About Bellingham's Sudden Valley

Below are the 2011 year end statistics for homes in Sudden Valley a private community along the shores of Lake Whatcom just SE of Bellingham, WA. The first section covers all Sudden Valley homes that were actively listed for sale. The second section covers all Sudden Valley homes that actually sold.

Area 850 – Sudden Valley Active Listings

Month of Dec New Listings – 12 units in ’11 vs 12 units in ’10 – No change

YTD New Listings – 223 units in ’11 vs 266 units in ’10 – Down 16.2%

Month of Dec Total Active Listings – 62 units in ’11 vs 78 units in ’10 – Down 20.5%

Month of Dec Ave List Price - $263,912 in ’11 vs $277,042 in ’10 – Down 4.7%

The YTD Average List Price - $293,210 in ’11 vs $300,465 in ’10 – Down 2.4%

Month of Dec Median List Price - $244,950 in ’11 vs $239,950 in ’10 – Up 2.1%

The YTD Median List Price - $259,900 in ’11 vs $269,900 in ’10 – Down 3.7%

Average Days on Market - 137 days in ’09 to 116 days in ’10. – Up 18.1%

As you can see, the word on the street is only partially accurate. It's true that asking prices are down but 2.4% for the year isn't too bad compared to many areas. However, the street talk about the market being flooded with inventory is merely a perception. In actuality inventories are significantly down, 16.2% fewer new listings for the year in 2011 and 20.5% fewer homes on the market in Dec of 2011 compared to Dec 2010.

Area 850 – Sudden Valley Sold Homes

Month of Dec # of homes sold – 4 units in ’11 vs 9 units in ’10 – Down 55.6%

YTD Number of Homes Sold – 105 units in ’11 vs 125 units in ’10 – Down 16.0%

Month of Dec Ave Sold Price - $204,000 in ’11 vs $216,944 in ’10– Down 6.0%

YTD Average Sold Price - $217,210 in ’11 vs $248,887 in ’10 – Down 12.7%

Month of Dec Med. Sold Price - $190,000 in ’11 vs $223,000 in ’10 - Down 15.0%

YTD Med. Sold Price - $190,000 in ’11 vs $239,900 in ’10 – Down 20.8%

Market time with from 104 days in ’11 vs 89 days in ’10 – Up 16.6%

With regards to homes sold in Sudden Valley the stats speak for themselves - the number of units selling and prices are down and market time is up. It's a good time to buy in Sudden Valley.

Sudden Valley Homes sold market data. The first graph shows the number of homes sold in Sudden Valley (a private community just outside of Bellingham WA along the shores of Lake Whatcom) from Jan 2009 through March 2011. I wasn't clever enough to get the bottom axis to label as I wanted but number on on the left is Jan 2009 and goes to the right in one month increments. Part of the peaks and valleys show the expected seasonal changes. Sudden Valley is a hilly and heavily wooded area and sales typically peak in the summer and are slow through the winter months. However, one can easily see the trend of reduced activity. The good news is that "Pendings" are up in Sudden Valley so the number of sold homes "should" follow.

The next graph shows the number of homes sold in Sudden Valley in a year over year format.

Because of this reduction in activity there are lots of great deals on beautiful Sudden Valley Homes.

Search for Sudden Valley Homes for Sale

Bellingham Real Estate

Like most of the MLS Zones for Whatcom County, Sudden Valley is showing indications that prices have stabilized and are actually begining to head in the upward direction. Below are the numbers for Active & Sold listing are shown below. While prices are showing signs of improvement, the number of units actually selling is down a bit and market times are up.

As you can see below the Average Sales price in Sept 2010 was up 18.9% over Sept 2009 and the Average Sold price Year to Date for 2010 is pretty much a push with 2009.

Area 850 – Sudden Valley Active Listings

Month of Sept New Listings – 26 units in ’09 to 20 units in ’10 – Down 23.1%

YTD New Listings – 234 units in ’09 to 231 units in ’10 – Down 1.3%

Month of Sept Total Active Listings – 94 units in ’09 to 110 units in ’10 – Up 17.0%

Month of Sept Ave List Price - $308,579 in ’09 to $288,393 in ’10 – Down 6.5%

The YTD Average List Price - $334,603 in ’09 to $305,889 in ’10 – Down 8.6%

Month of Sept Median List Price - $272,400 in ’09 to $250,000 in ’10 – Down 8.2%

The YTD Median List Price - $289,900 in ’09 to $269,900 in ’10 – Down 6.9%

Average Days on Market - 124 days in ’09 to 114 days in ’10. – Down 8.1%

Area 850 – Sudden Valley Sold Homes

Month of Sept # of homes sold – 19 units in ’09 to 5 units in ’10 – Down 73.7%

YTD Number of Homes Sold – 106 units in ’09 to 95 units in ’10 – Down 10.4%

Month of Sept Ave Sold Price - $239,763 in ’09 to $285,080 in ’10– Up 18.9%

YTD Average Sold Price - $249,177 in ’09 to $247,774 in ’10 – Down less than 1%

Month of Sept Med. Sold Price - $228,900 in ’09 to $245,000 in ’10 - Up 7.0%

YTD Med. Sold Price - $240,000 in ’09 to $245,000 in ’10 – Up 2.1%

Market time with from 118 days in ’09 to 137 days in ’10 – Up 16.1%

Search for Sudden Valley Homes for Sale

Bellingham Real Estate

Sudden Valley Open House Sunday Aug. 8th

144 B Harbor View Dr. Bellingham, WA 98229

Stop in for Open House this Sunday August 8th, 2010 from 1:00-3:00 pm Sudden Valley home for sale $218,000! 2 bedroom 1.5 Bath in secluded lightly wooded setting. Large sun deck and high vaulted ceilings give this beautifully maintained home a spacious feel. This is a great home whether you are a first time home buyer for year round living or just looking for vacation property.

Sudden Valley has wonderful recreational amenities for home owners. Golf course Club house, swimming, tennis. Lake access, boat launch, walking and bike trails, dog run areas! Stop in at 144 B Harbor View Dr. Bellingham, WA 98229 for an Open House this Sunday August 8th, 2010 from 1:00-3:00 pm, and take a look at this home. This home is in beautiful condition and is ready for the new home owners to move in.

For more information and to search for homes also see Sudden Valley Home for sale

Everyone is welcome and I look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 3, 2010.

Make a day of it!

Picnick on the shores of Lake Whatcom at the Sudden Valley Marina and stay for the annual fireworks show, complete with music.

Bob's Burger and Brew will be there serving hot dogs, hamburgers, cold drinks and beer from 2:00 until 8:00.

There is a designated area for shooting off fireworks considered "Safe and Sane". For more information see www.suddenvalley.com.

Many thanks to the McKinley Family for making the Fireworks part of our Independence Day Celebration in Sudden Valley.

Dress warm and ENJOY!