Helen, is your information correct? I believe that the asking price is about 500K, not 400K. That’s a pretty brutal price for 1 bdrm right off the busy and sometimes questionable 15th Avenue.

We’re both right, dkella.

They’re asking $399,950 for the unit I featured (follow the hotlinks) and for two more of the four. The remaining unit has more street exposure and more windows (stellar view of the Brown Bear car wash) — and a $499,950 asking price. It’s the end unit whose windows you see in the picture.

Hi Helen,

How do you think these would fare in resale a few years down the line? I’m new to the whole live/work concept – though I’m sure the downstairs area can be staged/used as a game, or party area. I’d love to hear about any thoughts, or experience you’ve had with similar projects.

Thanks!

Dan,

Probably the best comparison is to live/work townhomes in the Issaquah Highlands. They’re populated with insurance agents, hairdressers, masseuses — the businesses that need commercial zoning. Fine artists, telecommuters, and freelancers (writers, programmers) can work anywhere because they don’t (usually) have customer traffic and the city regulations are lax about that kind of home-business arrangement.

I’m not convinced that a live/work designation is inherently desireable in that neighborhood. In Issaquah, sure, because the Highlands is isolated from pretty much the whole world. If you want to cater to people on that highway exit, you need to locate your business there and you don’t have many options for commercial space.

But if you run a Seattle business, then you have options for renting office space anywhere in Ballard (and other neighborhoods). So the decision comes down to — do I want to live directly above my business? Is this a good location for my business? Is the office space adequate? Is the living space attractive? Does this make financial sense?

Case in point: I talked to one agent who showed clients that building. The buyers opted for a condo on Capitol Hill instead, with separate business quarters nearby.

As a purely residential place, if you like its looks, go for it. Just be sure you’re prepared to live next door to a business (consider noise, hours of operation, parking, etc.). I guarantee you that potential buyers will, when you put it up for resale.

Amy

I didn’t realize I was using your middle name. My apologies Amy, wups!

And thank you very much for your point of view. I actually looked at the space more for the aesthetics (large open room for entertaining). The thought of neighbors actually using the space for work didn’t immediately come to mind as a potential negative.

Big open spaces are fabulous, Dan, but this isn’t a Tribeca loft situation. This is commercial zoning. You could end up sharing a wall with anything from a convenience store to a porn theater. Seriously. Both uses are permitted in C1.

I didn’t look into whether the property had further use restrictions beyond those in the Seattle Land Use Code. You could ask the developer about the Master Use Permit and anything attached to the title. I’d also talk to a real-estate lawyer to find out what the worst-case scenario is. For example, could a neighbor change the MUP and run a bar that’s open until 2 a.m.?

Again, let me stress, without some further research, you can’t approach this property as purely housing.

This link will get you to the commercial portion of the code. Be sure you know what you’re buying here.

First of all…why would anyone put dark wood cabinetry in ANY space… especially in the Northwest when light maple is so much more aesthetically appealing? When you are trying to make a smaller space feel more light and open and inviting, dark things make it choppy and closed in. As a designer who would love to have a loft above a showroom for open studio events, I would love this type of space but it needs to be where there is traffic from people who can afford and appreciate contemporary one of a kind art.