All of us are concerned about the housing market, buyers, sellers, brokers, and homeowners. Because many homes were put on the market before the downturn in the economy, prices are clearly too high for today's buyers. And because the island doesn't have a normal turnover of homes, the supply exceeds the demand. We as brokers and agents are advising our selling clients either to drop their asking prices drastically (if they can afford to do so) or to take their homes off the market until we get back to normal. Only sellers who must sell will be urged to leave their homes on the market. The result should be a lower inventory, one that more closely matches the number of buyers in the market. If you are looking for a range of choices as well as a bargain, now is the time to make an offer. O... 10/16/2008

Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a YTD median price of about $608,500 at the end of September, a drop of 10.5% from a year ago. The median price for closed sales occurring in September ($638,750) was down about 10.7% from a year ago. Kitsap County YTD median price has fallen 8.8% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 49% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 42%. These numbers have improved slightly as the in the past couple months. The number of closed sales is down 26% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbridge (266) is up 14% from a year ago. The inventory turnover (total homes on the market divided by number sold last month) is 14.8 months, a slowdown from the 11.6 month turnov... 10/14/2008

Everyone likes to save money and I never like to pay retail when it comes to marketing materials. I love to get a discount and so whenever I am making an online purchase, I open another browser window and start "Googling" for the discount codes or the in-store flyer for the office supply majors. If I am making a purchase online, I look for a discount code to enter during the checkout.  If you are persistant, you just might save anywhere from $5 to 10 percent or more. Also, remember that Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot will often run promos on printing and can even meet or beat the online color copier firm so it's always good to talk to the copy dept. manager and see if they will match a competitor's deal (they all typically will honor each other's coupons) and if you print out your ... 10/08/2008

Me & Mommy Spa Party This Friday     Friday , October 10th BISD No School Day 10 AM to 2 PM   Child Spa Menu Fizzy Foot Soak $10 Bubble Bar Hand Treatment $10 Mini Facial $15, Mini Mani $15, Mini Pedi $15 Organic Cupcakes & Tea FREE Make & Take Bath Soak FREE   Mommy Spa Menu SAME AS ABOVE PLUS..... Organic Champagne FREE Brow Wax $15 Mineral Makeup Application $20 $10 Spa Gift Card FREE   Appointment Schedule is Approximate Stay as long as you like during the party Mommies should stay at party with child    $20 Party Fee for Mommy & Child non-refundable upon cancellation $5 each extra child Reserve by phone 842.SPA1  (7721) Discount Spa Services Today     ISLAND SPA LOUNGE   Located in Madrone Village Next to Winslow Green & Flowering Around   115 Hall Bros., Suite 102 Bainbridge Isla... 10/08/2008

I was the head of the Fannie Mae's newly opened affordable housing office in Seattle when we moved from DC back home. We lived for a year in West Seattle before finding where "home" would be to raise our future family. We were DINKs - dual income, no kids -- but my wife told me she was pregnant the day Fannie Mae told me I had the new Seattle job. It was a crazy housing market back in early 1996 and believe it or not, Bainbridge was far more affordable than Magnolia or even West Seattle. Cookie at Windermere was our Realtor, referred to us by my good friend Jeanne Grainger, then a marketing guru with Windy at corporate. This was pre-Internet MLS and so my wife was going through the thick "book" (computer printouts) when she stumbled across a brand-new home that was in our price range. A... 10/07/2008

Jim Bowden, the head of food and beverage at Wing Point, and his wife Diane, who for years managed Whiskey Creek, are heading towards the realization of their own American Dream with the recent purchase of Winslow Way Cafe with a group of financial backers. Jim told me it's going to be called the address "122" and it will have "Pizza, Pasta and Prime Rib, every night." This should fill a HUGE void on Bainbridge and attract families -- big time. Plus, Jim says he is going to have music and keep the great bar going that has had a following for many years on Bainbridge. Last time Winslow Way Cafe was available, Jim and Diane just missed out. This time it looks like they are on their way to realizing their dream, Look for it to be open in just a couple of months as they have to re-build the... 10/04/2008

I have the honor of serving on the all-volunteer Bainbridge Public Library Board and am amazed at the programming offered by BPL and with the Kitsap Regional Library. Recently a reading play,"Inherit the Wind," was done as part of a series of events promoting a county-wide effort to explore prejudices with the reading of "To Kill a Mockingbird." And recently there was a FILM DISCUSSION that followed watching the film "In the Heat of the Night" (1967) at the library and folls talk about it last Saturday night. And this month, continues a great community even that Bainbridge Island Library has been one of the nationwide participants in: ABOUT ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY Kitsap Regional Library has received a grant from the State of Washington to participate in a One Book One Community read. W... 10/03/2008

"HOW GREEN IS YOUR LISTING?" is a three-clock hour course with Dylan Chalk, one of the Island's top inspectors with Orca Inspection Services. Dylan is a great teacher and has a terrific power point to complement his class. Sterling Place (meeting room below the John L Scott Office) 9:00 am to 12:00 noon 600 Winslow Way, E. Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 $15 for 3 clock hours Register now by email to greenlistings@gmail.com Flyer at http://www.bainbridge-island.us/green Video highlights of the course at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUXr1H1kJEA 10/02/2008

Those of us depending on the Washington State Ferries for our livelihoods have been worried about our wallets ever since the passage of I-695 in 2000 cut funding. Unlike our brothers and sisters who drive free of charge on the highways east of Puget Sound, we pay a toll every time we go to work. You'll have a chance to meet with ferry reps to learn of the long-range plans that will take place, like it or not. Tomorrow (Thursday, Oct 2), Thursday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Bainbridge Island Commons 402 Brien Drive, Bainbridge Island. 10/01/2008

  Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a YTD median price of about $608,500 at the end of August, a drop of 10.5% from a year ago. The median price for closed sales occurring in August ($578,500) was down about 18% from a year ago. Kitsap County YTD median price has fallen 8.5% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 50% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 44%. These numbers have improved slightly as the median price has fallen. The number of closed sales is down 27% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbridge (300) is up 20% from a year ago. The inventory turnover (total homes on the market divided by number sold last month) is 11.6 months, an improvement from the greater than 15 month... 09/15/2008

My Kids' Cookies has opened a retail cookie shop and commercial kitchen on Bainbridge Island. Located in Sportsman Business Park, the shop offers a bright and fun atmosphere to sit, relax and enjoy freshly baked cookies, coffee, tea and soft drinks.Cookie lovers can also stop by for some of scrumptious varieties to go. Or pick up a gift box of cookies and surprise families, friends and clients with a delicious treat. They'll also have their signature 'sweet' gear of sweatshirts, hats and aprons available. And, of course, you can always order directly from their website, www.MyKidsCookies.com, for nationwide shipping. Send someone a taste of Bainbridge today 09/03/2008

My hubby grew up on Bainbridge Island so we are there quite often visiting lots of relatives.  We went over for a family party this weekend and I decided to bring one of my Newfies, David.  David had a blast swimming in the Sound and even got to see some Sea Otters and I think a sea lion (any experts on what it is?).  Here are some shots from the waterfront cabin.... There were five family dogs that showed up for the party - I guess we like dogs.....  That is a Golden Retriever and a Springer Spaniel next to David.  They all had a great time on the beach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    OK, so what is this?  Se... 09/01/2008

If you're looking for a way to make a permanent difference in Bainbridge Island, you'll want to consider this.Six years ago, a group of caring and concerned Bainbridge Island leaders came together to create a lasting community endowment, aiming to improve the quality of life in our community. Initially known as the Bainbridge Island Community Endowment, the Bainbridge Community Foundation helps people with philanthropic interests support the growing needs of nonprofit organizations that serve Bainbridge Island residents. This is not a common phenomenon across the country. It's another reason this is a great community. 08/21/2008

A lot of people who move to Bainbridge immediately propose that the Agate Pass Bridge be closed, if not destroyed. It's quiet on Bainbridge, and in fact the bridge makes it less of an island. There's a lot of traffic across the bridge, some drivers heading to the Bainbridge ferry to Seattle, others heading to the Kitsap or Olympic peninsula in the other direction.The bridge is a mixed blessing. Residents need not depend only on the Seattle ferry to get off the island (before 1950, it was either the main ferry or part of the mosquito fleet, small boats that stopped at various points on the island). But their connection to the rest of Kitsap County is also used by thousands of people travelling from Seattle to points west. 08/20/2008

Bainbridge Islander Fred Moody was raised in the Pacific Northwest. The former managing editor of Seattle Weekly, he has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. His books include The Visionary Position and I Sing the Body Electronic, which won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award.His articles are always worth reading. Here's a piece on one of the Island's jewels: Island Wood. 08/19/2008

Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a YTD median price of about $642,000 at the end of June, a drop of 4.2% from a year ago. It is noteworthy that the median price for closed sales occurring in June ($650,000) was up 21% from the price of closed sales in May ($537,000). Kitsap County YTD median price has fallen 12% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 51% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 50%. The number of closed sales is down 28% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbridge (299) is up 25% from a year ago. The inventory turnover (total homes on the market divided by number sold last month) is 15.7 months, up from 19.4 months last month. Bainbridge Island is a strong buyers market. 07/12/2008

Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a YTD median price of about $640,000 at the end of May, a drop of 1.5% from a year ago. The May YTD median price for closed sales was about half a percent lower than last month's median price; however, it is noteworthy that the median price for closed sales occurring in May ($537,000) was down 12% from the price of closed sales in April ($607,000). This is the second month in a row where monthly closed sale prices have dropped significantly. Kitsap County YTD median price has fallen 6.6% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 48% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 52%. The number of closed sales is down 26% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbrid... 06/14/2008

Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a median price of about $644,000 at the end of April, a drop of 1.5% from a year ago. The April median price for closed sales was about half a percent lower than last month's median price. Kitsap County median prices have fallen 5.3% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 46% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 54%. The number of closed sales is down 25% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbridge (285) is up 39% from a year ago. The inventory turnover (total homes on the market divided by number sold last month) is 16.7 months, up from 15.7 months last month. Bainbridge Island is a strong buyers market. 05/15/2008

Residential homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a median price of about $647,000 at the end of March, a drop of 3.4% from a year ago. The March median price for closed sales was 4.1% higher than last month's median price of $670,000 (this is the second consecutive significant increase in median sales price, suggesting that at this level of sales there are buyers who are willing to pay a higher price because they need to move). Kitsap County median prices have fallen 5.3% over the past year. The YTD number of Bainbridge closed sales is down 51% from a year ago, and the YTD number of pending sales is down 54%. The number of closed sales is down 26% Countywide from a year ago. The number of active listings on Bainbridge (251) is up 39% from a year ago. The inventory turnover (total... 04/05/2008

I'm new to the Active Rain community. This is my first blog post. I'm the broker/owner of Harbor Real Estate NW. A dear friend of mine, Marlene Schefferwho works for another Real Estate Company, Realty Station in Bremerton, told me I have got to get going on this.She is having a wonderful time since she joined the Active Rain community, and her enthusiasm is contagious...even though, I'm really not sure how this all works.I'm looking forward to making new friends and sharing ideas with other members. 03/11/2008