Whatcom County Is Washington State's 10th Fastest Growing County

Whatcom county was Washington State's 10th fastest growing county last year. According to the Office of Financial Management, Whatcom county grew just over 2 percent, which is the highest rate in the last 6 years. Bellingham took in nearly 45 percent of those people moving to Whatcom county. Bellingham's growth is also astounding at nearly 2.5 percent in the last year, the highest in 6 years.

Many beleive the growth is fueled by the positive media exposure that the Bellingham Whatcom county area is receiving. "Top Places To Live..." lists with national coverage consistently place Bellingham on their lists. Comcined with the relatively inexpensive housing when compared with places with similar lifestyle offerings, the Bellingham Whatcom county area will liely continue to grow.

State data also reveals Whatcom county's fastest growing city. Nooksack, also the smallest in Whatcom county, grew by 71 people to a total of 1,075. This represented a rise of just over 7 percent.

Weekly Whatcom County Homes Sales Ratios

Weekly Whatcom County Homes Sales Ratios

The information below shows trends in the Whatcom County and Bellingham Real Estate Market. Watching the Pending to Active ratios from week to week allows us to see if sales rates are increasing or decreasing. The following are the Pending to Active ratios for this week:

Bellingham Home Listings
Active: 612
Pending: 143
Ratio: 23%
Last Week: 23%

Blaine / Birch Bay Home Listings
Active: 297
Pending: 40
Ratio: 13%
Last Week: 13%

Ferndale Home Listings
Active: 244
Pending: 37
Ratio: 15%
Last Week: 15%

Lynden Home Listings
Active: 158
Pending: 28
Ratio: 18%
Last Week: 18%

Sudden Valley Home Listings
Active: 140
Pending: 17
Ratio: 12%
Last Week: 12%

Condos In Bellingham

Condos have become a permanent part of the real estate culture in Whatcom county. Retirees, first time home buyers, an students make up the largest segments of condo buyers. That is why one sees new projects starting everywhere from the Fairhaven waterfront, to Western Washington University, to the average neighborhoods.

As home prices continue to climb, condos offer first time home buyers alternatives that they can afford. They can get into the real estate market and start building equity towards their next purchase. With as little as 2-5 years of ownership, condos can offer an otherwise unqualified buyer, the opportunity to own the American Dream.

Students attending both Whatcom Community College, as well as Western Washington University, Will notice there are a lot of condo choice near their campuses. From the 250 plus unit Darby Estate complex near Whatcom Community College, to Cypress Place near WWU and 32nd Street, college students are either buying for them selves or having their parent buy for them. Parents can maintain the primary residence status of the condo even though their college kids are the ones living in them. This make condo buying an ideal option rather than throwing away money on rent.

As the baby boomers near retirement, downsizing is a big focus when it come to homes. Many want to trade in the large houses and high maintenance yards for the more relaxation and freedom that condo living offers. This group is by no means becoming lazy or unable to take care of their existing homes; rather, they want to spend their energies traveling and experience life's pleasures of retirement. To many, taking care of a large home and yard are not what they consider the joys of retirement. That is why condos are the logical home option for this growing demographic.

Condominiums are here to stay in Whatcom county and Bellingham. They fill an important demand in the real estate market. They also offer a lifestyle that allows people who would not otherwise want to own a home, to own a piece of real estate. As the years move forward, we will continue to see new condo projects come on the scene in Whatcom county.

Keller Williams Takes 3 Wins At Ski To Sea Parade

Keller Williams Western Realty took awards in 3 float categories at the Ski to Ski Grand Parade...one being the Grand Prize. The theme of their float was 50's tv characters. The Grand Parade is an annual even on the Saturday before Memorial day, as well as the day before the great Ski To Sea Race held in Whatcom County.

Athlete from all over the work compete in the event that starts at the top of Mt Baker and ends in Bellingham Bay.

New Retail In Birch Bay

Most have seen the new buildings and remodeling taking place in the old Peace Arch Outlet Center. This is a great sight to see for the residents of Custer, Birch Bay, and Blaine; as well as our Vancouver residents to the north.

Two new stand alone buildings will house the new Bob's Burger & Brew, as well as Starbuck's. To the north of the complex is a new grocery store. Although building on the grocery store is stalled, a new owner has taken over and the project will continue.

Residents in the area now have some new stores to choose from, including Candi's Jewelry and Gift Gallery, Best Image Framing, All-Star Sports and Seasons Fashions, and Worldly Treasures. The goal is to make the center more for the local residents and less as an outlet mall for the Canadians.

One thing is for sure, Birch Bay Square has started its transformation and residents will be please to see that work is actually getting done; rather than simply empty talk. Many believe that as the 2010 Winter Olympics approach, north Whatcom county will need a lot of new infrastructure to sustain the growth. I am excited to see what happens.

3 Lynden DI Teams Headed To Globals

Destination Imagination teams are an innovative and creative problem solving program in the Lynden Elementary school program. Teams of seven students choose one of five challenges to compete in, then they are responsible for all aspects of preparing and presenting their program.

This year Lynden produced 7 teams that qualified at the state level, and are headed to the global competition in Tennessee later this month. Never have so many teams from Lynden qualified for globals.

Teams prepare for the even by researching 6 different countries and their traditions. 30 minutes before the competition, they are given the name of the country they must use. During that time, they prepare a skit that illustrates that countries customs and traditions, incorporating three "senses".

Good luck Lynden!

Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic

May 12th, 2007 is the annual Walk For Life sponsored by the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic. This fun even raises money to support the WCPC ministry, designed to help pregnant women and their unborn children. Pledge forms can be ordered by calling 671-9057. You do not need to collect the money either...simply have people pledge, turn your form in after you walk, and the money will be collected by volunteers. You do not even have to walk at the actual event. Simply walk in your own neighborhood within a week or so of the even date, then mail your pledge form in to 1310 N State St, Bellingham Wa 98225.

If you get $150 in pledges, you will also receive a free t-shirt.

Registration starts at 8:30- 9:15 with continental breakfast, face painting, and kids games. The program starts at 9:15 and the walking at 9:30 am. Between 10:30 and 12 noon, there will be hot dogs and pop, bouncey house, more face painting, kids games, raffle drawing, and prizes. Do not miss this great event. For more info call 360-671-9507.

The Green Scape

So, now that the freak snowfall has begun melting away, I was struck, again, by the beauty of the Whatcom County Area.
Over the weekend, I drove around the county a bit, and also trekked up North over the Canadian border. In my journeys, the green cover of the land really hit me. The trees, the grass, etc. It wasn't so much that it was there, but that there was so much of it.
Being from Boston, I know what city life looks like and I know what suburbs are like. If I venture to NH or the fringe of the state, I even get to see what rural looks like.

But Washington has embraced its green impressively. The progressive nature of the region infiltrates so much here. For instance, in Bellingham alone there are something like 10 different trails for hiking and biking and such. Also, there are currently plans to incorporate a Greenway into Northern Bellingham. It seems to be a joint effort of the county, as well as the residents, to hold onto the beauty of the landscapes that surround us.

Even in downtown Bellingham, you're only minutes from nature. There are paths and trails throughout, a salmon hatchery, and a bay to keep your eyes entertained for hours.

And out in the county you get tranquility and awe. At least I did this weekend, when I headed out on the Guide Meridian and soon found myself staring at Snowy Capped Mountain peaks and fields and farms.

As our society grows and gets bigger, its impressive to find an area determined to hold onto nature and our connection to it.

For more information on Bellingham and Whatcom County, go to www.bellinghamselect.com or call Dale @ 201-7717.

If you're thinking of re-locating you'll find an area to request information, a place to search for homes and links to all kinds of other information!