The hardest part about the decision to buy a home in Seattle is choosing the neighborhood or suburb to live in. As your Seattle real estate agent will tell you, each community has unique attributes. However, nearly every area in the greater Seattle real estate market shares the common characteristics of mountain views, water access, and plenty of greenery.
When evaluating homes for sale in Seattle and the surrounding cities, it may help to have an idea of the area's layout. If you use Lake Washington as a center point, you will find Seattle to the west. To the east are many cities, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Issaquah – collectively known as the “Eastside.” At the north end of the lake are communities such as Bothell, Kenmore, and Woodinville. And at the south end are Renton and Tukwila, with South King County's cities beyond these borders.
If you're not sure where you want to live, the best thing to do is sit down with your Seattle REALTOR® and talk about your options. Where you work, what you like to do for recreation, and the importance of schools are some factors to consider as you look at the homes for sale in Seattle. Your Seattle real estate agent can also discuss pricing for the various communities to help you zero in on the neighborhoods that you can afford.
The homes for sale in Seattle proper offer a diverse market, from small fixers and waterfront estates to new construction and condominium living. The North Seattle neighborhoods of Ravenna, Wallingford, and Ballard are extremely family friendly. Capitol Hill is quite colorful (ask your Seattle real estate agent to explain!). Green Lake and the University District attract the thirty-and-under crowd. And downtown Seattle real estate is known for its hip, high-rise housing.
The Eastside area of the Seattle real estate market commands high prices for many of the neighborhoods. The upscale waterfront communities of Medina and Mercer Island are some examples. With Microsoft headquartered in Redmond, Eastside homes that offer a short commute to the various campuses are in high demand. This has driven up the north end housing prices in cities such as Woodinville and Bothell.
However, to buy a home in Seattle, you need to be prepared to act fast. Bidding wars often occur in desirable neighborhoods with low inventory, so establishing a relationship with a Seattle REALTOR® you can trust is important. Getting pre-qualified with your lender will not only tell you how much house you can afford, it will also show a seller that you're a serious buyer.
