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Community • December 17, 2020

New Agent Spotlight: Angela Winks

by Windermere Poulsbo
angela winks headshot quote

We are proud to feature Angela Winks in our new Q&A spotlight series. With a diverse set of skills and experiences, Angela offers buyers and sellers a focused, personalized approach with an emphasis on clear communication, positivity, and a sincere appreciation for the areas and clients she serves.  Read on to find out about Angela’s background, what she loves about real estate, and more.

What drew you to real estate?

What drew me to real estate was my passion for all things “home” and my deep desire to help others.  I also have always had the desire to have and manage my own business. As a business owner, personal growth and a positive mindset are a vital part of every day and I absolutely love being in an industry that constantly requires me to learn and be more so that I can give more to my family, friends, clients, and community.

What unique professional experiences or skills do you possess that enhance your abilities as a Realtor?

My years of experience in the health and fitness field helped me sharpen my skills as a strong communicator and leader. As an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Director of a post-physical therapy exercise program, I had the opportunity to help clients and patients set and achieve their goals, not only safely and effectively, but in a welcoming and fun environment.

As a Realtor, I enjoy the same opportunities. Whether my clients need to sell or buy real estate, it’s important to have clear communication and a great plan. And, of course, it is always my pleasure to make the whole process as enjoyable as possible for my clients!

What personality traits do you think are important in this profession?

Realtors should possess exceptional interpersonal communication and relationship skills as well as the ability to stay open-minded, focused, organized, and creative.

Which areas do you serve and what do you love about those areas?

I happily serve Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Jefferson, and King counties. I believe we are incredibly fortunate to live in this part of the country and Washington state. The natural beauty is astounding and the support for the communities and their wonderfully unique local businesses is second to none.

How long have you lived here?

I have lived in Kitsap County for 7 1/2 years. I came here after college because I had family scattered around the area and fell in love with the natural beauty.

What made you decide to work with Windermere?

I decided to work with Windermere because of their special focus on building and nurturing relationships as well as their strong presence in the community. This is a company that truly cares about people and that is extremely important to me! They also provide the latest technology and education for their agents so we can always keep adding tools to our real estate toolbelts and serving our clients at our highest level.

We are delighted that Angela Winks has joined us. We know she will be a sincere pleasure for buyers and sellers to work with here on the Kitsap Peninsula and in Pierce, Mason, Jefferson, and King County. You can connect with Angela through her website. 

Sellers • December 8, 2020

4 Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter

by Windermere Poulsbo
house for sale winter windermere sign

Not sure if winter is the time to sell your home? Although the real estate market tends to slow down as it gets colder, you can actually use this season to your advantage. Here are some points to consider.

1. Supply is Low and Demand is High

According to Realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Trends Report, national inventory has dropped 39% since last year. Though this may seem discouraging, the key takeaway is that fewer people are selling their homes, which means less competition. While many buyers like to look for homes when there’s nice weather, serious buyers will still be looking in the winter.

There are many anxious buyers in our area right now. Our region has seen a significant increase in demand. 2020’s 3rd quarter pending sales went up by 29% compared to Q2 and the median sale price was up 9% year-over-year at $508K for North Kitsap. Additionally, many families are able to work from home so they have the flexibility to relocate. Kitsap County is attracting many buyers since we’re just a ferry ride away from Seattle, and it’s still very much a seller’s market.

2. Interest Rates Are Low

Mortgage rates hit all-time lows a dozen times during 2020. As of December 3, 2020, Freddie Mac reported that rates on a 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) have dropped to 2.7% and 2.3%, respectively. These low-interest rates offer enormous incentives for home buyers. 

3. Home Prices Are Up

Since there aren’t enough houses on the market to meet the current demand, prices have gone up. So, you can potentially sell your house for top dollar. In fact, we’ve recently seen quite an increase in multiple offer situations across Kitsap County. If you’ve properly prepared your home and your agent is marketing it effectively, you may also experience a multiple offer situation. 

4. Cost of Living is Rising in Cities

Many residents continue to get priced out of cities like Seattle, and buyers are looking for more affordable places to call home. Kitsap Peninsula offers easy access to the city while maintaining a close distance to the profound natural beauty of the PNW. The prospect of getting more for your money appeals to many first-time buyers as well as those looking for luxury homes. Our area offers buyers more space, a home with a yard, and easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and the Olympic National Forest.

With the real estate market in constant flux due to the pandemic, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest local market information and to consider all your options when putting your house on the market. A good agent will also provide you with helpful insights, serving as your knowledgeable advocate and guide – whether you decide to sell in winter or down the road. 

Real Estate Market • October 22, 2020

North Kitsap’s Market: Third Quarter Review and Forecast

by Windermere Poulsbo
North Kitsap market graph

North Kitsap’s market had a very strong third quarter. We’ve compiled key stats below to provide a comprehensive review of our market, as well as insights and predictions from Windermere Real Estate’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner.

Our Strong Seller’s Market

It’s a strong seller’s market here in North Kitsap. Inventory remains low while demand is high. In our third quarter, the median sale price was up 9% year-over-year at $508K. Buyers should be aware that multiple offer situations have become more common in our area. Our Brokers have seen an increase in situations where some buyers are outbid either by price or by an all-cash buyer. 

sold pending graph north kitsap county

inventory graph north kitsap county

north kitsap real estate stats

Market Predictions

Although mortgage rates remain historically low and demand is high, our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, has some concerns about how this may impact real estate down the road. “We may be heading towards a period where we see houses turn over at a far slower pace as we stay in our homes for longer than ever…this could be a problem as it leads to persistently low levels of inventory for sale, which itself could lead to prices continuing to rise at above-average rates and that would further hit affordability.” As for mortgage rates, Gardner does not expect them to rise significantly any time soon. However, he says, “We should all be aware that there could be consequences to very low rates”.

Western Washington Review

Let’s zoom out a bit and look at our area. Below are highlights from The Western Washington Gardner Report provided by Windermere Real Estate’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME SALES

  • Total Sales: 11.6% increase from Q3/2019, and 45.9% higher than Q2/2020
  • Homes for Sale: 41.7% lower than Q3/2019, but up 1.6% from Q2/2020
  • Pending Sales: up 29% from Q2/2020

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME PRICES

  • Average: $611,793 (up 17.1% from Q3/2019). Low mortgage rates and limited inventory are clearly pushing prices up.
  • Prices will continue to increase as long as mortgage rates and inventory levels stay low. If this continues to be the case, affordability issues will become more apparent in many markets.

DAYS ON MARKET, WESTERN WASHINGTON

  • Average: 36 days (an average of 4 fewer days than in Q2/2020 and 2 fewer days than in Q3/2019)
  • In Kitsap County, average days on market: 20

Conclusion

In Gardner’s Western Washington Report, he states that, although we have a strong seller’s market that is very buoyant, he’s “starting to see affordability issues increase in many areas—not just in the central Puget Sound region—and this is concerning. Perhaps the winter will act to cool the market, but something is telling me we shouldn’t count on it.”

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