Your Renton Real Estate Agent
Renton Real Estate Agent: Emily Cressey
By Emily Cressey, Broker, HomePro Associates at Keller Williams Greater Seattle. Updated October 2026.
Renton is one of the places I send buyers who want to stay close to Seattle and the Eastside without paying Seattle or Bellevue prices. I have sold a home here and worked with investors looking for duplexes and homes they could add units to.
I have also spent a fair amount of time filming here, from Gene Coulon Park on the lake to the new homes up on the ridge.
What is your home worth? Enter your address and I will prepare a free value report for you, by hand, not a robot.
Investor experience
I became a real estate investor in 2002, so I can run the numbers on rentals, ADUs and multi-unit homes with you.
Over 20 years industry experience
I became a real estate investor in 2002 and was first licensed in 2008. I have been a full time Renton real estate agent since 2020.
Close to Seattle and the Eastside
I help buyers compare Renton with Seattle, Bellevue and Kent side by side.
What Is It Like to Live in Renton?
Here is my overview of Renton, south of Seattle at the tip of Lake Washington.
What Is Renton Really Like?
Renton sits at the south end of Lake Washington, between Seattle, Bellevue, Tukwila and Kent. Boeing builds 737s here, and the city has grown up around that. One of the things I have noticed about Renton is that real estate tends to be relatively affordable for how central it is. You can reach Seattle, Bellevue and Sea-Tac Airport without crossing a bridge.
Gene Coulon Park and the Lake
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park runs along the south shore of Lake Washington with a swim beach, a boardwalk and a boat launch. It is beautiful at any time of year, even on the cloudy March day I filmed it. The water is cold, but that does not stop anyone in August.
Downtown and the Landing
The Landing, near the Boeing plant, has shops, restaurants and a movie theater. The older downtown near I-405 has the Renton Community Center, the Carco Theatre and the Henry Moses Aquatic Center, an outdoor pool. Jimi Hendrix is buried in Renton, and his memorial draws fans from all over the world. Parts of the older downtown need some love, and you will notice the train tracks nearby.
Renton Neighborhoods and Homes
- Kennydale: close to the lake and I-405, with mid-century homes and some views. See my Kennydale guide.
- The Highlands: established neighborhoods above downtown. See my Highlands guide.
- The ridge along the lake: new construction with views of the water.
- Fairwood and the east side: suburban subdivisions toward Maple Valley.
- Downtown and the Landing: condos and apartments.
A Few Renton Homes I Have Sold
SOLD
A Home Close to Downtown Renton
Single-family home
A Renton home on Morris Avenue South, a short drive from downtown, The Landing and Lake Washington.
What Locals Love
- Central location: Seattle, Bellevue and Sea-Tac
- Gene Coulon Park and Lake Washington
- More affordable than Seattle and the Eastside
- The Landing for shopping and movies
- Options for investors and multi-generational living
What to Know Before You Buy
- I-405 and SR 167 traffic can be heavy.
- The older downtown needs revitalization.
- Renton’s ADU rules can require the owner to live on site.
- Many older homes need updates.
- Boeing’s footprint here could change over time.
A Renton Investor Story
I was on the phone one evening with a client looking for a triplex or fourplex in the area. Another client wanted to buy a larger house and divide it into smaller units. In Renton, we found several properties where an owner was already doing something similar.
The catch is the rules. Renton can require the owner to live on site when renting an ADU, so you cannot always rent both units like a legal duplex. Most Seattle-area rentals also have thin cash flow. I help investors run the real numbers before they fall in love with a property.
“The best investment is the one where the math still works after the excitement wears off.”
How I Help Renton Sellers
Renton buyers include first-time buyers, families moving from Seattle and investors. I market your home to the right group and price it against the right neighborhood, from the ridge to the Highlands.
If your home has a basement unit or room for an ADU, I will help you present that clearly and accurately.
How I Sell Your Home: The A-PLUS Method
Every listing I take follows the same five steps. It is the system I wrote up in my free A-PLUS seller guide, and it is how I keep a sale organized when life is anything but.
A: Assess
We walk the house together, talk about your timeline and your bottom line, and look at what similar homes actually sold for.
P: Prepare
Cleaning, paint, repairs that affect financing, and staging. I have contractors who will wait to be paid at closing.
L: Launch
Professional photos, video, the MLS, social media and my email list, all going live on the same day.
U: Urgency
Pricing and showing schedules designed to bring buyers in at the same time so they compete.
S: Sell
I negotiate the offers, the inspection and the appraisal, and I stay with you through closing.
Curious What You Would Walk Away With?
Try my seller net proceeds calculator, then book a call and I will walk you through a real net sheet for your home.
Buying in Renton
Renton is a smart place to look if you want a central location and more space for your money. If you are an investor, I will help you check zoning, ADU rules and real rent numbers before you write an offer.
For a deeper look, read my guide to living in Renton.
This Month in Renton
All home types, three months ending September 2026.
$667,182
Median sale price
Down 2.8% from a year ago
207
Homes sold
29 days
Median days on market
98.2%
Sale-to-list price
17.2% sold over list
My take: Renton has cooled. Homes are taking about a month to sell, and most sell a bit under asking, so buyers have some leverage right now.
Source: Redfin, based on NWMLS data. I update these numbers every month. For the bigger picture, see my Seattle real estate market update.
Renton Real Estate Questions
Is Renton a good place to invest in rental property?
It can be. Prices are lower than Seattle and the Eastside, and rental demand is steady. Cash flow is still thin on most properties, and ADU rules matter. I will run the numbers with you.
How long is the commute from Renton to Seattle?
About 20 to 30 minutes without traffic. I-5 and I-405 can be slow at rush hour.
Which school district serves Renton?
Most of Renton is in the Renton School District, and some areas are in the Issaquah or Kent districts. Confirm for each address.
Can I rent out an ADU in Renton?
Renton’s rules can require the owner to live on the property. Check current city code before you buy.
What other areas do you serve?
I serve King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, including Renton, Kent, Seattle and the Eastside.
More Places I Help Buyers and Sellers
Let’s Talk About Your Renton Move
Whether you are selling, buying your first home or running numbers on a rental, I would love to help. Book a quick call, or ask for a free home value report prepared by me, not a robot.
Call or text (206) 245-8813 | Office: 1307 N 45th St #300, Seattle, WA 98103
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