Medina
Westlake, Seattle
Waterfront infrastructure is a defining value driver. Whether it’s a deep-water dock on Bainbridge, a lakeside retreat on Lake Washington, or a custom estate with moorage in Yarrow Point, these elements offer not only lifestyle enhancement but long-term certainty.
Mercer Island
Michele Schuler | Founding Member | Managing Broker Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty The Schuler Team
Where Lifestyle, Legacy, and Location Converge
Bellevue
In the Pacific Northwest, true waterfront real estate is more than a luxury—it’s a rare intersection of lifestyle, legacy, and limited access. For my clients in Mercer Island, the Eastside, Seattle, and Bainbridge Island, these properties represent not only exceptional homes but a deep connection to nature and community—often secured by generational planning and protected infrastructure.
With permitting processes growing more complex—and local Shoreline Master Programs evolving to meet environmental goals—existing access is more than a convenience. It’s a competitive edge. The permitting timeline can stretch from six months to a year or more, depending on the location, environmental impact, and local regulations. Areas containing eelgrass beds, salmon spawning grounds, or forage fish habitat receive heightened scrutiny, and in many cases, limitations or outright restrictions. This is why existing, legally permitted infrastructure is such a premium feature. A home with a dock or lift already in place offers more than convenience—it offers certainty. Buyers can bypass complex permitting timelines and move directly into the waterfront lifestyle they’re pursuing.
My clients aren’t just buying homes—they’re investing in an elevated way of life. Whether it's mornings spent kayaking from their private dock, evenings enjoying sunset views over the lake, or simply the quiet privacy that waterfront living affords, these properties offer a daily connection to nature that can’t be replicated. From the shores of Mercer Island to the serene inlets of Bainbridge and the highly sought-after communities of the Eastside, the appeal is timeless. And while the market continues to evolve, one truth remains: properties on the water hold both emotional and financial value that extends far beyond their square footage. They are not just places to live, but places to build memories, legacy, and lasting peace of mind.