Spring is stirring in Whatcom County, and the March numbers paint a picture of a market shaking off winter’s chill. Here’s what buyers and sellers need to know about the local landscape right now:

Inventory is up—way up.

Across key areas like Bellingham, Ferndale, Birch Bay, and Lynden, we’re seeing a surge in new listings compared to last year. Bellingham (Area 860) alone saw 133 new listings in March, up from 97 in 2024. Blaine/Birch Bay (880) and Mount Baker/Deming (895) also saw big jumps—up 75% and 50%, respectively. This wave of inventory gives buyers more options, but sellers still hold leverage in many cases due to limited months of supply.

Sales are mixed.

Pending sales in Bellingham rose nearly 28%, suggesting growing buyer confidence, likely helped by slightly lower mortgage rates. Ferndale stayed flat, and areas like Lynden and Sudden Valley saw notable declines in pending and closed sales—possibly a sign that buyers are still price-sensitive and watching rates closely.

Prices are shifting—some up, some down.

• Bellingham: Median price dropped over 10% to $634,500—welcome news for buyers.
• Mount Baker/Deming: Median price jumped 75% to $428,950, likely due to higher-end listings.
• Blaine/Birch Bay: Up 5% to $664,000, showing steady growth.
• Sudden Valley: Down 6%, possibly due to smaller homes hitting the market.

What this means for buyers:

You’ve got more choices than last spring—and in some areas, better prices too. But with inventory still tight in high-demand zones and prices rising in others, it’s smart to move quickly on homes that fit your needs.

What this means for sellers:

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to list, this could be it. With increased buyer activity and limited inventory in areas like Sudden Valley (only 1.33 months of supply), well-prepared homes can still command strong interest.