• 109 used single-family homes were sold in Bellingham during October bringing total year-to-date sales in this category to 917. October 2008 year-to-date sales were 947, so we are down in sales in this home category by 3.2 percent.
• New home sales in Bellingham are down by 63.3 percent from 2008 with only 58 new homes being sold year-to-date compared to 158 in October 2008.
• Real estate year-to-date sales in all categories are down by 17.7 percent over year-to-date October 2008 figures.

With the tax stimulus extension through April 2010 for first-time homebuyers, we should see home sales pickup. This extension also makes over 60 percent of current home owners eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500. To qualify they must have lived in their home for five consecutive years over the previous eight years. They can purchase a home for $800,000 or less as their primary residence between November 9, 2009 and April 30, 2010. For further details, contact any of our knowledgeable agents.