Your Guide to Buying a Home in Redmond, WA

Just 15 miles away from bustling Seattle, Redmond is caught between a homey small town and an exciting and youthful city. Home to tech giants like Nintendo and Microsoft, this haven in the northwest is a hotspot for young Americans living with a hustle mindset, and could be the place to find your next home.

Redmond began as a logging city before the 1920s, and the area is still full of the giant trees that were once a source of lumber. After logging declined as an economic activity, the sprawling hills turned into profitable agricultural land to grow crops and raise cattle. Nowadays, Redmond is known as the technological capital of the northwest.

Life in Redmond, WA

Due to the number of big tech companies setting up their headquarters in the area, the population is diverse and youthful. Residents are made up mostly of young, single adults who own real estate in the suburbs. There’s also a substantial immigrant population, so Redmond has the look of a big multicultural city, even if it feels like a relaxed small town.

One of the best features of Redmond is the climate. It can get warm but never hot. Winter months are rainy, with only a slight chance of snow. This means that if you decide to live in the area, you won’t experience extreme weather changes.

Redmond’s population of 70,000 has an array of things to do in their downtime. The Redmond Town Center is undoubtedly the central hub of the city. Marymoor Park and Idylwood Beach Park are other popular places to hang out.

The Redmond Derby Days is the hottest event of the year. Other than the famous Derby Dash 5k, there are also bike challenges, art shows, and numerous theatre productions on offer. The city even switched to virtual celebrations to keep their traditions alive during the pandemic.

Redmond is also known to be an extremely bike-friendly city. Other than the numerous trails for outdoor bike enthusiasts, the city is full of spacious bike lanes. The young working population of the area usually commute to work on a bicycle, which is also a boon to health and the environment.

If you’re planning to raise a family in Redmond, their school system comes as another bit of good news. The Faith Lutheran School and the Cascadia Montessori School are top-performing schools for young children. Redmond High School is a fantastic school for teens. For higher education, the DigiPen Institute of Technology and the secondary campus of Lake Washington Institute of Technology are both located in Redmond.

Real estate in Redmond, WA

Once you’ve realized that Redmond is the place to find your dream home, you’ll discover the many options available to you. This includes the prevalence of single-family houses, perfect for raising a family in comfortably.

Living in Redmond doesn’t come cheap, however. The average price of a home here is over a million dollars. Prices have increased over time, a testament to how desirable the homes are in this area have become. If you want to move to Redmond, it pays to act quickly because the demand for homes is consistently high due to the influx of people from Seattle and other cities looking for their niche in this coveted area.

 

The neighborhoods of Redmond, WA

Each of Redmond’s neighborhoods is unique when it comes to perks and vibe. The real estate selection varies as well, so choosing a neighborhood to move into is crucial.

Bear Creek

Named after the salmon stream that moves through the neighborhood, Bear Creek lies northeast of downtown and features the popular Bear Creek Country Club. This area is small, but it has a lot of options when it comes to properties, many of which sit on sizable lots. There are detached single-family homes, apartments, and manufactured homes in the north and west sides of the neighborhood. Houses here average around $560,000.

Downtown Redmond

As the urban hub of the city, Downtown Redmond offers apartments in new residential buildings that blend seamlessly with Redmond’s old and historical buildings. The average price of properties is $678,000. Expect plenty of dining, shopping, and activities in the city center. Buses in Downtown Redmond also make the most frequent trips. A light rail is scheduled to open in 2024.

Education Hill

This area is aptly named because it has some of Redmond’s best schools like Redmond High and Rockwell Elementary. It’s also one of the biggest residential areas, with large houses, tree-lined streets, and a friendly atmosphere. The real estate in this suburb averages about $800,000.

Grass Lawn

Overlooking the Sammamish Valley, Grass Lawn is a neighborhood on the west side of Redmond. The neighborhood is broken up into smaller housing areas. Single-family homes are spaced farther apart, but the east side of the neighborhood near Downtown now offers a few apartment and condominium complexes. Grass Lawn is a mature neighborhood, but prized for its walkability and community. The price of properties in this area average $590,000.

Idylwood

Located in the southeast, , Idylwood is built on a slope overlooking Lake Sammamish. Residents here often enjoy lakefront homes, with prices in the neighborhood at around $732,000. This area is particularly well-maintained, thanks to the homeowners’ strong sense of community. Idylwood’s landscape and public art are as beautiful as the view of the lake.

North Redmond

North Redmond is historically significant because it harks back to the city’s agricultural beginnings. Site of one the first farms in the area, North Redmond today offers new construction homes in relatively low-density housing areas. The parks are plentiful in this area, with trails that connect to an extensive network. North Redmond’s wide-open spaces mean properties come in acreages, with an average price of $1.6 million. This is a great spot for high-income households looking for a place to build their estates.

Overlake

Home to both Nintendo and Microsoft, the Overlake neighborhood boasts the highest population of skilled workers in the city. This also makes the neighborhood diverse, and the growth in the area dynamic. Overlake also houses the largest park in the entire county, making it a prime place for outdoor activities. It’s poised to be Redmond’s second urban center, while the neighboring suburbs boast some of the best properties in the city. Houses here average $862,000.

Sammamish Valley

The north end of Sammamish Valley offers plenty of agricultural land and recreational opportunities. Research and manufacturing facilities cluster at the south end. Properties here average $1.5 million, but the lots are large and business opportunities abound. The seasonal events in the valley also make it highly desirable. The Sammamish Valley Fall Harvest Celebration and the Sammamish Valley Celebration of Lavender and the Arts are two such activities.

Southeast Redmond

Near Downtown Redmond, Southeast Redmond is ideally zoned. The north is home to a business park, the west to an industrial and retail area, and the south and east to residential neighborhoods. Homes lie in medium-density communities and average $711,000. Industrial projects are in the works, potentially boosting home values in Southeast Redmond.

Willows & Rose Hill

This is one of Redmond’s largest neighborhoods, where residents escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The tracts of undeveloped forest and parkland add to the tranquility. In keeping with Willows & Rose Hill’s profile, very few businesses operate in the area. Residents go to downtown Redmond, Kirkland, or Seattle to shop and enjoy the nightlife. Houses here average $1 million, but sit on expansive lots with plenty of greenery.

As you can see, Redmond offers an array of choices when it comes to buying a home in the kind of neighborhood that suits your needs. Each has distinct charms and perks. Whether you enjoy the urban lifestyle of Downtown Redmond, or the peaceful lakefront life in Idylwood, you can truly find a place that’s worth the dream home you seek. Jobs are also plentiful, especially in the technological hub Overlake, so there isn’t a bad time to move into one of Washington State’s most exciting cities.

The home buying process

 

If you’re a first-time buyer of real estate, the process can be a little daunting. Each step is rife with details that are easy to overlook. Especially in a prime location like Redmond, where neighborhoods, home styles, amenities, and opportunities are varied and wide ranging, the newbie buyer needs all the help they can get. After all, making the right buying decision affects every fact of your life now and in the future.

While the process can be daunting, homeownership is a major personal accomplishment that is well worth the journey. To get you started, we prepared a quick home buying guide so you can confidently pursue your dream home in Redmond, WA as soon as possible:

 

• • Prepare to buyThe first thing to consider is your financial health – especially if you intend to buy a home in Redmond, WA, where houses cost 150% more than the national average, according to AreaVibes.com.

    First, check your credit score. Your credit score is a snapshot of how you spend money vis-à-vis your income and manage your debt based on your financial records. It allows banks to assess the risk of lending you money. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of securing a mortgage to finance the home you want to buy. A good credit score lies between 670 and 700.

    You should also ensure that your debt-to-income ratio is 43%. Most banks only allow 30% of your income to go into house payments, so fix your financial situation before you even think of buying a house.

    It’s just as important to look for communities and search for neighborhoods with homes that are within your budget and can support your lifestyle.

 

• • Hire an agentWhether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned one, it’s always a good idea to hire a real estate agent to represent you. Trust them to do most of the heavy lifting – searching for homes that conforms to your wishlist, arranging showings, negotiating on your behalf, taking care of the paperwork, and helping you make informed decisions.

    To make sure you’re shown the best homes for sale, hire a reputable local agent who is expert in the area you want to move to.

 

• • Close the dealSince buying a house does involve huge sums of money, escrow is a process that provides a financial safety net to ensure that the deal is fair to both buyer and seller. Escrow occurs once the purchase agreement is signed. It’s a legal arrangement wherein a third party holds your money in an escrow account until all the agreed-upon conditions between buyer and seller are met. This ensures that you get your deposit back in case the deal doesn’t push through.

    If you apply for a mortgage, appraisals provide you another safety net. An appraisal determines the market value of the property, separate from its asking price. Between escrow and appraisal, you’ll be able to proceed with greater confidence.

    Once every condition is met, the money in escrow is released to the seller, who will then transfer the deed and keys to you. Your agent will help you understand the legal and financial paperwork that comes with closing, including paying associated closing costs (title insurance, attorney fees, appraisals, taxes, etc.).

Congratulations! You just bought yourself a new home!

 

Choose a seasoned real estate agent as your home buying partner

If you’re ready to find your dream home in Redmond, WA, contact Kevan Brooks at Brooksview Northwest. Kevan is seasoned sales and marketing expert of Western Washington real estate. He combines his experience with tenacity and integrity and, in the process, creates lasting relationships with his clients.

To get the best deals, find the best properties, and ensure a stress-free home buying experience in Western Washington , make Kevan Brooks of Brooksview Northwest your trusted real estate partner.

Call 425.747.7900, email Kevan(at)brooksviewnorthwest(dotted)com, or contact us here to get started.