My Top 10 Homes on Bainbridge Island | 2023
Changes to Real Estate Law in Washington
January 1, 2024
Looking back on 2023, it resembles one of the most “normal” years in real estate in a long time. But, the new normal, right? Interest rates crept up and peaked at 8% and that kept inventory low. Many of the sellers who sold really had to sell for a big reason. But, we still had some great action on the island and saw some fabulous homes hit the market and transfer hands. I had a lot of fun touring this year and below are a list of my stand-outs.
#10
Original List Price: $948,000
Sales Price: $948,000
Days on Market: 7
Date Sold: 9/30/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #10 we start on the north end of the island on Henderson Road. Henderson Road has been a long-time favorite road of mine because of the charming homes, larger lots and stunning Olympic Mountain views. This cute rambler has a lot going for it. One level living. Fresh, neutral paint. Classic finishes. A large, flat, sunny lot with mature landscaping. And those mountain views! A lot of value for under $1M. This home came on the market at the end of the brisk summer season and activity had cooled a bit. Lucky for me and my buyers we were able to snap this sweet home up with little competition.
#9
Original List Price: $993,000
Sales Price: $1,050,000
Days on Market: 7
Date Sold: 3/20/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #9 we move into town to a home on New Holland Court. This home came on early in the selling season and got a lot of attention. Multiple offers. I thought it was priced really, really well. Original owners took meticulous care of the home and had done some nice updates like exterior paint (great choice with Hale Navy), new roof and decks. Fun curb appeal and close to town. By and far this was the best in-town value that sold on the market last year. The buyer of this home got a great house at a fantastic price.
#8
Original List Price: $925,000
Sales Price: $1,188,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 6/14/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #8 we head down to the south end for this super-sweet log cabin. Wow, this home is so darn cute. The seller dialed-in every inch of this not-so-big home. And she made thoughtful use of every available space in the home. I remember taking a good long look at how efficient the layout was in the upstairs bathroom. Smart, modern updates and a super fun style on a dreamy, sunny lot close to Lytle Beach. The covered porch and flower gardens made this a memorable package. Another multiple offer situation and this home escalated quite a bit. I still think about his one. Magazine worthy, for sure.
#7
Original List Price: $1,498,000
Sales Price: $1,450,000
Days on Market: 34
Date Sold: 8/29/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #7 we go just around the corner to Beck Road. This house is also on dreamy sunny lot close to the same Lytle Beach. This classic white farmhouse (original build in 1937) had some solid updates but still exuded the classic old-Bainbridge charm. At under $1.5M this home on a half-acre was a good opportunity for a buyer to embrace it as it is or take the home to the next level. I really like this home for its long-term value/investment. This location is a solid A location. Sun. Close to Blakely Elementary. Close to Lynwood Center. Beach access at Lytle Road. I look forward to watching this one over the years.
#6
Original List Price: $1,498,000
Sales Price: $1,498,000
Days on Market: 19
Date Sold: 6/8/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #6 we move over to the west side of the island to Hansen Road. Hansen Road is another one of those roads that has been a long time favorite. Hansen Road is close-in, mid-island and has the most amazing Olympic Mountain and Rich Passage Views. Some of the best views on the island. This charming 1930’s Bainbridge cottage had been lovingly cared for by my clients for 30 years. They did some thoughtful modern updates while still keeping the original charm of the home front-and-center. Walls of windows. Mature landscaping. An original, cozy kitchen. A deck that is a room of its own. This was a fun one to represent last spring.
#5
Original List Price: $1,575,000
Sales Price: $1,675,000
Days on Market: 3
Date Sold: 5/12/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #5 we move back down south to New Sweden Avenue. I am sounding like a broken record but this is another one of my favorite streets. The sunny farm land on the south end pulls hard on my heartstrings. The history of the island is alive and well in many of the lovingly restored farmhouses in this area. 5030 New Sweden is certainly no exception. Tom Hudson Construction thoughtfully modernized this home keeping the finishes classic and smart. The refinished original fir flooring, herringbone laid tiles, chrome fixtures paired with newer elements like solar panels (to take advantage of the all-day sun in this area) make this home a true stand-out. This one saw multiple offers too. I know this property was turned over to great stewards. I smile whenever I drive by this sweet home.
#4
Original List Price: $1,575,000
Sales Price: $1,545,000
Days on Market: 17
Date Sold: 1/17/2024 (listed 2023)
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #4 we move into town to Lovell Road. This has to be one of the best whole-house renovations I have seen in a long time. A fun location tucked up on the hillside of Lovell Road, across the street from the water and walkable to town, this home already had a lot going for it. In 2018 it sold and the owner spent a good portion of the pandemic remodeling this home from top to bottom while also creating a self-contained rentable unit in the basement. Style-wise they brightened up the entire home with a lot of white paint but wisely kept the original fir trim and exposed the scissor beams. Quality finishes were added throughout and fun elements like a modern Jotul freestanding stove were added. This was indeed a fun one to show.
#3
Original List Price: $1,368,000
Sales Price: $1,500,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 11/21/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #3 we head right back to New Sweden Avenue. This house caused quite a bit of excitement. Priced compellingly because there were a few hurdles to tackle before closing, this price point brought a lot of buyers to the scene. The house itself had been owned by the same family for over 30 years. Over those 30 years, those owners LOVINGLY cared for the historic home and made some significant updates – while still keeping the fantastic charm. The sellers added an elaborate, modern heating system, new roof, foundation and windows. However, they kept key original windows, fir flooring, the centerpiece fireplace and ornate woodwork. This property is almost 3 acres and has terrific privacy and light. I certainly feel like I am going back in time when I visit this property. I was super excited to help my buyers craft the perfect offer to compete in a multiple offer situation and then navigate some key infrastructure logistics before closing. It was my pleasure to help usher in the next stewards of this property.
#2
Original List Price: $3,500,000
Sales Price: $3,470,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 11/29/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For #2 we stay south and head over to Point White Drive. It is always a treat and an honor to see a home for the first time. This compound literally on the point of Point White was all about location. And old-world charm. Originally built in the 1930s, this property boasts a Scandinavian waterfront home, guest cottage, garage/office/lighthouse and a boathouse perched on the water with marine rails. Hues of blue were splashed throughout the buildings with a comfortable, not fussy, classic style. This is a home I have driven by hundreds of times, but had never been in. It last changed hands in the 1990’s. I was very excited to see this one inside in person and it did not disappoint. Standing out on the point on the water side was also a rare treat. Very excited for the lucky new buyers. I was happy to hear they plan to live in it and enjoy it full time.
#1
Original List Price: $3,248,000
Sales Price: $3,248,000
Days on Market: 6
Date Sold: 6/5/2023
Click here for more photos and the full listing
For the #1 spot we move up north to the ever-popular Port Madison Neighborhood and Euclid Avenue. This year I spent a lot of time in historic homes and this was one of my favorites. This home first caught my attention about 15 years ago when we moved here. Over the last decade I have watched from afar as it was thoughtfully updated. This year, the long time owners sold and my lucky buyers took the helm of the historic “Captain’s House.” When I walked through the dutch door of this home I knew it was the one my clients had been looking for. They knew it too and I am so happy they said yes to treating themselves to this fabulous home. It was a long time coming and they deserve it. I was beyond thrilled to be a part of it.
Touring unique homes is something I look forward to and don’t take for granted. I find it a true privilege to see inside these spacial spaces. This year historic island homes seem to have gotten my attention the most. These are all homes that stayed with me and I thought about long after I left them. To get a feel for the other homes I have been keen on over the years, 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 on our island.
I look forward to starting on another fun list as I tour homes in 2024. I have one on my list already ;0 Cheers to a good new year!
Listing photos courtesy of NWMLS.
