January 29, 2007

Bellevue: Hot Property Alert: Affordable Lake Hills Chic

After spending last weekend viewing West Bellevue houses, I headed back east this time to see the more affordable offerings in East Bellevue. The first house I toured turned out to be an adorable tri-level in an ideal location in Lake Hills. It’s just a couple of blocks away from the Lake Hills Greenbelt, a great place to walk (with or without a dog), and the Lake Hills Library. Also walking distance is the Lake Hills Shopping Center, a site in need of a remodel. But according to the “Bellevue: It’s Your City” December newsletter, construction of a newly designed Lake Hills Shopping Center may begin in Spring, 2008. “The current design for the Center will include 69,200 square feet of retail space, approximately 44,800 square feet of office space, and 90 residential units on the 6.7-acre site.”

One of the nicest spaces in this house is the kitchen. Tall ceilings, nice windows, stainless steel appliances, luxurious paint, tile, and granite colors, and an artful modern exhaust fan all create a chic, attractive space. They even have one of those “apron-front sinks,” a trend which, up until now, I have only seen in million-plus homes. And the tile floors are heated, too.

Refinished wood floors, just the right accent colors, a fireplace and big windows continue in the main floor living/dining area. Three bedrooms and a full bath are up a half flight of stairs. The master doesn’t have its own bathroom.

The lower level has a large completely finished and nicely painted rec room with glass doors out to the backyard. There’s also a room with laundry facilities, a toilet, and a shower stall. The property is a good-sized, level, corner lot, with fencing around a portion of it. The current owners are using a door under the carport as their main entrance to the house.

STATS:
Price: $499,000.
Location: 1050 149th Pl SE., Bellevue WA 98007
Last sale price: $290,000 (in 2004)
Square footage: 1,670 sq. ft.. Lot size: 9,755 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 1.75
http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=359966