realty station: Do it NOW!!! - 02/17/09 03:40 AM
If you are planning to sell your home in Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo or anywhere else in Kitsap County, I have some advice for you:  list your home for sale ASAP!
If you are planning to move away from Kitsap County WA in the next 6 to 8 months, you need to list your home as soon as you possibly can.  You need to price it very competitively, stage it beautifully, and find an agent who will market it very aggressively. 
Why list your Kitsap County home for sale now if you aren't planning to move for six months?  Because the numbers say you should.
Right … (4 comments)

realty station: Should I sign a Buyer Agency Agreement? - 02/16/09 11:26 AM
Another excellent question from a client today!  "Should I sign a Buyer Agency Agreement?"
The answer is - Probably, but it depends.....
First, remember that Agency rules differ from state to state, so if you are not buying a home in Washington State, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Silverdale, Poulsbo or surrounding areas, you will need to clarify agency laws in your state.
Most clients will want to sign a Buyer Agency Agreement.  In the contract, make sure your agent spells out exactly what you can expect from them.  For example, what type of home will you be finding for them, and where … (11 comments)

realty station: What does it cost me to have you as my Buyer's Agent? - 02/15/09 02:42 PM
You'd be amazed at how many people never ask....
Actually, it's a great system for Buyers.  When a Seller lists his property with an agent, he agrees to pay the real estate agent a certain percentage of the sales price.  The Seller's agent then puts the property in an enormous database, which is called the Northwest Multiple Listing Service in Kitsap County real estate lingo.  The listed home is then available for other real estate agents to access and show to potential buyers.
If another agent brings in a client to purchase the property, the Seller's agent splits his commission with the … (44 comments)

realty station: Wanna make $25??? - 02/04/09 11:42 PM
All it takes is a $250 initial investment, and after 30 days you will be rewarded with an additional $25!
No it's not a scam, or a pyramid set-up, or any of those other get-rich-quick schemes.  It's exactly the opposite.
Woman's Day magazine is doing a year-long series on finances and saving money.  They have partnered with ING Direct to offer a special savings program to encourage readers to start saving.
If you are a new customer, you can sign up with ING Direct through a link at Woman's Day's website for a special "Orange" savings account.  It is done via … (9 comments)

realty station: To Refi, or Not to Refi? That is the question... - 02/04/09 11:13 PM
Hopefully this post will help you find the answer.  When is the right time to refinance?  With interest rates so low, it seems like refinancing your home loan might be a good idea.  What are the determining factors?
There are a couple of things to look at when considering a refi. First, do you have any equity in your home? If you owe $250,000 for your home, and you owe a total of $245,000, you probably won't be able to refinance unless it is a VA loan. And VA loans are a whole different ball game.Now, as far as whether the rates … (2 comments)

realty station: 11640 Breckenridge, Silverdale, WA - 01/27/09 04:37 PM
 
3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Large 1592 Square Feet Attached Two-Car Garage Fantastic, Move-in Condition Located on Ridgetop in Silverdale, WA Gorgeous like-new home in fastastic maintenance-free community!
Wonderful open floor plan makes the large living area seem even bigger! Luxury abounds in this home, with angled fireplace and media center in living room with high ceilings, separate dining room, breakfast bar in spacious kitchen, and den or office all on the main floor.
Upstairs finds a nice master suite with full, private bath and two closets plus two additional bedrooms with a shared full bath. Backyard provides privacy with a … (0 comments)

realty station: "The Patio" in Manette, Bremerton - And this used to be a laundromat? - 01/26/09 07:07 PM
That's right - a laundromat.  The building sat on a corner in lower Manette unused for many years in the 1990's and early 2000's, until Jeff and Michelle Hecker took over and redesigned the building into the swanky restaurant and happy hour hotspot that it is now.   
The Patio opened in May of 2008.  Located right next to the Manette Bridge in Downtown Manette, the restaurant is small in winter, with very limited indoor seating.  However, that also allowed us very attentive and personal service.  In warmer months, tables on the patio are used, doubling the seating area.
"Serving 'New American' … (3 comments)

realty station: The Boat Shed Restaurant is a Pleasant Surprise - 08/24/08 06:17 PM
Want to go out for a nice dinner, but don't want to spend a lot?  Want a view but don't want to pay for it?  Consider The Boat Shed restaurant in Manette in East Bremerton!
The restaurant sits almost underneath the Manette Bridge, and if you aren't looking for it you could miss it!  The unassuming entrance will leave many doubting the quality, right until they open the front door and smell the tantalizing food from inside.
Get a table by the window.  From your seat, you will have a view of the bridge, the USS Turner Joy, and the Seattle-Bremerton … (9 comments)

realty station: Special Event: Wine Tasting and Dinner at Cosmos September 7, 2008 - 08/24/08 05:01 PM
Wine aficionado and Foodie Mike Watkins is pairing with Cosmos Deli in Port Orchard to offer a fantastic Wine Tasting and Dinner to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
Sunday, September 7 at 5:00 pm, Mike and Cosmos will provide a sensational gourmet dinner paired with five, yes FIVE different wines.  Dinner includes an antipasti, braised beef short ribs with smashed yukon gold potatoes, and grilled sweet peaches with gelato and honey. 
Dinner is followed by a silent wine auction, including bidding for a Magnum of 2005 Bordeaux. 
All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an organization which helps patients … (3 comments)

realty station: Manette Fest 2008 - 08/21/08 03:17 PM
Each year, the people and businesses of the charming Manette neighborhood of Bremerton celebrate their community culture and spirit in a fantastic one-day festival. 
This year, join us for Manette Fest 2008 on Saturday, September 6!
The festival starts with a Fun Run for all ages and athletic abilities, continues with a pancake breakfast, then features Manette's Tiniest Parade, which is open to anyone and everyone.  Have the kids decorate their bikes, or dress up their strollers and bring them out!
Spend the afternoon listening to the music and entertainment and watching the street dancers.  Don't forget to check out all the vendors … (0 comments)

realty station: 7350 Grevena, Bremerton, WA 98311 - 07/31/08 07:52 PM
(1 comments)

realty station: The Kitsap County Real Estate Snapshot Today, July 23, 2008 - 07/23/08 05:13 PM
Right now, right this very moment in Kitsap County, WA, there are 2,591 single family homes for sale, according to the local Multiple Listing Service.  Yes, that's right, 2,591 homes for sale through local real estate agents.
That's a lot of competition for a small number of serious homebuyers!
In the last 30 days, only 210 single family homes have sold and closed, again according to the Multiple Listing Service.  What does that number mean to you if you are currently trying to sell your home, or if you are thinking of selling your home in the near future?
If the … (4 comments)

realty station: "Well, I don't have to, but..." - 05/19/08 03:58 PM
Apparently, there is a checklist at many of the larger brokerages in Washington State for agents to follow during a transaction.  These checklists are inaccurate, and if brokers and agents were paying attention, they might realize this.
Lately, agents have been asking me for a copy of the earnest money check when I represent the Buyer.  Today, I had an agent get very huffy with me when I explained that since Mutual Acceptance was Friday, I actually had two business days to collect the earnest money check.  Therefore, our deadline for collecting it was actually tomorrow.  I also told her that I … (7 comments)

realty station: "Have we hit bottom yet?" - 05/13/08 07:08 PM
"I want to buy a house when the prices are at their lowest."
"How long before the market turns around again?"
"I'll wait a while longer til prices drop a bit more."
"Buy low, sell high" doesn't apply only to the stock market - it applies to real estate as well.  However, the problem that plagues stock investors also plagues the real estate investor -- how do we know we have hit bottom?
As real estate agents, we listen to the financial experts, monitor the economy and the real estate market in general, watch the national trends, track home prices and … (8 comments)

realty station: I've Become One of Them (And Guess Who's Fault It Is?) - 04/22/08 11:13 AM
First, let me just say that the final transformation is pretty much Active Rain's fault.  And even if it isn't really, let me believe that it is because I have to blame someone.  So tonight, that would be all of you.
I never meant to be one of them, but it happened slowly, and it wasn't until tonight that I realized that I had done just what I never wanted to do.  I became one of them.
Those of you who have been married to military will know who I am talking about...  It's those wives!
You know the ones I'm talking about.  One … (38 comments)

realty station: Calling Manette "Home" - Manette, Bremerton - 04/02/08 07:11 PM
The neighborhood of Manette is located on the east side of Bremerton on the hill of Point Herron.  Many of the Manette homes have a fantastic view of the water as well as the mountains.  Residents can often see the ferry coming in from Seattle as the sun sets over the Olympic Mountains. Manette real estate has not seen as broad of a price adjustment as other areas of Kitsap County.
Manette was founded as a city in 1891, but was annexed by the city of Bremerton just a few decades later.  It is now a unique and very desireable Bremerton community.
Manette is connected … (1 comments)

realty station: Old Fashioned Bridge in Manette, Bremerton, WA - 04/02/08 07:04 PM
The Manette Bridge played a significant role in the building and expansion of Bremerton.  Built during the Great Depression, the Manette Bridge is the oldest of two bridges that connect East Bremerton to West Bremerton. 
  In this photo, Manette is to the right, West Bremerton on the left side.  The Port Washington Narrows goes north toward Silverdale.  The Olympic Mountains are in the distance.  (Much appreciation to Capt. Alan R. Beam, USN, ret., for the photo.  Thanks, Dad!)
Prior to the building of the bridge, Mosquito Fleet ferries made the crossing each day to allow families from East Bremerton to go to their jobs … (7 comments)

realty station: Selling Your Historic Home - 04/02/08 06:45 PM
Selling a historic home often involves more emotion than logic, both for the seller and the buyer.   In order to get the highest sale price possible for your historic home, we may need to go the extra mile.
Do some research into the history of the home, going back to the original owners of the home.  Bill Cherry recently suggested naming the house after the first owner.  Put everything together in a professionally written package for potential buyers.  Of course, as your real estate agent, I am happy to assist you with this project.
Resources for researching your home include these:
1.  Get a copy of your home's title report.  If … (6 comments)

realty station: The Market in Kitsap County - March 2008 - 04/02/08 12:37 PM
It is definitely a Buyer's Market in Kitsap County!  Listings are up, sales are down, and interest rates are excellent. 
As of March 31, 2008, there were 2343 single family detached homes listed by real estate agents in Kitsap County.  If no other homes were listed for sale in Kitsap County, and we worked through all the home currently for sale, it would take us over 12 months to sell them all. In other words, we have 12 1/2 months of inventory on the market.
What does that mean to you?  If you were trying to sell your home in Kitsap County … (2 comments)

realty station: Beat the Buyer's Market - Selling Your Home in Kitsap County - 04/02/08 05:18 AM
Even though it is a "Buyer's Market" in Kitsap County and across the country,  We can still sell your home.  However, there are several things you must keep in mind in order to do so.
To sell your Kitsap County home, you must price it right, show it perfectly, and market it aggressively. 
To price it right, ask your real estate agent to do a price point for you, showing you pending, sold, and active listings similar to your home.  Once we have the range for your home's proper pricing, you must price it at the bottom of that range. 
In other words, your … (4 comments)

 

Marlene Scheffer

Realtor to Kitsap County, WA

Bremerton, WA

More about me…

Realty Station

Address: 2135 Sheridan Road, Suite F, Bremerton, WA, 98310

Office: (360) 377-5699

Mobile: (360) 689-6836

Here you will find my thoughts and insights into the real estate market in general, as well as tips for Sellers, Buyers, current Homeowners and other real estate agents. Many of the market updates will apply specifically to Kitsap County, in other words, Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Kingston, and all areas in between. Many of the trends seen in Kitsap will overflow to surrounding cities, such as Gig Harbor, Belfair, Allyn, and even Bainbridge Island. I hope you will find this blog helpful and useful.


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