Townhouse in Newcastle Vs SFH in East Renton Highlands (deal, looking for)

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by seattleliving2014

Where to check the nuisance for a given house? Is this information available online?

Records search

Look at the parcel viewer link towards the bottom of the page. A lot of new MLS listings don't have the correct (or any) parcel information in the home listing, so make sure you're looking at the right one and not the original ID of the parcel before it was subdivided or whatever one they decided to put in the ad.

Once you have the correct ID, look at the "Property Details" and there's a section where it covers nuisances.

[seattleliving2014]

Thanks.

Per King County public record, Traffic Noise = HIGH. Is this maximum noise level?

I see that most of houses across Coal Creek have traffic noise HIGH. Is this noise level normal?

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by seattleliving2014

Thanks.

Per King County public record, Traffic Noise = HIGH. Is this maximum noise level?

I see that most of houses across Coal Creek have traffic noise HIGH. Is this noise level normal?

HIGH is actually the second highest level. Lots next to I5/405 are typically rated "EXTREME".

[seattleliving2014]

I see few new homes in East Renton Highlands with issaquah SD. Want to know how much more commute it will add to Bellevue DT and Seattle SLU compare to what it is from Newcastle.

How much time it takes from East Renton Highlands (Apollo Elementary School) to Newcastle Lake Boren area? Will this add significant commute time?

[seattleliving2014]

This house may be back on the market and it does not have road noise issue.. Is this price reasonable? https://www.redfin.com/WA/Newcastle/.../home/58859515

[mkarch]

Good move looking at one that doesn't back up to Coal Creek Parkway. The pricing seems pretty reasonable for the area, slightly lower than average on a per square foot basis. Granted, those homes seem to have low to mid-grade finishes (formica and tile counters) in a few areas inside but the overall design and layout, especially the windows, look great.

[seattleliving2014]

Originally Posted by mkarch

Good move looking at one that doesn't back up to Coal Creek Parkway. The pricing seems pretty reasonable for the area, slightly lower than average on a per square foot basis. Granted, those homes seem to have low to mid-grade finishes (formica and tile counters) in a few areas inside but the overall design and layout, especially the windows, look great.

Thanks for your quick response!

The lot size is very small ~ 3,000 sq.ft. so the back yard. There is a day light basement as well. So backyard is not accessible from main floor. It looks OK for us. How big does this a factor for others?

And if we have to resell it in 5 yrs or so, will it appreciate enough to get what we would put now considering there will be ~10% selling costs.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by seattleliving2014

Thanks for your quick response!

The lot size is very small ~ 3,000 sq.ft. so the back yard. There is a day light basement as well. So backyard is not accessible from main floor. It looks OK for us. How big does this a factor for others?

And if we have to resell it in 5 yrs or so, will it appreciate enough to get what we would put now considering there will be ~10% selling costs.

Appreciation, especially on new construction is difficult to judge. You just never know. It could take 5+ years to go up 10%, or do that by next year. Whatever the case, you shouldn't plan to sell in under 5 years. Otherwise, just plan on not getting all of your down payment back at sale.

As long as the back yard is accessible from inside the house, that's good. Most people would prefer a main floor deck with yard access, but whether it's a big deal probably depends on the buyer. I'd want one, but I like to garden and BBQ so this wouldn't be my first choice. Other people don't want to deal with the maintenance or spend as much time outdoors. The lack of deck is an area they kept the price down. Decks are fairly easy to add on if you must have one. The lot size is fairly standard now for new construction of mid priced homes. It's big enough for someone that would rather not live in a town home but doesn't want to spend their free time on yard work.

[seattleliving2014]

Anyone with any further comments?

[notfromseattle]

Nobody has a crystal ball and can tell you if a house will appreciate and by how much. If you're thinking of staying put for only 5 years, you may want to look into renting.