Paramount Real Estate Group

10/19/2026

Kitsap County's median sale price was $595,000 in September, up 1.8% from a year ago, according to NWMLS.

Prices are still rising, just slowly. The bigger change is the rate. Freddie Mac's 30-year average was 7.40% on October 15, against 6.27% a year ago. By my math, on a 20%-down loan at the Kitsap median, that's about $359 a month more in principal and interest.

I broke down the county numbers, every NWMLS neighborhood area from West Bremerton ($450,000) to Gig Harbor North ($1,197,719), and what it all means if you're buying or selling this fall:
https://jamesbergstrom.com/blog/kitsap-county-housing-market-september-2026

James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group

10/19/2026

Worried you might regret buying a home right now?

Even though rates are still higher than buyers would like, everyday costs are up, and the economy feels uncertain, a recent NerdWallet survey found most buyers who’ve already made the leap say they’re glad they did. Only 3% actually regret it.

That’s a good reminder that homeownership isn’t really about whether you bought at the “perfect” time, rate, or price. It’s about what owning a home can do for you over time.

As home values rise and you pay down your mortgage, you build something called equity. And that equity can eventually give you more flexibility, more financial options, and more freedom when it’s time for your next move.

So, if buying is something you still want, don’t let today’s uncertainty automatically talk you out of it.

Let’s look at what’s possible and whether there’s a path that makes sense for you.

10/18/2026

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their attention.

If you're thinking about selling, let's talk about how to make yours one of the homes that sells.

10/17/2026

Open houses this weekend across Kitsap, Pierce and Mason counties. 9 homes to tour.

SAT, OCT 17
10 AM–12:30 PM · 170 E Camus Dr, Shelton · $865,000 · 2 bd · 2.5 ba
10 AM–12 PM · 41 N Staircase Ridge Rd S, Hoodsport · $619,000 · 1 bd · 0.75 ba
12 PM–2 PM · 7445 McCormick Woods Dr SW, Port Orchard · $849,777 · 3 bd · 2 ba
12 PM–2 PM · 13922 Salvation Lane SE, Olalla · $895,000 · 3 bd · 2 ba
12 PM–2 PM · 9763 Ebbtide Lane NW, Silverdale · $429,777 · 2 bd · 1.75 ba
3 PM–5 PM · 14320 Englewood Dr NW, Gig Harbor · $625,000 · 3 bd · 1.75 ba

SUN, OCT 18
11 AM–1 PM · 1447 Cherry Ave, Fircrest · $620,000 · 4 bd · 2.5 ba
12 PM–2 PM · 3346 SW Mooring Lane, Port Orchard · $688,777 · 4 bd · 2.75 ba
12 PM–2 PM · 2977 NE Loyola St, Bremerton · $525,000 · 4 bd · 2.5 ba

Photos, times and directions for every one: openhouse.team

Paramount Real Estate Group

10/16/2026

Last house on the street, and the street dead-ends into the trees.

7347 Baltray Place SW just hit the market in McCormick Woods, Port Orchard. It's a 2000-built two-story on a level, wooded 0.23-acre lot. Inside, the ceilings lift and the light comes in soft. There's a formal living and dining room up front, a kitchen that opens to an eating nook and a great room with a gas fireplace, and French doors out to the deck and patio.

Upstairs: all four bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own bath, plus the laundry room.

The seller is offering $15,000 toward an interest rate buydown with a full price offer.

4 bed · 2.5 bath · 2,210 sq ft · $637,777
Full tour: 7347-baltray-port-orchard.vercel.app

I've sold 1,000+ homes over 25+ years and every market cycle. Message me 'PLAN' and I'll send the full floor plan and set up a private showing.

James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group

10/16/2026

Homes Are Still Selling – Even in a Slower Market

Don't let a headline about slowing home sales convince you no one is buying. Homes are still selling every minute of every day.

If you need or want to move, let's talk about what it'll take to make sure yours is one of them.

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell?

10/15/2026

Some homes have a view of the water. This one has 88 feet of it.

The Passage House sits behind a private gate at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Olalla, right on Colvos Passage. It comes with tideland rights and a private mooring buoy that handles up to a 40 ft boat.

It's a presale, still under construction, so this carousel shows you both sides: the finished vision and the real build. Inside you'll find a wall of glass facing the water, a full Thermador kitchen, two primary suites and a fully finished daylight lower level with a rec room and den.

3 bed · 4 bath · 4,566 sq ft · 0.44 acre · $2,485,000

I've sold 1,000+ homes over 25+ years and every market cycle. Send me a message with 'SHOWING' and I'll set up a private showing.

Finished images are AI renderings. Construction photos are real.
James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group

10/15/2026

Hoping mortgage rates will come down soon? The latest inflation report just made that outlook a little more complicated.

Inflation climbed to 3.7% in September, higher than economists expected. And while rising gas prices were a big driver, costs increased across several other categories too.

Why does that matter for housing? Because stubborn inflation makes it harder for the Fed to justify lowering their Federal Funds Rate. It could even increase the chances of another hike.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates. But inflation and Fed expectations influence them, which means there's no guarantee mortgage rates will move lower anytime soon.

If you're planning to buy or sell, don't let a hoped-for rate drop be the only thing driving your timeline.

Let's look at what today's market means for your move and build a plan around the numbers you can actually work with.

10/13/2026

JUST SOLD: 4384 Acacia Lane SE, Port Orchard.

Listed August 20. Under contract August 28. Closed October 9 at the full asking price of $599,777. Eight days on market.

Every Paramount listing launches the same way: a price built from the comps, professional photography, its own website with a full 3D tour, and a dated marketing plan the seller sees before signing. This is what that plan is for.

Curious what your home would do in this market? Text CMA to (360) 777-7212 for your number.

James Bergstrom, Paramount Real Estate Group. 1,000+ homes sold across Kitsap, Pierce and Mason over 25+ years and every market cycle.

10/12/2026

Sale pending: 5505 78th Ave NW, Gig Harbor.

The new-construction home on seven secluded acres in Artondale is under contract. Three bedrooms, 2,904 square feet, vaulted ceilings on exposed beams, an outdoor sauna, and a walking trail cut back into the trees.

Homes are still moving in Pierce County. If yours is the one you've been thinking about, let's talk about what it's worth right now.

Call or text (360) 777-7212.

James Bergstrom, Paramount Real Estate Group. 1,000+ homes, 25+ years, every market cycle.