STEP 4 – TO BUYING A HOME – THINGS YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT DO

Hello Bellingham, Being a landlord can be rewarding—but it’s not as simple as handing over the keys. From screening tenants and setting clear leases to handling maintenance and avoiding common pitfalls, a little strategy goes a long way. Whether you already own a rental or you’re just curious about investing, this quick read breaks down the essential do’s and don’ts every landlord should know. 👉 Read the full guide on Avail.

🍂 Get Autumnal in Whatcom County From cozy corn mazes to picture-perfect pumpkin patches, fall is in full swing across Whatcom County. Discover the best spots for hayrides, cider sips, and pumpkin picking this season.  👉 See the full roundup on WhatcomTalk.

🍁 Hello Bellingham, Fall is packed with local favorites from Doctober Film Festival to the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour and Bellingham Exit Arts & Music Festival. Don’t miss Blaine’s Seaside Bash & OysterFest for waterfront fun and local flavor, or get your fright fix at the Bleedingham Horror Film Festival later in the month. Whether you’re into films, food, or fall color drives, there’s something happening every weekend to celebrate our vibrant community.

The federal government shutdown that began today is already impacting homebuyers, sellers, and renters in Whatcom County, according to local Managing Broker and REALTOR® Andi Dyer of RE/MAX Whatcom County. One of the most significant immediate effects is the lapse of authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to issue new policies. This could delay closings for properties in flood-prone areas such as Birch Bay and the Nooksack Valley. Existing NFIP policies remain valid for 30 days, but uncertainty grows the longer the shutdown continues. Other disruptions include: IRS income verification delays, which could slow mortgage approvals. FHA and VA loan processing backlogs, affecting many first-time buyers and veterans. Potential funding slowdowns for federal housing programs, which may ripple into rental markets. This doesn’t mean real estate transactions stop—it means they may take longer. Real estate doesn’t stop during a shutdown—it just gets more complicated. My job is to help people cut through the red tape and keep their transactions on track. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is urging Congress to reauthorize NFIP and pass a funding agreement to reduce uncertainty in the housing market.

(From Someone Who’s Been There — and Won!)

Discover how Bellingham’s zoning changes open doors for garages, D-ADUs, and investment growth. Learn how to spot an opportunity. Zoning might sound like a snooze-worthy subject until you realize it could be the difference between your future ADU income stream or a garage gym…and a hard “no” from the City of Bellingham. Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing, or investing, zoning affects what you can do with your property now and how it grows with you later. Let’s decode the fine print without the headache. What’s Changed in Bellingham Zoning? D-ADUs are in. Many lots can now support Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. “Missing Middle” zoning allows duplexes and triplexes in many residential neighborhoods. Parking requirements have eased, reducing cost and complexity for additions. How to Spot Future Potential Lot size + layout Slope and access Utility hookups Bonus tip: A daylight basement with exterior access? That’s a future rental unit waiting to happen. Tools of the Trade City of Bellingham GIS Portal Permitting Portal Custom zoning cheat sheets I share with clients Want to Know What You Can Do With a Property? I’ll run a full zoning analysis and walk you through what’s possible. 

I will be a guest speaker on Friday, October 17, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM . Where: Virtual—watch from the comfort of home or on the go! Hosted by: Aging Well Whatcom, an initiative of the Chuckanut Health Foundation. What to expect: a clear snapshot of senior housing in Whatcom County—what’s working, where the gaps are, and where the opportunities lie—plus a panel discussion on progress and next steps. Click the button to register! Aging Well Whatcom works to ensure our community has the culture, infrastructure, and support for all of us to age well. 

Learn how to invest in Bellingham real estate without getting overwhelmed. Discover expert tips on zoning, rentals, and ROI in Whatcom County.

If you’ve been refreshing rate trackers over your morning Woods Coffee, good news: Whatcom County mortgage rates just slid to a new 2025 low after a softer-than-expected U.S. jobs report. Translation? The bond market is betting the Federal Reserve will trim short-term rates multiple times, and that’s putting downward pressure on home loan costs here in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and Birch Bay. Why rates dropped this week (in plain English)  When the monthly jobs report comes in weak, investors get cautious and shift money into safer assets like U.S. Treasurys. That pushes Treasury yields down—and mortgage rates often follow. You may hear chatter about “basis points” and “Fed cuts.” Don’t stress the jargon: the big picture is that borrowing just got a bit cheaper. Jobs report → bond yields → mortgage rates Slower hiring = lower expectations for inflation and growth Lower expectations = lower bond yields Lower bond yields = more favorable mortgage rates for homebuyers What lower rates mean in Bellingham, Ferndale & beyond Buyers: more purchasing power (but move fast) A small rate dip can boost your budget by tens of thousands over a 30-year loan. In neighborhoods like Barkley, Lettered Streets, and Cordata—where updated homes under $700K still draw weekend traffic—expect renewed competition. Get pre-approved and rate-locked so you can tour on Saturday and write on Sunday. Sellers: more showings, smarter pricing Falling rates wake up sidelined buyers. That can mean stronger open house turnout in Ferndale’s newer plats and quicker activity on well-prepped listings near Lake Whatcom and Meridian. Price with the market (not last spring’s wish list), and lean on fresh staging and pro photos to ride the momentum. Should you refinance now or wait? Have a rate starting with 7 or 8? Run the numbers now. Even a 0.5% drop can pay for itself quickly. Locked recently in the mid-6s? Keep an eye on the next Fed meeting. If the trend continues, a “float-down” with your lender could be your friend. Jumbo or VA/FHA loans? Program-specific pricing moves differently—let’s audit your scenario before you jump. Local lens: Whatcom County micro-trends we’re seeing Bellingham real estate market: Nicely updated, move-in-ready homes under the county median still draw multiple offers when priced right. Lynden: Tight inventory for single-level homes; rate drops amplify demand from downsizers. Birch Bay/Blaine: Waterfront and view condos perk up quickly when rates ease—watch HOA dues and special assessments in your math. Ferndale: Newer construction with energy-efficient features is benefiting as monthly payments dip. Action plan: 3 quick steps to capitalize Get a same-day pre-approval refresh. Rates shift. Make sure your letter and payment estimates reflect today’s pricing. Request a “payment-first” search. Tell me your ideal monthly payment; I’ll reverse-engineer neighborhoods and property types that fit. Plan your lock strategy. Consider a lock-and-shop or float-down option, especially if you’re 30–45 days from closing. FAQ Will lower mortgage rates drop home prices in Bellingham? Not automatically. Lower rates often increase demand, which can support or nudge up prices—especially for well-located, move-in-ready homes. Is it better to buy now or wait for more Fed cuts? If the right home shows up and the payment works, waiting can cost you in competition. We can structure contingencies and a lock strategy to manage risk. What about first-time buyers in Whatcom County? Here’s the bonus: I’m a certified Washington State Housing Finance Commission instructor , which means I can connect you with programs that unlock up to $40,000 in down payment assistance . If you’re starting out, this can be a serious game-changer. Call me today to start a conversation, Andi Dyer, 360.734.6479