Is Kenmore WA Worth It? What $1M Gets You in the Northshore School District

Is Kenmore, WA Worth Buying Into at the $1M Price Point?

Kenmore, WA delivers strong value at the $1 million price point for buyers who care about top schools, outdoor access, and a real neighborhood feel. In the Moorlands, $1,050,000 buys a 3-bed/2.25-bath split-level on over 8,000 sq ft with Northshore School District schools (Arrowhead Elementary, Northshore Middle, Inglemoor High), two private decks, ADU potential in the lower level, two gas fireplaces, and walkability to Lake Washington, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and Saint Edward State Park.

By Samantha Schlegel | June 17, 2026

Kenmore doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Most buyers searching for homes with top-rated schools and outdoor access in King County start on the Eastside - Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond. They know those names. Kenmore doesn't always come up in the first conversation, and that's exactly why it's worth paying attention to right now.

This home, a split-level in the Moorlands neighborhood listed at $1,050,000, is a good example of what the market looks like here. Let me walk you through it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-_vRL4yVk

The Lot and Exterior: More Space Than You Expect

The lot is just over 8,000 square feet, and at the 0:42 mark you can see the full exterior walk — there's real room here.

The side yard has gravel and fits a boat or trailer without blocking the main driveway. The backyard is fully fenced - great if you have dogs, kids, or just want actual privacy. The yard was just professionally landscaped, and it shows. Tall evergreens line the property and give the deck real shade and privacy on a sunny day.

Street parking is easy - the home is on a quiet cul-de-sac, so overflow parking for guests isn't an issue. This is the kind of lot detail that doesn't always come through in listing photos but matters a lot in daily life.

Inside the Split-Level: How the Home Lives

The home is a true split-level, meaning the main living areas and bedrooms are on separate floors from the entry and garage. Walk in at 3:05 and the first thing you notice is how much natural light comes through - there's a large window above the front door and three more windows across the main level that flood the space.

New carpet throughout. Gas fireplace. Open-concept kitchen with a peninsula that looks directly into the living room - you're not cooking in a separate room while everyone else is in a different part of the house. The dining area flows naturally off the kitchen.

And then there's the deck. See it at 4:19 - this is a proper entertaining deck, not a small balcony. Surrounded by the tall evergreens that line the property, it's shady, private, and genuinely usable. This is where people will spend a lot of summer.

For context on what homes at this price range are doing in the broader market, it's worth understanding what buyers are actually paying for homes in the Seattle area in 2026 - Kenmore consistently offers more square footage and lot size per dollar than many comparable neighborhoods closer to Seattle.

The Upper Level: Bedrooms Done Right

All three bedrooms are on the upper level. The two secondary bedrooms share an updated hall bathroom - and that bathroom has a skylight. Check it at 6:02. In a market where bathroom updates are one of the first things buyers scrutinize, this one is already done.

Both secondary bedrooms have generously sized closets, and there's a linen closet in the hall right next to the bathroom - the kind of practical detail that only registers when you don't have it.

The primary suite is brighter than the rest of the house. Walk through it at 7:42 and you'll see the tiled ensuite and then step out onto the private deck at 8:10 - it's separated from the main deck and feels like its own space. Morning coffee out there is the obvious use case.

Thinking about buying in Kenmore - or anywhere in King County? I work with buyers navigating this market every day. Call me at (206) 928-1738 or email samantha.schlegel@compass.com and let's talk about what makes sense for your timeline and budget.

The Lower Level: Where the Real Opportunity Is

This is the part of the home that most listing descriptions undersell.

Head downstairs at 9:11 and you've got a second gas fireplace, a wet bar, and a slider that opens to a covered porch with its own separate access to the backyard. The wet bar is at 9:38 - solid setup for a media room, game room, or hosting space.

The extra bathroom on this level is currently a half bath, but here's the thing: it's already plumbed to convert to a full bath. That's the difference between a future ADU project and a future ADU project that's actually feasible. With the separate exterior access via the slider and covered porch, the lower level has genuine ADU potential - whether that's a rental unit, a multigenerational suite, or a private space for guests.

Washer and dryer are down here too, plus storage. The garage is accessible from this level as well. It's a split-level that actually uses every square foot of the floor plan.

The Kenmore Lifestyle Case

The neighborhood part of this decision is real. Kenmore sits right on the north shore of Lake Washington. You've got:

• Burke-Gilman Trail - the paved multi-use trail runs right through here, connecting to Bothell, Redmond, and eventually Seattle

• Saint Edward State Park - one of the better state parks in the region, with trails and a historic lodge worth visiting

• Kenmore Air Harbor - seaplane service from Lake Washington directly to the San Juan Islands and downtown Vancouver, BC

• Local restaurants and breweries - Kenmore has a genuine Main Street feel that a lot of suburban communities don't

The Moorlands neighborhood itself has sidewalks everywhere. It's the kind of area where neighbors actually know each other and people are out walking their dogs. That's not nothing - it's hard to find in King County at this price point without being on the eastern edge of the metro.

For a bigger picture look at where King County prices are heading and how neighborhoods like Kenmore compare to the broader trends, the King County property trends analysis is worth reading before you make any decisions.

The Schools: Why Northshore School District Matters

The Northshore School District is one of the top-rated public school districts in Washington State. This home is zoned for:

• Arrowhead Elementary

• Northshore Middle School

• Inglemoor High School

For families with school-age kids, this is the main reason Kenmore commands a premium over some neighboring communities. Northshore District schools are a genuine draw, and being zoned into this feeder pattern - elementary through high school - is one of the things that holds long-term value in this market.

A Few More Practical Notes

This home has fiber internet already connected - important if you work from home or have multiple people streaming. There's AC infrastructure in place, which means adding cooling is a real option, not a full-renovation project. And it's the first time this home has ever been on the open market — it previously traded directly from buyer to seller without an MLS listing.

That last detail matters because you're not buying a home that's been flipped multiple times or over-improved in ways that don't hold value. It's a well-maintained home in a stable neighborhood that just hasn't been available before.

If you're serious about Kenmore - or if you want to see how this home compares to what else is active in King County right now - let's connect. I can walk you through the market, set up a tour, or answer whatever questions you have about buying in this area.

Samantha Schlegel | Compass Real Estate📞 (206) 928-1738📧 samantha.schlegel@compass.comServing Kenmore, Shoreline, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, and greater King County

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About Samantha Schlegel

Samantha Schlegel is a licensed real estate agent with Compass Real Estate serving buyers and sellers across King County, Snohomish County, and the greater Seattle area — including Kenmore, Shoreline, Edmonds, and Mountlake Terrace. She specializes in helping clients navigate complex transactions and find homes that fit real life, not just the listing description. Reach her at (206) 928-1738 or samantha.schlegel@compass.com.