The Absurd Reality of Buying a Home in Whatcom County

Let's talk about the absurd circus that is the Whatcom County housing market. Picture this: It’s October 2023, and while you're still trying to figure out if that Halloween costume is a good investment, the median home sale price in Whatcom County is doing the cha-cha, starting at $553,000, then shimmying up to $589,900 mid-month. I mean, seriously, if home prices were a dance, they’d be a bizarre mashup of the tango and the twist.

And guess what? Washington is now the fourth most-expensive state to buy a home in. That’s right, we’re up there with the big guns like California and Hawaii, but without the palm trees and surfboards. The median home value here is like a rocket ship that someone forgot to fuel properly - it's all over the place.

Let’s zero in on Bellingham. Early 2023, Zillow home values took a nosedive, only to bounce back like they're on a trampoline. September saw the median home value in Bellingham at a cool $655,866. Then October rolls in, and boom, it's up to $703,000. That's not just a jump; that's an Olympic-level leap.

But here’s the kicker: even though prices are soaring, not everyone's buying into the hype. Briddick Webb, a local real estate savant, tells us that over half the homes sold last month went for less than the asking price. That's like throwing a party and having most of the guests show up with regifted wine.

So, what does this mean for you, the aspiring homeowner or the curious bystander? It means that the Whatcom County housing market is like a roller coaster designed by a lunatic - exhilarating, unpredictable, and not for the faint of heart. If you're looking to buy, strap in and get ready for a wild ride. And if you're just watching from the sidelines, grab some popcorn. This show is far from over.