Contemporary Home on Magnolia Waterfront

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate Tour: 3756 W Commodore Way, Seattle WA 98199

Contemporary Architecture on Magnolia's Ship Canal Waterfront

Most of Seattle's Puget Sound waterfront was built up decades ago, as the most popular shorelines were beginning development in the early 1900s, and virtually all buildable waterfront has long been developed. While some homes have been torn down and rebuilt in the meantime, the majority of homes on the waterfront are older structures. This connection to the history of the neighborhood is a strong asset for some waterfront home buyers.

At the same time, many home buyers aren't looking for a project. While some see a drafty older beach home as an entertaining project to put on their own personal touches, others just see it as drafty. When comfort is the top goal for a home buyer, contemporary design and construction can't be duplicated. This home on Magnolia's ship canal waterfront combines the modern comfort and convenience of a newer home with the relaxing atmosphere of the saltwater beach community.

The layout of the home is clearly designed for entertaining. Divided levels of living space open easily into each other, allowing a flowing entertainment space from the kitchen to the family room and into the living room with high vaulted ceilings and expansive views of the canal and Ballard's shoreline.

The master suite is something that's not seen often in older-styled homes. Vaulted ceilings, large light-filled windows, and a view deck facing the water create a voluminous feel for the space, with a beautiful bath and ample walk-in closets.

At around 3200 square feet, there are 3 bedrooms plus an office, and 2.5 baths. While this neighborhood is already a fairly quiet area, as you walk through the home you can't help but feel the contrast of the newer construction materials-you're truly insulated from the outside world.

Stepping out toward the water, a large deck with entertaining space stretches out from the main floor of the home. The grounds are meticulously maintained, with plenty of low-maintenance hardscape lined by green spaces. A firepit is placed near the beach on the brick patio, a perfect vantage point to enjoy the vessel traffic making its way in and out of the locks.

This is a piece of real estate that makes the most of its shoreline, as the entire layout of the home and landscaping leads your eye to the water. The waterfront is 25 feet long, plenty of space to launch a kayak or small vessel and head out on the Sound. Further out, a deep water buoy is anchored for large watercraft moorage. At $1.35 million, this is one of the least expensive homes on Magnolia's waterfront. For a home buyer looking for pure comfort in a contemporary home and great waterfront access, this home offers a relative bargain.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro. Listing details and photos courtesy NWMLS and Robb Gray, John L Scott. The NWMLS did not compile or publish this information.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.

  

Waterfront Home - 4458 Ferncroft Rd, Mercer Island WA 98040

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate Tour: 4458 Ferncroft Rd, Mercer Island WA 98040

New construction with a Northwest feel on Mercer Island's Eastern Shoreline

New construction on the waterfront is some of the most widely varied real estate in the Seattle area, in terms of design. You'll find more Tuscan, modern, chateau, and other non-traditional home styles here than in virtually any other part of Seattle. Waterfront home owners have their own style, and they have the ability to create their own unique vision based on their tastes and backgrounds.

It's also nice to see a truly beautiful home that celebrates the tradition of the Northwest rustic and traditional craftsman look. This newly-built home has taken the details of a classic Northwest home and blended them seamlessly with a luxurious, expansive estate on the lake.

When building new construction on the shores of Lake Washington, many developers are forced to cram as many square feet of home as possible onto a small lot. The sunk cost of the waterfront property creates the need for a spectacular home to make the investment worthwhile, and it sometimes pushes a builder towards a towering structure on a postage stamp parcel.

In this Ferncroft residence on the Mercer Island's waterfront, the developers found a way to create a large home, but still allow for comfortable yard spaces around the home and a spacious outdoor entertaining area on the waterfront. The 6279 square foot home is sizable, without a doubt, but its elevations, footprint placement, and rooflines allow it to fit in with the neighborhood's style.

From craftsman knee braces to exposed douglas fir beams and supports, the home feels more warm and inviting than ostentatious. Sited at the extreme West of the lot, but down a long, wooded drive, there is a feelling of privacy from the road and still plenty of open space on the lake side of the lot. Passing the 3 car garage and entering through double doors, the vast lake views are immediately clear from the living room and kitchen windows.

It's clear that attention was paid to every detail in this home. From copper gutters and cedar soffits on the exterior, to wrought iron ballusters and walnut floors inside, the materials are neither "builder spec" nor boring-there's a new, beautiful material to catch your eye in nearly every room. The study is a perfect example, with stained cherry cabinets from floor to ceiling, a wet bar, and full-height windows with views of the water.

There are 8 full or partial baths, and 5 bedrooms, most of which have spectacular views of their own. The master bedroom suite has its own entry foyer, separating the vast bathroom and walk-in closet from the sleeping quarters. The home also enjoys multiple view decks with plenty of space for outdoor cooking and entertaining.

Moving out to the water, a protected sandy beach slopes into the 122 foot pier. The dock materials are high-end finishes, and the moorage would accomodate the vast majority of watercraft. The water on this part of Lake Washington is some of the best for water skiing or wakeboarding, as many boaters consider this one of the least-choppy parts of the lake.

Listed at $7.9 million, this waterfront estate is clearly an ultra-luxury piece of property, but it also manages to blend well with the more traditional homes surrounding it. The developers have created a home that should make not only the new owners very happy, but also continue to beautify the coastline in Mercer Island in the Northwest tradition.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro. Listing details and photos courtesy NWMLS and Glover Weiss, John L Scott. The NWMLS did not compile or publish this information.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.

   

Waterfront Magnolia Real Estate on the Ship Canal

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate Tour: 5422 39th Ave W, Seattle WA 98199

Deep Canal views from Magnolia Waterfront Home

I was back on the ship canal today, touring a couple of wonderful pieces of waterfront real estate in Magnolia. The first was a classic home for this area, with a 1950s flat roof design, street-side entry on the upper floor, and two stories of windows facing the waterfront.

This home is secluded, being located in the Land's End neighborhood of North Magnolia. While street parking is available, a signature 1950s carport with a flat roofline extending from the home provides plenty of space. The views start from the first step on to the property.

The home's position on a Northward-bending shoreline allows exceptionally deep views of the canal, past the railroad bridge and the Hiram M. Chittenden locks. It's a perfect position to watch the boat traffic flow in and out of the locks, or the wildlife on the water. A couple of herons were plucking at small fish in the water just offshore as I arrived. The 50 feet of shoreline allow plenty of space for boat launching, and most neighbors have installed a rail system on the softly-sloping banks to accomodate launching. There is a deep water buoy for large watercraft mooring, and a solid, yet low bulkhead separating the lawn from the sandy beach.

The home is fairly spacious, at 3100 sq ft. It flows like a classic vacation home-lots of light and entertaining space toward the water, bedrooms and baths situated more to the street side of the home. With 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, it's big enough to keep as a classic beach house or have a designer turn it into a mid-century modern without any real alteration to the structure.

The lot is well maintained and the mature landscaping creates plenty of privacy. The property's layout is perfectly situated for relaxing on the large deck or in the large back yard and enjoying the views. It's a great escape from the city, but still a nice short commute back to downtown-if you have to go.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro. Listing details and photos courtesy NWMLS and Darin Cruzen, RE/MAX Metro. The NWMLS did not compile or publish this information.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.

  

Seattle Home Sales Stay Strong in April

Total April home sales in Seattle hit nearly the same levels as March, continuing strong year-over-year sales gains. While prices remain flat, it seems that we've gotten past the price depreciation of 2008 and 2009.

Seattle Home Sales, April 2010

Single family detached homes and townhomes
Total home sales down 2% vs last month, but up 30% vs the same month last year.

Year to date home sales are up 47% vs 2009.

Condo sales
Total sales in April were the same as in March, but up 63% compared to April 2009.
Year to date condo sales are up 38% compared to 2009.

Read the full Seattle Waterfront Homes blog.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro. Data Source: NWMLS statistics. The NWMLS did not compile or publish this information.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.

 

 
 
 

Waterfront Home Tour: Seabrook's Ultimate Beach House

During my visit to Washington's new oceanfront neighborhood, Seabrook, I had a chance to tour the under-construction beach house. This home was selected by Coastal Living Magazine as their Ultimate Beach House for 2010 and is slated to be finished by June.

While many builders are in the process of cutting back on amenities and selling a more affordable product with less upgrades, Seabrook's plans for the beach home are quite a contrast. Building on the waterfront always requires an eye for design and detail, as most waterfront buyers expect high-end finishes and unique character.

Based on renderings and the current state of construction, this home should have the feel of a traditional wilderness cabin with touches of modern design. The Western face of the home is dedicated to the Pacific Ocean views, with an expansive deck off the main entertaining floor. 2nd story bedrooms also enjoy the views with more privacy from their enclosed patios.

The genius of the design is in the semi-detached garage and guest suite. While they are separate building structures, they form a strong wind break along with the covered breezeway with outdoor cooking/entertaining area. The open courtyard surrounded by these structures is perfect for Northwest outdoor living-partially protected from wind and rain, it allows the owners to spend time outside even in the typical on-and-off Northwest weather.

The ocean shore adjacent to the home is a unique piece of property. High bank bluff with wind-swept trees meanders in off the coast and up a steep, forested ravine that carries groundwater to the ocean. The beaches are unusually wide and private-in most cases, when you take the long stairway down to the beach, you'll be the only person within sight.

The home will be staged June, and by Mid-July the grand opening with Coastal Living Magazine will be hosted. Tours for the public will be available shortly after. Current list price is $1.975 million.

Read the full Seattle Waterfront Homes blog.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.  

 

 
 
 

Seabrook WA - Pacific Ocean Waterfront

I took the family out for a business/pleasure trip to the ocean this week to visit Washington's oceanfront neighborhood Seabrook, a newer master-planned community just South of Pacific Beach, WA. A 2.5 hour drive from Seattle, the trip through Grays Harbor County takes you about 20 miles North of Ocean Shores to Seabrook's development on the high bluff shoreline.

While the purported intent of the trip was a real estate course, it was really a chance to view the progress on this waterfront enclave and the construction of its "Ultimate Beach House" (more on that in the next post). Seabrook, which broke ground in 2004, went through a rough patch of slower sales during the past few years of the real estate downturn (as did virtually every other real estate development), but it seems to have powered through and is moving forward with its ocean front homes.

For those that have visited other towns on Washington's coastline, Seabrook is quite a contrast. The homes, though new construction, feel like some of the classic architectural structures you'd see in historic East Coast cities. The design of homes is focused on creating a town, and not a development. The elevations, colors, materials, and footprints of the homes are intentionally quite varied, with a loose parameter keeping them "classic" or "rustic".

It's a very family-friendly environment, which was the goal of the developers. Large front porches face open recreation areas, encouraging community interaction. Free bike rentals, nature trails and, of course, the pristine beaches are all great entertainment without having to leave town. While the commercial development is still in its early stages (a cafe, art studio, management office, and general store), there are other towns nearby for long-term stocking up. Most small towns resident in this area drive in to Aberdeen for shopping.

The local P.U.D. required that Seabrook sell 109 homes on the East side of the highway before developing the ocean side of their development, and that goal was met recently. The waterfront development has now begun, which should really add to the mystique of the property.

While most owners of these homes are part-time or vacation residents, there are a growing number of full-time families living in the community. Those part-time residents now have a thriving business of cottage rentals.

The home we stayed in, "Into the Woods", was a perfect combination of rustic log home and modern construction convenience. Sitting across an oyster shell path from the woods of the Elk Creek Beach Promenade, we rode out a rare spring wind storm from our comfy home. The owners of these homes supply many of their own amenities to make the home family friendly, and encourage repeat visits. From video games to dvds and children's beach toys, the house was stocked with entertainment. There's just no comparison to taking your family to a hotel.

It would have been nice to spend a bit more time on the beach, but we jumped on the bikes and the trails between rain showers, and sat on the rocking chair front porch during them. It's the Washington coast, after all. If you don't expect a little weather, you're just kidding yourself.

Read the full Seattle Waterfront Homes blog.

Current Listings:
Seattle Homes For Sale
Seattle Waterfront Homes
Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes

Sam DeBord is a Realtor and real estate broker with SeattleHome.com, a division of Washington State Realty, LLC. He is a member of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and a Green-Certified Pro.

Sam can be contacted at (206) 658-3225 or Sam(at)SeattleHome.com.