Just listed! Solid 3BR home on edge of town with large lot & plenty of room with spacious living room & large family room. Covered patio, open views & large yard. Only $199,900!
Click here to view all photos!
New Lynden Listing!
Loan Options in Other Countries
In the United States a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is very common, but it is not in the rest of the world.
Canada, Germany and the Netherlands: In these countries, rollover mortgages are popular. A rollover loan essentially requires the borrower to renew the mortgage at market interest rates at regular intervals, such as every five or 10 years. You can also refinance using another lender, but prepayment penalties are the rule, at least during the fixed-rate period. Throughout Europe, adjustable-rate loans are popular because their interest rates are considerably lower than fixed-rate loans. Also, hybrid mortgages play a larger role.
Many Dutch mortgages also are interest-only, which means you only pay interest for the life of the loan, which leaves the balance unchanged and ownership in the lender’s hands. If never actually gaining an ownership share of your home sounds crazy, consider that these products are popular because tax benefits encourage them.
Spain: Spanish mortgages often are part fixed-rate and part variable-rate. You can take out two notes secured by one property. Unlike our first and second mortgages, these are two pieces of a first mortgage. One is at an adjustable rate and one a fixed rate.
Japan: About half of Japanese mortgages are “convertible”: After a fixed period, the borrower chooses between an adjustable interest rate and another fixed-rate period.
Click here for the full article by Marilyn Lewis of MSN Real Estate
6 Must-do’s For Buyers
As a home buyer, you can help the process go smoother by completing the following 6 things to do before buying a home.
1. Stregthen your credit score
2. Figure out how much you can afford
3. Save for a down payment and closing costs
4. Build a healthy savings account
5. Get preapproved for a mortgage
6. Buy a house you like
Spring Is Here!
Along with the sunshine and warmer temperatures this week, the daffodils at my house are blooming! Spring is an exciting time of year, a great time for new beginnings.
Contact me if you are considering a “new beginning” for your housing needs.
Cost vs Value of a Remodel
Remodeling magazines annual Cost vs Value report cites the 5 home improvements offering the greatest return on your investment. (Pacific region)1. Front Door Replacement: A new steel front door with an average cost of $1464 offers a 112% return
2. Garage Door Replacement: A new garage doro with an average cost of $1514 offers a 96% return
3. Deck addition: The addition of a new wood deck with an average price of $13,827 offers a 86% return
4. Siding Replacement: Fiber cement siding with an average cost of $13,920 offers a 85% return
5. Kitchen Remodel: A minor kitchen remodel with an average price of $23,603 offers a 84% return
Amazing Lake Whatcom Views!
Visit our open house at 18 Orchid Court, Bellingham in the Sudden Valley Community. The home will be open on Sunday, March 20 from 1pm to 3pm. You will appreciate the stunning Lake Whatcom views from nearly every room and the light and airy interior. This is truly a must see home!
Click here for more photos and location map.
Heartwarming Thank You Card
Last month Jerry and the Muljat Group North donated basketballs to an after school program for kids in Portland, Oregon. The adorable “Thank You” card above is from the students.
Lynden Boys & Girls Club Basketball Game
Jerry coached the 25th Annual Boys and Girls Club Senior All Star game on March 11. His team consisted of County Senior All Stars and they played the City Senior All Stars. His County All Stars won the game 124 to 109. It was Jerry’s 23rd consecutive year coaching the All Star Game.
Daylight Savings Time
Remember to “Spring Forward” and set your clocks one hour ahead on Saturday night.
February 2011 Lynden RE Stats
The graph below shows Lynden Homes For Sale, Homes Sold and Pending Sales for the past 15 months. As you can see the pending sales doubled over last month. We are currently seeing more buyer activity with hopes for continued improvements in the upcoming months as we hit spring.
