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As a Seattle-area mortgage company, we do our best to educate local home buyers about the different cities and communities where they might want to purchase a home. Today, we turn our attention to the lakefront city of Kenmore, Washington.
This Kenmore, WA home buyers guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the city and what you can expect in terms of home prices and the temperature of the current housing market.
Kenmore, Washington is a suburban city of about 24,000 residents, located in King County, in the Seattle metropolitan area. Situated along the northern shores of Lake Washington, Kenmore offers a scenic setting with access to both urban amenities and natural landscapes.
The city of Kenmore covers an area of approximately 6.2 square miles. A significant portion of its land borders Lake Washington to the south. The Sammamish River flows through the eastern part of the city, adding to its picturesque waterfront appeal.
Kenmore is considered to be a suburb of Seattle and is located just 12 miles northeast of downtown Seattle. Many residents commute back and forth between the two cities.
The city’s waterfront location provides ample opportunity for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities on Lake Washington. Kenmore also has several parks and green spaces, including Saint Edward State Park, known for its historic seminary building and extensive hiking trails.
From an economic standpoint, Kenmore has evolved into a bedroom community. Many local residents commute to jobs in nearby Seattle, Bothell, and Redmond.
Even so, Kenmore has retained its own local economy centered mainly around construction materials, highway construction, asphalt, and the like. The city is also home to one of the last industrial ports on Lake Washington, at the mouth of the Sammamish River.
Kenmore’s proximity to Seattle allows residents to access a wider range of employment opportunities in tech and other major industries. Additionally, the city is currently revitalizing its downtown area, which could attract new businesses. The wide range of employment opportunities is just one good reason why you may consider buying a home in Kenmore, WA.
Like most cities in the Seattle Metro area, Kenmore has a highly competitive real estate market where the supply of homes often falls short of buyer demand.
Home prices in Kenmore typically run higher than the metro area average, but are more affordable than pricier cities like Sammamish, Redmond, and Bellevue.
Here’s a snapshot of current home prices as of spring 2024, according to Zillow:
These numbers will have likely changed by the time you read this report. But they still illustrate the relative difference between Kenmore home prices compared to those within the surrounding metro area. Understanding these high home prices is an important factor to consider before buying a home in Kenmore, WA.
Home buyers in Kenmore often have to grapple with tight inventory conditions. When this report was published, the housing market had less than a one-month supply of homes for sale. Because of this, sellers tend to have more negotiating leverage when it comes to sale prices and other terms.
Kenmore is also a fast-moving real estate market where homes typically sell in less than two weeks, and often within days of listing. It’s fairly common for homes to sell above the original list price, especially in the most desirable neighborhoods of Kenmore.
And speaking of neighborhoods…
Kenmore has an abundance of nice neighborhoods with well-maintained homes and pleasant scenery. That’s one of the major benefits that attracts home buyers to this market.
Kenmore, Washington has relatively high home prices for a reason. This area offers beautiful scenery with easy access to the “big city” amenities of Seattle and other surrounding cities. This attracts home buyers and increases demand for housing.
If you’re planning to buy a home in Kenmore, you’ll benefit from some advanced planning and preparation. Start by looking at recent home sales in the area where you buy, to get a better sense of how far your dollar goes.
If you’re going to use a mortgage loan to buy a home in Kenmore, try to get pre-approved before entering the market. Having your financing squared away ahead of time allows you to move swiftly when the right property comes along, while submitting a strong offer.
Last but not least, try to adopt the proper mindset when shopping for a home. As we’ve discussed, the Kenmore real estate market tends to experience low inventory levels relative to buyer demand. So you want to negotiate accordingly when making an offer.
If you’re ready to get into the Kenmore housing market, set yourself up for success by teaming up with local mortgage experts. At Sammamish Mortgage, we can help you get the loan process started so you can begin house hunting with confidence. Check out our live mortgage rates, get pre-approved, and reach out to Sammamish Mortgage today.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.