Home values in Whatcom County continue to appreciate

Overall home values in Whatcom County continue to appreciate, following a trend taking place throughout much of the country, according to a new federal report.

Local home values rose 1.9 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to a year earlier, according to data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency. It's the second straight quarter of year-over-year increases after more than four years of declines.