Know Susan
As a professional Realtor® on Bainbridge Island for 20+ years -- and a perennial top producer-- I have fostered life-long relationships with my buyers and sellers. I’ve helped them successfully navigate one of the most vital personal and financial decisions in their lives: buying and selling their homes. I moved to Bainbridge Island a nearly a quarter of a century ago and married my husband Larry, who had been the Director of the Bainbridge Island Park District. Fast-forward to island life today and when we walk downtown, people still stop and say “Hi Susan and Larry.” Yes, a lot has changed on Bainbridge during the last 20-some years, but the friendliness of Islanders has been steadfast. I love what I do. I love where I live and I am blessed to have an incredible family. We have two teenagers, a daughter and a son. Both are athletic so we are active in local sports. There’s nothing more we enjoy than a walk on the beach at Crystal Springs with our dogs -- or floating around the shores of our beautiful Island. Both my husband and I attended the University of Washington, where I obtained a Master's in Public Administration (MPA).
My Philosophy - Buying and selling real estate for me is all about trust, not about transactions. When selecting the right professional Realtor, ultimately you must trust the professional you are working with to best represent your interests when buying or selling the place you call “home.” While I believe experience is vital and designations are impressive -- in addition to my graduate degree from UW, I have my CRS or Council of Residential Specialists and GRI or Graduate Realtor Institute designations -- we all know designations don’t buy and sell homes. It takes a great working relationship with a proven professional who has the respect of their peers earned from hard work and honest labor. That’s what I offer. I listen carefully to embrace your priorities and fully understand your lifestyle needs. I take my responsibilities to you and the purchase or sale of your home very seriously, and my goal is simply to ensure your experience will be financially rewarding and personally satisfying, because that’s what you deserve.
Education & Work Experience
Real Estate Training & Continuing Education
1987 – Practices of Real Estate (30 hrs)
1987- Graduate of Real Estate Institute (GRI)
- Course #100 (30 hrs)
- Course # 200 (30 hrs)
1988- John L. Scott Real Institute of Real Estate (30 hrs)
1988- Fair Housing Training Program
1988- Washington State Real Estate Law (30 hrs)
1989- 1990 – Certified Residential Specialist (CRI)
- Listing Strategies for Residential Specialists #201 (16 hrs)
- Making Money Selling & Investing in Single Family Homes #204 (16 hrs)
- Financial Skills for Residential Specialist #205 (16 hrs)
1989 – Graduate of Real Estate Institute 300.
1989- ProStart Training (30 hours)
1994 Real Estate Law (30 hrs)
1996 Real Estate Finance & Affordable Housing (7.5 hrs)
1996 Agency Reform Act (7.5 hrs)
1996- Shorelines Management (7.5)
(Note 1997 – 2001 misplaced my records)
2002- Legal Update for Washington (3 hrs)
2002- Current Trends & Issues (3 hrs)
2002- Code of Ethics Update
2003-Washington State University, Shorelines and Risks of Saltwater Intrusion (15 hrs)
(Note 2004 – 2005 misplaced my records.)
2006- Windermere Education; Multiple Offers ..Multiple Issues (3 hrs)
2007- Washington State University,
- Living with Landscaping (7.5 hrs)
- Shorelines Management (7.5 hrs)
2007- Windermere Education
- Code of Ethics (3 hrs)
- Current Issues (3 hrs)
2007- First American Title Insurance, Title 101 (3 hrs)
2007- Law Update (3 hrs)
2007- Statewide Forms update (4 hrs)
2008- Short Sales (4 hrs)
2009- Real Estate Law Review (7 hrs)
2009- Current Trends and Issues in Residential Real Estate (3 hrs)
2009-Short Sales or Back to the Bank
2009-Business Planning (3 hrs)
2009-Marketing to Generations (3 hrs)
2009- Certified Negotiation Expert (15 hrs)
Continuing education is not only required by state license law but is even more important for me to continue my education to best serve you.
Current Volunteer Work
Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation – board member
Bainbridge High School Boosters – board member
Hoopfest (fundraiser for High School) – volunteer coordinator
Education & Work Experience
1970 to 1973 - California Polytechnic State University
San Lois Obispo, Ca. 93407 (805-756-1111)
Transferred to Chico State College in 1973
1973 to 1975 – California State University
400 West First Street
Chico, Ca. 95929 (530-898-4636)
Graduated 1975 – Bachelor of Arts (BA)
YMCA and YWCA - Palo Alto, Ca. (650-858-0661) – college summer employment
1975 to 1980 - American Red Cross - Palo Alto, Ca. (1-877-727-6771)
1980 to 1983 - University of Washington, Seattle
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
1982 – 1983 - METRO, Seattle
(Regional transportation planning and sewage treatment. The responsibilities have been transferred to other public entities)
1983 to 1986 - Group Health Cooperative, Health Education
Seattle, WA
1986 to 1988 - John L. Scott, Bainbridge Island, WA
1988 to date – Windermere Real Estate, Bainbridge Island, WA
This narrative was written by Susan Murie Burris. This may not be copied with out explicit written approval.
