Waren Buffett

"Buffett conceded in his letter released Saturday that he was dead wrong to predict the housing market would recover by now. He said Monday that he believes conditions will improve this year."
-Heraldtribune published Feb 28th, 2012

"Confidence among U.S. consumers soared in February to its highest level since February 2011. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index jumped from 61.5 in January (revised slightly upwards from 61.1) to 70.8 in February. Economists polled in a Bloomberg News survey had anticipated an increase to 63.0. "
-Yahoo Finances published Feb 28th, 2012

In my office at Windermere, we had the best month in terms of sale pending in February in four years. We don't have enough inventory to sell. Interest rate is still historically low. Houses are more affordable than ever. Rent is going up. Time to buy. What would you say?

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Posted in: Real Estate

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."

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Posted in: Real Estate

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.

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Posted in: Bellingham event

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...

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Posted in: Bellinghaml event

Bringing outside in

Bringing outside in adds so much to the room. If you don't have amazing water, mountain or city view to speak of, no worries. Nice tree or a little side yard view is wonderful too.

modern living room design by los angeles architect Ehrlich Architects

contemporary living room design

contemporary dining room design by vancouver interior designer Claudia Leccacorvi

modern kitchen design by other metros architect Ogawa Fisher Architects

traditional patio design by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker

contemporary bathroom design by seattle interior designer Garret Cord Werner

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New addition

I brought this home a while ago because it looked so sad and lonely sitting in a curb all alone.

I gave a good sanding, a couple of coat of Benjamin Moore elephant tusk, put Minwax Wipe on poly to protect the top, changed the hardware. Voila!

I'm using it as a bed side table so I can put all the magazines, books, computer and whatever I want by the bed.
Sorry for the grainy photo that my phone took. I dropped my Nikon and broked the lens and I think I broke the camera too as it is not working with the other lens either. I'm still so mad at myself.

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Posted in: DIY

My first log cabin listing

A good friend of mine is selling a house. I had a previlege of staging their home for professional photoshoot yesterday.  I wanted the house to look the best so I volunteered to do the staging last minute. I can't help it sometimes. It was kind of impromptu so it wasn't really well thought out or anything but still, the difference is so ovbious. It is a log cabin and I wanted it to exude the charm and warmth of everything this house has to offer. My favorite part of this house is radiant heat everywhere and the wok room. I usually like open floor plan but having a separate place for high temperature cooking is divine. Gotta love that. It is a private heaven situated in 21 acre lot!

Photographer, Lyle from Jansma did a great job capturing all of the nice features.
Seller did a great job declutterring everything. If you can not afford staging or professional photography when you sell a house, one thing you must do is decluttering and cleaning.

This house will go on the market tomorrow! I'm so excited.

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Do you need to sell your home and buy your dream home on the beach or simply downsizing? Please give me a call at 360-296-3431. I'd love to help.

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Posted in: Real Estate