PORT ANGELES – Local realtors say the area continues to fall behind in available units for sale. And that’s continuing to drive up costs for purchases and rentals.

Port Angeles Board of Realtors President Jim Haguewood spoke to the Port Angeles Business Association about the real estate picture this week. He shared a survey showing from 2010 to 2017, Clallam County only produced two-thirds of the homes needed to match household growth for the county. And that trend continues.

“It’s the creation of housing units versus formation of new households, and again in our case that probably has to do with migration versus young families, right? Just because of our demographic. So again, this is a reflection of that demand of outside interest wanting to move here and bringing new households into the area,” said Haguewood.

Realtors’ Association President-elect Shawn Washburn says there are some solutions that might help.

“You know, becoming a builder. Obviously if you know anybody in the trades business, we’ve tried to build or do a remodel or have a deck built. Finding people to do the work is a challenge. Obviously smoother, permitting systems,  reducing home building development cost barriers and improve utility, availability infrastructure. In our town, basically we’re going east and west and  without sewer and without water or capabilities, it really limits what people can do with their properties,” said Washburn.

Association stats show the number of listings for in the month of February dropped from 89 in 2019 to just 21 this February. The median market price jumped 15 percent between 2019 and 2020 and another 23 percent between 2020 and last year.