River fishing! Summer festivals at River Meadows Park! A world class performing arts center! Award-winning public schools! Views of a meandering river graced by a backdrop of majestic mountains! What will be your reason for falling in love with Arlington? Visit Arlington and you may have more than one. Buy a home in Arlington, and you will surely find even more.

Arlington is plenty of fun, but it means business. Literally. The civic leaders embrace a pro-business ethos that has made this city a powerhouse of commerce, a bastion of economic strength, and a sterling example of what the American Dream should look like. But don’t worry… the citizens of Arlington are serious about preserving the natural beauty that makes this place a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. City Hall definitely has its priorities in order.

About Arlington Homes

The Arlington, WA MLS inventory covers spans the price spectrum, and it is as large as it is varied.  Today’s Arlington real estate market offers an eclectic mix homes on parcels of land ranging from small plots to large acreages.  Styles range from townhomes and condos to large luxury estates.  Upscale Arlington real estate options include bigger acreages, horse property, and golf course homes.  If you really want to make the most of living in this beautiful part of this world, be sure to explore the possibility of purchasing Arlington riverfront property.

New home construction opportunities abound here.  Award-winning custom builders ply their trade here, and their names include notables like Harbor Homes. Many of the builders have become flexible with price and concessions; there are excellent buys right now on spec homes, builder’s models, and custom homes.

Arlington home buyers are taking advantage of today’s low interest rates, and the $8,000 first timer tax credit has fueled the market for starter homes priced at about 200-300K. The  Arlington townhome market  in the 175K price range is also active.

A glance at the Washington MLS will quickly show you that there are plenty of good deals available if you are looking for foreclosures and short sale listings.  Also the market for duplex and multiplexes are attracting savvy investors who are eager to take advantage of current conditions.  Don’t make the classic investor’s mistake of waiting until prices have gone up.  This is one of the best buyers market for Arlington homes that you may ever see.

Life in Arlington

Arlington enjoys an ideal location in northern Snohomish County just 40 miles north of Seattle. The natural beauty of its woodlands, wetlands, streams, mountains and the Stillaguamish River adorn Arlington like one big garland. The Stillaguamish River is composed of two forks, the longer is the North Fork Stillaguamish, and the shorter is the South Fork Stillaguamish. The two forks join near Arlington and continue for 22 miles to flow into Puget Sound. The river and its tributaries are known for the salmon runs and salmon spawning. Fisherman are delighted with the abundance of fish in the area and look forward to catching chinook, coho, chum, pink or sockeye salmon or maybe a steelhead or bull trout.

If you are touring the area in search of an Arlington home, you will find a pleasant mix of suburban and rural residential areas. You will also find a vibrant business sector. Much of the local business activity is centered around the Arlington municipal airport. Many light industrial and manufacturing operations are located nearby. The airport has two long runways, 3,500 feet and 5,333 feet; these allow for aircraft up to 270,000 lbs to land here. It hosts 500 aircraft including multi-engine, single engine, gliders, ultra lights and helicopters. The Burlington Northern Railway also serves the airport with freight lines that run adjacent to the airport. Every year the airport is host to the Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In and Sport Aviation Convention, a four day event that is attended by people from all over the country. There has been significant growth around the airport with over 160 companies located at the airport. There is continued development of 124 more acres for business. Arlington is close to the Boeing manufacturing facilities, the Navy’s carrier home base and Technology companies, both of which are tremendous boons to the local economy. In southwest Arlington there is Smokey Point which has commercial and retail businesses that serve Arlington and the city of Marysville.

Public Art is dots the cultural landscape of Arlington. In 2007 the City Council has even created an ordinance that supports the acquisition of new public art. As you stroll around the town you will noticed numerous murals and sculptures for your enjoyment. There is even a world-class performing arts center in Arlington. Purchase a house in Arlington, and you will have access to top notch cultural and entertainment venues.

Time to Buy Property

You can hardly turn on the radio or open up a newspaper without reading something about foreclosures and the credit crunch. Our hearts go out to Arlington, WA homeowners who have lost their properties through foreclosure. However, many of those in this situation were given risky loan products, and some of them were hoping to purchase Arlington real estate to flip and make an easy profit. Also, the media does not point out that the vast majority of home owners who have purchased a home, avoided unwise secondary mortgages, and lived there for a few years have actually seen their homes appreciate over the long term. The doom purveyors on TV are not reminding us that most home owners have equity, and that Arlington Washington real estate has still been one of the best long term investments you can make.

The Arlington, WA housing market is still a buyer’s market. But this is not a good time to dawdle. This market is resilient. Shrewd investors are scooping up lender mediated properties at a good swift clip. They see the opportunity for cash-flow now and also for future value. Buyer demand has been bottled up for too long, and is starting to pour out. Rates are excellent. Jumbo loan underwriting is loosening up a bit. Add to all of this the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, and you just might find yourself in the center of the perfect Arlington real estate storm. When the storm hits, you can be sure that prices will shoot upwards.

Call me if you are thinking of investing in an Arlington home. My goal as your Arlington Realtor is to help you make astute real estate decisions by providing you with comprehensive neighborhood resale data available. I am more concerned about helping you find the best value than about just making a sale. I am in this for the long term, so client satisfaction is far more valuable to me than just getting the sale.

If you are relocating to Arlington or other parts of Snohomish County, you will find that I will make every effort to make this transition go as smoothly as possible for you and your family.

Selling Snohomish County Property

Ask me about my 79 point no risk listing plan. I don’t just plant a sign in the yard and post your property on the Arlington MLS. The plan was developed to assure you that your home will sell in a reasonable time, and that the bottom line on your net sheet will be protected. I don’t believe in leaving things up to chance. You shouldn’t either. I can give your home the best possible market exposure, and I have the experience to craft a transaction with terms most favorable to your interests.

If you would like to know what your home is really worth in today’s Arlington, WA real estate market, just give me a call. I offer a comprehensive market valuation, and I will also show you the the most cost-effective ways to prepare your home for sale. No pressure – just facts!