
Always working towards continuing my education, I completed the real estate industry’s most comprehensive new homes sales course and earned a national certification as a New Home Specialist. I am also Residential Construction-certified.
Our clients know when they choose to work with Best Choice Realty as a licensed broker, buyer or seller, they can count on us for high quality consultation. We have proudly built a company providing the best service. With ongoing communication and new technology tools, our expertise will help guide you through challenging real estate decisions.

Founded in 2012, Best Choice Realty is one of the largest and most productive independently owned and operated company headquartered in Washington State. We provide unparalleled real estate services while we work with our affiliates to service residential and commercial clients. In addition, we continue to offer our real estate brokers top-notch local Washington training in-person, virtual education, and support.

The MARICON HILARIO FOUNDATION raises funds for schools in the Philippines. With the help of my clients, I am committed to contributing part of my commissions to support the foundation while providing the best real estate services possible.
You’ll expect my transparency by giving you the risks and benefits to be able to make informed decisions.
I am committed to providing you with personal attention, dedication, and the highest level of professionalism. You can count on me to be honest, ethical, and compassionate.


If you’re thinking about buying a home in Lake Stevens, you’ve probably heard:
“It’s really competitive right now.”
And that can feel intimidating.
You might be wondering:
Am I going to get outbid?
Is it even worth trying?
Can I actually win a home here?
Let’s break this down in a real, honest way.
👉 Yes… Lake Stevens can be competitive.
But buyers are still getting homes every single week.
The difference comes down to:
Preparation
Strategy
Timing
In Lake Stevens, a competitive market usually looks like:
Homes getting strong interest quickly
Well-priced homes receiving multiple offers
Shorter time on market
Buyers needing to move fast
But not every home is a bidding war.
That’s where understanding the market matters.
The homes that move the fastest are usually:
Move-in ready
Priced correctly
In desirable areas
Updated or newer
These are the homes buyers fight for.
Not every listing is crazy competitive.
You’ll often find more opportunity with:
Homes that need cosmetic updates
Homes priced slightly higher than market
Listings that have been sitting longer
Less “perfect” properties
This is where strategy wins.
There’s a reason demand stays strong here:
Family-friendly community
Strong schools
More space than nearby cities
Lifestyle appeal (lake, parks, outdoors)
People want to live here.
And that keeps the market active.
They assume:
👉 “I’ll never win, so I won’t try.”
Or they move too slowly and miss opportunities.
The truth is:
Homes are won by prepared buyers. Not lucky buyers.
The buyers who are getting homes right now are:
Pre-approved and ready
Clear on their budget
Decisive when they find the right home
Working with a strategy (not guessing)
Many of the buyers I work with win because they’re prepared before they even start seriously looking.
Yes, some homes get multiple offers.
But I also see:
Homes sitting longer than expected
Sellers adjusting price
Opportunities opening up
This is not an impossible market.
It’s a strategic market.
A lot of my clients start their search unsure, but once they spend time in Lake Stevens, it just clicks for them.
This is where guidance matters most.
You don’t need to:
Panic
Overbid blindly
Waive everything
Instead, you need:
Smart offer structure
Timing strategy
Local insight
Absolutely.
But you need a plan.
If you’re thinking about moving to Lake Stevens and want a clear plan (not just more Zillow scrolling), reach out. I’ll help you map out your next move step by step.
Maricon Bashforth
Real Estate Broker in Lake Stevens, Washington
Helping buyers and sellers throughout Snohomish County and North King County
📞 (425) 318-2716
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