I’m excited to announce that I’ll be traveling to the Eagles Nest in Guatemala with the Lynden First Reformed Church for the second year in a row tomorrow morning! It is such a blessings to have this opportunity to lend a helping hand with various work projects and spend time with the children in the Eagles Nest Orphanage. Last year we also started up the annual Avocado 3 on 3 basketball tournament to help bring the town people and orphanage together! I’m so excited to get it going again this year with my fellow church and community members. My experience last year was eye opening to how fortunate we are here in America, but most of all I learned that you don’t need much to live a happy, fulfilling life. I’ll be updating throughout the trip these next couple weeks; I hope you follow along!

Whether you’re someone looking to buy or sell this year, it’s beneficial to stay educated on the local real estate market! Below is a market update on the past week here in Whatcom County:

87 properties have LISTED

92 properties have PENDED

38 properties have SOLD

Listed properties have more than tripled compared to the week before, which is a major step in the right direction in regards to the inventory shortage. If you’re currently on the hunt for a property, wanting to sell, or just have questions about taking that next step, we are here to help you reach your goals!

There are many events, milestones, and accomplishments to reflect on in the past year, and my team and I are looking forward to what’s to come for us and this community in 2018! For some, going into a new year means setting goals, and it is our goal every year to keep you informed about the real estate market. Based on current data and market trends, here are some 2018 predictions for real estate in Whatcom County:

INTEREST RATES: Based on the Tax Reform Bill and new infrastructure, we are expecting interest rates to rise. A climb to 4.0% and 4.5% is probable, but if the economy continues to grow at a quick pace, we could see rates as high as 5% this year. This rise in interest rates will cause some buyers to slow their search, but shouldn’t be enough to cause a strong market shift.

HOME PRICE GROWTH: In Whatcom County, between November 2016 and November 2017, the median sales price grew by 9.8% and in Lynden it grew 16.5%. There were double-digit percentage price increases in many other markets across the country as well last year, but we believe the price inclines will drop below 10% in the busy markets and national prices to only increase about 3.2% in 2018.

NEW CONSTRUCTION: In order to maintain inventory, our country needs about 1.5 million new starts per year. However, since 2009, we have been short a cumulative of almost 6 million units. New construction opportunities are lacking due to local zoning and water rights issues, and the high cost of building supplies has caused further problems. This lack of new construction is one of the primary causes of our inventory shortage and in turn is what’s driving prices up. We expect this problem to worsen in 2018.

HOUSING INVENTORY: There has been progress made with adding new housing units, but it may take years for inventory levels to get back to a balanced level. Also, we predict that there will be more buyers in the market for homes since the economy is strong with low unemployment rates. The national unemployment rate was at 4.1% in November 2017 and we believe it to be in the high 3% range by the end of this year.

MARKET STABILITY: Although prices are rising quickly, we do not foresee a market crash in the upcoming year. The current market conditions are not the same as what we saw a decade ago with the housing bubble. For instance, there is no longer easy access to credit, there aren’t enough new or resale homes to satiate demand, and buyers aren’t overleveraged. Based on the history and current facts, we don’t see another crash happening this year.

Just a few short days until Christmas is here, and there’s tons of ways to get in the holiday spirit here in Lynden!

If you’re looking for some fun for the whole family, join the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt going on now through December 23rd.  The hunt starts at the Edward Jones office at 517 Front St where you’ll get a copy of the rules and clues and make your way down Front St looking for all twelve elves! Last year’s scavenger hunt winner took home over $1,200 worth of local gifts, so don’t miss out this year!

In the mood for some holiday music? The Jansen Art Center will be hosting  Lunchtime Christmas Music today through December 22nd from 12-1pm. Enjoy live entertainment and a festive lunch on your break!

Check out the events calendar linked below for more info on the events this holiday season!

http://business.lynden.org/events/calendar/2017-12-01

Over the course of 2017, inventory in Lynden has fluctuated from a low in March of only 37 active residential homes to a high of 66 in August. As you can see from the chart below, November inventory has dropped drastically back down to the second lowest all year. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, competition is limited, so now might be the perfect time to list! Give me a call if you’d like my team and I to give you a free Comparative Market Analysis on your home.

To go along with my previous post, here’s a great video from Washington REALTORS offering sellers 10 reasons to sell during the holiday season. Give it a listen and take advantage of the benefits of putting your home on the market!

A common decision made by buyers and sellers is to take a break during the holiday season. Don’t make this mistake! There are many reasons to keep your home on the market or continue searching for your dream property, but it does take strategy and I’m here to help make a plan. If you’re on the fence, here are a few reasons to not take the rest of the year off:

There’s less competition for both buyers & sellers

Holiday buyers and sellers are very motivated

Buyers are pressed for time and therefore search more efficiently

Homes show well with holiday décor 

Thinking about making a move this holiday season? Lets talk!

With Thanksgiving next week, it’s time to start getting in the holiday spirit, and Whatcom County has tons of events and activities going on this weekend and all through the end of the year to help you out! One of the many things you should put down on your list is the Red Barn Handpicked Holiday Market going on at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds November 17th from 12-9pm. Another popular event is the Annual Cheese Fest and this will be the 47th year to enjoy free cheese samples along with the chance to buy jewelry and other gifts for the holiday season. The list of local happenings goes on and on from art gallery tours at the Jansen Art Center to holiday sales! Check out the link below for more ideas.

What To Do This Weekend Around Bellingham—Nov. 17—19

With the leavings falling and temperatures dropping, be sure to take care of these household chores to avoid future ailments!

• Clean out your gutters
• Install outdoor lights
• Check your heating system
• Clean the fireplace
• Secure or bring in all patio furniture
• Cover outdoor faucets
• Close your foundation vents
• Drain any automatic watering systems

These are just a few of the necessary tasks that will keep you safe, warm, and worry-free during the cold stormy months to come! Happy Holidays!

When a potential buyer first sees your home, that first impression is crucial! A serious question to ask yourself when thinking of ways to make that great impression is: What are the special features about my home that give it character? The right buyer will fall in love with memorable items such as custom shelving around the fireplace, kitchen backsplash, a built-in breakfast nook, or even outdoor accent lighting! Depending on your time and budget, these ideas include big dollar items along with small enhancements that will truly make a difference!

If you’re ready to sell, lets discuss your plan to add character and value to your home!