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Tara Camp

Skagit County Real Estate - Bank Owned Properties

09-06-08
Tara Camp

Looking for a Discounted Property in Skagit County...Search Skagit County Bank Owned Properties. There are currently about 30 Bank owned propertieson the MLS. Most often these properties are fixers, but with the overall high foreclosure rates we're seeing these days, there are quite a few that are in great move-in condition.

Contact me today for a viewing!

Tara Camp

360-296-3244

Bellingham Real Estate - Columbia Neighborhood

09-01-08
Tara Camp

The Columbia neighborhood is one of the Bellingham's most sought after neighborhoods. The Columbia neighborhood has around 4000 community members with around 1600 single family dwellings. Most the dwellings are craftsman style featuring front porches with alley loaded garages, with plenty yard of for family frolicking and gardening.

Bellingham's Columbia Neighborhood

The Median home price for the Columbia neighborhood is $266,000. What will this buy you...a cute craftsman 3 bedroom/ 1.5 bath 1250 square foot home. Selling time for these much sought after homes is about 2 months and less. Therefore, make sure you are pre-qualified and ready to pull the trigger when you find a home that meets your criteria.

If you looking to relocate to Bellingham and/or would like some help finding your perfect home or investment property, give me a call.

Tara

The Current Real Estate Cycle

08-26-08
Tara Camp

So this article is going to be a bit edgy and may provoke mind tingling thoughts of Inquisition. Perhaps you may even get dizzy. I did!

Where is the market going from here? In my opinion...nowhere but down...like a home sick mole!

credit crunch

These days whether I'm talking to a mortgage broker, another agent, investors, etc. I ask "So where do you think the real estate market is heading. Most think the worst is over, but very small few agree with my reasoning. So, I decided to bring it to the Rain and hopefully make it out alive...hit me with your best shot.

With the over-all condition of the financial market, stock market, and real estate market I can't believe they're are so many optimist out there.

Here's my roller coaster of a explanation...

Cause: Lenders tightening their lending standards to only type A borrowors.

Effect: Large pool of buyers are wiped out!

Cause: Less buyers shopping for real estate.

Effect: More inventory on the market.

Cause: The longer it takes to sell the market inventory.

Effect: More seller competition = More buyer incentives = Price decreases

Cause: More Price declines

Effect: More defaults

Cause: People maxed out the Home Equity Line and are now living on credit until the next ball drops.

Effect: More defaults, More credit crunch, More inventory

Cause: Reserves are low for lenders lending money.

Effect: Money costs more to lend...Interest rates go up.

Cause: Interest rates go up

Effect: People can't afford to buy a home

Cause: Inflation

Effect: Homeowners can't pay their bills, ie., mortgage and credit cards

Cause: Homeowners can't pay their bills, ie., mortgage and credit cards

Effect: More Defaults

Cause: 2 More cycles of Adjustable rate mortgages to reset over the next year.

Effect: More Defaults....more inventory, more price declines.

We'll you get the idea...it's a vicious cycle. I could go on and on...I didn't even touch the volatile stock market and it's effects. Please give me your thoughts as I am open to your opinion and I do realize mine is a bit different from the average Joe.

If your a buyer make sure you buy with your market decrease buffer built in. If you're a property seller make sure your property is priced right to sell fast or get creative. Creativity can be a win/win situation in this market. Let me show you how!

Specializing in Bellingham, Wa Bank Owned Properties, Short Sales, and Seller Financed Properties. Please give me a call, I'd love to work with you!

Bellingham Living - Top 50 Places to Live - Relocation - Why I love Bellingham

08-24-08
Tara Camp
National Geographic has voted Bellingham in the Top 50 Places to Live and Play. Here are some reasons I love Bellingham!

1. The People! Bellingham is a great place to call home because of the people. Bellingham is a community that cares and it shows! The locals are friendly, open, and not afraid of being themselves. Wherever you go be prepared for a warm smile and a willingness to chat.

2. Bellingham's Recreation! There is so much to do in Bellingham...and so many active people. It truly is a lifestyle destination. Whether you like to sail, bike, run, hike, ski, kayak, mountain climb, swim, row, etc., Bellingham is the place to be. Bellingham is also the venue of many competitive races and its yearly springtime kickoff race...the ski to sea! It's an amazing thing to see...on a summer's day, the whole town is out and about enjoying the beautiful weather and life in general. The people here are happy!
3. Coffee Shops! Bellingham offers some of the finest coffee in the world. You can have coffee at a different caf everyday for a year and never have it at the same caf.
4. Summer Festivities! The community of Bellingham provides so much summer entertainment...and most of its free! The music scene is outrageously fantastic...offering Oceanside Venues to neighborhood and downtown alley concert series. Other Bellingham entertainment including arts and crafts festivals, sand castle contests, and much more!
5. Parks and Green Space! Bellingham is a community whose government is dedicated to preserving the community and parks which will allow Bellingham to grow gracefully. All around Bellingham you'll find parks throughout that are properly maintained, clean, and safe. My favorites are Boulevard Park and Point Park which are both Oceanside. On a warm summer day, you'll find vast amounts of people soaking up the sun. Many of these parks provide Frisbee golf, playgrounds, grills, volleyball for pure summer entertainment.

6. Vicinity to Vancouver and Seattle! Bellingham is a small version of both Seattle and Vancouver...if you feel the need for a bigger version, both are under a 2 hour drive.

7. Small business Owners! Bellingham is the home of a large number of independent business owners. People, who have the passion to live where they choose and work for themselves, have relocated to Bellingham because it's a lifestyle destination.

8. Fresh local foods and produce! During the summer you can find as many local veggie stands as coffee stands...all at very reasonable prices. Local growers offer you-pick fruits which is a local favorite pastime. These include raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries...yum! Bellingham local farmers also offer free range animal products.

9. Local transportation! Bellingham's offers local transit throughout the county along with Amtrak stations that provide service to Seattle and Vancouver. Bellingham also has inter city trail system that weaves in and out of downtown and all of the local neighborhoods. You can commute via these trails and get to wherever you need to be...all without a car.

10. Beauty of Bellingham! Once again Bellingham has it all...mountains, ocean, rivers, wildlife, beautiful terrain, and wonderful people!

Give me a call if I can assist you in your Real Estate Needs and Goals!
Tara M Camp
Connect Realty
360-296-3244
www.taracamprealestate.com

Bellingham Recreation - Frangrance Lake

08-22-08
Tara Camp

Last weekend a friend and I decided to do something a bit different than our normal weekend Fragrance Lake, Bellinghamrecreation...we decided to go for a hike instead of a bike ride.

So we researched a bit and decided on Fragrance Lake. A five mile (round trip) hike that gains about 1100 feet in elevation and ends at a pretty secluded swimming hole...fragrance lake. The temperature was just right for a nice dip and there were lots of others enjoying the beautiful day and nice weather.

The trail itself is rated easy, but with a steady climb. Coming down was a bit more punishing due to the inclination. Overall, it was a great hike and the dogs loved it as well. Make sure you check out the scenic overlook of the San Juans. And don't forget to smile!

www.TaraCampRealEstate.com for all your real estate needs!