South Seattle: A Kitchen Is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Curb appeal, hardwoods, period window detailing – this Mt Baker home looks to have it all. My tour through proved that to be true for the most part.

The wood floors are in fine condition and will be spectacular with refinishing. To keep the original window details in the bathroom, the frame has been glazed with panes of frosted glass for privacy. With attractive tile and new fixtures, the bathroom is in great shape. Both bedrooms have plenty of light and ample closet space. The finished basement room is only walls and paint and in the winter months I’d be a little worried about the foundation serving as the floor. Then again, I spotted another old school furnace down there, a Colcock Kleen Air system, which seems to be doing a fine job of heating this home so perhaps my concern is moot.

Alas, the kitchen is the major trouble spot in this otherwise appealing house. It’s an awkward space arranged to accommodate doors to the back yard and basement, and it has a breakfast nook taking up crucial square footage.

Given my druthers, I would sacrifice the nook for workable counters and cupboard space, but even if you don’t change the layout there is cosmetic work to do as the existing surfaces have seen better days.

$485,000 is a tad higher than you’ll see for a comparable house in a less desirable location, and as you crunch the numbers don’t forget to calculate the cost of future work on the kitchen.

Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.*: 1,390
Lot Sq. Ft.*: 4,080
$/Sq. Ft.*: $349
Last Sale Price: $260,000 (November 2000)
* Information from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed.