POULSBO — The median sales price of a home in Kitsap County was $249,950 in September, $7,000 more than in August and the sixth-highest of Western Washington counties.

That’s according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate data in 21 counties.

The highest median sales price in the Northwest MLS was in San Juan County, $473,500, followed by King County, $420,000. Five counties reported double-digit increases in median sales prices over 2013: Grant, Jefferson, Kittitas, Lewis, and San Juan. King County prices jumped 9.1 percent from 12 months ago.

In September, Kitsap County real estate companies reported 381 new listings, 1,388 total active listings, 493 pending sales, and 339 closed sales.

Mike Eliason, executive of the Kitsap County Association of Realtors, noted Kitsap has benefited from the improving economy, job growth in neighboring counties, and a stabilizing workforce at Naval Base Kitsap.

Real estate agents also credit low interest rates (in the low 4 percent), confidence in spending, and tougher lending restrictions designed to reduce foreclosure risk.

“The [Kitsap] market definitely continues to do well,” said Carter Dotson, designated broker of Windermere Kingston, Poulsbo and Silverdale. “What’s nice about this market is we don’t experience the same dramatic fluctuation you see in Seattle. We do see some fluctuation during market cycles, but it’s not dramatic. What we are experiencing right now seems sustainable to me.”

He added, “What’s helping us now is continued faith in the state of the economy. People feel comfortable with how things are going and are comfortable spending money [on real estate]. While home prices have increased, it’s not a dramatic increase — it was in the 10-15 percent range during the bubble, currently we’re at 3-5 percent. Things are going well, with some room for a little bit of improvement. And that’s good, because real estate helps drive the local economy.”

Frank Wilson, managing broker of John L. Scott Real Estate — Poulsbo and a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors, said there are 4.1 months of inventory of homes on the market;  months of inventory are calculated using active listings divided by closed sales, according to the Northwest MLS.

Industry experts say 4 to 6 months of inventory reflects a balanced market. In King County, there is 2.3 months of inventory, and in Snohomish County it’s slightly more than 2.8 months, according to the Northwest MLS.

Wilson said about one-third of homes in Kitsap sell in the first 30 days after being listed, but about 30 percent of homes don’t sell after six months.

“Even though the market has picked up, it is still important to price your home at or close to market value, otherwise buyers move on to purchase another home,” Wilson suggested through Northwest MLS. “We are seeing a trend of buyers who are much more discriminating about what they are buying. Despite not having a lot of choices, buyers are willing to step aside from a transaction after an inspection if the home is not perfect.”

Wilson said traffic at open houses is robust. Commenting on activity, he said they experienced some slowdown in August, “then our market picked up again after school started.”

Kitsap’s market is mirrored throughout Western Washington. Pending sales of homes in Western Washington surged more than 13 percent in September compared to a year ago, and listing activity picked up slightly, the Northwest MLS reported.

Along with increases in the number of mutually accepted offers, the latest report from Northwest MLS shows year-over-year gains in the number of closed sales (up 4.6 percent) and prices (up 2.5 percent). Inventory declined slightly (just under 1.2 percent).

Regionwide, Northwest MLS members reported 8,875 pending sales during September to outpace the year-ago total of 7,839 pending sales. The volume tapered off about 5 percent from the August figure of 9,342 mutually accepted offers. All but one of the 21 counties served by the MLS reported year-over-year increases.

The number of closed sales for September also rose, climbing from 6,711 a year ago to 7,020 for a 4.6 percent increase. Prices on those sales were up 2.5 percent.

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER CLASS OFFERED

Windermere Real Estate — Poulsbo and Guild Mortgage Company, in conjunction with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, are offering free first-time home buyer education classes at on Oct. 11 and Nov. 1, 9 a.m., at Emeritus at Montclair Park, 1250 NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo.

This five-hour class is required for first-time home buyers to take advantage of state-sponsored assistance programs. Participants will learn about the many programs available through state and county agencies to assist first-time home buyers. Help is usually in the form of below-market interest rates and/or down payment assistance.

Also covered in the class: the State Mortgage Credit Certificate, which saves buyers 20 percent on their federal income taxes; the home buying process; lending and credit scores; budgeting; the pros and cons of home ownership; home inspections; escrow and title insurance; and agency law.

Participants will receive a state certificate that is good for two years at no cost. The instructors are State Housing Finance Commission-trained and certified.  To reserve a place in the class, call Terry Burns, 360-649-3335; or Joan Qvigstad, 360-271-5946. A light lunch will be served.