When discussing a possible move to another city, the phrase “quality of life” becomes a part of the discussion.  Any real estate agent you talk to will tell you that the quality of life in any community is the biggest consideration when making a relocation decision.  Potential Stanwood home buyers will certainly try to gauge this carefully.

What is meant by “quality of life?”    Can it be quantified?  Various “Best Places to Live” publications use indicators like crime rates, job opportunities, benchmark school testing, and median income.  All of these measurements have numbers attached to them.  By all of these indicators, Stanwood comes out on top.  However these numbers don’t tell the whole  story.  They  don’t measure the overpowering sense of beauty that Stanwood’s natural setting evokes. They don’t describe the small-town character of the community.  They don’t express the level of excitement and fun that this only amplified by the sundry list Stanwood’s recreational activities.  Most of all, they do not express the friendliness of its people.

Stanwood Homes for Sale

The Stanwood Washington MLS is brimming with listing of every possible price and style.  Stanwood foreclosure listings are getting plenty of attention from investors who are purchasing them for cash flow now and also for future value.  Many of these lender-mediated Stanwood real estate listings are duplexes and multiplexes. The Stanwood townhome market is also hot, especially in the 175K price range.  The starter home market in the 200-300K range is also active. If you are looking for something more upscale, executive homes will probably never be more affordable than they are right now.  A Stanwood riverfront home or a sprawling estate with acreage for horses might be in the cards for you.

Living in Stanwood

At the mouth of the Stillaguamish river and the northeastern corner of Snohomish County, Stanwood Washington lies just one short hour north of Seattle. It was originally named Centerville,  and in 1877 was renamed Stanwood by D.O.Pearson in 1877.  Pearson was the Postmaster and owned the General Store. He named the town after his wife, Clara Stanwood Pearson.  The early settlers of Stanwood cleared the area and built a dike along the river so they could farm.  Soon two sawmills and canneries were established.  Steamboats came to the area to carry their products to other parts of the country.

Settlers began arriving into the area through Utsalady located on Camano Island.  By the late 1890’s, Stanwood was the largest Norwegian settlement in the area.  The arrival of the Great Northern Railroad changed the dynamics of the community. Stanwood real estate became a hot commodity. Growth in the area moved inward around the rail depot. The community of East Stanwood was established replete with its own store and milk condensery.

Today, Stanwood is the only gateway to Camano Island. The town is unique in character and still suggests a unique Norwegian influence.  Situated along Puget Sound, the Stillaguamish River and the mountains, the daily views are forever magnificent and inspiring.  Purchase a home in Stanwood, and you are sure to enjoy a life that is refreshing, relaxing, and enjoyable.  The area is awash with beauty, and makes the Stanwood real estate market so popular with Washington home buyers.

The residents and tourists support three shopping districts where you will find antiques, small gift shops, quilts, crafts and thrift stores.  There are many parks for your outdoor activities; Church Creek Park offers picnic facilities, ballparks and rolling grounds with tall trees, Kayak Point County Park has a boat launch, camping and windsurfing and Heritage Park has 43.6 acres with ball fields and a skateboard park.  Nearby Camano Island Park offers scuba diving, kayaking, salmon fishing, whale watching and camping. The Skagit and Stilliguamish Rivers provide the fishermen with the challenge of catching Chinook, Pink and Coho salmon and various varieties of trout.  If hunting is your game, the Skagit Wildlife Area offers waterfowl, pheasant and black tailed deer on 11,000 acres of beautiful lands.  If you want to spend time off the ground and in the air, take advantage of the nearby Paragliding and Evergreen Soaring Club.  If you are a golfer, you have three challenging premier courses to pick from!  A day at Mt. Pilchuck State park offers you fabulous views of alpine terrain and a three-mile trail to the summit. At the top you will experience breathtaking, panoramic views of the Cascades, Olympics and Puget Sound.

If you the outdoorsy type, this place is for you.  If you come to play here, there is a good chance that you will stay here.  Own a Stanwood WA home, and you will never have to wander very far away from town to enjoy the best of what woods, water, and wildlife can offer.  Tour the Stanwood real estate market, and the views alone will sell you on the area.

Buying a Home in Stanwood

The Stanwood WA MLS inventory offers home buyers so many good choices, that it’s hard to know where to start your search.  That’s where a local, seasoned Snohomish County Realtor comes in.  Let’s take the time to discuss the housing wants and needs of your family.  I know the neighborhoods, schools, local amenities, local builders, and trends in the Stanwood real estate market.  I am energetic, enthusiastic, and totally committed to helping you find the home of your dreams.  I can save you time and headaches by showing you the most suitable properties out of all of those Stanwood MLS listings.  More importantly, I have the patience necessary for you to make a well considered, well informed real estate purchase.  When you invest in real estate, you are making one of the most important financial decisions you might ever make.  This means that you should not feel rushed to buy a home.  In fact, I will not allow your Stanwood real estate transaction to proceed until I am confident that you understand the condition of the home and any elements that may be positive or negative resale factors.  Also, I will ensure that you understand every facet of the transaction itself.

Selling Stanwood Real Estate

If you are selling your property in Stanwood, please contact me for a free market valuation of your home.  My 79 point risk free listing program will assure you of my resolve to get top price for your home, and to sell it within a reasonable amount of time.  Benefit from my years of experience and my large referral database.  Also, as a RE/MAX agent, I have the best marketing tools and the best national referral system available to promote and and sell your home.