Most Competitive Seattle Neighborhoods to Buy a House
Known for its thriving coffee culture, natural beauty, and booming tech hub, Seattle, WA is attracting people from all over the country looking for a taste of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Throw in ample career opportunities and an eco-conscious culture, and it’s no surprise why these sought-after Seattle neighborhoods boast a competitive housing market.
Whether you’re buying your first home or your third, if you’re looking to score your dream home in one of these Seattle area neighborhoods, be prepared for some fierce competition. Each of these neighborhoods has a Redfin Compete Score above 89, which means many homes get multiple offers, some with waived contingencies. These are the top 10 most competitive Seattle neighborhoods to buy a house right now.
1. Victory Heights
Compete Score: 93
Median sale price: $825,500
Average sale-to-list ratio: 107%
Share of homes sold above list price: 69%
Homes for sale in Victory Heights
Named after the Victory Highway, now called Lake City Way, Victory Heights is a quiet and residential neighborhood in the Lake City district of Seattle. With a Compete Score of 93, homebuyers looking to score a home in Victory Heights need to act fast as 69% of homes are sold above list price. The median home sold in Victory Heights went for $825,500, well above the national median price of $383,890*, with the typical home staying on the market for 7 days before going under contract.
2. Hawthorne Hills
Compete Score: 93
Median sale price: $1,400,000
Average sale-to-list ratio: 108%
Share of homes sold above list price: 58%
Homes for sale in Hawthorne Hills
Hawthorne Hills is a quiet and residential neighborhood in the northeast region of Seattle located just Northeast of the University of Washington and University District. Famous for its beautiful homes and winding streets, residents of Hawthorne Hills enjoy incredible views of the Cascade Mountains, Lake Washington, the city skyline, and proximity to Warren G. Magnuson Park, one of the biggest parks in the city. With a Compete Score of 93, homebuyers looking to score a home in Hawthorne Hills need to act fast as 58% of homes are sold above list price, with the typical home staying on the market for just 5 days before going under contract.
3. Arbor Heights
Compete Score: 92
Median sale price: $700,000
Average sale-to-list ratio: 106%
Share of homes sold above list price: 69%
Homes for sale in Arbor Heights
Look no further than Arbor Heights if you’re searching for a small and primarily residential neighborhood in the southwest corner of West Seattle. Located near Fauntleroy and Roxhill, Arbor Heights has a Compete Score of 92, with most homes getting multiple offers, often with waived contingencies. With a slower-paced lifestyle and sense of community, this neighborhood offers individuals easy access to the city while also maintaining a residential feel. Buyers looking for homes in Arbor Heights should expect a strong housing market with less wiggle room over the sale price with an average sale-to-list ratio of 105.7%.
4. North Beach
Compete Score: 91
Median sale price: $1,161,721
Average sale-to-list ratio: 109%
Share of homes sold above list price: 64%
Homes for sale in North Beach
Just south of another Seattle neighborhood, Blue Ridge, lies North Beach, also known as the Blue Ridge/North Beach neighborhood. Homebuyers scouting out the neighborhood can expect stiff competition as North Beach has a Compete Score of 91, with 64% of homes selling above their list price. The median home sold in North Beach also went for $1,161,721, well above the national median price of $383,124. However, if you’re lucky enough to score a home in this beautiful neighborhood, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Puget Sound.
5. Maple Leaf
Compete Score: 91
Median sale price: $850,000
Average sale-to-list ratio: 105.5%
Share of homes sold above list price: 59.6%
Homes for sale in Maple Leaf
Looking for a small-town feel that is still close to the city? Maple Leaf is the neighborhood for you. Given the title as “Neighborhood of the Year” in 1986, Maple Leaf is home to Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, a 16-acre park with a viewpoint looking out to Mount Rainier and Lake Washington. With a Compete Score of 91, Maple Leaf is also one of the most competitive neighborhoods to buy a house in Seattle and buyers should be prepared for some fierce competition. Homes in this neighborhood went under contract in 6 days and 60% of homes sold above their list price.
6. Mount Baker
Compete Score: 91
Median sale price: $1,125,000
Average sale-to-list ratio: 106%
Share of homes sold above list price: 54%
Homes for sale in Mount Baker
Located in southeast Seattle, Mount Baker got its name for the stunning views it offers of the mountain in the Cascade Range visible across Lake Washington. This neighborhood is well-known for its beautiful Craftsman-style houses and is host to Seattle’s annual Seafair festival. Given its lakefront location, Mount Baker is also one of the most expensive neighborhoods, with a median sale price of $1,125,000. Combined with a Compete Score of 91, homebuyers scouting out the neighborhood can expect stiff competition as homes spend a median of 6 days on the market.
7. Wedgwood
Compete Score: 91
Median sale price: $880,000
Average sale-to-list ratio: 106%
Share of homes sold above list price: 66%
Homes for sale in Wedgwood
With a green belt offering a buffer to the busy Lake City Way street, Wedgwood is perfect for homebuyers searching for a quiet and cozy neighborhood that’s still close enough to the action of the city. Residents of Wedgwood also enjoy easy access to the University of Washington, Northgate, Ballard, and Queen Anne. Homebuyers looking to score a home in Wedgwood need to act quickly as homes sell at record speeds in this competitive neighborhood. With a Compete Score of 91, 66% of homes sold above list price and median days on market clocks in 8 days.
8. Roxhill
Compete Score: 90
Median sale price: $622,500
Average sale-to-list ratio: 105%
Share of homes sold above list price: 73%
Homes for sale in Roxhill
Look no further than Roxhill if you’re looking for a quiet residential neighborhood in West Seattle. Located near High Point and South Delridge, Roxhill has a Compete Score of 90, with most homes getting multiple offers, often with waived contingencies. This neighborhood is well-known for its strong sense of community and easy freeway access to Seattle, the Eastside, or Tacoma. Buyers looking for homes in Roxhill should expect a strong housing market with less wiggle room over the sale price as the average sale-to-list ratio of 104.5%. Not to mention the typical home in Roxhill sold for $622,500, making it the only neighborhood on this list with a median sale price below Seattle’s median sale price at $770,000.
9. Seaview
Compete Score: 90
Median sale price: $990,875
Average sale-to-list ratio: 105%
Share of homes sold above list price: 57%
Homes for sale in Seaview
Located on the western border of the Puget Sound, Seaview is aptly named for the stunning view it offers of the Sound and mountains. This neighborhood also has plenty of recreational activities, and residents enjoy close proximity to Lincoln Park and the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Homes in Seaview sit at a higher price point due to their waterfront location, with the typical home selling for $990,875. Combined with a Compete Score of 90, it’s no surprise that Seaview is one of the most competitive neighborhoods to buy a house in Seattle. 57% of homes sold above their list price and typically spend only 6 days on the market.
10. Meadowbrook
Compete Score: 89
Median sale price: $792,475
Average sale-to-list ratio: 107%
Share of homes sold above list price: 63%
Homes for sale in Meadowbrook
Meadowbrook is a laid-back neighborhood located in the Lake City district of Seattle where buyers can get a taste of urban life while enjoying a slower-paced lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a Compete Score of 89, homebuyers looking to score a home in Meadowbrook need to act quickly as homes sell at record speeds in this competitive neighborhood. 63% of homes sold above list price, with the typical home spending just 6 days on the market before going under contract.
Methodology
Compete Score rates how difficult it is to win a home in an area. Using a combination of Redfin data and data from the multiple listing services (MLS), Compete Score is primarily calculated based on four inputs: number of competing offers, waived contingencies, sale to list ratio, and number of days on market.
The median sale price represents the figure at which half of the properties in the area sell at a higher price and other half at a lower price.
The rankings for most competitive neighborhoods include neighborhoods with at least 25 sold within the last 12 months for which Redfin has Compete Score data. The rankings in this report reflect an average of monthly stats from January through December 2021.
Disclaimer: *Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during January 2021.
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