Elaine A. Cook-Bellingham Real Estate

Bellingham's Silver Beach neighborhoodhas quite the history. Originally waaaayyyy back when in the early 1900's Silver Beach had a hotel, Farris wheel and park. It must have been a site to see! Bloedel-Donovan Park, located on the east side of Lake Whatcom, is a 20-acre park is filled with sunbathers, picnics, bbq, family gatherings, swimmers, and dog owners!

Miles of trails await runners, walkers, or park-goers who simply want to stroll from Bloedel-Donovan to Whatcom Falls. Bird watchers can take advantage of Scudder Pond, a preserved wetland that is always bustling with wildlife. Some backyards are simply a gate away from this wildlife, essentially having an entire park behind the house. When I lived in the Silver Beach area, deer walked through my back yard on a regular basis...nature at your window!

The nearby Silver Beach Elementary School, originated in 1912 and remodeled in 1992. The area is filled with many different types of housing. The Silver Beach neighborhoodboasts some of the only affordable lakefront homes in the area. Condominiums are available in the northeast area of Lake Whatcom, perfect for those who need water more than square feet or who want the perfect summer getaway.

A favorite quick stop for all going through or to the Silver Beach area is the Silver Beach Grocery! It is great to go to a place that knows your name! Stop by some time! Enjoy the beauty of this neighborhood!

By tracking the pended sales each week, one can see how many buyers are really out there. How many transactions are really taking place.

Since February 1 of this year, the average number of pendinged homes has only been 2 to 3 per week for the price ranges I have been tracking. However that is up from January! The percentage of homes pending, in relation to the number of homes on the market is roughly 19% Bellingham Real Estate is slow, but steadily increasing.

The average days on market has increased significantly over the last year. On average we are up to 99 days on market. However, some price ranges are up to 150 days on market. This requires planning ahead, and an aggressive REALTOR to get your property sold.

Recent Open House activity has increased, sunshine helps!!!

Known to be optimists...because we really don't have a choice not to be...Realtors around town mostly agree that this spring will bring an increase in sales, however our Booming market of yesteryear won't be back for a while.

As I tell everyone, the market has to correct itself every few years. Imagine if your home appreciated year after year and there was never a correction in the market....who would be able to afford your home when you went to sell it???? Ask the folks in San Fransisco, San Diego and other areas where they have run "unchecked" for years. Now only a few can afford to own a home, which makes that equity you built up meaningless!

Real Estate is still the best investment for the money. And Bellingham is still a great place to invest. We do not have the problems other areas of the nation have. We are unique, and will remain so...Lucky Us!!!!

In the Bellingham Real Estate market, $250,000 will get you an older 1975 3Bed/2bath 1600+ square feet in a good neighborhood, in good condition...or a younger 1996 home 3Bed/2bath around 1300 square feet in good condition, in a good neighborhood. Or perhaps a classic Victorian in the "heritage neighborhoods" that need some work and has a small yard, and no garage.

Is there a lot to choose from in the price range. Well, currently in Bellingham there are 80 homes between $220,000 and $270,000 on the market. The average list price is $248,000 and the average square footage is around 1300. There are 22 pending!

So yes there are choices out there. And their are folks buying them. This is a great price range to be selling or buying in.

Plenty of choices here. In our Bellingham Real Estate market there are about 100 homes on the market between $290,000 and $350,000, with only 11 pending.

There are several in this range that are just flat over priced, not good investments. We will be seeing those on the market for a while! For example, a 1970's home in an older neighborhood with 1600 square feet for $292,000. Some one needs a reality check!

However, the options in this range do offer some great deals for brand new homes with around 1600 square feet, newer homes with up to 2000 square feet...all in great condition and in good neighborhoods. Or perhaps you like the older Craftsman or Victorian homes that are good condition, with smaller square footage! Bellingham homes for sale offer many choices in neighborhood styles.

What is rare to find in this range is a view. Those cost more money!

There is plenty of shopping in this range...Bellingham Real Estate has choices for you! This is also the range you are most likely to get sellers to work with you on closing costs, or pricing!