As pending sales approach or exceed the number of active listings on the market, that indicates demand is approaching or exceeding supply – and hence a very competitive market! Take a look at the chart below to see comparative data on active listings vs pending sales from April 2016 to April 2018.

Active Listings VS Pending Sales

As spring turns to summer, homeowners begin to dream about beautiful backyard retreats, barbecues, and outdoor entertaining. Functioning – and fun! – outdoor spaces are also being sought out by home buyers near and far. What are they looking for? Here are four of the top outdoor amenities that make buyers take notice:

• Decks and patios—When planning your patio or deck, making sure the flow between the home and the yard is important to keep it from becoming an unused space. But a well-planned patio or deck can add value to your home as it becomes usable square footage (from a value point of view). Buyers will be looking for opportunities to kick their feet up or lounge in the sun, so make sure whatever space you have set aside for outdoor living beckons with defined space (by adding flagstone or a rug), plush outdoor furniture, and potted plants. And don’t forget outdoor lighting! From guiding people down garden paths to illuminating trees and landscaping features as well as your home itself, outdoor lighting is crucial.
• Outdoor kitchen—Outdoor kitchens can be fancy or simple but making sure that the design works is critical. Remember, food needs to travel from the kitchen where it is often stored or prepared, so stairs need to be considered as well as distance. Be sure to review your cooktop options such as a built-in grill or barbecue as well as the staging area for foods about to be cooked and then served.
• Landscaping—According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 47% of REALTORS have suggested landscaping adjustments when selling a home. Why? Buyers need that “wow” factor when they pull up to the curb. What’s great is that landscaping doesn’t have to cost a lot; shrubs, flowers and mulch can go a long way. According to Quote.com, the average cost of a landscape upgrade (hardscape such as a path or planters) was $4,750 but it provided $5,000 worth of value to a home.
• Fire pit—According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, outdoor fire pits or fireplaces were the top design element/trend in 2016. A fire pit area can consist of a few chairs and a portable fire pit or it can be completely built-in. You may even want to consider the fuel source – are you okay with throwing on your own logs or would you prefer a gas option that you just need to turn on?

Show value to today’s home buyer by adding a few features that allow them to understand your home’s outdoor living potential and you won’t be disappointed with the result. Potential adds value! If you have some outdoor living projects that you are considering this spring and summer and would like to know how these will impact your home’s value or you need some help determining which projects to take on, I would be happy to help. Call or text me, or send me an email!

Looking for something to do this Memorial Day Weekend? There’s tons of events and activities going on around Whatcom County… here’s a few to choose from!

Ski to Sea Race: This annual 93.5 mile, 8-person relay race is held on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend every year. Come out to watch downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, running, canoeing, bike riding, and kayaking!

Fairhaven Festival: If you’re not interested in watching the race, there will be a festival going on near the race finish line featuring live music, food and vendor booths, a beer garden, and more.

Whatcom Memorial Day Parade: Starting at noon on Saturday, the Memorial Day Parade will be celebrating our communities and remembering our heroes. Starting at the corner of Alabama street and Cornwall, this event will showcase local talent, businesses, and products. Come support or even volunteer at their website! http://www.1335mclbellingham.com/

Happy Memorial Day, enjoy the long weekend!

The countdown to the 20th anniversary of the Curt Maberry Memorial Classic has begun! This 3 on 3 basketball tournament goes on every year during the annual Raspberry Festival in Lynden, and I can’t believe we’ve been putting it on for 20 years now. Every year has grown, with over 215 teams last year! The festival and tournament brings the community together with some healthy competition, local favorites like fresh berries and poffertjies, live music, beer garden, and car show. We’re looking forward to another great year filling the streets of downtown Lynden. Make sure to put it on the calendar, you won’t want to miss out on the action!

Festival & Tournament Dates: Friday July 20 – Saturday July 21, 2018

Want to put a team together? Check out Lynden3on3Razz.com OR print an application HERE!

If you have any further questions, please call our office @ 360-354-4242

Inventory in Lynden continues to hover at all-time lows. When comparing the number of active listings in March over the past ten years for Lynden residential properties, there shows a 79.3% decline from 150 in March 2008 to only 31 in March 2018!

Along with low inventory is a constant rise in listing prices. See the chart below for stats on the median residential sales prices in Lynden vs. Whatcom County from March 2016-March 2018.

Feel free to contact me any time if you’d like more information on the market! Whether you’re someone looking to sell or buy, I look forward to helping you put your best foot forward and ultimately enjoy a smooth transaction from start to finish.

In a seller’s market where inventory is low, multiple offers are the norm. To help my buyers win in multiple-offer scenarios, I coach them to “think like a seller” in order to get their offers accepted. That means getting creative – and understanding that the best offer is not always the highest offer!

Below are some ways that you can “think like a seller” and be more strategic about submitting a winning offer. The goal is to show the seller that you mean business – that you want the house and you will do everything on your end to make the process smooth and problem-free.

• Put yourself in the seller’s shoes: Consider perks that might appeal to a seller. For example, you may want to offer to let the seller leave behind garbage that you will dispose of. You also might offer to take care of the cleaning before you move in so that there is one less thing for the seller to take care of. Maybe the sellers would welcome one more summer in their family home. You may consider offering to rent it back to them for a specified time period or offer a flexible closing date to make it more convenient (there are pros and cons to consider, of course).
• Consider waiving contingencies: To a seller, a contingency represents a hurdle during which the transaction may fall apart. In order to think like a seller, waive contingencies or at least limit them to what is essential. That means that if you are unable to secure financing for a mortgage, you won’t ask for your earnest money to be returned. Or that you will shorten or waive an inspection. Many sellers allow buyers to do a “pre-inspection” before making an offer so the buyer feels comfortable waiving the inspection. Or waive the appraisal contingency and offer to bring money to the table if the home does not appraise for the offer price. Again, there is a lot to consider here and I want you to be protected, so I will let you know the pros and cons so you are comfortable with your strategy.
• Make your offer as clean as possible:  To a seller, making your offer as clean as possible means that your offer is not contingent on the sale of another property and does not have other financial constraints. It should also be free of seller concessions, which are things that a buyer asks for outside of the offer price, such as help with closing costs.
• Money talks: Despite what I said above that the best offer is not always the highest offer, for many sellers it is all about the money. In many cases the winning offer will be above “full price,” so be prepared to offer more than asking. Also consider increasing your down payment and putting as much of your down payment into earnest money as possible to make a strong impression. Sellers appreciate this because they feel it ensures you won’t break the contract because you will be worried about losing this money.

If you are ready to buy, call or text me at (360) 410-1297 or send me an email at Jerry@jerryblankers.com. Together let’s strategize on how to help you think like a seller to get the home you want

BUYERS, don’t let these simple mistakes keep you from moving into your new home! Timelines can vary, but we’re here to set you up with the best resources to keep you on track with the mortgage closing process. Our office hosts an excellent loan consultant, Casey Porter from Caliber Home Loans – Bellingham, that goes above and beyond for his clients. Let’s get you in contact with him and you’ll be that much closer to being a home owner!

14 Factors that Can Stall the Mortgage Closing Process

“Every person who invests in well-selected real estate in a growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Our team has been experiencing an increase in calls asking about investment opportunities in real estate. With the low interest being paid by banks, clients are turning to real estate for a secure return on their money. People are looking for both multifamily residential as well as commercial investments to help their capital grow. CAP rates very depending on the strength of the tenant and conditions of the building. A strong tenant in a building in great condition might be an attractive investment at a 4% CAP rate. Whereas an older building with tenants not as strong is going to require a 6-7% CAP rate to attract buyers. A CAP rate is simply the % of return on your investment after all rents are collected and all expenses are deducted. If you have further questions regarding CAP rates or any type of investment properties, give us a call! We’d love to help you make a SMART investment decision that will benefit you for years to come.

This beautiful home just listed in one of Lynden’s most desirable neighborhoods!  You’ll enjoy views from almost every room in the house. Entertain on your covered wrap-around deck off the dining room or your covered patio off the family room. Other features include: Florida room with tiled floor & cathedral ceilings. Freshly painted inside. Skylights, updated master bath. Hardwood floors, 500+ SqFt unfinished room for storage, manicured gardens, sprinkler system.

Picture yourself enjoying your morning cup of coffee on the deck while taking in clear views of the mountains!

1005 E Front Street, Lynden | MLS# 1268699 | $459,000
Tour Property: http://www.tourfactory.com/1788856 

The chart below reflects the changes in local market inventory from February 2008 to 2018. The months of inventory remains at extraordinary lows for both Lynden and Whatcom County. In February, there was just under 2 months of inventory, which means it would take less than 2 months to sell out of the current inventory of active residential and condo listings based on the sales rate. Buyers, we are eager to help you be prepared for when that home comes on the market you’ve been searching for!