Sean Hackney, Realtor

10/21/2026

Would You Waive a Home Inspection to Win a Bidding War?

Here's something that might surprise you. Despite a cooling real estate market here in Bellingham and Whatcom County, multiple-offer situations are still happening.

In fact, I've been involved in THREE in just the past two weeks!

While price is typically the biggest factor in determining which offer wins, the overall package can be just as important. And one of the biggest decisions buyers face is whether to waive their home inspection contingency.

**My advice? Don't be so focused on winning the house that you forget to protect yourself.**

I've seen buyers lose out on homes because their inspection contingency made their offer less attractive. I've also seen buyers waive inspections and later face tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs.

Fortunately, it doesn't always have to be an all-or-nothing decision.

There are strategies that can help make your offer more competitive, including shorter inspection periods, pre-inspections, and carefully structured contingencies.

In my latest blog, I break down the risks, the alternatives, and what buyers should consider before making this important decision.

Whether you're buying in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, or elsewhere in Whatcom County, **the goal isn't just to get your offer accepted. It's to feel good about the home you're buying long after closing day.**

👇 Read the full article:
https://www.SeanHackneyHomes.com/blog/134/Should+You+Waive+the+Inspection+to+Win+a+Bidding+War+in+Bellingham

💬 **I'm curious: Would you ever consider waiving a home inspection to get the house you really wanted?**

Sean Hackney | NextHome Northwest Living

10/20/2026

This Week’s Home Tour: A Bank-Owned Home in Bellingham! 🏡

What does a bank-owned home actually look like? Take a tour of 2604 Vining Place in Bellingham’s Alabama Hill neighborhood and discover its features, views, and one unexpected surprise!

This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 1,837 sq. ft. of living space, an attached 2-car garage, partial Bellingham Bay and city views, and plenty of potential.

🎥 Watch the full home tour on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pzsUq0MI_5w

Explore the home, see what buyers should consider, and stick around for the surprising feature revealed at the end!

📍2604 Vining Place, Bellingham, WA

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly home tours around Bellingham and Whatcom County!

10/16/2026

Thinking about selling your home? 🏡 Get the tips, insights, and expert advice you need to prepare your property, attract the right buyers, and make the most of your sale.

Follow along for practical ways to help you sell with confidence!

10/15/2026

A happy client is the best testament to a job well done! 🏡 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for my clients aren’t just promises—they’re what I deliver every time. Thank you for trusting me with your real estate journey!

Sean Hackney | NextHome Northwest Living
📞 (360) 303-0165
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.SeanHackneyHomes.com

10/13/2026

This Week’s Home Tour: An Affordable Bellingham Home Under $250K! 🏡

Take a look inside 4000 Flynn Street #28 in Bellingham, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath manufactured home in Mill Wheel Park, an all-ages community.

Priced at $249,900, this 1,188 sq. ft. home features an open living area, vaulted ceilings, a spacious primary suite, two dedicated parking spaces, and more.

🎥 Watch the full home tour on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/DjCgQ7Oad08

📍 4000 Flynn Street #28, Bellingham, WA

With $600 monthly space rent that includes water, sewer, and garbage, this property offers another option for buyers exploring more affordable homeownership in Bellingham.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly home tours!

10/07/2026

**A bank-owned home in Bellingham… with a hidden room?!**

Yep. That got my attention too.

I recently toured this bank-owned property on **Alabama Hill in Bellingham**, and there’s a lot more going on here than you might expect.

You’ve got:

• 3 bedrooms + 2.5 bathrooms
• 1,837 finished sq. ft.
• Partial city and Bellingham Bay views
• Railroad Trail right nearby
• Updated kitchen and primary bath
• A lower-level media room
• And behind what looks like a bookcase… a **hidden half bathroom** with some serious old-school character

There are also a few things buyers would want to look at carefully, including the steep driveway, some exterior maintenance, and the backyard potential.

That’s part of what makes bank-owned properties interesting. Sometimes there’s opportunity—but that doesn’t mean you stop looking closely at the details.

🎥 I walk through the whole property in the video, including the hidden bathroom reveal.

**Would the hidden bathroom be a fun feature for you… or just weird?**

Let me know in the comments. 👇

— Sean Hackney
NextHome Northwest Living
**Humans Over Houses**

What does a bank-owned home in Bellingham, Washington actually look...

10/05/2026

This Week’s Home Tour: A South Hill Classic 🏡
This one is a little more personal. I lived just a couple of doors down from this home for about three and a half years, so touring it brought back plenty of memories of South Hill.

Take a look inside this classic 1920 home at 252 S Garden Street in Bellingham, featuring historic character, thoughtful updates, beautiful natural light, and views toward Bellingham Bay.

🎥 Watch the full home tour on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Ii3KFfIjiaY

📍 252 S Garden Street, Bellingham, WA
With 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, approximately 2,071 sq. ft., a large back deck, one-car garage, and a great location just above the South Bay Trail, this home has a lot to explore.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly Bellingham home tours!

10/02/2026

🌲 Did you know that Larrabee State Park was established in 1915 as Washington’s very first state park? 🌊

Tucked away just south of Bellingham along the breathtaking Chuckanut Drive, this 2,748-acre gem is where rugged mountains crash right into the saltwater shores of Samish Bay. Whether you love searching for marine life in the unique, honeycombed sandstone tide pools or hiking under towering, mossy old-growth trees, it is the ultimate Pacific Northwest escape.

⚠️ PLANNING A TRIP? READ THIS FIRST! ⚠️
Larrabee just started a massive, much-needed water system upgrade. From now through late May/June 2027, the main day-use core, the entire campground, the kitchen shelters, and flush restrooms are CLOSED to the public.

🥾 The Good News: The park's incredible backcountry is still calling! You can still access:
​Clayton Beach & Cove Road
​The boat launch & Lost Lake parking lot
​The upper trail systems (including Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake trails!)

🚨 Pro-Tips for 2026/2027 Visitors:
​Bring your own water: Standard water facilities are shut off.
​Be ready to rough it: Only primitive pit toilets are available at the trailheads.
​Grab your pass: A Washington State Discover Pass is still required for parking.

Pack your hiking boots, leave no trace, and go enjoy those beautiful alpine lake views! 🍁✨

👇 Tag your hiking buddy in the comments who needs to know about the closures before you head out!

09/22/2026

Here’s the Facebook business page version:

Thinking about buying waterfront property in Bellingham or Whatcom County?

The listing may say “waterfront,” but that doesn’t always mean you can build, expand, or add structures wherever you want.

Before you assume you can add a deck toward the water, rebuild a dock, expand the home, or modify a bulkhead, you need to understand shoreline setbacks and critical area buffers.

In Whatcom County, most shoreline structures need to sit at least 25 feet back from the ordinary high water mark, and that distance can increase to 50 feet near fish-bearing streams. Separate critical area buffers can push the usable building area back even farther.

This matters most on older, smaller waterfront lots — the kind you’ll often find around Bellingham Bay, Lake Whatcom, Fairhaven, Edgemoor, and other established shoreline areas.

In my latest blog, I break down what waterfront buyers should know before writing an offer, including setbacks, buffers, constrained lots, docks, bulkheads, and why it’s worth checking with Whatcom County before you fall in love with a plan the property may not allow.

Waterfront homes can be incredible, but the due diligence is different when the water is part of the purchase.

Read the full blog here

I get some version of this question every time I show a property on Bellingham Bay, Lake Whatcom, or one of Whatcom County's smaller lakes and streams. The buyer sees "waterfront" in the listing description and pictures wide open space right down to the shoreline. What they don't see yet is the setb...

09/16/2026

Thinking about buying a home in Bellingham as a Canadian buyer?

After riding the Whistler Gran Fondo Forte this weekend, I had several conversations with Canadians who found out I’m a Realtor and asked what it looks like to purchase a home in the United States.

The short answer: Canadian citizens can buy real estate in Washington, but the process is different than buying in British Columbia.

Financing may require a foreign national loan program, down payments are often larger, Canadian credit history does not always transfer cleanly into the U.S. lending system, and buyers may need to set up a U.S. bank account and ITIN for tax purposes.

Currency exchange timing can also make a real difference in your purchasing power, especially if you’re converting Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars for a down payment or cash purchase.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they are details you want to understand early — before you start touring homes or writing offers.

In my latest blog, I break down what Canadian buyers need to know before purchasing a home in Bellingham or Whatcom County, including financing, taxes, escrow, cross-border logistics, and why buying property does not change your visa or residency status.

Read the full blog here:

I was just up in Canada this weekend participating in the Whistler Gran Fondo Forte cycling event. Whew…incredib