Whatcom County’s real estate market remained very steady in 2025. As compared to the end of the year in 2024, residential sale prices (not including condominiums or manufactured homes in parks) decreased county-wide by 1.6% to a median sales price of $625,000, and Bellingham’s median price dropped by 1% to $755,000. Remarkably, Whatcom County overall saw exactly one more closed sale in 2025 (2432 sales) vs 2024 (2431 sales). That’s close! Median days on market were 18, up only slightly from 15 in 2024. The smaller areas showed larger price variations, but their smaller sample sizes make them more susceptible to statistical fluctuations. The results for our different areas are summarized below:
Area Median Price
Whatcom County $625,000 (-1.6%)
Bellingham $755,000 (-1.0%)
Sudden Valley $610,000 (+6.1%)
Ferndale $650,000 (+2.4%)
Blaine / Birch Bay $579,925 (-6.2%)
Lynden $634,500 (-6.0%)
Those results are about as close to a repeat year as we ever see, and are indicative of a market that’s much more balanced between buyers and sellers as we have seen in quite a few years. Will 2026 continue the trend of level supply and demand? It’s impossible to predict accurately, but forecasts point towards a little more appreciation than last year. Mortgage rates are predicted to fall, which would definitely increase demand, pushing prices higher. Supply will likely remain stagnant, with homeowners who locked in previously at record low interest rates reluctant to sell unless they are compelled to leave the area. I doubt that we will see the huge price increases from a few years back, but we should see prices slowly climb.
So should you buy or sell this year? There’s no one easy answer for each person, and it’s important to remember that the overall market is actually made up of smaller markets defined by price and location. There are also monthly fluctuations that can be larger than the median yearly change. Demand has increased in the last few weeks, and I have seen quite a few homes that were on the market for a long time go under pending contracts. The inventory level is always lower in the winter, so for now we have a little bit of a seller’s market. That could change quickly as more houses come on the market in the spring, especially if we get some unwelcome national financial news. Give me a call if you would like to discuss your particular situation. I’m always happy to help you cut through the fog and see if the timing is in your favor.
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