James Bergstrom - Paramount Real Estate Group

10/23/2026

To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.

Renting can be a good fit for the right person with the right house, but it isn’t the only option. A smart sales strategy can help your house stand out to buyers from day one.

So, if you’re on the fence, let’s sit down and compare what selling and renting would each look like for you.

Selling your house is a big step, and you want it to go smoothly. And with houses taking a little longer to sell these days, renting it out might start to sound like a nice backup plan.

10/22/2026

Housing inventory is up 25 percent in Washington, but having more choices doesn't automatically mean buyers hold all the leverage. Before you walk into a showing expecting major discounts, you need to understand the local market difference between neighborhoods. Where are you shopping?

10/22/2026

I'm holding Baltray open this Saturday, Oct 24, 12 to 3.

McCormick Woods, end of the cul-de-sac, evergreens out back. $637,777, and the sellers are offering $15,000 toward a rate buydown with a full price offer.

Can't make it? Message me 'PREVIEW' and I'll show it to you privately.

James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group

10/22/2026

Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.

Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. In Seattle, they dipped about 1.6%. That’s a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities.

Look at little closer, though. Home prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on this chart. And where prices are down, the dips are small (less than 2%).

So, this isn’t a crash. It’s just a market normalizing after overheating during the pandemic. And that’s hitting some areas differently than others.

Here’s what it really means. Your local market matters.

If you’re selling where prices are still rising, you may not need to cut your price. And if you’re buying where prices are softer, you may have more room to negotiate.

National headlines can’t tell you which side your neighborhood is on. Local data can. Let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

10/21/2026

Getting help with a home purchase is great, but skipping these steps can cost you the deal. From lender selection to property eligibility, ensure you understand the requirements before writing an offer. Don't let a simple mistake derail your homeownership goals.

10/21/2026

Every housing headline is a number with a label most people never read. Before you use one, ask three questions. What geography does it cover? What properties does it include? How was it calculated?

Full breakdown: https://youtu.be/9CUDIE2r-LE

James Bergstrom, Paramount Real Estate Group

10/21/2026

Housing inventory in Washington has jumped nearly 25 percent, but more choices don't always mean more leverage for buyers. Market conditions vary wildly by neighborhood, and understanding these local differences is key to making your next move. Don't assume the regional trend applies to your specific street.

10/20/2026

Evergreens behind it, nothing past the back fence but trees. Baltray's still one of my favorites this fall. $637,777.

Message me 'TOUR' and I'll get you in.

AI avatar, real home photos.
James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group

10/19/2026

Inventory across the Northwest MLS area is up nearly 25%. That sounds like buyers just took control. In Kitsap, the market was still tight.

Here's what the September NWMLS numbers said. Across the service area, active listings were up 24.5% from a year earlier, pending sales were down 15.1% and closed sales were down 8.9%. The service area sat at 4.4 months of inventory, inside the 4 to 6 months NWMLS describes as balanced. Kitsap was at 2.6. Pierce was at 3.8.

What that number means: how many months today's listings would last at September's pace of sales if nothing new came on. These are NWMLS's monthly figures, houses and condos together. If you see 3.0 for Kitsap, that's from a separate NWMLS market report with its own count. Same market, two reports.

Same month, same reporting system, different starting points. More choices across the region doesn't mean every seller in your town will take every term.

In the video I walk through what fall buyers really get from the extra inventory, the listing history to check before you offer, and the three questions I ask of any housing stat.

You're not buying a regional average. You're buying one house. Don't buy the headline. Buy the house.

Watch: https://youtu.be/9CUDIE2r-LE

James Bergstrom, Owner/Broker, Paramount Real Estate Group

Information and statistics compiled and reported by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Washington's active listings rose almost 20% year over year — but p...

10/19/2026

Every month someone asks me if prices are about to drop. Here's September's answer.

Kitsap's median was $595,000, up 1.8% on a year ago (NWMLS), with 3.0 months of supply. Not falling, not running away. The rate moved more than the price: 7.40% on the 30-year, from 6.27% a year ago.

Full breakdown, neighborhood by neighborhood:
https://jamesbergstrom.com/blog/kitsap-county-housing-market-september-2026

James Bergstrom · Paramount Real Estate Group