Seattle has developed a solid formula for maintaining one of the strongest realty markets in the U.S. For starters, the Emerald City cultivates a hip culture that attracts the young and old with a laid-back lifestyle, inclusive community, and vibrant music scene. Seattle also boasts a strong economy and jobs market bolstered by tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, etc. with a focus on higher education. To top it off, the city is filled with alluring neighborhoods that feature everything from spacious urban condos, craftsman homes, and luxury mansions, to beautiful waterfront properties. With all these ingredients it's no wonder the U.S. News & World Report routinely ranks Seattle Washington as one of the best places to live in America.
Sandwiched between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle Homes for Sale has long been influenced by maritime culture and its role as a seaport city. It was one of the earliest settlements in the Pacific Northwest and has long been the largest city in the region. Seattle is growing at a rate of 1.71% annually, and its population increased by 2.89% percent from 2020 to 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing major cities in the U.S. Those interested in Seattle luxury real estate can expect homes to grow in value as the local population increases.
Seattle is home to a diverse array of building styles and designs. From high rise condos in the heart of downtown, beautiful Victorians decorated with intricate moldings and detailed ornamentation, dutch colonials with signature four-piece roof lines, classic American four-square homes meticulously restored, to modern-contemporary homes that embody sophistication, I’m sure we can find a property that perfectly matches your needs.
No region compares to the Pacific Northwest, and Seattle is a city that has so much to offer with the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and bustling city life. The lights, sounds, and soaring architectural landscapes of the metropolitan center are unrivaled. Each urban neighborhood is painted with personality and history. As exciting as it is to experience upscale living in the urban core, it is also exhilarating to live in the midst of the region’s natural beauty. With stunning mountain ranges, freshwater lakes, and evergreen forests, Seattle is a haven for both nature lovers and city folk.
Originally incorporated in 1869, Seattle began as a timber town that provided wood for many coastal cities. The heavily forested surroundings led to its nickname, the "Emerald City." As the timber industry dried up and gold rushes came and went, the city experienced many booms and busts throughout its first century of existence. It wasn't until World War II that Seattle developed as a major urban center. Much of the growth was a direct result of Boeing relocating its headquarters to Seattle. The airplane manufacturer still has factories in the city and surrounding areas.
Seattle went through another renaissance in the 1980s after Microsoft moved its operations to the region. This opened the tech floodgates as many other companies, including Amazon, Nintendo of America, and most recently Google/Facebook began to sprout up in Seattle. During this time, the local indie music scene started to explode into the mainstream. While the city had long been known for its jazz clubs, alternative grunge music became the trademark "Seattle sound" in the 1990s.
For outsiders, Seattle often evokes images of rainy days, fleece jackets, and streets filled with coffee houses. While Seattleites certainly enjoy their lattes, the city actually gets less annual precipitation than New York or Boston, and even during overcast days, Seattle remains one of the most livable places in the U.S.
Seattle's reputation for being a nature lover's paradise may be due to the city's beautiful backdrop. In addition to the azure waters and green forests, the city is surrounded by snow-capped mountains on two sides. With so many nearby opportunities for hiking, climbing, skiing, and water sports, it's no surprise that Seattle is often ranked as one of the healthiest cities in the U.S.
While its rustic surroundings may inspire a naturalistic calm, Downtown Seattle is a bustling urban center with world-class amenities. The area is anchored by the Space Needle, an iconic observation tower that draws 2.3 million visitors a year. People are also enticed to Downtown Seattle to see shows at the historic Paramount Theatre, browse through produce at Pike Place Market and view Elliott Bay from the Seattle Great Wheel.
As a large city with a diverse population, Seattle's housing trends vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Regardless of your home location in Queen Anne, Magnolia, Green Lake, Ballard, Wallingford, Capitol Hill, West Seattle or Beacon Hill, most experts agree that the Emerald City is currently enjoying a very strong seller's market. This is good news for those looking to invest long-term in Seattle.
In 2022*, on average, a single-family home in Seattle sells after being on the market for 13 days, a significant decline from an average of 17 days the year prior. The median home sold price in Seattle is about $935,000, which is an increase of more than 10% from last year.
*Year-to-date data from NWMLS/Trendsgraphic as of 09/30/2022
Compass
11901 NE Village Plaza #271
Kirkland, WA 98034
Kevin Lam
