Bellingham Technical College's Welding Technology Program will be hosting the 8th Annual Welding Rodeo Sculpture Competition Friday will be the Amateur Competition and Saturday the Pro's will  take over. This sculpture competition will have 10 teams, (each consisting of 4 people)  selecting scrap metal, designing, and fabricating a finished sculpture in just 8 hours. There will be individual and team prizes for contest winners, as well as an opportunity to exhibit on BTC's campus. All sculptures will be available at a public auction, with the proceeds benefiting the BTC Welding Student Scholarship Fund, the Welding Rodeo, and participating artists. The year's theme is "Space" The rodeo started out to bring attention to the schools welding progra... 05/15/2009

2009 Ski to Sea Grand Parade happening  May 23, 2009The 2009 Ski to Sea Grand Parade, presented by Williams Northwest Pipeline, starts at 12:00 NOON in dowtown Bellingham, along Cornwall Ave. IF your wondering who, what & where the parade is going to take place, see Below a map of the geography.  Bring the whole family to the sought after event that people look forward to every year in beautiful Bellingham, WA. For more info. go to  www.BellinghamCribs.com 05/14/2009

Yesterday I posted that Shaun Donovan, Secretary of HUD announced that buyers could get the $8000.00 tax credit to use as a bridge loan for a down payment on a home. I read the information at the National Association of Realtors website. There was a letter put out by HUD which may no longer be available. Well it seems that this information is WRONG!! At least today that is. I called HUD to find out for myself and they told me "the letter that  had stated this information had been rescinded."  That was all the information they would give me, no reason, nada. Sorry if we got some peoples hopes up, I think Secretary Shaun Donovan ought to provide some kind of explanation. 05/14/2009

There are a lot of homes in Whatcom County that rely on private wells as their primary source of drinking water. While Whatcom County boast some of the cleanest drinking water in country, it is important that you test your well for E. coli and coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria will not likely cause illness, but it is a sign that there might be disease causing organisms within the drinking water system. Whenever you purchase a home on a private well, you should test the water quality by performing an E. coli and coliform water test. If your test comes back positive for coliform bacteria, you should watch this video to learn how to correct the problem. Coliform bacteria can be eliminated by “shocking the well.” To shock the well you will need a hose, some bleach, and a ratchet set. Fir... 05/14/2009