Bellingham has seen a surge of people relocating from the Greater Seattle area to Bellingham over the last 2 years. Nicole Tingvall is a Realtor who made that same transition just a few years ago! After growing up and living in Seattle for many years, she made the move to Bellingham in 2018, knowing no one! She started her career in Real Estate in Bellingham and has never looked back. She now specializes in helping clients relocate from all over the country, including many from the Seattle area. Paul Balzotti and Nicole discuss the reasons for the surge in relocation our direction, differences between Seattle and Bellingham, and things to know for those considering the move. 

Nicole can be reached directly at [email protected]

1:00 Nicole's story, moving from Seattle to Bellingham. 
6:53 Why we are seeing a surge in relocation to Bellingham.
9:54 What insights Nicole offers to buyers considering the move.
12:00 Bellingham neighborhoods.
14:04 Nicoles advice for buyers trying to buy in a hot market.

Cherisa & AJ Hoekema are military veterans & and a well-established Real Estate team. They share their story of using the VA loan to both buy their primary residence as well as investment properties with zero down. They also talk about the resources available to active military and veterans in the Pacific Northwest. 
You can reach them at [email protected] or [email protected].

1:00 Cherisa & AJ's military background.
4:57 How Cherisa & AJ have used the VA loan to buy their primary residence & investment properties. 
8:02 How to buy 2 homes with a VA loan. 
13:54 The struggles for veterans moving into civilian life. 
15:24 Working with veterans on VA resources.
18:20 Local organizations that support active military and veterans. 

In a hot Real Estate market, the topic of affordable housing has never been more important. Julia Menkee is a veteran Realtor, and also the director of Whatcom Skagit Housing. Whatcom Skagit Housing is a local non-profit funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (through Rural Development) to assist limited-income families in building their own homes.  Julia shares the details of this program and also discusses the issues related to affordable housing, along with the best solutions we have available to us. 
You can reach Julia at [email protected]

1:35 Julia Menkee's background in Real Estate and working for non-profits.
3:20 Detailing how the Whatcom Skagit housing program works.
9:00 issues affecting the lack of affordable homeownership.
13:30 Affordable housing solutions that exist right now in Whatcom/Skagit county.
14:47 Affordable housing programs.

Keith Zackel has been a Realtor for 6+ years and produces our podcast. As a veteran broker and tech enthusiast, he was the right guy to discuss the different ways Zillow, Redfin and other big tech has transformed our industry and continue to force the Real Estate industry to evolve.
Keith can be reached at [email protected]

1:30 Zillow News.
3:23 The good and bad in how Zillow and Redfin disrupted the industry.
10:00 I-Buyers (instant offers).
14:35 The modern broker embraces technology.

ADU (additional dwelling units) is the discussion in this episode. Hannah (Jones) Cranny is a Realtor and Rookie of the Year for Whatcom County, who has not only helped clients buy homes with ADU's, but she has built an ADU as well that she rents out. In fact, Hannah built a home and lives in with roommates and the ADU paying her entire mortgage. 
Paul Balzotti and Hannah discuss the process of building an ADU, the hurdles to make it happen, the difference between an ADU and a duplexes, how renting out part of your home or property creates more affordability for all

You can reach Hannah at [email protected]

1:00  Defining what is an ADU.
3:11 Rules that differentiate a duplex from an ADU.
3:58 Hannah's story on how she built her ADU.
7:17 Different ways to get creative to have little to no mortgage.
8:33 Hurdles to jump through to make it happen.
11:52 Building an ADU in the county verse in the city.
14:45 Recalculating what you can afford when considering a home that has an ADU or ADU potential. 

What does it take to be successful in Real Estate? And what activities do the most successful brokers focus on in the first year verse year 5? Nathan Butcher is a top-producing Realtor in Bellingham Washington.  In his first year in the business, he closed 21 transactions. Now after 5 years, he has been selling an average of 40 transactions per year the last 2 years, placing him in the top 3% of all Realtors.  Broker/owner Paul Balzotti offers a candid interview with Nathan about his career trajectory, what has led to his success, and the mindset of a top producer.  

You can reach Nathan at [email protected] 

 1:51  Nathan explains his inspiration to get into Real Estate.
5:09  Where Nathan found his business in his first year of business. 
9:10  How Pokemon Go led to more sales & how your hobbies can lead to sales.
11:07  How Nathans career evolved from 21 to 40 transactions.
16:05  Paul on 3 things that are key to success in Real Estate.
21:00  The future of Real Estate.

Pat Starr is a top producing Commercial Real Estate Broker in Bellingham Washington, with 14+ years of experience in commercial sales. Pat speaks English and Mandarin and his credentials include the CCIM designation.  The discussion includes how he got started, what makes commercial sales so much different than residential, how to  assess the value of a business and insights into where to invest today.

0:37  How Pat got into commercial sales.
2:40  The 2 revenue streams of a gas station. 
5:25  Defining commercial sales.
6:25  The job of a commercial broker verse a residential broker.
12:00  Commercial loans verse residential loans. 
13:00  Analyzing the value of a business.
15:20  Metrics used to evaluate a business opportunity.
19:53  What investments Pat prefers for 2022.

You can reach Pat at [email protected] or 360-961-2671.

Irena Lambrou has an MA from WWU, has taught sustainability at a college level, and most recently has been part of a grassroots group in Bellingham to move Bellingham Washington away from Fossil Fuel expansion. As a Real Estate broker, she also understands homes! Paul and Irena discuss tips for energy efficiency in your home and discuss the benefits and trade-offs of going all-electric.  

0:35  Irenas background in this field.
1:33  Tips for remodeling your home to add energy efficiency.
6:58  City of Bellinghams proposal to go all-electric with new construction.
8:44  Electric verse natural gas.
13:40 The future of what the city of Bellingham may require in existing homes. 

Irena can be reached at [email protected] and you can search for homes on her website at www.irenalambrou.johnlscott.com

Links to rebates discussed in the podcast can be found at:
https://pse.com/rebates
https://cleanenergyassociation.org/washington-clean-energy-1
https://sustainableconnections.org/community-energy-challenge/

Hunter is a 26-year-old Real Estate broker who owns 10 rental properties and has flipped 4 homes in the last year. These flips have all shown a massive profit...and he has done it all with very little down. Paul & Hunter discuss how to prospect for good deals, financing options, and buying to flip versus buying for cash flow.  

0:25  Hunters investment portfolio.
1:48  How Hunter got started investing.
2:25  Where to find investment deals.
6:20  How to finance fixers with little to no money down.
9:23  Buying rentals for cash flow, verse buying a fixer to flip.
12:07  Analyzing cash flow, and buying in Bellingham compared to other markets.
14:07 Mistakes to avoid.

You can reach Hunter at [email protected]

Kelly Hanlon has custom built 9 homes, and been involved in several other gut remodel and new construction projects as a general contract. She also has 14 years as a full-time Realtor as well. On this first episode, Paul Balzotti and Kelly to discuss her story, things to be mindful of when building a home, and tips for what steps to take first and purchasing land. 

0:32  Kelly bio building homes.
1:21  Kelly story of building her first home.
2:30  Mistakes made when building.
8:07  Insights into being a general contractor.
13:12 How to get started if you want to build your own home.