Bellingham's Columbia Neighborhood - 03/26/09 09:46 PM
Great article on the Columbia nieghborhood. We have several friends in Columbia and we are excited every time we get to go over there. It is peaceful and wonderful place. The kids running around everywhere makes it fell so "Americana".
Chris Farkas
Plse join me at Biznik and LinkedIn
EXIT Realty AssociatesEmail List Of HomesBank Owned HomesStop ForeclosureFSBO Assistance
 

Via Tara Camp - Bellingham Realtor® (Bellingham Realtor with Connect Realty, Inc):
Columbia neighborhood is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Bellingham, Wa.  With the majority of houses being alley loaded, craftsman style homes, the neighborhood's ambiance is one … (0 comments)

Bellingham's New Cordata Bus Station - 03/26/09 09:44 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com
Via Michael Eisenberg, Bellingham Realtor (BuyerTours Realty):
Yes it's true, Bellingham has grown into a two bus station town. With the opening of its new Cordata Bus Station last week the Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) now has two bus stations. The new Cordata Station will service the fast-growing Cordata neighborhood. With the growth of Whatcom Community College and the area in general, it seems like a natural place for the extension of the bus system. With lots of condos, apartments, and new homes in the area, the … (0 comments)

Bellingham Homes - Cornwall Neighborhood - 03/26/09 09:43 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com
Via Tara Camp - Bellingham Realtor® (Bellingham Realtor with Connect Realty, Inc):
Cornwall Park Neighborhood is nestled in the heart of Bellingham. Cornwall Park is best known for its namesake a large, 70 acres park that offers a wealth of recreation.  Equipped with playgrounds, baseball fields, spray water park, wooded trails, hills, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and a disc golf course.   Cornwall Neighborhood is home to around 2300 residence that enjoy the character and charm of the area due to it's older homes, large yards, and … (0 comments)

Downtown Bellingham Washington / Bellingham Central Business District - 03/26/09 09:42 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com
Via Rich & Lylene Johnson (The JohnsonTeam @ The Muljat Group South):
 
The Central Business District in Bellingham, Washington is probably the most diverse neighborhood in Bellingham. The area includes a smorgasboard of businesses, services, activities and living choices. It includes the well known landmark of the Mt Baker Theatre  For those interested in housing available in the Bellingham Central Business District or Downtown Bellingham, you can access the downtown Bellingham real estate opportunities offered by the Johnson Team by clicking here. There is a photo … (0 comments)

Barkley Area Housing Market, Bellingham, WA - 03/26/09 09:41 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com
Via Elaine A. Cook-Bellingham Real Estate (Connect Realty.com):
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, one would think it was a sellers market in the Barkley area!  
However, already this month things are picking up! Buyers are coming off the … (0 comments)

Job Base Whatcom County - 03/23/09 05:30 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com

Via Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc):
Whatcom County, Washington, compared to many cities, has a small industrial base. Years back we had a major paper mill in Bellingham. That phased-out and shut down over a year ago now. We have a couple refineries in the Ferndale area. Also, in Ferndale, and it has been around since I was a kid, we have the Intalco plant which is now owned by Alcoa. That plant is an aluminum smelter and right now it is … (0 comments)

YES WE CAN turn this market around! - 03/23/09 05:23 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com

Via Loannetter:
If the leaking of CEO memos and overheard Starbucks conversations are now constituting grounds for 'market confidence' heaven help us! Wall Street followers are awash with disbelief about the sudden convenient rallies. The surge in Financials on Tuesday was inexplicable. Oddly, Bonds have been moving sideways and later today we got mortgage rate improvements suggesting something is afoot among insiders. Now I understand that insider trading is illegal. But is Big Bank manipulation of our money supply similarly illegal? The powerful influencers in our market are trying to figure out … (0 comments)

Can This LOAN can be SAVED? - 03/23/09 05:20 PM
Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com

Via Loannetter:
Sadly, most of us know someone who is in a stressed mortgage situation! The sheer numbers of files landing on bank negotiator's tables is astounding. Here's an update.
NEWS: Making Home Affordable Released March 4, 2009  
FIRST:To qualify for the Obama Plan, Making Home Affordable, first, find out if Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae holds your loan: Call your lender or loan servicer (number on your mortgage statement) and ask them if ...or contact Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae directly
1-800-FREDDIE (8am to 8pm EST) 1-800-7FANNIE (8am to 8pm EST)
NEXT: … (0 comments)

NON Toxic Assets: Step Right Up, Get'em While They're HOT! - 03/23/09 05:18 PM

Chris Farkas is a Realtor with EXIT Realty Associates in beautiful Bellingham, WAwww.RealBellingham.com www.SoundShortSale.com www.WhatcomBankOwned.com www.BellinghamMarketValue.com
Via Loannetter:
NEWSFLASH: Not ALL Mortgage Backed Securities Are Bad!National Public Radio Podcast from the Planet Money Team 03/20/09: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.htmlaction=1&t=1&islist=false&id=102154567&m=102154705The analysis is laid out on the actual payback of Mortgage Backed Securities over time vs. the value today (i.e., if you sold your holdings). If you sold them today, sure you'd get back 50 cents on the dollar of your investment. You see, the world has gotten the view lately that risk is bad. Lots of folks are buying these things and would continue to … (0 comments)

What happens if my bank owned closing gets delayed? - 03/23/09 05:08 PM
This one can be tough for the buyer. Unlike most resale purchases, the bank expects you to honor your agreement and close on or before the day agreed upon. I can tell you from experience there are many, many hiccups that can happen along the way but the bank doesn’t care, they want it closed per the agreement. So if your lender is slow to react and respond and doesn’t get the documents to closing on time for instance, there is usually a per diem charge in the contract that the bank will expect you to pay from the agreed upon … (5 comments)

Why Don't Realtors Have FAITH in Preapproval Letters? 8 Questions Every Preapproval Should Answer - 03/18/09 11:20 PM

Via Janet Guilbault, California Mortgage Expert (Banker/Broker with RPM Mortgage, FHA Certified):
Why do Realtors think preapproval letters are about as worthless as a wet cocktail napkin? Has it become so bad that Realtors believe a do-it-yourself prequalification is better than one from the mortgage office?
I believe the time has come for preapproval letters to gain some respect. We can accomplish this by offering a much more detailed picture of where the borrower is in the process of becoming approved.
In this post I will tell you the 8 questions that every preapproval letter should answer.
THE COMMENTS THAT SHOCKED … (0 comments)

Is a bank owned home a bargain or a steal? - 03/18/09 10:08 PM
It's commonly assumed that bank owned homes are a real steal and one should run out blindly and buy it, but that’s not always the case and mostly is not. Banks are much more motivated than most sellers for sure as they have thousands of home “in stock” and want to get them off their books as soon as possible, but they also know they don’t need to make their losses any worse than they already are. When considering buying a bank owned home, you need to be as prudent as you would be in any big purchase and check your … (7 comments)

Short Sales. Would an attorney based negotiating team help? - 03/16/09 09:23 AM
Finally the consumer has some legal assistance with "teeth". Banks have an endless stream of attorney and they are not afraid to use them. It is about time that banks get a dose of their own medicine. We are fortunate that a man like Bob Gammache has assembled a solid team of attorneys to go after the "villains" and not the "victims"
Thanks Bob,
Chris Farkas
www.SoundShortSale.com
 
 
Via Bob Gammache, CMPS (TMC Lending):
Short Sales
Short sales have become a large and growing part of the real estate market today. Short sales are defined as a transaction where the seller and … (1 comments)

Can A Loan Officer help with Short Sales? - 03/16/09 09:19 AM
Bob,
All your articles are a relief to the insanity that plague our markets today. I do short sales almost exclusively and I look forward to regulary reading your insightful comments.
Chris Farkas
www.SoundShortSale.com
www.RealBellingham.com
 
Via Bob Gammache, CMPS (TMC Lending):
How can a Loan Officer involved in the Loss Mitigation business help a real estate investor and Realtor make money?
Actually, in several ways.
•1)     We can help you stop wasting time chasing deals that will never close
•2)     We can help you identify those deals that lenders will accept as a short sale
•3)     We can help you determine the … (0 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - 03/16/09 09:17 AM
I look forward to learning of the many changes that are still coming about in the new financial arena.
Chris Farkas
www.RealBellingham.com
Via Bob Gammache, CMPS (TMC Lending):
One of the most exciting new provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The credit is designed to encourage first-time homebuyers to go ahead and make the leap to purchase their first homes. Combine this tax credit with the fact that home prices are at historical lows, and indeed it is an ideal time for many first-time homebuyers to purchase homes.
Here are some things to … (0 comments)

Helping Past Clients With A Forensic Mortgage Audit - 03/16/09 09:15 AM
Banks have committed such an unbelievable level of fraud that it is a relief to see someone working on behalf of the consumer to attack the banks. Thanks Bob and God bless.
Via Bob Gammache, CMPS (TMC Lending):
I know that both Realtors and Loan Officers have past clients who are either behind on their mortgage or are upside down on their home. Many are looking for help and guidance from their real estate professional. Here is one answer.
My mortgage practice has evolved to include a consulting service for distressed homeowners. I offer a free phone consultation to help people understand which … (1 comments)

Bank owned / short sale – what is the difference? - 03/14/09 11:05 AM
A bank owned home is just that – a home, owned by the bank taken back as what the bank calls “real estate owned” – or REO as the term is commonly known. This was usually done in the form of a foreclosure or the sellers gave the house back to the bank with a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The bank owns the house outright and has put it on the market to sell.
A Short Sale is where the seller owes more money on the house than its worth and has contacted the bank to sell it for “short” … (1 comments)

Sometimes It Can Be Hard To Be Friends With a REALTOR - 03/06/09 10:17 PM
Steve,
Once again you hit the nail on the head. I'm working smarter and harder than ever and still feel like I'm going 24//7.
Almost daily I'm getting calls from people in distress and all of them are emergencies. I just can't seem to say "no". But helping people is what I'm all about. I catch up  with my girls every little chance I get.
Chris Farkas
EXIT Realty Associates
www.WhatcomShortSale.com
 
Via Audrey June-Forshey, GRI, Gaithersburg, MD (RE/MAX Realty Group):
Sometimes it can be hard to be friends with a REALTOR.  I don't mean because we are a difficult sort at times or … (0 comments)

OBAMA Housing Rescue Plan Lifts Some Boats! - 03/06/09 10:12 PM

Via Loannetter:


WHICH BOATS? Good news hit the airwaves today about the Stimulus Bill in regards to Distressed Homeowners. SO--What exactly does the term 'assistance for homeowners' mean? I can tell you that is one very long piece of string. The promise of homeowner assistance boils down to helping folks who may have lost their jobs, experienced a business closure, suffered a bankruptcy, experienced serious medical issues, seen their home values tank and cannot sell their homes (without a huge loss) or have otherwise become unable to help themselves climb out of their particular pit since they originally took out their mortgage. Many many … (0 comments)

Daddy-O, are we there YET? - 03/06/09 10:12 PM

Via Loannetter:

OBAMA Rescue Plan Thread: I recently shared my observations on the state of mortgage brokering with Bill Cara, a top commentator on the global banking and financial system. Bill published my thoughts and a discussion thread ensued to raise awareness in this circle of influlence: http://caracommunity.com/content/president-speaks-well-he-listening 
Members of this community may find this blog relevant to your own investment perspective. I have been following Cara, a noted Canadian trader who is now based in the Bahamas for about a year. He wrote a very astute guide book on investing in equity markets titled: Lessons from the Trader Wizard availableon Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Trader-Wizard-Bill-Cara/dp/1897403003  
Enjoy his generous perspective! Thanks for … (0 comments)

Is It True Loan Officers HAVE MORE FUN? - 03/06/09 10:12 PM

Via Loannetter:
Here's a sad expose about a Loan Officer recently convicted for mortgage fraud in Seattle. The only problem is that this article, while well illustrated on the front page of the Seattle Times, is that it leaves some doubt as to just who this crook represented (besides himself). He is apparently not blonde. We can assume seven years in the slammer will be no fun whatsoever.
Re: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008793819_webbrooks27m.html   
The article about Chris Brooks, a former loan officer at America Mortgage of Bellevue, paints the suggestion that he was working as mortgage broker. What really bugs me is their use of … (0 comments)

EXIT Realty Technology Webinar a Huge Hit with Real Estate Agents! - 03/06/09 06:53 PM

Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International):
EXIT Realty Corp. International launched its new monthly webinar series, called "techinars" this week focused on today's real estate technology solutions. Being the first major real estate brand born after the start of the internet age, EXIT Realty franchisees and sales agents enjoy some of the most cutting edge technology in the industry and the first techinar focused on helping associates make full use of EXIT's vast toolbox accessed through the EXIT Resource Center.
Nancy Lloyd, a sales representative with EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley in Montana said, "The webinar was fantastic, our … (0 comments)

Training and Support Key Factors in Decision to Purchase EXIT Realty Franchise - 03/06/09 06:52 PM

Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International):
Owning a trucking company prepared one EXIT Realty franchisee to recognize an opportunity, switch gears, and pursue success.
Like many real estate professionals, Shirley Davidson's career started out in a different industry. Twenty years of owning a trucking company provided her with invaluable business insight and the acumen necessary to open, operate, and run a successful real estate brokerage.
"A friend advised me to check into the future of real estate - EXIT Realty. I was sold on the idea of no desk fees, the commission split, and that my sponsor would … (0 comments)

Teal is the New Green at EXIT Realty! New environmentally-conscious initiative from EXIT 's Approved Supplier Program launches this week - 03/06/09 06:49 PM

Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International):
"'Green' is one of the top marketing buzz words of 2009," says Amy Youngren, EXIT Realty Corp. International's Manager of Ancillary Services. "EXIT is going green by introducing "Teal Is the New Green", an eco-friendly division, featuring special products and services of our Approved Suppliers. "Teal Is the New Green" is another way that EXIT's Approved Supplier Program brings exceptional resources and extraordinary possibilities to our associates across North America."
EXIT Realty Approved Supplier AnnounceMyMove is a proud supporter of the "green way of life". Their product is created online with no … (0 comments)

56-Hour EXIT Realty Open House Live on Ustream.tv - 03/06/09 06:48 PM

Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International):
EXIT Realty Bend franchisee invites visitors to marathon virtual open house March 13th on Ustream.tv.
In 1916 Houdini strapped himself into a straightjacket and hung upside down off the roof of a building where 50,000 people watched him escape. People have been rolling over Niagara Falls in barrels for decades, walking across tightropes between buildings for years and celebrities like David Copperfield have captured the attention of millions by performing spectacular illusions that overwhelmed, stunned and entertained.
Jim Mazziotti, the principal broker and franchise owner of EXIT Realty Bend, located in beautiful Bend, Oregon, does not seek … (0 comments)

 
Christine Farkas (Keller Williams Western Realty) Rainmaker_large

Christine Farkas

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

Keller Williams Western Realty

Address: 2211 Rimland Drive, Suite 124, Bellingham, WA, 98226

Office Phone: (360) 312-5919

Cell Phone: (360) 393-0793

Email Me

The majority of my clients already live in or around Bellingham and are both selling and buying in our area. Some of my clients are selling out of the area and moving to Whatcom County from as far away as California or even Washington, DC. Bellingham and Whatcom County are vibrant places and are undergoing many changes. This is the greatest time ever to live in the Pacific Northwest and especially in Whatcom County.


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