Unlike Seattle, Kitsap's winter real estate stayed going strong

Following a frigid February, March made for an "eventful month for real estate," according to brokers cited in the latest Northwest Multiple Listing Service report. Buyers hopped back into the market and kicked off peak real estate season in earnest around Seattle, with more choices and less competition.

But there are some areas that reported strong activity no matter what happened. Kitsap and the South Sound, for instance, reported heavy traffic at open houses and pending sales out-gaining new listings.

"In Kitsap County, the buyers have arrived to the market faster than sellers," Frank Wilson, Kitsap regional manager and branch managing broker at John L. Scott's Poulsbo office, said in the latest NWMLS report.

"Low interest rates are giving buyers a break in house payments, which allows them to buy a little more house. Buyers have received the message about the spring market, but sellers are still waiting in the wings."

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The result is that the Kitsap County market acts as somewhat of an anomaly, with prices continuing to rise despite growing inventory — with Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Northwest Realtors in Gig Harbor, saying that in certain higher price ranges he's observed buyers and sellers on "almost equal footing."

"Multiple offers are less frequent in this market, and, unlike six to 12 months ago, sellers are now agreeing to do repairs and pay buyer's closing costs," according to Beeson. "Some type of negotiation is once again prevalent in almost every sale."

Beeson even goes as far to suggest that the area could become a buyer's market in the South Sound — a rare feat in the area these days. Though his reasons for thinking that are more what the area has traditionally seen as Seattle's housing market has boomed: "When the Seattle/King County market flattens out even more and can provide homes at affordable prices so those who don't work in high tech can afford them."

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All in all, this is just the start of what many brokers believe will be a strong spring real estate season. And coupled with the dropping interest rates and rising temperatures, the market has a ways to bloom yet.

Click through the slideshow above for three of the less expensive homes listed in Kitsap County at the moment. The listings start at $224,500.