Inventory and Prices Rise in Whatcom County Real Estate

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) July 14, 2006 -- While the number of homes available for sale in Whatcom County continues to rise, so do their prices, according to a report released today.

The average sales price of a Whatcom County home during the first half of 2006 was $325,582, up 17 percent from the same time period in 2005, according to Lylene Johnson of The Muljat Group South (http://www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com) office in Fairhaven. The median sales price of a home -- the midpoint of all sales -- in the county was $281,000.

Johnson prepares a quarterly report after analyzing data from the Bellingham-Whatcom County Multiple Listing Service and the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The housing market varied significantly within the county in the last three months. When compared to the first quarter, the average sales price of a home rose 5 percent in Bellingham ($369,190), 13 percent in Ferndale ($330,506) and 10 percent in Sudden Valley ($292,867), but inched ahead only 0.6 percent in Birch Bay ($327,028) and actually fell 5 percent in Lynden ($307,123).

The housing inventory for the county’s five largest communities -- Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine/Birch Bay and Sudden Valley -- has more than doubled. Those communities had 1,357 residences for sale on June 30, compared to 655 a year ago.

Although the additional inventory hasn’t brought prices down, the average time it takes to sell a house in the county has risen from 52 days in the first half of 2005 to 71 days this year.

Also, more homes on the market haven’t led to more sales. The number of houses sold in the county fell 13 percent in this year’s first half to 1,348.

“Buyers are concerned about paying too much for a house and they are looking at more houses before they make a decision,” Johnson said. “There now are plenty of houses languishing on the market because buyers think they’re priced too high. Generally speaking, if a property doesn’t sell in its first two weeks, it will be on the market for several months.”

The average sales price of home sales in the first half of this year, the percentage increase in the average price over the first half of 2005, and the median price for the first half of this year follows for selected communities:

Bellingham – 2006 average, $362,860, up 19 percent; 2006 median price, $305,000.
Lynden – 2006 average, $312,617, 0 percent change; 2006 median price, $289,725.
Ferndale – 2006 average, $317,207, up 13 percent; 2006 median price, $284,950.
Blaine/Birch Bay – 2006 average, $324,638, up 27 percent; 2006 median price, $255,900.
Sudden Valley – 2006 average, $282,438, up 7 percent; 2006 median, $267,900.

###

Related Articles:

A Review of the Country Golf Skill Stop Slot Machine
Description: Find out the truth about the Country Golf Skill Stop Slot Machine and see if it is right for you at this time Please read our unbiased review of the Country Golf Skill Stop Slot Machine

Usaprotour.com Features New Podcasting Profiles of Golf Resorts, Golf Courses Across the USA
The podcast features an interview with a staff member of the resort, and provides details on the course, restaurants, accommodations, stay and play packages, lessons, and resort facilities, as well as local night life and surrounding area attractions.

The Perfect Golf Swing Through Improved Posture And Balance
Every golfer is continually in search of that elusive feel of the perfect swing. Books are written on the topic.

Award Winning Arvel Bird with the One Nation Band to Release Debut CD at 57th Annual Coconino County Fair in Flagstaff, Arizona, September 1 - 4, 2006
Award-winning fiddlist/flutist, Arvel Bird with his band One Nation will release their first CD at the Coconino County Fair in Flagstaff, Arizona, September 1-4.

Myrtle Beach Pavilion Nostalgia Park to Open at Broadway at The Beach
Broadway At The Beach Will Be The New Home Of Classic Rides And Artifacts From The Myrtle Beach Pavilion - Opening Scheduled For This Summer

Aspen Grove Golf Club, Okanagan Valley and the Pandosy Inn
The Okanagan Valley with their rolling hills have many picturesque golf courses, which you can play many rounds of golf with either your friends or family, and most overlook beautiful Okanagan Lake. The casual or dedicated golfer can play these very accommodating golf courses. The Okanagan area offers the perfect location and choice for any golf vacation, and one main reason is many months of ideal golf weather which averages over 2,000 hours of sunshine every year. The Okanagan Valley offers one of the longest and driest golf seasons in Canada. Home to over 40 golf courses in the Okanagan Valley, and with Kelowna offering 14 of the main courses in this area, this is the perfect place to plan your golfing holiday.

Enjoy The Beautiful Outdoors In California
California is an excellent visitors destination since it extends along the majority of the Pacific coastline of the United States. There are a number of national parks and outdoor activities to keep travelers occupied with in California. There is the Sequoia National Parks, the High Sierras, the beauty of Lake Tahoe and the big cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles among others. In southern California there is no shortage of wonderful beach options if you prefer to spend your vacation relaxing on the beach.

Real Estate Investor Training-Choosing a Coach and Mentor
Have you noticed that the sports teams and individuals that have the best winning records are the ones with the best coaches? If a professional team does not have a winning record who do they replace first? Of course it's the Coach! Real estate investing is a business where just one mistake can cost you many thousands of dollars and for that reason alone the most important member of your investment team is your coach and mentor.

Understanding The Physics Of The Golf Swing
Some golf players have been able to increase their game tremendously by studying the physics of their golf swing by capturing and analyzing the biomechanics of their golf swing.Biomechanics or Motion Capture Technology (MOCAP) is the mechanical analysis of body motion.

Phoenix Artist Included in Toronto Online Group Exhibit
The Energy Gallery in Toronto opened a new group show Sep 25, 2007. The exhibit will run Oct-Dec 2007.