Tom Valentine's soapbox racing creation, dubbed 'The Crapster' was wonderfully received at the Red Bull Soapbox Race in Fremont (Seattle suburb) last week.
This photo is credited to Tom Valentine, builder and racer of The Crapster. To see photos of all the soapbox racers from the Seattle races, check out the Red Bull Soapbox Race - Seattle page.
These wonderful creations and dance antics of the participants confirm that the good ole USA still has it's share of people who should remember to take their daily medications!
What is really funny about the race, is that someone stole the U-Haul truck that was transporting The Crapster to various race courses around the country.
Imagine the surprise on the thieves faces when they eagerly pried open the truck door to feast their eyes on the pilfered booty - - - only to turn out that the grand heist was a pile of %*$#!.
Want more details, than prepare for a hearty laugh while reading the Seattle Times article.
Keep Smiling
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Originator
Thinking about starting a business in the Bellingham-Whatcom County region? A free seminar called "If Only I Knew . . ." will be held at the Washington Mutual Bank, 1336 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham.
Several agencies are teaming up to sponsor this free seminar, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, Wednesday, October 10th.
The event is sponsored by Western Washington University's Small Business Development Center, Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, and Service Core Of Retired Executives (SCORE).
If you are a business owner, starting a business, or a manager, this should be on your agenda! After the presentation, there will be time for networking. Be sure and bring a notepad to jot down answers to those elusive questions that have been haunting you!
To register, or for more information, please contact Rosa Devoe at 360-676-8900; or e-mail rosa.devoe@wamu.net.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Mortgage Advisor
Are you contemplating identity branding of your business to the ultra wealthy? Well a good mining tool is the recent Forbes Real Estate Special Report - Most Expensive ZIP Codes.
Guess which two cities housed the wealthiest of the affluent? If you guessed Alpine N.J. or Miami Beach's Fisher Island, you have been doing your homework!
Most of us can only fantasize about residing or socializing within the parameters of these communities - - oh well a little daydreaming is okay,
More than half of the most affluent ZIP codes were in the state of California. And overall, the vast majority were among coastal regions. Lakes and riverfront property just was not as desirable as panoramic ocean views.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Mortgage Advisor
The Bellingham Herald has released its annual community report 'Neighbors'. This is a wonderful way to quickly discover the character and charm or communities surround Bellingham.
A quick synopsis of some of the neighborhoods:
Alabama Hill: You probably won't find too many of your neighbors singing Sweet Home Alabama Lyrics by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Saturated with many beautiful parks, spectacular bay views, and the Railroad Trail this is a popular community for families looking for a ten-minute commute to Bellingham.
Birch Bay: Fast developing community with many waterfront homes and pockets of high-priced custom-built homes. It was primarily a resort and camping area until the recent building boom for affluent retirees and families.
Blaine: Nestled in the NW corner and bordering Canada, this community will see a lot of border crossing activity when the 2010 Winter Olympics arrive just north of here, in Vancouver B.C.
More reviews to follow later.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Mortgage Advisor
A few days ago I commented on the Seattle-King County snafus regarding "commercial paper" and the subsequent loss of millions of dollars.
Reuters has an alarming article on the shrinking commercial paper market - - - a 13% decline in the past month. So why should you, as a real estate and housing professional, be concerned? The credit squeeze (Federal Reserve reflects fourth straight weeks of heavy decline) impacts business expansion and short-term lending. If the perception that credit is no longer available prevails, panic sets in. The DOW is down over 230 points this morning!
This is not just a good ole USA problem. Subprime loans were bundled together with other loans and sold as securities around the world. Britain's third largest bank had to issue calming news blurbs last week as their exposure to USA subprime loans in their portfolio became public.
Let's hope that calm prevails, and more honest assessments & disclosure of risky mortgages are openly shared.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Mortgage Advisor
If you are a Realtor, are you terrified of Redfin? Well if you are pondering what, or who, Redfin is, go check out their Web site http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/start and see if they have an office in your area.
It is an online real estate service that permits:
Their high technology, low commission structure is striking fear into the hearts of Realtors! The biggest challenge is the rebates given to buyers in some geographic areas. Two thirds (2/3) of the buyer's commission is refunded to the home buyer!
The CBS television show '60 Minutes' broadcast a 14-minute segment of the Redfin company. The broadcast mainly focused on the Seattle area. To view this broadcast, go to
Need to make a mountain out of a mole hill? What about the flip side?
New to the Seattle, Tacoma and Bellingham metro areas, the Web site http://dirtfill.com connects contractors with excess fill, to contractors or residents who need it. Connections for other states are listed also.
Receivers get clean dirt fill material delivered free or at a fraction of the retail cost, and contractors save money in search time and trucking to closer sites.
The Web site has a search feature based on zip codes. Results are sorted by distance.
“Anyone who wants dirt fill can post one listing free of charge,” said Kelby Bailey, vice president of marketing for Cut & Fill Inc., a 20-year-old company that sponsors Dirt Fill.com.
The Web site lays out pay options for contractors that want to post multiple listings and search for fill dirt or sites needing fill dirt.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Officer
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has some useful data regarding ARMS.
As many Realtors and Loan Officers are aware, these have been abused, due to failure to properly disclose all of the risk. This Adobe PDF file is about seventeen pages of data. Good information to give a prospect or client.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/mortgage_interestonly/mortgage_interestonly.pdf
When used properly, option ARMs and interest-only ARMs can be an appropriate solution for your borrowers.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Officer
Want to get educated on the home loan process? The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions offers a free CD. Go to the Web site, and fill out the on-line form. Great information to get you up to speed for the mortgage loan process in Washington state.
http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/order_homeloans_cd.htm
Topics include:
Home Loan Basics
Before You Buy
Loan Documents
Signing Day
After You Buy
Know Your Rights
Resources
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Officer
Is your inflatable mattress thinner, or are your bones more tender than a few decades ago?
Washington state parks are realizing an aging camper population wants more choices than pitching a tent, especially since we only have about four months of warm camping weather.
Yurts (wooden tepee) and camping cabins are being added due to increased request from campers.
State park yurts and cabins
Yurts and simple cabins are available at a growing number of Washington state parks. For details, call 360-902-8844 or see www.parks.wa.gov. For an overview of accommodations click on "Rental Places," then click on "Yurts, cabins and rustic shelters." The parks also rent vacation homes in historic buildings at several sites. Click on "vacation houses" for details. Make reservations online or call 888-226-7688.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Consultant
The Mortgage Go To Guy! . . . The mortgage industry is always changing; please permit me to navigate you through the maze. Get out of an ARM by refinancing. New home loans & commercial loans too!
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