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.

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

WCRER Housing Analysis/ 2009 2nd Quarter/ Whatcom County WA

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales were up 10.0% from the previous quarter, and down -15.7% from the second quarter in 2008. Statewide home re-sales were up 11.6% from the previous quarter and down -15.6% from the second quarter in 2008. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -51.1% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -55.5% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is up to $265,000 (down -5.4% from the second quarter in 2008), slightly below the statewide median of $265,100 (down -9.2% from the second quarter of 2008). The 2009 second quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 110.3 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 123.2

WCRER Housing Analysis/ 2009 1st Quarter/ Whatcom County WA

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales were down -4.3% from the previous quarter, and down -32.8% from the first quarter in 2008. Statewide home re-sales were down -8.6% from the previous quarter and down -30.6% from the first quarter in 2008. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -53.8% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -53.3% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is down to $259,900 (down -7.2% from the first quarter in 2008), above the statewide median of $253,500 (down -13.7% from the first quarter of 2008). The 2009 first quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 109.6 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 125.5

Project Updates Bellingham's Waterfront Redevelopment

Here s some interesting information about Bellingham's Future Waterfront development:

Per the Port of Bellingham Spring Newsletter "In March 2009, a group of local volunteer architects made a presentation to the Council and Commissioners regarding waterfront redevelopment concepts. Since that time, City, Port, Western Washington University, members of the local volunteer architect group and others have discussed priorities and options that would support finalizing a waterfront master planning process."

See the pdf report here:

http://www.portofbellingham.com/library/files/Waterfront_Redevelopment/2009-03-04-waterfront-architects-report.pdf

For more information meetings on the subject will be held:

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. April 29 Port & City Waterfront Public Information Meeting, Update on Planning Framework & Planning Assumptions, Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue.

6-8 p.m., May 13 Port & City Waterfront Advisory Group Regular Meeting, Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue.

For all project updates see:

http://www.portofbellingham.com/content/ArchivesItem_147_1657_v

Keeing up with new technology in the housing /building sector.

There are so many innovations taking place in building technology, it is difficult to keep up!
Here are some interesting web sites with a ton of information:

Tool Base Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. : http://www.toolbase.org/index.aspx

Path -The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is dedicated to accelerating the development and use of technologies that radically improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America's housing.
http://www.pathnet.org/index.asp

US Department of Energy: Residential Buildings: Energy Efficient Building Practices.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential

Belligham Mayor's Waterfront Connection Plan Info

Per City of Bellingham website: "Pike presented his Waterfront Connection Plan to the Bellingham City Council and community on Sept. 29, and expects to engage the public in considering its pros and cons.
Public open houses scheduled for Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 offer public opportunities to review the Waterfront Connections Plan and weigh in on options that will shape the look and feel of our downtown and waterfront for generations to come."
The PDF can be viewed here: http://www.cob.org/documents/issues/waterfront-connections-plan.pdf

One (or Two) Click Search for County/ City Info in WA

There are many helpful websites in the quest for local information; here is a great wesite for finding all of a Washington State's city info, from Aberdeen to Zillah & county info as well! It is the Municiple Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC for short). Per their website: (MRSC) is a non-profit, independent organization created in 1969 to continue programs established in 1934 under the Bureau of Governmental Research at the University of Washington. In 1997, Washington counties joined cities in funding MRSC, and in 2007, special districts were added. Our mission is "working together for excellence in local government through professional consultation, research and information services."
This website is very helpful you can find out everything from a city's officials to its municiple code, very good site for those of us in WA real estate

City Info: http://www.mrsc.org/cityprofiles/citylist.aspx


County Info: http://www.mrsc.org/countyprofiles/profilesmenu.aspx

2nd Quarter 2008 WCRER Housing Analysis: Whatcom County WA

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales were down - 14.7% from the previous quarter, and down -26.5% from the second quarter in 2007. Statewide home re-sales were down -8.5% from the previous quarter and down -31.7% from the second quarter in 2007. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -42.9% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -29.7% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is $280,000, below the statewide average of $291,900. The 2008 second quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 90.9 for Whatcom County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 95.5.

See all county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q2/Snapshot_2008Q2.pdf

City of Bellingham's June "Neighborhood News" PDF cover Samish Way Urban Village Info.

The City of Bellingham has been putting out a very informative "Neighborhood News" pdf ( http://www.cob.org/documents/mayor/boards-commissions/neighborhood/2008-06-neighborhood-news.pdf ) almost every month this year, it covers issues such as neighborhood planning, park development, restorative projects, etc. This month the newsletter covers the Samish Way Urban Village project ( More information can be found here on the project: http://www.cob.org/services/neighborhoods/community-planning/urban-villages-planning/samish-way-urban-village.aspx ).
The meetings concerning the project started on June 5, 2008, and more are scheduled over the following Thrusdays:
Meeting Location: Elks Lodge, 710 S. Samish Way
Meeting Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
June 5: Introduction & Character (Including transition areas and plan boundaries)June 12: Public Realm: Streets, Trails, & PlazasJune 19: Development Character: Permitted Uses, Design, and ScaleJuly 10: Summary of Input and Discussion of Alternatives

Bellingham WA Drivers Beware, I-5 Construction April May 08'

According to WSDOT, drivers in Bellingham, WA can expect many delays on the I-5 corridor April/ May 2008

according to the published article approximately 80,000 drivers use I-5 every day through Bellingham.

The first weekend-long closure is scheduled for April 11 through April 14. I-5 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for three miles. Lanes will close at 10 p.m. Friday and reopen at 6 a.m. Monday.

For full article go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2008/03/27_i5constructiondrawsnear.htm

Bellingham drivers can check traffic conditions online @ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/bellingham/

Bennett Appraisals Provides residential appraisal services to the following areas:Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, Acme, Anacortes, Alger, Arlington, Bow, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Conway, Concrete, Darrington, Deming, Edison, Emerald Lakes, Edmonds, Everett, Everson, Glacier, Granite Falls, Hamilton, Kendall, Laurence, La Conner, Lake Stevens, Lynden, Lyman, Lynnwood, Maple Falls, Marblemount, Marysville, McMurray, Monroe, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Mulkilteo, Rockport, Samish Island, Sedro Woolley, Snohomish, Stanwood,Van Zandt, and all of Whatcom, Skagit & Snohomish Counties. * Time permitted we also serve Point Roberts, via the Canadian Border.

Faster Appraisals, Online Ordering & Some Helpful Hints.

If you worked with appraisers ten years ago, you know how much technology has changed since then. What you might not realize is that there have been many developments in technology and e-commerce that have improved turnaround times on appraisal assignments. We're taking advantage of them. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speed up the process? Here are some suggestions.

1. Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you can recieve automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.

2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property

3. Are you letting us know up front any details about the property that might make it unique? . What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area — for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding.

4. Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Some homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house and look around and make notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!

5. Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of your report's status? Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up to the minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.

Bennett Appraisals Provides residential appraisal services to the following areas:

Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, Acme, Anacortes, Alger, Arlington, Bow, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Conway, Concrete, Darrington, Deming, Edison, Emerald Lakes, Edmonds, Everett, Everson, Glacier, Granite Falls, Hamilton, Kendall, Laurence, La Conner, Lake Stevens, Lynden, Lyman, Lynnwood, Maple Falls, Marblemount, Marysville, McMurray, Monroe, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Mulkilteo, Rockport, Samish Island, Sedro Woolley, Snohomish, Stanwood,Van Zandt, and all of Whatcom, Skagit & Snohomish Counties. * Time permitted we also serve Point Roberts, via the Canadian Border.