Why Bellingham?

Why live in Bellingham? I have lived on the east coast (North Carolina) the midwest (Indiana, Kansas and Ohio) and thought I would never be a west coast gal. My husband had to literally drag me out here in the 80's for a visit. As we flew in to Seattle, I couldn't believe my eyes! This looked nothing like any place I had ever been. The GREEN-NESS of it all, the low lying clouds that look like smoke drifting around the mountains. The beautiful Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands.... it was a revelation to me. I loved it. We walked in the old growth Forest and the smell of cedar, the quiet beauty of it all, I knew this was the place for me. We have lived in Bellingham for 6 years now and I still am amazed by the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis. Living in a college town with loads to do and access to Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle makes life interesting.

Horses and Houses

What does it take to make a good horse-keeping property in the Pacific North West? Here in the land of rain and more rain, well drained, sandy soil is rare. Areas of Whatcom County that have been prized as rasperry and blueberry farmland are also the best areas for horse-keeping. If you aren't lucky enough to own a sandy-soiled lot, you can make ammendments to your farm that will make the winter months more bareable for you and your four legged friends. Dry, winter turnouts with pit-run or sand footing are the best and lowest maintenace. "Hog Fuel" or cedar chip footing can also raise the level of your paddocks above the mud. Unfortunately, the chips will break down and decompose over time leaving you with ever-deepening mud! Check out the Valley View Rd. listing at www.annecantrell.com for a great example of a farm set up with dry paddocks, grassy pasture and all on good sandy-soil too!

The Bellingham Market

So, we have all heard the buzz that the real estate market has "burst its' bubble". While this may be true in some areas of our nation, the market is still strong in Western Washington State. In fact, home sales in Bellingham are slightly up this year over last year. The major effect on our market has been that homes are staying on the market slightly longer than they have in years past. Additionally, home value increases of 20%+ that we experienced in 2004 and 2005 are no more. House prices are up SLIGHTLY this year (about 2%). So, we are no longer a sellers market, but not quite a buyers market either. Many people have expressed to me that they are waiting to buy a home in Bellingham when prices start dropping. I don't think that this will ever happen. At best we may hold steady on prices going in to 2008. Photo credit toreofteness.com.

Being a REALTOR

Why become a realtor?

After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Psychology (Go Hawks!) I was at a total loss of what to do with my life. Apparently a bachelors degree in psych. qualifies you for approximately the same jobs you were qualified for PRIOR to going to college.

So I decided to go to law school.

After graduating with honors from law school and passing the bar in two states I practiced law for a few years. Law was fine, but I really don't enjoy idiots, arguing or spending endless hours in the library. So.....

I turned to my first love, horse training. Twenty years later, after competing on a national and international level, REALITY set in. Horse training is very tough on the body and doesn't produce a great income. My bulging disks demanded that I taper off my riding business if I wanted to keep competing as I enter the second half of my life.

So, I took some time and thought about what I love. I love where I live. I live in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Bellingham, Washington is a college town on the west coast. We have the sound, the mountains and a couple wonderful, scenic lakes. The air quality and water quality are second to none. There is truly something for everyone.

I also love houses, decorating, and home improvement. I am a total HGTV addict! So real estate seemed like a great fit for me and it has been! I decided to blog to share my experiences in the REAL estate world.