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Port Orchard, WA Real Estate News

By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
During the month of March there were 52  homes that sold in Port Orchard.  These Port Orchard  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 Port Orchard Washington. Let's look at those 52  Port Orchard homes - Average List Price $249,816 $137 pe...
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By Dinah Lee Griffey, Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties
(Windermere Peninsula Properties)
  We are all becoming more familiar with the Distressed housing Market. Not that the homes are distressed but it can be said that the owners are. Many of the properties show beautifully and are a great bargain...So why are they still on the market? The easiest way to answer that question is to take a look at the process of getting an approval from the bank. It appears that it would be in the best interest of the lender to accept a sale now, even if the amount is less than owed than to go through months of negotiation and the potential of loosing a buyer only to foreclose, and submit to the process starting all over again. Listing property at a price that is less the amount owed to the lender   Order a preliminary Title   Request a HUD statement once you have an offer.   Permission forms...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
So, is it a good time to buy real estate in the Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard area of Kitsap County?  The question isn't as easy to answer as you may think.  Do you wait for the "bottom out"? How will you know when we hit bottom?  Do you chance waiting and then find yourself buying on the "upswing"? These are all very important questions and questions that many real estate experts are trying to answer for their buyers.   Right now I don't think that any real estate professional can really give the perfect advice.  You see we have all the data but it is all really new data. The trends have changed, the market has changed and we have had to really study and become involved with market data more so than a few years ago.  There are times when I am out showing a home and answering ques...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
If you live in Kitsap County or Anchorage, Alaska you know this dude! That Mattress Ranch Guy: A Goofball on TV Ads, but a Smart Businessman Here is the article the Kitsap Sun posted yesterday. I have always thought about writing about the Mattress Ranch but since I have never purchased a product there I hadn't. For some reason I have been thinking a lot about Ted Sadtler and his crazy commercials lately. You see I first heard/saw these on my first trip to Anchorage, Alaska.           My husband is stationed there and so we have a home there too. I thought this guy was crazy! and then I realized what an amazing advertising presence he had. I had no idea that there were stores in Kitsap County. After I flew back to Bremerton from Alaska where we have a home that we had just bought a coup...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
During the month of February there were 32 homes that sold in Port Orchard.  These Port Orchard  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 Port Orchard Washington. Let's look at those 32 Port Orchard homes - Average List Price $210,904 $135 pe...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
  I want you to click on the photo of the CNN page to read the information about the new 1st Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. This is awesome news for 1st time homebuyers in the Kitsap County real estate market! Are you sitting on the fence? Have you read the many horror stories across the nation? Well, remember real estate is local and here in the Kitsap County area we are in an amazing buyer’s market. It just might be the perfect time for you to purchase a home if you are a First-Time Home Buyer. Here is a nudge to get you into the housing market. Read the article and make sure to read the scenario’s that CNN has listed ————————————————————————————————————————— Final score: $8,000 for homebuyers First-time purchasers get a tax credit windfall if they buy before December. By Les Christie, CN...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Check out my new home search site. Here you can search for any home in the Puget Sound area and beyond. If you would like to see more detailed information please copy down the MLS number and email it to me. I will send you a detailed report about the home. If you would like to sign up for listing alerts please just Sign up for a MySkyline account and receive the automated and private privileges listed below * Immediate new listing notification. * Price change alerts. * Easy access to favorite homes. * Sign up for property udates with My Skyline! You have control over your home search online. Just let me know when you would like some help. I am just a phone call, email, text message away!
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
 Below is the article I wrote about the $7,500 Tax Incentive - it really is an incentive at this point and really not a true tax credit since it has to be paid back over a 15 year period.  However, while reading the Seattle Times' real estate section online this past couple of days I came upon this article by Kenneth R. Harney   $7,500 tax credit may be yours to keep   Are you sitting on the fence? Have you read the many horror stories across the nation? Well, remember real estate is local and here in the Kitsap County area we are in an amazing buyer’s market. It just might be the perfect time for you to purchase a home if you are a First-Time Home Buyer. Here is a nudge to get you into the housing market. On July 30th President Bush signed into law House Bill 3221 (H.R. 3221: Housing a...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
  Port Orchard :  During the year of 2008 there were 684 homes sold in Port Orchard with an Average Sales Price of $288,403.  I would rather use Median and for 2008 the Median Sales Price was $255,000.  The Average Market Time was 112 days and the Median Market Time was 82 days.  Homes sold very close to the list price during 2008.  Average list to average sale ratio for these 684 homes was 97.59% while the Median list to sale ratio was 100% and yes I checked that figure twice!  It seems that we are pricing property correctly.  So how is that pricing compared to the year 2007? Port Orchard : During the year of 2007 there were 914 homes sold in Port Orchard with an Average Sales Price of $302,031.  The Median Sales Price was $280,949.  The Average Market Time was on average 97 days and t...
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By Shari Evans, Moments Like These
(Better Properties Washington)
Although it has been a tough year it is easy to see that not all of even our small community as hit with negative prices. The Glenwood area (SK east of Hwy) was hit the worst. Manchester looks like it is one of the first areas to pull out of the local housing problems.
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Today I was doing some market research and decided to compare 2007 and 2008.  Not too indepth but just to see the solds and some price information.  Here is what I found for Kitsap County. After my head stops hurting I will post some on the individual areas just so you can see how each city area compares.  I have compiled figures for Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Poulsbo.   Kitsap County :  During the year of 2008 there were 2410 homes sold in Kitsap County with an Average Sales Price of $324,301.  I would rather use Median and for 2008 the Median Sales Price was $265,000.  The Average Market Time was 101 days and the Median Market Time was 71 days.  Homes sold very close to the list price during 2008.  Average list to average sale ratio for these 2410 homes was 96.85% while t...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
  Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com Happy New Year! Want a New Home for the New Year? If you have thought about buying a new home in Port Orchard right now might just be the perfect time for you. Prices have dropped, Buyer bonuses are plenty and builders are really in the mood to sell their inventory. I have been visiting a few local new developments and I am excited for my buyers! Port Orchard boasts a few choices when it comes to what you would like in your new neighborhood from mega size to mini size. In the price range under $300,000 you will find 31 homes listed in the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service). The neighborhoods these homes are located in of course have several other home sites available to sale so this number could be double. I know of one new neighborhood...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com   First a brief look at my background in new construction. In 1995 I met a real estate agent named Don Richards at the Windermere office I had just moved my license to. Don was a project manager for another real estate agent in the area that represented several smaller spec type home builders. When Don approached me and asked if I would like to help out “sitting” a site in Sumner, WA being built by Hultquist Homes, I jumped at the chance! This is when my passion of selling new construction began. New construction became my niche market. I learned all of my new construction knowledge from several individuals that had been selling new construction exclusively for several years. I decided that my background as a sales rep for a lumber yard back in t...
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By Patricia McGuire
(John L. Scott Real Estate)
For those of you around the country who have not been impacted by the winter weather.....Congratulations! You probably can find your driveway, the bank, the grocery store, etc. And have your Christmas/Hannakkuh shopping completed! Not so for those of us in the Pacific Northwest.....especially those who have not figured out if they really wanted to drive 20 mph they should not be out in the snow and ice. I hope to have some pictures online tomorrow of our Winter Wonderland. It truly is beautiful if you do not have to go out in it....like to buy food or have a client sign paperwork! I'll be out there tomorrow.....armed with my husband's urban attack vehicle....a 4 wheel drive Chevy Silverado....look out Kitsap County!! I have presents and food to buy; I may even do a few "pop bys" to my u...
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By Patricia McGuire
(John L. Scott Real Estate)
Well yes the market is a bit ...what shall we say; in flux?? And yes of course all real estate is LOCAL! The Seattle Time (Sunday December 7th) had the results for the Tri-County (King, Snohomish and Kitsap)areas....and there does seem to be some positive numbers amongst the negatives. Our specific Port Orchard area (MLS#142) experienced a median price increase of 78% Nov 07 vs Nov 08....and the other item that I look at......CLOSED SALES (Alleluis!!!) was up in some areas. So there are some glimmers and I will continue to stay optimistic that by Spring 2009 we are all going to be saying this was a "normal adjustment"....just like they do on MSNBC regarding the stock market. As always, if you have any specific questions, concerns, comments please do not hesitate to give me a "chat". Bes...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
  Are you sitting on the fence? Have you read the many horror stories across the nation? Well, remember real estate is local and here in the Kitsap County area we are in an amazing buyer’s market. It just might be the perfect time for you to purchase a home if you are a First-Time Home Buyer.   Here is a nudge to get you into the housing market. On July 30th President Bush signed into law House Bill 3221 (H.R. 3221: Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008) which included a special tax incentive for First-Time Home Buyers (Sec.3001). This bill provides a tax credit up to $7,500 for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008, which the First-Time Home Buyer will repay over 15 years following the purchase. This is not a down-payment assistance program, but rather a ZERO INTEREST LOAN tha...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
A couple of months back I received a contact from Ron Finney of NorthWoods Productions requesting permission to use a photo I had taken and uploaded to Google Images.  This photo uploaded to Google led him to my web site where the photo is used.  You see Ron was in the process of putting together the Visitor's Video for the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce and must have been researching for local area photos. Of course I said yes and have been checking for the video on-line every so often. Well, today I was reading the blogs over at the Kitsap Sun - the local newspaper and found the information on Chris Henry's blog Speaking of South Kitsap about the release of Ron's video.    “Ferries, Bridges and Boats: The Adventure Begins with the Journey”         If you look real quick at 9:33 on t...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com       Are you looking to purchase a new home in Kitsap County? How about one in the area of Port Orchard?  If so I have some “scoop”.  Send me your email or give me a call and I can let you in on the secret.  If you are a VA buyer this offer could be worth $10,000 plus some closing costs. It is exciting!   Similar Posts $$ Seller’s [Move-Up Buyer] Advantage Plan $$ How to become a First Time Home Buyer Just for Fun - Kitsap County 24 Naval Base Kitsap : VA Home Buyers WHY SELL IN A “BUYER’S MARKET” Jo Soss-Olson · WestSoundLive · Copyright © 2008 · All Rights Reserved
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com You are a 1st time homebuyer, should you purchase a new home with all the bells and whistles or should you settle for that tried and true “fixer-upper/equity builder”? This question is a tough one for many 1st time homebuyers. Considering there is a $7,500 tax credit for homes closed prior to July of 2009 you have more research to accomplish than your parents did. I never would have thought of owning a new home as a 1st time homebuyer. It just wasn’t something you thought about in our income bracket. Oh, and our parents would have been screaming about working hard for what you had and that someday you would be able to have the shiny new house. My first home was a fixer-upper, after a couple of years we sold and we did make a modest profit that en...
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By Jo Olson, Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
(HOMEFRONT Realty)
Do you want to see every home for sale in the West Sound region? What about in entire Kitsap County, King County - almost the entire state! You can see exactly what is available just like any real estate agent in the area that is a member of the NWMLS. Just Click on the IMAGE and you will be directed to my Skyline Properties, Inc. home search page. Once on the page you will be able to set up a home search with instant email notification of new listings if you want or you can just search and search and search with no registration required. Or, if you want to be notified once a day you can choose that option instead. When any house that meets the specifics you entered is downloaded into the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) you are notified. Here you can search without hassle. Th...
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