What:  Annual Daughter Daddy Dance

When:  Saturday, February 4th - 7pm till 10pm

Where:  Sons of Norway Hall, 1018 18th St, Bremerton

Tickets:  $22 per couple and $12 each additional daughter

 

Dads and daughters of all ages are invited out for a special evening that is sure to become a family tradition. The evening will include DJ music, light refreshments, door prizes, and a wristlet for each daughter. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Sheridan Park Community Center and Silverdale Antiques (9536 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale. 

(360) 692-2462) beginning January 9th.  This event is sold out every year so get your tickets early

What is Earnest Money? How does it work here in King County?

 

I have lived in Bremerton since September of 2006 so it only took me 5 years to figure out that Bremerton has an ice center.  I have never ice skated in my life so I guess I do have that excuse, however my husband loves the ice, he played hockey as a child in Minnesota.  He also spent a 3 years stationed in Alaska so was able to ice skate there.  This past Christmas Holiday he was home on leave and wanted to see some hockey, so we did.  While I was doing some research on hockey in the area the Bremerton Ice Center's web page came up. 

 

 

We really thought we would be able to go skating, but with only two weeks over the holidays we were only able to check out the facility.  I was really impressed.  I know that when he moves back home next year he will want to get involved with this organization.  He misses skating and hockey a ton! 

 

 

The Bremerton Ice Center is located just across the Warren Ave Bridge (Wheaton Way) over by the Bremerton YMCA. 1950 Homer Jones Drive - 360-479-7465. The Ice Center has NHL dimension surface.  They offer instructional lessons in skating and in hockey or if you are like me and would like private lessons, they have those too.  There is a Pro Shop, Arcade and a restaurant in the building.  They are open 12 months a year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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During the month of December there were 13 homes that sold in Silverdale,  Washington.  These homes all have the city listed as Silverdale.  If you would like to see stats for an individual neighborhood just fill out the form below and we can  get the information to you.  These Silverdale WA homes actually had a transfer of home ownership. Contracts complete and Lender funds available the home buyer and seller signed all of their documents as escrow prepared the closing packages. Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the King County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

 

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Auburn Washington.

 

Let’s look at those 13 Silverdale WA homes -

The median listed price for these 13 homes was $274,975 and the median sold price was $278,000.  Looks like some buyers might have needed to add some closing costs onto the purchase price or through negotiations the price was increased.  The days on market was 84 days. 

 Not a bad time to purchase a home in Silverdale, Washington. Prices are down, interest rates are at an all time low  you might want to look at what it means to you. What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful.  If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis. If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them. “Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed”

During the month of December there were 21 homes that sold in Covington, Washington.  These homes all have the city listed as Covington. There are more homes sold in the area that are located outside the Covington City limits and will be reported in the Kent October stats.

These Covington WA homes actually had a transfer of home ownership. Contracts complete, cash or lender funds available, buyer and seller have signed all of their documents that escrow prepared for the closing. Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the King County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Covington Washington.

Let’s look at those 21 Covington homes compared to December 2011.  There are some good sigs of some type of normal market in the future.  Sold properties are up, homes new to market is up, expired properties are down and supply and demand is looking promising.  If you were to look just at December 2011 the Covington real estate market would be a seller's market with only 3 months of inventory.

 

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The median sold price is down 8%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The median price of for sale properties is down 11% and the median price of sold properties is down 8%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of sold properties is up 40%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of under contract properties is up 164%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of new properties is up 40%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of for sale properties is down 19%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of expired properties is down 33%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of for sale properties is down 19% and the number of sold properties is up 40%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The average days on market is down 27%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The average months supply of inventory is down -73.9%

 

 

 

 

Not a bad time to purchase a home in Covington, Washington. Prices are down, interest rates are at an all time low you might want to look at what it means to you.

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful.

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

If you would like to purchase a home in the King County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

FREE Unrestricted Access to ALL Homes - Search NOW!

“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed”

 

Auburn WA Real Estate | December Homes Sold 2011

During the month of December Auburn had 90 homes sell. This includes detached homes, town-homes and manufactured homes on owned land.  Below you will see a map with some Auburn, WA sold homes.

These Auburn WA homes actually had a transfer of home ownership. Contracts complete and Lender funds available. The home buyer and seller signed all of their documents and escrow prepared the closing packages. Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the King County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Auburn Washington.

Let’s look at those 90 Auburn homes -

Auburn WA December Homes Sold 2011

Total number of Homes Sold	90
Median Original List Price	$239,975
Median List Price	$205,000
Median Selling Price	$206,250
Cumulative days on Market	94
Days on Market	86

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The median sold price is up 3%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The median price of for sale properties is down 0% and the median price of sold properties is up 3%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of sold properties is up 32%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of under contract properties is up 94%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of new properties is down 20%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of for sale properties is down 18%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of expired properties is down 67%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The average days on market is up 13%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The average months supply of inventory is down -58.9%

Dec-10 vs. Dec-11: The number of for sale properties is down 18% and the number of sold properties is up 32%

 

Not a bad time to purchase a home in Auburn, Washington. Prices are down, interest rates are at an all time low you might want to look at what it means to you.

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful.

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

If you would like to purchase a home in the King County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

 

Below you will find all of the homes that have sold in Auburn for the year. If you would like to see just this months sales then send us an email and we will get the data to you. This search starts with the low to high price option.

Auburn, WA Homes For Sale

Below you will see all homes for sale in Auburn that are currently listed in the NWMLS with a real estate company. We update this information daily so you can find any new listed home for sale instantly.

Save your MLS Auburn home searches and your favorite houses with a FREE account. Also you may opt-in to receive email notification of new listings that meet your Auburn real estate search criteria. Contact us if we can help you buy or sell in Auburn or or any West or South Sound area.

On Wednesday while I was driving back from dropping Jay off at the airport I had the radio turned to a channel that had a morning talk show on. I love listening to talk radio and local news radio is my favorite. 

The DJ's were discussing a study about people moving in and out of states.  They were discussing what states everyone was leaving and what states everyone was moving to. 

I heard people were moving from Ohio and lots of moving into the state of Wyoming, you know because of that, what is it a mine, or gas or oil?

I thought I would find the report and see how Washington was doing.  One of my market areas has a high rate of people moving in and out due to military relocation.

 

Is Washington losing or gaining residents?  I guess you could figure that out with a relocation household moves study. 

 

I know a little about relocation, being a military family we have moved across the country several times.  Look here I even had a photo of an Atlas Van Lines truck getting ready to move us from 29 Palms, CA to Bremerton, WA.  How funny!

Atlas Van Lines survey is based on 80,289 Interstate and Cross-Border Household Goods Relocation
from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

Looks like Washington is about even with almost as many people moving in (2,752) as people moving out (2,604) which places it in the "balanced" category on the Atlas Van Lines survey. 

The annual study shows that the majority of the Western states remain balanced with only two states changing status. Utah is now an outbound state and Wyoming is now balanced.

Being balanced is probably a good thing!  CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE YOUR STATE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the last couple of years not only has the housing market been hit hard in the local area but also retail and fast-food locations have closed. 

I hate to see businesses close in the area, it is a sign of something wrong.  First there was the Kentucky Fried Chicken down on Naval.  Then there was the Big Lots over on Sheridan, a pizza shop across the street and a bakery. 

Last week the news was released that the Blockbusters in the QFC parking lot will be closing soon too.  Some of these businesses are national chains and some are locally owned.  Just sad. 

 

So when I read that WinCo Foods was coming to Bremeton I thought - woo hoo! A new business!  WinCo Foods is a company that is owned by its employees.  WinCo which stands for which stands for Winning Company will be located in the commercial area of the new Bay Vista at the corner of  Arsenal Way and Kitsap Way. 

Here is the Kitsapsun article that confirms construction - Mayor Lent confirmst WinCo Foods coming to Bremerton

I drive by this intersection several times a week and snapped these photos while stopped at the intersection.  WinCo is suppose to be open during the first part of the year.  I would imagine around the end of Feb or in March sometime.  They haven't started to offer employment but the company said they will issue a press release when they do. 

 

 

Doing some real estate market research today on the Bremerton housing market I ran across an article on MSN Real Estate "5 tips to ensure your home sells in the winter"  In this article there was a Bing search link with the words What's the best month for home sellers? So that is what I did. I did a search to see if I could find some more information.  Of course I did.  Here is a blurb from LendingTree.com

"Traditionally, spring is the hottest season for real estate. Sales peak in April and May and stay strong in June and July. It’s a good season for families to move, between school terms and while the weather is warm. People have just received their tax refunds, which they can use to help finance a down payment. And the nice weather and beautiful flowers in spring and early summer make it a great time to show your home."

They go on to state that 60 percent of all home sells take place during the summer months. Hmmm, I wondered how true this is in today's market.  How true is this for the homes that have a Bremerton address?  So off I went to pull the data together.  Below are 3 charts for home sales in Bremerton for the last 3 years.  Below the charts you will find my thoughts.

 

 

 

The year 2009 shows what might be a traditional summer market.  Then when you look at 2010 the late spring early summer would be the best months.  Look at 2011 and you can just hold your hands in the air and say - what the heck!  The most we can take away from data these days is there are lots of short sales that skew all of the data.  There are lots of foreclosures that skew the data.  I do agree that lots of people do start their real estate search when spring arrives and usually want to be in a home prior to the fall.  If you are thinking of selling in the summer market you really need to be ready by the end of March. 

Poulsbo WA Real Estate | Homes Sold November 2011

I have been doing a lot of reflection over the last couple of weeks during the holiday season.  I have written some goals, finished my business plan for 2012 and have been spending an amazing time with my family and with my husband who is stationed in North Carolina but home on leave. 

I have a lot of traditions over the holidays that I started years and years ago when my boys were babies.  Some were carryovers from my childhood and some I thought of on my own.  We do this for Christmas Eve, we do that for Christmas, we do this for New Year's Eve and we do that for New Year's Day.  This year I wanted to bring something new and refreshing to the season.  I had received Paula Deen's Celebrations cookbook as a birthday gift from my son and daughter-in-law in 2011, so I decided to look through it.  I was drawn to page 13 which was a celebration recipe for New Year's Eve brunch.  The recipe was Hummingbird Cake.  How cool did that sound!  I don't do brunches but I wanted to make this cake so I chose to make it for New Year's Day.

I love Hummingbirds!  I have a large quince tree on the corner of my property in the view of my dining and also my kitchen windows so I get to watch Hummingbirds all year.  My neighbor and I put out Hummingbird feeders too.  I have seen some huge Hummingbirds, I have even seen them stand still.  I just saw one in November!  I guess I should do some research on their habits.

Anyway, every time I think of Hummingbirds I think of something fresh and new.  Have no idea why, but I guess there must be something true to this since Paula Deen has this Hummingbird Cake recipe on a  New Year's Eve brunch menu. 

I am calling 2012 the Year of the Hummingbird at my office.  Fresh starts and new goals.  Oh, and below you will find the recipe.  It was amazing! 

 

FOR THE CAKE:
3 cups self-rising flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, with juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 large eggs, beaten

FOR THE ICING:
1 (1 lb) box confectioners' sugar
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature
6 Tbs (3/4 stick) butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbs milk, or more, if needed
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (for garnish)

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (8-inch) round cake pans.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, oil, pecans, bananas, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon and eggs. Stir well with a spoon until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake for 26 to 28 minutes, until the tops spring back. Cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then loosen from the pans and invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

TO MAKE THE ICING:
Mix the sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla and 1 Tbs milk in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until the icing is smooth. If needed, add more milk, 1 tsp at a time, to achieve the proper spreading consistency.

Ice between the cake layers, and on the sides and top of the cake. Sprinkle the top with the pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

• Maybe it is a townhouse or condo you are interested in. 
• Maybe you would like to have the security of a controlled complex. 
• Maybe you would like to have the freedom from yard maintenance. 
• Maybe a single residence just seems too much. 

For what ever reason Bremerton has several different types of town-homes and condominiums on the market.  From new construction to established communities, units with views, units with yards, several styles and sizes and prices to fit almost any buyer's budget.  There are 45 Townhouses or Condos on the market. 

REBLOGGED: Charles our favorite Seattle Home Inspector has once again written an article we need to share.  If you need a home inspector in Seattle give Charles a call.  Comments on my blog will be disabled so you may comment on his.  If you need real estate service in the Puget Sound area just hit the email link to the right.  Thanks Charles!

 

Port Orchard Real Estate | Homes Sold November 2011

Maple Valley Real Estate | Homes Sold November 2011

 

REBLOGGED:  Joe has a great plan here!  If only the government would come up with something similar the economy would be really helped!  Comments here are disabled - hop on over to Joe's post to give your comments.  Local buyers/sellers send us an email for more.

Thanks, Joe!

REBLOGGED:  Jay again gives some great inspection information.  For more information visit his blog and if you would like to comment or ask a question you can find him there.  I am post as information only  for my clients. Comments on this reblogged post will be disabled.  Again, Thank you Jay!

REBLOGGED: Jay always has very informative articles concerning construction and inspection.  I have a retaining wall that needs to be replaced this spring so this was very useful for me.  To leave Jay a comment follow the link to his blog.  Comments here will be disabled.  To contact us about real estate hit the email link to the right.