Blog - Windermere Bainbridge Island

Real Estate Market The Benefits and Risks of Refinancing a Home Loan Right Now Refinancing a home loan can be confusing, especially with fluctuating interest rates. A true refinance replaces the current mortgage, and with over 50% of homeowners carrying an interest rate below 4%, it’s important to evaluate if refinancing is a smart move for you. Reasons to Consider Refinancing Here are five reasons you might be thinking […]

Community Sustainable Living & Bainbridge’s Environmental Nonprofits Bainbridge Island is a vibrant community at the forefront of sustainable living. Just a quick ferry ride from downtown Seattle, it is home to many environmental nonprofits. Check out the important work being done to ensure Bainbridge Island remains an eco-friendly place to live. Preservation and Restoration Many organizations are involved in the preservation and […]

Community North Kitsap Fall Festivities You Won’t Want to Miss Local fall festivities are a highlight of the recent season change. Bainbridge Island and nearby cities host many enjoyable activities to get in the spirit of autumn. Whether it’s kicking off the season with Oktoberfest, celebrating the spookiness of Halloween, or burning off sweet treats at the local Turkey Trot, this time of year is […]

Home Buyers Managing Expectations When Buying a Home Buying a home is an exciting process, but there are many steps involved. The timeline can vary greatly based on your situation, needs, wants, and goals. We’ve compiled some tips below to help you manage your expectations, which will reduce stress and result in a smoother, more enjoyable process. Create a Focused Approach As soon […]

Home Useful Tips from a Local Interior Designer Whether you’re wanting to update your home or you’re preparing to sell it, you’ll probably benefit from working with an interior designer. While there are many great local interior designers, we know that some of our agents here at our Windermere Bainbridge Island office are fans of Kim McCall Design, so we connected with Kim […]

Home Sell As-Is Or Make Repairs? Your Questions Answered When selling a home, many decisions need to be made. Should the home be sold as-is? Should you make some repairs but skip others? What repairs will guarantee a worthwhile return on investment? We’ve got the answers to some frequently asked questions. What are the benefits of selling as-is? Selling a property “as-is” means the […]

Home Buyers Real Estate Designations & Why They Matter Are you looking for a Realtor to help you buy or sell a home on Bainbridge Island? If so, you may be comparing agents and wondering what the titles or acronyms next to some of their names mean. Understanding the National Association of Realtors designations and certifications will help you choose a professional best suited to […]

Home 8 Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal Whether you’re thinking about selling your home or simply want to spruce up its exterior, now is a great time to focus on its curb appeal. Curb appeal includes the house’s exterior, yard, landscaping, and driveway. It’s the first thing people see when they come to your home. A welcoming exterior increases your home’s value […]

Home Gardening Benefits & What to Plant in Zone 8b It’s that time of year when sunny days are becoming more frequent. Now is the time to get outdoors and start gardening! Gardening can benefit you in many ways, some of which we’ve highlighted below. Not sure what to plant here in zone 8b? Read on to learn more about that too. Why Garden? You […]

Community New Agent Spotlight: Ashley Stroup When buying or selling a home, having an agent who’s an enthusiastic, knowledgeable problem-solver can be so beneficial. Meet Windermere Bainbridge Island Broker Ashley Stroup. Ashley recently joined our team, and we’re grateful for her vibrant energy and expertise. Read our Q&A below to learn about her background, community involvement, and more. What drew you […]

Community How Helpline House Strengthens Our Community Founded in 1968, Helpline House on Bainbridge Island provides social services to individuals and families in need. Helpline offers housing and utility assistance, social work and counseling services, a food bank, medical supplies, and senior services. Additionally Helpline has many great programs for children, including Project Backpack and Project Happy Birthday. Here at Windermere Bainbridge […]

Home Easy Ways to Save Energy and Reduce Water Waste at Home Whether you are looking to “go green” or cut down on your monthly utility bills, there are many ways to save energy and reduce water waste in your home. Either way, it feels good to lower your monthly costs by implementing small but impactful changes and taking advantage of the latest innovations. We’ve gathered together […]

Home Sellers Benefits of a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) Thinking of selling your home? One of the first steps in the home-selling journey will be identifying a local real estate expert. Once you have selected an agent, they will jump-start the process by conducting a Comparative Market Analysis. What is a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)? A Comparative Market Analysis (or CMA) is a detailed […]

Community New to the PNW? Tips & Resources from Local Experts Are you new to the Pacific Northwest? The PNW encompasses Washington, Oregon and parts of Idaho and northern California. It’s loosely defined as the area between the Pacific Coast and the Rocky Mountains. If you’ve moved to this area from other parts of the country, you’ll probably notice how unique the Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap Peninsula, […]

Home Buyers Should You Buy a House or Wait? Market Data & Insights If you are thinking about buying a home, you may be asking whether you should buy a house now or wait. There are several factors to consider, including your personal situation, the overall market, and being able to find a home that’s right for you. We’ve gathered the most recent market data and insights to […]

Community BARN: A Haven of Creativity and Community A commercial kitchen is prepped for the afternoon Miso Soup cooking class. Three tables are full of all ages practicing wood carving. A classroom of adults is creating mosaic jewelry. 3-D printed projects line a windowsill. The podcasting studio is set up with a specially designed table by BARN woodworkers to accommodate microphones. Multiple tours […]

Home Sellers Windermere Ready: Sell Your Home For More The best way to impress potential home buyers is to ensure your property looks better than ever. The Windermere Ready program helps you accomplish this by preparing your home to make an excellent first impression. With the strategic guidance of a local real estate agent, our program maximizes your home’s value and helps increase your […]

Community Bainbridge Home Decor Accents From Local Shops & Artists Looking for something special to elevate your home? These Bainbridge Island home decor accents will do that and much more. By shopping right here on the island, you’ll be supporting local businesses and/or local artists. You’ll also have something unique that serves as a great conversation starter when you have guests. Here’s a list of […]

Community Oktoberfests in WA and Craft Beers on Bainbridge Island Ready to celebrate fall in Washington? Many Oktoberfest events are coming up right here in our region. They are an exciting way to get into the spirit of the new season. As a celebration of Bavarian culture, they include beer, music, and other festival activities. Check out this Oktoberfest list to see which event fits […]

Home Sellers Avoid These Costly Home-Selling Mistakes When selling your home, the process goes more smoothly if you prepare in advance. There are many aspects of successfully selling a home and maximizing profit. While selling always involves various fees and costs, there’s a difference between standard costs and costly mistakes. By planning and considering all your options, you can avoid these costly […]