Maureen Buckley

Edward and I have have just listed the most elegant and well designed coastal home on Pleasant Beach on Bainbridge Island. This home (www.PleasantBeachHome.com) is a new construction 4 bedroom gracious home with elements of turn of the century eastern coastal homes. The Builder, Gene Knox of Blue Fish was designer, architect, & builder. Having roots in Boston, Gene brings both traditional elements together with current north west styling. (check out the viking kitchen and luxurious master bath) This home will be open Sunday november 15th from 1 - 4 at Pleasant Beach Drive. Maureen

One Call for All, a unique Bainbridge Island tradition, started almost 50 years ago when a few forward-thinking Islanders decided to combine the individual fund appeals of multiple organizations into one annual mail drive. Every Fall, Red Envelopes appear in our mailboxes and Islanders know this is the time to donate to our favorite local non-profit organizations. By combining the fund appeals of all participating groups into one campaign, One Call for All gives you the opportunity to support the local organizations you choose without being swamped by more than 85 individual appeals! The diversity of non-profit organizations operating on Bainbridge reflects the breadth of the island's interests and concerns. For more information, visit: www.onecallforall.org or phone 206-842-0659

It seems that everyone I talk to asks how our Bainbridge real estate market is doing. Home sales have remained steady through September and October. Inventory fluctuated in the 250 active
listings range with around 30 to 40 under contract for an average absorption rate of 16%. Not exactly the 28% rate of early 2007 but much better then the 8% to 10% rate of late 2007 and 2008. Is it still a buyer's market? Yes, but some price ranges have seen multiple offers again, especially homes in the $600,000 price range. Meanwhile, non waterfront homes over $800,000 have continued to languish on the market. There are some excellent values seen here with properties offered at less than replacement costs. With jumbo loans available at 5% or less we hope to see more of these homes going under contract this winter. Maureen

Many homeowners are going to be faced with an Adjustable Rate Mortgage that will roll over. Should you refinance or hang tight? It really depends on what your rate is tied to but The good news is that scenario hasn't come to pass. Instead, interest rates have fallen to record lows, and when your ARM resets you'll probably see your monthly nut fall, not rise according to CNNMoney.com. Maureen

Edward and I have just returned from a week back in the Connecticut and Massachusetts areas. It certainly seemed to us that their market is on the upswing. We visited friends in an "adult" (over 50) community called Great Island on the South Cape in Plymouth, Mass. Developed by Pulte, it's an absolutely beautiful planned development in a forested setting with great golf, 40 minutes outside Boston and 15 minutes from Cape Cod with a small town grocerery store and post office. One would be surprised to know of the thousands of homes hidden on curving streets amid acres of open space and deciduous woods lined with walking trails. using Old New England architecture including stone and barnboard. They are now building the next 200 homes. Maureen