Bremerton and Bainbridge Island are two very distinct real estate markets in Kitsap County. Both have high livability factors appealing to different people.

Bremerton, with approximately 25 square miles, has a population of around 37,000. Total assessed value of real estate is $1.58 billion.

“The big buzz in the industry now is that Bremerton is going somewhere after decades of stagnation,” says Dave Patmon of Poulsbo’s John L. Scott office. “In the past several years, the power players have put things together, and that work is now bearing fruit. Bremerton is an event that’s about to happen!”

Patmon advises that this is an excellent time to invest in Bremerton. With several new buildings going up in town, he particularly invites folks to take a look at the new Windermere building at Sixth and Park, “which is quite striking, both inside and out.”

Brenda Prowse, of Brenda Prowse Properties, in Poulsbo, says that investing in rental property in Bremerton now will bring in rent that is more than adequate to make the payments. “Bremerton is just hot!” she exclaims.

“The enthusiasm for Bremerton is showing. People are believing in it,” says Fred Depee of John L. Scott in Port Orchard. His example: “There are 14 major construction projects underway in downtown Bremerton now.” He cites starting prices for a home in Bremerton at $95,000, adding, “There is still affordability here.”

Penny McLaughlin of Penny’s Team RE/MAX, Bainbridge, says that a piece of land was purchased in Bremerton for $120,000, and sold just six months later for $149,000. “Appreciation is way up there,” she says of Bremerton properties.

Meanwhile, Bainbridge Island (city boundaries include the entire island) has nearly 30 square miles with a population of 22,000. The total assessed value is $3.62 billion.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce website says, “Sometimes Bainbridge Island seems like just another rich suburb of Seattle, although with a nicer commute on ferries instead of freeways.”

Patmon, who has been in Kitsap County more than four decades, agrees. “Bainbridge Island has a foot in Seattle and another foot in Kitsap County,” he says. “It straddles two different markets, and is more like Seattle. Comparing Bremerton and Bainbridge is like apples and oranges.”

McLaughlin says the real estate market is slower on Bainbridge than Bremerton now, unless the property is “priced extremely right.” If not, it can sit longer, she indicates.

Prowse says that on Bainbridge sales are much slower than Bremerton, and prices are higher.

Homes, according to Don Pennington of Windermere in Silverdale, are “easily twice the cost on Bainbridge as in Bremerton, for just the average plain-Jane home.”

Depee says homes on the island begin at about $250,000.

Georg Syvertsen of Deschamps Realty on Bainbridge says, “Our market here on Bainbridge Island is doing very well. It is different from Bremerton at the cost level. We are seeing a revival in the market, similar to two years ago. It is not a seller’s market, but a balanced market. Homes are selling in 60-90 days.”.