Sudden Valley (Bellingham) (Seattle, Vancouver, Maple Falls: vacation home, buy, theater)

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by poogie777

Great post! With loads of info, however, is not true. That would be per quarter, not per month.

Yes, some of the homes do seem to be close to one another. My husband and I were fortunate to find one with a lot of privacy! You can see us in the winter, not in the summer because of the maple trees! We're kind of in a "tree house" out here! Love it!

I noticed in the Bellingham Heralds business mag. they said the median prices "have" gone down..from $280,450 last May to $255,000 this year. So to answer the original post question and that's all of Whatcom County, which I would gather would affect Sudden Valley as well. Their posting for our economic indicators are quite interesting. Doesn't seem like our area is affected as bad as other areas! That's good news!

Not for me, I wanna see some of those 1970s and 80s style homes drop to the 150s.

[inuitboater]

Thanks Poogie777 for the correction on the HOA dues! I was advised, and all the realtor sheets, show the dues as a monthly. I'll pass that info along to my agent. Can you shed some clarification on the water/sewer billing cycle as well, as those costs seem fairly high as well.

Thanks again!

[poogie777]

Originally Posted by poogie777

Great post! With loads of info, however, is not true. That would be per quarter, not per month.

Yes, some of the homes do seem to be close to one another. My husband and I were fortunate to find one with a lot of privacy! You can see us in the winter, not in the summer because of the maple trees! We're kind of in a "tree house" out here! Love it!

I noticed in the Bellingham Heralds business mag. they said the median prices "have" gone down..from $280,450 last May to $255,000 this year. So to answer the original post question and that's all of Whatcom County, which I would gather would affect Sudden Valley as well. Their posting for our economic indicators are quite interesting. Doesn't seem like our area is affected as bad as other areas! That's good news!

I stand corrected by my husband on the HOA dues (he pays the bills). Actually I thought your post said it went up that much more. I read wrong. The due amounts are close to what you posted. My bad here...

[poogie777]

Originally Posted by inuitboater

Thanks Poogie777 for the correction on the HOA dues! I was advised, and all the realtor sheets, show the dues as a monthly. I'll pass that info along to my agent. Can you shed some clarification on the water/sewer billing cycle as well, as those costs seem fairly high as well.

Thanks again!

Water is expensive....our water/sewer bill is roughly $75/month. They bill every 2 months.

[poogie777]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

Not for me, I wanna see some of those 1970s and 80s style homes drop to the 150s.

I guess it depends if your already a homeowner here! LOL But ya, to see it your way if youre looking to buy, no doubt!
We have one of the 70's. I think it was one of the origianl "Canadian beach homes." Telling by the shape it is in, I don't think anyone lived in it year around. It's good and solid compared to others we looked at.
My husband said he's seen a few houses around $165-175 ish. I can't imagine the shape they'd be in...?
Condo's could possibly be less, not sure about that. They kind of come with their own problems...



BTW FYY....we will be getting our water from the city in the near future. They are claiming that our bills "should" go down...possibly....just remains to be seen.

[missbethanyblue]

I have similar questions to Swede My husband and I were born and raised in CA and love it here, but have been priced out of the Central Coast by people moving from the wealthy Bay area, etc.
My husband is a teacher (5th grade), and I work for a DDS as front office and also am getting certified as a personal trainer. My husband is an avid mnt biker and we love to hike and camp, etc. Being raised here has made us spoiled on weather, but I'm willing to compromise! Does is snow a lot? Rain doesn't bother me as much. We'd want to buy a house (around $200,000-250,000) if possible or rent ($1,100/mo). Pretty much anywhere is cheaper than here (2 BR/1 BA house with small yard was $350,000 "a deal"). Any more info on Sudden Valley, Bellingham, Spokane would be great. We want to start a family and would like to move somewhere that makes that possible!

[inuitboater]

Great post! With loads of info, however,
Quote:
Be aware that the HOA dues just went up to $60/month for improved lots and to roughly $50/month for unimproved lots.
is not true. That would be per quarter, not per month.

Well, as the commercial goes, "not exactly." As I'm doing my due diligence on a purchase in Sudden Valley, I contacted the Community Association (aka HOA), and while they DO collect the dues quarterly, the amount they quoted me was $196.48 for the 4th Quarter of 2008, which works out to about $65.50/month.

Hope this is helpful.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by inuitboater

Great post! With loads of info, however,
Quote:
Be aware that the HOA dues just went up to $60/month for improved lots and to roughly $50/month for unimproved lots.
is not true. That would be per quarter, not per month.

Well, as the commercial goes, "not exactly." As I'm doing my due diligence on a purchase in Sudden Valley, I contacted the Community Association (aka HOA), and while they DO collect the dues quarterly, the amount they quoted me was $196.48 for the 4th Quarter of 2008, which works out to about $65.50/month.

Hope this is helpful.

almost 800 a year.....are you kidding? What is the website for this, I would like to do my own checking. Thats not what I was wanting to read.

[inuitboater]

Go to www.suddenvalley.com. There's quite a bit of info there about the development, including contact phone numbers. By way of comparison, I know of developments here in Colorado that charge over $360 PER MONTH and have heard of even higher figures. So, I didn't think the $60 was all that awful (guess it's all about what one is familiar).

[harlequincrow]

When considering homes in Sudden Valley, REALLY compare apples to apples in regards to all the fees/taxes etc. that is charged to SV residents that other Whatcom residents don't pay.

The winding road in and out is beautiful, but also quite slippery when wet so it's slow going. The few people I know who live out there wish they didn't.