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For many homebuyers in South Snohomish and North King Counties, the search for a home starts with a specific city in mind.
Maybe it is Edmonds for the waterfront charm and walkable downtown. Perhaps it is Shoreline for the schools and easy Seattle access. Or maybe it is Bothell, Kirkland, or another community that has always felt like the perfect fit.
But in today’s market, one of the most powerful strategies for buyers is surprisingly simple:
Expand your search area.
Not by hours. Not by counties. Sometimes by just 15 to 20 minutes.
That small adjustment can completely change what is available and what is affordable.
The Price Difference Can Be Eye Opening
Let’s look at median residential home prices year to date in some of our local communities:
| City | Median Home Price |
|---|---|
| Edmonds | $1,000,000 |
| Shoreline | $785,000 |
| Lynnwood | $778,000 |
| Lake Stevens | $700,000 |
| Everett | $686,000 |
| Marysville | $645,000 |
| Arlington | $625,000 |
At first glance, these communities may not seem that far apart geographically. In many cases, they are separated by a relatively short drive.
However, the difference in home prices can be substantial.
A buyer focused solely on Edmonds could be looking at homes around the $1 million mark. Expanding the search to Lynnwood, Everett, Marysville, or Arlington could potentially reduce the purchase price by hundreds of thousands of dollars while still keeping them within reach of work, family, shopping, and recreation.
What Does That Difference Actually Buy?
The savings are not just numbers on paper.
A broader search area can mean:
- An extra bedroom
- A dedicated home office
- A larger lot
- A newer home
- More garage space
- A shorter list of repairs and updates
- A lower monthly payment
For many buyers, these quality of life improvements have a bigger impact than a slightly longer commute.
Buyers Are Already More Flexible Than They Think
One thing I often see with clients is that they initially focus on a city name rather than the lifestyle they are trying to create.
For example, a buyer may tell me they want Edmonds. After some discussion, we discover what they really want is:
- Good restaurants
- Access to parks and trails
- A reasonable commute
- A neighborhood they feel comfortable in
- Enough space for family, pets, or hobbies
Once we identify those priorities, additional communities often enter the conversation.
Suddenly Lynnwood, Everett, Lake Stevens, or Marysville become viable options that deliver many of the same lifestyle benefits at a different price point.
The Commute Equation Has Changed
The rise of hybrid work schedules has also changed how many buyers evaluate location.
When you are commuting five days per week, every minute matters.
When you are commuting two or three days per week, many buyers find they are willing to trade a slightly longer drive for significantly more home.
For some households, that trade-off creates opportunities they never considered when they first started searching.
The Goal Is Not Settling
Expanding your search area is not about settling for less.
It is about making sure you see all of your options before deciding what matters most.
Sometimes buyers discover they can stay in their preferred city and make the numbers work.
Other times they find a neighboring community that gives them more space, more comfort, and more financial flexibility than they expected.
Either outcome is a win.
Let’s Explore the Possibilities
If you are thinking about buying a home this year, it may be worth looking just a little beyond your original target area.
You might be surprised by what is available only a few miles down the road.
If you would like to compare neighborhoods, commute times, and pricing throughout South Snohomish and North King Counties, I’d be happy to help you explore the options and find the community that best fits your goals, lifestyle, and budget.
