The US housing market has softened a bit after years of soaring prices and frantic bidding wars, but there’s little reprieve for buyers trying to crack into the market. First-time buyers made up the smallest share of sales on record last year, at 26%, even as home values started to cool, according to the National Association of Realtors. And rising borrowing costs and still-high prices have pushed housing to the most unaffordable levels in records going back almost four decades.

We have flowers, people! Birds are chirping, the sun is out longer… and it’s still pouring buckets. Well we can’t have it all right? That said, my feelings of optimism grow stronger day by day.

This month, we’re talking about The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide by Tilth Alliance, how to let your kids roam social media safely, and Glen Weldon, NPR.

Music and Arts is the theme for this week with lots of opportunities for you to expand your enjoyment and exposure to different styles of live music. Spend Thursday evening at The Manor House where Bainbridge Arts and Crafts host “Shine Live Auction” celebrating live music and art while raising money for the SHINE Art Academy, an Arts Education school. On Friday at the Marketplace, listen to Vince Bigos performing original material, as well as covers by Hank Williams, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. And Saturday brings an amazing opportunity for kids to learn to appreciate Jazz; take them along to a Matinee at Weave, hosted by the Dmitri Matheny Group. This will be a lively and interactive introduction to jazz for families and young audiences featuring a variety of entertaining musical styles from jump swing, to samba, calypso, and more. And later that evening adults can return to WEAVE to attend Dmitri’s full concert!

Featured Events:

Shine Live! Early Bird Dinner and Auction Ticket, April 27, 6pm-9pm

Live Music at The Marketplace with Vince Bigos, April 28, 7pm-9pm

Jazz for Kids - April 29, 5.30pm-6:30pm

This week encompasses Earth Day so we are focusing on events that get you closer to Mother Earth! And to make you feel extra special you can start the week by enjoying chocolate at the same time as donating to the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. On Wednesday, become more sustainable by learning or improving your kitting skills. And for the finale, volunteer or participate in all things green at Battle Point Park on Saturday. Get your green on!

Featured Events:

West Sound Wildlife Shelter Chocolate Take-Over, April 17-18, 10am-6pm

The Lamb & Kid - Various Knitting Classes, April 19th

Earth Day Expo, April 22, 10am-2pm

So many more new events are starting to pop up on the Island - which are good indications we are into Spring and beginning to get ready for Summer! Learn how to confidently identify wild spring plants that are edible and medicinal at IslandWood, feast on delicious grubs and a glass of wine with Southern BBQ at Eleven Winery, or enjoy a handpicked flight + a 4-course meal farmhouse style in Heyday Farm’s festive barn.

Featured Events:

Spring Skills of a Naturalist April 13, 9.30am-11.30am

Double D’s BBQ & Smokery Food Truck at Eleven Winery, April 15, 12pm-5pm

Frichette Winery Winemaker Dinner, April 15, 6pm-9pm

In this article from The Atlantic, an excerpt from a new book challenges the idea of trusting your gut when it comes to parenting decisions. Drawing on research and personal experiences, the author argues that relying on intuition can be misleading and instead offers a different approach to making important choices for your children.

This coming week is Spring Break and it’s time to get those creative vibes flowing. Whether you have children that need to be kept amused, or you want to channel that creative adult spirit, there is something for everyone. Register for inspirational self-guided tours or live demonstrations, sign-up for a 3-day art camp and participate in a variety of mixed-media experiences, and learn tried and true methods of how to master drawing portraits.

Featured Events:

BARN Tour Registration for Spring Sampler (April 30) - April 3, 1pm-3pm

Spring Break One-Day Art Camps Ages 5-12 - April 4-7, 10.30am-1.30pm

Drawing and Painting People, April 8, 10am-4pm

Wow, that winter seemed to go by quickly because we’ve got Spring events starting back up! Join the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market x April Fools’ Day this Saturday; get your bellies rolling at the Seattle International Comedy Competition taking place at Bainbridge Cinemas, The Pavilion on Friday night; and come together with your community to remember the lives impacted by the forced removal of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island on Thursday morning.

Featured Events:

Farmers’ Market - Saturday, April 1, 10am-2pm

Commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Exclusion - Thursday, March 30, 11am-12pm

Best of the Seattle International Comedy Competition - Friday, March 31, 7.30 pm-9.30pm

March is home to two of my favorite holidays— St. Patrick’s Day and the Oscars.

When the kids were younger they would routinely ask if all families have their now holidays— so St. “Fitz” Patricks day was always a thing for us. As a child with a maiden name of Kelly, my family was also all in. We ate green eggs, green pancakes, green mashed potatoes (less appealing as an adult) and celebrated when the leprechaun would slip through our traps and leave rainbow candy in the form of skittles. I am overjoyed that this is now a tradition celebrated in schools.

It’s time to start planning this year’s garden and that is our focus for next week’s featured events. Whether you want to nurture beautiful flowering shrubs or grow plants you can eat, Bainbridge Island has experts who will teach you how to have a healthy flourishing garden and a rewarding growing experience.

Learn how to buy the right type of plants to preserve water and maximize your productivity in the garden, graft your own fruit trees, and impress your family and friends with home-grown healthy vegetables.

Featured Events:

Drought-Tolerant Gems for the Low Maintenance Garden at Bainbridge Gardens - Saturday, March 25

Graft an Apple Tree at Bainbridge Gardens - Sunday, March 26

Veg Club: Gardening Classes at the Library - 1st Tuesdays ‘thru October.

Spring is coming, the clocks have sprung forward giving us lighter evenings and it’s time to embrace this new season on Bainbridge Island. Start by discovering the natural beauty that is Bainbridge Island by signing up for one of Bainbridge Gardens’ Spring Events or Classes. Bainbridge Gardens is a family-owned garden center located on a historic site and their events encourage you to learn how to become more self-sufficient in growing your own vegetables and maintaining a healthy garden. IslandWood is excited to launch their 2023 quarterly Dinner Series, starting with their March Dinner. To fill one of those Spring rainy days, book to see Bainbridge Performing Arts’ latest production The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Featured Events:

Plant What You Eat at Bainbridge Gardens - Sunday, March 19

Dine & Discover Dinner at IslandWood - Saturday, March 18

Curious Incident of Dog in the Night Time - Various Days, March 16-26

If you are serious about selling your home now, don’t get greedy with the asking price.

This is still a seller’s home market as there simply aren’t enough affordable homes for sale in many parts of the country.

But with average 30-year mortgage rates above 6%, buyers are much more price-sensitive than they were a year ago. Agents and brokers say price is the most important thing for sellers to worry about right now. Pricing it too high a year ago often didn’t backfire as prices were surging broadly. Doing that now could scare off many buyers in a vastly different market.

Agents and housing economists say homeowners trying to sell now need to accept they are probably not going to get the same price their neighbor did early last year when mortgage rates were hovering around 3%.

Did you know Bainbridge Island boasts seven boutique wineries? This week’s events focus on Wine.

Featured Events:

Wine Down Wednesday at Fletcher Bay Winery - Wednesday, March 8

Taste Washington - Saturday & Sunday, March 11-12

COR Winemaker Dinner at Heyday Farm - Saturday, March 11

This week’s calendar offers plentiful live music and opportunities to enjoy the arts and culture of Bainbridge Island. 1. The First Friday Art Walk is a tremendous community event that drives opportunities for connection and celebration of the arts. You can start at any place along the route and sample wine and snacks as you go from establishment to establishment enjoying live music and admiring local artists. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the weekend. 2. Tending chickens is big business on Bainbridge. In fact, I think many new islanders move here with dreams of starting a flock and living closer to the land. Bay Hay and Feed is offering a fantastic program on Saturday to learn the basics of chickens. 3. Stop by the concert series, first Sunday Music, and hear the string quartet at the Waterfront Community Center.

Featured Events:

First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Bainbridge - Friday, March 3

Everything About Chickens, Bay, Hay & Feed - Saturday, March 4

First Sunday Music, String Quartet Classics - Sunday, March 5

We are more than half-way through February, the days are getting longer and there is more time to enjoy the extra daylight hours. This week’s events are therefore focused on making it easier for you to find things to do outside! Sign up for this week’s featured events on Bainbridge Island or be a spectator and encourage and cheer on others who are participating! Cycle, cheer on, or watch the Chilly Hilly; visit Bloedel Reserve; Sail (or watch from the shoreline) the Jim Depue Memorial Race.

Featured Events:

Chilly Hilly Annual Cycle Race on Bainbridge Island - Sunday, February 26th

February Focus Walk at Bloedel Reserve - Thursday, February 23rd

Jim Depue Memorial Yacht Race, Bainbridge Island - Saturday, February 25th

In 2023, 3.6 million Americans will turn 40 and, if they haven’t already, promptly freak out. This will be the third batch of millennials to hit the milestone. But this group probably won’t rebel like their parents, who in their 40s and 50s bought flashy boats or booked flights to Bali after jumping off the corporate ladder. They aren’t divorcing a spouse (they never had one) or getting a tattoo (they already have them). No, this generation is going to do the midlife crisis differently. They can’t afford to do otherwise.

There has been a number of new direct flights added departing from Sea-Tac airport and I AM HERE FOR IT ✈️

Belize, Turkey, Ireland, Tahiti (took advantage of this one just a few weeks ago!), I'm having a hard time deciding where I want to go next...Let me know down below what's at the top of your travel list!

Love is in the air. A couple ideas for celebrating the most romantic week of the year on Bainbridge Island.

Featured Events:

Valentines at Hey Day Farm, February 14th, 2023

Parents Night Out, Kid Drop off at Happy Hooves Horse Sanctuary February 10th and 17th, 2023

Jenny Davis Jazz Quartet at Manor House, February 18th, 2023

This time of the year is often a little slower for me— for all of us in real estate. It’s the time to strengthen systems, catch up with people and breathe.

I am stretching myself with a violin recital— and the suggestion of a book: The inner Game of Tennis, A recommendation to take yourself on a vacation and my new hummus recipe that I can’t take credit for but will happily take all the compliments at book club.

Skyrocketing interest rates through most of 2022 put some much-needed pressure on the housing market after home prices hit record highs across the nation. However, since December, mortgage rates have been on a steady decline through the beginning of February. Even so, many economists remain mixed about whether home prices will continue to decelerate throughout 2023—or even drop at all.