Tom Earnest - John L Scott Real Estate Broker

09/25/2026

Maximize your home's worth with these effective strategies.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Four Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value Buying & Selling | By Bonnie Joffe | 0 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Boosting what your home is worth goes beyond mere aesthetics— it‘s about making strategic improvements that enhance both its functionality and app...

09/24/2026

Learn about the benefits of accepting a cash offer on your home with this blog.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The Benefits of Accepting a Cash Offer Buying & Selling | By Nathan Smith | 0 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More When you’re selling your home, it’s important to consider cash offers from potential buyers. Accepting a cash offer on your home can be faster, less ...

09/24/2026

🌊 Bremerton's median sale price is $470,000 one of the more honest affordability stories on the Kitsap Peninsula. Here's what that actually gets you.

That's well below Bainbridge Island ($1,150,000) and Auburn ($602,500), with 247 active listings and 48 median days on market. That's real inventory to work with, not a picked-over market.

What you're getting for that price:
🌲 35 city parks and recreation programs across nine neighborhoods outdoor lifestyle without needing a club membership or destination spending
🏙️ A growing downtown with restaurants, cultural venues, and the Bremerton Transportation Center
⛴️ Ferry access to Seattle via Washington State Ferries, plus Kitsap Transit bus routes throughout the county
⚓ Puget Sound Naval Shipyard right in the city a major employer that stabilizes local housing demand

A few honest notes before you get too excited: the citywide median is a benchmark, not a guarantee. Homes near downtown, the waterfront, or the ferry terminal carry a real price premium. West and East Bremerton often get you more square footage for the same money you're just trading walkability for a longer drive to those amenities. Manette has genuine neighborhood charm too, but prices there have climbed in recent years it's not automatically the budget option people assume.

Worth knowing: Bremerton is also the most affordable rental market in Kitsap County, averaging around $1,600/month. If you're currently renting and wondering whether buying makes sense, that gap is narrower here than in most Puget Sound markets.

The right neighborhood for you depends on your commute, your employer, and your budget not just the median number on its own.

📞 Ready to get specific? Schedule a free consultation and I'll pull a current picture of what fits your life.
📋 Still in research mode? Take my quick buyer questionnaire.

Full breakdown neighborhood-by-neighborhood pricing, ferry commute math, and how Bremerton stacks up against Port Orchard and Silverdale, links below. 👇

https://portal.oggvo.com/s/260b9d01f24f1c-online-home-buying-questionnaire
https://tomearnest.johnlscott.com/contact-me

-Tom

09/23/2026

Help your home's decor standout with these DIY decorative trays.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn DIY Decorative Trays Crafts & DIY Projects | 5 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Whether they’re stacked with food or an assortment of knick-knacks, decorative trays are ever-popular in the home decor world. Instead of spending a fortune at HomeGoods this season,...

09/22/2026

🍁 Embrace the Autumn Bounty 🍂

Fall is here, and so is the season of vibrant, flavorful produce! 🍎🥕🍠 From crisp apples to hearty squash, savor the delicious gifts of nature with everyone you love. Enjoying seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients in dishes like hearty soups and comforting pies makes every meal a celebration. 🌽🍂

🥧 🍲 What fall dish are you most looking forward to making?🍁

09/21/2026

🏗️ New construction in Silverdale isn't just for buyers with deep pockets it's a genuinely realistic path to ownership in 2026.

Median sale price sits around $600,000, with homes averaging 46 days on market longer than pandemic-era peaks, which means more room to make thoughtful decisions instead of racing every deadline. Kitsap County inventory has grown too: 895 active listings in July 2026, up from 835 a year prior.

Why new construction specifically makes sense for first-time buyers:
🏠 Lower near-term maintenance new roof, appliances, and mechanicals mean you're unlikely to face a surprise $15,000 HVAC replacement in year two
⚡ Built-in energy efficiency current state codes mean better insulation and modern heat pumps, which lowers your utility bills
📋 Builder warranties typically 1-year workmanship, 10-year structural, protection a 1985 resale won't offer
🎨 Customization on pre-sale homes pick your flooring, countertops, and finishes

A few things to know before signing with a builder:
⚠️ Builder contracts protect the builder, not you have an independent agent review change-order fees and upgrade pricing before you sign
⏱️ Spec homes close in 30-45 days; pre-sale builds run 4-9 months plan around your lease end date so you're not caught paying month-to-month rent
🔍 Get an independent inspection even on new construction municipal code inspections aren't the same as a full buyer's inspection
💰 Builder incentives (closing cost credits, rate buydowns) are back on the table after disappearing in 2021-2022 just read the fine print on preferred-lender requirements

And here's the part a lot of first-time buyers don't know: Washington State's Home Advantage and House Key Opportunity programs can be layered with FHA financing and applied to new construction here in Kitsap County.

📞 Ready to see what's available? Schedule a free consultation and I'll walk you through current inventory, builder reputations, and which programs you may qualify for.
📋 Still figuring out your priorities? Take my home buying questionnaire first.

Full breakdown phase timing, HOA considerations, and builder-by-builder comparisons links below. 👇

https://portal.oggvo.com/s/260b9d01f24f1c-online-home-buying-questionnaire

https://tomearnest.johnlscott.com/contact-me

-Tom

09/21/2026

You'll enjoy every bite of this classic Italian dish.

This traditional Italian dish features egg pasta stuffed with a two-cheese blend.

09/18/2026

A few simple lifestyle changes could make you healthier this season.

Get some simple tips for boosting your mental and physical health this season.

09/18/2026

A few seasonal touches can feel welcoming, but when selling, keep décor simple enough that buyers can still focus on the rooms, features, and flow of the home.

Are you already decorating for fall?

09/18/2026

🎖️ Veterans: you can buy in Port Orchard with $0 down. Here's exactly how the process works.

Eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and some surviving spouses can use a VA loan to buy here no down payment, no PMI. With Port Orchard's median around $570,000, that's a real difference in cash needed at closing compared to conventional financing.

The process, step by step:

1️⃣ Confirm eligibility + get your COE. Most VA-approved lenders pull your Certificate of Eligibility directly during preapproval.

2️⃣ Get preapproved before you shop. Kitsap County ran just 2.28 months of supply and 8 median days on market last quarter, countywide. Well-priced homes move fast — a preapproval letter isn't optional.

3️⃣ Know your entitlement. Full entitlement means no VA loan limit. Reduced entitlement (from a prior VA loan) may mean a partial down payment on the portion above what's remaining.

4️⃣ Shop with VA appraisal standards in mind. This is where buyers get tripped up the VA doesn't just check value, it checks Minimum Property Requirements. Roof issues, peeling paint on older homes, broken windows, or unpermitted work can trigger required repairs before the loan closes. Worth evaluating condition before you fall in love with a listing.

5️⃣ Close through a Kitsap County title company. Plan for 30-45 days from accepted offer to close the VA appraisal adds a step that can't be rushed.

Port Orchard's older housing stock makes step 4 especially important knowing which homes will sail through and which will hit snags is exactly where local experience pays off.

📞 Ready to talk through your specific situation? Schedule a free consultation.
📋 Earlier in the process? Take my home buying questionnaire and I'll follow up with matching options.

Full breakdown entitlement math, MPR details, and closing cost specifics link below. 👇

https://tomearnest.johnlscott.com/contact-me

-Tom