Vashon cottage perches by Colvos Passage

Take 1,100 square feet of space, divide it between two floors, perch all of it on the west side of Vashon Island and get a beach cottage for $565,000.

Windermere

Step into the house later. First notice that two stories mean two decks from which to enjoy an uninterruptible view of Colvos Passage, salt water nature washing your shoreline. Sunsets available, weather permitting.

Windermere

The house is a simple two bedroom, one and three-quarter bathroom cottage built in 1972. Don’t expect some phenomenal kitchen. This is a place for showing off nature, not for showing off appliances. It all looks perfectly fine, especially for where it is.

Windermere

To save floor space, they installed a spiral staircase. It sits to the side and leads from the kitchen and living room down to another sitting area. With the master bedroom upstairs and the bonus room downstairs, people can get some privacy at night. That’s welcome if any snorers are in residence.

Windermere

A major component to the price is the location. Over a quarter acre of buildable, salt water waterfront is always valuable in King County. This lot comes with 60 feet of shoreline, which means the lot must be long if it is that large and that skinny. Check to see where the lot lines for those 0.27 acres are drawn because the property comes with tideland rights.

Also notice that the house is built on a medium bank. Your legs and knees may be the best judge of whether the climb is low, medium, or high. The effort may seem a lot less when you realize you can harvest your own shellfish. All the more reason for an outdoor kitchen, or at least a burner or grill. Check with the neighbors to learn what’s out there.

• 18925 Sunset Rd SW, Vashon [Windermere]