Clean it UP! Do it for Free!

The annual Spring Cleanup is BACK!

This year the 2008 Cleanup will be from Monday, April 21st through Saturday, April 26th between the hours of 8:00AM and 6:30PM at 100 Oyster Bay Ave N.

Spring Cleanup is brought to you by the City of Bremerton’s Public Works & Utilities department.  Early in the spring there is always one week that Bremerton residents can dispose of yard waste material for free!!

If you are a City of Bremerton resident and want to participate you must adhere to the following guideline

• Nothing larger than a pick-up truck load.
• Small trailer – OK
• Only yard waste materials (leaves, branches, brush and grass)

The city reserves the right to reject any load.

If you have questions regarding this event, please call the Public Works & Utilities Operations Center at (360) 473-5920.

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SubPrime and Housing Bubble – Some Market Humor

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_qK4g6ntM&hl=en]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivp4YqGCI-s&hl=en]

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Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Two | Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

I promised this week to write an article about the different neighborhoods located around Naval Base Kitsap. There are so many different places to live it is hard to pick just a few. Here is just a partial list of the neighborhoods:

 

 

 

 

 

I have chosen four very diverse neighborhoods to inform you about. Blueberry Meadows in East Bremerton, Manette just over the bridge from downtown Bremerton, Charleston in the heart of Bremerton and a huge area of Silverdale called Ridgetop. I have included pictures of homes that represent the styles of the area without invading anyone’s privacy. I have also included a few aerial shots so that you can see the lay of the land of the neighborhoods. These “eye in the sky” shots really show the difference from the older and newer neighborhoods. As always if you would like any more detailed information about any neighborhood just send me an email for a hassle free response.

BREMERTON

Affordable living describes life in East Bremerton. Quick access to parks and recreation, friendly safe neighborhoods and a large selection of places to live makes East Bremerton one of the most popular areas in the Naval Base Kitsap region.

Search Bremerton WA Homes for Sale HERE

Blueberry Meadows is a very desirable community. Currently there are six homes on the market in the price range of $249,500 to $302,000. Most of the homes in this planned community were built in the early 2000’s. Here you will find 3 and 4 bedroom homes situated on nice sized lots in the Central Kitsap School District area. There are community play areas and some homes have the pleasure of being up against a greenbelt. Close to shopping, bases and transportation, Blueberry Meadows is a great place to live. If you would like to see the actual listings for these 6 homes please contact me via email and I will be glad to send the information to you without hassle.

 

Crossing over the Port Washington Narrows on the Manette Bridge is the electric, artsy community called Manette. Here you will find a neighborhood that has amazing views of Mt Rainer, Port Orchard and boat and ferry traffic.

There are currently 34 homes on the market in the price range of $189,000 – $695,000. The majority of the homes built in Manette were built during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Many have views and there are several waterfront properties, some with low bank.

Many of these homes are the styles of yesteryear with coved ceilings, original natural wood floors, glass door knobs and angles and spaces that add so much character to a home. There are several “spots” in Manette that you must visit.

One of my favorite is the BoatShed Bar and Grill. This is a family style restaurant located just over the Manette Bridge on Shore Drive – well unless you pull up to the dock from the water. My husband took me there on our first Valentine’s Day date. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is very quaint.

If you would like to see the actual listings for the homes in Manette, please just send me an email and I will send them off to you. No hassle – hassle free!

In the Heart of Bremerton you will find the area called Charleston.

A neighborhood filled with craftsman charm to new age modern. Most homes were built in the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s, however with the boom in the area a couple of builders found some lots and built some new construction homes.

There are currently 15 homes on the market in the price range of $125,000 to $299,500. Some of these homes have terrific mountain and water views. Several homes have been remodeled/restored so offer old world charm with a taste of the future. You will find homes with large room sizes, built-ins, walk-ins, original hardwood floors, fabulous craftsman fireplaces and mature landscaping.

SILVERDALE

The Silverdale area of West Puget Sound is home to some of the new home communities. Over the last several years there have been many “developments” built to include the Ridgetop area, Summerwind, Ridgeview, The Glenn at Quail Ridge and several others. There are also several newer townhouse communities such as SilverRidge and Breckenridge. Choices of home styles and neighborhoods abound in the Silverdale area.

Search Silverdale WA Homes for Sale HERE

During the 1980’s though the 1990’s the developments in the area that is called Rigetop were built. Most of these homes are the traditional Northwest two-story design with some splits and multi-level to keep some balance. Here you will find the neighborhoods of Ridgetop, RidgeView, SilverRidge, RidgeView II, The Highlands @ Ridgetop, Glen at Quail Ridge, VistaRidge and several others. In the Pacific Northwest we love to name our neighborhoods!!

Currently on the market are 20 homes in the price range from $250,000 to $515,000 (this one brand new). These homes feature 3,4 and 5 bedrooms, usually a bonus/family-room and at least 2 baths. The size varies by plan and builder but the norm is 2,000-2,400 sq ft. The neighborhoods and homes are well cared for with up-grades added as the years gone by. You will find extensive landscaping and some real garden paradise. We love to BBQ here and so you will be thrilled to see different types of BBQ areas, some on decks, some on patios and some built into a gazebo in the yard.

Hope you enjoyed all the articles for week two. If you have missed any articles you can check out the article that introduced the Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Package by clicking on this link Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS which is updated after every new article.

Next week – Week Three – Let’s Have Some Fun | Out & About Area Attractions

Week three you will spend reading about the new area you will be calling home, the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula on West Puget Sound. During this week I will be writing about local attractions, the local art scene, the parks and what there is to do around town and local.

Until next time….Have a Fine Navy Day!

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Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Two | Fun, Fitness & Food on DECK!

 

Welcome to NAVAL BASE KITSAP on the Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State. NAVAL BASE KITSAP belongs to Navy Region Northwest and consists of Bremerton, Bangor and Keyport. Naval Hospital Bremerton of Navy Region Northwest is also located in the region as is PSNS (IMF).

If this is the first time you have been stationed in the Puget Sound area, you are in for a treat. The Kitsap Peninsula area offers some of the best views of mountains and water as well as some of the best boating and recreational opportunities in the Greater Puget Sound Area. Within a mile radius you have several attractions and facilities to visit and explore.

Below you will find the specific NAVAL BASE KITSAP amenities information and resources. It is always fun to be that “tourist” at your new duty station. Take the time to really educate yourself on all of the perks NAVAL BASE KITSAP has to offer. This will be one of the duty stations you will remember for the rest of your life. It may also be where you decide to retire because you fell in love with it. This is the reason you really need to read this article about KITSAP COUNTY HOMEOWNERSHIP

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Martin S. Fuentes. (RELEASED)

ENTERTAINMENT NAVAL BASE KITSAP STYLE

NBK offers a variety of programs and facilities to entertain almost anyone. You can enjoy bowling, movies, lounges, game spaces and several special events.

Bremerton Recreation Center Movie Lounge

Movies every Friday & Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Movies at the Bremerton Recreation Center Movie Lounge are FREE – can’t beat a free movie. If you are AD, Reservists, DoD Civilian, Base Contractor, Retiree, family member or a guest you are authorized to attend.

Bangor Cinema Theater

Doors open 30 minutes prior to movie start time. Seating is limited and the theater is very popular so make sure to plan ahead.

Wednesday is $Dollar Days – yep just a $1

Thursday and Fridays are Double Feature Day – see two movies for just $3.00. The second feature is free if you have purchased a ticket for the first feature

Saturdays you have two choices – a Matinee that is free or the Double Feature Deal later in the evening at $3.00.

Sundays are Double Feature Day $3.00

Olympic Lanes Bowling & Entertainment Center Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor (Bldg 2701, Ohio St)
Bowling, video games – Taco Bell and Pizza Hut location. Saturday nights check out EXTREME Fireball Bowling.

RECREATION | PAC-NOR-WEST STYLE | VACATION ON THE NAVY!

When it comes to recreation in the Pacific Northwest you will find you have endless opportunities to explore and relax. The area is one huge fun vacation spot. From hiking/climbing to several types of boating/sailing to camping and ocean combing you won’t believe the beauty and the amount of time you will spend outdoors. Naval Base Kitsap’s programs are unbelievable when it comes to your “R&R”. You can plan a mini vacation to Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Center , or contact Pacific Edge Outfitters to plan, rent or help you design the perfect Northwest adventure. Located NBK – Bangor at Bldg 2951 you are able to rent powerboats, canoes, kayaks, mountain bikes, camping and backpacking gear. There is also RV storage available.

With the Navy’s Outdoor Programs you are in for an active lifestyle here at Naval Base Kitsap! The region has vast wilderness recreation opportunities that you will treasure and brag about to others for years to come. Don’t forget to bring your scuba gear, or be prepared to whitewater raft on one of the local rivers. If you like to climb there are endless opportunities in the high Cascades. I love the beach! You are in “clam digging country” and if you would like to learn how to “catch crab”, yes you can during the “crabbing season”. Military members who are fortunate enough to snag a tour to the Puget Sound area have the opportunity to see and experience the wilderness right out their back-door. I always say “an hour to the mountain or an hour to the beach”. So make sure to check out the Outdoor Program for their day trip tours or inquire about one of their many extended expeditions. Here is just a short list of planned activities.

• Rafting
• Scuba
• Skiing & Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country Skiing
• Rock Climbing
• Fishing

NAVAL BASE KITSAP | FITNESS & SPORTS

Navy Sports & Fitness facilities offer a wide variety of programs and equipment. The gym facilities offer some of the top names in equipment, such as Universal, Nautilus, Cybex and others.

You will have a selection of three fitness facilities. NBK – Bangor, NBK – Bremerton and NBK – Keyport. Each offer personal training, conditioning, classes such as aerobics, workshops and other gym related activities. Check out each section for a more in-depth view so you can decide where you want to stay fit.

Bremerton Concourse West Center (pool & gym) located in bldg 502 touts itself as the Family Friendly Fitness Center. The center was designed so that parents could work out while being close enough to supervise their children. There is an infant play area and a toddler play area. You can get your cardio in while your kiddos make new friends.

Whatever your fitness level there is an activity at NBK. You can take a swim, spend some time on a treadmill or work on your legs using an elliptical. The variety of activity is endless.

NAVAL BASE KITSAP TAKES CARE OF FAMILIES | FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT

During the last few years it has never been more important for our families to be “mission ready”. Personal and family readiness is a high priority for today’s Navy. Naval Base Kitsap Fleet & Family Support Programs are located on NBK – Bangor. Make sure to bookmark the FFSP page here so that you have the information at your fingertips.

Available to you are programs for family and marriage counseling, resume assistance, financial counseling along with relocation assistance. You will also find information on deployment and mobilization support.
Command Support
Counseling
Deployment and Mobilization Support
Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP)
Life Skills Education
New Parent Support (NPS)
Personal Financial Management (PFM)
Relocation Assistance Program (RAP)
Transition Assistance Program (TAP

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leah Stiles (RELEASED)

 

NAVAL BASE KITSAP | GOOD EATS

Restaurants & Lounges

• Insideout Cafe & Lounge – Huge menu choice for the entire family. Located at Bangor Plaza.
• Samuel Adams Brewhouse & Restaurant – Micro and handcrafted beers, a diverse menu from burgers to steaks to seafood. Open for lunch and dinner. Bldg 434 NBK-Bremerton
• Cafe.com – Coffee, pastry or a sandwich for lunch. NBK – Bremerton Sinclair’s Liberty Center

Located on NBK – Bangor you will also find a Subway, McDonald’s and Starbucks.

Located on NBK – Bremerton you will find a Subway.

NAVAL BASE KITSAP | NAVY EXCHANGE AND COMMISSARY SCOOP

You know the mission of the Navy Exchange System (NEX) is to provide us with quality services and goods at a savings while supporting quality life programs. You know that seventy percent of the profits are given back to the commands in the form of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs.

I have been in NEXs, BXs and MCXs all over the country. Some you like and some you don’t. Here you can choose between two Exchanges. There is a small Exchange located on Bremerton and a larger Exchange located on Bangor. I usually browse the Bremerton NEX, but if I want to find more variety I drive out to Bangor. Bangor has cosmetic counters, larger apparel section and because it is larger more of most everything. Both stores are clean and friendly. I always enjoy paying NO SALES TAX!

I am a Commissary shopper! I can’t imagine not shopping at the Commissary. Sure there are some things I might get out in town like fresh fruit or vegetables if they are not available at the Commissary but most of the time the selection is fine.

DeCA reports that shoppers can save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to price of the local economies. This savings is worth about $3,000 annually for a family of four.

I shop at NBK – Bremerton for daily needs since that is the location that is closest for me. If I am doing “big” shopping I head out to NBK – Bangor. I usually do all of my “holiday shopping” at NBK – Bangor. The difference is in the size and sometimes in the selection. NBK – Bremerton sometimes has real trouble with inventory control and the shelves can be bare around paydays and stay that way for a few days. I try to never shop on paydays but you know how it is.

I have shopped at several different Commissaries all over the country. I loved the Commissary in Groton, CT, the Commissary at Camp Pendleton is very nice and I really miss the Commissary at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, CA. There wasn’t much at that duty station but the brand new Commissary was fantastic! I really like the deli and fresh seafood section at the NBK – Bangor Commissary. Here is a “tid-bit” – You can shop 7-days a week here in the Naval Base Kitsap area because Bremerton is closed on Tuesdays and not Mondays. Bangor is closed on Mondays. So just like the other Naval Base areas we have access 7-days per week in a “round about” way. If you are use to the facilities in San Diego just remember you aren’t in California anymore :).

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class William R. Goodwin. (RELEASED)

Hope you enjoyed article three for week two. If you have missed any articles you can check out the article that introduced the Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package by clicking on this link Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS which is updated after every new article.

Until next time….Have a Fine Navy Day!

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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But the Federal Funds Rate Dropped | Why no Mortgage Rate Drop?

I hear the conversations when the Fed’s drop the rate and everyone believes that mortgage interest rates will come down too. Not the case.

I am going to give you a link to a very knowledgeable Realtor who has recently written a blog about this very subject.

Bill Gasset sells real estate in Metrowest Massachusetts. Here is the article that will explain in really simple terms what happens when the Federal Funds Rate Drops. 

Federal Funds Rate Drop v.s. 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages

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Old Fashioned Service with the Technology of Today!

Are you aware of the advanced marketing trends of the new technology age of Real Estate? As a member of the Baby Boomer Generation (1943-1964) I have lived a life of change. We are after all the generation that started it all! Boomers are associated with expressing individual freedom, the civil rights movement, gay rights, handicapped rights, right to privacy and the important feminist cause of the 1970’s. I don’t call that slacking and I don’t call it out of the loop. Those movements taught us how change was good, how it could improve our lives and how it would lead to great things.

If I was one year younger I could be considered a member of Generation X. Generation X (1960-1979) is the most tech friendly of all the generations so far. This generation has driven the majority of the Internet’s growth. Google, Yahoo, MySpace, Youtube and other tech companies were all founded by people who belong to Generation X.

Finally, we come to Generation Y. Generation Y (1981-1995) or sometimes called the “Net Generation” is the first generation to grow up fully surrounded by a total digital and Internet driven world. They are the ones that keep us on our toes when it comes to all the latest tricks and trends.

As a Real Estate Professional it is imperative to keep abreast of all the latest marketing and sales trends. There are over 15 different free websites just to market a listing on. There are several networking sites to reach out to other Real Estate Professionals to help make a relocation transaction less stressful.

Do you know what these companies do? Are you aware how much information is out there when it comes to buying or selling real estate? You want to make sure you have an agent that knows this information like I do.

Zillow - provides free real estate information including homes for sale, comparable homes, historical sales, home valuation tools and more. …

Trulia -Use Trulia to find real estate, homes for sale, recently sold properties, local school information and much more. Trulia is a free unbiased real estate…

ActiveRain-ActiveRain real estate network allows real estate agents, mortgage professionals and brokers create a customized profile. …

Do you know what a BLOG is? From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: A blog (a portmanteauof web log) is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning tomaintain or add content to a blog. Click on any of these three pictures to be directed to one of my three different blogs. When I list your home it will be displayed on all of these sites along with all of the other free flyer sites – Yes, and even CraigsList. CraigsList flyers seem to show up very quickly on the first page of Google for some awesome exposure.

As a real estate consumer whether you are buying or selling you want to make sure your agent is “tech-no savvy” so be sure to ask some questions about their online presence. Ask about their social networking and see if you can make a connection!

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Bremerton People Trivia

Ever just search around the net for interesting facts about the places you have lived? I always like reading the articles from Forbes or Money magazines of the “Top” whatever lists. I love to find out about the history of a city, from all types of perspectives. I love to talk to those that have lived in an area there entire life. My neighbor has lived in her home since the early 50’s and I am fascinated by the stories she tells and the people she knew. On one of my searches I found a little tid bit about “notable” people that lived here, were born here or for some reason have a connection to the City of Bremerton.

 

• Mike Enzi, Senior U.S. Senator (R-WY)
• Jazz legend Quincy Jonesmoved to Bremerton at age 10. As a teenager, he first met up with Ray Charles after traveling to clubs in Seattle.
• The punk/rock band MxPxwas started in Bremerton and all three members still reside there.
• The indie rocker Ben Gibbard, known for his work in The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, and All-Time Quarterback, was also born in Bremerton, Washington.
• Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbardattended Union High School and wrote his early works while living in Bremerton during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
• Bill Gates Sr, father of the Microsoft billionaire, was born in Bremerton and began his law career with the local firm of Merrill Wallace. The elder Gates’ father operated a furniture store and ice cream parlor in downtown Bremerton.
• Fifteen-term U.S. Congressman Norm Dickswas born and raised in Bremerton, the son of a Puget Sound Naval Shipyard worker. Dicks serves as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and also sits on the Select Committee on Homeland Security.
• Long-time KJRradio disk jockey and general manager Pat O’Day (nee Paul Berg) is a 1953 graduate of Bremerton High School. He began his concert-promotion empire by holding teen dances at Bremerton’s Sheridan Park Recreation Center and the Spanish Castle in Seattle. He would later go on to promote such noted acts as Merilee Rush, Heart, The Wailers and Jimi Hendrix.
• Actor Howard Duff, best known as the radio voice of Sam Spadeand later as Det. Sgt. Sam Stone in the late-’60s NBC television series Felony Squad, was born in Charleston, Washington, now part of Bremerton.
• Seattle Marinersutilityman Willie Bloomquistwas born in Bremerton and grew up in nearby Port Orchard.
• Dana Kirk and Tara Kirk attended Bremerton High School and received scholarships in swimming to attend Stanford University. They have competed multiple times in collegiate and non-collegiate swimming, including the 2004 Olympic games – the first sisters to be members of a U.S. Olympic Swim team.
• Marvin Williams, a graduate of Bremerton High School, signed to the NBA team Atlanta Hawksin 2005. As a senior at Bremerton High School, Williams averaged 28.7 points, 15.5 rebounds, five blocks and five assists and earned McDonald’s and Parade All-America honors. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and helped lead them to the 2005 NCAA Championship.
• Geologic, the lead rapper for the Blue Scholarswho has also performed as a spoken word poet, is from Bremerton. The Blue Scholars have opened for and shared stages with such artists as De La Soul, Slick Rick, Kanye West, Immortal Technique, Masta Ace, Mos Def and Little Brother.
• Benji Olson, offensive guard for the NFL franchise Tennessee Titans, was born in Bremerton and attended nearby South Kitsap High School.
• Avram Davidson, author and literary critic, spent the end of his life in Bremerton, dying there on May 8, 1993.
• Architect Steven Hollwas born in Bremerton on December 9, 1947.
• Alex Smith, Quarterback of the San Francisco 49erswas born in Bremerton.
• Elizabeth George (Christian author)

Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week Two | Shop Till Ya Drop

Having been stationed at a Marine Corps base in the middle of the Mojave Desert in the land of “nothing”, 29 Stumps is what most would call it I have realized what a pleasure it is to have the barest necessities around when it comes to shopping. I am not a shopper; on the contrary, however after spending 3 years without everything but a Wal-Mart I want to know what the shopping is like in any new area.

I really don’t care if there is the largest, newest, best mall around, I just want one.I want to be able to drive to a Target, Bath and Body Works, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kohl’s or Lowe’s instead of ordering on-line. I spent 3 years either ordering on-line or driving 60 miles to Palm Springs through nasty hot California traffic just to shop.

Here in the Naval Base Kitsap area you will not find the biggest or the best butyou will find whatever you need! For drug stores we have Walgreens and Rite Aid, (no CVS). If you do grocery shopping out in town you will have a huge selection; Safeway, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer, Red Apple and QFC. Here is a tidbit – I have a customer card from Safeway, Von’s (Safeway in CA) and Carr’s (Safeway in Alaska) funny huh? I really missed Fred Meyer when I was in California.

Most of the variety and popular selection of stores in the area lies in Silverdale where the Kitsap Mall is located.As with any area you will find all the other “big box stores” and all the smaller chain stores scattered around the mall area. There are several “strip malls” and several other “shopping center” type areas in a one to two mile radius of The Kitsap Mall. The Kitsap Mall is centrally located for all parts of Kitsap County.

I had never heard of Kohl’s until I moved to Connecticut in 2003 and I fell in love. Luckily there were Kohl’s in California and while I was living there I knew they were making the move to Washington! Just this past fall a brand new Kohl’s opened in the Kitsap Mall.

You will have plenty of places to shop, but if you need to have a fix of a shop not onthe Peninsula you can drive down I-5 to the South Center area of Tukwila and fine a huge mall that to me will always be call South Center even though it has been purchased by Westfield like all the rest. Depending on traffic you can get to Tukwila in about 60 minutes. Forty minutes is the Tacoma Mall if you go south and if you take the ferry you could be shopping downtown Seattle in about 60 minutes.

Here is a list of some of the local area shops and where they are located.

Bremerton

• Fred Meyer
• K-Mart
• Wal-Mart
• Walgreens
• Rite Aid
• Lowe’s

Silverdale

• Kitsap Mall
• Circuit City
• Best Buy
• Sportsman’s Warehouse
• Home Depot
• Target
• Big 5
• Pier 1
• Costco
• Office Depot
• Bed, Bath & Beyond
• Ross
• Tuesday Morning
• Old Navy

The list could go on and on for Silverdale

Poulsbo

• Wal-Mart Supercenter

Port Orchard

• Wal-Mart

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The Kitsap Mall

Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm

Sunday: 11am-6pm

Restaurant & Department Store Hours May Vary

Silverdale Way & Randall

(360) 698-2555

Store Directory – click here ==> Store Directory

Did your home end up in the DUMP? Let’s read this again!

This is an article I wrote back in February. I decided to bring it to the forefront because I just spent several hours going over the expired listings in my area again. I send out packages to those sellers in the Bremerton and Silverdale area who have not been able to sell their home.  My letter starts off with the phrase, ” If you’re reading this then your real estate agent didn’t sell your house”.  I just want sellers to know that there are a ton of real estate agents out there these days because of the past boom in the market and as my saying goes…not everyone is good at selling real estate.  During the last 4 or so years there have been hundreds of people take the 60 hour course and pass the state exam and go to work for brokerages across our area. I can tell you that many will be getting out of the business this year as many did in the previous 6 months.

The reason I am a little steamed right now is because as I was going through the MLS I couldn’t believe the “crap” yes I say “crap” I saw. Horrible pictures, unstaged homes, listings that only had 1.5 sentences to describe them, homes with 1 picture (gee that is mandated by the MLS), homes with 3 pictures!! I am just so irritated with agents that can’t or won’t do their jobs!!! Many of the letters I will be sending out in the morning will be to owners who had horrible agents!! Ok – rant over. Now please read the blog I posted in Feb and remember there are several real estate professionals and I am one, so if you need help just give me a shout!!

- Expired Dump?

Read more

Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week Two | ABC…Easy as 123

Welcome to Kitsap County on the Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State. The Kitsap Peninsula area belongs to Navy Region Northwest with Naval Base Kitsapwhich includes Bremerton, Bangor and Keyport, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS & IMF), and Naval Hospital Bremerton .

If this is the first time you have been stationed in the Puget Sound area, you are in for a treat. The Kitsap Peninsula area offers some of the best views of mountains and water as well as some of the best boating and recreational opportunities in the Greater Puget Sound Area. Within a mile radius you have several attractions and facilities to visit and explore. I always say I can be to the beach or the mountains in under an hour!

Public Schools

Where you choose to live while stationed with one of the Navy Region Northwest commands may very well depend on the school district you choose for your school age children. There are four school districts in the local area. The Bremerton School District , The South Kitsap School District , The North Kitsap School District and The Central Kitsap School District . The chart located below gives you a very broad look at the four districts side by side.

This is not an article about what people might think is the best district or the worst district. This article is to give you some information and some links so that you may start your search and find the district that best suits your family. There is more to a school district than its numbers, its test scores and its size. Factors such as location to employment for parents, local childcare and over all feel of community should be considered. After all the experience you and your family have in a certain school district is a direct reflection of your involvement.

You will want to make sure you do some research on the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website along with the OSPI Washington State Report Card . The Washington State PTA website can also give you the information about the program at each district which you can use to contact the parent organization and request newsletter and program information. Deciding on a school district can be very important so make sure you take your time and talk to as many other parents as possible.

Private Schools

Check here for the Private Schools Report for more information on Private schools in Kitsap County

Home School

There is a huge home schooling population in Kitsap County. Here are several links to help you find just the right fit.

HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GROUPS IN
KITSAP COUNTY AND NORTH MASON

Kitsap
Eclectic Kitsap Homeschoolers’ Organization
E.K.H.O. is an inclusive group providing homeschool support and encouragement to a diverse, eclectic group of families seeking to educate their children at home.

hik4info
A list for homeschool related announcements only for Kitsap County.

Homeschooling In Kitsap – Information Only
A list for homeschool related announcements only for Kitsap County. No chat allowed, no stories, jokes, political information or other non-homeschool related issues.

Learning in Kitsap (LINK)
Homeschooling in Kitsap County? Interested in Field Trips, Play-dates, Park Days, Making Friends, Sharing Info and Ideas? Then LINK is the place for you! Contact us at linkhomeschoolgroup@yahoo.com.

Open Minded Homeschoolers In Kitsap
This list is for encouragement, support, and friendly chatter. It is open to anyone who is homeschooling or considering homeschooling.

Sovereign Spirit Homeschoolers
A real life homeschool group designed to network home schoolers living primarily in and around Kitsap County. We have no religious or political affiliation. There is no membership fee.

Choosing a school system is always an exhausting task. You may want to join some discussion boards and ask questions of those that are stationed here. You might try Military.com or TogetherWeServed (service member site). There are areas on those sites for some type of discussion.

Later this week I will post an article about what the shopping is like in the area. I know from being stationed in some remote areas that we always want to know what is “there” before we go.

Until then…Have a Fine Navy Day!!

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