Let's find out what the most affordable homes are for sale in the North Seattle neighborhood of Matthews Beach. Everything we found is under $600K.
It is a ranch style house, but don't expect a ranch to wrap around it. The lot for this 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,392 square foot one story is 7,928 square feet; which is actually larger than many Seattle houses. Maybe you can have a ranch, but with very tiny livestock. Bunnies? The house was built in 1949 and has entered that phase of life where it is either retro, thanks to a pink bathroom, brick fireplace, and interesting kitchen cabinets; or, it is someone's idea of a Before picture. They're asking $375,000. Buy it and decide for yourself.
For an extra hundred thousand, $475,000, there's a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with 1,050 square feet. Spend a bit more and get a bit less? The yard's smaller too, 7,248 square feet. One difference is age, 1950, a whole one year younger. The more important differences are things like the corner fireplace in the living room, something that is probably original because adding one would take a lot of effort.
Oh what a difference a slight change in address makes. One of the neighbors also has a house up for sale. This one is for $530,000, comes with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2,100 square feet. It is actually older, 1942, but has seen a more recent remodel. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades are natural improvements. The lot has also been improved. It is smaller, 6,969 square feet; but an extensive use of hardscaping has cut down on the mowing, increased the patio, and brought some order and structure to the space.
An enormous deck leads to an enormous patio. Sit back there and enjoy the slice of a view that partly explains the asking price of $535,000. The house was built in 1929. Now it holds 4 bedrooms and 2 baths in 1,970 square feet. Because it's been there so long the hedge is described as "established", which is great if you want it for privacy, and a task if you want something else in its place. The lot is about the same as the others, 7,405 square feet. They say the house could use some sprucing, which probably nothing to do with planting spruces.
Voice activated home packages were probably inconceivable when this house was built in 1928. Many things have changed. Aside from the high-tech operating system, the house looks more like a NW Contemporary than something from the Roaring Twenties. Upgrades are apparent throughout; particularly in the bathroom. While the kitchen's remodel is obviously much more modern than the original, the bathroom fixtures look like they came from a more upbeat sci-fi movie set. That work for the 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,820 square foot house plus the 9,024 square foot lot add up to a listing price of $560,000. As a bonus, check to see if the counter tops are really quarts or quartz. That might make an interesting difference.
· 11332 36th Ave NE [Zillow]
· 4248 NE 113th St [Zillow]
· 4230 NE 113th St [Zillow]
· 11702 Durland Ave NE [Zillow]
· 11742 38th Ave NE [Zillow]