Physician Relocation
Your residency, fellowship, or new practice starts on a fixed date. Your home search should too.
As a physician relocation specialist, I help doctors moving to Greater Seattle and the Eastside find the right neighborhood for their hospital, plan around Match Day and contract start dates, and buy with confidence, even from out of state.
CLHMS luxury designation. Windermere Real Estate/East, Kirkland.
Hi, I am Alina Araujo
I have helped buyers and sellers across Greater Seattle and the Eastside for 14 years, with more than 200 homes sold. I grew up in Shoreline and have called the Pacific Northwest home for over 30 years, so I can tell you what daily life really feels like in each neighborhood, not just what the listing says.
Before real estate, I worked in hospitality and lending. That lending background means I understand physician loan programs and can help you ask lenders the right questions. I am a Master Certified Negotiation Expert, hold the CLHMS luxury designation, and serve on the board of the Northshore Schools Foundation.
I speak English, Spanish, and Russian, and I am happy to work with you and your family in whichever language is most comfortable.
Every stage of a medical career
Residents and Fellows
Matched to a Seattle-area program and on a tight timeline. We plan your purchase around Match Day, your contract, and a July start, with physician loan options that fit a training salary.
Relocating Attendings
Joining UW Medicine, Swedish, EvergreenHealth, Overlake, Providence, Virginia Mason, Seattle Children’s, or a private group. I match your commute, call schedule, and lifestyle to the right neighborhood.
Established Physicians Moving Up
Ready for more space, a view, or a luxury home. As a CLHMS luxury specialist, I handle off-market opportunities, discreet negotiations, and selling your current home.
Where do doctors live in Seattle? Start with where you will work
Choose your hospital to see the neighborhoods physicians often consider, with typical drive times. Call schedules make the commute matter more than almost anything else.
Drive times are approximate ranges, off-peak to typical commute traffic. I will map your exact route and call-schedule timing during your consultation.
Bothell, Kenmore, or Woodinville?
Popular with physicians at EvergreenHealth, UW Medical Center Northwest, and Eastside practices. In this video I walk through how the three communities compare on commute, lifestyle, and home styles.
Planned around Match Day and your contract start date
Whether you matched in March or signed with a group months ahead, we work backward from your first day so you are moved in, not in a hotel.
Match Day or Signed Contract
Book a consultation right away. We talk hospital, schedule, budget, and must-haves, and set your target move-in date.
Physician Loan Pre-Approval
I connect you with a lender who knows physician loan programs, so you can often qualify using your signed employment contract.
Virtual Neighborhood Tour
Video tours of the neighborhoods that fit your commute, plus my Relocation Guide for Doctors and community guides for Bothell, Kenmore, and Woodinville.
Home Search, In Person or Remote
Fly in for a focused weekend, or tour live by video. I preview homes for you and flag what photos do not show.
Offer, Inspection, and Negotiation
Strategy built from local data, with inspections you can join by video and negotiation handled for you.
Closing Timed to Your Start Date
Keys in hand before orientation, with movers, utilities, and a Welcome to Seattle closing gift waiting for you.
See daily life before you arrive
Physician mortgage loans designed for medical careers
Physician loan programs recognize that high student debt and a new contract do not tell the whole story. Program terms vary by lender, and many offer:
- Low or no down payment options
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Flexible treatment of student loan debt
- Qualifying with a signed employment contract before your start date
The right lender for your situation
With a background in lending myself, I know which questions to ask. I will introduce you to lenders experienced with physician loan programs so you can compare terms with confidence.
Read: Physician Loan Zero Down, How One Doctor Bought in Seattle
Yes, you can buy a house sight unseen
Between rotations, boards, and a cross-country move, a house-hunting trip is not always possible. Many of my relocation clients buy remotely, and I make sure nothing is left to guesswork.
“Working with Alina was an absolute delight. Her communication, follow-up, and negotiation skills are exquisite. We moved cross-country to Seattle and she helped make the process of searching, buying, and closing smooth and accessible thanks to her professionalism and knowledge. We cannot recommend enough Alina and her team.”
Payne B., relocated from Pittsburgh to Seattle
Watch: a physician relocation story, from out-of-state search to closing.
Start with my Relocation Guide for Doctors
Written specifically for physicians and medical professionals moving to the Seattle area. It covers top hospitals, physician-friendly loan programs, the most desirable neighborhoods, schools, and local lifestyle insights. My community guides for Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, and Seattle go deeper on parks, dining, commute routes, and daily life.
Every guide is free. Enter your name and email on the next page for instant access.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a home before my residency or new job starts?
Yes. Many physician loan programs accept a signed employment contract, so you can often close before your first paycheck. We time closing to your start date.
Should I buy a house during residency?
It depends on the length of your program and your plans after training. With a physician loan, buying during a three to five year residency can make sense, and many physicians keep the home as a rental afterward. I own and manage rental properties myself, so I can walk you through both paths.
How far ahead of Match Day should I start planning?
Start learning neighborhoods before Match Day, then move fast once you know your program. With a July 1 start, a March match leaves roughly three and a half months to buy and move.
Is it realistic to buy sight unseen?
It is. With live video tours, remote inspections, and digital signing, relocation clients regularly buy from out of state. I am your eyes on the ground at every step.
Where do doctors live in Seattle?
Use the hospital finder above for a starting list. For hospitals in Kirkland, Bothell, and North Seattle, Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, and Kirkland often offer the best balance of commute and space.
Do you also help sell my current home?
Yes. If you are moving within the area I can list your current home, and if you are moving from out of state I can refer you to a trusted agent in your current city.
Do you work with clients in languages other than English?
Yes. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Russian, and I am glad to guide you and your family in whichever language you prefer.
What Physicians Actually Want to Know About a City Before They RelocateRelocating to Seattle: Your Step-by-Step Guide for Out-of-State BuyersThe Ultimate Checklist for Moving to Bothell From Out of StateKenmore vs. Bothell: Which Community Is Right for You?Best Seattle Neighborhoods to Live In: 2026 Guide
Let’s plan your move
A 30-minute relocation consultation, by phone or video, built around your hospital, your timeline, and your family’s must-haves.
Prefer I reach out? Send me a note below, and include your hospital and start date.
206-353-2290 | [email protected]
Alina Araujo, Real Estate Advisor, CLHMS. Windermere Real Estate/East, 3933 Lake Washington Blvd NE #100, Kirkland, WA 98033. WA License #114123.