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Bremerton Real Estate : 1941 Attic Video : Turn of the Century Home Buyers
Bremerton Real Estate
One of the reasons I relocated to Bremerton WA was because of the history and early century architecture. I love older homes. Maybe it is because of one home I remember as a child that was in Puyallup. A true craftsman with a huge front porch and built in buffets, along with a really unique floor plan that included a kitchen breakfast nook and closets so large we made them into playhouses.
Anyway, the home we purchased here was built in 1941, it isn’t a craftsman but a Cape Cod Bungalow. It has a steep roof with side gables, a small roof overhang and is 1 1/2 stories on a daylight basement. I have wide clapboard type T&G siding on the front and raked shingles on the other 3 sides. The appearance is symmetrical with the door in the center. A Cape Cod Bungalow is different than a Cape Cod Craftsman because of no dormers. I have all oak flooring on the main level which is about 1/2 inch think and gorgeous! I also just found several bundles of unused oak flooring in the attic. Enough to install it in the 3/4 bath in the basement!
The home had been occupied by the same person since 1946 and to my amazement hadn’t had any remodeling done! Sometimes over the years older homes have had so many owners and so many DIY projects that they are just ruined! Mine was just left original until the owner had to be removed and some relatives decided to “flip it”.
I was living in California and my husband was in Iraq when we bought the home. I had only been to the property once for about 15 minutes. I saw what I saw. Of course I had an inspection done and of course there are times that an inspector just can’t possibly find it all. That is our story – he didn’t find it all. But I have.
I have found that the fireplace was ruined by a wood stove insert. I just ordered a new insert to be installed along with a new liner and chimney chase.
I have found that some of the sill plate and rim joist had dry rot because of water damage probably by a gutter issue. We had a contractor out last week to fix those problems without having to jack the house up!
I have found that there was really no insulation in the attic. Back in the day they would put insulation in the floor joists and use the attic as additional whatever space. Our attic was converted to two large rooms and a sitting area. I turned one into a huge walk-in closet and one into the master bedroom. Those areas were insulated around them but the area above the main living area didn’t have any insulation.
This past week I layed the insulation on one side and will video it when I am totally complete. Installing insulation in an attic is really easy. I have done it all myself – the entrance to the area is only 15″ wide so it had to be me – haha!
Here is my video – have fun watching, my husband thinks I am crazy.
If you want to purchase a Craftsman or a Cape Cod in Bremerton you want to make sure you are working with an agent that knows about the product. I have fireplace inpectors, contractors and yardbirds (lumber yard associates) that are a part of my team. There is more than a home inpsection that needs to take place when purchasing these homes.
This is an investment but it also is our home.
Multiple Offers Notification – Just might cost your sellers money
Who would have thought that in this buyer’s market you might find yourself in a multiple offer situation. Times have changed and I can honestly say that I have not been in this situation for the last 18 months. Sure there have been homes that one of my buyers might have wanted to put an offer in on but after being told there was already one being presented they would just move to the next home because the inventory has been so high.
But, last week I did receive a “Multiple Offers Notification” from a local agent who had listed a bank owned property. Here is what the instructions are:
Crap, is what I thought! This property which had been on the market for months now was the “Homecoming Queen” in her price range. I so hate multiple offers, I so hate a bid war, hate the thought of an escalation clause and all the broken dreams that go along with these situation.
I was thankful that the seller had made the stipulation that there was to be no offer submitted with an escalation clause. One frustration gone. So I called my buyer and gave the information. We talked about the property and my buyer decided after looking at all the facts to actually withdraw their offer. My buyer just didn’t want to play the game. There was another house in our line up. The following was the choices we had to choose from:
You can see where I have checked the box – The buyer has rescinded his offer to purchase. Yep, that is what we did.
The next day I thought nothing of this transaction. Maybe, it was because it was my birthday and I was taking the day off – well, off as much as a real estate agent selling homes can. I spent the day in Seattle with my sweetie. On my return to my home office I had a voice-mail from the Listing agent of this property. He wanted my to call him ASAP.
I thought how strange and I did. We played phone tag and finally we caught up to each other and he proceeded to tell me that my buyer’s offer was the best – yep you read that right, the BEST. Funny! I reminded the agent that my buyers had rescinded their offer but that I would call them and give them the information. I did and my buyers decided to proceed on a different home.
All fine with me, after all it is their purchase. The agent apologized to me because I am sure he thought I had lost a transaction. Not the case. In reality it was his seller that lost a transaction – the BEST transaction. I just kept thinking about this. Sometimes wanting to get more can cost you more. It would have been better for this seller to just take the best the first go, because if he did he would have received more for the property than what he will now receive.
Kitsap County Real Estate | Absorption Rate
I have been thinking about absorption rates lately with all the talk of how the area housing market is improving. The NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) releases data every few weeks and of course monthly market data reports. If you want to read more from the NWMLS you can bookmark the site that the public has access to. Northwest REporter.
So after reading the latest release from the NWMLS I thought I would do some absorption rate statistics. Sometimes I get really frustrated with stats because they are well – crap in crap out type of information. Without correct data what do they mean? For as many years as I have been a member of the NWMLS and that spans back to 1994 the statistics are an estimate at best.
If you know the flap over Zillow “zestimates” well I don’t think we should be too critical when our own association has a tough time policing itself when it comes to being accurate. So I put these figures out there for you with the understanding that accuracies are “subject to”.
Now for the disclosure that I am required to by my NWMLS rules and regulations. The statement is true for this article. I have compiled these statistics on my own, no copy and paste of the NWMLS’s data.
“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.” Equal Opportunity Housing All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed”
This data is for all of Kitsap County, for all residential properties (condominiums excluded), mobile homes on land and townhomes/townhouses included. Of course this is all subject to the listing agents input.
I do know that these figures are not perfect – I know of several homes that sold in March, April and May that are still showing “pending” or “pending inspection” as I have pointed out all depends on the listing agents input or lack there of.
Technically any home that is available for sell would be any home that is listed yet not closed. Here in the NWMLS area we have several “pending” possibilities.
- Pending BU Requested (79)
- Pending Feasibility (5)
- Pending Inspection (171)
- Pending (339)
I have calculated these pending homes as not available – as in not actively available. I don’t show pending listings of any kind unless there is a short-sale property that my buyers are really, really and I mean really interested in. With so much inventory why set a buyer up for heartache? This past April I had buyers that went into a back-up type situation on a pending feasibility property and all that did was delay their home buying process. Finally, we chose another home that will close soon.
Kitsap Coutny Active homes for sale as of today – 1816
Last month in Kitsap County there were 187 homes that sold. These homes closed and property ownership transferred through the Kitsap County Courthouse as recorded and complete. That would mean that the absorption rate is 9.71 months of inventory. Please see the definition I use below on absorption rates.
The Definition of Absorption Rates:
Number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales. Using absorption rates can help you define markets. 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.
Now remember that absorption rates just track trends and isn’t an exact science!
What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a buyers market and I would rather sell in a buyers market if I have to buy another home with the proceeds. I am a fan of the NORMAL market – everyone can feel more comfortable and real estate transactions are not as stressful.
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.
If you would like to purchase a home in the Kitsap County Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.
Naval Base Kitsap | As a Military Member do you Purchase a Home in this Market Climate?
Times have changed for all home buyers. The days of being able to receive very substantial market equity in a three year time span has all but disappeared in most areas. In the Kitsap County area we have been lucky that our market although slow and undergoing a huge price correction we haven’t been as hard hit as areas like Florida or California. However, we hear daily the horror stories of the housing market which has most active duty military wondering if now is the right time to buy.
Over the last 5 years we saw the active duty member feel comfortable purchasing even with a PCS due in a short three 
years because of the escalation of value in several markets. With that now gone what does an active duty member do? The decision to purchase is tougher today than it was.
But, with education, pro/con honest conversation and the help of several real estate experts you should be able to make the right decision.
So as a military member do you purchase a home?
It is a very complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making that decision. You should ask yourself some questions like these at the minimum.
These might be considered some of the “con” type questions.
- Do I have upfront money to buy a home?
- Can I get financing?
- Is my tour of duty going to be longer than 3 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 resources?
- 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?
These might be considered some of the “pro” type statements.
- Being VA eligible military members can still receive a ZERO down home loan.
- First time home buyers can receive a $8,000 credit from the Federal Government
- Under most circumstances the interest on a home loan is tax deductible (contact a CPA)
- Pride of home ownership is amazing.
- Building equity prior to retirement.
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 home ownership for a military member should not be scary!!!!
2009 NAVAL BASE KITSAP | BREMERTON | BANGOR | PSNS | NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON
Posts of Interest
First Time Homebuyer
- $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Who is Eligible in Kitsap County
- It’s Official – 1st Time Homebuyers Receive $8,000 Tax Credit Windfall!
- $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Want your money Now?
Naval Base Kitsap
- Naval Base Kistap | BAH – Tax Breaks – HomeOwnership
- Naval Base Kitsap | BAH Rates E6 | HomeOwnership | Yes you can!
- Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week One – Take Charge | Know Your PCS
- Naval Base Kitsap | Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting
- Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN
Individual Area Real Estate Market Stats
- Port Orchard Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
- Port Orchard Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
- Port Orchard Real Estate | April Homes SOLD
- Bremerton Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
- Bremerton Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
- Bremerton Real Estate | April Homes SOLD
Kitsap Area Real Estate Market Stats
- Kitsap County Homes SOLD 2008 VS 2009 Year to date
- Kitsap County Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
- Bremerton Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
- Silverdale Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
- Port Orchard Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
Kitsap Real Estate FYI
- Kitsap County | Pending Sales | What a week
- Bremerton Real Estate | New Construction Homes
- Kitsap County Home Buyer’s | Closing Costs Paid by Seller
SEARCH SOME LOCAL KITSAP COUNTY HOMES
Naval Base Kitsap | Kitsap County Homeownership
As a military member relocating to Naval Base Kitsap 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 upfront 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. As I was walking across the parking lot of the real estate office my husband just so happened to call from Iraq. 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!!!!
Remember you receive the BAH rate for where you are stationed and not where you live. So if you decided to live in Seattle you will still receive the BAH rate for the Naval Base Kitsap area. I still see it today the question of if you have more than one dependant do you get a higher BAH rat? No you do not.
There are Craftsman, Craftsman Bungalows, Cape Cods, Cape Cod Bungalows, Ranch Style, Split -level and Split entry, New homes, Old homes, any style home you can dream of. Homes on the waterfront, homes with the view, homes in a tight knit neighborhood and homes on land.
Here in this area we are blessed with “history” homes.
The Craftsman (1905-1930)
- Wood, stone, and sometimes stucco siding
- Low-pitched roof
- Wide eaves
- Exposed roof rafters
- Porch with thick square or round columns
- Some with stone porch supports
- Exterior chimney made with stone
- Open floor plans
- Numerous windows
- Some windows with stained or leaded glass
- Beamed ceilings
- Dark wood wainscoting and moldings
- Built-in cabinets, shelves, and seating
Cape Cod (1600-1950):
- Steep roof with side gables
- Small roof overhang
- 1 or 1½ stories
- Made of wood and covered in wide clapboard or shingles
- Symmetrical appearance with door in center
- Dormers for space, light, and ventilation
- Multi-paned, double-hung windows
- Shutters
- Formal, center-hall floor plan
- Hardwood floors
- Little exterior ornamentation
Craftsman Bungalow (1905-1930)
- One and a half stories
- Most of the living spaces on the ground floor
- Low-pitched roof and horizontal shape
- Living room at the center
- Connecting rooms without hallways
- Built-in cabinets, shelves, and seats
Cape Cod Bungalow
- Steep roof with side gables
- Small roof overhang
- 1 or 1½ stories
- Made of wood and covered in wide clapboard or shingles
- Symmetrical appearance with door in center
- Hardwood floors
- Little exterior ornamentation
We have homes with style and character – with secret rooms with retro door knobs.Did you know that Art-Deco was the style of the 1940′s? We have homes with big porches, stately overhangs, high pitched roofs and dormer windows. The list goes on and on and on – There are not many places in the Pacific Northwest that can boast such home detail and Bremerton is one of the areas where these homes are still affordable.
My home is a 1941 Cape Cod Bungalow built during the Art Deco era and I love it!! Join me in the joy of homeownership!!
New Construction
Here in Kitsap County new home prices are lower than our sister communities in Seattle. Right now in the Bremerton area you have a choice of 15 homes in different stages of construction under the listed price of $250,000. Some even have buyer bonuses. A few have $5,000.00 Buyer Bonuses.
These homes are between 1300-1800 square feet, 3 & 4 bedroom plans with 2 or 2.5 baths. There are some homes with extra “bonus rooms” and some with unfinished basements so you can build some “sweat equity” and finish out that sought after media room or that family play room.
Maybe you would rather live the easy Townhouse life instead.There are several different types of townhouses in the Bremerton area also. The most popular are the 2 per building style. These units only share one wall and have a nice size single garage. A couple of the larger units have a bonus room on the third floor. There are several with gas fireplaces and gourmet kitchens with a stainless appliance package.
If you would like more information on any of these properties please send me a note so that I can send you photos and more detailed information.
This concludes the articles for week one of our Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package. Next week’s series Close-up | Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard | four articles about the place you are going to call home. We will look at the areas to reside, the local shopping scene, school district information and those special base amenities.
Until then…Have a Fine Navy Day!