Kim Thompson, Broker
Windermere Real Estate
360-296-3431
bellinghamlifestyle@gmail.com

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Bipartisan bill might boost the US real estate market


My client in Korea told me about a news he read from Korean media that might boost American real estate market. Of course I was intrigued so I googled to see what it is about and found LA Times article:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-visas-home-buyers-20111021,0,6715779.story
"Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would allow foreigners who spend at least $500,000 on residential property to obtain visas allowing them to live in the United States."
The legislation would create a new homeowner visa that would be renewable every three years, but the proposal would not put them on a path to citizenship. To be eligible, a person would have to buy a primary residence of at least $250,000 and spend a total of $500,000 on residential real estate. The other properties could be rented. "
"The program would come with several restrictions.
The purchase would have to be in cash, with no mortgage or home equity loan allowed. And the property would have to be bought for more than its most recent appraised value, Schumer said.
The buyer would have to live in the home for at least 180 days each year, which would require paying U.S. income taxes on any foreign earnings. Buyers would no longer be eligible for the temporary visa if the property were sold.
The buyer would be able to bring a spouse and minor children to live in the U.S. but would need to apply for a work visa to hold a job. Neither the buyer nor dependents would be eligible to receive Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security benefits."

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Pumpkin time

Pumpkin time is here. I go to Stoney Ridge Farm in Everson every year on my kids' school field trip. It is the best place in Whatcom county! When you are done taking a wagon ride, picking apples and pumpkins, having fun in corn maze, feeding goats, checking out queen bee & animals, taking millions of pictures with all the cute display of pumpkins, make sure to drop by Rusty donut shop for mini donuts and coffee. Yum!


After I dropped my camera the other day, Hubby came home and he made it to work again(I hate when that happens :). Well, it works but is not taking great pictures. I'm not sure if it has more to do with cloudy weather and wrong auto setting I had on but let's just blame on the camera for now.
Anyway, I looked up some old photos I took a couple of years ago. I can't believe how big these kids are getting! This place provides us good fall time fun year after year.

















Monday, October 3, 2011

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour

Have you checked out any artist studios? If you haven't yet, check out a few of your favorites. It runs one more weekend. If you don't have time to go around, you can have a taste of each artist's art at Blue Horse Gallery downtown.

We went to David Ridgway's on Saturday. How I loved his paintings. The vibrant color of local scenary and architenture. I really had hard time leaving his studio. Some day...




Sunday, October 2, 2011

Bringing outside in

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