Spring is officially in the air, and with it comes a noticeable shift in the local real estate market. According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), March brought a surge in listings across Whatcom County as more homeowners took advantage of the season to list their properties. While buyer activity also picked up, the market continues to balance between growing opportunity and affordability challenges.
Here’s what we’re seeing on the ground here in Whatcom County:
🌿 Whatcom County by the Numbers – March 2025
- Active Listings: 605 (⬆️ 63.07% year-over-year)
- Pending Sales: 294 (⬆️ 7.69%)
- Closed Sales: 201 (⬇️ 3.37%)
- Months of Inventory: 3.01
🔎 Market Trends & Insights
The most notable shift this month is the sharp increase in inventory—up more than 63% from last year. With 3.01 months of inventory, the market is trending toward better balance, providing buyers with more options than we’ve seen in quite some time.
Pending sales rose by nearly 8%, a clear sign that buyers are still active and ready to move when they find the right fit. However, the slight decline in closed sales (down 3.37%) suggests that some transactions are taking longer to reach the finish line or may be falling through amid rising prices and interest rate volatility.
💰 Regional Context
Across the NWMLS service area, mortgage rates dipped slightly to 6.65%, helping to draw some buyers off the sidelines. But home prices continue to climb, increasing affordability concerns across the region. While Whatcom wasn’t among the highest-priced counties this month, the trend of rising values continues to impact purchasing power for many local buyers.
Showings and activity are heating up heading into spring, with a 25.5% increase in scheduled property tours from February to March, confirming that interest is growing.
🏡 What This Means for Buyers & Sellers
For sellers: This is a prime time to list. With more buyers entering the market and inventory still relatively low by historic standards, your home is likely to attract strong interest—especially if priced and presented well.
For buyers: You have more choices than last year, but competition is still present, particularly for well-maintained homes in desirable neighborhoods. Getting pre-approved and working with an experienced local agent can give you the edge you need.
🤝 Let’s Talk About Your Next Move
At The Johnson Team, we’re proud to call Whatcom County home and to guide our clients through every shift in the market with confidence. Whether you’re ready to buy, thinking of selling, or just curious about how these trends affect your neighborhood, we’re here to help.
Reach out anytime—we’d love to be a part of your real estate journey.
The Johnson Team
Mike Bredeson, Managing Broker | Clair Bobadilla, Broker
Muljat Group Real Estate
📍 Bellingham | 📞 (360) 303-2734 | 🌐 johnsonteamrealestate.com