All posts by Jerry Blankers

The History of Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

Click here for further details on Thanksgiving Day’s history. Courtesy of History.com.

Housing from 1960 to Today

Then Versus Now: Housing in 1960 Compared to Today
1960 Today

Average Home Size 1200sqft 2521sqft

% of Homes with No Indoor Plumbing 17% .03%

% of Homes with a Clothes Dryer 17% 81%

Median Home Price $11,900 $187,300

Something to Think About: Will the next 50 years change as dramatically?

Information courtesy of WA Realtors, Laura Christian

Size Matters

OPEN THEIR EYES

You know what? Size does matter! You want buyers to soak up every square foot of your home, visualizing how their belongings will fit in. Follow these recommendations to maximize the space they perceive, particularly if you are selling a smaller home.

Furniture makes the most direct impact on the living space, so scale down the size of your furnishings, or even better, remove a few larger pieces and rearrange what remains. Large furnishings can make a room feel cramped, so open it up.
Avoid busy fabric patterns, which can also make a room “feel” smaller. Use texture in fabrics to add interest, and if necessary, buy slipcovers for patterned chairs or sofas that you love or can’t remove.

After furniture, the next biggest impact is your walls. Since dark colors absorb light and make even large rooms look smaller, invest in some light paint (think creams, light blues or greens, soft yellows) to open your room’s space.

Another great “trick” is to simply hang some mirrors. Mirrors do double duty in expanding the space. Seeing a reflection of the room gives the impression of more space in “another” room, while mirrors also reflect light, and a brighter room feels like a bigger room.

These are simple suggestions to implement, and a real estate professional will have even more advice for creating an appealing interior.

Open House, Saturday Oct. 20- Mid County Home with Shop

Open house, Saturday, October 20, 11am to 1pm

1200 Clarkson Lane- Directions: Guide, West on Pole Road, South on Northwest to Clarkson Lane.
One of a kind acreage & location! Well maintained 2236sqft, 4 bedroom home with rock fireplace in living room connecting to formal dining. Large kitchen with granite counters & eating bar connects to family room with gas fireplace. Master suite with double sinks, large shower and walk in closet opens to oversized back deck. 4.45 acres features private setting on dead end road, large shop plus additional outbuilding and tree farm. Perfect mid county location! Offered at $449,500. Click here for more photos and details.

Open House, Oct 20. Dream Home & Shop on Acreage!

Open House, Saturday October 20, 11am to 1pm
810 E Wiser Lake Road, Lynden
Dir: Guide to E Wiser Lake Road. East to 810. Or Hannegan to E Wiser Lake Road. West to 810.

It’s all here! Extra spacious 5765sqft home with dream shop and prime location on 1.74 acres just minutes outside Lynden. 5 bedroom, 5 bath home with double sided fireplace, upgraded kitchen with granite counters, SubZero fridge, eating bar and breakfast nook. Main floor master suite with attached bath featuring jetted tub and double vanity, plus optional 2nd master suite upstairs. Extra spacious rec room, private backyard with sports court and dream 40ft x 60ft shop. You will certainly enjoy the top notch finishes throughout home. Offered at $685,000

Click here for more photos and information.

New Listing- Dream Home on Acreage!

It’s all here! Extra spacious 5765sqft home with dream shop and prime location on 1.74 acres just minutes outside Lynden. 5 bedroom, 5 bath home with double sided fireplace, upgraded kitchen with granite counters, SubZero fridge, eating bar and breakfast nook. Main floor master suite with attached bath featuring jetted tub and double vanity, plus optional 2nd master suite upstairs. Extra spacious rec room, private backyard with sports court and dream 40ft x 60ft shop. You will certainly enjoy the top notch finishes throughout home. Offered at $685,000
Click here for more photos and information.

New Mid County Listing on Acreage

Acreage near town! 5 bedroom home in coveted location on 1.77 acres. Home completely updated in 2006 with 2423sqft of living space with generous sized bedrooms and baths and extra spacious great room with vaulted ceiling. Large shop plus very nicely finished mother in law suite with 2BR/2BA and private patio area. Sports court, mature trees and more! Take a look, it’s all here! Offered at $480,000.
Click here for photos and more information.