jennifer@jenniferpells.com
206.718.4337
206.718.4337
Windermere Real Estate/BI, Inc.
The Big Picture on Bainbridge Island. The tide it is a changing.
The Big Picture
If you consider only the number of homes (or condos) that sold during the first quarter of this year, your initial reaction would probably be, “Ho hum.” Look carefully, though, and you will see some interesting things. If you include what is happening now, in mid-April, you might get even more intrigued.
There were 55 homes sales in the first quarter this year, compared to 56 last year, which indicates stability more than improvement. Nonetheless, these are good numbers compared to 2008 (when there were only 34 sales) and 2009 (with 37 sales). Condos dropped from 19 sales in 2011 to 12 this year.
So far, not a lot to get excited about. But when we look at the median price, we had a 6.2% increase. Our first quarter median price has been declining steadily since its peak in 2008 – until this year. When you look at the distribution of the sales, the median increase becomes clear. Sales over $800K were up 320% from last year. In all of 2011, there were 24 sales over $1 million; this year we have already had 12 just in the first quarter. (I cannot help but point out Windermere Bainbridge was involved in 10 of those 12 sales and Windermere represented 50% of the parties involved.)
The stats are looking up, especially in the over million dollar market.
Stats Tell a Positive Story
On March 30th, there were only 59 homes under contract. By April 5th, there were 74 homes under contract. By April 10th, there were 80. Of those 80, 22 are over $800K and 13 over $1 million. We have not seen these kinds of numbers in several years. Not only are the numbers good, they have grown quickly this month.
Over the past five years, we have had strong individual quarters like the first quarter just ended. But we could not sustain the momentum, and poor performance followed. In 2011, the first quarter was up 14% but then dropped 14% in the second quarter (from the previous year). Our market has gone up and down on an almost quarterly basis while prices have steadily decreased. Now we see a strong first quarter, prices inching higher and a very strong start to the second quarter. These are all positive indicators. Optimism is beginning to creep in, but it will take more time for many of us to feel comfortable making any proclamations. We’ve been lured by the sirens before only to find ourselves on the rocks.
Allcomers on July 5th at the High School. Races run through August.
Our island is rich with opportunities when it comes to interesting things to do. These ideas are also a great way to meet people if you are an Island Newcomer. Here is a tried and true list to get you started:
Specifically for younger kids
- Mom’s Morning Retreat at Grace Church – a place for moms to connect the 1st & 3rd Thursdays during the school year.
- Check out KidiMu in their new, cool location near the ferry - classes, workshops and just open play time.
- Battlepoint Park has a great playground and a nice running path. Also at Battle Point is the Open Gym at the Transmitter Building. A great indoor activity on wet days.
- Check out the Peacock Family Center, a “community of care under one roof” for children birth to six years and their caregivers.
Sports and Activities
- Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation has a huge selection of classes for you and your kids. Registration for Summer Camps is currently ongoing.
- Dance. You can do this through Parks and Rec, but there is also Bainbridge Ballet and Bainbridge Dance Center.
- Bainbridge Island Little League (sign ups are in Dec/Jan – look for camps via Parks and Rec).
- Soccer starts in the fall, signups will be in early summer. You can either do this through Parks and Rec or Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer, two separate programs. BIYS has Saturday programs in the winter and spring programs too.
- Swimming Lessons either at the Bainbridge Acquatic Center via Parks and Rec or private lessons.
- Check out the popular lacrosse programs on the island– boys and girls teams.
- My kids love knitting Classes with Dixie Moore, also via Parks and Rec or at Churchmouse Yarns and Tea in Downtown Winslow.
- Art at Bainbridge Island Arts and Crafts – workshops, exhibits, special programs for kids.
- Beading at Beads of Bainbridge 162 Bjune Drive Southeast, (206) 855-4043.
- Take a sewing class at Esther’s Fabrics or through Parks and Rec.
- Check out Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA) - classes and performances.
- Join a Gym like Island Fitness or Bainbridge Athletic Club, they both have child care.
- IslandWood - for classes, free tours, camps, special events. Great place for summer camps.
- Sign up for a class at Bainbridge Island Martial Arts.
- Become a member or just take a walking tour at Bloedel Reserve.
- Visit the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. Kids under 5 are free.
- Rent a boat at Back of Beyond Boat Rental.
Fun and Free
- Participate in All-Comers on Mondays nights at 6:15 after July 4th through August. Free running races for all ages at the High School Track. See my previous post on this event. Bring a picnic dinner and dine with others on the field.
- Go to a Star Party at the Ritchie Observatory at Battle Point Park.
- Bainbridge Library Story Time - check here for times and ages. They have a great summer reading program.
- Pick a park or a trail and get outside. Two of my favorite maps at those links. I recommend a hike in the Grand Forest.
- Explore beautiful Bainbridge Gardens, lots to see for free, inside and out. While you are there you can have lunch or a snack at The New Rose Cafe.
- Some local folks have plotted out bike routes along the island and those can be found on Bikely.
- Find a cool beach to relax or play. Check out the Shoreline Access Guide.
- Take a tour through Farmer’s Market on Saturdays 9am-1pm in the Town Square at City Hall Park. April 10-Oct 30.
- Plant a garden in your own yard or take advantage of a Community Garden.
- Enjoy a free Summer Concert at Waterfront Park. July 7th – Aug 18th.
The Boundy Family Farm on Bainbridge Island. A Blakely Elementary School Field Trip.
Many folks are doing spring cleaning and home maintenance this time of year. Yes, locals, ignore the rain outside today, it IS spring. I keep a list of professionals I work with and you might find their names and numbers helpful as you work through your own ‘To Do List.’ Their info is here in this post, but the same info also resides on my website under the COMMUNITY tab, here. I personally, or my clients, have used these local professionals before, during or after a sale. Although I recommend these professionals, I do not guarantee their performance and suggest you research their credentials.
Accountant
Kelly MacDonald – 206. 780.1912
Air Duct Cleaning
Jerry’s Air Duct Cleaning – 360.697.1072
Appliance Repair
Schmidt’s Home Appliances – 206.842.0349
Appraiser
Michael Graham – 206.842.1720
Carver Appraisal – 360.981.6248
Architect and Builder
Bill Corbin Construction- 206.391.7960
Fairbank Construction – 206.842.9217
Red Truck Construction | Preston Todd – 206.842.5600
Robert Moore | Architect – 206.371.5191
Attorney at Law
Hayes Gori PLLC – 206.842.6462
Cabinets
Kitchen Design Group – 360.662.1891
Caterer
Season’s of Thyme – 206.855.0689
Metro Market Catering – 206.842.8524
Carpet Cleaning
RH Koller – 206.842.5671
Cascade Carpets – 206.842.8131
Chimney Sweep
John Voigt – 360.769.2344
NW Chimney Service – 206.842.6002
Cleaner (House)
Kasey Ritualo – 206.920.5033
Concrete
Superior Slabjacking Inc. – 866.455.0823
Critter Control
Action Pest Control – 206.780.4222
Doctor
Virginia Mason | Dr. Catherine Edwards – 206.842.5632
Doctor’s Clinic | Dr. Sara Rice - 206.855.7700
Bainbridge Pediatrics | Dr. Linda Warren or Dr. Fred Walters – 206.780.5437
Dentist
Dr. Thomas Knight DDS – 206.842.3764
Dr. Nick Thompson DDS – 206.842.4794
Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Okunami | Orthodontists – 206.842.5592
Electrician
Progressive Electric – 206.387.0586
Eklund Electric – 206.842.0412
Fence Building and Repair
Scott Strickland – 360.620.6265
Flooring
Mills Interiors | Mike Mills – 206.842.2829
Salisbury Woodworking – 206.842.9500
Florist
Flowering Around – 206.842.0620
Gutters
Northwest Gutters – 360.830.4938
Handy Person
Help is on the Way | Sondra Kay – 206.498.0086
Four Seasons Handyman – 360.710.2879
Heating & Air
Advanced Heat & Cool – 360.415.9335
Home Inspector
Cris Ugles – 206.842.1514
Dylan Chalk – 206.842.3739
Insulation/Crawl Space Work
Clean Crawls – 866-651-1700
Insurance Agent
American Family Insurance – 360.697.6700
Interior Design & Staging
Kim McCall Design – 206.310.1679
Landscaping/Gardener
Lemolo Grounds – 360.638.0230
Lupe’s Lawn Care- 206.369.2913
Landscape Design
The PlantsWoman Design – 206.842.2453
Danson’s Landscaping – 360.692.1942
Lenders
Eagle Home Mortgage | Linda Sutherland – 206.780.2991
Windermere Mortgage | Betty Hugel – 360.990.2666
Locksmith
Abracadabra Locksmithing – 206.842.4470
Milk Delivery
Smith Brother’s Milk – 800.639.6455
Movers
Hill Moving – 206.842.6715
United – 206.344.0147
Notary Public
Mobile Notary | Allison Garrison – 206.790.8825
Painter
The Honest Painter | Thomas Moore – 360.598.6699
Kitsap Brothers – 206.334.8434
Plumber
Swift Plumbing – 206.842.9592
Propane
Kitsap Propane – 360.638.1313
Propane Northwest – 360.698.1605
Property Management
Evergreen Property Management – 206.842.4975
Roofer
Hope Roofing – 360.779.9912
Hanley Roofing & Construction – 206.842.4321
Scott’s Home & Roof – 360.297.7524
Septic
Kitsap Septic Pumping – 360.871.5258
Septic Design and Hardscaping and Drainage
JP Landworks | Josh Pippinger – 206.714.8598
Tile
Tile Cleaning & Restoration – 360.731.1735
Windows
Olympic Glass – 206.842.7626
Allan Windows – 360.598.3001
Window Coverings
Duck Blinds – 206.780.9905
A Well Dressed Window – 206.780.3213
Window Washer
A&E Windows – 206.842.7090
Move-in/Move-out Utilities
Bainbridge Disposal – 206.842.4882
Comcast Cable – 877.824.2288
Direct TV – 800.201.2979
QWest Phone/Cable – 800.244.1111
Puget Sound Energy – 888.225.5773
New Nightlife
Until recently night life on Bainbridge Island has been pretty sleepy, but places like the Treehouse Cafe, The 122 and Pegasus Coffee House are changing the shape of evenings out on Bainbridge. Islanders’ options used to be limited to dinner and a movie or cocktails, but now locals can enjoy a caliber of live music, once only found across the pond in Seattle. Treehouse Cafe, The 122, and Pegasus are now booking entertainment, from local musicians like Steve Grandinetti of Port Townsend to farther reaching acts like Clumsy Lovers of Canada.
Treehouse Cafe Leading the Way
Concerts, spiced with food, drink and dancing are typically sold out at the south end’s Treehouse Cafe. Owner Arnie Sturnham said “the Treehouse Cafe is now just something different on the island.” Sturnham’s Treehouse Cafe has live music 3-5 times a month, typically on Friday or Saturday nights. Tickets are sold in advance for $15-25 dollars and at the door if available. Acts like Greg Brown (returning this October) and the Clumsy Lovers who played on March 17th, pack the house.
Karaoke & Coffee
In addition to live bands, The 122′s DJ and Karaoke nights on Saturdays are filling their house too. Large groups, parties, and couples alike now have another place to meet.
The Coffee house music scene at Pegasus is another vibe, a bit more relaxed perhaps than the excitement at Treehouse Cafe or The 122, but a great recipe to ward of the work week is an antipasto plate, cocktail and a little eclectic blues playing in the background.
Check out the full array of live music options available on the island:
Pegasus Coffee House
- Live Music Most Fridays & Saturdays | 8pm
- Upcoming: Steve Grandinetti | March 23rd | 8pm
- Pegasus Calendar
Treehouse Cafe
- Concerts Most Saturdays | 8pm
- Advance tix required for most concerts
- Upcoming: Eldridge Gravy | March 31th | 8pm | $18 advance tickets required
- Treehouse Cafe Calendar
The 122
- Live Music on Fridays | 8pm or 9:30pm
- Karaoke and DJ on Saturdays | 9pm
- Upcoming: Rule 62 | March 23rd | 9:30pm
- The 122 Calendar
The Harbor Public House (“The Pub”)
- Open Mic Night first Tuesday of the month | 8pm til close
- Hosted by Todd Houghton
- The Pub Website
Seabold Second Saturdays
- Live Music and open mic second Saturday of every month | 7:30pm
- Upcoming: Hank and Claire | April 14th | 7:30pm
- Seabold Calendar
Island Music Center
- Concerts Fridays and Saturdays | 7 or 8pm
- Upcoming: Star Ana |March 31st | 8pm | $20 advance tickets required
- Island Music Calendar
Current Bainbridge Island Market Conditions
2012 started off with quite a bang in our office. In the last week of February alone I had four closings and the statistics right now of PENDING sales show growth and optimism for our market, especially in the higher end segment.
Our $400-$600k market has been our solid and swiftly moving market from 2008-2011, yet as we move into 2012, we are also seeing healthy action in the higher end market of $800k and up. Right now the sales look like this:
- There are 196 ACTIVE Residential listings
- 52 are PENDING and they break down to:
- 12 in the 0-$400k range
- 13 in the $400-$600k range
- 10 in the $600-$800k range
- 17 in the over $800k range
Jen’s Recent Sales
