Take a virtual tour
here.
Clare was super-speedy and got us into the house on 33rd street at lunch today (the other house on 9th street is sold).
Our first impression: Nicest house we have seen yet, nicer than the one we almost bid on. Of course it should be as it costs significantly more.
Pros:
1. Great neighborhood, probably the nicest neighborhood in Corvallis.
2. The grounds are not big, but there are a lot of little secluded niches.
3. The interior is in very good condition, move-in ready and nicely updated.
4. Has a nice comfortable feel, the three of us ended up sitting in the living room chatting.
5. The house has been on the market for one year (was originally listed at $489,000), so there is an opportunity to make an offer below the current $415,000 asking price.
Cons:
1. Not close to downtown, about seven blocks further away than my office.
2. The yard is small, and has the church and daycare parking lot behind it (could be a pro too).
3. A lot of stairs, for long-term living a single story house may a longer-lasting choice.
4. No entry hall per se, the entry closet is off the living room.
5. A lot of windows, I'm guessing you would want to cover these.
It was pouring out,so the photos are a little dark. We arrived a few minutes early so we could take exterior photos...
Mark is standing across the street outside the
house. Its really dark because it is pouring rain.
This is the house directly across the street (east).
Here is the corner of the property, there is a
nicely sloped, irrigated area around south and
east sidewalks, so lots of gardening potential.
Mark is standing on the 33rd street side,
almost at the stairs.
The other street side has the garage entrance
and one gate in the fence to the yard.
Rosemary!
A raised bed between the driveway and
the border with the church property.
The church parking lot to the west of the house.
The only obvious rental is this apartment complex,
a good distance away.
A view of the house, part of the master suite
(the actual bedroom) is up there.
Mark walking past the front entrance.
There is another gate (red arrow) that leads
to the small north side yard.
Here is the only close neighbor,a home to the north
that has a really nice garden on the other side of the fence
(can see it from the second floor).
View down 33rd to the south.
Viola and lamb's ear!
Its time to look inside, I'm on the entrance porch.
Mark stands by the front door.
The house has a lot of nice touches
(it has been "dressed" by the realtor).
The front door enters into the living room,
that's the door to the left, and the view
out the living room window.
View to the south (the garage and yard).
This house has a surprisingly contemporary
floorplan for its age, for example, the dining
and living room are the same room.
To one side is the kitchen, the other the front hall
(and another entrance to the kitchen).
The kitchen has two parts (L-shape), in the
background are the steps to another door to
the yard, and the basement rooms.
Here is the rest of the kitchen,
around the corner.
Looking back at the dining/living room
from the kitchen.
Another view of the living room.
Behind Mark is one of the "bunny paths,"
the front hall, the windows on the right
lookout on the front porch.
Here is the view out those front windows.
Opposite those windows is the kitchen.
This front hall has the other entrance to the kitchen
(on the left) and hall closet (right).
There are also stairs upstairs, two bedrooms
(a future computer room and a library?), and...
The first of our three bathrooms.
Is that a Lesley Bremness book in that nook?
Heading upstairs
(who dares take a picture of my hiney???)
Top of the stairs.
The upstairs is a master suite, with an open area
at the top of the stairs...
Nice windowseat!
The open area has a nice seating area...
and the upstairs bathroom.
The sleeping area of the bedroom (bed and closets)
is through a french door,we didn't get a photo
(it was in yesterday's brochure shots though),
but it was snug and comfortable with the tiny
windoe at the front, and a bigger window to the west.
Back downstairs, its on to the basement, but this
is no ordinary basement,its completely finished.
The stairs are kind of steep (but short and carpeted)...
The foot of the stairs, the door leads to the utilities.
The cool thing is that key places (like the main water
valve) are behind little painted doors.
Its two big rooms, connected by two halls
(another "bunny path"!). At the foot of the
stairs in the "entertainment room"
which has a curtained nook for a washer/dryer...
Lot's of built-in cabinets.
and the third bathroom!
The other room faces south and is really bright.
It doesn't feel like any basement I've been in.
Back upstairs, its time to see the yard.
You can go out the door by the kitchen,
but I'm heading out the french doors
from the living room.
The view from the doors (living room level).
View up from bottom of stairs.
View behind the garage (looking south)
Behind the house (looking north along the west
side of the house),
you can see the stairs from inside.
Around the corner (north side of house).
It looks like none of the neighbor's windows
face this house.
There is a big concrete deck connecting the house
and garage.
Inside the garage (clean).
The garage has two counter areas.
Mark stood tall to get some shots, like the neighbors
to the south across the street (note the sandbox too).
Gate to driveway.
Holding the camera high to get a photo over the
hedge of the church parking lot.
To sum-up, this is a BIG step up from any of the houses we have looked at so far. Clare is going to send us more info. The virtual tour is
here.
