Inside Scoop | Looking for a New Home?

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!

Bremerton Marina | The Lone Sailor | He’s HERE!

Watch Bremerton’s Lone Sailor Monument in Video Blogs  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

The “Lone Sailor Project” is over halfway funded and the casting has begun thanks to the support of the local community. It has been reported that all those donations under $100 are what has given the fund-raising project the boost to be able to boast over $210,000 in donations on the way to the $300,000 goal.  The casting has now begun….

I had no idea of the plans to bring a replica of “The Lone Sailor”
here to the Bremerton Marina! How exciting!! I was browsing the local newspaper
The Kitsap Sun and came across the article, ‘Lone Sailor’ Bound for Bremerton Marina. The title intrigued me because I am the spouse of a USN sailor. As soon as I opened the link I knew what this was about. I have been to the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. I have stood next to this “Lone Sailor”! The “Lone Sailor” is one of the many focal points at the U.S. Navy Memorial that opened 20 years ago.

The Bremerton statue will be the 11^thduplicate of the original in D.C. The Navy League will be planning the  dedication ceremony so you will want to bookmark their site for the most current updates ==> Navy League of the US | Bremerton - Olympic Chapter. How exciting to have a “National Monument” here in Bremerton. The Navy League is asking for citizen input as to which direction the “Lone Sailor” should face so please go and VOTE. I voted for location number 1.

Have a fine Navy Day!!

Here I am in Washington D.C. August 2003 with the “Lone Sailor”

Military PCS to Naval Base Kitsap – Pet Friendly

I have never completed a PCS with pets, but have had several friends, clients, co-workers who have. Depending on how you are arriving to Washington State will depend on what services you need and what information may come in handy for you. Here I have compiled some links to help you navigate the PCS with Pets Process or the PCSPP!

With any Military PCS to Naval Base Kitsap you want to make sure you are using the most current and approved information. I make sure I always use a .mil site and confirm that it is being maintained. The top moving site on my list is …

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the central, trusted, up-to-date source for Service members and their families to find information about all DoD Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you’ll find what you need at MilitaryHOMEFRONT.

When you use the search feature and type in “moving pets” you will be given several links to research. There is one that is written by military kids to military kids “MTOM” è Click for article. If you can’t find your answer I always suggest using Military One Source – this magnet should be on your fridge!

Military OneSource

Military OneSource is designed to help you deal with life’s issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Now that I have given you some broad information on the PCSPP I really want to get local and give you a list of Pet Friendly motels and hotels in the Naval Base Kitsap area of Kitsap County. If you know of any other hotels/motels in the area that are pet friendly please forward me the information so that I may update the list.

Here is a great resource for pet friendly options – PetsWelcome.com

Oyster Bay Inn – Bremerton

4412 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, WA 98312
Phone 360-377-5510

Comfort Inn & Suites - Bremerton

5640 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, WA, US, 98312 | Phone: (360) 377-7666

Super 8 Motel – Bremerton

5068 Kitsap Way

St Hwy 3 Exit Kitsap Way

Bremerton, WA, 98312 US

Phone: 360-377-8881

Comfort Inn – Port Orchard

1121 Bay St., Port Orchard, WA, US, 98366 | Phone: (360) 895-2666

Days Inn – Port Orchard

220 Bravo Terrace

Hwy 16 Sedgwick Exit

Port Orchard, WA, 98366

Phone: 360-895-7818

View Larger Map

Naval Base Kitsap : VA Home Buyers

Today if you are an eligible veteran you have an opportunity as a home buyer that many non-veterans don’t have when it comes to cash out of pocket to purchase a home. Most of the zero down home loan programs are not available any longer. However if you are a veteran you have the option to use your VA benefit to purchase a home in the Bremerton, Silverdale, Naval Kitsap area of Kitsap County!

Here are some facts and links to the official government web
pages. If you would like to speak with a lender that can handle a VA Home Loan in the Naval Base Kitsap area give me a call – I know just the person to connect you with!

• VA Home Loan Guarantee program provides mortgage insurance with 100% financing.
  
• No monthly mortgage insurance required
  
• Up to 41% Debt to Income Ration
  
• Credit guidelines may be more flexible than other types of loans. No credit – there are ways!
  
• No minimum credit score requirements
  

If you want to do more research prior to making the call please click on the links below.

Department of Veterans Affairs – Home Loan Guaranty Services

Department of Veterans Affairs – Veterans Information Portal

Department of Veterans Affairs – Am I Eligible

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.

Puget Sound Military Guide :: Did you get yours?

The Puget Sound Military Guide has been out to the NEX, MCX, PX and well all the X’s over the last couple of weeks. I picked mine up at Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton. Inside you will find a ton of information about all of the bases in the Puget Sound area which includes maps and local tourist type information.

Seattle Coast Guard, Fort Lewis, Madigan Army Medical Center, McChord AFB, Tacoma VA Hospital, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, NUWC Keyport, Naval Hospital Bremerton, Naval Station Everett, Smoky Point, Pacific Beach Resort, Whidbey Island, Jim Creek Recreation Area and Port Angeles Coast Guard Group Air Station all have sections.

This publication is loaded with all the highlights of our wonderful Washington State and has all the information you need to explore all over the state.

The publication is free to all military and their dependents. You can pick one up or if you are not in the area just give me a call and I will pick one up for you as long as you are a military member or dependent of one.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

This is my “them, them” to all Military Spouses on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. President Reagan designated the Friday before Mother’s Day as the national Military Spouse Appreciation Day back in 1984. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is to recognize the service and the sacrifices of military spouses.

Today President Bush spoke about how military spouses’ contributions don’t always get the attention they deserve, and said

“But I can tell you that every one of your efforts matters. You do not do this only for your loved ones who are serving and sacrificing in distant lands, but for your entire community and for our county. Your dedication, compassion and selflessness play a vital role in uplifting spirits, and our nation is deeply in your debt. “

I am a military spouse, a fairly new military spouse and have only celebrated this day for four years. It is a day that I find myself thinking what it means to be a military spouse. I can tell you that from my experience being a military spouse is very stressful and yet very rewarding. The opportunities I have had and the people I have met have been priceless. I served as a Key Volunteer for a Marine Corps Battalion and wouldn’t trade those days of helping other wives through an Iraq deployment for anything.

Military Spouses have to be “mission ready” too! We have to make sure that at a moments notice we have all the POAs, Wills, bank accounts and finances in tip top shape in case we are on our own. We need to make sure that our house can run smooth as silk when the spouse is on the other side of the world. We need to be very independent and yet willing to ask for help.

I have met some very amazing women who are Military Spouses. Some are young and barely out of high school, some are attending college while working and some hold BA’s and are working on their masters. I also know Military Spouses who have their doctorate and military spouses who are stay at home Moms. Military Spouses come in all shapes and sizes, from all back grounds and yet we all have one item in common - we fell in love with a person in the military and will sacrifice our goals and dreams to serve our country the way a Military Spouse serves - through support, readiness and dedication to the military member we married. When a family is “squared away” and prepared the military member doesn’t have to worry and can perform their mission giving 110% not having to worry about back home.

These are pictures from my very first homecoming as a military spouse. Homecoming is one of the “perks” of being a military spouse - just like Christmas morning! It is an amazing event and a memory I will never forget!

We do however, have lots of memories of days that aren’t like Christmas morning. This is how I spent Valentine’s Day 2006. It was 0200 and we were all saying goodbye to our spouses for the second deployment to Iraq. We take these kinds of videos and pictures because we never know if they will be the last time we will see our spouse. That may sound morbid but it is realistic. We have to be prepared for the worse. These videos and pictures of our spouses leaving get us through those seven rough months. I have watched this video a million times, I can see my husband board the bus and I can see his last words were to the CO’s wife - she gave him a hug and on he went. It still brings me tears. I was very fortunate my husband came home - not everyone did.

  

 

Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

I am sure you have heard all the doom and gloom from a million different news reports concerning the lending industry mess, how several loan programs once available are no longer, how zero down loan programs are almost non-existent and how hard it is right now if you have little to zero money available for a down payment.

But wait; are you a military member or a veteran? If you are the news isn’t as bad. With your VA Guaranteed Home Loan benefit you can still obtain a loan with no down payment and a fixed interest rate that is as good as or better than a conventional mortgage rate. This is the time for a VA Loan! What a great benefit to those of you that have served our country!

I want to make sure you understand what a VA Guaranteed Home Loan is and will be writing several articles over the next few weeks covering some important information so please check back. There are still several myths out there about VA Loans and there are still some real estate professionals that don’t understand how it could be the best loan for military members and veterans.

What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

Many have the misconception that the military is the organization loaning the money. No they are not. Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan will be made by a private lender, such as your bank or a mortgage company of your choosing that has VA lending approval. The guaranty means the lender is protected if you fail to repay the loan. This is also why you will not have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) for a zero down loan (if you could find one). Normally a lender would require a down payment and/or PMI to obtain a loan, since the VA Home Loan has a guaranty which replaces these you will be able to obtain your loan without, but with the same financial terms as if you had made a down payment. The risk is removed for the lender when the VA gives them that guaranty.

Of course you still must meet income and debt requirements, your credit reports will be used and if there are items in your history that are derogatory you can be denied a loan even though you have your Certificate of Eligibility. The VA cannot demand a lender make a loan to you that would violate their lending practices. Lenders also must comply with the VA rules and policies when it comes to income and credit standards. Just having the benefit is not enough, you must be credit worthy. I will be writing an article about your credit - good, bad or ugly in a few days. You don’t have to have that perfect fico score, so check back.

If a lender is unwilling to approve you for a loan the only thing the VA can do is suggest that you try other lenders.

It could just be the perfect time for you to purchase a home with your VA benefits. Where else can a person get a 100% home loan these days?!

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton, Silverdale or any area we call Naval Base Kitsap, 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 obtain valuable information under the Military Personnel Past & Present section about the home buying process. Jo Soss is a military spouse and offers a military rebate to those in the Naval Base Kitsap area. Sign up for updates or search for homes hassle free. See her No Spam Policy here. NO SPAM

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Naval Base Kitsap :: Certificate of Eligibility | VA Home Loan :: Have 30 Seconds?

If you have ever been involved with military bureaucracy finding out you have to apply for something might bring memories of frustration and time consuming tasks. Fear not when it comes to obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility. Because of the updated and automated system the VA has with their application link called WebLGY. WebLGY provides several “real-time” processes and receiving your Certificate of Eligibility is one.

With the implementation of the ACE (Automated Certificate of Eligibility) system an approved lender can obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in just minutes - in fact a resent pod cast I viewed on the Department of Veterans Affairs web site actually stated 30 seconds.

Of course you can also request your own determination of Eligibility using VA Form 26-1880 with proof of your military service to the VA Loan Eligibly Center, but I can not understand why you would want to.

VA Loan Eligibility Center

PO Box 20729

Winston-Salem, NC 27120

Click here for Department of Veterans Affairs information :: Am I Eligible?

This month I will be writing several articles about the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program so check back. It could just be the perfect time for you to purchase a home with your VA benefits. Where else can a person get a 100% home loan these days?!

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton, Silverdale or any area we call Naval Base Kitsap, 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 obtain valuable information under the Military Personnel Past & Present section about the home buying process. Jo Soss is a military spouse and offers a military rebate to those in the Naval Base Kitsap area. Sign up for updates or search for homes hassle free. See her No Spam Policy here. NO SPAM

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Military Relocation to Naval Base Kitsap

Your Military Relocation Guide to Naval Base Kitsap | You Are Gonna Love West Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula!

This is the moving van that hauled our Household Goods (HHG’s) on our military PCS to Naval Base Kitsap from the desert of Southern California.

Every year it is estimated that one third of Active Duty Military members have to plan and execute a permanent change of duty station or PCS in military speak. The most important part of a PCS is to take charge, it’s your PCS!! There’s lots of help available but you are going to have to find it and ask for it. The military will also help with the moving expenses but you are going to have to know your allowances and your entitlements and you are going to have to request them and follow all the rules.

When it comes to a PCS you will find lots of people are going to want to tell you how to do it, they will tell you what the rules are, they will tell you what they could or couldn’t do. As with anything else even though there are strict rules overseeing the military PCS process each command at each installation are full of individuals who will interpret the “rules” a million different ways so you need to know where to find the truth. Please remember that when a person was in the military 14 years ago the rules were not the same! We still have retired members telling current members that BAH is based on how many dependents instead of with or without! Now that is scary!

I have been a Navy Spouse for 4 years and during that time I have moved three times. All three of the moves were cross the country - West Coast to East Coast, then East Coast to West Coast, then from the Mojave desert of California to the subzero terrain of Alaska. I am now “home” and will be able to stay here for several years.

I want you to know that I know what you are going through, I know what its like to move with short notice, and I know how much work it takes to have a successful PCS. I give you this information about me so you can begin to get to know me. Begin to have the confidence in me that a trusting relationship can begin to form. I know people do business with those they trust and I want to be the one person you can trust when it comes to any of your real estate needs.

Over the last 4 weeks I wrote a series of articles on relocation to Naval Base Kitsap. The start of the Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Package began with this post Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS which outlined the NBK Online Relocation Package. Below is the final version, but be sure to read the post that started the series. Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS

Week One - Take Charge | Know Your PCS

Week one featured four articles that dealt with the nuts and bolts of a PCS. Items you need to know prior to your move. I touched on the subjects of allowances, entitlements, planning a moving calendar to incorporate “to do lists”, and research of your new area with an installation overview. We also explored the local housing market and discussed the aspects of homeownership in Kitsap County.

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week One | Take Charge | Know Your PCS

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week One | Installation Overview

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week One | Schedule of Events

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week One | Kitsap County Homeownership

Week Two - Close-up | Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard

Week two featured four articles about the place you are going to call home. We looked at the areas to reside, the local shopping scene, school district information and those special base amenities.

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

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

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

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

Week Three - Let’s Have Some Fun | Out & About Area Attractions

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

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Three | Out and About |HARBORSIDE

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Three | Out and About | The Arts

Week Four - Make it a Vacation on the Navy | Day Trips and Mini Vacations.

I know that after I am settled in and have explored the local area I always like to find out what is on the out skirts. This week I wrote some articles about what there is to do in the “Greater Puget Sound” area. How to become a tourist in your own backyard and enjoy the so many Puget Sound attractions.

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Four | Vacation on the Navy | Day Trips

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week Four | Vacation on the Navy | Mini Vacations

Let me be the first to WELCOME YOU to Naval Base Kitsap,

on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula of West Puget Sound!

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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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