The Big Picture:
If you consider only the number of homes (or condos) that sold during the first quarter of this year, your initial reaction would probably be, “Ho Hum”.  Look carefully, though, and you will see some interesting things.  If you include what is happening now, in mid-April, you might get even more intrigued.

There were 55 home sales in the first quarter this year, compared to 56 last year, which indicates stability more than improvement.  Nonetheless, these are good numbers compared to 2008 (when there were only 34 sales) and 2009 (with 37 sales). Condos dropped from 19 sales in 2011 to 12 this year.

So far, not a lot to get excited about.  But when we look at the median price, we had a 6.2% increase.  Our first quarter median price has been declining steadily since its peak in 2008 – until this year.  When you look at the distribution of the sales, the median increase becomes clear.  Sales over $800k were up 320% from last year. In all of 2011, there were 24 sales over $1 million; this year we have already had 12 just in the first quarter. (I cannot help but point out Windermere Bainbriddge was involved in 10 of those 12 sales and Winderrmere represented 50% of the parties involved.)

Stats Tell a Positive Story:

On March 30th, there were only 59 homes under contract.  By April 5th, there were 74 homes under contract.  By April 10th, there were 80.  Of those 80, 22 are over $800K and 13 over $1 million.  We have not seen these kinds of numbers in several years.  Not only are the numbers good, they have grown quickly this month.

Over the past five years, we have had strong individual quarters like the first quarter just ended.  But we could not sustain the momentum, and poor performance followed. In 2011, the first quarter was up 14% but then dropped 14% in the second quarter (from the previous year).  Our market has gone up and down on an almost quarterly basis while prices have steadily decreased.  Now we see a strong first quarter, prices inching higher and a very strong start to the second quarter.  These are all positive indicators.  Optimism is beginning to creep in, but it will take more time for many of us to feel comfortable making any proclamations.  We’ve been lured by the sirens before only to find ourselves on the rocks.

Bainbridge Still a Stronghold

When one looks at market conditions around the Sound, there are active markets like ours and other areas that are not doing as well.  Seattle has pockets of energetic activity while nearby areas are considered “stable”.  North Kitsap is healthy, but not yet seeing the surge we are experiencing.  The economic news is generally good, our regional economy continues to grow and the stock market is fairly stable.  These are all positive indicators for our marketplace.  The next few months will be interesting and- we hope-exciting!

Customer service is something that I put a lot of emphasis into.  Therefore when I see it done really well, which is rare, I have to blog about it.  My 16 year old son got his braces put on the week of his 16th birthday…I know it’s what every 16 year old boy dreams of, metal preferably to drive and not in his mouth!

So needless to say, he went forth with orthodontia care and we chose to work with Dr. Mark Heinemann  (he has an office on the Island and in Silverdale).

It should be noted that anytime you put metal in your mouth and force teeth to move here and there, you’re going to experience discomfort and pain.  You can’t eat, sleep and you pretty much live on milkshakes and soft foods the first week or so.

Around the 4^th week, my son was in extreme pain.  When I checked in his mouth, it looked like the gums were growing over the braces…OUCH! Of course it was Saturday evening and the doctors office was closed.  Why does it seem like kids never get sick or need doctors care during regular business hours!

I decided to call the office in hopes of leaving a message requesting an appointment first thing Monday morning.  To my surprise, the answering machine stated “If this is an orthodontic emergency, please call Dr. Heinemann’s cell phone”, and then gave the number. I really wasn’t sure if this was considered an “emergency” but decided to call anyway, in hopes of getting professional words of wisdom from the doctor to relieve my sons pain.

To my even bigger surprise, Dr. Heinemann not only answered his phone, but insisted he meet us at his office in an hour.  I think it’s worth reminding you, this was a Saturday evening at 8 pm!

Within   minutes after tweaking metal here and there in my son’s mouth, Dr. Heinemann had relieved his discomfort! It was his bedside manner and friendly “can do” attitude that made me have to spread the word of this doctors practice.  He clearly LOVES what he does and is good at it!  Think about it, he gets to run his own business, make peoples smiles prettier every day and make his own schedule.  The fact that he chose to meet us, after hours on his weekend time off, was nothing short of outstanding health care that I’ve NEVER experienced before!

So, if you have children, or you yourself, would like a nicer smile with OUTSTANDING care, it is my opinion that Dr. Heinemann is your orthodontist!  Tell him I sent you and ask him how he came to be an orthodontist…it’s a great and entertaining story!

BI Dine Local Downtown

What a great way to support our local restaurants!  I don’t know about you, but the idea that I don’t have to think about “what’s for dinner”, shop for it, prepare it and then clean it all up, makes this option seem like a no brainer!  See you out there.

First annual BI Dine Local Downtown event on March 18-22 and 25-29.

Similar to Seattle’s Restaurant Week, our 13 participating restaurants will be offering a three-course (prix fixe) dinner featuring an appetizer, entree and dessert with at least three options under each course for $28 per person (excluding drinks, taxes, and gratuity.) These specials will run for dinner service from Sunday-Thursday nights. Some of the restaurants will also be offering a $15 prix fixe lunch menu…

Our participating restaurants are BI BBQ, Café Nola, Doc’s Marina Grill, Four Swallows, Hitchcock, Local Harvest, Restaurant Marché, San Carlos, Shima Garden Sushi & Japanese Cuisine, Streamliner Diner, SuBi, The Madison Diner, The 122.

Every month Windermere Real Estate Bainbridge Island will be doing a "Spotlight"on a particular topic.  I thought I'd share the information as well because it really provides great insight into our current market versus where we've been.  This month our topic Spotlight is on "Island Condominiums".  As you can see 2011 sales were, for the most part, better than 2010 in the lower price ranges, $400k or less. I find it interesting that the price per square foot is about the same as it was in 2010. If your like me, an optimist, I choose to believe the predictions this year...we've hit the bottom and we're headed back up!  To quote Mathew Gardner  "I remain a "glass half full" analyst and believe that we will continue to see improvement in all indices in 2012."



In the last 2 weeks I’ve been wonderfully reminded of why I love what I do.  I have the wonderful blessing of working with 2 different clients that both have the same goal.  Their number one priority is “family”.  Touring them around beautiful Bainbridge Island and showing them homes has been so enjoyable because they are both searching for homes for their mothers.  Now, even though their circumstances are very different, the common theme is making sure their mom is in a beautiful home where she feels safe and comfortable living the next chapter of her life.  Both are coming from off island and both have taken the time to put their mom first, taking time off work, gently guiding their moms as we tour, etc. It’s very admirable and I feel so honored to be their trusted adviser on this next big step.

Putting family first is something that people often say they are doing, but I’ve seen these daughters not only “talking the talk”, but “walking the walk”, as they say.  Being a part of helping them to their next nest is what I love! Buying or selling a home can be very emotional and have some fear around it.  It’s my job to make it enjoyable, smooth, fun, stress free and always positive. My gratitude to these women that have shown me, yet another reason, why I love what I do!

Mark your calendars for the first annual
Jingle ~ Mingle ~ Winslow Open House
December 17 from 12-9pm

This will be a day full of in-store specials where you can finish up that holiday shopping or just spend time strolling and mingling. You can turn it into a date night by taking advantage of KiDiMu’s “Kids’ Night At The Museam” from 5:30-9pm. Visit kidimu.org for more information and reservations.

Christmas cheer was in the air last night as we Christmas Angels busily wrapped presents a plenty at our annual event!  This year we sponsored 16 kids ages 5 months to 15 years and their parents.  It always warms my heart to see the generosity of friends. It truly defines the real meaning of Christmas.

We all know it’s been a tough year on the economy, but you wouldn’t have known it with the amount of gifts people pulled together to help those in need this holiday season.  Christmas music was playing, wrapping paper was flying, laughter and some tears were abounding and in general a jovial spirit was everywhere!

Thank you to everyone who generously donated gifts for these children.  It will be a very Merry Christmas for them all!

By the way, for those of you that would still like to help.  Our local Helpline House is always thrilled to receive donations of food, toiletries, gently used clothing and of course money!  What are you waiting for, become your own Christmas Angel and give, it feels so good!

There is no better place than Christmas on Bainbridge Island!  Our little town looks just like the town in the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”, without the snow.  I have been so tempted to run down the streets at night, tapping the window’s of our wonderfully lit up boutiques yelling “Merry Christmas you big beautiful Blackbird Bakery”! Those that know me, know that there’s a good possibility that I’ll do just that.

Everyone is in such good spirits this season.  Even though the economy has been challenging for many, it hasn’t dampened the Christmas spirit here.  Generosity is everywhere!  My office adopted 9 children this year in need.  It was so fun to work together for others.  We shopped, we wrapped, we laughed and it felt really good to give to others.  I am continually proud of the company I’ve chosen to work for and those I work with.

Just walking in Winslow day or night, I find my neighbors smiling more and saying hello with a jovial hug. We really are a “Small Town with a Big Heart”.  If you haven’t bundled up and strolled through Winslow at night yet, I encourage you to do so.  The merchants have lit up their stores and window shopping is at it’s finest right now.  Of course, I’d encourage you to shop the boutiques throughout Winslow as well.  Pretty much everything you’ll need on your shopping list, can be found right here locally.  And it feels so good to shop knowing that you are supporting the families in our community!

Santa’s mailbox has arrived at Lollipops!  Lollipops is located at 278 Winslow Way and just outside of the store you’ll find this whimsical mailbox waiting to be stuffed with your child’s Christmas wishes.  As far as I know, from my own experience, each child receives a hand written letter from the Big Man himself! The count down has begun, so get those creative juices flowing!