whatcom county

Many homeowners have delayed a move-up purchase due to rising interest rates in 2023. In 2024, with rates projected to decline and the higher-end market still soft, this may be a good opportunity to consider a move-up purchase. Kate Fadden is a top-producing broker at JLS Bellingham, and she speaks with Paul Balzotti about the process of move-up buying and some creative ways to make it happen.

00:50 What is move-up buying and what does that look like.

04:18 Snoop Dogg almost buying in Bellingham.

5:55 Real Estate stats that benefit a move-up purchase.

08:25 Timing the market and interest rates.

11:00 The costs of waiting. 

14:44 Realtor cliches about it always being a good time to buy.

20:20 Consolidating debt when doing a move-up purchase.

You can reach Kate at katefadden@johnlscott.com.

Paul Balzotti and Vanessa Treadway look back at the 2023 Real Estate market and discuss the JLS forecast for 2024 for both Bellingham and the Whatcom County.

1:00 Vanessa shares her experiences working with buyers in 2023. 

2:45 The median price ranges pick up at the start of the year.

5:25 Vanessa covering appreciation over the last 3-5 years.

7:00 How interest rates will affect the market in 2024.

11:00 When is the bottom for home values.

13:00 Final predictions for JLS 2024 housing market. 

Any questions, please reach out to Vanessa at vanessatreadway@johnlscott.com

For Real Estate brokers/agents looking for tips for getting their business going in 2023, Howard Chung and Paul Balzotti discuss 3 tips for growing your business in 2023. 

TIP #1 Improve your time management.

1:15 Being honest about how many hours you are actually working.
2:50 Scheduling your "power hour".

TIP#2  Collecting and organizing your database.

4:30 Your daily calendar and to-do list.
7:41 Your client base. 

TIP#3  Finding your why.

9:24 Finding your why. 
10:30 Gathering data. 

Blake Lester talks to Paul Balzotti about his background working at Zillow, his time living out of a van in Mexico. WWU economist Hart Hodges also just provided an economic forecast for 2023 for the Whatcom Realtor association, and Blake and Paul share reports from this forecast and where the market stands early in 2023.

You can reach Blake at blakelester@johnlscott.com

00:20  Blake talks working for Zillow for 5 years before becoming a Realtor.
02:44  The Zestimate.
05:50  Blake moves to Mexico.
07:25  Hart Hodges WWU economist forecast.
12:00  Real Estate market update so far in 2023.
14:00  Market forecast.

There is a lot to know about buying your first home, and Oksana Martynyuk is a broker that has hosted First Time Buyer classes and specializes in helping first time buyers. Oksana discusses how most first-time home buyers deserve more education on the process, and more hand-holding along the way. 

1:14  Why Oksana is passionate about helping first-time home-buyers.
2:25  Buying a home in your 20's.
5:03  Why now is a good market for first-time home buyer.
8:44  First-time home-buyer loan programs.
12:30 The 85% rule.
15:00  What your first step should be.

You can reach Oksana at oksanan@johnlscott.com

Links mentioned on the show:

USDA loan program:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-direct-home-loans/wa

Washington state bond:
https://www.wshfc.org/

In this episode Rosalinda Guillen talks with Ali Jensen of the Whatcom Food System Committee, Laura Ridenour of the Whatcom Food Network, Tina McKim from Birchwood Food Desert Fighters and Mike Cohen of the Bellingham Food Bank about the history of the Food System Committee and the efforts being made toward equitable and sustainable food access for all people living in Whatcom County.

More information about the Whatcom Food System Committee here

More information about the Whatcom Food Network here

Direct link to the community survey for the Food System Plan here

Follow the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters on Twitter @BFDFighters or email them at birchwoodfooddesert@gmail.com

Sign up to volunteer with the community garden or mini farm here

Sign up to help with BFDF weekend food distribution/Share Spot here

More information about the Bellingham Food Bank here

Songs in this episode:
Jambalaya by Fats Domino
Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer by Bessie Smith
Crime to be Broke in America by Spearhead
Resilient by Rising Appalachia
Pray by Jimmie Allen

Are you considering a hobby farm, or buying acreage? Crissy Impero grew up in Whatcom County on land, and stll runs a small hobby farm. Paul Balzotti and Crissy discuss raw land, farming, and important factors to consider when buying acreage. 

0:39 Crissy's background in Whatcom County and hobby farming. 
3:07 Whatcom County areas to find acreage.
4:41 Private wells and water use-age.
9:30 Septic systems. 
12:00 Forestry and open space designated land.
19:16 Building verse buying resell homes. 

You can reach Crissy at crissyimpero@johnlscott.com or 360-393-7384

Jeremy is a spartan race veteran, a baseball coach, and movement instructor.  He also has his own podcast and blog focusing on self improvement and motivating individuals to be better.  We discuss his take on building strength and flexibility, the people that influence him, the Ron Johnson Project, and finally, American Ninja Warrior.  You can learn more about Jeremy's content or get in touch with him on his website.  Please check out his blog and follow him on Instagram as well.

Check out the Amalgam Podcast Blog on our website or the Apple News App

Follow @amalgampodcast on Instagram and subscribe to the show:

iTunes
Google Play
Stitcher
YouTube
Spotify

Support the show on Patreon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I’m right on the US & Canadian border in Blaine, WA. At the newly opened Atwood Ales, Blaine’s first & oldest brewery, Josh & Monica Smith began releasing their beers in Spring 2016. 

For more from The Cascadian Beer Podcast.. go to website: http://cascadian.beer

For more information about Atwood Ales
Website: http://atwoodales.com
Facebook & Untappd

This episode was made possible by supporters on Patreon. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support its creation, you can by pledging on our show page.

Podcast Created and Hosted by: Aaron Johnson
Recorded on location at Atwood Ales, Blaine, WA
Editing & Mixing by: Aaron Johnson
Theme music by: A:M (Aaron Johnson & Danny Moffat)

Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/doublea

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.