It all started with a Facebook invite. Tim Samuels, a loan officer at The Legacy Group in Silverdale, received a friend request from a former middle-school classmate who needed help buying a home.

Jenn Fairlie is a single mother with a full-time job at a local animal hospital. However, a divorce several years ago had left her on welfare for a time period and depleted her savings. Although she now has steady work and excellent credit, she didn’t expect to be able to buy a place any time soon.

Samuels invited Fairlie to a first-time homebuyers seminar. Because she hadn’t owned a home in three years, she qualified for several programs. At the seminar, Samuels talked about House Key Bremerton, a down-payment assistance program funded by the city and administered by the Washington State Housing Commission. read more »

By Jonathan Dienhart and Ken Lee

Despite record low mortgage rates, 2011 has seen a surprisingly high level of cash home purchases. Between tight lending standards and a desperate search for yield by investors, cash purchase of homes (especially distressed properties) became even more common in 2011 than in 2010. According to data from Housing IntelligencePro, 38 percent of homes purchased in 2011 were bought with all cash. That’s up from 34 percent in 2010, and double the 19 percent rate in 2006. The trend is likely to continue in the near term, with investors being responsible for an increasing share of home purchases as prior homeowners abandon the ownership market and head back to rentals. read more »

By Jonathan Dienhart and Ken Lee

Despite record low mortgage rates, 2011 has seen a surprisingly high level of cash home purchases. Between tight lending standards and a desperate search for yield by investors, cash purchase of homes (especially distressed properties) became even more common in 2011 than in 2010. According to data from Housing IntelligencePro, 38 percent of homes purchased in 2011 were bought with all cash. That’s up from 34 percent in 2010, and double the 19 percent rate in 2006. The trend is likely to continue in the near term, with investors being responsible for an increasing share of home purchases as prior homeowners abandon the ownership market and head back to rentals. read more »

Windermere Real Estate Bainbridge Island recently welcomed Carleen Gosney to its island-based family of real estate professionals.

Gosney’s years of real estate industry service has always been rooted in her connection to the Bainbridge Island community. Most recently, she explored the benefits and logistics of international marketing during a stint with Realogics Sotheby’s International Real Estate. Her move back to Windermere underscores the critical connections between local knowledge and client outcomes. read more »

The Home Builders Association of Kitsap County announces its new Builders Best Award. The Builders Best Award will be recognizing excellence in new construction. The entry categories include Spec Home, Custom Home, Commercial Projects, Commercial Built Green, Residential Built Green, Aging in Place/Universal Design and Multifamily homes.

Entries will be judged in accordance to selection of building material, quality of workmanship, special or unique design solutions, aesthetic consideration and cost to value. Projects must have been completed within 24 months of May 18. Contact HBA of Kitsap County for more information at (360) 479-5778. read more »

Jose Technologies, owned by local businessman Paul Jose, has added new services for homeowners, business owners and prospective home or business buyers.

Jose has completed training as a certified formaldehyde inspector with NORMI (the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors). He has also completed training with Home Air Test, a national testing company and lab service that uses new technology to sample air and provide a comprehensive view of air quality. The new training allows Jose Technologies to provide clients detailed air quality, mold and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) inspections, and advice on how to remove the offending compounds. read more »

A workshop titled “Growing Great Neighborhoods” and hosted at the Kitsap Conference Center on Jan. 31 will showcase national land-use trends through local examples. The workshop, sponsored by the Seattle chapter of the Urban Land Institute, will focus on how Kitsap Peninsula is embracing urban population growth and planning for an aging population at the same time. The program is geared to developers, policymakers, planners, architects, builders, surveyors and any other professionals interested in urban growth and innovation, including representatives of neighborhood groups, city councils and downtown associations. read more »

Tim Ryan Construction Inc. (TRC) recently announced the completion of its most recent project, Kitsap Podiatry, located on Kitsap Mall Blvd next to the AMC Theaters in Silverdale.

The project included remodeling 2,900 square feet of commercial space into a warm and inviting medical office where patients and staff can enjoy their new surroundings read more »