Certified Residential Appraisal Team @ Bennett Appraisals

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Snohomish County home re-sales were down -2.3% from the previous quarter, and down -37.0% 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 Snohomish County are down -39.3% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -53.3% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Snohomish County is down to $311,800 (down -11.6% 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 112.4 for Snohomish County, lower than the statewide index of 125.5

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2009 First Quarter Housing Analysis; Island County home re-sales were down +4.7% from the previous quarter, and down -28.3% 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 Island County are down -61.5% from the first quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -53.3% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Island County is down to $248,000 (down -14.3% from the first quarter in 2008), below the statewide median of $253,500 (down -13.7% from the first quarter of 2008). The 2009 first quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 115.6 for Island County, lower than the statewide index of 125.5

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

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

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Fourth Quarter Housing Analysis; Island County home re-sales were down -13.4% from the previous quarter, and down -21.4% from the fourth quarter in 2007. Statewide home re-sales were down -15.8% from the previous quarter and down -29.1% from the fourth quarter in 2007. Overall building permits in Island County are down -58.8% from the fourth quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -53.4% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Island County is down to $298,000, (down -1.0% from the fourth quarter in 2007), above the statewide median of $266,700, (down -9.3% from the fourth quarter in 2007),. The 2008 fourth quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 86.8 for Island County, lower than the statewide index of 107.5.

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 fourth Quarter Housing Analysis; Snohomish County home re-sales were down -20.1% from the previous quarter, and down -41.3% from the fourth quarter in 2007. Statewide home re-sales were down -15.8% from the previous quarter and down -29.1% from the fourth quarter in 2007. Overall building permits in Snohomish County are down -50.5% from the fourth quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -53.4% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Snohomish County is $325,000, (down -10.6% from the fourth quarter in 2007), above the statewide median of $266,700 (down -9.3% from the fourth quarter in 2007). The 2008 fourth quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 97.1 for Snohomish County, lower than the statewide index of 107.5