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