Skip to content

What’s Wrong With This House: Queen Anne Abode with Views

This 1,840-square-foot home has been on the market for 638 days. Why?

By Lauren Mang March 24, 2015

exterior_0

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? A few months ago 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.

At 807 Newton Street in Queen Anne, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home that was built in 1920 has sat waiting for its next owner for more than 600 days. It’s priced at $689,000 and has gorgeous views of Lake Union from its perch along a dead-end (read: quiet) street. Several Redfin associates have noted that the house is currently “divided into two separate units,” and that the lower unit has the potential for rental income–a perk for some buyers and a deal-breaker for others.

The kitchen has been updated and the windows overlook the lake and its lush surrounding grounds. I like the coffered ceiling in the living room, but I’m willing to bet the staging is partly what’s deterring potential buyers. The matching sofas are too large for the room (and, well, they match) and the bedrooms are cluttered with personal items, which can make it difficult for others to envision a space as their own.


The kitchen has been updated with stainless-steel appliances and nice cabinetry


Pretty views from the kitchen

Outside, the deck and backyard are darling, but as one Redfin associate noted it appears “in need of repair.” Buyers snatch up fixers all the time, so what gives? Why do you think this one hasn’t sold? Tweet us your theories on what’s wrong with this house and we’ll retweet the best answers we get!


Ceiling details are nice and make a grand statement, but the bland staging is hard to see past


Bedroom…with a street sign!


Really nice bathroom with double vanity and a claw-foot tub


Love the outdoor space this home has to offer


Looks like a nice, secluded entertaining space, though one Redfin agent notes the deck appears to be in need of repair

 

Follow Us

Better Together: This Take on Co-Housing Emphasizes Quality and Community

Better Together: This Take on Co-Housing Emphasizes Quality and Community

The Seattle project presents an out-of-the-box model, where investors are also residents, and the design focuses on longevity and tenant retention—not profit.

Growing up in rural Detroit, Chad Dale spent many after-school and weekend hours playing with neighborhood kids in an open lot near his house. It’s an experience he always hoped his children would have someday, but by the time he became a father in Seattle, land was at a premium: either already developed or prohibitively…

A Different Kind of Mattress Store
Sponsored

A Different Kind of Mattress Store

Photos courtesy of Bedrooms and More. If you’re looking for the best mattress shopping experience in Seattle, the right choice often comes down to materials, transparency, and expert guidance – not just price or brand names. Bedrooms & More specializes in natural and organic two-sided mattresses and offers a no-pressure showroom environment where customers can…

Craft Value: The Founder of Henrybuilt Reflects on What He’s Learned in 25 Years of Business

Craft Value: The Founder of Henrybuilt Reflects on What He’s Learned in 25 Years of Business

In 2001, after 15 years of working in publishing—where I was a founding team member of two venture-funded technology companies—I decided to start a different kind of company: one that made physical products. This company, Henrybuilt, would combine product innovation and craft under one roof and sell directly to the end user—the homeowner—so that we…

Joint Effort

Joint Effort

Rooted in the Northwest craft tradition, Mory Homes offers thoughtful furniture and storage solutions with an architectural point of view.

After more than a decade as the executive director of  local lighting company Graypants, one of the cofounders, Jonathan Junker, decided to return to his architectural roots. In 2019, he was raising a family on Bainbridge Island when he opened his namesake studio. At first, Junker enjoyed the holistic approach to residential design; a few…