Is Mercer Island special? Unequivocally, I would have to say the answer to that is yes!
As a third-generation Islander, I’ve had the opportunity to hear firsthand what life was like on the Island back in the ’50s when my grandparents moved here.
As my dad and aunts and uncles grew up here, I heard stories about when the South End was a forest wilderness and my dad, with his brothers and sister, could take a tent down to the South end for a campout and truly feel as if they were in a place utterly remote.
Oh, how things have changed as Mercer Island has evolved, but it still maintains that special position of being in the middle of everything while enjoying an amazing separation from the hustle and bustle to the West and East sides.
Our special and almost rural location means a great deal and is part of why Mercer Island tends to command some of the highest property prices in the nation. The Island is aspirational for many people because of our schools, refuge from daily life and the amenities it offers.
What this translates into is a high demand for homes on the island and continued appreciation for Island homeowners. Even with a market that has been sluggish due to high interest rates and market insecurities, the Island still enjoys some of the shortest market times of any of the areas touching Lake Washington.
Mercer Island’s schools, amenities and refuge from busy city life, makes it aspirational for many people. Courtesy John L. Scott
The MLS shows Mercer Island homes are on the market for an average of nine days as of the end of August, whereas homes on the East Side range from 13 days in Bellevue to 21 days in Kirkland for time on market.
Home prices on Mercer Island and West Bellevue compete neck and neck in the mid $2.5-million range with some give and take to each neighborhood depending on time of year and what houses are coming onto market.
With all the above in mind I really do have a deep gratitude for the opportunity to be an Islander and really appreciate what delightful refuge we enjoy. The pride of our community is remarkable, and the overall stewardship of the city is admirable from a local government standpoint…even though each of us may have ‘wish list’ for a few things…but in the main? I believe that we are all very lucky to be on this amazing Island!
Scott MacRae
Your Real Estate Concierge
Three Lochs Realty powered by John L. Scott
206-499-5766
