Whatcom & Bellingham Real Estate: Summer 2025 Market Overview

As we roll into August 2025, the local real estate market feels different and more balanced than it has in years. Here’s how things look right now and what it means if you’re thinking about buying or selling.

1. From Seller’s Territory to Balanced Ground

After years of a tight sellers’ market, Whatcom County has shifted toward equilibrium in early 2025. Inventory is up, sales are steady but not frenzied, and supply and demand are roughly in line.

2. What Home Prices Are Doing

• In Whatcom County, the average home value now sits around $624,700, up roughly 2–2.7% year over year.

• In Bellingham, median sale prices range between $639K and $649K, up 0.4–2.8% compared to last year.

3. Sales Speed and Market Heat

• Bellingham homes now sell in 11 days on average, slower than just a year ago but still relatively fast.

• County-wide, homes sell in about 43 days, reflecting the more deliberate pace of a balanced market.

4. What’s Driving the Shift?

• Greater inventory: Listings have increased significantly compared to previous years, reaching levels similar to 2018 and 2019, giving buyers more breathing room.

• Sales volume stabilized: Closed sales are up compared to 2023 but still shy of 2021 and 2022 peaks.

• Slower appreciation: Price growth has cooled from double-digit annual gains to a modest 2–5% growth in 2025.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers

• More options: Increased inventory gives buyers more time and choice without the fear of losing out in bidding wars.

• Negotiating space: Though homes still often sell close to their list price, there is less upward pricing pressure.

• Better timing: With demand cooling slightly, there is less urgency, but still enough momentum to make a move confidently.

For Sellers

• Pricing matters more than ever: Overpricing can lead to longer market times. A well-priced and well-presented home still attracts strong attention.

• Quality presentation counts: Staging, curb appeal, and clean timelines help a listing stand out in a balanced market.

• Neighborhood nuances still matter: Hot spots like Silver Beach or South Bellingham command higher median prices, while affordable options tend to cluster in Cordata, Puget, or Meridian.

Neighborhood Snapshot

* Data as of late spring and early summer 2025

Core Takeaways: A More Balanced Market

• Prices continue to rise, but growth is slower than in recent years.

• Homes take longer to sell than they did at peak competition, but well-priced properties still move within a few weeks.

• Neighborhood differences matter, and understanding local trends is key.

• Local expertise is essential for positioning yourself well as a buyer or seller.

Ready to Leverage the Market?

If you’re curious about what this shifting local market means for your goals, we’d be happy to help you create a strategy that works.