Bremerton : Silverdale : Port Orchard : Poulsbo

I have been receiving a lot of interest in regard to how this year has faired over previous years in the Bremerton, WA area.  I thought I would do some research for the first six months of sold homes in Bremerton for the years of 2010, 2009 and 2008. 

This first chart shows the total number of sales in Bremerton, WA for the last three years. 

I think that the first time home buyer tax credit really helped the first six months of 2010.  June so far was the winning month when it came to total closings with a high of 88.  We are still seeing the effect when it comes to closing because of the extension of the closing date from June 30th to September 30th.  The homes that might have needed this extension most likely will close in July with the stragglers, those probably being short-sales will continue to trickle in. 

It will be very interesting to see how the year ends.  I don't have a crystal ball - will 2010 end up with a higher sold volume? Who knows?  The market has slowed a bit.

This second chart shows the list price and sold price figures for the homes sold in Bremerton, WA during the last three years of 2010, 2009 and 2008.  When you look at the numbers you will probably be doing a WOW! Look at the loss from 2008! 

Of course sometimes all this data just leads us to more questions.

Hot new price! This home is move-in ready with all the hard work done. Newer roof, newer cement board siding. new heating and newer windows. Remodeled with some some amazing architectural detail. Check out the homes private web site here - http://www.2221soundviewavene.epropertysites.com/

Summer of Love | Manette

Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood

$139,000 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom Interior: 750 sqft Lot: 7,840 sqft Location 2221 Soundview Ave NE Bremerton, WA 98310 To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Jo Soss HomeFront Realty (360) 830-6195 jo@homefrontrealtyonline.com http://www.homefrontrealtyonline.com Listed by: Jo Soss

Our recent listings Summer of Love | Manette Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Bremerton, WA real estate for sale

We all work in areas where there are different laws governing lots of different aspects to a home purchase and sale.  In the Puget Sound area we have several homes that are on septic systems.  In Kitsap County there are over 60,000 on-site sewage systems.  For years and years these systems were pumped or not pumped, inspected or not inspected all depending on the real estate agents involved in the transaction and the documents they used. 

Then along came the State of Washington and State Health rules (Chapter 246-272A WAC) requiring the local health jurisdiction to ensure that all owners of onsite sewage systems have their system inspected and evaluated on a regular basis, and prescribe an inspection at the time of property transfer as one of the
options to attain these inspections.

I totally agree that something had to be done with the septic inspection process.  The days of permit, install and done are over.  There must be some checks and procedures to protect all. 

In Washington each county takes on the responsibility of tracking a process. 

In Kitsap County where I work the process is fairly easy.  The Northwest Multiple Listing Service has procedures spelled out in document form that take the guess work out of what we need to do in order to comply with the state law.

We have a general septic addendum that outlines what type of OSS (on-site sewage system) the property is serviced by, that the seller represents that, to the best of their knowledge, the OSS is in working order and doesn't violate any regulations or have any material defects. 

This document supersedes any provisions in the purchase and sale agreement except for the provisions of a county specific septic addendum.

Here is where local area Brokers seem to have a learning curve.  In Kitsap County the Kitsap County Board of Health Ordinance 2008-01 Section 13.D sets out in more detail the process that must be completed prior to the close of a home sale transaction. 

It is a pretty straight forward form and details what the seller must do.

1. Specify type of system
2. Deliver Evaluation Report (from the Health Officer of Kitsap County Health District)
3. Deliver to Buyer maintenance records, if available.

If the seller has no evaluation report listed in item 2 they must complete an application, inspection and evaluation with the Health Department.  The process is very simple and spelled out in simple terms on the addendum and on the Kitsap County Health Department site.


Why this process is so difficult for Brokers to understand I just don't get.  I have had to "argue" with Brokers what the process is over the last few transactions.  This is a process that really should be done at the time the home is listed for sale.  Why we don't just do this all up front is in my mind a disservice to our sellers.  I know the reason is probably one of funds.  Yes, it costs to process this form with the county.  Yes, it costs money to pump the tank.  That is why this process is so hard for some Brokers to understand.  They don't know how to get their sellers to spend money prior to close. 

I just want other Broker's to understand the law and conform to it.  I am tired of having to educate other Brokers about the process when I write a purchase and sale agreement.  It is our responsibility to understand these documents and council our sellers.

Kitsap County has some great information available on their web site.  I have had to on more than one occasion send these links to other Brokers in the area to make my point.

INSPECTION AND EVALUATION OF ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEMS FOR PROPERTY CONVEYANCE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Onsite Sewage Program

Mike Rowe learns how to clean a septic tank.

Evergreen Rotary Park - 1400 Park Avenue Bremerton - Evergreen District

• 10 acre
• 1,900 feet of shoreline
• 1 group shelter
• 6 shelters
• 39 picnic tables
• 4 BBQs
• 2 half-court basketball
• Boat launches
• Sand volleyball court
• 75 parking spaces

Evergreen Park is the city's premier park with the highest use rates. The location is just amazing. I love just walking the trails and being able to just sit and watch people, birds and weather.

If you need a place for a family picnic this is the place. There are 5 shelters and 39 picnic tables. The park encompasses 10 acres and had 1900 feet of shoreline. And can you believe - A boat launch!

If you want to BBQ there are 4 located at Evergreen Park. If you want to have some games you could arrange to have a volleyball tourney with friends on the sand volleyball court. Or just shoot some hoops with your kiddos at the 2 ½ court basketball courts.

For the younger kids there is a huge play area with lots of climbing and imagination equipment. Plenty of parking (75 spaces) and if you need you can reserve a shelter by calling the Bremerton Park and Recreation department at (360) 473-5305.

I am sorry I am a little late on this one.  What a great idea to provide a free program for the area youth! This is like having a free "day-camp" program!  We have some amazing parks in Bremerton with lots of equipment and with the weather the last couple of weeks I bet this is just a blast! 

Remember that this is not a substitute for a daycare option and guardians of younger children should be available at the park location. 

The Bremerton School District even serves a FREE lunch at noon! How cool is that! I so hope there are lots of children attending!

See this flyer for more detailed information. Let me know how it is! I would love to hear your comments!

2221 Soundview Ave NE - Website

During the month of June there were 88 homes that sold in Bremerton. [zip codes: 98310, 98311, 98312, 98314, 98337]. These Bremerton homes actually had a transfer of home ownership. Contracts complete and Lender funds available the home buyer and seller signed all of their documents as escrow prepared the closing packages.

Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Bremerton Washington.

Let’s look at those 88 Bremerton homes -

Average List Price

• $217,283 [May- $199,895 -April- $197,429 - March -$202,739 - February -$220,258 - January -$203,640 December -$224,396]
• $128 per sq ft
  

Average Sold Price

• $209,182 [May-$195,044 - April -$192,860 - March -$198,231 - February -$213,465 - January -$201,166 - December -$218,171 ]
• $123 per sq ft
  

The average sq ft of these 88 Bremerton homes was 1701 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 108 days on the market (DOM).

The list to sale ratio for these homes was 96.27 percent. What that meas is that buyers offered 96.24% of what the seller requested.

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds.

I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful. If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email.

I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis. If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed"

Does a closing date on a contract mean anything? Do you take it seriously? What does it mean to all of the parties involved? What does it mean to the buyer, the seller, the lender or even escrow? When I write a contract I have usually been in contact with lenders and escrow personnel asking what their work load is at the present time.

From the very beginning of my career deadlines have been very important to me. I have always made sure my clients know what "time is of the essense" meant and that it wasn't just a "saying". I would educate them on what our "computation of time" pargargph in our purchase and sale agreement meant and wanted them to take it as serious as I did.

I see this as one of the most important function of a licensed real estate agent. There are deals that have been lost because agents didn't abide by the contractual dates stated on acceptance.

What has always bothered me with this part of the home buying process is there are those involved that don't take the contract dates seriously.

In 2003 I went to work for First American Title/Escrow in Yucca Valley, California. Having come from a real estate agent background I knew a lot about the contract. When I started to question why we were not trying to meet the deadline for closing per the contract I was told that date was "an estimate" - I thought to myself - "AN ESTIMATE!" That isn't an escrow call or a lender call! I soon found out that we would just advise an agent to process an addendum to extend the contract.

Sure, it wasn't totally an escrow issue. Escrow being the final destination in most transactions is rarely given the time to complete their tasks. The issue would arise based on lender requirements (in a non-cash transaction). If the lender couldn't get their documents to escrow on time, escrow couldn't preform within contract. So many times the lender has a total different idea on what date they need to meet. Many times lenders have told my buyers what their definition of closing is and usually it is not what the legal meaning of the word really is for the State of Washington. Of course that is a topic for a whole other blog post.

Lately, I have seen the parties to a transaction act so flipant when it comes to the contract closing date. In my last 5 transactions with 3 different lenders it has been the lender that just couldn't preform. All of these lenders have pre-approved the buyer prior to a contract being written. All of these lenders had met the buyers in person.

On a couple of occasions the lender has laid blame on the buyer. The buyer didn't get all their paperwork to them in time, the buyer did not sign this or sign that, the buyer didn't send in bank statements, or their W2's. These kind of excuses just tick me off! If you are a lender and you have not received these items in the first 5 days after meeting with my client - CALL ME - I will help you! I have been known to get the documents from a buyer and drive them to a lender. Don't blame my buyers. Some of them are new to the process and really don't understand unless we help them!

Now, don't get me wrong there are lots of people in the business that do play by the rules. I just don't understand why everyone doesn't.

I see the extension of most contracts as an excuse - excuse that someone didn't do their job. The only time an extension should be acceptable is when something happens that is out of everyones control at the time a contract is written. We may not know there are several title issues until we are several days in.

I just get irritated when I have to write an addendum to extend a closing date when I have done my job, my clients have done theirs, the other buyer/seller has done theirs as well as their agent. I am tired of others not preforming knowing that if the seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy they will all sign an extension (or will they). Why take the chance?

The "Concerts on the Boardwalk" series starts tonight!

For the next four Friday nights you can spend an amazing time down on the water with music and amazing views.  The concert series is sponsored by the Bremerton Main Stream Association and is one of the most popular. If you want you can tie up at the new Bremerton Marina too.  The Bremerton Boardwalk area is one of the most fun in the Kitsap County.

Tonight's concert by Jr. Cadillac is brought to you by sponsor West Hills Auto Plex.

With the weather it should be a gorgeous night!

During the month of May there were75 homes that sold in Bremerton. [zip codes: 98310, 98311, 98312, 98314, 98337]. These Bremerton homes actually had a transfer of home ownership.

Contracts complete and Lender funds available the home buyer and seller signed all of their documents as escrow prepared the closing packages.

Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Bremerton Washington.

Let’s look at those 75 Bremerton homes - Average List Price

• $199,895 [April- $197,429 March -$202,739 -February -$220,258 January -$203,640 December -$224,396 ]
• $123

Average Sold Price

• $195,044 [April -$192,860 March -$198,231 February -$213,465 January -$201,166 December -$218,171 December]
• $120

The average sq ft of these 75 Bremerton homes was 1631 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 112 days on the market (DOM). The list to sale ratio for these homes was 97.57 percent. What that meas is that buyers offered 97.57% of what the seller requested. What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful. If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis. If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them. “Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed"

The Bremerton Farmers Market is now open! Every Thursday, 4-7PM, at Evergreen Park.  Why not go over and connect with all the local farmers and community members.  There is more to a farmer's market than just produce, you will find many craft booths too.   

Check out the Bremerton Farmers Market website details on vendors, live music performances and more!

Do you live or work in the City of Bremerton?  I do.  I enjoy keeping track of what is going on in Bremerton so I visit the City's website and I also am a subscriber to email updates. 

Today I received an email announcing the release of the updated Bremerton e-News!  The change is very nice with a new format and more visually pleasing.  There is more more information listed with photos and links to other areas of interest on about the local area.  You can go to the City of Bremerton's website to sign up or click here and enter your email address Bremerton e-News

During the month of April  there were 73 homes that sold in Bremerton.   [zip codes: 98310, 98311, 98312, 98314, 98337].   These Bremerton homes actually had a transfer of home ownership.

Contracts complete and Lender funds available the home buyer and seller signed all of their documents as escrow prepared the closing packages. Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Bremerton Washington.

Let’s look at those 73 Bremerton homes -

Average List Price

• $197,429 [March -$202,739  -February -$220,258 January -$203,640 December -$224,396 ]
• $124

Average Sold Price

• $192,860 [March -$198,231 February -$213,465 January -$201,166 December -$218,171 December]
• $122

The average sq ft of these 73 Bremerton homes was 1633 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 113 days on the market (DOM).

The list to sale ratio for these homes was 97.69 percent. What that meas is that buyers offered 97.69% of what the seller requested.

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds.

I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful. If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email.

I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis. If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed"

Week two - A weeks worth of market data for the Bremerton real estate community. Here is the real estate market data between Monday, April 19 through Sunday, April 25th.

Each week I will give an update that will include the previous week, Monday through Sunday. Might be fun. My new IDX site (home search site) went live this last week, so I am able to embed in each post some new data. I thought this week I would put the listings that came on the market in the last 7 days.

Hope you have a great week! If you need any real estate help just let me know - call the office 360-830-6195, or my cell 360-990-1433 or send a text to 360-990-1433 or email me. I would love to help you with your real estate needs.

Bremerton Real Estate Market Residential homes on the market - 501

Pending this last week - 44 [21 MOREs]

Sold/Closed this last week 9

Here is something new I thought I would like to share each week.  A weeks worth of market data for the Bremerton, Silverdale and Port Orchard real estate community.  To start off I am going to give the market data between Monday, April 12 through Sunday April 18.

Each week I will give an update that will include the previous week, Monday through Sunday.  Might be fun.  Once the new IDX site I am having built goes online I will embed some exciting property listings.  I should be able to do that next Monday.

Hope you have a great week! If you need any real estate help just let me know - call the office 360-830-6195, or my cell 360-990-1433 or send a text to 360-990-1433 or email me. I would love to help you with your real estate needs.

Bremerton Real Estate Market
Residential homes on the market - 495
Pending this last week - 23
Sold/Closed this last week - 13

Silverdale Real Estate Market
Residential homes on the market - 86
Pending this last week - 6
Sold/Closed this last week - 2

Port Orchard Real Estate Market
Residential homes on the market - 493
Pending this last week - 28
Sold/Closed this last week 12

During the month of March  there were 61 homes that sold in Bremerton.   [zip codes: 98310, 98311, 98312, 98314, 98337].   These Bremerton homes actually had a transfer of home ownership. Contracts complete and Lender funds available the home buyer and seller signed all of their documents as escrow prepared the closing packages. Once all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed there where deeds recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse that transferred the property into the new home owner’s name!

If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Bremerton Washington.

Let’s look at those 61 Bremerton homes -

Average List Price

• $202,739 [$220,258 February -$203,640 January -$224,396 December]
• $120

Average Sold Price

• $198,231 [$213,465 February -$201,166 January -$218,171 December]
• $114

The average sq ft of these 61 Bremerton homes was 1740 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 122 days on the market (DOM).

The list to sale ratio for these homes was 97.77 percent. What that meas is that buyers offered 97.77% of what the seller requested.

Not a bad time to purchase a home in Bremerton, Washington. Prices are down, interest rates are at an all time low and with the incentives from the government you might want to look at what it means to you.  In fact it is a great time if you are a 1st time home buyer and qualify for the $8,000 tax credit – CREDIT! NOT loan! Read the information I have written about the program here

It is finally official. The hombuyer’s tax credit has been extended to April 30, 2010

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful.

So what is the absorption rate at this point in time?  Check here for the definition of absorption rates - Absorption Rates

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed"

Manette in East Bremerton is just across the Port Washington Narrows waterway via the historic Manette Bridge from downtown Bremerton.  Manette is considered one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Bremerton City limits.  The community has been branded the "Sausalito of the Northwest" by former Mayor Cary Bozeman and Congressman Norm Dicks.

I love the quirkiness of the Manette area.  There is a business district that is within walking distance to many homes, there are several view areas where you can watch the ferries come into Bremerton or the sail boats dancing back betweein here and Port Orchard.

In years past the home prices in the Manette really soared and so you might have been priced out.  Being the hot market area inside the city limits you had to really be quick to pick up a home.  Things today have changed.  Prices are down and there have been some amazing opportunities.

Currently there are 23 homes on the market with prices starting at $179,000.  There are Craftsman, Town-homes, new construction and homes that were built and still have that yesteryear charm.  Email me and I will send you the list.

Take a drive with me or scroll down and take a tour on your won with Google Street View.

Check out the local media's talk about what goes on in Manette

A celebration in true Manette style

Manette: Bremerton's cool, quirky side

Manette Street View

Schools | Bremerton School District #101

Elementary:  Armin Jahr Elementary (buyer of course to verify)

Junior High:  Mountain View Middle School

High School: Bremerton Senior High School

20th Annual

• 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m ............. Sign In 
• 11:30 a.m. ................St. Patrick’s Parade

Following the parade everyone meets at the fountain between Hampton Inn Hotel and the Kitsap Convention Center for some music and fun things to do, provided by the City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation. Bring a camera and have your picture taken as a Leprachaun and kiss the Brem-Blarney Stone.