4 Reasons To Buy a Home in Bellingham This Fall

By Nick Berard

Nick Berard is a world-class Realtor with a passion for helping clients manage wealth through real estate.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. But if you’ve been holding off, wondering whether now is the right time, you’re not alone. Many homeowners and renters are weighing the same question: Do I stay put, or do I make a move?

Here are four reasons why acting now may be the smarter choice:

1. Home values continue to trend up. Real estate has always been a long-term wealth builder. While prices can level out or dip in the short term, history shows that values keep climbing over time.

Here in Whatcom County, both the median and average home prices have more than doubled in the last decade. The sooner you buy, the sooner you ride what many call the “appreciation escalator.”

2. Mortgage rates may not drop much further. Plenty of buyers have waited for rates to return to the 2% to 3% range, but most experts now say we’re in a “new normal.” Rates may hover in the 5% to 6% range for the foreseeable future, but even if they dip, they’re unlikely to reach past lows.

Plus, lower rates attract more buyers into the market, driving up competition and prices. Remember, you can refinance if rates improve, but you can’t go back and buy at today’s prices once they rise.

3. Equity doesn’t wait. Every rent check builds someone else’s wealth, not yours. Each month you own your home, you build equity for your future. Getting started now means you’re paying your own mortgage instead of your landlord’s, and setting yourself up for long-term financial stability.

4. Downsizing opportunities are the best in years. If you’re sitting in a bigger home than you need, this market offers a unique chance. Inventory in Bellingham and Whatcom County is the highest it’s been in six years. That gives you more options and stronger negotiating power than we’ve seen in a long time. Waiting for rates to drop could mean losing that edge when buyer demand surges again.

Successful buyers and sellers aren’t waiting for “perfect timing.” They’re making decisions based on real data, not market drama.

If you’re considering buying, downsizing, or just curious about your options, let’s sit down and review the numbers. Call me at (360) 770-3245 or send a message to nickberard@kw.com. Let’s see what makes sense for your situation.