The following is a quick analysis of the Ferndale real estate market.

There are currently 227 homes for sale.

• Homes are priced from $94,500 – $1,500,000
• Average Asking Price is $379,193 Days on Market are 123 days
• Median Asking Price is $319,900 Days on Market are 69 days
• Homes sold in February: 12
• Average Listing Price $315,183
• Average Sold Price $306,208 Days on the Market 79
• Median Listing Price $297,000
• Median Sold Price $287,500 Days on Market 67
• Homes Pending this week: 10 Total Homes Pending: 50

• Average Sales Price February, 2009: $334,252
• Median Sales Price February, 2009: $279,900
• Sold in February, 2009: 11

The Average Sales price is down 8.3% compared to February, 2009 and up 17.8% compared to last month, January, 2009.

The Median Sales prices is up 2.7% compared to February, 2009 and up 16.9% compared to last month, January, 2009.

The number of sales is down up 1 compared to February, 2009 and is down 12 compared to last month, January, 2009.

Looks like Ferndale prices have come up almost 20% from last years lows but seem to be trending down again.

The  First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years has been extended until April 2010.  The new program has also expanded the tax credit to include existing home owners who have owned a home for at least five of the last 8 years. You will be able to apply for tax credits of up to $6,500 when you purchase your next home. You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford. Meanwhile interest rates are still extremely low and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

There are currently 201 homes for sale.

• Homes are priced from $94,500 – $1,500,000
• Average Asking Price is $384,702 Days on Market are 134 days
• Median Asking Price is $328,500 Days on Market are 97 days
• Homes sold in January: 24
• Average Listing Price $268,044
• Average Sold Price $259,758 Days on the Market 96
• Median Listing Price $245,950
• Median Sold Price $246,000 Days on Market 69
• Homes Pending this week: 10 Total Homes Pending: 50

• Average Sales Price January, 2009: $227,486 Days on the Market: 68
• Median Sales Price January, 2009: $228,000 Days on the Market:  49
• Sold in January, 2009: 7

The Average Sales price is up 19.8% compared to January, 2009 and down 7.4% compared to last month, December 2009.

The Median Sales prices is up 7.8% compared to January, 2009 and up .2% compared to last month, December 2009.

The number of sales is down up 17 compared to January, 2009 and is up 6 compared to last month, December 2009.

Looks like Ferndale prices have come up almost 20% from last years lows but seem to be trending down again.

The  First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years has been extended until April 2010.  The new program has also expanded the tax credit to include existing home owners who have owned a home for at least five of the last 8 years. You will be able to apply for tax credits of up to $6,500 when you purchase your next home. You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford. Meanwhile interest rates are still extremely low and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

It looks like life will continue without disruptions for the roughly 1,000 permanent residents of Lummi Island.

Whatcom County officials and the Lummi Nation have announced an agreement on a new long-term lease for the Gooseberry Point ferry dock,  ensuring uninterrupted ferry service between Gooseberry Point and Lummi.

The current lease expires Feb. 14, and thing were looking shaky for island residents. The County even did a tet run to Fairhaven.

Rumor has it that fares and schedules for the Whatcom Chief ferry may change once a final, long-term deal is done.

Tribal leaders have recently stated their goal was the eventual relocation of the ferry dock, and they expressed reluctance to consider any lease renewal beyond five years. But Tuesday’s announcement said the tribe and county have reached “a conceptual agreement for a 25-year lease with an option to renew for an additional 25 years……………………..Both the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County are committed to continuing to work in a spirit of cooperation to develop a final agreement in a timely manner,”

So if you’re considering a move to Lummi Island, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll have a way to get to your new home. The ferry will be around for many years to come.

If your interested in Lummi Island homes give me a call, there are some great deals there.

There are currently 205 homes for sale.

• Homes are priced from $69,900 – $1,500,000
• Average Asking Price is $383,692 Days on Market are 137 days
• Median Asking Price is $319,900 Days on Market are 99 days
• Homes sold in November: 20
• Average Listing Price $303,688
• Average Sold Price $298,420 Days on the Market 94
• Median Listing Price $248,475
• Median Sold Price $243,950 Days on Market 82
• Homes Pending this week: 8 Total Homes Pending: 50

• Average Sales Price November 2008: $305,298
• Median Sales Price November 2008: $300,000
• Sold in November 2008: 11

The Average Sales price is down 2.3% compared to November 08 and up 14.5% compared to last month, October  09.

The Median Sales prices is down 23.0% compared to November 08 and down 2.6% compared to last month, October  09.

The number of sales is down up by 9 compared to November 08 and is down 4 compared to last month, October 09.

Great news the  First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit of $8,000 available to anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years has been extended until April 2010.  The new program will also expand the tax credit to include existing home owners who have owned a home for at least five of the last 8 years will be able to apply for tax credits of up to $6,500 when they purchase their next home.

You might want to talk to your banker to see what you can afford. Meanwhile interest rates are still extremely low and there are some great values in the Bellingham market right now. You might want to take a look at what it would cost you to purchase one of these homes at today’s rates. You might be surprised at what your monthly payments would be, maybe less than your paying for rent right now if you are renting a comparable sized house.

If you have any questions or want to see any Bellingham Property feel free to email me at or give me a call at 360-739-6981

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

As I was passing through the town of Ferndale I thought I would stop in to Jensen’s Ferndale Floral and check out what was available for a friend for a party..

I walked in and was surprised to find such a huge selection of flowers candles and gifts… and so much more! If you are looking for those little stuffed animals that interact on the computer called Webkinz they have them along with many other stuffed creatures.

Also what stood before me was a wonderfully decorated tree. Beautiful ornaments hanging there looking all sparkly and wonderful.

I wandered around the store to find just about everything imaginable.. Different  areas gave way to treasures everywhere. As I was taking another look around I  grabbed an Advent calendar for my girls.. Every year I  find one that opens a new window for each day until  Christmas with a little piece of chocolate hidden inside.  Even though they are older now, it is a tradition..My daughter came in to  see what was taking me so long and her eyes lit up. Along with this I discovered a special area dedicated to  my heritage and depending on which side you are on it is either all Swede or Norwegian.  There is a wonderful  selection of foods like lingonberry sauce, ginger snaps and pickled herring.

I was so excited to see all of this and more…a dog dish! Wuff Da. Priceless.

You would have to have  been raised around a bunch of Scandinavians to understand. Uff da!

I also discovered that they are hosting a Scandinvian Open house this coming weekend on November 5^th 2009.

And good sources tell me that someone is making homemade Lefsa. Best around they say… I heard some other stories as well but they are best told in person.

So if your in Ferndale stop by for a little Scandinavian flair and take a look around. I am sure you will find something fantastic for someone on your list.

Katharine Carey

Tweet me!  @KatharineCarey

Ferndale Chamber volunteers worked early to get Holiday street lights up and ready for the season.  Driving down main street Ferndale at different times of the year you will find the streets lined with either beautiful baskets from Van Wingerden Nursery in the Spring and Summer.  Flags lining the streets for Fourth of July and Veterans Day or Christmas Lights during the Holidays.

It is this community spirit that brings people to Ferndale.

The next big event is the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 4^th at 5pm.  I drove by the tree being uprighted on Saturday and look forward to see it glowing on Friday.

Perhaps it will inspire me to find the movie that always comes out of the cabinet at this time.. Christmas vacation:)

Hope to see you there!

Katharine Carey