kitsap: The Kitsap County Real Estate Snapshot Today, July 23, 2008 - 07/24/08 12:13 AM
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 … (4 comments)
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kitsap: Even the bears are out looking for new homes. - 07/01/08 11:02 AM
The recent Buyer's market and low interest rates have spurred a lot of interest lately in the local housing market. I'm seeing more traffic at open houses, builder's sites and calls are way up lately. Most of this activity is good to see, it shows that many buyers are shaking off … (2 comments)
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kitsap: "Well, I don't have to, but..." - 05/19/08 10:58 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 … (7 comments)
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kitsap: "Have we hit bottom yet?" - 05/14/08 02:08 AM
"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. … (7 comments)
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kitsap: A Successful Valentine's Day - 02/14/08 02:38 AM
I got a jump start on Valentine's Day pop-by visits this year, and spent the better part of two days reconnecting with my old sphere. I bought some cute little plastic jars at Walmart, filled them with candy, and delivered them to some people I haven't spoken to in a while.
What … (9 comments)
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kitsap: Are you ready to refinance? - 01/23/08 06:33 PM
Like many lenders, over the past month I have been getting an increasing amount of inquiries from past clients and new referrals regarding the possibility of refinancing. Since rates have come down dramatically, many people are starting to realize that now may be the time lock in a low fixed rate.
Of … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Can You Buy with BAH? - 01/13/08 04:10 AM
"We want to buy a house, and we're probably going to use our VA loan. Can you tell us how much we can afford? We'd like to keep our payments below our BAH."
I can't tell you how many times I have heard young military couples (and a few singles) tell me … (8 comments)
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kitsap: December Market Report for Bainbridge Island - 01/09/08 07:36 PM
Homes on Bainbridge Island were selling for a median price of about $680,000 at the end of December, up about 3% from a year ago. The December median price for closed sales was $605,000, indicating that prices might be beginning to fall. Kitsap County median prices were up about 6% over … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Kitsap County - 12/29/07 03:12 AM
The Christmas hoopla is over. Time to take the lights down, pack away the ornaments, put away the inflatable "Frosty" lawn spectacle (or, in my family's case, the Home Depot and Lowe's cars currently racing across our front lawn), and make your home look a little less glitzy.
Now, what to do with … (3 comments)
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kitsap: Your home's personal website - 12/22/07 10:46 PM
Kitsap Real Estate is changing. From Bremerton to Seabeck, Port Orchard to Poulsbo, Silverdale to Kingston, the way we Realtors do business is steadily becoming more and more influenced by the internet. At Realty Station our goal is to stay ahead of the times!Many people these days do not begin their … (10 comments)
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kitsap: DON'T send a Christmas card to our soldiers..... - 12/12/07 06:09 PM
It's a nice idea, really. I was about to send one myself, until my husband, currently stationed aboard the USS John C. Stennis, stopped me.
"That's nice, honey, but it'll never reach anyone."
At first I didn't believe him, but then we watched the news last night. It was covered on at … (8 comments)
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kitsap: Sorry for the offer, but.... - 12/02/07 10:38 PM
I read someone else's featured post today, and found many of the comments very interesting, almost as interesting as the blog post itself. There are so many things in real estate that frustrate us, but before we rush to judge, I think we should all take the time to realize that there are always two sides...
Mr. … (12 comments)
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kitsap: Scholarship Money Available for Military Children - 12/01/07 05:42 AM
Your eligible child can receive scholarship money for winning an essay contest sponsored by military commissaries! Every commissary that receives an entry from an eligible applicant will give away $1,500 in scholarship funds through the 2008 “Scholarships for Military Children” program.
Applicants must be under 21 and planning to attend or … (2 comments)
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kitsap: Toys for Tots takes over Kitsap Fairgrounds - 12/01/07 05:05 AM
On December 15 from 10 am to 2 pm, low income families can go to the Kitsap Pavilion at the Kitsap Fairgrounds and get a bag of toys for their children.
Volunteers from Toys for Tots have spent the last several weeks wrapping holiday gifts for children of financially challenged families. … (2 comments)
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kitsap: KitsapWithKids: Dr. Seuss Comes Alive in Port Orchard - 11/29/07 08:40 PM
Western Washington Center for the Arts is performing a wonderful musical adaptation of several Dr. Seuss books. This show is sure to please children of all ages, and parents as well!
"Seussical" the musical, once played on Broadway, is a charming menagerie of many different classic children's books including The Cat in … (0 comments)
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kitsap: KitsapWithKids: Chuck E. Cheese in Silverdale - 11/28/07 01:05 AM
Ways to Spend a Winter
The first in a series of ways to spend rainy, cold, winter afternoons with your kids in Kitsap County.
Silverdale is the retail hub of Kitsap County. It is also the home to the county's newest indoor attraction for kids. Chuck E. Cheese has arrived in Kitsap County!
Chuck … (5 comments)
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kitsap: KitsapWithKids: Introduction - 11/28/07 12:42 AM
Ways to Spend the Winter
I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for 16 of the last 20 years of my life. I should be used to the winter weather by now. Problem is, it isn't just winter weather. It's winter, spring and fall weather. It's nine-months-of-the-year weather. It's cold-and-damp, what-will-we-do-inside-again-today weather.
Don't get … (6 comments)
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kitsap: The Accuracy of Zestimates: A Conversation with Rich Barton - 11/26/07 03:58 PM
During the National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, I had an opportunity to hear Rich Barton, Chairman and CEO of Zillow.com, speak about Zillow's interactions and future plans for the real estate community. He was an excellent speaker, very animated in his remarks, and actually very funny. … (14 comments)
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kitsap: 2145 E. Highlands Street, Bremerton, WA 98310 - 11/26/07 05:02 AM
Wonderful Craftsman-style home for sale in one of Bremerton's most sought after neighborhoods, Manette!
Charm of yesteryear abounds in this home with four bedrooms and one and three-quarter baths. Large one-story home with finished basement has more than 2,000 square feet.
Views of the city, sound, and ferries from the covered deck of this … (10 comments)
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kitsap: Education Grants for Military Spouses - 11/26/07 03:48 AM
Military spouses often have special challenges finding and maintaining a career when following a spouse between different duty stations. Many career fields are not "portable", and those that are often require special training. Child care and cost of education becomes an issue.
Many military spouses who maintain a career often sacrifice high-paying … (4 comments)
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kitsap: Vflyer vs. Real Estate Shows, and other techno questions..... - 11/25/07 12:26 AM
I admit it, I am a newbie. And not just to Active Rain, but to technology in general. I've decided to go at this full-force, but boy! There is a really steep learning curve here!
I want to become known in my area for using all the internet technology that I can … (14 comments)
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kitsap: Holiday Pop-By Gifts - 11/20/07 07:19 PM
The holidays are a perfect time to say "Thanks" to those people who have been your biggest supporters in real estate, as well as in other areas of your life. Your gift list should definitely include anyone who has sent you a referral in the past year, as well as favorite clients.
This can … (30 comments)
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kitsap: Writing a Press Release - 11/19/07 01:41 AM
A word of warning -- press releases tend to be pretty boring. No way around it. But, we all need to write them, or have someone write them for us. For print marketing, what better way to go than "FREE"!
Basically, a press release is a small, short news article that will … (14 comments)
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kitsap: Broker's Opens Don't Work!!!! Unless.... - 11/10/07 11:41 PM
The typical broker's open houses don't work in our marketplace. If you are one of the lucky few who are in the areas of Kitsap that still do weekly tours, great, jump in and good luck. If you aren't (like us poor Bremerton folk), well, heaven help you!
But, that doesn't mean … (13 comments)
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kitsap: Wildlife lover? Pacific Northwest Native? Patriotic American? Audubon? - 11/10/07 06:10 PM
Each area across the country offers a little something for everyone, but in Washington State, we take care of everything in one fantastic package...
These photos were taken on my parents' beach. They have a wonderful waterfront log cabin. My son adores playing on the beach, and his Grand-dad enjoys spending time out there … (6 comments)
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kitsap: USS John C Stennis Education Fair - 11/07/07 03:08 AM
This is the chance to advance in your career and begin planning for your career after retirement!
Use your GI Bill benefits to get your degree while still receiving your military pay check!
The USS Stennis is sponsoring an education fair, featuring more than 25 colleges and universities from around the country offering … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Give Life to a Military Service Member - 11/07/07 02:53 AM
You have the ability to save the life of a wounded service member or a member of their family!
By donating blood through the ASBP, you support our military and their families. All blood donated through ASBP goes directly to military men and women, both at home and abroad, as well as their … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Dangers of Overpricing Your Home - 11/03/07 01:41 AM
Many Sellers have the mistaken idea that they should price their home a little higher than they expect to get for the sale of their home. Please, do NOT fall into this trap! In today's market, homes need to be priced aggressively in order to attract ready, willing and able Buyers … (2 comments)
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kitsap: Silverdale Kohl's Grand Opening Scheduled - 10/29/07 02:34 AM
The newest addition to the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale is getting ready to open its doors to the public!
Kohl's Department Store will have its Grand Opening on November 14, 2007. Kohl's offers quality name-brand items at great values. The store carries everything from fashion, jewelry and cosmetics to kitchen decor and toys.
According to … (1 comments)
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kitsap: Free VA Class Offered to Kitsap County - 10/29/07 01:50 AM
Be prepared when you buy your first home!
Military home buyers are invited to a free seminar on using a VA loan to purchase a home. The class will be held on the Bangor Submarine Base on November 6, 2007, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The class is free to active duty and … (1 comments)
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kitsap: Agent Assignment for Success 10/25 - 10/25/07 09:30 AM
New Agents! Seasoned Agents! Any Agent looking to rev up their production!
DO THIS TODAY!
Sit down and think of five people you haven't spoken to in the last three weeks. Find their phone number. Call them!
Choose your favorite of the five and invite them to coffee next week.
Choose your next favorite three and … (3 comments)
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kitsap: Getting Around the Do-Not-Call List - 10/25/07 04:26 AM
If you are a newer real estate agent, your broker might give you a phone book and tell you to start making phone calls. Perhaps the broker gives you a stack of papers and tells you to call "Expired" listings. Worse yet, the broker may give you a newspaper and may … (15 comments)
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kitsap: Kitsap Moms Meetup - 10/25/07 03:35 AM
Want to meet more moms and help your young child make new friends? Want to have fun with your child or children as well as other moms in similar situations? Kitsap Moms Meetup has several playgroups and events in and around the Kitsap County area. Some of our past events include … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Protecting Your Identity - Protecting Your SSN - 10/24/07 12:38 PM
Having been in real estate for more than ten years, I have seen first-hand the devastating effects caused by identity theft. One of my clients, looking to buy his family's first home in Silverdale, was referred to one of my mortgage lenders. Everything looked good during the pre-qualification, but when they … (3 comments)
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kitsap: Single Family Home Prices - September 2007 - Northwest MLS - Washington State Real Estate - 10/19/07 02:33 PM
In the Northwest MLS service area, central and western Washington State, including the greater Puget Sound region, single family home prices on closed sales thru September, 2007, excluding condos, have increased approximately 3.7% more than one year ago. In the central Puget Sound real estate market area, Kitsap County had the … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Home & Condo Prices - September 2007 - Northwest MLS - Washington State Real Estate - 10/18/07 09:42 AM
Combined prices for single family homes and condos for Northwest MLS listed properties, which included central and western Washington State and the greater Puget Sound region real estate market, that closed in September, 2007, were up more than four percent from one year ago. When looking at the same real estate … (0 comments)
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kitsap: Scared clients make for a very difficult turn around in the market - 10/11/07 08:01 PM
Greetings again everyone,
As most of you, I am struggling to get clients to believe that this is a great time to buy a home. Although the national news has hinted at now is the time to buy a home, the best people talking about it are not making the main stream, … (0 comments)
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kitsap: DO NOT IGNORE REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY ON KITSAP - 10/10/07 02:03 AM
Ever wondered what the process in the background was and at what point in time did the construction applications for all those building permits for the cranes in Bellevue take place. Ever wondered, what does it take - in time - to conceive an idea, purchase a piece of land, and then apply for … (3 comments)
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kitsap: Home Staging Pays Off When Downsizing - 10/01/07 02:14 PM
This article appeared in a special supplement to the Kitsap News Group, "Time of Your Life" autumn 2007
When the decision has been made to downsize to a smaller home, whether it is for your parents or for yourself, emotions can be the hardest thing to overcome in making good decisions, so planning … (3 comments)
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kitsap: Real Estate home owner education - 07/20/07 10:21 AM
Greetings all to a fine fall day! (you mean it's not October?)
My last few listing appointments I have run across some pretty unreal expectations about home owner assessment of how much they think their home is worth. So now, I start every listing appointment with a short education about what … (1 comments)
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