Archive for March, 2007
March 30, 2007
It’s true: This home really has four fireplaces – a pyromaniac’s dream. The last time I saw that many was at my in-laws’ house. Of course, it was built in 1884 and wood-burning fireplaces were referred to as “heating” back then….
Four fireplaces. That kind of “more is more” thinking typifies this house. If one piece of molding is good, then two, three, or five must be better. If Craftsmen design is desirable, then layering on some Victorian, Colonial and Italianate makes the place even more attractive. I don’t know what kind of statement the builder wants to make, but what I hear is babbling. (For an example of carrying out a unified architectural statement, see this Phinney Ridge contemporary.)
But there is one message that comes through loud and clear: This house is big. The full-height basement raises it up off street level enough to afford a decent amount of privacy from folks on the sidewalk. The street’s pretty quiet and the distance from the lake is great: Far enough away to avoid the traffic and parking problems from visitors and close enough to make the park your second back yard.
There’s even a slice of lake view from the luxurious master bathroom. Unfortunately, it’s the only window in the suite that provides one. All you can do from the master bedroom is warn your neighbors when they need to re-roof.
The developer poured a lot of money into the kitchen, providing upscale touches like self-closing drawers and a built-in espresso maker. Those seemed to have distracted him or her from the fundamentals, though. I saw gaps in the grout and between the cabinets and counters, and the location of the pantry…well, I don’t have elastic arms.
Oh, and let me go on record as someone who thinks that windows with the kind of fake muntins that are sandwiched between glass is an insultingly cheap choice when you’re asking this high a price. But they chose concrete siding, too, so at least they were consistent with the poor picks.
STATS:
Neighborhood: Green Lake
Asking: $1,300,000
Address: 2311 N. 64th St., Seattle, WA 98103
MLS#: 27026342
Click here for detailed listing.
KCR DATA:
Living square footage: 3540. Lot size: 4590 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 3.5
Last sale price: new construction
March 30, 2007
You can also call it the Callaway test, the Maxfli test or one of many golf ball brands. It doesn’t cost much because all you need is a golf ball and it doesn’t have to be a new one. If you are out looking for your diamond in the rough and the floors look a bit sloped, just grab a golf ball, put it at one end of the room and see if it rolls. If it picks up speed and makes it across the room, or several rooms, then I would be concerned. If it rolls a bit and comes to a halt all on its own, then I wouldn’t give it another thought. Many things, like foundation problems and settling can cause floors to slope. Some fixes are more expensive than others and it would be worth it to call in an expert if the house you’re looking at doesn’t pass the Titleist test.
March 30, 2007
Very private cozy condo on east side of building built in 1990. Although it doesn’t have a view, it does have large rooms, a fireplace and a balcony. Pluses are that it’s close to the city, quiet, has a secured parking garage and the building has a recreation room (exercise room, sauna, jacuzzi, lg. screen TV). The kitchen could use a little updating but it is very functional. At $410/Sq. Ft. it’s a bit pricey and my one big concern was the condo association letter posted in the mail area that I noticed on my way out. It implied that some big renovation charges were coming down the pike. I would definitely get an update on the renovations and check the balance in the homeowners association account.
Price: $224,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 546
Home owner’s dues: $204/mo.
$Sq. Ft.: $410
MLS: 27044089
March 30, 2007
I could still smell the fresh paint as I walked into this unit on the top floor of the recently renovated Ara Vita Condominiums. It’s 708 Sq. Ft. with a nice sized kitchen, living room and eating area, a fireplace and view of the golf course. Just a few concerns: There are only 6 untis left in this complex and only 5 spaces remaining in the secure parking garage. So, you would have to hop to it if you want to park inside because it’s first come, first served. There are two houses next to the building that could be potential pop ups some day. For the time being, they are just eye sores. If you have lots of stuff, it could be a problem because the only storage you get is what’s in the condo. unit and it’s not much. The building is close to the railroad tracks at the bottom of Magnolia, near a busy intersection and Romio’s Pizza, but with very easy access to downtown Seattle.
Price: $294,950
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft. 707
$Sq. Ft. $417
MLS: 27039597
March 30, 2007
Quiet building coverted to condos. in 1968 with only 36 units on four floors. This unit is on the second floor and has great views, lots of built-in storage and a covered parking space. Some owners have even turned their spaces into actual garages by adding walls and garage doors. It’s an open floor plan with a private balcony between the bedroom and living room. The association recently had the elevator overhauled, and had plenty in the bank to complete the project. The homeowner’s dues are $172/mo. and the building is well maintained. They have their own pool and club house that’s two stories high. The top floor has a pool room with a round fireplace and sitting area, plus a kitchen area with a large eating space. The lower floor has an exercise room, sauna and shower right off the pool. The only concern I have about this property is that the unit doesn’t have a washer and dryer hook up. None of the units do, but there is a laundry room on each floor so at least you wouldn’t have to lug your laundry up and down the stairs.
Price: $255,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft. 712
$Sq. Ft. $358
MLS: 27013784
March 30, 2007
Recent posts on Sweet Digs Seattle:
South Seattle: I Found a Portal to Another Dimension
South Seattle: Best Sledding Hill Ever
Open house this weekend:
Saturday, March 31 & Sunday, April 1
12pm-7pm
900 233rd Ave NE #949
Sammamish, WA 98074
There are a number of million dollar homes on Capitol Hill, mostly near Volunteer Park in an area known as “Millionaire’s Row”. The westward views from Cap Hill are majestic with Downtown, the Sound, Olympics, and our beloved Space Needle. Today’s most clicked property is priced just over a million and a few things about this listing are perplexing:
- The listing remarks mention a “terrarium/aquarium”, this is intriqueing indeed. Whydon’t they have any pictures of this unique feature?
- The price per square foot is unusually low for a Cap Hill home of this size and level of updates/finishes. The proximity to I-5 and resulting traffic noise is likely the cause.
- Is this house situated in a ravine? The image of the front makes it seem as though you would need climbing gear to get to it.
- For the exhibitionist, a bathtub surrounded by clear glass windows is a bonus feature.
- For a million dollar property, I expect to see better photography in the listing photos. The house looks really nice, the images really don’t do it justice.
STATS:
Price: $1,200,000
Location: 907 E Howe St Seattle, WA 98102
Last sale price: $720,000 (2005)
MLS: 26187351
March 29, 2007
Okay, before I give away the secret to my mind-bending experience, just try to guess where I took these pictures:
Enumclaw? Carnation?
Buckley? Mossyrock?
Nope, I got lost on South Beacon Hill today and stumbled across real live horses, pastures and barns. I’d be hard pressed to tell you how I got there, but I was pretty impressed. To think of all the childhood years that I was deliberately misled by older family members into believing that I couldn’t have a pony within Seattle city limits. Now, I’m probably going to find out that seeing the dentist wasn’t “required by law”.
March 29, 2007
This hillside Seward Park area rambler went on the market three days ago, so I swung past to take a look at it this afternoon. On a lovely spring day, I was surprised to find that the house actually appeared better in person than in the listing photographs. Those who have been house hunting know that this is rarely the case.
It was nice to see a house that had been gradually improved by the owners, not investment flippers. However, it does sometimes have a drawback when the previous owners become attached to their new features. In the listing information, it states that the only appliance that stays with the house is the dishwasher. Still, the kitchen has a nice fundamental design and the open layout of the front three rooms looks great for entertaining. The lot is a generous size and the backyard maintains a good deal of privacy from neighboring properties. Yet, after comparing pricing with other houses I’ve seen, it does seem that $301 a square foot is on the higher end of the spectrum.
Surrounding features play into the pricing strategy as well. Although Graham St. is a busy road down in the valley, as it climbs the steep hillside east of Rainier, it becomes rather peaceful. This house is also in very close proximity (yet, luckily out of earshot) to Graham Hill Elementary for all the kids who enjoy walking to school and daycare. Graham Hill recently managed to escape from the Superintendent’s school closure list, so hopefully it will continue to be frightening students with timed multiplication table tests for years to come. Do they still do those? I always hated the 7s.
The Score: $439,850. Last sold in 1990 for $90,500. 1,460 square feet. 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths.
March 29, 2007
Recent posts on Sweet Digs Seattle:
Peggy Loves Ballard
South Seattle: Pushing Tin for $20K Less
In the early 1900s a reaction to Victorian opulence and mass-produced furniture, the Craftsman style house “incorporated clean lines, sturdy structure, and natural materials”. Furniture maker Gustav Stickley published a magazine called The Craftsman, which featured original house and furniture designs inspired by American styles of furniture like Shaker and Mission. Today’s most clicked property is a craftsman house with much of the original workmanship in place. The exposed beams and wood floors and trim are typical of this style. The kitchen has been nicely updated and has lots of storage. Older homes, though sometimes quirky by modern standards, are a chance to own a small peice of history.
STATS:
Price: $629,900
Location: 5940 31st Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126
Last sale price: NA
MLS: 27049937
March 28, 2007
If you’re at all interested in living in Ballard, you should read Peggy Sturdivant’s blog, At Large In Ballard.
She recently highlighted new houses around the neighborhood, again mining the fault line between its Scandinavian heritage and metro-hip reputation. Peggy’s viewpoint as a long-time, affectionate resident of the former “Shingle Town” captures the nervous anticipation of living through a neighborhood renaissance.
