Big views and a tiny house for a tiny-ish price

A two-story waterfront home with views of Mt. Rainier, sunrises, and the Sound for $275,000? How’s that possible?

Someone found the right land and planted a tiny house on it 30 years ago, before tinies became popular. It all fits nicely on a third acre of Vashon’s shoreline.

With two stories and only 240 square feet inside, each floor is necessarily small.

The main floor is one large, open room that’s properly dominated by the view. Open the door and window and a breeze could freshen all the air in a few gusts. Sit and watch the ships, whales, and eagles on their commutes.

Turn around and find the kitchen that makes up the back wall of the room. All the basics seem to be there, and done in a simple style that fits well with a relaxing retreat.

In such a small place, space is precious. Instead of a staircase to the loft, there’s a ladder that folds into the ceiling.

Climb the rungs to a bedroom that’s likely as large as the rest of the house. Some may use up much of that space with a bed in the middle of the floor, but here they maximized the opportunities by using a bunk bed. Drape some tapestries around it and it may feel like a canopy bed.

The land is the key. Medium-bank waterfront is typically sloped, just as this one is. The site of the house may have required a tiny house. Anything larger may have been harder to fit.

Slopes enable views and create the perfect opportunity for a good deck. With a house this small, the deck dramatically increases the living and relaxing area.

Uncommon homes require uncommon solutions, like this shower and composting commode housed in a separate building. A walk in the rain is a small price to pay for a small house with a small price and a big view.

• 16526 86TH Pl SW [JohnLScott]