This article first appeared in Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s 2023 Forecast Report. To get your digital or print copy of this comprehensive look at the Pacific Northwest’s ever-changing residential real estate landscape click here.
Some people long to be the first, to be there before it happens, so they can say, “I was here when”. And that’s a tricky proposition in real estate. Searching to purchase a home in an “on-the-rise” community doesn’t usually guarantee a timeline for seeing a spike in your home’s equity. But here is what can be forecasted about the future of Sammamish: Not only is it a desirable community today, perfect for those who seek the slower pace of suburban life, but in 10 years, when the Sammamish City Town Center plan is complete, it will be among the Eastside’s premier destinations for retail, dining, and community events, all in a centrally located, mixed-use space.
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From a value perspective, for those thinking about making the move to Sammamish, the time is now, according to those following the market. Like purchasing in Redmond before Redmond Town Center or Kirkland before the Village at Totem Lake, which offer additional convenience and desirable retail experiences, the plan for the Sammamish Town Center will likely elevate the home desirability even more. The objectives for the project are forward-thinking and mixed-use. Described as “a vibrant, urban, family-friendly gathering place in a healthy natural setting fully integrated and synergistically complement the public parks and open spaces being developed as part of the Sammamish Commons.”
As it is, Sammamish continues to be a sought-after Eastside community. Spacious residences and luxurious builds are located near top schools (within the Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts), with easy access to the Bellevue business core, as well as the Mircosoft campus in Redmond. The city, which is noted as Washington’s richest city with a population over 5,000, is also home to abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, with nine parks and three golf courses, including the 27-hole Sahalee Country Club, and lakefront recreation on Lake Sammamish.
If Sammamish is making plans only to improve in its future, perhaps the best time to invest in this Eastside lifestyle is now.
You can always change and update your home’s wall color, fixtures and appliances, and in many cases, you can adjust the layout and the floor plan of your home. But when you purchase a home, you are choosing a city, town, neighborhood—and these aren’t as easy to update with a paint sample and a brush.
Where you live matters. In 2023, we’re focusing on five different communities across the Puget Sound that offer specific opportunities for new residents. For some, it’s a rare influx of housing availability, for others it’s about yet-untapped city growth or the anticipation of equity gains in a transitioning city center, and for some the focus is on the unique opportunities that offer a lifestyle unlike any other across the region.
The real market that matters is the one that you live in, move to, work in, or retreat to when you’re ready for an escape.
We invite you to explore these communities and imagine your day-to-day in a different locale. As you think about your next destination, whatever your home goals may be, discuss with your Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty real estate advisor what you want out of your next neighborhood—our local expertise could help you find a hidden gem in an unexpected location.