The figures, in the story, are retail sales; however, not a month goes by (no I am not challenging the universe here) where I don't have Canadians using the services of my inspection business. That means they are buying US homes, as I cannot legally work up there. If trying to generalize, I would guess that the majority of them, that I see, are buying at Point Roberts, followed by the Mt. Baker area (skiing) and that is followed by Birch Bay. Point Roberts and Birch Bay are right on the border and both communities are near the water, some with great beach property.
Back in the 1970's the retail market in Bellingham was dependant on Canadian shoppers. That faded away a few years ago and many businesses geared to that trade failed. But now that business is strong again, especially in communities like Sumas that had gone almost dark. The negative is that now I can no longer, on the cheap, pop into Canada for a weekend. I can still go, but it ain't that cheap! To read the story in the newspaper, you can go here.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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June,
I think you are right. I have lived here 55 years and seen the trade with Canadians change both ways. When I was a kid I loved Canadian money it was worth several cents more than ours.