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.
Surrounded by forests, state parks, and lakes—Snohomish is a charming city boasting contemporary homes, many offering acreage and square footage not easily found in the metro area. Bordered on its south side by the Snohomish River and conveniently located less than 10 miles southeast of the city of Everett, it’s a popular choice for those who seek a sense of community surrounded by historic charm and tradition.
Originally established to support the surrounding agricultural community, Snohomish became a logging town because of the area’s dense forests of Douglas Firs. Around the turn of the century, Snohomish’s economy diversified as the area’s soil and climate made for superior fruit growing. And to those exploring the downtown commercial district, a sense of this history remains. Well-known for its abundance of antique shops—always hiding unique and unexpected treasures—this neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restaurants, bars, salons, boutiques, and more line the streets of this well-preserved and welcoming historic district that’s the heart of Snohomish. It all provides a comfortable home base for anyone looking to enjoy the area’s many other perks, including its 170+ acres of parks and recreation areas open to the public, including 84-acre Willis Tucker Community Park.
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What may seem surprising is that the city hasn’t seen incredible growth over the past 10 years, especially when likened to comparable communities across King County. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the population grew by just over 1,000 residents. For some, this adds to the allure, a small-town feeling in a still-small town. Near the city’s historic district, those in search of homes in classic styles, like that of Queen Anne homes, may find well-preserved beauties. More often, Craftsman and Traditional homes line city streets and culs-de-sac, while some neighbors may find opportunities to build custom homes in the Northwest Contemporary style so common across the region. Throughout the exurban migration during the pandemic, this safe city was an ideal choice for those migrating from the metro area over the last few years, looking for homes that offered more space and convenience in safe neighborhoods with good schools. The public education here is among the top in Washington. The Snohomish School District rounds out the top 25 best school districts in the state and is also ranked highly for its athletic programs and districts to teach in.
For Snohomish residents, the allure of their town feels like a well-kept secret. An area yet to explode in population growth, where equity on homes has seen a great return, but it’s the city, community, and the opportunities the area offers that are the true reward.
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.