Seattle has buses. Use them In which case you might as well find a place to live along a line. One line at a time. Here's the next one, selected at random for the fun of it.
Here's a commute to avoid in a car: Totem Lake, 405, 520, I-5, and downtown. Just listen to the traffic reports. The idea of taking Metro's Route 252 should sound appealing
↑ Do you think suburban houses are all the same? Sure, this one sounds like so many others: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2,740 square feet for $689,000. The hot tub is a nice addition. So is its enclosure. The 3 car garage doesn't stand out either - until you realize it has an epoxy floor and is furnished like a shop that never gets dirty. That hot tub is part of a yard that is stamped concrete and something called dreamturf; which is probably all very low maintenance. The house is so wired for audio that the electronics have their own closet. A fine, unique house for a fastidious techie.
↑ What's more suburban than having a property description like Division 1? It's a fine house. Built in 1966 on a 8,733 square foot lot, this 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,880 square foot house has lots of room, with enough for a yard, too; for $499,000. If location is the thing you need, at least this house, and its neighborhood are close to schools, bus lines (naturally), and the medical center. That may not sound snazzy, but it is definitely practical; and a lot of life is dealing with the practicalities.
↑ Sure, we can squeeze a house into a 3,150 square foot lot. Make it two stories and even at 1,907 square feet there's enough room to walk around it without bumping into the neighbor's houses. Privacy, acoustic buffer, and not much yard to maintain; that could be a good combo for a lot of busy people. For $495,000 you get 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a 2 car garage. The kitchen has been renewed too, or at least the counters and appliances. That's probably worth a few thousand alone.
↑ Spend less and get more? There's a fine idea. For $439,950 this 2,160 square foot house with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths sits on 0.36 acres of Juanita. The house was built in 1976, and it sounds like a lot of the decorative elements have been cleared out. The remodeling even took care of the popcorn ceiling, an idea that was fashionable for a short time, but that haunts many houses. There may be a carpet issue too, because there's a carpet allowance. For some, the pool room and full bar may be the greatest attraction. No idea if the table stays.
↑ Here's a neat trick, being close to 405 while also being on a quiet cul-de-sac. They say that's the case for this 1,670 square foot, 4 bedroom, 2 bath house for $415,000. A bit of proof that it is true is the fact that the last time the house sold was in 2002. Someone thought it was a fine solution for over 12 years. A handy thing for families with kids and pets is the fully-fenced backyard. There's even a creek flowing by which is nice for ambience. Check to see if salmon swim by.
· Route 252 [Metro]
· All Bus Tours coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath