Kitsap County Veterans Memorial

Directions:

3200 NW Byron, Silverdale WA

In 2004 the Kitsap County Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated in a ceremony that included speeches, color guards and the raising of the United States flag along with the POW/MIA flag and the service flags of each branch of the military.

I found the original program of the ceremony on the Kitsap County Veterans Memorial web site and found it to be very interesting. I wasn’t living in the area during 2004 and so was unable to enjoy this very impressive ceremony.





I have however, been to the memorial on a few occasions and find it to be one that is very peaceful and inspiring. I guess that is because it is on the waterfront. Something about paying respect to those who have served our Nation in such a setting is very calming.
The Kitsap County Veterans Memorial is located adjacent to Silverdale Waterfront Park next to the gazebo area right down on the shore.

Here is a video I recorded on July 11th.

Bremerton Hot Spots : Second Park Lounge & Cafe’

Are you looking for some free Wi-Fi to have with your cup of joe? There’s a new spot in town where you can enjoy espresso, lunch, dinner and yes free Wi-Fi right across the street from Evergreen Park! The Second Park Lounge & Cafe’ opened a few weeks ago conveniently located just across from Evergreen Park, at 1223 McKenzie Street. Do you know where the Bremerton Farmer’s Market is held? If you do then you know where Second park Lounge & Cafe’ is – it’s right next door.

A couple of weeks ago my friend Roberta Anderson and I met for lunch at Second Park to try the place out. I can say the service was excellent and with the awesome weather we were able to dine out doors! What a gorgeous setting they have there. The cafe’ is currently open seven days a week at seven am. You can call ahead with your order if you would like.

Second Park is operated by Robert Gray who has an amazing vision for this new “hot spot”. Currently you can enjoy awesome food, your favorite coffee or a glass of wine. There is also a classy lounge upstairs, where you can meet your friends for a relaxing evening. The possibilities are many for this new spot and with the expansion of the Bremerton Boardwalk connection to Evergreen Park in the near feature Second Park Lounge & Cafe’ will be a destination for anyone on the Boardwalk.

A few items from the menu:

• Pizzas: Four Cheese, Pepperoni, Specialty Pizza (this one is loaded!)
• Wraps: Southwest Turkey Wrap, Cajun Wrap (mmm w/Frank’s hot sauce)
• Pastas: Tortellini, Creamy Alfredo, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Lasagna and Mac & Cheese! (these come with soup or salad and bread – all $10.99 and under!)
• Salads: Caesar, House, Chef, Cobb (this was good!), Cream pasta
• Soups: French Onion, Chili, Split Pea, Calm Chowder, Italian Jambalaya (that sounds interesting)

Of course there are several cold and hot sandwiches and even an Appetizer menu. There are always some pastries and a variety of desserts!

Silverdale WA : Silverdale Waterfront Park

Directions: 3337 NW Byron St, Silverdale Washington

Silverdale Waterfront Park is more than a county park, it is a community icon. Several activities throughout the year are located at this gorgeous 2.3 acre park on Dyes Inlet of Puget Sound. The park boasts saltwater beach access, a huge kids playground, convenient restrooms, an intimate gazebo, a large picnic shelter, and many picnic tables and other picnic areas.

This park is so much more than your traditional park. You can walk the shoreline looking for sea glass, different types of rocks or maybe even crab. If you walk over to the Silverdale Port Marina Pier you can walk out and might be able to see some kind of sea life like an Orca. Remember not to park at the boat launch area, which is only for vehicles with trailers using the marina’s launch.

The use of flip-flops is helpful on the beach because it is so rocky. Keep an eye on little ones this is not a swimming type of area and there are no lifeguards on duty.

The Silverdale Waterfront Park is a designation spot for Kitsap County activities. Here is a list of the upcoming events.

• The 36th Annual Whaling Days – July 25th – 27th. Whaling Days in an official Seafair Event. For more information just click the link – WHALING DAYS

• Silverdale Thunder – August 9th & 10th. “The Ultimate Hydro Fan’s Boat Race”. For more information just click the link – SILVERDALE THUNDER

• Alzheimer’s Memory Walk – September 20th. The Memory Walk is a non-competitive fundraising celebration to raise awareness and funds for the local community. For more information just click the link – MEMORY WALK

Here is a video I shot July 11th – a weekday with lots of people enjoying the great weather we have been having.

Silverdale Waterfront Park

Naval Base Kitsap | Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting

I am sure as a military member you have heard this phrase about a million times in the last several years. Interest rates have been so low for so long that home ownership has been easier than ever before for anyone and this especially includes the military population, who until recently didn’t feel like they could or should purchase properties. Never before has the military population owned a higher percentage of homes.

The days of base living has changed drastically. With most installations switching over to PPV the climate has changed. The thought of waiting until retirement to purchase a home has become a scary thought with the way housing prices in most areas have skyrocketed.

So as a military member do you purchase a home?

It is a very complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making a decision. You should ask yourself some questions like these at the minimum.

• Do I have up-front money to buy a home?
• Can I get financing?
• Is my tour of duty going to be longer than 2 years before the next PCS?
• Will I have the opportunity to do another tour here or will I have an opportunity to come back?
• If I had to be a long distant landlord would I have the time or recourses?
• Could I afford a property manager?
• What if I had to pay the mortgage for 2-3 months while the home is waiting for new renters?

So after you have considered all the possibilities, searched the Internet for information and asked around your shop. Are you ready to buy?

Being a military spouse and real estate professional it was still a decision that I wavered back and forth. After sitting down and writing out all the pros and cons my husband and I decided to purchase. My husband is in the Untied States Navy and at the time we decided to purchase we were looking at the second tour to Iraq, at living in southern California and at a PCS 30 days after his re-deployment. We didn’t know where we were going, how long we would be there or how the finance industry would view our dreams.

My husband left for Iraq and I knew that I wanted our next PCS to be a “door to door”. I started to look at houses in the Bremerton, Washington area over the Internet. Having my license but not practicing in the state of Washington I had to find a real estate agent too. I was lucky because I had several contacts from my days of selling homes in Washington. On a trip up to Washington I viewed a property and made an offer with my POA. My husband just so happen to call while I was in the process. I told him what I was doing and promised to email pictures when I arrived back home. I can tell you that it was not a totally smooth process, but I can also tell you that

I am writing this article in the home office of the house that we purchased so, all in all a happy ending. Well, almost. My husband didn’t receive orders to the Bremerton area. He received orders to ALASKA!!! We are now building equity in a home we will retire to in several years. I live here and he lives there and we are Continental frequent flyers. What’s that phrase “Semper Gumby”? Yes we are! I am back to the profession I love, he loves Alaska and we have the house we plan to retire in or so we think at the moment.

Do you own your home? Are you afraid of having to sell in 3, 4 or 5 years? If you are smart and do the right things then homeownership for a military member should not be scary!!!!

Be sure to contact me for my Military Rebate Program – there are huge discounts for buyers at closing. It’s my way of giving back to those that have or are serving.

West Bremerton | Was Your Home Built Prior to 1978?

Did you receive a pamphlet in the mail from the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority about the Lead Hazard Control Program? I did. My house was built in 1941. I don’t qualify for the program but would really like to make sure the information reaches as many households as possible. Lead poisoning is a tragedy.

If you are eligible you may receive up to $7,000.00 in free repairs to correct the lead hazards in your home. This program is in partnership with Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency.

This program has a Maximum Income Limit.

Click for Pamphlet Here.

Lead poisoning is a very serious concern and can cause severe health problems in all ages. If you or anyone in your home suffers from headaches, stomachaches, nausea or irritability it could be a sign of lead poisoning. Only a doctor’s exam can be conclusive.

See the pamphlet or Contact Mary Barton at 360-535-6131

Main Sources of Lead in Homes

Pealing or chipping paint (if lead based)

Dust from sanding old paint

Contaminated soil

Kitsap County : Market Information – WOW 6 Months Down!

Following is information for the first six months of the 2008 local Kitsap County Real Estate Market. This information is the Average Days on Market (DOM) along with the Average % of List Price received on Solds all listed by Market Time.

Bremerton

Kitsap County

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

Starts Tonight! Concerts on the Boardwalk

Concerts on the Boardwalk

Beginning July 11^th there will be four Friday nights of concerts down on the Boardwalk for this years Free Summer Concert Series on the Waterfront!! Sponsored by the Main Stream Association and funded by sponsorships of local area businesses this is the place to be on a summer Friday night.

If you are getting off the ferry after a long day at work you should plan to stay and enjoy the sounds of the summer night!

I am sure the Mayor of Bremerton has requested for the skies to be bright, blue and dry on all of these Friday nights!! I know I have!!

This year the performers are Jr. Cadillac, Trombanga (Salsa/Latin Jazz), Craicmore (celtic) and Tiller’s Folly (acoustic roots music).

Bremerton WA Real Estate Market Report Recap | June 2008

Here is the Real Estate Market Activity for January – June 2008. Check back each month to see the monthly 2008 trend for Bremerton WA.

There are currently 691 homes for sale with 5 of those homes listed as a contingent sale and 43 of those listed as Pending Inspection (new NWMLS term STI was replaced) which means there is a contract that has been presented and excepted by the seller with the condition of the home inspection. Once the home inspection has taken place these 44 homes will either go back on the market or be listed as pending and will not show in the active section of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. (NWMLS)

During the Month of June 182 homes were new to the Bremerton area Real Estate Market with a average price of $291,686.

During the Month of June 61(29 more than May!) homes went under contract and were removed from the active Bremerton homes data base. The median price for Bremerton area homes was $235,000 with a market time of 73 days (median).

During the Month of June 55 homes sold – which means that ownership changed hands and there are new owners listed on the tax records recorded at the Kitsap County courthouse. These Bremerton area homes were on the market 68 days (median) and sold for a median price of $229,950.

The Absorption rate in the Bremerton area is 54.45 weeks or approximately 12.70 months of inventory if the current conditions remain unchanged. That figure sure looks bad. However, if you look at the pendings for June which will close in July – July’s figure should really improve the months of inventory.

An absorption rate is the mathematical relationship of supply and demand. The absorption rate is the number of months it would take to sell the entire inventory of homes in the Bremerton area of Kitsap County if the pace were to stay constant.

My definition breaks down like this…

Normal Market – Between 5 and 6 months of inventory.

Seller’s Market – Between 1 and 4 months of inventory.

Buyer’s Market – 7 months and higher.

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 .

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

Washington State Ferry System :: Largest in the Nation :: More than Transportation

Can you WiFi on your commute? Can you read a book or knit a scarf on your commute? Many people that live in the Bremerton / Silverdale area of the West Sound do. How do they do that you ask? They work in Seattle and commute on the ferry. The Washington State Ferry System is the largest in the United States and the 3^rd largest in the world! Of the 24 million annual ferry riders in the Puget Sound area 50% of those are commuters. Why commute you ask? The housing in Bremerton / Silverdale area on the Kitsap Peninsula has been more affordable than the housing in the Seattle and surrounding areas of Puget Sound for several years. People realized that you could commute an hour into Seattle from many directions but not one that offered a slower pace of life and more home for your housing dollar as the Bremerton / Silverdale area.

The Ferry is also a huge tourist attraction in Washington State, so even if you don’t commute on the ferry you will enjoy the beauty of Puget Sound on a ferry ride from Bremerton to Seattle. The first time I rode a ferry was while on vacation to the west side of the state from eastern Washington. Once I relocated to Bremerton the ferry became a great weekend “out & about”. We would pack a picnic and off we would go. Yes, I have ridden the ferry just to ride the ferry. The sights and sounds of the Puget Sound are amazing.

Bremerton WA :: Downtown :: Ferry Watching from Jo Soss on Vimeo.

Bremerton / Seattle :: Summer 2008 Schedule

This schedule is effective June 22 through September 27, 2008 The approximately crossing time is 60 minutes. You don’t need a reservation.

Click Here for Schedule ==>

You will be sailing on the M/V Kitsap or the M/V Kaleetan. The State of Washington runs the largest ferry system in the United States and has an amazing website with more information than you will ever need.

Go here ==>

Did you know that you can purchase your ferry tickets online? You can purchase and print very similar to an online airline check in. You just want to make sure you have at least 30 minutes prior to heading to the ferry terminal in downtown Bremerton because the email verification can take up to 30 minutes.

So make sure to check out the “Wave 2 Go” section. Go here ==>

If you are using the ferry system to commute to employment in Seattle you can purchase a monthly passenger use only pass for the Seattle/Bremerton run for $85.80 which will save you approximately $48.00 per month.

Here are some interesting facts about the Washington State Ferry System

• Carries 24 million riders annually.
• 11 million vehicles ride the 200 miles of marine highway
• Commuters comprise 50% of the rider ship
• There are 10 ferry routes with almost 500 sailings per day.
• Very critical link between the urban areas of the east Puget Sound area to the growing communities on the Kitsap Peninsula
• For the last 50 years West Sound residents have used the ferries to commute to the Seattle area
• Critical link for the more affordable housing on the West Sound with key employment centers on the east side of Puget Sound.
• There are 28 vessels and 20 Ferry terminals in the Puget Sound System

Welcome to Bremerton

Bremerton Real Estate :: Bremerton Real Estate Information ::

Homes in Bremerton

—newly proclaimed the “Metropolitan Center of the West Puget Sound” is the largest city in Kitsap County located on the Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula between the majestic Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State.

The Bremerton 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 will find several attractions and facilities to visit and explore. Welcome to the Kitsap Peninsula.

Bremerton is in the midst of a huge downtown core revitalization process, which has caught the eye of many -
Special to the P-I : by Lawrence Cheek : On Architecture: Bremerton could teach Seattle a lesson about its waterfont

Landscape Architecture Magazine : by Mark Hinshaw : Waterfronts : Sound Investment :

Washington CEO Magazine : by Bryan Corliss : Welcome to Boomerton

Seattle Magazine : by Lynn Cook : Urban Safari : Bremerton
The cities vision and optimism has given the residents and small business owners a much needed boost of confidence in the rebuilding of the once grand downtown Bremerton.

Bremerton is divided by the waters of Port Washington Narrows into what the local residence refer to as East Bremerton and West Bremerton. The areas are connected by the Manette and Warren Avenue bridges. Bremerton is a city of history and can boast many unique neighborhoods, such as Manette, with its art culture/Bohemian appeal in East Bremerton; Charleston, a back to yesteryear section of the city filled with some 1930 charm, and several others that will have you admiring rows of waterfront homes on the shoreline or looking to neighborhoods that will remind you of your childhood.

Bremerton has it all. With home prices considerably lower than on the Seattle side of the water and yet still being able to offer amazing water and mountain views, it is no wonder that Bremerton is a community that can attract those that work in Seattle.

Along with affordability Bremerton offers many cultural programs. The Bremerton High School complex has a modern performing arts center and provides a venue for theater, opera, dance and the Bremerton Symphony. Bremerton isn’t “your Dad’s Navy town”.

Yes, I would say Bremerton residents have it all. We have an amazing community that can brag of a close knit small town feel all the while being able to enjoy the big city lights of Seattle via a relaxing, scenic ride on part of the largest ferry system in the country.

Bremerton – where you can walk the shoreline, watch eagles fish, watch whales play in a nearby inlet and where you can be in the Mountains or at the Beach in around an hour if you don’t stop and smell the flowers along the way.

Bremerton has been ranked by Money Magazine as one of the future hot spots among cities with under 250,000 residents. In 2002, Bremerton was listed as the eighth-best place in the West to live among population areas from 100,000 to 249,999.

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