Neighborhood Market Spotlight: Bainbridge Island

Neighborhood Market Spotlight: Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County includes Port Madison, Rolling Bay, and dozens of other small communities, as well as the historic town of Winslow. The island’s Bainbridge High School and Eagle Harbor High School are both ranked among the top public high schools in the state by U.S. News & World Report.

Did You Know that May is the Best Time to List a Home?

Did You Know that May is the Best Time to List a Home?

In a recent Puget Sound Business Journal article, Emily Parkhurst declares that “This is the best time to list your house for sale in Seattle.” The dates she’s referring to? The first couple of weeks in May. 

Forest Project Starting this Month on the Island

Forest Project Starting this Month on the Island

Good news for Bainbridge Island! The Urban Forestry Restoration Project will be working throughout this month to enhance forests on the island! According to the Bainbridge Island Review, "A Puget SoundCorps team will work with city staff to remove English ivy, Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom from multiple city-owned locations across the island. 

The Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal Highlights our New Office Location on Winslow Way

The Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal Highlights our New Office Location on Winslow Way

Over the weekend, the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal described plans for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty and Bruciato to become the main tenants at The Old Hardware Store in a feature entitled “Pizza night will spin off into full-time Bainbridge restaurant” by Tim Kelly of the Kitsap Sun

Introducing The Market Report Year in Review

Introducing The Market Report Year in Review

I am proud to present the Market Report: Puget Sound Real Estate Trends & 2015 Year in Review, a comprehensive look at the 2015 real estate market in an exploration of seven key counties of Western Washington: King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce, Jefferson and Island counties, as well as 29 neighborhoods for our current and prospective clients. 

Realogics Sotheby's International Realty Announces New Winslow Way Location on Bainbridge Island

Realogics Sotheby's International Realty Announces New Winslow Way Location on Bainbridge Island

I am SO EXCITED to announce the signing of a long term lease for approximately half of the Old Hardware Store building at 240 Winslow Way East on Bainbridge Island. After sitting vacant for the past four years, the nearly 70-year old building was acquired in January 2016 by The Old Hardware Store, LLC managed by local businessman Joseph Lacko.

Learn About Boat Safety on March 12th, 2016

Learn About Boat Safety on March 12th, 2016

The United States Coastguard Auxiliary is offering an eight-hour introductory course for the new boater, those thinking of buying a boat and for those boaters that need the Boater’s Education Card. This course meets the mandatory boater education requirements of the State of Washington for the Boater Education Card. 

What's Next? Your Event Calendar Update

Event Calendar - Leah Applewhite

Your comprehensive guide, take a peek at what’s going on! From the start of the Seattle Boat Show to Django Reinhardt’s Birthday Celebration on Bainbridge Island, here’s what’s happening around the sound.

Select Links Below to View Full Calendar of Events in Each Community
Bainbridge Island Events >>    ♦    Seattle Events >>   ♦   Eastside Events >>

Palace Magazine Adds Seattle Metro Area to List of Top Markets Sought by Asian Homebuyers

Palace Magazine Adds Seattle Metro Area to List of Top Markets Sought by Asian Homebuyers

As yet another acknowledgement that the Seattle metro area has joined the league of global cities attracting Asian investment, immigration and homeownership, Palace Magazine recently published a special report on American cities that included the Emerald City with significant contributions by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty

Sotheby's International Realty Releases 2015 Website Statistics; Reports 30% Increase in Website Traffic Year-Over-Year

Sotheby's International Realty Releases 2015 Website Statistics; Reports 30% Increase in Website Traffic Year-Over-Year

BIG news for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty listed homes in Kitsap County and beyond! Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC released website data for 2015 that indicates record breaking traffic with a 30% increase in website visitors year-over-year. 

What's Next? Your Weekly Event Calendar Update

What's Next? Your Weekly Event Calendar Update

I am thrilled to bring you this week’s event calendar! Your comprehensive guide, take a peek at what’s going on! From this week’s Winter One Acts at the Performing Arts Center to next week’s Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Bainbridge Public Library, here’s what’s happening in Kitsap County!

Recently Released Evoker Film Featured on RSIR.COM

Recently Released Evoker Film Featured on RSIR.COM

I am excited to share that my recently released broker film, produced by the extraordinary team at Evoker, is the featured film of the week on Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty! Not only is it the first film option in the gallery, but it is a featured post on the RSIR blog and has been shared on all of their social media accounts.

What's Next: Your Monthly Event Calendar

I am thrilled to bring you this week’s event calendar! Your comprehensive guide, take a peek at what’s going on! From the Seattle Lakes Lunch Cruise and the First Friday Art Walk on Bainbridge Island to Ceramics, Art and Wine in downtown Kirkland, here’s what’s happening around the sound:

Select Links Below to View Full Calendar of Events in Each Community

Bainbridge Island Events>>     ♦     Seattle Events >>     ♦     Eastside Events >>

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates Ring the Closing Bell at the NYSE

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC, whose parent company is Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday to celebrate its 40th anniversary milestone in the luxury residential real estate brokerage business. Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC, was joined on the podium by members of theSotheby’s International Realty network for the bell ringing ceremony. “I am very proud of the journey we have taken together with our global luxury real estate network to bring the brand where it is today,” said White. “The Sotheby’s International Realty brokerage network was built to connect the finest independent residential real estate companies to the most prestigious and discerning clientele in the world,” said White. “We are honored to be celebrating this milestone by ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 18,000 independent sales associates located in approximately 825 offices in 61 countries and territories worldwide. Each office is independently owned and operated.

To mark the event, Philip White additionally appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell to discuss the luxury real estate market.

What's Next: Your Weekly Event Calendar

I am thrilled to bring you this week’s event calendar! Your comprehensive guide, take a peek at what’s going on! From Christmas Jazz at Seattle’s Town Hall and an Outdoor Skating Rink at Redmond Town Center to the opportunity to Meet the Artist at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum, here’s what’s happening around the sound:

Select Links Below to View Full Calendar of Events in Each Community

Bainbridge Island Events>>     ♦     Seattle Events >>     ♦     Eastside Events >>

Market Update: November 2015

November's numbers are in and the Bainbridge Island real estate market inventory continues to wane, as the number of active listings was down nearly 20% month-over-month. Sales also decreased, as the number of units sold was down nearly 30% compared to October's numbers. Given the anemic inventory, however, the median listing price increased $90K from the previous year to $875K. And buyers made their presence felt as the median sale price of $690K was up over $175K compared to last year. Along with increased prices, homes sold in an average of just 23 days on the market, down 62% from the previous year.

Watch November's Market Videos >>

RSIR Bainbridge Island Gives Back: Pick Up a Gift Tag & Fulfill a Holiday Wish

Our Bainbridge Island Office is pleased to share a partnership with North Kitsap Fishline Christmas Child 2015, bringing joy to local children’s lives this Christmas season. Pick up a gift tag from the Bainbridge Island office that includes three wants and three needs confluent with the child’s interests, hobbies and abilities. Then purchase the items to fill the season with a little more holiday cheer. Please return all unwrapped gifts with attached tags to the Bainbridge Island Office by December, 17th. Wrapping paper rolls are greatly appreciated!

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s Bainbridge Island Office is located at 271 Madison Avenue South in Bainbridge Island.

Sotheby's International Realty Expands Luxury Brand Presence into Finland

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced it has expanded its global real estate network into Finland with the launch of Snellman Sotheby’s International Realty located in Helsinki. The owners, consisting of Swedish and Finnish prominent business investors headed by Robert Charpentier, signed an exclusive 25-year franchise agreement to develop the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand throughout Finland. The company will operate under the leadership of Kenneth Katter, who brings over 20 years of relevant high-profile international sales experience to his role of chief executive officer.

“Expansion into Finland continues the brand’s commitment to providing access to theSotheby’s International Realty network’s exclusive real estate services in luxury real estate destinations around the world,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.  “Finland is a country widely admired as a European hub of innovation and entrepreneurship where the luxury market continues to grow. Entry into Helsinki offers great opportunity and complements the brand’s strong existing presence throughout Sweden and the Baltic States.”

According to Charpentier, the plan is to establish the Sotheby’s International Realty brand in the capital city of Helsinki with the opening of the first Snellman Sotheby’s International Realty office. With the addition of this office, opening this year, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand will have over 180 independently owned and operated offices in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Other cities in Finland will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and Charpentier anticipates a presence in the Finnish Lapland in the future to facilitate the international interest of high-end ski chalets.

Katter adds, “This company is focused on fulfilling the needs of highly discerning clients searching for extraordinary real estate and requiring a high quality of service. It is vitally important for our team to ensure that we understand our clients’ needs and to deliver efficient and personalized services with professionalism and confidentiality,” he said.

“Now with the support of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand we can bring Finland’s extraordinary and unique properties to the far-reaching corners of the world.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has over 18,000 sales associates located in approximately 825 offices in 61 countries and territories worldwide.  Snellman Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website.  In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and their clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

What's Next: Event Calendar Update

Your comprehensive guide, take a peek at what’s going on! From this weekend’s Swing and Gypsy Jazz Concert at the Museum of Art to next week’s Turkey Trot at Battle Point Park, here’s what’s happening around Bainbridge Island!

Select Links Below to View Full Calendar of Events in Each Community

Bainbridge Island Events >>    ♦    Seattle Events >>    ♦    Eastside Events >>

Wealth-X and Sotheby's International Realty Release UHNW Luxury Real Estate: Multi-Homers Report

According to a new study released by Wealth-X and the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand, more and more ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals are buying second homes outside of their domiciles. The report revealed that there are currently more than 211,000 UHNW individuals around the world and that their purchase of international homes has risen. “Our partnership with Wealth-X has proven to be invaluable as we continue to explore the motivations of the world’s ultra high net worth,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC. “The research from our latest report uncovers current trends in home purchasing behavior and chief lifestyle considerations, helping us gain insight into investment strategies of the UHNW population.”

As the report reads, “five years ago international homes accounted for 11% of non-primary UHNW residences, whereas they now account for 16%.” Further, “nearly 80% of UHNW individuals own at least 2 homes and over half own at least 3 homes.”

According to the report, “while many of these homes are being purchased in traditional UHNW centers, additional home buying is becoming a truly global enterprise.” The image below spotlights “the top 10 secondary residence countries, outside primary business country”:

11

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty (RSIR) has emphasized the importance of Chinese international buyers for the last few years. Among their many initiatives, RSIR most recently announced a partnership with Tiger Oak Publications on an all-Mandarin magazine, “Seattle Luxury Living,” to target affluent Chinese consumers both locally and overseas. In addition, they launched a “Fly and Buy” luxury tourism program and are developing an exclusive We Chat App that will feature the Seattle Luxury Living content as well as other market reports, featured listings and reference resources for Mandarin-speaking homebuyers exploring investment in the Pacific Northwest. Read more about the firm’s initiatives >>

2

Other key findings from the report:

  • The average UHNW Mult-homer is 63 years old, has a net worth of US$165 million and is married.
  • The United States is the most popular location for second homes among the ultra wealthy, followed by the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
  • Four types of luxury home types have emerged as favorites among the global ultra wealthy: Green Homes, Smart Homes, Private Islands, and Serviced Apartments. These types of luxury residences serve their needs, aspirations, and lifestyle considerations.
  • The Caribbean and the Mediterranean remain favorites among UHNW buyers for private island homes, but Southeast Asia, Canada, Belize and the United Kingdom are gaining popularity.
  • UHNW Multi-home buyers are fueling market growth in regions beyond urban hubs such as London, New York City and Hong Kong. The report profiles Miami, Florida; Geneva, Switzerland; and Long Island, New York.

Read the Full Wealth-X & Sotheby’s International Realty Report >>