About Whatcom County, WA

When we were in Mexico, a couple weeks ago, colors were vibrant and everywhere. That included the brightly colored buildings and also the plants.

When I got home to Bellingham, it was quite balmy here. Yet, on the other hand, it did not compete with Mexico as far as being warm. One thing that I did notice, once we got home, was that one of our rhododendrons was in full bloom.

This is one that we bought years ago and it is the earliest bloomer of the rhododendrons that we have. It is appropriately named "Christmas" because it blooms so early. I do not think, in our climate, it has ever bloomed that early but it is the first plant to bloom in our yard every year. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

I was disappointed today. I was driving out near Blaine, which is very close to the US/Canada border. I turned a corner on a country road and what do I see standing beside the road -- a bald eagle. As I turned, he decided that he better fly. But he did not fly very far. He only went a few feet up in the tree.

I had a camera and was hoping to get a good shot. Mr Eagle had a different idea on that. He did not care if I got a shot or not. Basically, I ended up with a picture of him from behind. It ain't much of a photo, but at least it confirms that I did see an eagle.

We hear lots about how the world is being trashed. And, of course, there is something to some of that. On the other hand, I have lived in this part of the country all of my life. And, as a kid, I never, ever saw or heard of anyone seeing bald eagles. We started seeing them around the Bellingham area around 1977 or so. Since that time, and especially now, it seems like we have become a refuge for the American Bald Eagle. I see several every year and there are areas on the Nooksack river that you can go to where they are plentiful.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

The Lettered Streets neighborhood Market Statistics for the month of January shows the active, pending & sold homes in the Lettered Streets area of Bellingham Real Estate Market. Whether you are wishing to sell or invest in a house this month, the provided information below will help you in making the right decision.

Lettered Streets Neighborhood Residential Statistics

January Active Listings 3 Pending Sales 2 Homes sold in the last 30 days - Absorption Rate - Activity Index 1.5 Months Average SP % LP -

In the Lettered Streets Neighborhood, 3 homes are for sale, 2 homes are on pending (under contract with mutual acceptance b/t buyer & seller) & 1 home sold during the month of January '09.

Included in this report is the Lettered Streets neighborhood distressed properties. More likely than not these properties has an impact on the prices in the neighborhood. If a given neighborhood has 5 distressed properties out of 6 sales, you can pretty much guarantee that the sales prices are going to be lower than in a non-distressed transaction & thus, have a declining effect on the neighborhood market, as well as, over all the Bellingham real estate market.

Median Price The Chart below compares the historic median price of sold and active inventory in the Lettered Streets neighborhood.	Neighborhood Inventory Neighborhood inventory is the number of active properties on the market and the number of homes sold in the Lettered Streets neighborhood.

Tara is a full time real estate consultant in Bellingham. As a marketing specialist she helps clients sell quicker with strategic pricing and aggressive marketing. Tara can help you analyze properties based on your goals and exit strategy to maximize your investment. She specializes in bank owned homes & short sales, and is familiar with the nuances of these transactions. Whatever your goals, find a good agent to help, educate, & empower you.

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The Olympic torch will be making a stop at Blaine's Peace Arch Park on Tuesday, Feb. 9., it will be there at 7:20 am so you better get there early. The events are free and include entertainment.

Olympic torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. In 1936, Carl Diem, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Games, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun, it is then passed along from runner to runner from this ancient site to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is kept lit until the end of the Games.

If you miss it there it will be making it's way to Vancouver over the next few days at these locations.

"Abbotsford: The party will begin at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Abbotsford Exhibition Park, not far north of Sumas. The torch is expected to arrive at about 7 p.m., followed by a cauldron lighting. Parking at the site will be limited, and the event is scheduled to run until 8 p.m.

Surrey: The torch is expected to arrive at about 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at Surrey's Holland Park. A community torch celebration will begin at 5:45 p.m.

White Rock: The torch will pass through White Rock starting at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9. White Rock firefighters will host a fundraiser pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Ave. Olympic athletes from the region will sign autographs.

Peace Arch Park: At about 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, the torch comes to Peace Arch Provincial Park, just across the border. Take exit 276 off Interstate 5 and head to Peace Arch State Park to get one of about 200 parking spaces. Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell are scheduled to be there."

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I have been working this weekend on some potentially new study guides and test revisions that we could use at Bellingham Technical College to prepare students to learn the basics and to work in the field of home inspection.

This is associated with the state approved fundamentals of home inspection training program that is offered through Bellingham Technical College several times a year. I thought that some of the Active Rain people might like to give this sample question a try.

This deadbolt lock, interior view, is on a door that provides egress at a private residence. Of the choices below, which is the best statement about this lock?

A. it provides good security

B. these keyed deadbolts are mandatory per code

C. it is a safety hazard

D. the lock is easy to pick, so a security risk

Which answer will you go for? Inspectors might do us a favor and pass on answering this one, as it is pretty basic.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith