Mercer Island Real Estate &
Homes for Sale | David Hogan
Explore Mercer Island homes for sale, neighborhoods, prices and buying advice with David Hogan, a Mercer Island resident and Windermere real estate broker.
Mercer Island Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Mercer Island sits right between Seattle and Bellevue, but there's quite a bit of variety within the island itself. A home within walking distance of Town Center offers a different experience from a wooded property on the South End or a waterfront home with private moorage.
One of my favorite things about living on Mercer Island is how much of our life happens right here. Nicole and I have made our home here with our kids, Harper and Grayson, and we've made plenty of great memories along the way. A father-daughter dinner at Allister or celebrating Grayson's birthday at Sushi Joa are just a couple that come to mind. It's the familiar local spots, the wooded trails, the waterfront, and everything in between that make this place feel like home.
Having that local perspective, along with more than 15 years in real estate, helps me guide clients through the details that aren't always obvious in a listing. The usable space on a hillside lot, the practicality of waterfront access, or the potential of an older home can make a big difference in a buying or selling decision. I like to understand what matters most to you, then help you sort through those details so you can make a well-informed decision.
Mercer Island Neighborhoods
Mercer Island is commonly divided into the North End, Mid-Island, and South End. East Mercer and West Mercer describe the two sides of the island, with smaller neighborhoods within each area.
- North End and Town Center: Closest to I-90, light rail, restaurants, and shops. Town Center has condos, while nearby East Seattle and First Hill offer older homes, renovations, and newer construction.
- Mid-Island: Residential streets along Island Crest Way with mid-century ramblers, split-levels, and newer homes. Lot slopes and usable yard space vary.
- South End: Near Pioneer Park and Mercer Village shopping, with interior, hillside, and waterfront properties. Farther from Town Center and I-90.
- East Mercer and West Mercer: East-facing properties may offer Bellevue views, while west-facing homes can overlook Seattle. Elevation, trees, and orientation affect individual properties.
For more on smaller areas, including East Seattle, First Hill, Mercerwood, and Island Point, read my Mercer Island neighborhood guide.
Mercer Island Home Prices
The NWMLS August 2026 report puts the January - August 2026 median residential sale price for Mercer Island reporting Area 510 at $2.45 million, excluding condominiums.
For your search, we’ll narrow the comparison by location and condition, then look closely at usable land and the quality of a view or waterfront connection.
Mercer Island Schools
Mercer Island School District has four elementary schools serving grades K–5: Island Park, Lakeridge, Northwood, and West Mercer. Students generally continue to Islander Middle School (grades 6–8) and Mercer Island High School (grades 9–12). The district also offers Crest Learning Center, an application-based alternative high school program.
Elementary school assignments depend on the property address. If you have a particular school in mind, I'd recommend checking the district's school boundary maps and Find My School tool before we narrow your home search. The district also provides school bus eligibility and transportation information.
Mercer Island Parks and Trails
Mercer Island offers a variety of parks, from neighborhood playgrounds to wooded trails and public waterfront access.
Roanoke Park, on the northwest side of the island, features a playground renovated in 2025, a tennis court, and open lawn space.
Pioneer Park covers 113 acres with approximately 6.6 miles of wooded trails. The city has also hosted a seasonal letterboxing adventure here, which I've enjoyed exploring with my kids.
For time at Lake Washington, Luther Burbank Park offers a swimming beach, walking trails, and an off-leash dog area. Groveland Beach Park has another public swimming beach, a pier, and volleyball court on the west side of the island.
If you're considering owning a waterfront home, my Lake Washington waterfront buyer's guide covers private shoreline access, docks, moorage, and ownership considerations.
Buying a Home on Mercer Island
On Mercer Island, I want to understand what you're taking on with the property. For hillside homes, that includes usable lot space and renovation restrictions. For waterfront properties, we'll review shoreline rights, dock permits, and limitations on improvements. For condos, we'll look closely at association finances, insurance, and maintenance responsibilities.
I recently helped buyers purchase a Mercer Island home where the flat backyard, two-car garage, and proximity to Town Center mattered more than square footage. I shared more about how we approached that purchase.
I'll help coordinate the right inspections and review available records, bringing in specialists when needed. If something changes my recommendation on price or terms, I'll tell you. I'll also work with the listing broker to understand the seller's timing and priorities so we can put together a thoughtful offer. Learn more about my buying services.
Selling Your Mercer Island Home
Before you spend money on improvements, I'd like to walk through the home with you and decide what's worth doing. We'll review comparable sales that account for the property's location, views, lot characteristics, and condition. I'll be straightforward about which updates I recommend and which I'd skip.
Through my Art of Ready approach, I can help coordinate repairs, staging, photography, and marketing preparation. We'll also organize available renovation records and waterfront documentation so buyers have accurate information. If you're buying another home, we'll plan the timing of both transactions together.
My home preparation checklist can help you get started.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercer Island Real Estate
How long does it take to sell a home on Mercer Island?
According to the September 2026 NWMLS report, Mercer Island residential homes that closed between January and September spent an average of 25 days on the market. This excludes condos and doesn't include the time from an accepted offer to closing. Pricing, condition, and competition within a home's price range can affect the timeline.
What grocery stores and shopping are available on Mercer Island?
Mercer Island has two QFC grocery stores: one near Town Center and another on the South End at Mercer Village. Metropolitan Market is also near Town Center, along with local shops including Island Books and True Value Hardware. For larger retail stores, residents can shop in nearby Bellevue or Seattle.
Can I take light rail from Mercer Island to Seattle and Bellevue?
Yes. Mercer Island Station, near Town Center, is served by Sound Transit's 2 Line, connecting the island to downtown Seattle and Bellevue. Service runs seven days a week. If you're considering a home farther south, I'd recommend checking the route from the property to the station.
How long is the commute from Mercer Island to Seattle or Bellevue?
The 2 Line light rail takes approximately 15 minutes from Mercer Island Station to Westlake in downtown Seattle and 12 minutes to Bellevue Downtown Station. Those times don't include getting to the station or walking to your destination. Driving times via I-90 vary with traffic.
Can I remodel or rebuild an older Mercer Island home?
Possibly, depending on the property. Steep slopes, protected trees, setbacks, and shoreline regulations can restrict construction. Work within 200 feet of Lake Washington's ordinary high-water mark may require shoreline permitting. The city's residential permitting guidance is a good starting point before purchasing a property you intend to renovate.
Where can I access Lake Washington without owning waterfront property?
Mercer Island has three public beach parks: Luther Burbank, Groveland, and Clarke Beach. There are also 20 public waterfront street-end sites, although access and parking vary. The public boat launch at Aubrey Davis Park requires a paid pass. Public beaches do not have lifeguards.
WHY BUYERS LOVE WORKING WITH DAVID
"David was fantastic from start to finish.”
David was fantastic from start to finish. David helped us close on a home and stage/sell our old home in a matter of 8 weeks. He was communicative throughout the entire process and was very clear with his recommendations. Highly recommended. In working with David you are getting an exceptional broker and human being.
BRANDON BOUGHT A SINGLE FAMILY HOME IN BELLEVUE, WA.
FIND THE HOME YOU'VE BEEN DREAMING OF
YOUR LIFE IN THE PNW AWAITS
Office: 425.455.5300
Direct: 425.890.3318
Email: davidhogan@windermere.com
Windermere Real Estate Bellevue
700 112th Ave NE #100, Bellevue, WA 98004
