In my real estate world 2021 seemed to fly by. I think many of us felt like 2021 was more of a 13th month to 2020 versus a new year. Although we were optimistic for 2021 to bring us big, positive changes, many things remained the same. That was very much true for real estate too. The inventory remained low and the buyer’s desire to be here was stronger than ever. We did not see very many open houses and just getting an appointment to see a home with a buyer could be a challenge. However, it was a busy year for me and my buyers and I did tour many a home! Below are some of my favorites from last year.
#10
Original List Price: $989,000
Sales Price: $1,253,000
Days on Market: 7
Date Sold: 5/28/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #10 we start in town in the popular Commodore/Commodore West Neighborhood. I lived near this home for 14 years and had I come upon it earlier in our cul-de-sac years, we may have leapt into this thoughtfully updated spec home. The home was added on to and remodeled and shows what you can do to the sometimes vanilla feeling builder spec homes. This home has a custom-kitchen with a Wolf Range, an added-on bonus room, comfortable floor plan and professionally landscaped corner lot. All of this in a location walkable to schools and Winslow made for a competitive buyer’s platform and a healthy escalation in price. In-town homes continued to be HOT in 2021.
#9
Original List Price: $1,386,000
Sales Price: $1,715,000
Days on Market: 4
Date Sold: 6/9/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #9 we move just a bit north to Sportsman Club Road. This property illustrates what so many buyers were longing for when they looked to Bainbridge. Elbow Room. A home larger than the 1300 square feet they might have in Seattle with LAND. This home is not gigantic at 2377 square feet, but has four bedrooms and 2.34 flat and sunny acres. The package was rounded out by a fenced-in pasture and a dreamy deluxe garden and Belgian glass greenhouse. I have massive greenhouse envy for this set-up. This package got buyers very excited and like we saw many times last year, a buyer submitted an early offer and this home went pending on Day 4, before the planned offer review date. It was that greenhouse, I tell you.
#8
Original List Price: $1,748,000
Sales Price: $1,748,000
Days on Market: 22
Date Sold: 9/27/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #8 we stay central and move over to Paulanna Lane. I have eyed this home for years. It sits adjacent to a trail system we trekked when we lived in town. It was also built by one of my favorite builders, Dick Allen, who created the popular Hillandale Neighborhood in Winslow. This home was custom built on almost 5 acres and sits next to a large pond that was crafted, in large part, by beavers. They are fun to watch on the trail system behind Woodward Middle School and this home sits in the heart of it. I love a cedar-shingled home and this floor plan has a lovely open-concept living space and a guest suite on the lower level. And, the entire site is extremely private. I think the location next to the pond is interesting and cool, but I also don’t think it is the setting for everyone. Because of that, and a later in the season list date, this home actually stayed on the market for a few weeks. Really rare last year. If we had not just moved recently, this home would have been a really interesting one for us to consider.
#7
Original List Price: $1,495,000
Sales Price: $1,760,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 5/10/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #7 we head to Downtown Winslow and Annie Rose Lane. I also coveted this home for years. It is a non-cookie cutter house on a large .59 acre lot, at the end of a quiet lane, in town. With lovely landscaping and light wood inside, this home has a nice vibe and the location and large lot are harder and harder to find in town. I love the car-decking ceilings throughout and the dramatic vaulted living room. Character and charm can be found in nooks and crannies all through this home and made it a popular prospect for more than one buyer. I am happy to say my happy buyers are now tucked in this sweet home.
#6
Original List Price: $1,598,000
Sales Price: $1,747,500
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 3/25/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #6 we move up to the very north end of the island and Harvey Road to this lovely view home on the west side. Talk about charm. Charm oozed from all aspects of this home; from the indoor and outdoor river rock fireplace to the fir beams and car-decking ceilings, to the stylish wall-paper. This home is technically a two-bedroom, so it was not for everyone, but even-so, this storybook charmer saw multiple offers and sold well above list price early on in the year, just as the selling season was getting going last March.
#5
Original List Price: $1,288,000
Sales Price: $1,518,000
Days on Market: 7
Date Sold: 4/26/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #5 we move slightly south to this cute little farmhouse on Miller Road. This property so aptly illustrates the phrase ‘Pandemic Package’ that I have been using for the last year. Once our market took back off and things got really crazy it was clear what people were looking for. Homes with land and additional buildings were a giant bonus. This sweet timber-frame farmhouse has loads of charm and character, but it also has a comfy one-bedroom apartment above the garage AND a separate studio office. Not to mention the multiple decks, vistas of open meadows and 2.5 acres. This home saw over 100 showings, received seven offers, and has one happy buyer. I was truly thrilled to be a part of this one.
#4
Original List Price: $2,388,000
Sales Price: $2,400,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 5/10/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #4 we finally head down south to Rose Trail Lane and this newer, custom-built home. This modern, one level home sits at the end of a quiet gravel lane amongst other lovely homes. This home was custom built and designed in two phases by Reijnen Construction and essentially has two separate wings. For me, the chef’s kitchen, surrounding patios and beautifully landscaped grounds were the true show-stoppers of this home. Earlier in the selling season this home saw a handful of offers and a slight escalation to close at $2.4M.
#3
Original List Price: $1,898,000
Sales Price: $2,500,000
Days on Market: 0
Date Sold: 7/9/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #3 we head back north a bit to Two Creeks Lane. This modern farmhouse is making its second appearance on my list! Two Creeks is another beautiful example of the ‘Pandemic Package.’ And it is on the water too. This charming remodeled farmhouse has a full guest cottage, studio space, gigantic waterside deck, sunny gardens and sits on two waterfront acres. This house made buyers go CRAZY. With an offer review date set for a week after list, the activity on day one was frantic and this house saw 3 cash offers by the end of the first day. This was one of the most nerve-wracking days in real estate for me last year, but I am thrilled to say my buyers are happily enjoying the views from this special home right now.
#2
Original List Price: $1,948,000
Sales Price: $2,520,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 12/20/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #2 we go around the corner to another waterfront home on Manzanita Bay on Bayview BLVD. I have actually represented the sale or purchase of this home now three times in my 15 years of real estate on this island. This little Mid-Century Modern waterfront gem has gotten my attention each time, but this time, after my talented clients did an amazing whole-house remodel, this gem really, really sparkled. The fabulous light fixtures, custom cabinetry, Fire Clay tiles and outside hardscaping really modernized this period home in all the right ways. In the shoulder season of October, this home saw 68 showings and my sellers had seven offers and closed for almost $600k over asking. My sellers very happily moved on to their next chapter and were thrilled to hand the keys over to the excited MCM-loving buyers.
#1
Original List Price: $2,699,000
Sales Price: $2,900,000
Days on Market: 5
Date Sold: 6/24/2021
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #1 we move back into Winslow and find another unique package. This one is another architectural home, designed by island architect Jim Cutler, with a main home, guest house and a shared deep-water dock. Finding a unique home in Winslow is challenging enough in our small niche market and to find a waterfront home adds another layer. Tack on a guest house and you have a very rare and special package. This unique Marina District home has amazing lines and dramatic woodwork throughout. The water-side patio is amazingly private and lovely. The walls of windows out to the water and functional floor plan appealed to many buyers and saw multiple offers. My long-time owner was simplifying and sad to leave this dreamy home, but happy to pass it on to a young family planning to enjoy every inch of the home and dock.
Touring homes is something I do almost every day as part of my job and I consider it a true privilege to see inside so many special homes. To get a feel for the homes I personally like, take a look at all of my top ten lists in one place, here. This is also a great way to get a feel for the beautiful and unique homes all around our island.
I am curious to see how the 2022 market will unfold and I can’t wait to discover more unique homes around the island. I look forward to seeing you out there.
Listing photos courtesy of NWMLS.
The post My Top 10 Homes on Bainbridge Island | 2021 first appeared on Jen Pells.
