The McShane Team’s Real Estate Blog

Your House As Seen By:

Bridget McShane — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:25:00 GMT

Your House As Seen By:

Yourself...

Your Buyer...

Your Lender...

Your Appraiser...

And...

Your County's Tax Assessor...

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#1 Real Estate Misconception

Bridget McShane — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:42:00 GMT

#1 Real Estate Misconception

The number one common misconception regarding real estate is that you have to use the listing agent to buy the home that they have listed. While a listing agent can enter into what is called a duel agent role (this is when the agent represents both the buyer and the seller) it is rare.

As an agent for the seller, one of my jobs is to get you the best price for your home (and some owners would consider this the most important aspect of my job). As an agent for the buyer, one of my jobs is to assist you in buying a home for the best price. As a duel agent these two goals seem to work against one another. It is possible to do both, but again it is rare.

So if you are thinking about buying a home, my advice is to find an agent who is going to look out for your best interest; your buyers agent.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--South Hill Neighborhood

Bridget McShane — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:48:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

South Hill Neighborhood

Located on Bellingham Bay, South Hill is a unique, pleasant neighborhood with several interrelated design characteristics that are appealing to its more than 3,000 residents. The neighborhood has a number of areas with distinguishing characteristics. The Ridgeway area, south of the university on the highest elevations of the hill, has been developed since World War II. In the area below 17th Street, many of the homes were built in the early 1900's. Homes vary widely in size, architectural detail, and finish materials, and nearly all are very well kept.

Excellent views of Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and the Canadian coastal range mountains are widely distributed and highly valued, making South Hill one of Bellingham's most popular neighborhoods. Views of Mt. Baker and the Olympic Mountains, while less widely distributed are equally highly valued.

Boulevard Park on Bellingham Bay is on of the most popular parks in the city. The newly constructed Taylor Street Dock, south of Boulevard Park, provides an opportunity for strolling and viewing harbor activity for the South Hill Neighborhood residents who have indicated high values for these activities. The highly valued Lowell Elementary School is also an attractive location for neighborhood activity.

This gorgeous home just sold at the end of October. Almost one half of an acre (6 lots) with direct southern exposure and views of Chuckanut Mountain and southern San Juan Islands. Rare brick English Tudor home with all the charm and character you would hope for. This South Hill 3 bedroom, 2.25 bath home was constructed in 1929 but tastefully updated (incl. gourmet kitchen remodel). Exquisite garden w/small orchard, max. privacy.

This is a typical view of the neighborhood and bay. I do love this neighborhood. It is just one of those places in Bellingham that makes me happy that I moved here.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--WWU

Bridget McShane — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:18:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

WWU

Since its beginning in 1893, WWU has grown into a comprehensive university of approximately 11,470 (10,200 Full Time Equivalent) students according to 1997 fall enrollment figures. WWU is home to unique environmental and economic research programs, award-winning experimental vehicle design, and highly regarded manufacturing, plastics, and electrical engineering technology programs. Citizens of Bellingham enjoy access to Western's facilities and open space, including its acclaimed outdoor sculpture as well as popular offerings in theater, music and sports.

The Western Washington University Neighborhood contains open space, which is easily accessible to students, staff and visitors. Formal open spaces owned and operated by Western include the Old Main Quad, Red Square, the Fairhaven Courtyard, the Performing Arts Center Plaza, and the Haskell Plaza. Natural open spaces include the Outback Wetland south of Fairhaven College, Sehome Hill Arboretum, and the Bird Sanctuary knoll between Old Main and the Viking Union. Sehome Hill Arboretum provides areas for academic study, trails for recreation and commuting, and a major green/open space which serves the broader community. Active recreational and educational open spaces include numerous sports playfields, experimental gardens and environmental study areas. General open spaces include buffers and wooded hillsides throughout campus which are valuable for their informal/natural qualities, their buffering characteristics, and as green backdrops.

This 1890 Victorian has been converted to eight individual units to take advantage of the with-in walking distance to Western Washington University. On the corner of N Garden and Chestnut, this stately home is also with-in walking distance to all that downtown has to offer.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods --Sehome

Bridget McShane — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:14:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Sehome

Its physical location on Sehome Hill is a big part of the Sehome Neighborhood's character. Sehome Hill is a steep bedrock formation rising 650 feet from Bellingham Bay with a northeasterly bearing series of ridges reflecting the underlying rock formations. Much of this neighborhood has excellent views of Bellingham to the north, over Bellingham Bay, or toward Mount Baker in the east. Sehome is also one of Bellingham's older neighborhoods. Much of the area is within the former Town of Sehome, one of several towns, which consolidated near the turn of the century to become the City of Bellingham. Over 80 percent of the housing in the Sehome Neighborhood is over 20 years old, and much of it is at least 50 years old.

There are many large, architecturally impressive houses of historical value in the older residential part of the neighborhood. The Sehome Hill National Historic District encompasses older homes south of Maple, north of the Sehome Hill Arboretum. All residential areas have mature landscaping and there are several tree-lined arterials, which are highly valued by the residents. Being one of the City's older and more centrally located residential neighborhoods, approximately 90 percent of the neighborhood is developed, and the population density is among the highest of the city's neighborhoods. Over 3,500 people reside in the neighborhood in a mix of single and multi-family structures.

The 165-acre Sehome Hill Arboretum is a prominent open space/natural area that defines the southern and western borders of the neighborhood. It is owned and managed jointly by Western Washington University and the City of Bellingham and includes walking trails and dramatic views of Bellingham Bay. Both are neighborhood parks which feature playgrounds, half court basketball, and open lawn areas for informal play.

Classic Sehome Craftsman with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Original old-growth fir trim, panels, built-ins, and box beams. Fir floors, tile baths, leaded glass windows, window seat. Original door hardware, 2 staircases, woodwork everywhere you look. No painted trim except in kitchen, baths, sun room. Vintage from 1911 light fixtures, amazing built-in china cab. 1-1/2 lots professionally landscaped, fenced backyard.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Whatcom Falls

Bridget McShane — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:30:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Whatcom Falls

Located at the eastern edge of the city south of Whatcom Creek, the Whatcom Falls neighborhood is home to over 2,000 Bellingham residents. The neighborhood is bisected by Lakeway Drive, separating Bayview Cemetery and Whatcom Falls Park from the residential areas of the neighborhood south of Lakeway. Most of the development in the neighborhood is residential in nature, typically developed at about four units per acre density. Large tracts of undeveloped land remain at the southern and eastern portions of the neighborhood.

Bayview Cemetery, Whatcom Falls Park, and Kulshan Middle School site make up the publicly owned portion of the neighborhood. Bloedel-Donovan Park is easily accessed by the neighborhood. The City and County worked together to preserve 60 acres for future park and trailhead development at the end of Birch Street, known as "Lookout Mountain."

While this home is not necessarily the quintessential home for the neighborhood, the background is. The copy for all homes in the Whatcom Falls neighborhood invariably will say something about how the home is within walking distance to Whatcom Falls Park. This park is truly the gem of Bellingham. It was literally pictures of this park and it's falls that got me to move from California to Washington. So I cannot resist including a picture of it as well.

...(Continued)...

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Puget

Bridget McShane — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:58:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Puget

South of Whatcom Creek and east of Interstate 5, the Puget Neighborhood is a study in diversity. The neighborhood is bracketed by industrial uses on the north and commercial uses to the west along Lakeway Drive and Lincoln streets. Single and multi-family residential areas are located on the south and east portions of the neighborhood. Puget and Toledo Hills occupy the southern and eastern parts of the neighborhood and are developed with single-family homes on medium-sized lots. Homes are well cared for and many have excellent Bellingham Bay or Canadian Cascade views. According to the 2000 census, over 4,100 Bellingham residents call the Puget Neighborhood home (6% of total city population, 3rd highest neighborhood).

Civic Athletic Complex, the most active park and recreation facility in the city, is located at the north edge of the neighborhood. This complex includes the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Civic Stadium, Joe Martin baseball field, passive wetland areas, the Sportsplex indoor ice and soccer facility, Frank Geri softball fields, walking trails, a skate park, bike jump park, and undeveloped forest land. A trail link from the park to the Whatcom Creek Trail will provide improved access to this facility from other neighborhoods.

Whatcom Creek is a resource of city-wide interest that bisects Bellingham geographically. The Whatcom Creek Trail provides a connection from Lake Whatcom to Bloedel Donovan Park, Scudder's Pond, Whatcom Falls Park, Civic Athletic Complex, the Civic Center, Maritime Heritage Park, to Bellingham Bay waterfront through several residential neighborhoods.

The homes in Puget Neighborhood are in a series of individual neighborhoods. This 4 bed 2 bath home is typical of the area. Many of the individual neighborhoods have the same feel of having been built by the same builder and around the same time. Puget is filled with neighborhoods where the land was purchased by a builder then developed in phases.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--York

Bridget McShane — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:19:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

York

The York Neighborhood is located west of Interstate 5 and east of Bellingham's City Center. It is one of the City's oldest neighborhoods, with many large, well-built homes on sandstone foundations. Several sandstone outcroppings, such as the one at the old Franklin School site (now Franklin Park), and "Rock Hill" Park provide the neighborhood with distinctive landmarks. Despite the presence of several larger homes, the majority of the houses are small, and are built on smaller lots of about 4,480 square feet. This creates a rather high population density and lack of open spaces. Historically, the York Neighborhood was perhaps Bellingham's earliest middle-class neighborhood. Although houses were built as early as 1889, and as late as 1970, the majority of homes were built between 1890 and 1910. The neighborhood contains many examples of fine Victorian architecture.

Historically, it is a neighborhood with strong cohesion and few commercial influences not related to neighborhood needs. Even though it was zoned for multi-family development for many years, the neighborhood has retained a strong single family orientation. According to the 2000 Census, over 2,600 residents live in the York Neighborhood.

Franklin Park is an old elementary school site located south of Lakeway. A playground and open field provide neighborhood recreation. North of Lakeway, the York Neighborhood Association has worked with the city to establish and develop Rock Hill Park at the end of Iron Street. A small playground and half court basketball provide activity for children. Neighbors have adopted the park and help maintain the flower beds.

I have been inside this one and I love, love, love this home. It is a 1900's Craftsman that was completely renovated in 2007. The owners did a great job that you have to see to really appreciate. This home is currently for sale at the time of posting this blog. If you would like more information or to see it, please contact me.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Central Business District

Bridget McShane — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:24:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Central Business District

The Central Business District Neighborhood/City Center is Bellingham's core downtown neighborhood and central waterfront. It is the dominant cultural, civic, financial and service center of the community.

The City Center is a collection of smaller "neighborhoods," each of which has distinct features that reflect historical land uses, topography and geographic location. For example, the Old Town area was shaped by the economics of the Port of Bellingham, while the Commercial Core Area has a long-standing tradition of general retail. Railroad Avenue has a unique identity as well, which in part comes from the very wide street that reflects the existence of a rail line earlier in the City's history.

The Civic Center lies along the northern edge of downtown and spans Whatcom Creek. Buildings in this area house City and County offices as well as a variety of other governmental services. The Post Office and Public Library are also a part of this complex. The cultural district focal points include historic buildings containing the Whatcom Museum of History and Art and the Mt. Baker Theater. The Hillclimb, a ceremonial stairway leading from Holly Street to the Civic Center and Cultural District also serves as an outdoor amphitheater in Maritime Heritage Park on Whatcom Creek. Whatcom Creek Trail and Greenway runs along the northern border of the neighborhood and provides a pedestrian connector from the waterfront to adjacent neighborhoods.

The central waterfront historically supported industrial uses and commercial fishing. It includes Squalicum Harbor Marina, Zuanich Point Park and commercial/industrial areas primarily managed by the Port of Bellingham. The City and the Port have recently joined forces to create a redevelopment plan for 137 industrial waterfront acres acquired by the Port with homes, shops, offices and light industry, as well as parks and promenades, a healthy shoreline habitat along Bellingham Bay, and a new marina.

While there are many homes in the downtown neighborhood, the vast majority of residents of this neighborhood live in condominiums or apartments. The Keystone Condominiums (pictured) is an example of the type of the hotel style building that is popular in the downtown area. Close to WWU, shopping, dining, Farmers Market, Food Coop, Main Bus Line, and the South Bay Walking Trail downtown is a highly desired area.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Silver Beach

Bridget McShane — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:51:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Silver Beach

Located at the eastern edge of the city on Lake Whatcom, the Silver Beach neighborhood was platted into small lots and developed many years ago. As a result of this pattern, there is a wide variety of ages and styles of housing in the neighborhood. The majority of the housing is in good shape and the fact that people take pride in the area is reflected by the well-landscaped lots and well-maintained homes throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood has miles of shoreline along Lake Whatcom, which provides beautiful views, tremendous recreational opportunities, and a unique setting. Over 3,000 Bellingham residents are proud to call this neighborhood home.

Located on Lake Whatcom, 20-acre Bloedel Donovan Park is one of the most popular parks in the city. The park provides boating access to the lake, swimming area, playground, basketball and volley ball courts, open play field, a multi-purpose building with gymnasium and meeting rooms, a smaller building for meetings and classes, and a pre-school.

Big Rock Garden on Sylvan Street is a formal, landscaped garden with a collection of rhododendrons and Japanese maples. It is also the location of the annual sculpture show. Walking paths wind through the gardens. An adjacent open space area includes trails that connect to Silver Beach Elementary School. In addition, the city maintains several access points to Lake Whatcom at Connecticut Street, Donald Street, and the Silver Beach DNR property. Part of the Railroad Trail and north side of Whatcom Falls Park are in the Silver Beach neighborhood.

I couldn't choose a picture of a "quintessential" home for this area as I love them all. I hope you enjoy this picture of some nice homes taken from the lake.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Alabama Hill

Bridget McShane — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:53:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Alabama Hill

Alabama Hill is predominantly a residential neighborhood with single family houses built during the 1960's and 1970's. According to the 2000 census, the neighborhood is home to about 3,000 people. The approximately 1,200 housing units in the neighborhood are predominantly of contemporary design and oriented toward views of the bay and city. Broad, curved streets, cul-de-sacs, limited access to arterial streets, and 7,200 square foot lots with a two/one depth/width ratio are common features in the neighborhood.

Whatcom Falls Park at the south end of Alabama Hill provides a wide range of active recreation opportunities in this neighborhood. St. Clair Park and Highland Heights Park are neighborhood parks with recreation facilities primarily for grade school children. The Railroad Trail provides a multi-use trail and greenway corridor with a safe overpass of Alabama Street and connection to Whatcom Creek Trail.

Gracious, impeccably maintained home located in one of Bellingham's quietest established neighborhoods, just 5 minutes from downtown. Spacious rooms, with formal living & dining areas as well as a warm, wonderful family room with wood stove for chilly winter evenings. Large kitchen includes a sizable breakfast area and good connection to the large deck and lovely back yard. Recent tree removals kept the privacy, but opened the deck to sun throughout the day.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Roosevelt

Bridget McShane — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:50:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Roosevelt

The Roosevelt Neighborhood is located east of Interstate 5, south of Sunset Drive and north of Whatcom Creek. Within its boundaries the Roosevelt Neighborhood is, in every sense of the word, diverse. Land use ranges from single-family residential to industrial. There are concentrations of old and new housing units. Styles vary from 100-year old single family homes to modern apartment complexes. Though styles vary houses and apartments in the Roosevelt Neighborhood are generally well maintained. The gentle slope along the northern boundary of the neighborhood creates properties with pleasing views of Bellingham and the Bay to the west. Over 6,000 residents (9% of total city population) make Roosevelt the most populous neighborhood in the city.

The Light Industrial area is not without its own mix, with uses ranging from automobile dealerships and warehouses to office development in older homes and in modern new buildings.

The Railroad Trail, which occupies the former Burlington Northern Railroad line, connects Whatcom Falls Park to the South Bay Trail west of Interstate 5. This trail is well used by cyclists and pedestrians and traverses residential neighborhoods, the Fever Creek Wildlife Pond, wetlands, forests and fallow fields, the Barkley Village shopping center, and Roosevelt Elementary School. Not only does this trail provide a recreational experience, but also serves as an important wildlife link to adjacent corridors and open space. The Whatcom Creek corridor, which forms the southern boundary of the neighborhood, and 9-acre Roosevelt Neighborhood Park are also significant attributes of the Roosevelt Neighborhood. Roosevelt Park is a neighborhood activity center adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club and includes a playground, picnic area, basketball court and loop trail.

Classic early American farmhouse on huge lot in the Roosevelt neighborhood. 2 spacious outdoor covered porches with detailed columns and woodwork. Updated and redone in 2000 and meticulously maintained since...nothing to do but move on in! Newer appliances and kitchen cabinetry, big walk-in pantry and lots of storage. Nice big flat fenced yard with plenty of space for kids and big boy toys. Heated storage shed with new roof.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Sunnyland

Bridget McShane — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:44:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Sunnyland

Located west of Interstate 5 and north of Whatcom Creek, the Sunnyland Neighborhood is as diverse as any Bellingham neighborhood. Industrial uses (some located in older homes) dominate the southern third of the neighborhood. Multifamily and single family areas surround a neighborhood commercial area at the Alabama/James Street intersection. This neighborhood, home to over 2,200 Bellingham residents, also includes open space and play fields at the reconstructed Bellingham High School, Sunnyland Park, Sunnyland Elementary School and adjacent Memorial Park.

The northern section of the neighborhood contains low density residential uses, and the western part higher density residential uses. The residential character of this neighborhood is generally one of single family two-story older homes, with many families having lived there for many years. Many of the homes in the neighborhood have been well maintained.

Charming 3 bed 1.75 bath Craftsman home on a large lot in Sunnyland. This home has had many recent upgrades, but maintains it's original character including knotty pine walls and ceilings on upper floor, original fir floors under much of the carpet, and oak flooring in the living & dining rooms. The yard is level, has full sun and has fruit trees, room for a garden, and a hot tub. Laundry & storage in the basement. Cute and ready to move in!

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Lettered Streets

Bridget McShane — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:53:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

LETTERED STREETS

The lower falls on Whatcom Creek provided energy for the sawmills, which attracted the first settlers to the town of Whatcom beginning in the 1850's. The brick building located in the 1300 block of "E" Street and the Pickett House, at 910 Bancroft, survives from this early period.

More important than individual histories, however, is the collective historical character of the neighborhood. Constructed for the most part in the late 1890's and early 1900's, the neighborhood was established as a middle-class community adjacent to the city's downtown district. Non-residential structures built during the same era of the early 1900's also contribute to the historic character of the neighborhood. The Great Northern Depot (1927), Aftermath Clubhouse (1914), Roth Block (1890), and First Christian Church site at Girard and A Streets are all on the National Historic Register. The Roeder School (1908), Unity Church (1884), the buildings along W. Holly, and Aker's Taxidermist (1906) at "I" and Astor - originally the Baptist School of Industries - all have local historic significance.

This neighborhood became run-down in the 1960's, but neighbors, with the help of the Community Development Block Grant Program, put in new streets, sidewalks, sewer and water lines, and street trees, and retrofitted hundreds of homes.

Today, this diverse neighborhood includes single family homes, small apartment buildings, offices in older homes and new buildings, small parks and the Whatcom Middle School/Battersby Field complex. Attesting to its ongoing popularity, the neighborhood was home to nearly 3,000 Bellingham residents according to the 2000 census.

Maritime Heritage Park, located on Whatcom Creek, defines the southern boundary of the neighborhood and is a popular multi-use park, fish-hatchery, and educational facility. The public can also learn about the life cycle of the salmon and view the large numbers of fish returning each year to the hatchery. The nine block long Old Village Trail was developed as a useful neighborhood connection.

Stately Craftsman home with an additional building lot in the heart of town. You are walking distance to shopping, schools, restaurants, and parks!

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Columbia

Bridget McShane — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:14:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

Columbia

One of the city's oldest neighborhoods, Columbia is a wonderful place to call home for nearly 4,000 Bellingham residents. The overwhelming majority of the approximately 1,600 residential structures (5% of total city housing) within this neighborhood are single family. The housing is attractive and well maintained, with narrow tree-lined streets and mature landscaping. The southernmost portion of the neighborhood, identified as the Eldridge Historical District, contains many large, historically significant homes.

Columbia Neighborhood residents enjoy the use of Elizabeth Park, which is viewed as a valued community asset. Other parks within the neighborhood include Carl Lobe and Lorraine Ellis Parks with facilities for younger children and families. Squalicum Creek Greenway forms the northwestern border of the neighborhood and there is easy access to Squalicum Creek Park, in the adjacent Birchwood Neighborhood.

This home was built in 1900 for Dr. Frank Van Kirk, who became the Whatcom County Health Officer in 1890. He had traveled the world collecting architectural details to be utilized in the construction of this custom built home. Those original items are still in the home - from the European tiled fireplace, to the drapes that still hang in the living room!

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Mount Baker

Bridget McShane — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:25:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

MOUNT BAKER

Located at the northeastern edge of the city, the Mt. Baker neighborhood is one of Bellingham's fastest growing and most diverse areas. Mt. Baker is home to significant single and multi-family residential areas on both eastern and western sides, and commercial development at the southern edge. Over 600 acres of industrial land was added to the neighborhood in 1998 with the annexation of the "Hannegan/Bakerview" industrial area. By 2000, nearly 3,000 people lived in the Mt. Baker neighborhood.

The Barkley Village area is designated as a "priority urban village" in the City's comprehensive plan. This area will continue to develop with a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial land uses providing jobs and services.

Key open space features include the Squalicum and Baker Creek corridors, Sunset Pond, and the 50-acre Northridge Park. The "Bay to Baker" trail system will traverse the neighborhood roughly along the Squalicum Creek corridor. Squalicum High School is located at the northeastern corner of the neighborhood. The Bay to Baker Trail is planned to continue through the neighborhood with an underpass at I-5. Plans to expand and improve Sunset Pond will provide neighborhood park amenities for the new residential areas adjacent to James Street. Northridge Park provides a forested backdrop to the city and offers views of Bellingham Bay from the trail that winds through the woods. Playground and picnic facilities will be added to the park per the adopted master plan.

This 1910 restored farmhouse has the beauty and charm of days gone by, but has been updated and meticulously maintained. The front porch is perfect for those warm summer evenings and overlooks the remainder of the 20+ acres.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Cornwall Park

Bridget McShane — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:35:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

CORNWALL PARK

According to the 2000 census, approximately 2,300 people call the Cornwall Park Neighborhood home. The neighborhood derives much of its character and charm from the diversity of its recreation areas, open space and large, older homes. These well-maintained homes with large lawns give the neighborhood a pleasant, quiet, residential atmosphere. One such house, the Roeder Home, has considerable historic and architectural value and contributes to the neighborhood character. With convenient access to the freeway, and to downtown and outlying commercial areas, a major regional park, Cornwall Park retains a stable, pleasant residential character. Parkview Elementary School is another neighborhood asset, as is the Bay to Baker Trail and Greenway that will extend through the northern part of the neighborhood.

The 70-acre Cornwall Park in the center of the neighborhood provides a wealth of recreation opportunities for this and adjacent neighborhoods.

The Cornwall Park Neighborhood is also home to St. Joseph Hospital, an important regional medical facility and one of the area's largest employers.

This home by Broadway & Cornwall parks was built in 1945 and boasts over 3000 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, and a gas fired hot water heater. Original wood floors are protected under carpets, lots of built-ins, large rooms & lots of character! Home is on a double lot, has a 2 car garage, and a full basement.

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City of Bellingham Neighborhoods--Birchwood

Bridget McShane — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:00 GMT

City of Bellingham Neighborhoods

The city of Bellingham, located in Whatcom County, has 23 different and distinct neighborhoods. My following 23 blog entries will highlight each one individually. All the neighborhoods have great parks and trails throughout, but I cannot help loving some more than others. I'm sure everyone will forgive me if my favorites are given more space than the others. I will also profile a home that I think of as quintessential for each area.

THE BIRCHWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

The Birchwood neighborhood is home to nearly 5,000 residents according to the 2000 census (7.3% of the total city population). The neighborhood is characterized by older, well-kept homes built on large lots (20,000 square feet or greater). The large lots, mature landscaping, and narrow streets lend a rural atmosphere to the neighborhood. Apartment complexes have been constructed in the multifamily zoned areas primarily along Northwest Avenue and W. Maplewood. In addition, there is a commercial area located near the intersection of Northwest, W. Maplewood and Birchwood Avenue that provides services to the Birchwood, Cornwall Park and Columbia neighborhoods.

Other significant features of the neighborhood include the Bellingham Golf and Country Club, the Squalicum Creek greenbelt, Bellingham Technical College, and Shuksan Middle School.

Birchwood Park provides neighborhood amenities including a playground, basketball court, picnic shelter and open play field. Shuksan Meadows adjacent to Shuksan Middle School provides a playground and half-court basketball near the apartment complexes. Squalicum Creek Park is a new community park acquired with Beyond Greenway Levy funds. The master plan for this 42 acre park includes lighted ballfields, multi-use fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, enclosed pavilion building, and off-leash dog park. Little Squalicum Park, located just outside the neighborhood boundary, provides salt water frontage on Bellingham Bay. The Bay to Baker Trail and greenway connects Little Squalicum, Birchwood and Squalicum Creek Parks.

The home below is a 1927's craftsman located on Alderwood Avenue. It has 4 bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms and 1825+/- sqft. Fir floors, wide base, trim, and crown molding. Beautifully remodeled kitchen w/custom Cherry cabinets, tile counter tops, stainless steel appliances, eating bar w/pass-thru featuring pendants lights + dining room. Remodeled bathrooms. Built-in cabinets + wine storage. Gorgeous .41 acre landscaped lot. Backyard with paver patio & pergola + greenhouse. Large shop. Attached 1-car oversized garage w/opener.

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Bellingham Does It Again

Bridget McShane — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:28:00 GMT

Bellingham Does It Again

Bellingham Rated #1 for Air Quality and Green Space

This according to the NRDC (National Defense Council) a non-profit environmental action group with 300 plus lawyers, scientists and policy experts along with 1.2 million members.

Out of the Top small cities in the country, Bellingham was rated:

#1 for its air quality and green space

#2 for energy production and conservation

#4 for its green buildings

#4 for its recycling efforts

#7 in transportation

If you already live in Whatcom County then you know how great our area is for all the items above plus so much more. However, if you live elsewhere and are looking for a place to live that cares about the environment as well as it does its inhabitants, then Bellingham may be the place for you. Please feel free to call or contact me for more information.

As always, if you have a topic you would like to see discussed in my Blog, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

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Renting vs Buying

Bridget McShane — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:25:00 GMT

RENTING VS BUYING

When is it a good time to stop renting and buy a home?

This is a question that a lot of people are asking right now. Renters who have watched the housing debacle of the past year and half are probably feeling relieved that they didn't get involved. However, the main cause of the housing situation was due to banks loaning more than the consumer could comfortably afford to pay. If you were told that you could only afford a starter home worth $200,000, then you would find a home within that price range. Conversely, if you are told that you can get a loan for $300,000, then you start looking at homes in that price range. So, since the banks don't have your best interest in mind, you better. How, you ask? Education. Never let a bank loan officer tell you how much you can afford. In researching for this entry I found a website that has an easy to read/understand chart and calculator. It gives a clear view of a $200,000 mortgage vs paying $1000 a month on rent. I hope if you are asking yourself the rent vs buy question that you find this helpful. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions you may have. Link to chart and calculator.

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