Whatcom County-- WCRER Housing Data-- First Quarter 2010

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2010 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -17.6% from the previous quarter, and up 27.1% from the first quarter in 2009. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -12.3% from the previous quarter and up 36.3% from the first quarter in 2009. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -16.4% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 37.4% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is down to $241,400 (down -7.1% from the first quarter in 2009), below the statewide median of $245,900 (down -3.0% from the first quarter of 2009). The 2010 first quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 122.1 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 135.4

Skagit County--WCRER Housing Data-- First Quarter 2010

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2010 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -14.4% from the previous quarter, and up 21.3% from the first quarter in 2009. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -12.3% from the previous quarter and up 36.3% from the first quarter in 2009. Overall building permits in Skagit County are up 34.1% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 37.4% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County is down to $220,000 (down -10.2% from the first quarter in 2009), below the statewide median of $245,900 (down -3.0% from the first quarter of 2009). The 2010 first quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 134.6 for Skagit County, lower than the statewide index of 135.4.

More information: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/WSHM.html

Whatcom County Transitions To a Annual Real Property Revaluation Program

Per the Whatcom County Assessor Webpage: "The Washington State Dept. of Revenue has approved the Assessor’s Office plan to transition to an Annual Real Property Revaluation program. Beginning in 2010 for property taxes due in 2011, one-sixth of the County will be inspected and all property will be statistically revalu...ed annually." See information/question and answers at link below.

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/assessor/index.jsp