Kitsap County Resources

Better Properties Kitsap has the best team of brokers out there, but that’s not something that happened just by chance. 

We believe it’s important for a brokerage to offer supportive management and a foster a sense of autonomy and community for our brokers — without penalizing their financial successes. Better Properties Kitsap has used these principles to guide us as we’ve built our team; we’re proud of the results, and want you to know more about what life is like for our brokers. If you’re a broker looking for a brokerage to call home, here’s what you can expect from Better Properties Kitsap:

Independence When You Want It

Working for Better Properties Kitsap means autonomy over your days. Most of our brokers choose to work with a high level of flexibility rather than stick to a rigid schedule, but that flexibility also allows you the room to create whatever type of structure you may need — it’s all about whatever works for you! We encourage our brokers to develop themselves and their businesses the way they see fit. Better Properties Kitsap broker Debra Keene Bergeron describes the approach as “having a chance to create your own brand under a brand,” which will propel your career forward faster than anything else. 

A Community To Thrive In

Our brokers’ sense of independence stems from supportive management that has created a community for our brokers to thrive in. Better Properties Kitsap broker Chris Andrews says, “Unlike other hyper-competitive offices that you encounter as a broker, Better Properties Kitsap brokers are more like a team that supports one another.” That freedom from intense internal competition creates the opportunity to nurture community, while surrounded by management and fellow brokers who care.

Financial Benefits That You Can Keep

Better Properties Kitsap broker Tana Ridens sums it up best with one simple statement: “You can’t get a better split!”

We believe that brokers should keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible. Other brokerages take anywhere from 30-50% of what their brokers earn. You get plenty of benefits at Better Properties…

• 90/10 commission split
• No franchise fee
• $6,000 yearly cap
• $50/month fee for administration, errors, and omissions 
• Private and semi-private offices
• Professional conference rooms
• No realtor dues

Are You Ready to Make a Change?

Better Properties is the perfect match for the mature broker ready to move from an impersonal, big-name company to one that puts your best interests first. By establishing strong company values and putting our people first, we’ve created an environment that works as hard for our brokers as they do for their clients. 

Every broker deserves a community that cares, supportive management, and a brokerage that isn’t out to drain your profits. These aren’t just words for us — they’re the values are at the root of our business. We offer seasoned professionals a fresh take on the industry they know and love.

If our culture sounds like a good fit for you, and you’d like to learn more about being a broker for Better Properties Kitsap, reach out! You can read more information on our website, contact Designated Broker Beverly French at 360-479-6700, or email beverly@bpkitsap.com.

This past year was a great year at Better Properties Kitsap. There were many changes and exciting things that I look forward to extending into this year. First, Better Properties Kitsap ended the year with over 30 agents on board, making it the largest real estate firm in Bremerton. It shows that Better Properties has a great structure, and agents from other real estate offices are seeing what Better Properties has to offer. I look forward to meeting the new agents 2018 will bring to the office.

Another fun and new event Better Properties Kitsap hosted this year was its first Tour de Kitsap on September 16^th. It was a concept created to give people from the Seattle area a chance to see what Kitsap County has to offer as far as real estate is concerned. It was a way to help buyers who were looking to buy and couldn’t afford the Seattle housing market realize Kitsap County is a great alternative. Especially, with the fast ferries coming soon. Gift bags were provided to all the participants offering a variety of items from local places in Bremerton. I was very happy with the results of the first tour and decided to host a second on October 14^th. Everyone that has joined the tour has expressed how much they enjoyed it and how it showcases what is available in Bremerton.

The biggest and in my opinion the greatest part of 2017 for Better Properties Kitsap was supporting the Coffee Oasis during Christmas. The Coffee Oasis is a local non-profit organization that supports underprivileged youth in the area. There is a total of 6 locations throughout the area. They work to mentor, provide job training, have a youth shelter and youth centers. For Christmas, Coffee Oasis holds an event called the Family Christmas Project, which gives gifts to youth who would not otherwise be receiving gifts. They raise money to buy the gifts, have a gift-wrapping party, and serve dinner to youth and their families. During the dinner, they give out the gifts to the youth. Better Properties decided to support the Family Christmas project by raising money for the gift exchange, participating in the wrapping party, and serving dinner.

The team at Better Properties worked hard to raise over $1000 to donate to the Family Christmas project. A raffle was held offering a basket of goodies with all proceeds going to Coffee Oasis. The office also held an Open House offering Santa photos, face painting, and cookie decorating. It was a great way to get people into the office and tell them about the Coffee Oasis and buy raffle tickets. An evening office party was held for agents and associates that provided a presentation from Coffee Oasis explaining what they are doing for the community and how to support the Family Christmas Project.

My plans for Better Properties in 2018 are to include hosting more Tours de Kitsap. There are already tentative plans for tours in March and May. We are hoping to do between 4-5 tours throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information regarding the tour.

Better Properties also plans on supporting the Coffee Oasis throughout the year and not just during the Family Christmas Project. I would like to double the amount raised for the Family Christmas Project for 2018.

UPDATE 12/7:  Although our events have passed, we're still supporting The Coffee Oasis in December!  Buy a raffle ticket for our incredible local basket at the Better Properties office!  Stop by or call 360.479.6700 to get your tickets today for our raffle until 12/15.  Not interested in a raffle ticket?  Support Coffee Oasis directly (but be sure to tell we sent you!) by visiting their website.

We're so delightedThe holiday season evokes feelings of joy for some and dread for others. It can be an especially stressful time for those in our community who struggle with getting the basics, let alone gifts for their families.

This year, Better Properties Kitsap team is committed to making holidays a little less stressful for an underrepresented group in our community: the youth. We’re delighted to be partnering with The Coffee Oasis, a program for homeless youth that offers job training, mentoring and tutoring in the Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo areas.

Coffee Oasis Family Christmas Project

From November 20th through December 25th, The Coffee Oasis gives companies and individuals an opportunity to support our community of young, often homeless people during the Christmas season with their Family Christmas Project. Most of these young people are alone or without families. And although The Coffee Oasis supports the youth of our community year-round, they go the extra mile during the holidays.

You can get involved with this particular project by volunteering, sponsoring a youth and sharing the program with your organization. The heart of the program is around the youth sponsorship. Youth between the ages of 13 and 25 write down their wish lists, which often consist of necessities like coats, socks and groceries. Community members can buy and wrap the gifts. The Coffee Oasis will host gift wrapping parties at all three locations; Bremerton, Poulsbo and Port Orchard to wrap the gifts for the angel tree (official date coming soon!) for The Coffee Oasis Christmas party on December 22nd.

Better Properties + Community = Love

Better Properties Kitsap is delighted to be participating in the Family Christmas Project this year. We’ll be donating funds to sponsor a series of youths as well as participate in the gift wrapping and gift giving events. We invite our clients, prospects, and community members to join us in making a difference in our community this holiday season. We’re also offering an opportunity to our clients, prospects and community member to get involved as well!

Here’s what we have planned:

Christmas Open House

When? December 2nd, 10a-2p

Where? The Better Properties Kitsap Office, 5700 Kitsap Way #202, Bremerton, WA 98312

What? Come visit the Holiday Open House Supporting The Coffee Oasis’ Family Christmas Project and help the homeless and disadvantaged youth of the community get necessities this holiday season. Have your family’s picture taken with Santa, get your kid’s face painted, grab a festive beverage and enjoy the company of your community and the brokers who brought you this lovely event. Donations will be taken at this event to help support the Family Christmas Project.

Christmas Cocktail Party

When? December 2nd, 5-8p

Where? The Better Properties Kitsap Office

What? We’ll be transforming our mild-mannered office into a winter wonderland complete with snowflakes. We'll also be featuring a signature cocktail from our local Elixir Fixer to enjoy with some of the community’s movers and shakers. There will be donation jars throughout, so come with a generous heart! We’ll have Santa photos available at this party as well. All Santa photos will be by donation and all monies raised will be delivered to The Coffee Oasis. We’ll also be auctioning off a fantastic holiday gift basket full of local holiday treasures and pleasures. All donations taken at this event will help support The Coffee Oasis Family Project. We hope you’ll join us!

For More Than Just the Community

This drive won’t just be helpful to the homeless youth in Bremerton, it’ll help the brokers at Better Properties Kitsap too. Our team of brokers are made up of the most experienced in the business, but we’re largely paperless and that means there aren’t a lot of reasons to come into the office. By partnering with The Coffee Oasis Family Christmas Project, we’re able to rally as a team. It gives us the opportunity to reconnect, get to know each other and drive change.

What’s next?

If you’re inclined to join us at one of our events, we encourage you to RSVP on our Facebook page for the Cocktail Party or the Christmas Open House. If you want to help the Coffee Oasis Family Christmas Project succeed directly, click here!

The demand for (and cost of) Seattle housing has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and everyone is feeling the crunch. If you’re a technology professional, you may be searching for better housing solutions: better value for your money, more space, or even just some peace and quiet. The good news is, you have options: there’s a more affordable market for you to discover, and it’s just a comfortable commute across the water. Whether you’re hoping to grow your family or you’re looking for easy access to all the amenities Western Washington has to offer, Bremerton might be the perfect location for you. Here are five great reasons you should consider a home on the Kitsap Peninsula.

1. Bremerton houses offer more space.
   If you’re an apartment dweller, you already know how tricky it can be to add a four-legged friend to your mix, let alone make space for a growing family. Seattle presents significant challenges when it comes to room to run and in-home space, but you’ll find that the houses on the Peninsula offer a variety of options to suit your individual need for space. From large back yards to homes on acreage to easy access to the great outdoors, Bremerton (and the surrounding area) has it all.
2. Bremerton puts you close to amazing outdoor opportunities.
   Craving fresh air and physical exertion after putting in long hours in front of a screen? Bremerton offers the perfect home base for adventure. Hiking, swimming, boating, and camping are just a short drive away, and give you all the extra play room you might want for a weekend or a day trip.
3. Bremerton offers geek-friendly downtown areas.
   If you’re on the geeky side, you’ll be welcomed in downtown Bremerton. Drop some coins at the Quarters Arcade [LINK], share a pint with friends at our very own gaming pub Ashley’s Pub, or fully immerse yourself in your game of choice at The Game Wizard and Blue Sky Hobbies -- all within a short walk from the ferry. Our geek havens thrive side-by-side with all the other bars, eateries, and shops popping up in the downtown area. You don’t have to be in Seattle to find an outlet for techie fun!
4. Bremerton houses are affordable.
   Seattle housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, with the median house price now coming in at over three quarters of a million dollars! You can buy a house in Bremerton for a fraction of the cost. You’ll get the most for your money by choosing a community that still has room to grow, and be able to save more funds for your future (or enjoying your life today).
5. Bremerton homes are convenient.
   Most affordable places outside the city put a messy, stressful drive between you and your home -- but not Bremerton! Washington State Ferries, which make up a part of our state’s highway system, make for an easy commute around the Puget Sound. To make the daily trek easier, Kitsap Transit recently added a new fast ferry that takes only 28 minutes to get between Bremerton and downtown Seattle. The last thing you want after a day at the office is more time spent on an uncomfortable commute; why not relax, work, socialize, or enjoy a craft beer on your way home instead?

Bremerton offers a host of appealing qualities.

The space, pricing, and convenient location can’t be beat. Whatever the details of your current situation, the Kitsap Peninsula gives you an opportunity to create a home without leaving the city behind. If you’re ready to consider what living in Bremerton could do for you, you can brush up on what you need to do to get your finances in order -- and make your dream of homeownership a reality!

Free Home Tours

We just launched our free home tours! Join us on Saturday 9/16 or Saturday 10/14 for a tour around the available homes in Bremerton. If you’re interested, sign up on our Eventbrite page. Attendees will also receive a goodie bag filled with treats from the Kitsap peninsula. Sign up today by clicking on your preferred date above!