WASHINGTON — Average U.S. rates for 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages fell to record lows for the third straight week. The steady decline has made homebuying and refinancing more affordable than ever for those who can qualify.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.79 percent. That’s down from 3.83 percent last week and the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.

The 15-year mortgage, a popular option for refinancing, declined to 3.04 percent. That’s down from last week’s previous record of 3.05 percent. read more »

WASHINGTON — U.S. builders started work on more homes and apartments last month and requested more permits to build single-family homes. The increases suggest the battered housing market is healing.

The Commerce Department said that builders broke ground in April at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 717,000 homes. That’s a 2.6 percent increase from an upwardly revised March figure and near January’s three-year high of 720,000. Construction rose for both single-family homes and apartments.

Building permits, a gauge of future construction, fell last month from a 3-1/2 year high to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 715,000. But that was because of a 23 percent drop in the volatile apartment category. Permits for single-family homes rose almost 2 percent. read more »

Rush Residential announced plans to build 10 high-quality, smaller homes in the private, country club community of Canterwood in Gig Harbor. Rush will host an open house at The Reserve the weekend of May 18-20 from noon to 5 p.m. each day. During the event, floor plans, pricing and lot reservations will be available to buyers and interested parties.

Lots in The Reserve are 10,000 to 2,000 square-feet, and all are located inside the private Canterwood community. The homes will feature 2 or 3 bedrooms, a guest suite and additional flex space to meet the changing needs of today’s buyers. Finished homes are planned for sale starting in the mid-$400’s. read more »

Art Anderson Associates, a Bremerton-based multidisciplinary engineering services firm, was recently awarded a contract for On-Call Naval Architect Design Services with the Navi-gation Division of the Port of Portland. The Navigation Division operates a fleet of vessels and barges, including the dredge Oregon, and has retained the firm to provide naval architecture and marine engineering services in support of fleet maintenance and operations.

While the firm has maintained a presence in the Portland area for many years providing facilities construction management services on behalf of the U.S. General Services Admin-istration, it only recently has focused on more naval architecture and marine work in the region. read more »

A few months after completing a series of energy efficiency upgrades at its Bremerton headquarters, the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County said it has already seen big energy and water savings.

Since the upgrades were completed in August 2011, electricity use has dropped significantly. When the cold weather hit in December 2011, the HBA used 11 percent less kilowatt-hours of energy compared to the previous year. The HBA is also seeing big savings in water reduction. In December of 2011, water use decreased 66 percent compared to the previous year. Between August 2011 and January 2012, the HBA saved approximately 1,496 gallons of water each month. read more »

The Kitsap County Department of Community Development has launched a new webpage showcasing a complete redesign of all permit submittal documents and information.

In an ongoing series of process improvement efforts focused on gaining efficiencies and improving customer service, the department redesigned permit applications, submittal checklists, brochures and other documentation to better assist clients in the development and construction permitting process and to prepare for online permit submittals. read more »

WASHINGTON — The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has dipped to near its record low, keeping home-buying and refinancing affordable.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said that the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.88 percent last week, down from 3.9 percent. In February, the rate hit 3.87 percent, the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.

The 30-year loan is the most common financing option for homebuyers. read more »

Russell Design Source has announced the launch of a new website, www.russelldesignsource.com. Emily Russell is the owner and principal of Russell Design Source, a landscape architecture and planning firm in Bremerton.

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Washington and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and licensed in Washington State. The company offers a sustainable, affordable, and personal approach to landscape architecture regardless of the size of the project. read more »

North Coast Electric, in cooperation with Puget Sound Energy, will be hosting a “Brighten Your Business” energy efficient lighting event at the Flowering Around flower shop, located at 200 Winslow Way W. on Bainbridge Island on Thurs., April 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Business customers of Puget Sound Energy may be eligible for “instant rebates” and other incentives for upgrading their lighting system with newer, more energy efficient technologies. read more »