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.
Get on the #304 and your trip from Richmond Beach to downtown Seattle won't have many stops after it passes Shoreline Community College. There's a luxury to not having to continually shift seats as the bus fills and empties. Just hope you get a good seat when you board.
↑ For a while there, Spain thought it could claim the region. That may not be the inspiration behind this 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 5,547 square foot house on Richmond Beach, but it could claim the heritage. They're asking $1,695,000 for this waterfront residence that has a tile roof, classic arched doorways, and a lot of brickwork inside and out. With the right furniture, it could look very Californian. Inside is a slice of 1985, including a mirrored gym, and a bar room big enough for six at the bar, a couple of side tables, and a parquet dance floor. Outside is a yard surrounded by a wall topped with wrought iron spikes that enclosed a paved courtyard that features a fountain. And then there's the indisputable location, salt water soundfront, looking across the beach to the Olympics. An impressive and unique package for a particular taste.
↑ Now, this 7 bedroom, 10 bath house is considered contemporary, and has an asking price of $1,199,000. It would be interesting to know what it looked like and cost when it was built in 1921, and which parts are from the original construction, if any. This 5,000 square foot house looks out over the neighbors to see the Sound and its surrounds. It is a lot of house, which some families or very social people need. It all manages to fit on a 7,200 square foot lot, part of which is paved for the three car garage. At least the yard maintenance will be low, but someone will have to mow - for several minutes at a time. One of the attractive aspects may be that the price has been chopped from $1,545,000 for a savings of $346,000, the price of some other houses (though much smaller, viewless ones).
↑ Another 1921 house built on a 7,200 square feet - coincidence or very regularly platting almost a hundred years ago? This one is considerably less expensive, $659,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3,140 square foot house in Richmond Beach. The yard is fenced, partly, and on a slope. The slope makes it better for views. The fencing makes it better for gardening and pets. It may not be waterfront, but you can see it from here, and walk to it. The inevitable remodel looks relatively recent, sometime in the latter half of its life. There's always an opportunity for another remodel, though. What would you do with a house that has a good view that doesn't have to worry about storm surges or beach erosion?
↑ Considering our relationship with the Sun, it's surprising there aren't more homes with solariums. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath house has one, and overlooks a swimming pool that looks like it could be a personal skate park. It has had the same owner for 43 years, almost the entire life of this 1958 tri-level. There are a few mid-century elements, like possibly that orange carpeting. They're asking $549,950 for it and the 9,718 square foot lot. The lot is big enough for RV parking, with a touch of RV luxury - a private waste pump station. Being able to pump at home can sound odd, but if you've ever had to use a public station you might appreciate having your own. Besides, it's another way to add a mobile guest room - if the regulations are agreeable, of course.
↑ They've cleverly protected the hardwood floors in this 3 bedroom, 1 bath house. It was built in 1955, and under the wall-to-wall carpeting is flooring that's been preserved for the next resident. Take 1,530 square feet of living space, stack it into two stories on a 10,001 square foot lot, and end up with lots of room outside. Much of the yard is mature landscaping, but there is also a brick patio (no need to worry about replacing rotted wooden decking). The asking price is $385,000, which is about the price drop on some pricier properties. With this house, that gets you all the basics, including some style elements like the corner fireplace. Maybe you could buy a more expensive place, but imagine what else you can do with the money you save.
· Route 304 [Metro]
· Shoreline Community College [SCC]
· Richmond Beach Community Association [RBCA]
· All Bus Tours coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath