MY BLOG • November 14, 2025

Why Kitsap County, WA Is One of the Best Places to Live in the Pacific Northwest

by Connie Baker

Looking for a place that blends small-town charm, waterfront beauty, and relaxed Pacific Northwest living? Kitsap County, Washington is quickly becoming one of the most desirable areas for homebuyers searching for space, scenery, and a strong sense of community.

A Peaceful Lifestyle Close to Seattle
With easy Seattle ferry access, Kitsap offers a calmer pace of life without giving up big-city opportunities. It’s perfect for commuters and remote workers who want more value, more nature, and less noise.

Charming Towns With Distinct Personalities:

Bainbridge Island – Upscale, artistic, and minutes from Seattle by ferry.
Poulsbo (“Little Norway”) – Waterfront charm, cozy bakeries, and a walkable historic district.
Silverdale – A hub for shopping, dining, and top-rated schools.
Bremerton – Naval heritage, revitalized waterfront, and a growing arts scene.
Port Orchard – Affordable, friendly, and full of classic PNW character.
Outdoor Beauty Everywhere You Look. Living in Kitsap County means endless beaches, trails, mountains, and water views. Residents enjoy hiking Green Mountain, kayaking Dyes Inlet, and exploring scenic waterfronts—all part of everyday life here.

A Smart Place to Call Home
With excellent schools, welcoming neighborhoods, and a wide range of homes for sale in Kitsap County, it’s no wonder so many people are choosing to put down roots here.

MY BLOG • February 14, 2025

Come and enjoy the splendor of Pacific Northwest Living!

by Connie Baker

Come and enjoy the splendor of Pacific Northwest Living!

Here are some fantastic activities to do in the Pacific Northwest:

For outdoor adventures, you can explore the stunning trails of Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, visit the breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls in Washington, or relax in the Scenic Hot Springs near Stevens Pass or the Hoh Rain Forest. There are also many amazing camping facilities all around.

If you enjoy coastal experiences, consider taking a road trip along the scenic Washington & Oregon coastlines, stopping at places like Long Beach, Cannon Beach, Seaside and Lincoln City, or head to the San Juan Islands for an unforgettable whale-watching experience.

Unique attractions include enjoying the vibrant city life in Seattle with its Space Needle, Pike Place Market, & Chihully Glass Museum. Post Alley & the waterfront offer an amazing fun filled experience too. With a few-hour road trip, you can discover the quirky charm of Portland with its food trucks, parks, and the famous Powell’s City of Books & the famous Voodoo Donut shop.

For winter sports enthusiasts, popular resorts like Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, Snoqualmie, and Mount Hood offer great skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

For summer fun, there are a multitude of fun things to do. Hiking, boating, whale watching, boat tours, swimming, kayaking & golfing. Explore the charming little towns, antiques, and concerts on the pier. These are just a few of the many things available on the fun list!

Cultural experiences abound with museums and art galleries such as the Seattle Art Museum and the Portland Art Museum.

There’s so much to explore in the Pacific Northwest! Which activity sounds the most exciting to you? 😊

Connie Baker Tracyton Wa Istockphoto 542000708 612x612 — Washington State Ferry crossing Puget Sound in winter Dawn alpenglow

Reflection Lake Trail. Summer, Mount Rainier National Park — Reflection lake trail. Summer, Mount Rainier National Park

MY BLOG • February 14, 2025

Ready to Move to the Pacific Northwest?

by Connie Baker

Ready to Move to the Pacific Northwest?

Kitsap County, WA, offers a variety of economic opportunities across several key industries. Here are just a few highlights:

Defense: Kitsap County is home to several military installations, including Naval Base Kitsap, Sub-Base Bangor, and Keyport which provides numerous jobs and contracts in defense and related industries.
Maritime: The county’s extensive coastline supports a robust maritime industry, including shipbuilding, repair, and marine technology.
Advanced Manufacturing: There are opportunities in advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace and electronics.
Healthcare: The healthcare sector is growing, with new facilities and investments aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure.
Tourism: The scenic beauty and recreational opportunities attract tourists, supporting businesses in hospitality, retail, and outdoor activities.
Technology: Kitsap County has a growing tech sector, supported by a high-speed fiber optic backbone and a vibrant startup ecosystem.
Amazon Hub: Recent Kitsap County warehouse, providing many opportunities.

Additionally, Kitsap County benefits from its proximity to Seattle, offering access to a larger market while maintaining a lower cost of living and a high quality of life.

For more specific information, please feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.

MY BLOG • August 13, 2024

Home Affordability

by Connie Baker

Home Affordability

Is Affordability Starting To Improve?

Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but it is moving in the right direction.”

Here’s a look at the latest data on the three biggest factors affecting home affordability: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.

1. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates have been volatile this year, bouncing around from the mid-6% to low 7% range. But there’s some good news. Data from Freddie Mac shows rates have been trending down overall since May (see graph below):

Mortgage rates have improved lately in part because of recent economic, employment, and inflation data. Moving forward, some rate volatility is to be expected. But if future economic data continues to show signs of cooling, experts say mortgage rates could keep going down.

Even a small drop can help you out. When rates decline, it’s easier to afford the home you want because your monthly payment will be lower. Just don’t expect them to go back down to 3%.

2. Home Prices

The second big thing to think about is home prices. Nationally, they’re still going up this year, but not as fast as they did a couple of years ago. The graph below uses home price data from Case-Shiller to illustrate that point:

If you’re thinking about buying a home, slower price growth is good news. Home prices went up a lot during the pandemic, making it hard for many people to buy. Now, with prices rising more slowly, buying a home may feel less out of reach. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says:

“While housing affordability is low for potential first-time home buyers, slowing price appreciation and lower mortgage rates could help – so the dream of homeownership isn’t boarded up just yet.”

3. Wages

Another factor helping with affordability is rising wages. The graph below uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to show how wages have increased over time:

Look at the blue dotted line. It shows how wages usually go up in a typical year. On the right side of the graph, you’ll see wages are rising even faster than normal right now – that’s the green line.

This helps you because if your income increases, it’s easier to afford a home. That’s because you won’t have to spend as much of your paycheck on your monthly mortgage payment.

Bottom Line

When you put all these factors together, you see mortgage rates are trending down, home prices are rising more slowly, and wages are going up faster than usual. Though affordability is still a challenge, these trends are early signs things might be starting to improve.