The Best of Bellingham By Shannon Neufeld

Cornwall Park Neighborhood

2012-10-08T17:58:00Z

Cornwall Park Neighborhood

The Cornwall Park Neighborhood is in the north central part of Bellingham. This neighborhood is comprised mostly of single family homes and some apartments in a quiet part of town, where many people walk or ride bikes to shopping, schools and downtown. The portion of the neighborhood centered on Broadway Park was developed in the 1910s and is made up of craftsman homes and bungalows. The streets in this part of the neighborhood are winding and curved, with many beautifully crafted and well maintained properties. Near Cornwall Park, many homes were built in the 1950s. These homes are just a few steps away from Cornwall Park and the neighborhood elementary school. On the northern edge of the neighborhood is St. Joseph Hospital, the largest hospital in the region and Bellingham’s largest public employer.

Parks

As you can tell by the name,Cornwall Park is a very prominent part of the area, taking up about ten percent of the neighborhood with an entire 70 acres. Though the park has several open grassy areas, it is mostly fir and cedar forest with numerous trails and bike paths weaving through it. There are two children’s playgrounds, a toddler’s water park, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a nine hole disc golf course that is in constant use. Squalicum Creek runs through the park, and is a popular place for children to play on hot days. Broadway Park, on the south side of the Neighborhood is another large park. Broadway Park has two children’s play grounds and large open areas where neighborhood kids often play soccer.

Roeder Home

Right around the corner from Broadway Park is one of the oldest and grandest homes in the neighborhood. The Roeder Home was built for Victor Roeder, a prominent business man and son of one or Bellingham’s early founders. Built in the Bracketed Gothic style with the finest materials and technology available and finished in 1908, the Roeder home is now on the National List of Historic Places and owned by Whatcom County. Today it functions as a cultural arts and social center. Art classes, events, receptions and weddings are held here every week.

Saint Joseph Hospital

Bellingham is fortunate to be the home of the region’s much acclaimed St.Joseph Hospital The 253 bed hospital has an excellent Child Birth Center, a Level III trauma center, Cardiovascular Center and Cancer Center. St. Joseph’ Cardiovascular Center offers the latest technologies specializes in heart surgery The St. Joseph Cancer Center offers the best technology, techniques and medical skills available to treat cancer. St. Joseph’s is operated by PeaceHealth and is one of Whatcom County's leading employers.

Schools

The children living in the Cornwall Park Neighborhood are close to all the schools they will attend. Parkview Elementary is tucked away on the edge of the neighborhood next to Cornwall Park. Parkview has the reputation of having excellent parental involvement and dedicated teachers. Being next to Cornwall Park allows the students to do several science lessons each year that take advantage of the park’s flora and fauna. The students are well known for their salmon release program where the children raise several hundred salmon fry and then release them into Squalicum Creek in Cornwall Park. Middle School Students go to nearby Whatcom Middle School and then onto Bellingham High School Besides the public schools, the Cornwall Park Neighborhood is close to several well attended private schools such Assumption Catholic School.

Homes for Sale

For a current list of homes for sale in the Cornwall Park Neighborhood, click here to start your search.

Cold weather is coming soon! Tips to help you winterize your home.

2012-09-25T19:48:00Z

Fall may have just arrived over the weekend but colder temperatures are on the horizon. Below are some simple tips to help you winterize your home and save some money in the process. Most of these tips are really simple, cost little, and can help reduce your energy bill – thus helping both your wallet and the environment!

Insulate your attic. One of the easiest ways to save some money is to ensure that you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic. Hot air rises and through the attic is where it’ll go unless you sufficient insulate it. The rule of thumb is that if you can see your ceiling joists (the wooden beams), you don’t have enough because those are often shorter than 12 inches.

Turn off exterior water lines. Chances are you won’t be using any of the water faucets outside of your home, so shut the valve that allows water to those exterior bibs. This prevents the water inside from freezing and cracking your pipes.

Open the blinds in sunny rooms. Be sure to keep the blinds open on any rooms that get a lot of sun, ever little bit of extra heat can help keep those bills down.

Get a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help you save a ton of money by only turning on when you most need it. All HVAC systems work the same way – they are either on or off (there’s no low, medium, or high intensity setting). If you can keep your system off when you’re not home or when you’re asleep, you can save yourself a lot of money. They are easy to install and often break-even (cost vs. savings) within the first year. Here are the things I do to make the hVAC run as little as possible:

We set the minimum temperature of the home to 55 degrees F.
The thermostat is otherwise set to 65 degrees when “on.”
It’s set to be turn on about thirty minutes before we wake up and shuts off at around 9:30.
It turns on at around 5:30, which is approximately half an hour before we get home.
The system shuts down at around 11:00, about half an hour before we go to sleep.
I work from home now but I haven’t worked from home during the winter yet, so I’ll have to see how cold it gets… so far it’s been fine in the summer (which nothing changes except the temperature settings).

Consider lowering the temperature setting on your thermostat. A lower temperature means the system is on less, so try lowering the temperature a degree at a time. You’ll either adjust or reach a point where the temperature is far too low. Either way, you’ll find your sweet spot where your wallet meets your body’s needs. There’s no sense dropping the temperature so low that you get sick, that just doesn’t make financial sense. And put on a sweater.

Replace your HVAC air filter. I recently replaced my air filter after the fall season and noticed it was remarkably dirty despite our limited use During the fall and winter, when the system will run more often, it’s good to replace it monthly so that you don’t have a dirty air filter ruining the efficiency of the system.

Flip the switch on your ceiling fan. This one is really easy, just flip the rotation direction on your ceiling fans. As hot air rises in the winter, you want the fan to blow upward and slowly. This circulates the hot air back down into the room. When it becomes warmer, you want the fans to blow downward and quickly to cool you off.

Install window insulators. Window insulators are simply plastic sheets you tape up over windows to add an extra layer of protection from the cold. This is especially effective if you have drafty windows as the head from your home can easily escape from those spaces. If you have especially drafty or old windows (especially if they’re single pane), consider replacing them.

Have Your Own Piece of Bellingham History

2012-09-18T22:54:00Z

Don't miss your opputunity to own your own piece of Bellingham history with this grand Victorian home originally built 1891. Restored & updated the chartacter and design of yesteryear with the luxuries of today. Currently listed for $539,00 this 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is a must see!

Beautiful & unique features throughout the home with tall ceilings, fine woodwork, stained glass, period style lighting & new yet 1920’s style kitchen. Livable flow w/ oversized windows, water views, a low maintenance wrap-around porch & yard makes you feel like you are on vacation. The hard work is done; updated wiring & plumbing, insulated attic, tankless hot water, refinished floors and wood work.

To schedul your own private showing call (360) 393-1183 or to view more information on the home visit http://nwmlsfull.graphicaldata.com/extra/73/377573_12.jpg

Tips for Making Your Home More Energy Friendly and Green!

2012-09-13T19:53:00Z

1) Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.

2) Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.

3) Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating. Compared to a 1990 model, an Energy Star-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four and a half months.

4) Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as mush as 10 gallons of water each week.

5) Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. Low-flow faucets reduce water consumption and the cost of heating water by as much as 50 percent; using a low-flow toilet can save Americans 2.1 trillion gallons of water and $11.3 million nationwide every day.

6) Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.

7) Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fasted growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides.

8) Select solid woods harvested from sustainably-managed forests, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.

9) Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable. Consider the "lifecycle" of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is no longer needed?

10) Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water

Tips For Getting Your Home Ready for Fall

2012-09-11T20:56:00Z

Although the weather is still sunny and warm, Fall is on the way. Here are 8 tips for getting your home ready for fall!

1. Remove your summer decor and accessories. I keep out of season things on a shelf in my garage, or in lidded baskets in my home.

2. Let your home breathe. What you set out for a season is as important as what you take away. Try to box up a few “non-seasonal” decorative items to allow your home more room to breathe. The less stuff you have out, the more your fall decor will stand out as important and special.

3. Don’t over think “fall decorating.” Think more along the lines of being inspired by the fall season. What are the colors and textures that make you feel cozy? What types of activities do you like to take part in during the autumn season? If you incorporate the “feel” of the season into your home, rather than over-doing obvious “seasonal decor,” your home will be inviting and comfortable without looking like you tried too hard.

4. Keep it simple. No need to go overboard on decorating every corner, a couple of simple changes in each room will go a long way. Try changing a couple of throw pillows, adding a cozy throw, bringing out some books and perhaps adding a fall wreath or vase of branches to your fireplace or a bowl of pine cones on the table.

5. Consider the scent of your home. I love having a home that smells like fall. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, pumpkin and cloves are some of my favorite fall scents. I love the smell of candles and scented pine cones to fill my house!

6. Let the seasons evolve. I don’t put all my fall touches out at once. In September I focus on simple changes like fall throw pillows, for instance, but I tend to avoid putting out my pumpkins until October.

7. Invite some friends over for a simple fall get together. Your home should be a place where community and friendship can take place. Does that idea scare you? Please don’t wait until you have the perfect sized home, *** and span corners, impressive furniture or have time to create an awesome meal. That is too much pressure for you AND your guests! Focus on gracious hospitality over perfection. Invite people over for a simple game night, chili and cornbread, movie and popcorn, or a hot cider and pumpkin pie night.

Pricing Your Home To Sell

2012-09-05T03:18:00Z

Did you know that the best chance for selling your property is within the first six weeks? It's true. Studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net upon sale. It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of your listing contract. The market can be tough when it comes to pricing and over pricing by even a few thousand dollars could mean your house might not sell:

An Overpriced Home:

Minimizes offers
Lowers agent's response
Limits qualified buyers
Lowers showings
Lowers prospects
Limits financing
Nets less for the seller

If you are thinking about listing your home or property for sale feel free to contact me for a personal market value analysis. No hassles and no obligations- just honest qualified advice on how to get top dollar for your sale.

End of Summer Home Maintenance Tips

2012-08-29T15:47:00Z

Protect your deck, patio or porch: Sweep away the summer dust and check the surface of your outdoor spaces for signs of holes, cracks or chipping paint. Use wood putty or stone filler to repair any surface damage. Sand away chipping or cracked paint or stain, then repaint the surface before the wet season starts.

Repair your driveway: Fill any cracks in your paved driveway to prevent winter rain from eroding the surface further. Depending on the type of surface and the desired look, use cement, epoxy filler, liquid cement filler, asphalt filler or concrete crack sealant. Be sure to remove any vegetation growing in the cracks first.

Clean your kitchen sink and garbage disposal: Humidity and sun will increase bacteria population in your kitchen sink. Pour garbage disposal cleaner down the drain to remove small clogs and disinfect the drain. To remove any food stains or rust in your sink, use bleach or calcium, lime and rust cleaner.

Clean or Replace the Air Filter: Summer humidity will add bacteria, mold and mildew to your dusty household air filter. Wash the old filter and leave it to dry in the sun. For disposable filters, buy a replacement at home improvement stores, or order a hypo-allergenic, mildew resistant filter at specialty online stores.

Clean your garbage cans: To counter the effects of summer heat and humidity, wipe your garbage cans and the area around them with anti-bacterial wipes. Then spray the area with disinfectant spray that will kill lingering bacteria. Place a garbage bag in the can immediately after spraying to keep the cleaning agent trapped in the can.

Clean your bathrooms: Mildew, mold and soap scum build up more quickly in the hot summer months, especially in humid bathrooms. Use a strong soap scum cleaner for your tub, tile and shower glass surfaces. Spray mildew or mold with bleach based killer. Leave clean grout to dry, then repair any cracks with fresh grout, or reseal the area with bath silicone sealant.

Clean Gutters: Gutter debris from the previous winter might clog your spouts and cause gutter overflow when the rain starts. To avoid having to repeat the cleaning after the fall foliage, trim any low hanging trees near your gutters.

Vacuum Upholstery: With windows kept open throughout summer and fans circling air, furniture upholstery, pillows and curtains collect more dust than usual. Vacuum pillows and upholstery using the attachments on your vacuum cleaner. according to their type of fabric, by dry cleaning, vacuuming or placing the curtains in your clothes dryer.

Prepare outdoor furniture for winter: Wash the summer dust off your outdoor furniture and leave it to dry in the sun. If you detect signs of rust or paint chips and cracks, spray paint the furniture with outdoor paint for wood, metal or plastic. Buy a cheap painter's tarp at your home improvement store to cover your furniture if you store it outside in winter.

Trim trellis vegetation: If your garden, backyard or porch are shaded with a vine-coated trellis, trim down the vegetation before winter. This will reduce debris in your outdoor space as the rain starts. In addition, wet leaves and branches may begin to rot on the vine and damage the wood surface of your trellis unless you remove them.

Stunning Ranch Style Home Located On Sunny Level Bellingham Lot

2012-08-27T17:10:00Z

Welcome to 10 Lookout Mountain Lane located in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. Currently for sale for $249,000, if you are looking for a home in Bellingham area you won't want to miss this one! This wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has an open floor plan and the ease of one level living. Each room in the house is spacious and offers a space to relax. The sunshine floods in the many skylights and the large windows allow both light and an opportunity for a breeze on the warm spring and summer days.

The home is located on an expansive 6,686 square foot lots with plenty of space for RV parking or to plant a lovely garden. Homeowners have access to the Sudden Valley community amenities to include the club house, beaches, trails, parks and pools!

If you have young children the schools that serve the home are Geneva Elementary, Kulshan Middle School and Bellingham High School. The commute to downtown Bellingham is just short 20 minute scenic drive along the shores of Lake Whatcom. To learn more about 10 Lookout Mountain Lane and schedule a private showing feel free to email Shannon@Muljat.com or call (360) 393-1183!

Silver Beach Neighborhood Spotlight

2012-07-26T19:08:00Z

Silver Beach Neighborhood

On the Eastern edge of Bellingham you will find Lake Whatcom, one of the largest lakes in the Northwest, and situated on the southern edge of Lake Whatcom you will find the Silver Beach Neighborhood. Silver Beach is a beautiful neighborhood with wide variety of homes and condos, many with views of the lake. There are turn-of-the-century homes, full of period craftsman character, beautifully designed and built view homes, amazing up-scale lakeside homes and a variety of lake side and park side condominiums. The neighborhood is on the edge of town, so its close to downtown conveniences, but is also close to forested areas and natural settings. Silver Beach has a neighborhood elementary school, several unique parks and numerous walking and biking trails that skirt the area. For those moving to Bellingham, Silver Beach is one of the neighborhoods that are on the top of the list of places to consider.

Continue reading about the Silver Beach Neighborhood

Two Open Houses in Beautiful Bellingham This Weekend

2012-07-25T22:21:00Z

This weekend I will have the pleasure of hosting two open houses at two lovely homes in Bellingham. Feel free to stop by either home to say hello and take a tour!

The first open house will be held from 11 am to 1pm at 4213 Academy St in Bellingham. This charming cottage style bungalow has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and is located in the highly sought after Silver Beach Neighborhood. The home has a new roof, newer windows, insulations, deck and exterior paint. The spacious lot provides off street parking for 4 cars including the 1 car garage with studio space that is wired with electric and a phone line. Just steps away from Silver Beach Elementary, Big Rock Garden, Trails, Lake Whatcom and more!

The second open house will be held from 2pm to 4pm at 548 Midwood Ct in Bellingham. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is blessed with both character and beauty all while being located in on Bellingham's prestigious Southside. The house lives on a lot larger than its square footage would indicate. The home offers many upgrades and custom touches with vaulted ceilings, custom built-ins, painted wood cabinetry, white plantation shutters and a spacious master closet. Picturesque cottage style garage doors greet you as you pull into the home that borders both green space and park property. Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac this home is a must see.

If you have questions regarding either of the homes or would like to schedule a private showing feel free to call me at (360) 393-1193 or email me at Shannon@MuljatGroup.com

Charming Cottage Bungalow in Bellingham's Silver Beach Neighborhood

2012-07-24T17:59:00Z

4213 Academy is located in Belingham, Washington and is a charming cottage bungalow style home is located in Bellingham's highly sought after Silver Beach Neighborhood. Here you can enjoy easy living with a new roof, newer windows, insulation, deck and exterior paint,. There is even a one car garage for storage and plenty of space to plant a garden. The spacious lot also allows the potential to expand the home.

The Silver Beach neighborhood is located on 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.

For more information on 4213 Academy visit the property profile on my website or call (360) 393-1183

Learn about Bellingham's Columbia Neighborhood

2012-07-11T20:24:00Z

As you drive up Holly Street, past Old Town you meet the grand steeple and slate roof of St. Paul’s, and enter one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Bellingham, the Columbia Neighborhood.

Columbia is one of Bellingham’s oldest neighborhoods just up the hill from where the first town on Bellingham Bay had its start. Many of the homes here are Victorian in design but there are also a few Craftsman styles to be found. They range from large mansions overlooking the bay to small, elegant homes on narrow tree lined streets. On the northern end of the neighborhood can also be found good selection of well built mid-century homes and in amongst the neighborhood are a few apartment buildings and duplexes. What tends to make Columbia a great neighborhood is not just the classic, well maintained homes and tree lined streets, nor its close location to downtown Bellingham or its neighborhood school, it’s the people that live there that really makes the Columbia a great neighborhood.

The residents of the Columbia Neighborhood are active in social and community activites and issues. Many families with school age children call Colombia home and this results in a closely connected neighborhood where the kids and parents know each other and cross paths throughout the week.

For a current list of homes for sale in the Columbia Neighborhood, click here to start your search.

Open House Bellingham in Columbia, 2 Story Victorian Home with a view on Sunday

2012-07-06T16:14:00Z

Columbia, Bellingham - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 2727 Eldridge on July 8 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Property information

New Listing! Restored Victorian View Home in Bellingham

2012-07-01T23:26:00Z

Stunning Victorian home with views from almost every window. Located in Bellingham, Washington's premier Columbia Neighborhood. Restored with the beautiful charm and detail of yesteryear yet the luxuries of today. Just listed for $557,500

Open floor plan includes 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2,595 sq ft located on 2 levels.The large rooms allow you to invite others in to enjoy it’s location and beauty. Features include views of the city, Bellingham Bay, Squalicum Marina and the mountains. Imported marble fireplace mantle, custom 1920’s style cabinets, hardwood floors, restored wood trim, rejuvenation period lighting, stained glass, tall ceilings in every room, tank-less water heater, and radiant heating to make this home a real gem.

Large lot and wraparound porch is one more place to feel at home. Relax on the back patio and enjoy sunset over the water or on colder evenings enjoy the views from the warmth of your bed. nbsp;There are fully engineered plans for a garage that will come with the house.Close to trails, marina, downtown, shopping and more!

To to view more information and photos of the home visit the property information page.

To set up a private viewing of this home contact me at (360) 393-1183 or Shannon@MuljatGroup.com

3810 Toad Lake Road in Silver Beach is Sold!

2012-07-01T17:09:00Z

Silver Beach, Bellingham - The 2 story at 3810 Toad Lake Road has been sold.

Property information