Explore the 2022 Waterfront Report

As dynamic and varied as the stunning natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest region is, there’s one area that seems to encapsulate all that’s remarkable about Washington: the waterfront. The opportunity to own a waterfront home is made more achievable by the fact that there are so many ways to inhabit your own area of shoreline serenity. From lakes to forested islands to charming port towns, there’s something for every buyer. Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty has released their 2022 Waterfront Report, analyzing over two years of waterfront transactions to help guide you on your quest to buy or sell a little piece of paradise.

Navigating the real estate market is always a supreme undertaking, but a knowledgeable and experienced agent should take any of the stress or pressure out of your search and put you on a path to success. Buying or selling on the waterfront presents its own unique set of challenges and rewards. For sellers, it’s important to think about the kind of buyer your home would likely attract and market its best qualities to appeal to them.

As a Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, I’m focused on creating marketing materials that highlight the best of waterfront living. If your home has a private dock, that’s a feature sure to interest buyers with boats. Lakefront residences should present the available and ample recreation opportunities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. Coastal properties are a treat to the senses, with the sound of crashing waves, scent of salty sea air, and the feel of cool ocean breezes. High-quality photography and dynamic videos can capture the beauty and versatility of these desirable locations so that sellers can clearly picture themselves in their new waterfront lifestyle. And, of course, staging the interior of your home is just as important as marketing its excellent exterior and location. Allow yourself to be inspired by the surrounding beauty, and put art and décor on display that add to the aesthetic, rather than distracting from it.

For buyers, consider what’s important to you not only in a home but also in a location. If you’re looking for a simpler, lock-and-leave lifestyle, then a luxury condominium on the beach might be just the move for you. If you want something a little unexpected and with a lot of charm, then a floating home on Lake Union could provide you with a laidback, beachy vibe mixed with easy access to all of the water sports and boating activities you can dream of. Wildlife enthusiasts are sure to love the proximity to the diverse plants and animals that call Puget Sound home. Wherever you’re looking, the view of the waterfront that greets you from your own abode is sure to impress.

Check out these incredible waterfront properties for an up-close look at the best of the best:

1500 42nd Avenue E, Seattle

A home in Seattle’s secluded Reed Estate is listed for $35 million.

This incredibly rare waterfront estate is one of only four waterfront residences within the nine-home enclave known as The Reed Estate. The magnificent 8,000-plus-square-foot residence is sited on just over an acre, with more than 120 feet of walkout beachfront and a private four-season dock.

8900 N Mercer Way, Mercer Island

Intrinsically rare and spectacular by nature, a coveted north shore lifestyle awaits your discovery. A proud 76' of low-bank waterfront fronts a gentle, highly-curated landscape easing effortlessly to the lake.

84 Parks Bay Drive, Shaw Island

Among the most unique and captivating locations in the Pacific Northwest, Illikum Point on Shaw Island holds something special for all those lucky enough to visit. Available for the first time in over 60 years, the 15-acre property provides a rarely available combination of Arcadian beauty and unrivaled privacy.

10663 NE West Kingston Road, Kingston

Tucked along the water’s edge in Kingston, a rare opportunity awaits as one-level living meets a double lot with enchanting beachfront views.