Email Keith                                                                                                                 Email Rachael
 

                                                                                   December/January 2010

Happy Holidays!!

FYI... Whatcom County Tax Information
 
The assessor values real property in one or more of three methods; Market or sales comparison method, Cost-approach method or the Income method. Real Property is land and any improvements, such as buildings, attached to the land.  Assessors must revalue real property at least once every four years. An increase in value does not mean that next year's property taxes will increase at a proportionate rate. If your property is damaged or destroyed you may be eligible for a reduction in your assessed value. If you have agricultural, open space or timber lands, you may apply to classify your land under the Current Use/Open Space program. This generally means a reduced assessed value for the duration of the classification. If you improve your single family residence by remodeling, you may apply for a three-year exemption from taxes on the value of the physical improvment. Physical improvments do not include normal maintenance items. If you are a senior citizen or disabled person you may qualify for property tax relief.
 
Visit Our Resource Center
 
On Our Website you will find more information including...
Taxing Districts, Whatcom County Treasurer, Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes and more!
                   Considering Selling Your Property? 
Now is the Time!!spring banner
 
With the 2010 Winter Olympics starting Feburary 12th, there will be visitors from all over the globe visiting Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Why wait to have your property on the market to potential buyers?
 
Placing your property on the market now is a smart decision because we guarantee a heightened exposure to your listing! Contact us today to discuss the possibility of listing your property before Feburary 1st.
Email Keith Cook         (360)-739-5600
 
Recently Reduced 
 
2159 Buchanan Loop 
        Ferndale, WA 
          $1,995,000
 
Recently Reduced
 
126 W Main Street 
      Monroe, WA 
         $497,950
 
Recently Reduced 

6338 Mt Baker Hwy 

Deming, WA
 $389,900
 
Recently Reduced 
 
2566 Pacific Highlands Ave
          
Ferndale, WA
     
         $389,000
 
Community Update: Mount Baker 
 
The time has come to strap on your skis or snowboard and find your way to Mount Baker! The beauty and serenity found is unlike any other. Tickets for adults on weekends or holidays are $44.02 and children younger than six years old are free!
During the week adult tickets are priced at $36.61.
 
If you are interested in a "snow report" or additional pricing information please visit the Mount Baker website.
                   Click Here to View all Real Estate in the Mt Baker area  
 
It's Getting Cold Out There - Be Prepared 
 
Furnace Inspection
Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
 
Get The Fireplace Ready
Clean chimney and have firewood ready.
 
Check the Exterior, Doors, Windows
Keep your home well insulated by sealing cracks in windows and pipes. 
 
Prevent Plumbing Freezes
Insulate exposed pipes and if you go on vacation keep thermostat at 55 degrees.
 
Prepare and Emergency Kit
 Buy indoor candles and matches in the case of a power outage.
 
 
NWMLS Stats: November 2009
Northwest Multiple Listings
                                                          
Whatcom County
Mount Baker
Closed Sales Report - Residential 
895
 
 
                  Residential Units                                Average Price                                Median Price 
                          14                                                  $165,754                                          $168,700
                
 
                           
Click Here to View Archived Statistics on all of Whatcom County
Trendgraphix Featured Chart:
Mt. Baker
 
 
 
Interested in another area's statistics?

Economic Update: December/Janurary 2010

Borrowers are taking advantage of the lower rates, as the MBAA reported that applications hit their highest level in two months (up 8.5%). Purchases were up 4% and refinancing was up over 11%, with refinancing accounting for almost 75% of mortgage loan applications.
Rates moved up slightly Dec. 8th, which some attribute to a fair/decent 3-yr note auction by the Treasury. Still, it showed that this country continues to underwrite debt at lower and lower yields with demand still solid. Wall Street dealers are seeing light origination, and "not great" liquidity in spite of mortgage prices behaving very well since the unemployment data on Friday. Dec. 9th for excitement we have the $21 billion 10-yr note auction, currently yielding 3.40%. Mortgage security prices appear to be giving back early gains, and are worse by about .250.


 
 Anny Havland
 Neighborhood Mortgage 
 License # 510-LO-35892
 Co-owner/Licensed Mortgage Advisor    
 360-594-4030-Direct
 360-671-8043-Fax

 "Cheers to continued great lending rates."

    Monthly Payment Rate Sheet

Based on a Purchase Price of $250,000
 
30 Year Fixed:
Payment                                                              $1,013.37
Points                                                                   1.25%
% Down                                                                20 %
Rate                                                                     4.50%
APR                                                                     4.754%

15 Year Fixed:
Payment                                                             $1.479.38
Points                                                                  1.125%
% Down                                                               20%
Rate                                                                     4.00%
APR                                                                      4.417%
 
Comments & Explanations:
Let me compete for your business.  Payments do not include homeowners insurance and property taxes. Loan Originator License # 510-LO-35892. To apply online visit me at www.neighborhoodmortgage.net/anny
 
* Please note that this illustration requires that you put a minimum 20% down. No ARMS or Balloons. Only conforming 30 Yr. Fixed Rates. This information is provided for illustration only and does not constitute an application does not guarantee loan approval, nor is it an offer or commitment to make a loan to you on the above terms. This is not a commitment or an offer to extend financing as defined by Federal Reserve Regulation Z - Truth in Lending and as such does not contain an APR.  Interest Rates are subject to change daily without notice and will affect the loan amount for which you may qualify

 
 
 Anny Havland
 Neighborhood Mortgage 
 License # 510-LO-35892
 Co-owner/Licensed Mortgage Advisor    
 360-594-4030-Direct
 360-671-8043-Fax

 "Cheers to continued great lending rates."

Great Hopes for Real Estate - The Time to Buy is Now!

October Pending Home Sales are up 3.7%. This is the ninth month in a row that pending home sales have risen and the index is now 31.8% higher then October 2008. The National Associate of Realtors have also predicted sales of previously owned homes would go up 4.85 this year. Reversing the downward sales trend of the previous two years. For 2010, the NAR projects existing home sales up 10.8%, with a 3.6% hike in the median price. For new homes, the median price is expected to rise 3.9%. Smart homebuyers should act now to avoid these anticipated price increases and take advantage of the newly extended and expanded tax credits.
Listing Alert
Would You Like to Receive New Listings Matching Your Search Criteria? Click here
Market Snapshot
Determine Your Property's Value by Evaluating Other Sold Properties in Your Neighborhood.
 
 
 
Click Here to Receive Your Own Market Snapshot for Your Property... 
Looking to Advertise?
Contact us if you have any information you would like to add to this newsletter.
             
December/Janurary 2010

Upcoming Events!

 
December 15th - Awaken the Spontaneity Within!
December 15th - West Coast Swing 3-week Series
December 25th - Christmas
January 1st - Resolution Run/Padden Polar Dip
January 6th - The Reluctant Writer
January 8th - A Public Hanging: Paintings
January 9th - Intermediate Writers Studio
January 15th - Release of the Whatcom Real Estate Monthly 
BuyerMax Videos!                                   Are you or someone you know
YouTube                                                                    looking to buy or sell real estate?
BuyerMax Has A Blog!                                            Contact us today!
Useful Information                                                         RealEstate@BuyerMax.com
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Thank you for taking the time to view Whatcom Real Estate Monthly.
To view our newsletters online please visit www.WhatcomRealEstateMonthly.com. Our goal is to keep you informed on the most up to date Real Estate information available. If you have any questions about information represented in this version of Whatcom Real Estate Monthly or have topics you would like to learn more about relating to the current Real Estate Market. Let us know!
  
 
Sincerely,

Keith Cook and Rachael Wilson