Mimi Osterdahl, Bellingham Washington Realtor

This morning I attended the Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast Breakfast Meeting at the Bellingham Country Club. The event was well attended by the movers and shakers in our community. Thought I would share some of the HIGHLIGHTS regarding Whatcom County's Real Estate Market:

Inventory:

In the last 12 months 2610 houses sold in Whatcom County, compared to 2775 in 2006. (A modest 6% decline)

We have a very healthy 6 month inventory prior to what is traditionally the best 2 selling months of March an April approaching!!

Permitting is down 25% which means fewer new homes are on the horizon so inventories will reduce through 2008 and 2009. In turn, our market will become even more balanced and stable!

Revenue:

The last 12 months generated $878 million dollars JUST IN HOME SALES.

2006 generated 918 million dollars in home sales.

A 6.4 drop in unit sales resulted in only a 4.3% drop in revenue!

Our urban growth restrictions have the condo market rising as developers seek higher density-infill projects.

BEST NEWS OF ALL was the USA Today Story that listed Bellingham as the #2 city in the nation for stability in our economy. (That is ALL CITIES...large and small!!!) WOW!!!

We also have the Canadian's strong dollar sending our Northern neighbors down to 'The States' to buy that amenity house they have always wanted.

I love, love, love, love, LOVE Whatcom County!

If you think you would like to own a slice of it, I will be happy to help you!

Live good. Be happy. Live in Whatcom County!!!

-Mimi

Mimi Osterdahl / The Muljat Group Realtors / Bellingham, Washington / www.LiveGoodBeHappy.com

2008 President, Northwest Washington Women's Council of Realtors

Hello Friends!

What a blessing it is to live in the Great Northwest! The trees are beginning to bud, the crocus are blooming, the birds are singing and the squirrels are chasing eachother in circles. Spring is in the air!

Additionally, we have been experiencing a very different reality than much of the nation in terms of our housing market. Once again, our little county has been a safe harbor for folks finding shelter here.

The Bellingham Herald just ran a front page article on our healthy housing market. Thought I would pass the good news.

Enjoy!

http://digg.com/business_finance/Bellingham_Housing_Market_Is_STRONG "The Bellingham Housing Market Is STRONG"
or, access the article from my Blog: http://www.livegoodbehappy.blogspot.com/

Live good. Be happy. Be positive!
-Mimi

Mimi Osterdahl / The Muljat Group Realtors / Bellingham, Washington / http://www.livegoodbehappy.com/

2008 President, Northwest Washington Women's Council of Realtors

I LOVE my community!!!

There is simply no place in the world like Whatcom County, Washington!!!

Nestled in the NW Corner of the US, beautiful Whatcom County is woven into the calm coastal saltwater of the Puget Sound waterways with the San Juan Islands as the view to the South. (Ouside Magazine says we have "The Best Kayaking in the World".)
Whatcom County is sandwiched quietly between two world class cities, Seattle-1 1/2 hours south and Vancouver B.C.-45 minutes north. But you never really need to leave our area because it has so much to offer!

Whatcom County is litterally freckled with freshwater lakes (Lake Whatcom-our largest lake-is 12 pristine miles of recreation and natural beauty). Feeding our lakes, while finishing their journey to the Puget Sound, are rivers and tributaries that boast some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the world.

Ready to pack it up and move?? There is still MORE...

Bellingham, our largetst city sits at the foot of the Cascade Mountains to the east with GORGEOUS Mt. Baker topping the range like a big scoop of vanilla icecream. Nestled on Mt. Baker is world renowned Mt. Baker ski resort (Know to 'the shredders' as the North Shore of snowboarding and where the sport originated). With litterally hundreds of miles of trail systems, dozens of world class parks, and a bustling marina, Bellingham is never short on ways to enjoy its natural beauty.

Bellingham's downtown core is undergoing an exciting revitalization that is transforming our fair city into what feels like a small, hip Portland. Added over the past few years are a vibrant and permanant, farmer's market. Urban developments are springing up as the entire Bellingham Bay waterfront is being primed for a complete re-vamp.

Bellingham boasts world class entertainment either at Western Washington University or the Mt. Baker Theatre (Think Mann's Chineese) both pulling in world class entertainers traveling between Seattle and Vancouver.
The Whatcom Museum (Housed in the original Whatcom Courthouse, built in 1892) and The Whatcom Children's Museum are cultural treasure troves .

Another gem in our area is Fairhaven, a small sister city tucked around the corner from Bellingham on the bay. Fairhaven is a turn of the century town that has undergone a major renaissance in the past 10 years. Historic buildings have been updated and all new contruction fits seamlessly into the community with historically sensitive design aesthetic. The crowning jewel of Fairhaven is Village Books- A magnificnet three story bookstore which houses a spectacular Dale Chihuly Glass Work as its 'greeting committee'.

In celebration of all that our area offers, each spring teams gather to engage in Ski to Sea, a legendary race that starts on Mt. Baker that works it's way down to Bellingham, finishing in Fairhaven for a huge celebration. What started as a small local event to celebrate the geographic diversity of our area has morphed into a huge event that draws teams locally and around the world.

There is simply no place in the world like Whatcom County Washington!

Visit my website to see loads of photos from around our area.

Live good. Be happy.

-Mimi

Mimi Osterdahl / The Muljat Group Realtors / Bellingham, Washington / www.LiveGoodBeHappy.com

2008 President, Northwest Washington Women's Council of Realtors