“Bainbridge Island is a magical place,” realtor Crystal Hill reflects from her island office.
Hill is glad to have made the move from West Seattle, and shares why she and others are choosing island life. “While growth can be good, I saw too much growth change happening in West Seattle.”
A former social worker born and raised in Western Washington, Hill started her real estate career with Chill Homes/Keller Williams Realty in 2020, serving communities “on both sides of the pond” – Greater Seattle, the Kitsap Peninsula and Bainbridge Island.
“Having lived in Western Washington most of my life, I have a depth of local knowledge that assists my clients in finding the right neighborhood and home,” she says.
Hill, who enjoys biking around the island with her family, points out that Bainbridge has no shortage of outdoor activities, including plenty of intersecting trail systems; “When driving on the island, keep your eyes peeled or you might miss a sweet trail head!”
Bainbridge also offers much more than recreation and great public schools. “It’s a creative district and the arts flourish here, with woodworking, stone work, canvas, music, dance, acting, quilting, you name it! I feel like Bainbridge has something for everyone.”
While restaurants on Bainbridge Island may close earlier than in Seattle, there are some great dining options including her favorite places to dine, Agate Restaurante, Villa Rosa 11 (which she says tastes like you’re back in Italy), Basa, Bruciato and Migualitos.
To those buyers who might be hesitant about purchase a home at this time, she says we need to acknowledge that home prices have been inflated due to an extreme lack of inventory during COVID.
“After a period of uncertainty where inventory and interest rates dropped and prices rose, the real estate market is settling back into a more normal range the last few months,” Hill says. “Homes in our area are still appreciating, but not as dramatically. Sellers are still able to make great profits off their homes, especially those who bought before the pandemic. Be patient and a bit more creative!”
If you’re thinking of buying a home on Bainbridge Island, or even going for a visit, Hill has some great advice.
“For those new to the island, I would ask you to remember that we share the road with bikers, walkers, horses and even alpacas,” she says. “Seriously, there’s a guy often seen walking his alpaca along Blakely Rd – I absolutely love it!”
Learn more about Crystal Hill and Chill Homes on Facebook and Instagram, or give her a call at 206-683-2805.
