Recent Stories with tag bargain

As you may know, I like to keep an eye on the motivated sellers on Capitol Hill, as a kind of market barometer. Here's a special case, likely due to financing.

This one bedroom is on the second floor of a 1924 brick co-op near Seattle University, 1136 13th Ave. Redfin says it's been listed for over a year; Windermere has it selling originally for $175,000, now for $149,000.

It's 600 square feet, with a redone kitchen: granite countertop, slate floor. It comes with a stacked washer/dryer combo, and the HOA dues of $312 include earthquake insurance (because brick, see). It faces south, which is terrific, and there's a large walk-in closet. Downside, baseboard heat, not FHA-approved. I imagine that last is a sticking point for bargain shoppers.

With a 20-percent down payment, your mortgage and HOA could still be under $1,000 per month. And, you have to like the location. At 13th & Union, you're blocks away from everywhere you want to be (i.e., Café Presse and Stumptown, Piecora's, the Pike/Pine corridor, Pony...really, anything fun that begins with "P"). Assuming it doesn't fall down around your ears in the Big One, you're in a good spot.

This week's wow-look-at-that-price selection is from the unfortunately named Maison Jiselle development at 14th Ave. and Yesler: a one-bedroom that at 139,000 could give you mortgage payments of less than $1,000 a month (FHA-approved, HOA $161, taxes $1,371).

Seattle Condo Review says it's a 16-unit conversion project (the 1928 original construction got the usual upgrades in electricity, plumbing, and windows), and notes the location is "pretty close to Seattle University, the International district, and Capitol Hill." Dan Ariely says the most important question you can ask about a new home is who you want your neighbors to be, so read up on the Central District.

It's a "very walkable" location, says Walk Score, 82 out of 100. Your bar is Waid's and your movie theatre is Central Cinema. Besides, something called the First Hill Streetcar will be two blocks from your front door, if you don't feel like walking beginning 2013.

People who have visited say unless you choose to wear wide-angles contact lenses, you will find the "very efficient" 480 sq. ft. to be somewhat less visually dazzling than the photos would have you believe. (I love how convenient the laundry is to your bedroom laundry basket.) No parking, no storage unit, but the units overlook an "English garden" courtyard.