What’s Wrong with this House: Laurelhurst Abode with Stunning Views
This two-story home in Laurelhurst has been on the market for 252 days. Why?
By Lauren Mang January 8, 2016
Each month, we crawl through real estate listings on various websites searching for homes–in all sorts of price points and locations–that for some reason, just haven’t found the right person or family to call their own. Sad. But why haven’t these seemingly lovely dwellings sold? Back when we first started this column, we featured this one (which shockingly still hasn’t been scooped up) and got tons of great reader theories as to its continued market presence. My favorite: That it was haunted by a wealthy ghost.
For this month’s installment, we’re heading to the coveted, family-centric Laurelhurst neighborhood where this 2,470-square-foot dwelling has been up for grabs on Redfin for 252 days. It’s listed for $889,800 (the price was dropped 30K on November 7) and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a partially finished basement, a good-sized deck with a hot tub (hay, haaay!) and showstopping views of Mt. Rainier, Lake Washington and UW.
You’ll find hardwood floors throughout the living room, kitchen, dining room and main-floor media room (which sounds like that’s the third bedroom option) and carpeting upstairs, where the entire master suit is located. Cool, except that carpeting also makes a cameo in the master bathroom, a feature that House Hunters has routinely informed me is something potential buyers detest. But that’s a fairly simple fix, and the rest of the bathroom appears to be quite nice.
The second bedroom is in the partially finished basement (could that be a turn-off to buyers?), while the second full bath is on the main level (read: no powder bath here).
The living room with stone fireplace
Kitchen with ample natural light, granite countertops and stainless-steel oven and microwave
Overall, it’s a very well-appointed house: granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, wired speakers throughout, a fireplace in the master and in the living room. So why do you think it hasn’t sold? Is it still priced too high? The median listing price for that area of Laurelhurst, according to online real estate site Trulia, is $775,000. Or is its layout just a bit too awkward?
You be the judge. Why hasn’t this property with incredible views sold? Tweet us your theories and we’ll retweet the best ones we get!
Pretty kitchen with stainless-steel applicances and granite countertops
Hmmm…carpet in the master bathroom. Not something that’s high on everyone’s wishlist
Elegant hardwood floors throughout the main living space, including here in the dining room
What a relaxing back yard space this is. Love.
Nice back deck (with hot tub!) that’s ideal for a summertime soiree
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