How 2020 started…

To say I was excited to start 2020 would be an understatement. The BLIS Townhome project was very close to market and I had additional listings on and off Bainbridge Island.

BLIS Townhomes are just a short walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. Based on their location, price and features, I felt they could almost sell themselves. Then COVID hit and the real estate market and construction were shutdown. The ferry service was reduced to one mostly empty boat and commuters switched to working remotely. No foot traffic, no eyes on BLIS and no further construction.

It was much of the same with my listings. No open houses, no prospects and no idea when the market would reopen. It truly was a shutdown and everything stopped. At the time of the shutdown, I wondered: when the market reopens, who would want to buy a home with so much uncertainty?

Then something surprising happened in the Bainbridge Island real estate market.

How 2020 ended…

After the National Association of Realtors established guidelines for touring homes, the market sprang back to life. Buyers wanted homes with offices, larger spaces and backyards to ride out COVID. And during the 4th quarter of 2020, BLIS Townhome sales picked up.

Based on dollar volume, 2020 was Bainbridge Island’s biggest sales year with $622 million worth of properties sold. Residential and condominiums accounted for $604 million. Bainbridge Island also set a residential/condo record in 2020 with the highest average sales price of $1.129 million. I’m not sure anyone could’ve predicted the home sale turnaround.

What’s my prediction for 2021? I don’t have a prediction for 2021 but I do have HOPES.

I hope you and your family are doing well.
I hope to soon see you all around town, on the trails, riding the ferry and in restaurants.
I hope we’re both wearing masks because we want to and not because we have to.

Hope. Hope. Hope.

Stay safe, take care and I look forward to seeing you!

Kat