James Heintz

Asking lenders in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County this question. The usual response is that the lender just wants to cut there loses and move on. Clear off the books is a term frequently used today.

Again, talking to local lenders in Bellingham, WA, most distressed mortgage situations, foreclosure is a last resort for all parties involved. The homeowner and the lender usually want to avoid foreclosure at all costs. That is why a short sale is advantageous to foreclosure and lenders are typically very motivated to pursue a short sale prior to foreclosure. Keep in mind, I did say typically! And more importantly, these usually are for only 'original purchase contracts'. Refinancing, taking out a second, etc...probably will hurt or prohibit you from doing a short sale.

Doing a short sale upfront allows the seller to avoid the expense and time of a foreclosure and potentially greater losses. Lenders want to make loans; they do not want to be in the business of owning and managing real estate. Whether the lender chooses to go through with a foreclosure or agree to a short sale in Bellingham, WA, they are taking a loss either way, but in many cases they would take less of a loss with a short sale and resolve the matter in a much, much quicker. In nearly every case, a short sale offers a significantly better return (less net loss) on the lender's investment than a foreclosure does.

When dealing with land use in Bellingham, WA Whatcom County, here are 20 helpful hints for dealing with this issue.

A portion of this list was drafted by Jay Irwin of Irwin Land Use Consulting, LLC

1) The question, "what can I do with my land in Bellingham, Wa" is harder than it sounds. Don't expect a quick or cheap answer (one that is accurate anyway)

2) Find out how the property is zoned! Make sure you are looking at a currently zoning map. Most jurisdictions have these on line.

3) Never assume that zoning (or any other land use regulation for that matter) will stay the same. Don't assume that since the neighbor did it, it is okay!

4) Zoning is a general allowance of prescribed uses and allowable densities in Bellingham, WA. There are many other development standards like access, utilities, critical areas, etc...that have huge effects on your ability to develop land (see #1)

5) Find out what zoning jurisdictions are in charge of the utilities. In Bellingham, WA & Whatcom County. whoever 'puts it in', is in charge of it. But the doesn't mean that another jurisdiction won't have something to stay about it though.

6) Development in Bellingham, WA is not considered a right by your local government. Just because zoning allows a certain use or density does not mean that property can be utilized accordingly.

7) Know the difference between 'platted' and 'unplatted' property. Get a copy of the plat!

8) Be aware of late comers, park, traffic, school & local improvement district fees. Here in Bellingham, WA & Whatcom County, if there is a name for it, they will charge you for it!

9) Do not be afraid to ask about information on preliminar title reports. You are not the only one intimidated by this and no one will blame you.

10) Keep a wetlands specialist on your speed dial. There a several good ones in Bellingham, WA. Call me for a referral if you would like.

11) Don't be afraid to talk to an attorney.

12) Get things in writing from regulators. Probably won't happen in Bellingham, WA, but what to do is to politely ask the person who helps you for an email address and let them know that you will send them an email with your understanding of the conversation. In sales it is: location, location, location. In development it is: document, document, document.

13) Beware of any development scenario that appears simple. The adage of 'it is too good to be true...' probably is.

14) Keep in mind that approval of new septic systems often takes a year.

15) Before drilling a well consider other site planning issues (septic, wetlands, access etc.) Also DIAL 811 before you dig. Free courtesy of www.Your2Agents.com

16) Access to you property is also considered development. So is expansion. Make sure your easement is wide enough.

17) Urban development requires urban services. Talk to the city.

18) If there is more that one home on a property, or if business is being conducted on a residential parcel, make sure it is legal.

19) Beware of phrases like 'cleaning up' or 'parking out' property. Assume you need a permit!

20) Know your vesting rights and or privileges. And more importantly, if your project is vested DO NOT allow your permit to expire. You will have to re-submit under the NEW rules and regulations. This could be a killer for your project.

Good Luck!

I am not availalbe 24/7 and this is why! www.Your2Agents.com we are a blended family. We have 3 terrific young boys, aged 13 to 10. All are very active with either their studies, basketball, golf,football, soccer or baseball.

And we try to take a vacation every year too. Last year we went to Ventura County for 2 weeks, the year before we went to Silverwood in Idaho, Disneyland the year before that. We must be able to live our life. These 3 precious young men will be out of the house before we know it. Usually clients respect this. Not always, so then it is decision time if you want to work this client or not. And more often than not, I will pass on this 'client'. If they won't respect my family time, then I will choose not to work with them.

Our goal in life is to be better parents that what we had growing up. We teach them so that they can be better parents than us.

We are truly blessed! Not only to live in a G-R-E-A-T place on earth in Bellingham, WA, but to also have come together and have a remarkable family.

Bellingham Sales for the week of March24-30, 2009 were 48. Not surprisingly, this number represents almost half less that the previous week of 80. Still, people are out looking for homes and the truth be told, there are some really good values in Bellingham, WA right now. The average home price in Whatcom County is about $260,000. In Bellingham, you would have over 85 homes to choose from. In Sudden Valley, 36 and Ferndale 71. The total number of homes, as defined as single family, available for sale in Whatcom County is a whopping 486. Three years ago in Bellingham you would've probably of had 1/3 of those choices. I am anxious to see if this trend of homes sales continues in Bellingham, WA.

When talking to possible home sellers in Bellingham, WA, I go over a list. Included are: 1) Changing outdated cabinets knobs on cabinet & drawers. 2) If there is any patch work to be done in your sheetrock, this is a very simple fix. 3) Paint those "fun" colors! You can do this in a weekend, DO IT! We recently had some sellers in Bellingham, WA and they probably cost themselves $5,000 by not painting their living room, which was a brite purple. 4) Open a stuck window. If you have single pane windows, like a lot of older houses in Bellingham, WA do, then grab a pizza cutter and get them open. 5) Paint or clean your front door. Also, since it rains so much here in Bellingham, WA then pressure wash the exterior, cut the grass and put some planters on the front porch. There a 5 quick things to do for some quick fixes, that should help you get more money!