All posts by Jerry Blankers

Real Estate As An Investment

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY
Most of us don’t have the resources- or the guts- to own stocks in really large quantities. That’s what makes your home such a great “risk capital”. It’s not the stock market, and you shouldn’t look at buying a home as a way to get rich, but if the economy picks up, real estate values will eventually follow. Building equity in your home is like linking your investment portfolio to the growth of the economy- without the sleepless nights.
Plus, it’s like forced saving for you and your family. Maybe you could rent a condo for $1800 per month instead of buying one for $2200 per month payment, but would you really “save” that $400 a month for the future? The part of your mortgage payment that goes toward principle is like paying yourself back in equity- instead of burning that money on rent.
And the interest you’re paying on your loan, along with your property taxes, is tax deductible and probably enough to allow you to itemize tons of other deductions from your income as well. For many people, just these tax breaks alone make owning cost less than renting.
Usually, you can buy a much better home than you can rent, and with high inventories and low interest rates, now is the time to contact a Realtor and start saving for the future, today.

Muljat Northwest Raspberry Festival Title Sponsor

The Muljat Group is proud to announce that we

have become the Title Sponsor for the upcoming

Northwest Raspberry Festival to be held in

Lynden on July 15th and 16th.

In addition to putting on the Curt Maberry Memorial 3 on 3 Basketball Classic for the 13th year in a row The Muljat Group has taken on being the title sponsor for the whole Northwest Raspberry Festival event.

Which in addition to the basketball tournament the event includes: Games for kids, Street vendors, Live music, A car show, and a Side walk Sale for the Downtown Merchants.

Check out the Lynden Chamber web site at www.lynden.org
for a full schedule of events.
Come join us on the 15th and 16th of July for a fun filled weekend in Downtown Lynden.
For applications for the Curt Maberry Memorial 3 on 3 Classic go to our website @ www.Muljatgroupnorth.com

Interest Rates Drop for 7th Straight Week

Mortgage Rates for Home Loans FALL for Seventh Straight Week

The average rate for a 30-year loan has slipped to 4.55% down from 4.60%. The 15 year rate has dropped to 3.74% down From 3.78%.
What the low interest rates mean for the buyer is:
A $250,000 mortgage at 5.05% the payment for a 30 year amortiized loan is $1,349.
The same $250,000 mortgage with at 4.55% is $1,274. ($76 per month less)
That $76 will support a $15,000 mortgage.
So by getting a 1/2% lower interest rate you would be able to increase your mortgage to $265,000 and have the same mothly payment.
With the same scenario a $350,000 at a 1/2% lower interest rate will support a $20,698 larger mortgage. So you could increase your buying power from $350,000 to $370,698 and have the same monthly payment for the 30 year life of your loan.
With low interest rates and house prices down NOW is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to buy real estate.

Mt Baker Area Home

Outdoor lovers paradise with quick and easy access to hiking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and more! Beautifully updated home in pristine setting with treed backdrop framing mountain and river views! Enjoy large deck, open living areas, 3 bedrooms plus loft area, walk in closet in master bedroom, new flooring throughout, many kitchen upgrades and more! Perfect for year round home or vacation home! Offered at $219,900.
Click here to see all the photos and virtual tour!

Stunning Home For Sale

Dream home on acreage! Top quality finishes throughout 4 bedroom home with grand entrance featuring sweeping curved staircase, hardwood floors throughout main living areas and master suite, slate floors in kitchen and bathrooms, granite counters in kitchen and all baths, rich cherry trim and cabinetry, open living areas plus den/office and bonus room. 1.86 acres features mountain views and extra spacious 3 bay high door shop with bathroom. Must see home in perfect mid county location!
Offered at $639,900
Click here to view photos and virtual tour!

New Listing in Mid County

Perfect mid county location for beautifully maintained 4 bedroom home with a light filled living room with brick fireplace and wood mantel, 2 full baths and a separate family room, also with fireplace. Spacious corner lot with fruit trees, garden shed and brand new septic. Located in peaceful well maintained neighborhood. Truly a must see at $229,900!
Click here to view all the photos and a virtual tour!

Thank You Giveaway!

As a thank you to all our clients for making the merger from Snapper Shuler Kenner to The Muljat Group a success, we are having a one year anniversary Thank You Celebration Giveaway. Everyone who enters will receive $200 cash at the close of a sale in the next year (closing prior to June 1, 2012) and will be entered to win the $2500 cash Thank You Grand Prize!
If you are not planning on buying or selling in the next year, there is still something for you. Enter to win a $500 cash card redeemable at any Lynden Merchant.

Visit Jerry’s homepage for all the details and an entry form.

QR Code

What is that strange looking box you see popping up everywhere? It is a QR Code. If you have a smart phone and download a free QR reader, you can scan the box with your phone and it will take you directly to a website programmed into the QR code. For example, the QR code at left, when scanned, will bring you directly to jerryblankers.com. Look for QR codes on my flyers to take you directly to information about that particular listing.

Multi Family Building Site

Just listed! 5.11 acre multi family building site on the south edge of Lynden overlooking valley and mountains. Water/sewer line in road base on south side, good storm water drainange and survey complete. Includes 12 unit storage building offering income while you build. Many optional layouts for buildings and/or subdivision into smaller lots. Explore the possibilities! Offered at $959,900
Click here for more information.