BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Home sales surged in Bellingham between April and June while the rest of the country saw a decline in sales.

That’s according to a new report on second-quarter home sales by Muljat Group co-owner Peter Ahn.

The report shows that the 235 houses sold in Bellingham rose by 18% compared to a year ago, while the 682 sold in Whatcom County overall was just a 1.2% increase over last year. Lynden and the Birch Bay/Blaine area each saw significant declines in their home sales, while Sudden Valley and Nooksack Valley both got a big boost.

Median home prices in Whatcom County saw a slight 6% increase, rising to $633,500.

Home prices in Bellingham went up nearly 7% to $760,000.

Ahn says that, despite higher mortgage rates over the past year, Bellingham is still seen as an attractive place to live.

It comes as a recent report from the Office of Financial Management found that Bellingham’s population grew by 1,300 people over the past year, making it the 12th largest city in the state.