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jennifer@jenniferpells.com
206.718.4337
206.718.4337

Windermere Real Estate/BI, Inc.
I just helped a smart buyer client close on this great home near the ferry on Bainbridge Island. This home was purchased as a rental investment property. The location near the ferry, popular Craftsman style, and newness of the home will make it a popular, easy to lease home.
Typically many of my clients are families new to the island, but increasingly more of my buyers are local investors or second home buyers. With the current market of deceasing home prices, record low mortgage rates, and a segment of the population unable to purchase homes due to unemployment or damaged credit from a recent foreclosure or short sale – purchasing homes as rentals is increasing in popularity.
In the next two years, real estate investors are expected to outnumber traditional homebuyers in their local markets by three to one, and 56.5 percent plan use their investments as rental properties, according to a national survey conducted by Move, Inc. On Bainbridge Island, agents are seeing that survey prediction come true. Right now 80% of my buyers are either investors or second home buyers – a huge shift for my business.
With 30 year conventional mortgage interest rates hovering around 4%, investment property interest rates are below 5% at 4.75% today. And, in addition, many of the investor buyers are buying with cash, seeing the value in that large pool of renters out there right now - even when the low interest rates are not an added incentive for them to buy. With the current economic and housing climate, putting a rental or two in your investment portfolio makes a lot of financial sense.
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Windermere Real Estate/BI, Inc.
We first heard of Jen while we were still living in CA and planning a move to WA. We followed her blog consistently because the insights she gave into life with children on Bainbridge Island were precious. When it came time to find a realtor, she was our first call. After meeting with her and becoming acquainted with her style, it was the last call we made. We were won over by her extremely calm and methodical approach to what can be an extremely stressful and emotional experience. Throughout the buying process, Jen kept in close contact and gave us frequent updates. She went out of her way to make our close happen three days before Christmas. In the year after our purchase, Jen has checked in with us several times to ensure that things are going well. She has been an invaluable resource. We highly recommend Jen Pells.
— Michael and Michelle M., Island Newcomers

