Arlington sits along the Stillaguamish River in north Snohomish County, and it's one of those communities that has grown considerably without completely losing its small-town character.
You have historic downtown Arlington, established residential neighborhoods, newer development around Smokey Point, and then just outside town, a completely different landscape of acreage, farms and rural properties.
That variety is one of the things that makes Arlington interesting from a real estate perspective—and it's also why I don't think an Arlington homeowner should rely on a broad citywide average to determine what their property is worth.
Own a Home in Arlington?
Arlington real estate can change considerably depending on where the property is located and what type of property you own.
A historic home near downtown, newer construction in the Smokey Point area, an established residential home, acreage in the Stillaguamish Valley, a hobby farm, or a manufactured home on its own land can attract very different buyers.
Those differences matter when determining value and deciding how a property should be prepared, positioned and marketed.
If you're thinking about selling—even if you're still a year or two away—I'm happy to talk through your property and what the current market looks like.
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Arlington Real Estate
One of Arlington's strengths is the variety of property types available.
You'll find:
Historic and older homes near downtown
Traditional single-family neighborhoods
Newer construction
Condos and townhomes
Acreage
Hobby farms
Equestrian properties
Manufactured homes
Vacant and buildable land
That variety is also why pricing an Arlington property requires more than looking at bedroom count and square footage.
For acreage and rural properties especially, things like usable land, outbuildings, fencing, access, water source, septic systems and overall property condition can make a significant difference.
Thinking About Selling Your Arlington Home?
Before we talk about price, I want to understand the property.
I like to walk through a home with the seller and look at it through a buyer's eyes.
What will buyers notice?
What makes this property different?
Is there something we should address before listing?
Would making a particular improvement actually help the sale—or would you be spending money you probably won't get back?
And what will buyers be comparing your home to when it hits the market?
The goal isn't to spend the most money getting your home ready.
It's to make smart decisions before we put it on the market.
Rural & Acreage Properties Need a Different Strategy
This is particularly important in Arlington.
Selling five acres with a shop, barn, well and septic system isn't the same as selling a home in a residential development.
The buyer is different.
The questions are different.
The due diligence is different.
And the features we need to market are different.
If a property has usable acreage, fenced areas, a shop, barn, RV parking, equestrian improvements or other features that matter to a rural buyer, those shouldn't be afterthoughts in the marketing.
They are part of the story of the property.
Marketing the Location Matters, Too
We're not always selling just the house.
Depending on the property, we may also be selling proximity to downtown, access to I-5, acreage, privacy, mountain views, trails, equestrian opportunities or the ability to have more space while remaining within reach of Everett and the greater Seattle area.
Part of my job is identifying what makes your particular property and location different and making sure the right buyers understand it.
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Thinking About Selling?
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Location, Commuting & Regional Access
One of Arlington's advantages is its location.
You can have the feel of a smaller community—and in some areas considerably more land and space—without being disconnected from larger cities, shopping, healthcare and transportation throughout Western Washington.
Depending on exactly where you live in Arlington and traffic conditions, some helpful reference points include:
Marysville & Smokey Point: Very close, with extensive shopping, dining and services.
Costco: Nearby in Marysville, making larger shopping trips convenient without having to travel far.
Stanwood: Approximately 15–35 minutes depending on which part of Arlington you're starting from.
Everett: Approximately 25–35 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point.
Seattle: Approximately 45 minutes to an hour or more. As anyone who lives in Western Washington knows, I-5 traffic can make a significant difference.
Mount Vernon: Approximately 25–30 minutes.
Canadian Border: Approximately an hour or more, depending on where you're starting, traffic and which border crossing you use.
Arlington also has access to State Routes 9 and 530. Highway 9 can be particularly useful for north-south travel without relying exclusively on I-5.
Airports & Travel
Arlington is particularly well positioned when it comes to airport choices.
Paine Field / Seattle Paine Field International Airport
Paine Field in Everett is roughly 25–35 minutes away depending on traffic and where you're starting in Arlington.
For destinations served from Paine Field, having a commercial airport this close can be extremely convenient.
Bellingham International Airport
Bellingham International Airport is approximately 45 minutes to an hour away, depending on your location in Arlington and traffic.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Sea-Tac is farther south and drive time can vary significantly with Seattle-area traffic. I would allow approximately 1½ hours or more and always check current traffic before leaving for a flight.
Having Paine Field, Bellingham International and Sea-Tac all accessible gives Arlington residents several options depending on their destination and airline.
Healthcare & Hospitals
One of Arlington's advantages compared with some of the smaller communities in our area is having a hospital right in town.
Cascade Valley Hospital, operated by Skagit Regional Health, is located in Arlington and provides emergency care along with acute and critical care, surgery, imaging and other hospital services.
For families needing specialized pediatric care, Seattle Children's Hospital is approximately an hour or more away, depending heavily on traffic and where you're starting in Arlington.
Additional hospitals, specialists and medical services are available in Everett and throughout the surrounding region.
What's It Like to Live in Arlington?
Arlington has roots as a working river and agricultural community, and you can still see that history throughout the area.
The Stillaguamish River runs through town and continues to play a role in local recreation and community life.
Downtown has retained much of its small-town character, while Smokey Point has become a major commercial and residential area with shopping, services and newer development.
Go outside the city core and the landscape changes again, with acreage, farms, equestrian properties and larger parcels throughout the surrounding Stillaguamish Valley.
That's one of the things I like about Arlington—you can choose a more traditional neighborhood setting or go a relatively short distance and find considerably more room.
Areas of Arlington
Understanding the different areas is important for homeowners and buyers because Arlington isn't one uniform real estate market.
Old Town / Downtown Arlington
The historic core of Arlington includes older homes, established streets and convenient access to downtown businesses and community events.
You'll find character homes here that can appeal to a very different buyer than newer construction elsewhere in Arlington.
Smokey Point
The fast-growing southwest side of the Arlington area borders Marysville and has become a significant commercial, employment and residential hub.
There is extensive shopping and services nearby, along with newer residential development.
Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights offers a more residential and rural feel in areas, with opportunities for larger lots and properties outside traditional developments while still remaining relatively close to town.
Burn Road Area
The Burn Road area can appeal to people looking for more space, larger parcels and a less traditional neighborhood setting.
Properties here can vary considerably, which makes property-specific pricing and marketing particularly important.
Stillaguamish Valley & Surrounding Rural Areas
Outside the city core, you'll find much of Arlington's agricultural and rural character.
This is where acreage, hobby farms, equestrian properties and larger parcels become a much bigger part of the real estate landscape.
Parks, Trails & Outdoor Life
Arlington offers a surprising amount of outdoor recreation.
Haller Park
Haller Park sits along the Stillaguamish River and includes river access, a playground, splash pad, picnic areas and trail connections. It's also used for Arlington's Fourth of July festivities and the Great Stilly Duck Dash.
Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail runs directly through Arlington and is one of the area's best-known recreation assets.
The paved trail is popular for walking and bicycling, and the downtown section includes public art. Outside the city, portions of the county trail system also accommodate equestrian use; horses are not permitted on the Centennial Trail within Arlington city limits.
Twin Rivers Park & Other Open Spaces
Arlington also offers additional parks and preserved open spaces throughout the community, while the surrounding area provides even more opportunities to get outside. The City continues to maintain and develop a substantial network of parks and trails.
For people who enjoy having rivers, trails and open space nearby, Arlington offers quite a bit without requiring a long drive.
Community & Local Events
Arlington still has the kinds of community traditions that give a town personality.
The Great Stilly Duck Dash is part of Arlington's Fourth of July festivities at Haller Park.
Downtown also hosts seasonal community events, and Arlington's aviation history and municipal airport are another distinctive part of the community.
These are the kinds of things that separate actually living somewhere from simply finding a house there.
Everyday Life: Shopping & Services
Arlington has a good mix of everyday services within the community and the nearby Smokey Point commercial area.
Grocery, retail, dining and everyday services are available throughout Arlington and Smokey Point.
Marysville is just south of Arlington and provides additional major shopping, including Costco.
The Seattle Premium Outlets are also nearby.
Arlington is served by the Sno-Isle Libraries system, and residents have access to local city services, police, fire and emergency services.
Schools
Arlington is served by the Arlington School District, with elementary, middle and high school options throughout the area.
Because school programs, attendance areas and boundaries can change, I recommend verifying the current school assignment for a specific property directly with Arlington School District if schools are important to your move.
Things to Know About Arlington Real Estate
Every community has property-specific considerations worth understanding, and Arlington is no different.
Wells & Septic Systems
Once you move outside areas served by public utilities, properties may rely on private wells and septic systems.
Those systems should be part of a buyer's due diligence.
For wells, that can include understanding water quality and flow.
For septic systems, it means understanding the type, condition, maintenance history and requirements associated with the property.
Rural Property
Acreage doesn't automatically mean all of the land is usable for whatever you have planned.
If you're buying with horses, livestock, plans for a shop or another specific use in mind, investigate zoning, critical areas, wetlands, easements and other property-specific considerations as appropriate.
Traffic
I-5 and portions of the Smokey Point/SR 530 corridor can experience congestion, particularly during peak commuting periods.
If your commute is important, I recommend driving the actual route at the time of day you'll normally use it.
Growth
Arlington and Smokey Point have experienced considerable growth.
If future development around a particular property matters to you, it's worth investigating zoning and planned development rather than assuming the surrounding area will always remain exactly as it appears today.
These aren't necessarily negatives. They're simply things worth understanding before making a real estate decision.
Thinking About Buying in Arlington?
Arlington gives buyers a wide range of choices—from older homes near downtown and newer neighborhoods to acreage, hobby farms and rural properties.
The important thing is understanding which part of Arlington fits the lifestyle you're looking for and then doing the appropriate due diligence for that type of property.
If you're considering a move to Arlington, I'm happy to help you narrow down the areas and properties that make sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arlington, WA
Where is Arlington, Washington?
Arlington is located in north Snohomish County, north of Marysville and east of Stanwood, with access to I-5 and State Routes 9 and 530.
How far is Arlington from Seattle?
Depending on where you're starting in Arlington, Seattle is approximately 45 minutes to an hour or more by car. Traffic can significantly increase drive times.
How far is Arlington from Everett?
Everett is roughly 25–35 minutes from Arlington depending on where you're starting and traffic.
What airports are near Arlington?
Paine Field in Everett is generally the closest commercial passenger airport. Bellingham International Airport is another convenient option to the north, while Seattle-Tacoma International Airport provides the region's largest selection of flights.
Is Arlington close to the Canadian border?
Yes. The Canadian border is approximately an hour or more north of Arlington depending on your starting point, traffic and border crossing.
Is there a Costco near Arlington?
Yes. Costco is nearby in Marysville, along with additional shopping and services.
Does Arlington have a hospital?
Yes. Cascade Valley Hospital is located directly in Arlington.
How far is Seattle Children's Hospital?
Seattle Children's Hospital is approximately an hour or more from Arlington depending on traffic and where you're starting.
Does Arlington have acreage and horse properties?
Yes. The greater Arlington area and Stillaguamish Valley include acreage, hobby farms and equestrian properties.
Property features and permitted uses vary, so buyers should investigate the specific property based on what they intend to do with it.
Does my Arlington neighborhood affect my home's value?
Absolutely.
A historic downtown property, newer home in a residential development and acreage property outside the city may attract completely different buyers.
Lot size, usable acreage, outbuildings, condition, updates, water and septic systems, views, location and property type can all influence value.
That's why I recommend looking at a property's specific competitive market rather than relying solely on an Arlington-wide average.
How do I find out what my Arlington home is worth?
If you're simply curious about your estimated value and equity, my complimentary Homebot report is an easy place to start.
If you're considering selling, I recommend a property-specific market analysis that looks at your home, recent comparable sales, pending activity and the properties currently competing for buyers.
What should I do before selling my Arlington home?
Before spending money on repairs or improvements, let's walk through the property.
I'll help you identify what buyers are likely to notice, what may be worth addressing before listing and what probably isn't worth your money.
Should I make repairs before listing my Arlington home?
Not automatically.
The right answer depends on the property, the issue, the competition and how buyers are likely to respond.
Sometimes a repair makes sense. Sometimes getting an estimate or more information is enough. And sometimes I may recommend that you don't spend the money at all.
The goal is to make that decision strategically before the property goes on the market.
About Tricia Jacobs
I'm Tricia Jacobs, a Managing Broker and REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gateway, serving buyers and sellers throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties.
I've been working in real estate since 1992 and have lived and worked in the Stanwood community since 2001.
Over the years, I've represented traditional residential homes, acreage, country and equestrian properties, waterfront homes and investment properties.
That experience is especially useful in a market like Arlington, where one transaction may involve a home in a traditional neighborhood and the next may involve acreage, a well, septic system, outbuildings or land.
I believe good representation starts with understanding the property, having honest conversations and building a strategy around the seller or buyer in front of me.
Whether you've owned an Arlington property for years and are considering selling, you're simply curious about its value, or you're thinking about making Arlington your next home, I'd be happy to talk.
Tricia Jacobs | Managing Broker / REALTOR® RE/MAX Gateway 360-223-1100 triciajacobs@remax.net triciajacobsrealtor.com