Cynthia Pang
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December 11, 2006
Walking to school … for a mile, uphill, in the snow, both ways … ah, the memories. Your child won’t be able to tell this horror story to his children if you live here. This Queen Anne condo is across the street from Seattle Country Day School. After forking over about $18,000 a year, you’ll save a lot of gas money. Your child can walk to school, you can jump on a Metro bus to get to work, or if you work in the Center of the Universe, you can coast right down the hill … I think there are some twists and turns on the way down, but below is the view north from the condo entrance. Also, think of the time you’ll save waiting and waiting to cross the under-construction Fremont bridge. You’ll also be buying into a great neighborhood for a small price.
There’s not much on the market in this area for a mile west of Aurora … a couple million-dollar-plus homes, but if you have a small family and need an affordable pad, this could be your future home.
I chatted with the nice, wanna-be Griswold family member real estate agent (sporting a festive Christmas sweater, but no moose cups … maybe she would throw in a nice closing gift to the jelly of the month club) for a bit and she pointed out how well built these units are compared to the newer ones on the market. I must agree with her as I have first-hand experience with “getting” to listen to my neighbor’s screams of delight and disgust.
You know how you walk in some places and wonder, “what died in here?” That’s a huge pet peeve of mine and even though the owner has a cute fluffy black cat, there was no cat smell. Nice potty-trained kitty! (you can see her hiding in the bedroom pic, same spot as when I visited).
The unit could do with some updating, but at 25 years young it is in really good shape.
Personal pluses:
The living/dining room combo with open kitchen … it gave it a bigger feel.
Your own deck - something you rarely get with new condos.
Big windows let in lots of light.
There’s a nice greenbelt in back and you can see a bit of the bridges - Fremont and Aurora, but I couldn’t hear any noise inside the unit … but it’s not like you’re thisclose.Cynthia’s suggestions:
White tiles and grout in the kitchen! Cooking red sauce would make me nervous.
Add hardwood floors in the main living area.
Minimize the dark wood doors … I think it would make it seem bigger and update it.
General bathroom updating … fixtures, lighting, etc.All in all, a solid condo, but it could use some updating. At least there aren’t sparkly popcorn ceilings to deal with (sorry, a childhood flashback that I don’t want to relive).
Price: $365,000
Address: 2628 4th Ave. N, #303, Seattle, Wash. 98109
Square footage: 1,096 sqare feet
Bedrooms: 2; Baths: 1.75
MLS#: 26160670
Days on market: 80 as of 12/11
December 3, 2006
Yesterday’s The Seattle Times had a perfect article to go along with this week’s most-expensive new listings. To sum it up, “In Puget Sound, $1 million doesn’t get you a luxury home anymore … The luxury price threshold is more like $3 million.” The article even features a couple homes we mentioned in past weeks.
The most-expensive new listing at $3.3 million has many of the amenities the article cites as luxury home musts (space for formal entertaining, recreational spaces, wine cellar) …
… but what I found even more interesting was the sidebar about spec homes. It says in the early 1990s, it was rare to see a spec home at more than $1 million, today $4 to $5 million is possible.
To that end, I’m also including this week’s second-most-expensive new listing … a spec home in Bellevue for $3 million. Since it won’t be completed until 2007, there aren’t pictures of the interior, but you can see the floorplan and computer-generated images of the exterior. Check out the architect’s other projects to get a feel for what you’d get. The median list price within a couple mile radius is $1.9 million.
Another interesting luxury-home stat: “The number of homes that sold for more than $3 million quadrupled in King County between 2003 and 2005 and may keep pace for 2006.” Good news for home sellers in this price range.
This week’s least-expensive new listing is a MAJOR fixer-upper (= gutted and uninhabitable) in Lake City. Why is this $89,900, one-bedroom, 550-square-foot condo such a steal? Speaking from personal experience only, aside from the obvious, I think Seattle showers took on toll on this part-stucco building. There will be a $39,000 assessment … so, the actual cost is $128,900, which still is a good price when the Zestimate is $233,168.
The building has three higher-floor units for sale, but they don’t look completely redone, just freshly painted. So, my guess is the lower units had more damage and had to be gutted. One positive, you won’t have to deal with being wrapped in plastic during repairs. I enjoyed this no-view, no-natural-light, no-airflow, constant-construction-noise-and-dust experience for almost a year and it’s not something I wish on my worst enemy.
If you’re a true Seattleite (or even a transplant) you’ll find two more positives: Across the street is the 64-year-old Lake City Library and blocks away is another Seattle landmark, Dick’s Drive-In. These burger flippers should be the only restaurant workers allowed to wear bright orange uniforms.
November 27, 2006
In a neighborhood known for stately old homes, this week’s most-expensive new listing looks like it could be the terminal for Seattle’s much-disputed third runway, or maybe Magnolians are predicting another lengthy bridge closure and decided to add air service off the peninsula. Don’t get me wrong, this house is amazing, but the cantilevered section looks like it’s ready for a jetway.
$3,950,000 for three beds, 3.25 baths, 4,827 square feet and jaw-dropping views. Obviously the homeowner didn’t update his Zillow data, because the Zestimate is a mere $1.4 million. For more pictures, check out the award-winning architect’s site.
Staying on the airport theme, this week’s least-expensive new listing is about a mile and a half from the airport, and super close to I-5 to commute into downtown Seattle. I dub this the ideal property for a road warrior: need to catch an early flight? No problem, you’re five minutes from the airport; need to get into the big city to meet high-powered clients, you’re only 20 minutes away.
$119,888 for a 1978, one-bed, one-bath, 626-square-foot condo. The median list price for Seatac condos is $163,950.
November 20, 2006
This week’s most-expensive new listing is how I imagine the White House looks inside … even though there’s not a barbecue pit or longhorn skull in sight. This $15.5 million francais-style manoir in Washington Park sits on a 31,168-square-foot lot with 135 feet of waterfront. I can see W having fireside chats as Condi plays the piano in the living room, Mrs. W cooking up some Texas chili on the rustic stove and the Secret Service patrolling the water to fend off those pesky Argosy Cruise looky-loos.
I don’t have the exact address to tell you what your future neighbors paid (or to give you a Zestimate), but another home on the same street with half the lot size went for $5.9 million in 1996; then it looks like a home was built in 1999 and now its Zestimate is more than $30 million.
This week’s least-expensive new listing is a $119,995 lesson in cliches. There’s only one exterior shot, but unless carports are your thing, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” This 30-year-old unit has been completely redone and beautifully staged. Just do me a favor and “don’t try this at home” unless you keep the Federal Way Fire Department on speed dial. I count three fire hazards … one serious and two my clumsy self would create. Let’s play another game this week … can you spot them all? And the perfectly buttoned sweater and tied scarf combo hanging in the hall is not one of them … who thinks up these random homey touches?!
If you like this location, there’s a two-bed unit that’s also been nicely redone for $125,000. The median price for condos in Federal Way is $185,750.
November 13, 2006
This week’s most and least-expensive new listings will satisfy Seattleites lust for boats … a Sleepless in Seattle floater and a pad to park a few water toys.
I doubt you’ll find Meg Ryan parking across the street from this week’s least-expensive listing, but this little houseboat is just as cute and bubbly. I can picture Annie and Sam watching the sunset from the rooftop bench, and Jonah climbing the loft ladder. You’ll definitely be able to sleep after floating a mere $125,000 on this 2000, one-bedroom, one-bathroom houseboat at the base of north Queen Anne hill. The address is the Nickerson Marina, so look a little to the east (right) and you’ll see a row of houseboats.
Cruise through the canal and across Lake Washington to this week’s most-expensive listing. Tie up to the 120-foot dock, stroll along the sandy beach to arrive at the coolest outdoor living room I’ve ever seen (I must admit I’ve only seen a handful in these parts). It’s not exactly practical in the PNW, but throw on some foul-weather gear ~9 months out of the year, cozy up to the fireplace and watch “nature TV.” I don’t have any stats to support this, but I hear no-bank waterfront property is a rare find. $4,495,000 for 4 bedrooms, 4.75 bathrooms and a 22,674 square-foot lot with a 5,850 square-foot house. Everything is what you’d expect for the price, take a peek.
The median list price for houses in Juanita is $749,000. Neighboring homes sold for $965,000 and $1 million in 1999 and 2001, respectively, but that appears to be the TEAR DOWN price. This one definitely is move-in ready.
Can anyone tell me the hockey(?) team featured in the “man room?” It sure doesn’t look like the Thunderbirds to me. Educate this Seattle-only sports fan and I’ll send you a limited-edition Redfin mug!
November 6, 2006
This week’s most-expensive new listing is an $8.5 million, 6,129-square-foot “secret location” on Queen Anne Hill. I’m not sure how you hide something that large, but I put my PI skills to the test again and located it for dedicated Sweet Digs readers: [Note: I guess I broke a fundamental rule by posting the undisclosed address and I’ve been asked to remove it. Sincere apologies all around.] (it helps that this is my hood … that’s also why I’m going to question the time on market and price).
My trusty QA sidekick lives around the corner and tried to view it after seeing an ad this spring. The Zestimate is $4,125,547 … so, you do the math. Granted, they could have had work done, but since it was built in 1999, I highly doubt it. Given a bad horror movie tagline by the listing agent, the “House of Stone and Light” looks more like a parking garage to me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing work of art on the inside: the staircase has an Escher-esque feel, the red kitchen makes me hungry (I hear red is supposed to put you in the mood … for food) and the library is almost Koolhaas-worthy. The median list price for homes within a one mile radius is just under $1 million.
This week’s least-expensive new listing definitely is ahead of the curve.
This $119,950, one-bed, one-bath Renton condo was built in 1978, but once you get inside it looks like something you’d find being built in downtown Seattle. Maybe the owners knows something we don’t … are the Sonics joining the Hawks and moving to Renton, and the players need a place to hang their headbands? I bet they even bought into the hype and got one of the t-shirts that say, “Renton: Future Home of the Sonics. Ahead of the Key, Baby!”
NOklahoma!
The median list price for condos in this part of Renton is $284,950.
October 30, 2006
Leave towels on the floor, champagne is just a phone call away, be greeted by name upon arrival. The only differences are you won’t be kicked out for trashing your room or hassled by security for guitar-smashing, all-night parties. Disclaimer: the furniture you’ll be ruining is your own and you’ll have to answer to your sleepless neighbors.
This week’s most-expensive listing is a two-unit, two-story condo above Hotel 1000 in downtown Seattle. $4,575,000 will buy you four bedrooms, five bathrooms, 3,478 square feet and amazing city, mountain and Sound views from the 20th and 21st floors. All that’s missing is an elevator, stairway or fireman’s pole to connect the two.
Seattle has a few hotel-condo projects in the works, but this is my personal fav based on amenities and proximity to work (only a few blocks from most office buildings and Redfin’s digs in Pioneer Square). If I was a hotel reviewer, I would gush about: BOKA - cute crab cupcakes; Spaahh - happy hour pedicures and massages; virtual golf - we Seattle-ites love the great outdoors, but golf on a wintry winter day is not my idea of fun; Canlis Glass artwork - I met glassblower J.P.’s wife, Leigh, at an event and, aside from being a huge Redfin fan, she showed me some amazing pieces I wouldn’t mind coming home to every day.
This week’s least-expensive listing also is a condo. Unfortunately, I can’t espouse the comparative luxurious features because there’s only a deck shot. However, the listing agent tells us this $105,000, 640-square-foot, one-bed, one-bath condo is a “very special unit” that has been “beautifully remodeled … with “new kitchen cabinets and granite countertops.” However, much like downtown Seattle, this condo is close to the region’s shopping and transportation meccas: Kent Station and the Sounder station. This is the only condo of its size for sale in downtown Kent and it looks like a great deal as the Zestimate is $7,000 more than asking price.
Rock on!
October 23, 2006
I must admit, I was just dying to use this word in a sentence, but, honestly, this week’s most and least-expensive listings can take advantage of Seattle’s new slogan too. Both have a vibrant urban center (Seattle) surrounded by pristine wilderness and outdoor recreation (sounds like just about anywhere in our beautiful state to me).
This week’s most-expensive listing in Clyde Hill reminds me of Italia’s Palatine Hill and surrounding Roman Forum.
I spent hours roaming this area on my Italian vacation and I could do the same if I lived on this 40,924-square-foot property. Nor would I ever have to leave, this 15,000-square-foot, seven-bed, eight-bath home has it all. I’d might have to transport my favorite Roma gelateria and Toscana winery to make the experience complete, but I bet the chef’s kitchen and huge wine room will suffice. And for the outdoor recreation requirement to be metronaturale (my Italian translation), this house sports an outdoor putting green (and indoor golf simulator). Perfect for warming up before hitting the 18 at nearby Overlake Golf and Country Club.
On the other end of the scale, is a one-bed, one-bath SeaTac condo with pristine wilderness (I see roses, green trees and tiki torches!) and outdoor recreation (three outdoor pools, and basketball and athletic court!). In addition to the great amenities, it appears your neighbors won’t mind a little bit of noise. The current owner clearly is a music lover and award winner, but I’m not sure the two are related. Check out the music room with guitars, a keyboard, swords(?!?) and a row of medals on the bookcase. All this for a mere $117,500.
The median price in Clyde Hill is $1,741,500. If you compare by square foot, the price isn’t that bad: median = $512/square foot; Italy in Clyde Hill = $717/square foot. The median condo price in SeaTac is $161,975. While the Zestimate on this condo is about $5,000 less, a virtually identical condo in the same building Zestimates at $120,967 (that’s the first time I every Googlized Zestimates and made it a verb!).
October 16, 2006
What do Mercer Island, Medina and SeaTac have in common? All boast this week’s most expensive homes for sale in the Seattle area. Topping the list is a mystery mansion for $29.5 million … in SeaTac . When I think “outstanding world-class property” I don’t think SeaTac, but apparently someone did when they built this home. I wish I could regale you with a Hefner-style picture like below and Trump-esque property descriptions, but the listing agent is tight-lipped … no pictures, no details on property/lot size, not even the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. What I can tell you is it was built in 1981, has two stories with a basement and waterfront footage with a dock … I would hope so for $29.5 million!
Putting on my private investigator hat, here’s what else I found out: it has a pool and in 2000 it was one of the 11 homes in SeaTac valued at $1 million or more. I guess I should keep my day job. To compare, a $29.45 million listing on Mercer Island has 8 bedrooms, 10 baths and 17,000 square feet. Since the median home price on MI is $1.3 million and SeaTac is $344,475. Could this home be four times as opulent?!
On the other end of the scale is a deja vu! This two-time least expensive property is a $109,950, 1979, 588-square-feet, one-bedroom, one-bath condo in Federal Way. What this house lacks in grandeur, it makes up in appreciation value. According to the NEW TODAY! “Zestimate” data integrated with every Redfin listing, this condo has more than doubled in value during the last 10 years. Come on southenders - snap this deal up!
I have friends that live in what they lovingly refer to as “The Way” and they claim you can get a lot for your money and this week’s least expensive listing is proof of that. In Seattle, you’ll pay $259,000 for a little newer, 590-square-feet, one bed, one bath condo on Capitol Hill. Plus who wouldn’t want to live a stone’s throw from Wild Waves and Enchanted Village!
October 13, 2006
It is madness in Montlake this week as today’s most-clicked property is in the same neighborhood as yesterday’s Sweet Dig.
Even though the house is almost 70 years old, it looks modern and ready to move into (A+ on the staging and paint colors). If I had a spare $649,000, I would snatch up this 1937, 2,030 square foot, five-bedroom, two-bathroom house. But with the low bathroom to bedroom ratio, I would look into extra plumbing … I’m having flashbacks to sharing a bathroom with my shower-hogging brother.
Yesterday expert-researcher Eric told you about the proposed freeway that would have cut through the area, but what I love about this story are the “ghost ramps” … Seattle-ite tip: these ramps provide an exhilarating water jump-off spot during the hot summer month (okay, maybe two months).
This Sweet Dig sits in the middle of endless activities. To the north, unless you are a WSU supporter (Go Cougs!), a great amenity is the proximity to the UW campus. To the south is Madison Valley where you can shop at Trader Joes or nosh at some of my favs - Cafe Flora, Cactus and Nishino Sushi. To the east, the Arboretum’s trails and gardens, enough said. To the west, Interlaken Park for even more outdoor fun. And if you’re a Microsoftie, you’ll appreciate easy access to 520.
A similar-sized home a few blocks north is on the market for $950,000.
