Whatcom County WCRER 2011 First Quarter Housing Analysis

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2011 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -8.5% from the previous quarter, and down -15.2% from the first quarter in 2010. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 6.5% from the previous quarter and down -4.6% from the first quarter in 2010. Overall building permits in Whatcom County were up 2.2% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 23.2% decrease statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County was $245,200 (down -1.6% from the first quarter in 2010), above the statewide median of $228,200 (down -7.2% from the first quarter of 2010). The 2011 First Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 128.96 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 152.0.

Skagit County WCRER 2011 First Quarter Housing Analysis

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2011 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 19.7% from the previous quarter, and up 14.3% from the first quarter in 2010. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 6.5% from the previous quarter and down -4.6% from the first quarter in 2010. Overall building permits in Skagit County were down -30.9% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 23.2% decrease statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County was $204,700 (Down 7.0% from the first quarter in 2010), below the statewide median of $228,200 (down -7.2% from the first quarter of 2010). The 2011 First Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 151.4 for Skagit County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 152.0.