Bremerton is the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula. It has the largest terminal for one of four WA State Ferry routes from the Seattle area and is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap. These characteristics serve to make Bremerton an economic and cultural hub of the Kitsap Peninsula.

 

There is much to do here. Bremerton is well-known for its charming neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops, beautiful parks, and fascinating naval museums. For outdoor enthusiasts there are biking trails, golf courses and fishing charters.

 

To help narrow your search, define your home buying goals. Will this be an investment home? Are you a first time home buyer? Some buyers may be ready to start a family while others are simply tired of paying rent or want freedom from having a landlord.

 

Have your financial arrangements ready ahead of time. The real estate market has never been more competitive in the Bremerton area and when you find the house you want, you need to be prepared to move quickly.

 

At some point you’ll need to decide which neighborhood to live in. Bremerton offers a wide range of homes in price and amenities. You can find duplexes, single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. The home you buy can determine the length of your commute, where you shop, what schools your kids attend to even the quality of your neighbors.

 

Bremerton’s popularity has led to a palpable shortage of homes. Its population has grown 8% in the last ten years and home owners are holding on to their homes on average five years longer than they did in 2010. These factors combined with low interest rates can make house hunting a frustrating experience for prospective home buyers.

 

The good news is there are reasons to be optimistic. The roll back of Covid restrictions along with the advent of widespread vaccinations will serve to open the economy. A steady labor market and consumer spending should give a boost to new construction. Fannie Mae is tightening its underwriting criteria for second homes and investment properties stifling competition while the possibility of additional stimulus provisions will hopefully provide relief from fears of a housing market collapse.