Home Sellers May 27, 2020

Home Seller’s Checklist: How to Successfully Sell Your Home

Adequately preparing your home before putting it on the market will help you successfully sell it. There are some important steps to take that can drastically improve your home’s appeal, ensuring it will sell for the best price and in a timely manner. Here’s our home seller’s checklist to help you get ready.

Preparing Your Home for Market

We highly recommend listing your home at least three months before your ideal “closing date”. The listing date is an important factor and it’s crucial to make data-driven decisions. That’s where a real estate agent with expertise comes in to inform and guide you through the process. An experienced, local real estate agent knows the market and can help you properly prepare your home. Agents can point out necessary changes, but it is important that you take care of any projects you have been avoiding so that everything is done before your listing date.

Decluttering

Since you will be moving, jump-start the packing process by decluttering your home. Don’t forget to donate unwanted items to Goodwill or the local Rotary Auction.

  • Clutter and random items should be packed away, including most or all of your family or personal photos. This gives the prospective buyer a chance to envision themselves in your home.
  • If you can move out and allow your agent to stage your home, this will take all of the responsibility off your plate. Here are the benefits of staging your home.

Appearance and Hardware

Before putting your home on the market, take a look at your home’s overall appearance and hardware.

Ask yourself a few questions:

  • When was the last coat of fresh paint? (Inside and outside)
  • Is the landscaping up to your standards? Are there any patches of dead grass or any dying trees?
  • What condition is the flooring in?
  • Is the hardware in your home working properly? (Sink hardware, doors, windows, light fixtures, and appliances)

Agents Are Your Best Resource

Any good home seller’s checklist makes one thing clear: it takes work to properly get your home ready to sell. But if you have a great agent, they will help you every step of the way and make this the best experience possible. Here’s what they can do so that it’s not up to you to navigate all of this on your own.

  • Help prevent and reduce stress
  • Project manage the process of selling your home
  • Provide you with a list of priorities
  • Offer their up-to-date market expertise
  • Utilize their global marketing network and their local connections to excellent stagers, photographers, landscapers, home-repair contractors, etc.

Our Windermere Bainbridge Island real estate agents go above and beyond for their clients. As highly knowledgeable locals, they possess decades of experience and are invested in our community.

Before Showings

Once your home is ready to be listed, here are some key tips for when your home is being shown.

  • Due to the current pandemic, it is important to know the latest CDC guidelines and specific safety standards that the real estate industry is following.
  • Make sure your home is set at a comfortable temperature. Usually mid to high 60s is appropriate.
  • Light up your home: turn on all the lights inside, and in the evenings turn on your exterior lights.
  • Are you a pet person? Make sure to keep them in a separate area, and if you have cats, remove or hide the litter boxes.
  • Hide money and valuable items.
  • Open up all drapes and curtains to fill your home with as much natural light as you can.
  • Interior doors should all be open except for closets.

During Showings

Sometimes showings can become constant. If you are unable to leave during the showing period, here are some helpful tips.

  • A buyer will likely feel more comfortable and spend more time in your home if you are not there.
  • Try to keep your distance, and keep children and pets quiet and out of the way.
  • Don’t interrupt or follow potential buyers through your home.
  • Allow the agent to show and sell your home. Rely on their expertise.

Additional Resources

For more information, download our Market Prep Guide and our Pre-Listing Checklist. We also have an extensive Guide to Selling a Home which provides information about the home inspection, settlement and closing, moving, and terms often used. And, if you need further assistance, you’re welcome to contact us.

CommunityReal Estate Market April 23, 2020

The Windermere Difference on Bainbridge Island

Our Agents are Proud, Knowledgeable Locals

Windermere Bainbridge is so much more than a real estate company. Our 36 agents and 5 staff members are all active community members. We share a love of the Pacific Northwest and are proud of Bainbridge Island’s excellent schools and vibrant downtown with its eclectic mix of small businesses. Whether we are helping you buy your dream house or sell your island home, we are here to support you. We have a global marketing network, high quality, local vendors, and vast knowledge of the area that spans generations.

The Pearl of the Puget Sound

Bainbridge Island is a very unique place to call home. It’s nestled between the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound. Ideal for retirees, parents, Seattle professionals who enjoy a beautiful commute by ferry. Fill your need for adventure by exploring the Olympic National Park, kayaking or stand up paddling on the Sound, and taking advantage of nature trails that wrap around the island. 

Not only is our location incredible, but the people are as well. We support our community organizations and take care of one another. If volunteering, taking care of the planet, or shopping small are activities you enjoy, Bainbridge is your place. Our Windermere Bainbridge team is highly involved in the community. You will often find our agents strolling the farmers market, enjoying Friday art walks, or participating in community events and programs. 

Windermere Bainbridge: All in, for you!

We provide a range of real estate services. If you are a first-time homebuyer checking out homes for sale, we will listen to your wants and needs and help you find a home in the neighborhood that best suits you. Thinking of moving? We have agents who are relocation specialists who will support you through this transition. Perhaps you’d like to downsize, sell, or purchase an investment property. We are here for you. Many of our agents are luxury home experts who specialize in the unique needs of our premier clientele and the distinctive marketing tactics required to sell premier properties.

Our team possesses a range of 4 – 37 years in the industry with an office average of 16 years. We know the ins and outs of the island’s housing market, the current mortgage rates, and more. “All in, for you” isn’t something we simply say. We really do go above and beyond for our clients.

Learn More about Bainbridge Island

If you’d like to learn more about our wonderful island community, check out our Newcomer’s Guide to Bainbridge Island. In it, you’ll find videos, articles, and helpful links to learn about our neighborhoods, schools, outdoor activities, local home buying resources, and much more.

 

Community February 7, 2020

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2019 Donations

 

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $52,475 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2019. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund

Bainbridge Island School Foundation | 2019 Dinner and Auction Gala

Bainbridge Youth Services | Annual Sponsorship

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Peacock Family Services

Arms Around Bainbridge

Bainbridge Youth Services | Additional Funding

Bainbridge Island Senior Center

Island Time Activities

Boys and Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

KiDiMu | Annual Sponsorship

Bainbridge Island Kiwanis Foundation | Shred Fest Sponsorship

Bainbridge Island Land Trust | Preservation Partners Party

Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game

PAWS | Gala and Auction

Community January 18, 2019

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2018 Donations

 

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $56,550 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2018. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Bainbridge Schools Foundation

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Peacock Family Services

Bainbridge Youth Services

Bainbridge Island Senior Center

Island Time Activities

Salish Sea Expeditions

Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

KiDiMu

Bainbridge Land Trust

Housing Resources Bainbridge

Cynthia Lait Art | Bainbridge Island Community Mural

Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game

Community January 12, 2018

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2017 Donations

 

WIndermere Bainbridge Foundation

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $57,050 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2017. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

Bainbridge Schools Foundation

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund

Peacock Family Services

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Bainbridge Youth Services | Annual Sponsorship

Arms Around Bainbridge

Salish Sea Expeditions

Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

KiDiMu

BARN | Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network

Bainbridge Island Senior Center

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum

Bainbridge Land Trust

Bainbridge Performing Arts

Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge Island | ShredFest Sponsorship

Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game

Housing Resources Bainbridge

Community January 5, 2017

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2016 Donations

 

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $35,200 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2016. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund

Bainbridge Youth Services | Annual Sponsorship

Salish Sea Expeditions

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Peacock Family Services

Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

KiDiMu

Sustainable Bainbridge

Housing Resources Bainbridge | Rental Assistance Program

Bainbridge Performing Arts

Bainbridge Land Trust

Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship

Bainbridge High School Robotics Team

Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game

Community January 10, 2016

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2015 Donations

 

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $31,300 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2015. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Arms Around Bainbridge

Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts

Crush Kids Cancer | Seattle Children’s Hospital

Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

Housing Resources Bainbridge

Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run Sponsorship

Bainbridge Performing Arts

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts

Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship

Bainbridge High School Robotics Team

Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum

Bainbridge Island Schools Foundation

Community February 1, 2015

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2014 Donations

 

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation Donations 2014

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $28,6500 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2014. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Ben Towne Foundation | Seattle Children’s Hospital

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program

Salish Sea Expeditions

Arms Around Bainbridge

Peacock Family Center

Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship

Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run Sponsorship

Westsound Wildlife Shelter

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts

Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship

PAWS 

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum

Bainbridge Land Trust

Community January 12, 2014

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2013 Donations

 

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation Donations 2013

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $25,105 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2013. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Helpline House | School Clothes Project

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund

Arms Around Bainbridge

Peacock Family Services

Boys and Girls Club Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run

Westsound Wildlife Shelter

Helpline House

PAWS

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts

Housing Resources Bainbridge

Bainbridge High School Robotics Team | Spartronics Team 4915

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum

Bainbridge Public Library | Spelling Bee

One Call for All

CAST for Kids

Bainbridge Land Trust

Community January 10, 2013

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2012 Donations

 

Windermere Bainbridge Foundation Donations 2012

The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $23,630 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2012. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.

 

Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island | Waypoint Historical Marker

Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund

Helpline House | Project Backpack

Peacock Family Services

Boys and Girls Club Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Youth Services

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts

Taste of Lynnwood

Westsound Wildlife Shelter