Whatcom County Housing Market Second Quarter 2011

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2011 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -3.6% from the previous quarter, and down -8.7% from the second quarter in 2010. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -4.0% from the previous quarter and down -11.3% from the second quarter in 2010. Overall building permits in Whatcom County were down -17.8% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 33.6% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County was $253,000 (Up 1.1% from the second quarter in 2010), above the statewide median of $226,900 (down -7.6% from the second quarter of 2010). The 2011 Second Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 128.00 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 154.7.

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

Skagit County Housing Market Second Quarter 2011

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2011 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -18.2% from the previous quarter, and down -17.2% from the second quarter in 2010. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were down -4.0% from the previous quarter and down -11.3% from the second quarter in 2010. Overall building permits in Skagit County were down -19.0% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 33.6% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County was $198,000 (Down 12.5% from the second quarter in 2010), below the statewide median of $226,900 (down -7.6% from the second quarter of 2010). The 2011 Second Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 159.3 for Skagit County, higher than the statewide index of 154.7.
More Info:
http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/WSHM.html

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.

Whatcom County Housing Market, WCRER 2010 Fourth Quarter

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2010 Fourth Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 20.3% from the previous quarter, and down -23.7% from the fourth quarter in 2009. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 17.7% from the previous quarter and down -21.5% from the fourth quarter in 2009. Overall building permits in Whatcom County were up 12.8% from the fourth quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 16.4% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County was $250,000 (down -1.0% from the fourth quarter in 2009), above the statewide median of $239,000 (down -2.0% from the fourth quarter of 2009). The 2010 Fourth Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 130.6 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 149.3.

For more info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/WSHM.html

Skagit County Housing Market, WCRER 2010 Fourth Quarter

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2010 Fourth Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 13.1% from the previous quarter, and down -18.3% from the fourth quarter in 2009. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 17.7% from the previous quarter and down -21.5% from the fourth quarter in 2009. Overall building permits in Skagit County were down -36.2% from the fourth quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the 16.4% increase statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County was $228,300 (up 2.4% from the fourth quarter in 2009), below the statewide median of $239,000 (down -2.0% from the fourth quarter of 2009). The 2010 Fourth Quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 139.4 for Skagit County, lower than the statewide index of 149.3.

For more info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/WSHM.html

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

Whatcom County - WCRER Housing Market Data - Third Quarter 2009

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales (# of units sold) were up 11.1% from the previous quarter, and up 0.9% from the third quarter in 2008. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 15.6% from the previous quarter and up 2.6% from the third quarter in 2008. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -33.3% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -39.1% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is up to $255,300 (down -7.2% from the third quarter in 2008), slightly below the statewide median of $260,000 (down -7.6% from the third quarter of 2008). The 2009 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 111.5 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 122.8.

Skagit County- WCRER Housing Market Data- Third Quarter 2009

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales ( # of Units sold) were up 14.6% from the previous quarter, and down -9.7% from the third quarter in 2008. Statewide home re-sales ( # of units sold) were up 15.6% from the previous quarter and up 2.6% from the third quarter in 2008. Overall building permits in Skagit County are down -16.5% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -39.1% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County is down to $233,600 (down -8.4% from the third quarter in 2008), below the statewide median of $260,000 (down -7.6% from the third quarter of 2008). The 2009 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 121.7for Skagit County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 122.8.

See full data: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/WSHM.html

City of Bellingham to Launch an Updated GIS system

According to the City of Bellingham website:

"In celebration of geographic information systems (GIS) Day, the City of Bellingham is hosting a GIS Day Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 18. This free community event takes place 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Bellingham City Hall at 210 Lottie Street.

The open house will showcase CityIQ, a new software developed by City GIS staff that incorporates the City's GIS mapping and document search functions. CityIQ allows users to access zoning and neighborhood information, park and landmark locations, utility data, and high resolution aerial photos. GIS Day will introduce this powerful tool to the public, and everyone is invited to stop by, try it out and provide feedback. The city plans to make the application available on the city’s website near the end of 2009".

More information can be found here: http://www.cob.org/services/maps/gis/index.aspx