Whatcom home market treads water in 2025

Whatcom County’s home market continued to catch its breath in 2025 after several years earlier this decade of high sales volume and sharply rising prices, according to a local real estate report.

The number of Whatcom County homes sold in 2025 dropped 5% to 2,302 in comparison to 2024, said Adrik Brashear, a broker with Bellingham-based The Muljat Group. The county’s peak in sales occurred in 2021 when 3,268 homes were sold.

The county’s median sales price changed little, dipping 1.6% to $625,000. However, prices generally have risen since 2021 when the median sales price was $525,000. Brashear’s report is based on data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Bellingham’s home market stayed steady with 1.2% fewer homes sold and the median sales price falling 1.3% to $755,000. Nooksack Valley had the highest percentage increase in sales (7.1%) and Lynden experienced the steepest decline with 20.8% fewer sales. Sudden Valley attracted more interest as its median sales price rose 7% while Birch Bay/Blaine suffered the largest drop in median sales price (6.4%).

Brashear said at least the start of 2026 may not be better, citing the county’s increase in average days on the market before a home is sold from 44 days in the third quarter to 62 days in the fourth quarter.

“This is important because it shows that even though values have been climbing slightly, the time it takes for a home to sell is also increasing,” Brashear said. “The longer a listing sits, the more likely a seller may be inclined to adjust the price to attract a potential buyer.”

A possible bright spot for sellers is an additional decline in mortgage rates, he added.

“If rates continue to trend downward, I do anticipate more motivated buyers entering the market, but not right away” Brashear said.

The median sales price, average sales price, number of units sold and average days on the market (DOM) before a sale for Whatcom County and individual communities for all of 2025, with percentage comparisons to all of 2024, follow.

Whatcom County – Median price, $625,000, down 1.6%; average price, $697,949, down 0.3%; units sold, 2,302, down 5.0%; DOM, 51, up 27.5%.

Bellingham – Median price, $755,000, down 1.3%; average price, $866,382, down 1.5%; units sold, 748, down 1.2%; DOM, 37, up 37.0%.

Birch Bay/Blaine – Median price, $579,000, down 6.4%; average price, $651,333, down 3.7%; units sold, 355, down 2.5%; DOM, 57, up 23.9%.

Ferndale – Median price, $647,950, up 2.0%; average price, $678,310, up 2.9%; units sold, 336, down 6.1%; DOM, 48, up 20.0%.

Lynden – Median price, $638,500, down 5.4%; average price, $693,635, down 4.8%; units sold, 164, down 20.8%; DOM, 58, up 26.1%.

Mount Baker – Median price, $398,000, up 4.1%; average price, $426,713, up 3.5%; units sold, 237, down 4.4%; DOM, 61, unchanged.

Nooksack Valley – Median price, $530,000, up 1.9%; average price, $556,119, up 2.3%; units sold, 151, up 7.1%; DOM, 65, up 6.6%.

Sudden Valley – Median price, $615,000, up 7.0%; average price, $623,602, up 1.4%; units sold, 139, down 1.4%; DOM, 42, up 61.5%