|
Relocating to Edmonds: A Homebuyer's Guide to Single Family Homes
||
Downtown Edmonds' main street at golden hour, featuring historic brick buildings with colorful awnings, flower baskets hanging from vintage lampposts, and pedestrians strolling past local boutiques and cafés. The street is lined with mature trees, and in the distance, the Olympic Mountains are visible across Puget Sound, capturing the town's quintessential Pacific Northwest charm.
Nestled along the shores of Puget Sound, Edmonds offers the perfect blend of coastal charm and suburban convenience. This picturesque community combines a walkable downtown, stunning waterfront views, and a vibrant arts scene, all just 15 miles north of Seattle. With excellent schools, abundant parks, and a strong sense of community, Edmonds provides an exceptional quality of life for families and professionals alike.

Welcome to Edmonds

A mid-range Edmonds single-family home ($850,000 range) in the Meadowdale neighborhood featuring a traditional two-story design with gray siding, white trim, and a covered front porch. The property includes mature landscaping with rhododendrons and a fenced backyard. The home sits on a quiet residential street with similar well-maintained properties nearby.
The Edmonds housing market remains stable yet competitive, with single-family homes typically ranging from $750,000 to $4.5 million depending on location, size, and views. Properties with Puget Sound vistas command premium prices, while inland neighborhoods offer better value. Homes typically appreciate 4-6% annually, outpacing many Seattle suburbs. Expect multiple offers on well-priced properties, particularly during spring and summer. The market favors prepared buyers who can act decisively with pre-approved financing.
Downtown Edmonds' commercial district with its charming mix of boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries housed in historic buildings. Pedestrians stroll along brick sidewalks past colorful storefronts with awnings. Hanging flower baskets adorn vintage-style lampposts, and outdoor seating areas create a vibrant, community-oriented atmosphere.
The Bowl neighborhood of Edmonds featuring tree-lined streets with a mix of historic Craftsman bungalows and updated mid-century homes. Sidewalks border well-maintained front yards with flowering rhododendrons and hydrangeas. The neighborhood has a peaceful, established feel with glimpses of Puget Sound visible at the end of the street where it slopes toward the water.

Neighborhoods of Edmonds

Edmonds offers diverse neighborhoods, each with distinct character. From the historic downtown Bowl area to hillside communities with sweeping views, you'll find a variety of architectural styles and community atmospheres.
The Bowl area offers walkability to downtown shops, restaurants, and the waterfront, with historic homes and condos. Ideal for those seeking vibrant community life and minimal driving, with easy access to the Sounder train.
Meadowdale and Perrinville feature larger lots, newer homes, and top-rated schools including Meadowdale Elementary and Middle School. These family-friendly areas offer a suburban feel with convenient shopping centers nearby.
Seaview and Olympic View provide stunning Puget Sound vistas and mountain views, with a mix of mid-century and contemporary homes. These hillside neighborhoods balance natural beauty with a reasonable commute to Seattle.
A moving truck parked in the driveway of a newly purchased Edmonds home on a clear autumn day. Boxes are being unloaded while neighbors stop by to welcome the new family. The home features traditional Pacific Northwest architecture with natural wood elements and large windows. Fall foliage in vibrant oranges and reds frames the scene, suggesting a strategic off-peak season move.
Month 1-2: Research phase - A laptop displaying Edmonds neighborhood information and home listings sits on a kitchen table surrounded by notes and a map of the area. A notebook shows a checklist of priorities including school districts, commute times, and desired home features. The scene conveys the initial planning stage of relocation.

Timing Your Relocation

Strategic timing can significantly impact your Edmonds home buying experience. Spring and summer offer the most inventory but highest competition, while fall and winter present fewer options but better negotiating power. Consider a two-phase approach: exploratory visits followed by a focused house-hunting trip. Allow 3-6 months from initial search to closing, with flexibility for temporary housing if needed.
A virtual meeting between a relocating couple and their employer's relocation coordinator. The coordinator is sharing her screen showing a benefits overview document while the couple takes notes. The home office setting is organized with Edmonds area guides and property listings visible on the desk, illustrating the initial consultation phase of working with relocation services.

Working with Relocation Services

Employer-sponsored relocation packages can significantly ease your transition to Edmonds. These typically include home-finding trips, temporary housing allowances, moving expenses, and sometimes closing cost assistance. Request a detailed benefits overview from your HR department early in the process. Many employers partner with third-party relocation management companies who can connect you with local real estate agents experienced in relocation. Be sure to understand all deadlines and documentation requirements to maximize your benefits.
Independent relocation specialists can fill the gap if your employer doesn't offer comprehensive services. These professionals coordinate logistics, recommend vetted service providers, and negotiate with moving companies. When selecting a real estate agent, prioritize those with Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) credentials who understand the nuances of relocation packages. They can help you navigate lender requirements for relocation benefits and ensure proper timing of disbursements to avoid delays at closing.
Week 8 before move: A home office desk with a computer displaying virtual home tours of Edmonds properties. Nearby sits a notebook with neighborhood comparisons and school research. A calendar shows scheduled video calls with real estate agents and highlighted dates for a house-hunting trip, illustrating the early research phase of relocation planning.
Managing logistics from afar requires meticulous planning and local support. Consider hiring a relocation concierge to coordinate home inspections, repairs, and final walk-throughs when you can't be present. Establish a digital hub for all documentation and create a detailed timeline working backward from your move-in date. Research Edmonds utility providers early—Snohomish PUD for electricity, Puget Sound Energy for gas, and the City of Edmonds for water and sewer—and schedule connections at least two weeks ahead.
The Edmonds Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday morning, with colorful produce stands, local artisans displaying handcrafted goods, and residents chatting while shopping for fresh vegetables and flowers. Musicians perform in the background while children play in a nearby grassy area. The historic downtown buildings provide a charming backdrop to this weekly community gathering.

Living in Edmonds

Embrace Edmonds' vibrant community through seasonal events like the Edmonds Arts Festival, Waterfront Festival, and summer concerts at City Park, all fostering connections with neighbors.
Outdoor enthusiasts thrive with beach activities at Marina Beach Park, hiking at Yost Park, and kayaking from the waterfront, while the arts scene flourishes at galleries and theaters.
A home office desk with an organized relocation command center featuring a large wall calendar marked with color-coded deadlines and milestones for the Edmonds move. Neatly arranged folders contain labeled documents for housing, schools, utilities, and moving quotes. A map of Edmonds neighborhoods is pinned to a corkboard with potential homes highlighted, illustrating a well-structured approach to relocation planning.
3-6 Months Before: A living room setting with a laptop displaying Edmonds neighborhood research and school district information. Nearby sits a notebook with a prioritized list of home features and budget considerations. A calendar shows scheduled video calls with real estate agents and highlighted dates for initial virtual tours, representing the early planning phase.

Your Relocation Checklist

Success in relocating to Edmonds requires methodical planning across multiple phases. Begin 3-6 months before your move by researching neighborhoods and connecting with a relocation-savvy real estate agent. Two months prior, schedule house-hunting trips and apply for mortgage pre-approval. One month before, finalize your home purchase and coordinate logistics for utilities, schools, and moving services.
agent photo
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit sellers or buyers under written contract with another REALTOR®.
Larry Bell
Associate Broker, CRB,CRS,ABR,SRES,SFR
John L. Scott Real Estate
Independently owned and operated.
First Last
Accreditation
John L. Scott Real Estate
Independently owned and operated.
10820 Evergreen Way, Everett, WA 98204