Whatcom County Water Rights

The Washington Supreme Court decision in Hirst et al. vs. Whatcom County, WA Sup. Ct. No. 91475-3, took away the right of rural property owners to develop small household sized wells. This case, you may recall, concerned Whatcom County’s use of exempt wells to allow construction in the unincorporated portions of Whatcom County, particularly in areas where the watershed had not been closed. The County argued that it was able to rely on the Dept. of Ecology’s determinations concerning water availability to make such decisions and to grant permits for construction where the water would be provided by an exempt well.
The Senate’s effort to save household wells was highlighted at a hearing Tuesday, February 21, 2017, before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Property owners from Whatcom County and elsewhere said they have been devastated by the Supreme Court’s decision last fall that took away their rights to drill wells, and with it, their right to build on the land. A vote on SB 5239 is expected this week.
A hearing in Olympia makes a compelling case for household wells, property owners. Please watch the following Hearing:


Follow effort to save household wells on Washington State Senator, Doug Erickson’s, webpage: Senator Doug Erickson Webpage

Caliber Home Loans

We have a new on-site Loan Consultant. It’s been a welcome addition to have Casey at the office! Casey will provide you with superior and personal expert guidance throughout the home financing process.

Casey Porter, Caliber Home Loans
Tel: 360.398.5834
Mobile: 360.510.2840
Email: [email protected]
Office location: 505 Front Street, downtown, Lynden
Website: Casey Porter Caliber Home Loans
cporter

Whatcom County Home & Garden Show

  • Poster
    The 2016 Whatcom County Home & Garden show will be March 4, 5 & 6 at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden.

    HOME & GARDEN SHOW HOURS
    Friday | March 4 Time: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
    Saturday | March 5 Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
    Sunday | March 6 Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

  • A great place to visit if you are interesting in gardening and anything to do with construction ideas, renovations & more! The home show will have over 200 booths, seminars and wine & beer tasting. Gardening with CISCOE will be at the event on Sunday, 2:00 pm.
    For more info please visit the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County

    2014 REAL ESTATE MARKET ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE!

    Whatcom County’s real estate market ended 2014 on a high note.

    Based on date from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service home sales and prices were strong in the beginning of the year, lagged in the middle, and finished strong.

    Whatcom County – Median price, $280,000, up 7.7 percent; average price, $314,719, up 8.4 percent; units sold, 2,532, up 5.1 percent; DOM, 103, up 3.0 percent.

    Bellingham – Median price, $298,883, up 1.3 percent; average price, $349,461, up 2.4 percent; units sold, 1,140, up 2.2 percent; DOM, 75, unchanged.

    Birch Bay/Blaine – Median price, $230,000, up 3.6 percent; average price, $275,033, up 6.9 percent; units sold, 293, up 2.1 percent; DOM, 145, up 12.4 percent.

    Ferndale – Median price, $267,500, up 0.9 percent; average price, $284,440, up 5.0 percent; units sold, 391, up 17.1 percent; DOM, 114, up 11.8 percent.

    Lynden – Median price, $264,000, up 3.5 percent; average price, $287,131, up 4.3 percent; units sold, 225, up 7.7 percent; DOM, 105, up 8.2 percent.

    Mount Baker – Median price, $135,000 up 28.8 percent; average price, $162,290, up 11.2 percent; units sold, 168, up 12.0 percent; DOM, 150, down 11.2%.

    Nooksack Valley – Median price, $228,500, up 0.9 percent; average price, $237,667, up 5.2 percent; units sold, 104, up 19.5 percent; DOM, 98, down 26.3 percent.

    Sudden Valley – Median price, $226,000, up 7.6 percent; average price, $235,361, up 5.4 percent; units sold, 160, down 0.6 percent; DOM, 112, up 3.7 percent.
    Source: Bellingham Business Journal, Lylene Johnson

    SANDY POINT ~ SALT WATER VIEW BUILDING LOT!

    Spectacular Saltwater View from this 0.910 Acre lot! Shared Access to no-bank waterfront. Imagine your dream home situated on this hard-to-find water view lot in an area of nice homes.
    $195,000 | MLS# 658304
    4841 Beach Way, Ferndale Washington

    Home Buyer Education Class

    Attend our FREE Home Buyer Education Class and receive your certificate from Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Taking this class will allow you access to several special loan products offered. This is a 5 hour course that will cover everything involved in the home buying process from start to finish.

    Class Dates: June 10th & June 12th
    From: 5:30-8:30 pm
    Free dinner will be provided; you must pre-register to attend
    Contact an instructor below to register:
    Danielle Groeneweg: 360.483.6490
    Jerry Blankers: 360.410.1297
    Dustin Brumley: 360.389.6605

    SAVE THE DATES!


    Every summer our office organizes & sponsors the 3on3 basketball tournament in downtown, Lynden. This is a fun-filled community event held in conjunction with The Northwest Raspberry Festival. Applications are available at our office and The Lynden Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds from the 3on3 go directly to the Lynden Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers are always welcomed, 360.354.4242

    RELAY FOR LIFE BENEFIT DINNER!

    Looking for a night out that benefits a good cause? Relay For Life is having a Dinner – Auction & Entertainment this Saturday, February 15. Space is limited so get your tickets soon!

    MARKET RESEARCH STATS

    Some interesting stats we came across in RE magazine you may find interesting:

    • 3.9% apartment vacancy rate in Washington; down from 4.5% in 3rd quarter 2012
    • 80.6 Housing Affordability Index for first-time buyers in 3rd quarter
    • $958 Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment in WA; increase of 7.9% in the last year
    • $263,400 Median price resale homes in Washington in 3rd quarter
    • 13,531 Number of completed foreclosures in WA (Jan-Oct); 64.8% more than last year
    • 4.1 Month’s supply of homes on market in WA, 3rd quarter; down from 5.8 last year
    • 38 Number of WA counties with All Buyer Housing Affordability Index above 100
    • 8.4% Increase in median home price in WA 2012: Q3-2013: Quarter 3
    • 34,947 Homes listed for sale in MLSs in WA as of end of 3rd quarter; 4.7% fewer than a year ago
    • 55,900 Number of WA mortgages at least 90 days past due or in foreclosure; down 6.7% from 2nd quarter and down 28.1% from a year ago.
    • Statistics provided by Glenn Crelin, Associate Director for Research, Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies, University of Washington

    WHATCOM COUNTY WATER RIGHTS MEETING

    Water Rights Meeting

    January 20th, 2014

    10 am – 1pm

    Mt. Baker Rotary Building, Lynden

    Important Whatcom County water issues will be discussed in an upcoming meeting. If you are a farmer, owner of acreage, or just interested in Whatcom County water issues please come hear what Lummi Nation and ReSources (local environmental advocacy group) have to say about water in our county, and what this may mean for farmers. Hear ADC Water Attorney Bill Clarke’s evaluation of farmers’ options. Discuss how the farming community can work together to ensure the continued viability of ag in this area. Provide your input to the Ag District Coalition on our current strategy and next steps.

    Lunch Provided – For Info Please Call 360.306.3580 – [email protected] – wfcoop.com/resources/ADC

    Be Informed, Be Proactive, Be Responsible

    Organized by the Ag District Coalition