buying a house on the reservation (Bellingham, Ferndale: felony, university, casino)

[j_k_k]

Good luck. I personally think this was a really unwise decision, one I wouldn't have done at shotgunpoint, but the deal is done, so I hope it works out for you.

[Fat Freddy]

I just don’t understand why anyone would buy or build a house on somebody else’s land.

One of the prime reasons for home ownership is that it’s yours to do with what you please, which is not really the case if you don’t own the land on which it’s built.

Of course I don’t understand why anyone would buy a condominium either and think it’s anymore than an apartment that they are renting, regardless of the legal and financial mumbo-jumbo.

[jenniferwa]

Thank u jkk. I never thought I would buy a house on reservation either-------goes against what I always thought but. I figured I would resell in the next 10 yrs and go from there. My folks are 70's and they bought there to so who knows........ I can do anything to my house just like in any subdivision with an HOA. Yep, it is the same as a condo -do not own the land or air above!! I am really hoping in some equity, at this point in my life I need some!!!! Do you live in Washington Fat FreddY?? or around reservations?

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by jenniferwa

Do you live in Washington Fat FreddY?? or around reservations?

Yes to both questions.

[LoveMyLife]

From someone who fell in love with La Conner PLEASE read this!! I grew up in a small town, wanted the same for our children. LOVED the beauty of the town. We leased a home October 1, 2008 while looking for our dream home. The very first time we walked into the local grocery store, we were treated terribly! What people forget is that across the bridge is a reservation. A good amount of those people recieve food stamps, ect. So the employees of the market are sick of their store being filled with people in line using food stamps. Thier prices are sky high, the customer service was terrible, my son ran down there (he's 16) to buy a loaf of french bread while I was making dinner, they didn't have any so he left, as he's walking out, TWO cashiers (in thier 50-60's) SCREAM at him that "it's rude to come in and leave without buying anything!" So my husband goes in and asks to speak to the manager who tells him that shoplifting is putting them out of buisness so they treat everyone like a criminal. The town practically shuts down fall to summer except for some amazing resturants (Nell Thorns is one of the best places we're ever eaten!) the brewery has a great vibe and good food. If you have kids, there is literally NOTHING for them to do there unless you life in Shelter Bay. Why did we leave? We left Jan 1, 2009 (yes that's right, THREE months is all we stayed there!!) Do yourself a favor and check out the sex offender registry. You won't even want to visit for an afternoon! As far as the leases, the tribe got caught selling unstamped cigarettes. The ATF raided their tobacco shop. They're being sued for MILLIONS by the government right now in Federal court. They are MISERABLE people to deal with! Think about it, if you have a gold mine sitting under your nose with homeowners who don't want to move thier homes, how easy would it be to come up with a "reason" to jack everybody's lease payments up to come up with the money for the legal fees and fines in court?? Isn't a hard one to figure out. If it sounds to good to be true, it's because it is.

[West coast at heart]

Thanks for bringing this up. Are you sure about those facts though? If you could post a link to an article, I would appreciate it. I am not doubting your credibility...but I guess I am. At least in the sense of hoping this not to be true.

If this is true, things have changed dramatically in the last 3 years. I hope this is not the case. I really enjoyed the town and would still consider moving to the area. (Maybe not in Shelter Bay if this is true).

I know the grocery store you are speaking of and you are correct about the prices. My inlaws only went there for a few odds and ends. They would go across the valley for their regular grocery days. They lived in Shelter Bay (still own a house there).

I have many fond memories of the town. I hope the town has not changed that much (and for the worse).

I could see how the store would not be doing so well though. High prices, economy down, and off season (more of a touristy area). I was wondering about that 3 years ago. Summers are booming, the rest not so much.

I guess I will have to take my wife back out there to see the place before eliminating the place from my list of prospective towns to move to in summer 2011.

Be well,
wc@h

[JustCallMeTC]

Originally Posted by jenniferwa

Has anyone had any bad situations with leased land? What are peoples thoughts about buying on leased land? I am looking into the Shelter Bay area (la conner) or Sandy Point (ferndale). Any thoughts??

You can trust the Lummi's as far as you can throw them. I'm serious. You shake their hand you best count your fingers.

I haven't dealt with the Swinomish. But I have with the Lummis. NEVER again. That tribe is teeming with corruption.

[West coast at heart]

I have heard of the Lummis. Where are they located?

Such a strong opinion of an entire group of people deserves a look.


wc@h

[JustCallMeTC]

Originally Posted by West coast at heart

I have heard of the Lummis. Where are they located?

Such a strong opinion of an entire group of people deserves a look.


wc@h

The OP was asking about a parcel of land near Ferndale (Just north and slightly west of Bellingham)

The reservation is almost due west of Bellingham.

[JustCallMeTC]

Let me put this in simple terms. There are plenty of Lummi's that are decent hard working people. The Tribal Council is corrupt and it's incestuous.

Without naming names, the crooks in the tribe are routinely protected by their siblings/cousins on the council.

Locals around here refer to their Casino (The Silver Reef) as the Silver Thief.