Bellingham Awarded for it's Clean Drinking Water

Adding to it's long list of accomplishments, and reasons why people keep moving to Bellingham, The City of Bellingham Department of Public Works has received a national award from The American Water Works Association (AWWA). The Partnership for Safe Water Directors Award - for ongoing commitment to providing residents and businesses in Bellingham and Whatcom County with excellent drinking water.

Bellingham's Whatcom Falls Water Treatment Plant has had the honor of receiving this award for ten years, an honor achieved by only sixteen water utilities across the country.

Bellingham is constantly working on improving the quality of it's drinking water.

"From things as minor as cleaning out the pipes that carry the backwash water to the wastewater treatment plant, to replacing the controllers that ensure the water flows more evenly through the filters.

More significant improvements include:

• A streaming current meter that measures the electrical charge in the water. This allows staff to fine-tune the chemical-feed system.
• Particle-count sensors that look at the size of the particles in the water that pose a potential risk to the public, then backwashing (cleaning) the filters based on particle counts.
• A flash mixer that does a better job of mixing the coagulant chemicals with the water. This improves filter efficiency, as well as saving money on the chemicals needed for the job.
• A new coagulant that improves the removal of organic material from the water. This helps reduce disinfection by-products in the distribution system.
• New baffles in the clearwell that improve how the chlorine mixes with the water, helping to keep the chlorine levels more consistent."

The City of Bellingham Department of Public Works received the Ten-Year Directors Award at the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference & Exposition in San Diego, California.

Absorption Rates for Bellingham – 6-15-09

Absorption rate is average number of homes sold per month over a particular period of time. The months to sell is a reflection of the absorption rate, how long it will take to sell the current inventory at the said absorption rate. This is a very interesting way to look at the market, as of today: Average List Price $534,203 Days on the market 116 Median List Price $400,000 Days on the market 74

Price Range	Active Listings	Monthly Absorption Rate	Pending Past week	Months to sell Current Inventory
Up to $199,999	32	6.1	5	5.2
200,000-299,999	126	28.4	7	4.5
300,000-399,999	101	15.8	5	6.4
400,000-499,999	82	7.8	3	10.5
500,000-599,999	59	3.5	2	16.9
600,000-699,999	29	2.1	3	13.8
700,000-799,999	23	.7	0	32.8
800,000-899,999	16	.8	0	20
900,000-999,999	12	0.5	0	24
1,000,000-1,999,999	39	0.6		65
2,000,000+	6	.1	0	60
Totals	527	67.1	26	7.9

It still looks like a buyers market under $300.000 as conventional wisdom goes anything less than 6 months inventory is a buyers market.

Whatcom County Real Estate Market Report for May, 2009

The following is a quick analysis of the Whatcom County real estate market.

• There are currently 1586 homes for sale.
• Homes are priced from $16,000 - $6,995,000
• Average Asking Price $429,715 Days on Market: 126 days
• Median Asking Price $339,000 Days on Market: 77 days
• Homes sold in May: 152
• Average Listing Price $290,766
• Average Sold Price $281,527 Days on Market 92
• Median Listing Price $267,000
• Median Sold Price $260,320 Days on Market: 47
• Homes Pending this week: 66 Total Homes Pending: 434

• Average Sales Price April 2008: $300,903
• Median Sales Price April 2008: $263150
• Sold in March April : 180

The Average Sales price is down 6.4% compared to May 08 and down 3.6% compared to last month.

The Median Sales prices is down 1.1% compared to May 08 and up 2.3% compared to last month.

The number of sales is down by 28 or 15.6% compared to May 08 and up by 11 or 7.8% compared to last month.

Condo Analysis for Whatcom County

• Currently Active Listings: 503
• Price range of active listings - $24,900 - $1,565,000
• Average List Price $261,734 Days on Market: 192
• Median List Price $199,900 Days on Market: 120
• Sold in May: 18
• Average Listing Price $204,819
• Average Sold Price $194,661 Days on Market: 185
• Median Listing Price $204,750
• Median Sold Price $199,975 Days on Market: 163
• Condos Pending (went under contract) last week: 14 Total Condos Pending: 53

• Average Sales Price May 2008: $206,989
• Median Sales Price May 2008: $196,975
• Sold in May 2008: 52

The Average Sales price is down by 6.0% compared to May 08, and down 17.8% over last month.

The Median Sales prices is up by 1.6% compared to May 08 and down by 11.3% over last month.

The number of sales is down by 34 or 65% compared to May 08 and down by 6 or 25% compared to last month.

Buyers: Interest rates are still low making now is a good time to get in the market. There are still plenty of homes to choose from and lots have been on the market a long time so there are some motivated sellers out there who need to sell their homes.

Sellers: There is still a lot of competition right now and if you don't want your home to sit on the market without an offer here are a few bits of advise:

• The most important thing you can do is price your home right, have your real estate agent do a CMA and price your home aggressively, that is in the lower range of similar homes if you want a quick sale
• Have a pre-inspection done to your home and fix any problems
• Give your home curb appeal
• Offer a Home Warranty if it is an older home
• Get rid of clutter, start clearing out your things, even if you have to put them in storage.
• Think about staging your home, get advise from a staging professional or at least your agent.

If you would like some info about Whatcom County real estate or living in Whatcom County send me an email or give me a call.

 

Bellingham Real Estate Market Report for May, 2009

The following is a quick analysis of the Residential Bellingham real estate market.

• Currently Active Listings: 525
• Price range of active listings – $124,900 – $3,450,000
• Average List Price $536,937 Days on the Market: 116
• Median List Price: $409,000 Days on the Market: 73
• Sold in May: 82
• Average List Price: $321,191
• Average Sales Price: $313,104
• Ratio of List to Price: 97.5% Days on the Market: 81
• Median List Price: $288,000
• Median Sales Price: $275,500 Days on the Market: 42
• Ratio of List to Price: 95.7%
• Pending Sales Last Week: 40 Total pending sales: 186

• Average Sales Price May 2008: $345,248
• Median Sales Price May 2008: $304,000
• Number Sold in May, 2008: 82

The Average Sales price is down 9.3% compared to May 08 and down 6.9% compared to last month April 09.

The Median Sales prices is the same as May 08 and up by 11 compared to April 09.

The number of sales is up down by 8 or 10% compared to May 08 and up by 16 or 29% compared to last month April 09.

Condo Analysis for Bellingham

• Currently Active Listings: 303
• Price range of active listings – $99,000 – $1,565,000
• Average List Price $248,205 Days on the Market: 199
• Median List Price $199,500 Days on the Market: 114
• Sold in May: 12
• Average List Price: $197,329
• Average Sales Price: $189,185
• Ratio of List to Price: 95.9% Days on the Market: 197
• Median List Price: $188,400
• Median Sales Price: $179,000
• Ratio of List to Price: 95.0% Days on the Market: 164
• Pending Sales Last Week: 7 Total pending sales: 34

• Average Sales Price May, 2008: $207,058
• Median Sales Price May, 2008: $198,975
• Sold in May, 2008: 34

Average Condo sale price is down 8.6% from May 2008 and down 35.5% from last month – April 2009

Median Sales Price is down 10,1% from May 2008 and up 18.1% from last month – April 2009

The number of condo sales is down by 22 compared to May 2008 and down by 18 compared to last month – April 2009.

Prices are coming down in Bellingham, and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now, and interest rates are still extremely low. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

There is also a newly passed First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years. You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Bellingham Real Estate Market Report for April, 2009

The following is a quick analysis of the Residential Bellingham real estate market.

• Currently Active Listings: 518
• Price range of active listings - $145,000 - $3,450,000
• Average List Price $523,011      Days on the Market: 115
• Median List Price: $399,900       Days on the Market: 69
• Sold in April: 71
• Average List Price: $354,483
• Average Sales Price: $336,159
• Ratio of List to Price: 94.8%      Days on the Market: 123
• Median List Price: $309,500
• Median Sales Price: $308,000     Days on the Market: 80
• Ratio of List to Price: 98%
• Pending Sales Last Week: 107     Total pending sales: 155

Average Sales Price April 2008: $376,136

Median Sales Price April 2008: $298,475

Number Sold in April, 2008: 79

The Average Sales price is down 10.6% compared to April 08 and down 1% compared to last month March 09.

The Median Sales prices is up 3.2% compared to April 08 and up 5.1% compared to March 09.

The number of sales is up down by 8 or 10% compared to April 08 and up by 16 or 29% compared to last month March 09.

The Bellingham Real Estate Market is still relatively strong compared to most of the nation. Prices look to be on the upswing as we come into spring, especially in the condo market.

Condo Analysis for Bellingham

• Currently Active Listings: 277
• Price range of active listings - $99,000 - $1,565,000
• Average List Price $266,155     Days on the Market: 202
• Median List Price $199,900       Days on the Market: 101
• Sold in April: 17
• Average List Price: $255,951
• Average Sales Price: $249,244
• Ratio of List to Price: 97.3% Days on the Market: 135
• Median List Price: $239,000
• Median Sales Price: $235,000
• Ratio of List to Price: 98.3% Days on the Market: 78
• Pending Sales Last Week: 19     Total pending sales: 32

Average Sales Price April, 2008: $216,655

Median Sales Price April, 2008: $190,655

Sold in April, 2008: 30

Average Condo sale price is up 15.0% from April 2008 and down 12% from last month - March 2009

Median Sales Price is down 10,5% from April 2008 and up 38.6% from last month - March 2009

The number of condo sales is down by 13 or 43% compared to April 2008 and up by 1 or 7.3% compared to last month - March 2009.

There are still some great values in the Bellingham market right now, and interest rates are still extremely low. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today's rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

There is also a newly passed First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years. You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford.

Sudden Valley Real Estate Market Report

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Bellingham Real Estate Market Report for March, 2009

 

The following is a quick analysis of the Residential Bellingham real estate market.

• Currently Active Listings: 492
• Price range of active listings - $145,000 - $3,575,000
• Average List Price $531,108      Days on the Market: 121
• Median List Price: $396,250       Days on the Market: 68
• Sold in March: 55
• Average List Price: $370,450
• Average Sales Price: $357,671
• Ratio of List to Price: 97%      Days on the Market: 151
• Median List Price: $325,000
• Median Sales Price: $319,900    Days on the Market: 74
• Ratio of List to Price: 98%
• Pending Sales Last Week: 29     Total pending sales: 140

Average Sales Price March 2008: $343,691

Median Sales Price March 2008: $290,000

Number Sold in March, 2008: 79

The Average Sales price is up 4.0% compared to March 08 and up 6.8% compared to February 09.

The Median Sales prices is up 10.0% compared to March 08 and up 14.5% compared to February 09.

The number of sales is up by 11 or 37% compared to March 08 and down by 24 or 43% compared to last month.

Condo Analysis for Bellingham

• Currently Active Listings: 269
• Price range of active listings - $109,900 - $1,565,000
• Average List Price $273,603    Days on the Market: 207
• Median List Price $200,000       Days on the Market: 115
• Sold in March: 16
• Average List Price: $204,194
• Average Sales Price: $195,619
• Ratio of List to Price: 96% Days on the Market: 110
• Median List Price: $172,400
• Median Sales Price: $169,500
• Ratio of List to Price: 98% Days on the Market: 52
• Pending Sales Last Week: 6      Total pending sales: 28

Average Sales Price March, 2008: $245,203

Median Sales Price March, 2008: $189,995

Sold in March, 2008: 35

Average Condo sale price is down 20.2% from March 2008 and down 12% from last month - February 2009

Median Sales Price is down 10,5% from March 2008 and up 19.1% from last month - February 2009

The number of condo sales is down by 21 or 60 % compared to March 2008 and up by 3 or 18.8% compared to last month - February 2009

There are some great values in the Belingham market right now, and interest rates are still extremely low. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today's rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

There is also a newly passed First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years. You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford.

Whatcom County Real Estate Market Report

Sudden Valley Real Estate Market Report

Blaine Real Estate Market Report

Lynden Real Estate Marke Report

Ferndale Real Estate Market Report

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

Whatcom County Real Estate Market Report for February, 2009

The following is a quick analysis of the Whatcom County real estate market.

• There are currently 1374  homes for sale.
• Homes are priced from $12,000 - $6,995,000
• Average Asking Price $437,110      Days on Market: 136 days
• Median Asking Price $338,875        Days on Market: 99 days
• Homes sold in February: 91
• Average Listing Price $331,950
• Average Sold Price $307,992         Days on Market 101
• Median Listing Price $255,000
• Median Sold Price $254,990           Days on Market: 77
• Homes Pending this week: 66    Total Homes Pending: 288

Average Sales Price February 2008: $326,952

Median Sales Price February 2008: $285,950

Sold in February 2008: 164

The Average Sales price is down 5.8% compared to February 08 and up 11.9% compared to January 09.
The Median Sales prices is down 10.8% compared to February 08 and up 2% compared to January 09.
The number of sales is down by 73 or 44.5% compared to February 08 and down by 1 compared to last month.

Condo Analysis for Whatcom County

• Currently Active Listings: 452
• Price range of active listings - $25,900 - $1,565,000
• Average List Price $283,472       Days on Market: 187
• Median List Price $210,700           Days on Market: 105
• Sold in February: 16
• Average Listing Price $236,829
• Average Sold Price $226,124           Days on Market: 151
• Median Listing Price $222,950
• Median Sold Price $217,250              Days on Market: 145
• Condos Pending this week: 10    Total Condos Pending: 39

Average Sales Price February 2008: $237,234

Median Sales Price February 2008: $198,901

Sold in February 2008: 46

The Average Sales price is down by 4.6% compared to February 08, and up 13.5% over last month.
The Median Sales prices is up 9.2% compared to February 08 and up 7.6% over last month.                                    
The number of sales is down by 30 or 65% compared to February 08 and up by 2 or 14% compared to last month.