Bellingham Real Estate Blog

The York Neighborhood is one of Bellingham's older areas first established around 1888. Many of the homes in this area were built around the turn of the century, and had the feel of the Victorian era homes. Most of the homes of single family. Franklin Park is an old elementary school site near Lakeway Drive, there's a playground as a small field with baseball and basketball areas. York neighborhood in conjunction with the city has helped established rock Hill Park. The neighborhood is home to Nelson's market one of the few remaining small markets in the city. Call Cozier Elementary, Kulshan Middle School, and Sehome High School in schools the York children attend. It is close to WWU so is a popular neighbor hood for students to live being close enough to walk to campus.

 This was posted in an email I received today from the Whatcom County Association of Realtors. 

"Announcement from Bellingham Police Dept. - Officer Mark Young.... Do you have property that has been defaced with graffiti? Here is the answer!!!!

New Dimensions GRAFFITI SHIELD SYSTEM
This unique water based sealer/finish forms protective coating/anti-graffiti surface that prevents damage to paint, masonry, wood, metal, plastic, vinyl, stucco, and many other materials caused by graffiti vandalism from spray paints and marker inks. The Graffiti Shield System reduces the high cost of constant cleaning and repainting walls damaged by graffiti. Our Graffiti Shield System consists of 3 products: ONE COAT Primer/Sealer/Finish - the primer product first applied, ND GRAFFITI SHIELD - the second product applied-4-5 separate coats - on top of ONE COAT, and our DISAPPEAR Organic Graffiti/Adhesive Remover. This remover is designed to remove spray paints and marker vandalism from installed ND GRAFFITI SHIELD. Use DISAPPEAR Organic Graffiti/Adhesive/Paint Remover to remove any existing graffiti paint/markers on your walls before installation of ND GRAFFITI SHIELD; do not use this product after the ND GRAFFITI SHIELD has been installed.

Part 1 is our water based primer/sealer, ONE COAT , protective coating which is applied as the base/primer coat, and Part 2 is our water based, ND GRAFFITI SHIELD - anti-graffiti coating, which is applied in 4-5 top coats. The products are easy and simple to apply by quality sponge mop on smooth materials, and by low pressure sprayer (35 psi), brush, or by airless sprayer (300 - 500 psi) on rough materials. One gallon of ONE COAT and 1-2 gallons of ND GRAFFITI SHIELD will protect about 400 sq.ft. to 1500 sq. ft. for all required coats based upon the porosity of the substrate from extremely porous (masonry) to least porous (hi-gloss paint).

The Graffiti Shield System of protective coatings dries water clear and enhances the natural appearance of all materials and underlying paints while preventing paints from fading/oxidizing for many years! It is also resistant to attracting soils and dust! Walls stay cleaner looking much longer! In addition, the sealers are easy to clean from normal soils with just plain water. This protective coatings system does not require stripping and it functions as a primer should a color change be desired; then, apply it over the new painted color!

ND GRAFFITI SHIELD IS VOC COMPLIANT: Only 16.2 g/l per California VOC Regulations

While many users report multiple cleanings of graffiti without damage to The Graffiti Shield System of protective coatings, should there be any damage to any area of it after cleaning, then more product is easily applied over the damaged area to restore the natural look. The Graffiti Shield System strongly resists damage from Sun, Water, and most Chemicals for many years. It will not yellow, peel, crack, flake, nor chip!"

 The Roosevelt Neighborhood is a diverse one indeed, there is single-family residences as well as industrial uses. There are hundred-year-old single-family homes in her brand-new apartment complexes. Some of the northern neighbors here will have use of Bellingham and the Bay, it is one of the larger and most populated neighborhoods in Bellingham. Their automobile dealerships, warehouses, & office developments all sharing the same neighborhood.

The Railroad Trail former home to Burlington Northern railroad connects Whatcom Falls Park to the South Bay Trail. It is very well used by the residents of this neighborhood and the adjoining ones it links to. The trail provides a wildlife corridor as well as some open space. Roosevelt Park enjoys a playground, picnic area, basketball court as well as some of its own trails. The Boys and Girls Club has recently joined the neighborhood as well to to give it just a bit more diversity.

Bellingham has launched a new service today to improve the permit center's ability to schedule building permit inspections. The new system which is interactive will provide homeowners as well as contractors a convenient way to schedule, reschedule, or cancel building inspections by phone or through the city's website. The system will also allow one to check inspection results and a history for each permit

"This long-awaited technical upgrade will enhance our customer service and staff efficiency in scheduling inspections," said Preston Burris, Building Official for the City of Bellingham.

Information about this new service is available in the Permit Center at City Hall, and on the city's website at http://www.cob.org/pcd/permit/helpdesk.htm. For more information contact City of Bellingham Planning & Community Development Department, (360) 676-6550.

Price reduced on on this awesome Easy Living Bay View Condo $469,900 - 2 Bedroom - 2 Bath - 1774 Sq Ft

Panoramic 180 degree view of mtns, bay, islands, city. Airy, energy-efficient townhouse-style condo with 2 brand new decks. 2BR, 2BA, den/office & large utility downstairs. Living area up. Master w/walk-in closet, attached 1-car garage, 1 parking space behind bldg. Only 2 units in this well-maintained bldg within walking distance of downtown, trails, WWU & Fairhaven. Lots of storage, potting shed. Embrace the simple lifestyle!

One of my pet peaves when looking at the MLS is agents who don't input photos. Sometimes they will input them a day late, or maybe 3. Don't they realize they are doing a dis-service to their sellers. Haven't they heard the old adage a picture is worth a thousand words.  I had a client last year looking for a $500,000 home who didn't want to look at any  listings that did't have pictures. I was always amazed at how many listings they didn't get to see, or didn't get to see when they first hit the market. I would rather wait a day to get the listing on the MLS then put it out for the world to see without any pictures. At least give us one of the front of the house. In this age of digital cameras you think it would be a given to take your camera to the listing appointment and if it after dark, get back there first thing in the morning.

So lets see those pictures.........Please

Lummi Nation will celebrate their first potlatch since 1937 as part of the "Paddle to Lummi 2007."  Native American Canoe Families from all around the Northwest will be paddling to Lummi Island from as far away as Oregon & Alaska to celebrate this awesome event.

"Traditionally, the potlatches were the most distinctive feature of the Northwest, helping to share local bounty, keep track of the shifting loyalties among the People, and legalize claims to nobly entitled names. Each one involved a formal display of crests, privileges, members, foods, and resources in the presence of honored guests and witnesses, who accepted meals and gifts in return for supporting these changes in the social fabric. "

 To learn more and help support thi event that will take place July 30, with other connected events throught the month around Bellingham, and make it happen visit their webpage at Paddle to Lummi 2007

There is a new event coming to Bellingham this Friday, Bellingham's first Wig Out. Do you have a wig to wear.

Kate Clark and Alice Clark, sisters and Wig Out organizers are putting this and some other fun events together with the goal of making Bellingham "less subdued and more exciting." Since this is Ski to Sea weekend they thought it would be a good time for some more fun in town. For those who like group fun, a Wig Walk will start at 4:30 p.m. at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity, 1312 Bay St.

After the walk, the museum will host an all-ages Wig Out Party at 5:30 p.m., with music, dancing, prizes and awards (the coveted "Wiggy") for several categories, including tallest wig, biggest wig, the Wee Wigster Award for kids, and the Julia Wiggy Award for best complete look.

If we have enough fun Friday this could become an annual or maybe a national event.

I'm sure there are a lot of you disappointed folks in the Fairhaven neighborhood today, as a city planning director Tim Stewart decided against their proposal for height limitations on buildings in the historic district. The debate centers around the future development of the proposed Fairhaven Harbor near Padden Creek. The Fairhaven neighbors group thinks that Fairhaven Harbor's 10 story building would be detrimental to the neighborhood character, last year they applied to limit building heights to 45 feet in Central Fairhaven and 35 feet in the surrounding areas. Stewart is asking residents, merchants, and property owners who all seem to have their own agenda to come together and agree on a height limit proposal before they can reapply for a code change to go into effect.

I am always amazed at the peace & serenity available at one of Bellingham's hidden treasures, Big Rock Park.

It is very beautiful, especially this time of year when many of the rhodedendrons and azaleas are in bloom. The park is in the Alabama Hill neighborhood, above Lake Whatcom. It is in a small forest with lots of sculptures by various local and internatioina artists surrounded by giant old cedar, fir & hemlock trees. Originally named Gardens of Art by founders George, Mary Ann and David Drake in 1981, the City of Bellingham purchased the garden in 1993.

It is a wonderful place to spend part of a day enjoying both nature and art at their best.