Kirkland homeowners who want to move often have a lot of equity and a very specific idea of where they want to go next: closer to the waterfront, a bigger lot on Finn Hill, a townhome near Totem Lake, or a single-level home for the next stage of life. Buying and selling at the same time lets you use that equity without moving twice. It only works if the timing, the contracts and the financing all line up.
I’m Aaron Yoon, a broker with eXp Realty. My focus is helping homeowners in Kirkland and across the greater Seattle area sell for top dollar by solving the problems others walk away from. On this page I cover how that plays out in Kirkland. For the complete process, including every form and decision point, see my main guide to buying and selling at the same time. Quick answers to common questions are in the FAQ.
The Kirkland Market Snapshot
Kirkland’s housing stock varies a lot. Close-in neighborhoods like Moss Bay, Norkirk and Market have older homes, rebuilds and condos near the water. Juanita, Finn Hill and Kingsgate have more 1960s–1990s single-family homes. Totem Lake has seen a wave of newer condos, apartments and townhomes around The Village at Totem Lake. So look at the numbers for your segment, not just the city average:
- Median sale price: [LOCAL STAT: median sale price, Kirkland, source NWMLS]
- Median days on market: [LOCAL STAT: median days on market, Kirkland, source NWMLS]
- Months of supply: [LOCAL STAT: months of supply, Kirkland, source NWMLS]
- Sale-to-list price ratio: [LOCAL STAT: percent of list price received, Kirkland, source NWMLS]
- New-construction share of sales: [LOCAL STAT: new construction share of closed sales, Kirkland, source NWMLS]
New construction matters for your sale. If you’re selling a dated home near newly built houses, buyers will compare yours with the new builds. Your pricing and preparation need to reflect that, or your home can sit while you’re trying to close on your next one.
How to Buy and Sell at the Same Time in Kirkland
Start with your sale, even if you buy first
The most useful step in Kirkland is to have your current home fully ready for the market before you start seriously touring. That means a pre-listing inspection, a repair plan, decluttering and a pricing strategy based on recent sales that match your home’s age and condition. When your listing can go live within days, every strategy below becomes less risky.
Option A: Sell first with a rent-back
You sell and negotiate time to stay in the home after closing. In Washington this is usually documented with NWMLS Form 65B. This approach locks in your sale price and cash, so your purchase offer can be clean. It works well when you’re selling a well-prepared home in a segment with strong demand.
Option B: Buy first using equity
If the home you want is in a competitive segment, like a view home in Houghton or a walkable home near downtown, a clean offer may matter a lot. Some Kirkland owners use a bridge loan, a HELOC or a buy-before-you-sell program to buy first. These tools have real costs and qualification requirements, and their terms change. Compare them directly with lenders. I can introduce you, but lenders set the terms.
Option C: Offer contingent on your sale
A home-sale contingency (NWMLS Form 22B) can be more workable on homes that have been listed for a while, on older homes that need work, or when your own home is already under contract. Sellers may include the right to keep marketing and require you to remove the contingency if a stronger offer comes in, so read those terms carefully.
Kirkland wrinkle: selling to a builder
On some larger or older-home lots, a builder may be interested in your property. Sometimes a builder offer comes with a flexible closing date or a longer move-out period, which can help with timing. It isn’t always the highest net price, so we compare it against a traditional listing.
Kirkland Neighborhoods
- Moss Bay (Downtown Kirkland): Condos, townhomes and some single-family homes near Marina Park, Kirkland’s waterfront and Park Lane.
- Market and Norkirk: Older neighborhoods north of downtown, near Heritage Park and Waverly Beach.
- Houghton and Lakeview: South of downtown, including homes near Carillon Point and hillside homes with views over Lake Washington.
- Juanita: Around Juanita Bay and Juanita Beach Park, with a mix of single-family homes, condos and newer townhomes.
- Finn Hill: Mostly single-family homes, many on larger or wooded lots, next to Big Finn Hill Park and O.O. Denny Park.
- Kingsgate and Totem Lake: Kingsgate has many established single-family homes, and Totem Lake has seen significant newer multifamily and mixed-use development.
- Rose Hill and Bridle Trails: Rose Hill is close to SR 520 and Redmond. Bridle Trails includes larger lots near Bridle Trails State Park.
Schools
Kirkland is served by the Lake Washington School District. As always, confirm school assignment for the specific address with the district. For ratings and data, see OSPI and GreatSchools.
Commute and Lifestyle
I-405 runs north-south through Kirkland, and SR 520 is a short drive south for trips to Seattle or Redmond. King County Metro and Sound Transit buses serve the city, including the South Kirkland Park & Ride and the Kirkland Transit Center downtown. Sound Transit’s planned Stride bus rapid transit on I-405 is also expected to serve the area. Check soundtransit.org for the current timeline.
The Cross Kirkland Corridor, a converted rail line, is a popular walking and biking trail through the city. Waterfront parks include Marina Park, Juanita Beach Park and Houghton Beach Park. Downtown Kirkland has restaurants, galleries and a seasonal farmers market. Kirkland Urban and The Village at Totem Lake are the main newer retail centers, and Google has a large office campus in Kirkland.
Kirkland FAQ
My Kirkland home is older. Should I remodel before I sell?
Usually not a full remodel. Targeted repairs, paint, cleaning and fixing inspection items often pay off better than big projects that delay your timeline. We’ll compare your home with recent sales before you spend anything.
What if my home doesn’t sell as quickly as I expect?
That’s the main risk when you buy first, and we plan for it. We price using current days-on-market data, have the home fully ready before your purchase closes, and set a price-review point in advance so we’re not guessing under pressure.
Is a contingent offer a waste of time in Kirkland?
Not always. It depends on the specific home and how long it’s been on the market. For a newly listed, well-priced home in a popular neighborhood, a contingent offer usually has a harder time competing. We decide case by case.
Can I downsize within Kirkland and stay close to where I am now?
Many people try to. Condos and townhomes in Moss Bay, Juanita and Totem Lake are common options. Selling first with a rent-back often makes sense for downsizers who have significant equity.
Do I need two agents, one for the sale and one for the purchase?
No. Having one agent handle both sides of your move makes it easier to coordinate dates, contingencies and negotiations, because one person is looking at both contracts together.
Ready to plan your move in Kirkland?
Every move is different. Book a call with Aaron to talk through your timing, equity and options, or get a no-obligation estimate of what your current home could sell for. No pressure, just a plan.
Aaron Yoon, Broker, eXp Realty. Market figures are sourced from NWMLS where noted. Financing information is general and not a loan offer; talk to a licensed lender about your options.
