Elaine A. Cook's Savvy Blog

Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.'   Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.   When it was time, they told her about the facts of life.   They warned her about going out and getting half-baked,...

So here are the numbers for Bellingham Whatcom County Foreclosures. Approximately 40% of home sold in Whatcom County are a short sale or foreclosure..aka distressed property. There are 91 homes involved in a bankruptcy proceeding.Currrent Bellingham and Whatcom County foreclosures total 166, with...

I give kudos to Gragg Miller, Broker of our local Bellingham  Coldwell Banker, for his recent article in the Bellingham Herald, the art of pricing a house in our ever changing market. When meeting with clients who are looking to sell their property, I have always taken comps, to help determine p...

The year ended on the down side...no surprise there!  Our local sales volume is still down. No question about it! On average about 30% down from this time last year. Barkley area has a historically low inventory right now.  With 109 homes sold in the last 6 months and only 69 homes on the market,...

Scotty Browns, which has already been shortened to Scotty B's by the locals, is the newest dining choice in the Barkley area. There have been reviews ranging from "fabulous" to "okay."  I do know that one of the day time cooks is absolutely fantastic!  Ty Cook.  Yes, one of my many sons! And with...

What is really going in our market? What is the "new" process for buying a home? Is there still 100% financing? (Yes) What are my options as a home buyer? Does buying a home still make sense? (Usually, but not always!) What things do I need to consider?   These and many other questions will be an...

What is really going in our market? What is the "new" process for buying a home? Is there still 100% financing? (Yes) What are my options as a home buyer? Does buying a home still make sense? (Usually, but not always!) What things do I need to consider?   These and many other questions will be an...

Money! Through the 1st Time Home Buyer Program discussed here, and the Rural Housing Program!And let us not forget the $7500 Housing Tax Credit  given out by the government.   We are going to focus on the WA State 1st Time Home Buyer Program.  The House Key program.Currently there is a waiting li...