In the Pacific Northwest we have many composition roofs. It is probably our primary roofing material. One thing that we see, frequently, on such roofs is shingles that have been blown off by the wind. Often the self-sealing strips have, over time, given up the ghost. On a newer roof, maybe they never sealed in the first place. A missing shingle looks like this. A roofer, who is worth his or her salt, can make a neat repair when a shingle has been torn. You know that an unqualified party has been involved when you find a big mess of tar all over or exposed nail heads in the new shingle. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith 10/06/2009

Come to Historic Fairhaven for the reinvention of a wonderful event with a new twist; Flavor of Fairhaven. Join us Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 11am thru the evening for a fabulous day of food, shopping and wandering the Historic district from restaurant to restaurant. Take part in and all-day celebration of Fairhaven's plethora of food and drink offerings from over 30 participating Fairhaven food and beverage establishments. Try samples and discounted fare, or attend one of the events scheduled every hour or half hour throughout the day. Check out this sample of participating restaurants in the district: Abbey Garden Tea Room, Archer Ale House, Avenue Bread, AW Asian Bistro, Big Fat Fish Co., Book Fare, Chef Alex & Co., Colophon Cafe, Dirty Dan Harris, Dos Padres, Fairhaven Market, ... 10/05/2009

I had a funny coincidence today. I was doing a home inspection in Lynden. I was on my way back to Bellingham when I took a turn into a credit union parking lot. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this sign and the name on it was familiar. It was the Whatcom Educational Credit Union, and the bold sign -- low and behold -- had a name on it that I recognized. It said: Congrats BJ Van Leeuwen. Well, it just happens to be that BJ is the son of a very good friend of the wife and I. I have met BJ a few times and, actually, did a consultation with him about a home a few months back. He ia a very pleasant young man and, from what his mom told me, he is doing great in his job, as a loan officer, at the credit union. It is always nice to see a young person doing well in his or her chosen professio... 10/03/2009

Today's market presented a terrific opening for qualified buyers. Here are three tips to help sellers make the most of today's opportunities: * Make it shine. Buyers are attracted to attractive homes. Make your home stand out by mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, washing windows, and cleaning the carpets. These are small things that will make a big difference. * Remove clutter. Not only do clean homes show better, but tidy homes offer more to the imagination. One person's treasure is another person's trash. Removing unnecessary clutter will help potential buyers envision their own potential or the home. * Pay attention to the market. Work with your agent and price your home to sell. A competitively priced home is the one that sells first, and in this market that counts for a lot. These... 10/03/2009

Existing home sales are up 3.4 percent over the same time last year, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Helped by the $8,000 tax credit to first time buyers, existing home sales are on pace to reach 5.1 million units for 2009, up from the 4.93 million units projected in August 2008. Existing Home Sales By Region "Home sales retrenched from a very strong improvement in July but continue to be much higher than before the stimulus. The first-time buyer tax credit is having the intended impact of bringing buyers into the market, allowing them to take advantage of very favorable affordability conditions,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. Although existing home sales are up from this time in 2008, the overall numbers are down from just one mont... 10/03/2009

The concept of how gutters and downspouts are supposed to work seems to go over many homeowner's heads. I find this to be true in the wet Pacific Northwest. The idea of the gutter is to collect runoff water from the roof and the downspouts should , in a benign manner, drain that water from the gutter away from the home. As often as not, the inspector will find that the downspouts are emptying near the foundation which can lead to a wet crawl space or a wet basement. Then there are times where the downspouts end in such a way that the runoff water is run against the siding. The siding is the "backer" for the downspout. When that is the case, almost always, the siding is decayed. Downspouts need to properly terminate into drains, splash blocks or some similar means that will get rid of t... 10/02/2009

Thankful Thursday - Bellingham - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale Thankful Thursday is a wonderful way to show my appreciation for such a beautiful area. Whatcom County Washington is full of natural beauty. I am Thankfulfor the ability to sell real estate in the area that I live. I am also Thankful for the wooded areas, waterfalls and wildlife that give me a positive outlook on life everyday. I am Thankful for the beauty I see every morning when I wake up! I am also Thankful that my children have been able to grow up knowing all of the beauty of nature, by living it everyday too. If you are interested in Real Estate for Sale in Bellingham or  Whatcom County, Washington! I would be honored to help you find what you are looking for! Call Judy Schneider - eXp Realty - 360-224-9047 Call ... 09/30/2009

Beautiful Bellingham Washington Beaches - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale Here in Whatcom County, Washingtonyou can have it all. Not only do we have wonderful wooded mountain areas, with beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. There are also wonderful beaches and island waterfront properties! Then there are farms and county style homes and Acreage! I would love to help you find your dream property! Bellingham, Washington in Whatcom County truly has it all. If you are interested in real estate for sale in Whatcom County, Washington call Judy Schneider - eXp realty - 360-224-9047 Beautiful Bellingham Washington Beaches - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale 09/28/2009

Open House Basics An open house can be beneficial for both the buyer and the seller. For the buyer, it is an opportunity to view the home casually to determine if it meets their needs and criteria. For sellers, it is an opportunity to reach a larger number of potential buyers in a shorter period of time. The following tips can help you and your real estate agent ensure that the open house is successful. Take time before the open house to make sure the exterior of the home is appealing. Curb appeal, as it is known, sets the stage for the visit. Mow the grass, trim the bushes and sweep the front porch. You should also consider planting colorful flowers or placing potted plants near the homes entrance. Inside, the first impression is the last impression, so keeping the house very neat and ... 09/27/2009

Sometimes those on-site problems that lead to more significant issues are subtle enough that the average homeowner completely misses the clues. Some homeowners or buyers will pick-up on dirt that is too close to, or up over, wood trim or siding. They know that is bad. But most of these folks do not notice soil that is sloped in such a way that it routes runoff water toward the home. There is another even more subtle condition. The level is one tool that can be used to detect the problem. The bubble indicates that there is a slope toward the home. Concrete, since rain will not settle down into it, is a vehicle to deliver heavy runoff into the foundation or on to the structure. The slope at this patio has led to runoff water being routed toward the home and, over time, that has caused ro... 09/26/2009

In 1989, a friend invited me to attend the precursor to ReSet for Excellence. I did attend and then completed the series. Since then I have focused on what matters most to me to create the life of my dreams.  This is Ruth Mt. from Hannegan Pass. I grabbed the shot yesterday as I returned from an overnight hike into the North Cascades. As spectacular as the hike was, being able to get out in this weather and to live the life I desire was even more satisfying and enjoyable. I can't know what your story is and how ReSet helps you create the life you desire, but I do know this: now is the time to tell your story to someone you care about and to invite them to attend the next ReSet. Why now? The practical answer is to take advantage of our 2 for 1 offer for the October ReSet, but even more t... 09/24/2009

09/24/2009

Home buyers can claim a special tax credit worth up to $8,000. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers qualifying home buyers a tax credit equal to 10 percent of a home's purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. The tax credit is offered to first time buyers, and those who have not owned a principle residence in the past three years. To be eligible for the tax credit, buyers must meet general income requirements and close on their purchase before December 1, 2009. Under new rules introduced recently by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, qualifying buyers can apply the $8,000 tax credit toward the purchase of a home. To facilitate the process, the Federal Housing Administration is permitting its lenders to extend short term bridge loans, which will enable qualif... 09/24/2009

Freddie Mac reported that the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 5.22 percent in July from 5.42 percent in June. This is a dramatic rate reduction compared to the 6.43 percent rate available in July 2008. According to a survey by NAR, first-time buyers accounted for 30 percent of homes purchased in July, while distressed homes accounted for 31 percent of transactions. Chris FarkasPlease watch my new TV Show on YouTube Check out my TalkRealty PodcastEXIT Realty AssociatesEmail List Of HomesBank Owned HomesStop ForeclosureFSBO AssistanceView Sample Market Report 09/24/2009

For the first time in five years, existing home sales have increased for four months in a row, according to an August report by the The National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Existing home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops - increased 7.2 percent in July, which is the largest monthly sales gain recorded since 1999. Analysts are projecting an increase in 2009 of existing home sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units, which is 5 percent above the 4.99 million-unit pace set in July 2008. Existing Home Sales By Region Chris FarkasPlease watch my new TV Show on YouTube Check out my TalkRealty PodcastEXIT Realty AssociatesEmail List Of HomesBank Owned HomesStop ForeclosureFSBO AssistanceView Sample Market Report 09/24/2009

Great Fishing - Bellingham Washington - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale Okay, now this is supposed to be a secret! I just know you will keep my secret! There is a wonderful place to fish for trout here in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington! My family goes fishing here many times every year and have great luck fishing in thes beautiful lake. This lake is called Toad Lake. I bet you can guess where they got the name for it. Yes, My youngest daughter spends more time looking for the huge toads than she does actually fishing! The rest of us usually catch our limit every time we go! Now Shh! It is a secret, the fishing is so good here because it is not too crowded. This lake holds so many wonderful memories! What a relaxing place it is to be! If you are interested in buying or sellin... 09/19/2009

 Friday Photo - Boo Boo - Bellingham Washington - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale  This is Boo Boo! He is about 10 years old now! I thought this was a good way to show some of the natural beauty that Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington has to offer! Boo Boo has enjoyed this old stump for many years. This is where he catches his afternoon nap day after day! Judy Schneider - eXp Realty -360-224-9047  If you know of someone that is relocating to Bellingham or Whatcom County, Washington! I would be honored to help them find the real estate they are looking for. I am a Real Estate Agent that cares about their happiness. Call Judy Schneider - eXp Realty - 360-224-9047    Friday Photo - Boo Boo - Bellingham Washington - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale 09/18/2009

  My First Fish - Bellingham - Washington - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale We love to go fishing every year and one of our favorite Spots is Toad Lake in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington! This is a picture of my youngest daughters first fish. I was looking through old pictures today and thought it would make a fun post! It was a great day Jessica caught her first Trout! She was so excited and has loved fishing ever since!       My First Fish - Bellingham - Washington - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale If you know somone who is buying or selling Real Estate in Whatcom County, Washington. Please give a call! I would love to help them find what they are looking for! Judy Schneider (360) 224-9047 eXp Realty       09/17/2009

I have had a number of potential home inspectors contact me and ask why they should take the home inspection course that is offered at Bellingham Technical College as opposed to a cheaper online course. They ask me because I am the program coordinator of the program. I can answer that question, and tell you more, in a few sentences: 1. If you settle for an online course, as your fundamentals training, then it will not count one iota towards getting your license. In this state, there are four approved classes in fundamentals training and two of them require purchasing a franchise. BTC is one of the other two. 2.This field of inspecting is competitive and a tough job. There are training facilities out there that are trying to tempt new recruits by offering unrealistic riches at the end o... 09/17/2009

  Lifes goal - Judy Schneider - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale  I found this quote this morning. After a lead generation meeting yesterday, it made me think about how we are never finished with our goals in life until we are gone! Even if your goals change, Lifes goals connect and lead you on a new path. I just love reading these in the morning! Starts my day off right! Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive it isn't. Richard Bach I hope everyone enjoys every moment of a FANTASTIC Day! If you know of anyone looking for Real Estate for Sale in Bellingham or Whatcom County, Washington Please tell them to call Judy Schneider - eXp Realty 360-224-9047 Lifes goal - Judy Schneider - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale   09/16/2009