Tips for Buying a Home in West Seattle

Today our team member Donna is sharing her top six tips for buying a home in West Seattle including information about micro-neighborhoods, home prices, home types, amenities, transit, and views.

What do you need to know about how to buy a home in West Seattle? West Seattle is a huge Seattle neighborhood and is made up of many micro-neighborhoods including Alki, Alaska Junction, Westwood, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Highland Park, and more. West Seattle features many different types of homes; you’ll find everything from affordable bungalows and condos to mid-century modern homes and luxury homes. Currently, the median home price for a single-family home in West Seattle is $952,000. If you’d like to live in a West Seattle neighborhood with a view, there are a ton of options; it depends on whether you’d like a view of the city, the water, or the mountains. West Seattle transit options include several bus lines, a water taxi, and a ferry. Some of the top amenities in West Seattle are its amazing parks, entertainment options, and restaurants.

What You Need to Know About How to Buy a Home in West Seattle

If you’re thinking about buying a home in West Seattle, I’ve got you covered! Below I’ve listed out a few questions you should ask. Keep reading and I’ll share the answer to each question, too!

Tip #1: What Are the Micro-Neighborhoods in West Seattle?
Tip #2: What Types of Homes Can You Buy in West Seattle?
Tip #3: What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale in West Seattle?
Tip #4: Which Areas in West Seattle Have the Best View Homes?
Tip #5: What Types of Transit Does West Seattle Have?
Tip #6: What Types of Amenities Can You Find in West Seattle?

Check Out Donna’s Video With Her Tips On How to Buy a Home in West Seattle

I’m Donna Burns with Team Diva at Coldwell Banker Bain in Seattle, WA. In this video and blog, I am so excited to show off this adorable 1940s home in the heart of West Seattle.

West Seattle is near and dear to my heart. I have lived here since 1997 and have owned a home here since 2003. I love living in West Seattle and I love helping people buy and sell homes here. As I mentioned earlier, I am going to let you know what to look for when buying a home in West Seattle. These tips will cover what types of homes you can buy, West Seattle’s diverse micro-neighborhoods, the average home prices, where you can find the best view homes, the types of transit available, and all the great amenities available in West Seattle.

Tips for Buying a Home in West Seattle

For even more information about how to buy a home, be sure to check out the video “15 Steps on How to Buy a House in Seattle” from my teammate Rocky Flowers. Rocky’s informative video covers the basics of how to buy a home in Seattle.

Now let’s learn more about the specifics of how to buy a home in West Seattle!

What Are the Micro-Neighborhoods in West Seattle?

Last year Roy did a great video about West Seattle. And in the video, he talked about the various neighborhoods. Basically, West Seattle is made up of many micro-neighborhoods going all the way from Alki to White Center. This includes neighborhoods like Alaska Junction, Westwood, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, and Highland Park (where I live!).

What Types of Homes Can You Buy in West Seattle?

Covered patio space with curtains and furniture

West Seattle has all types of homes! Basically, West Seattle is a microcosm of the entire city. Most people come to West Seattle to buy a home for the spectacular views of Downtown, Elliott Bay, and the Puget Sound. Luckily for us, there are stunning-view luxury homes, some of the best mid-century modern homes, townhomes, and a good variety of condos available.

And there are also a lot of affordable post-war 1940s bungalows like the one I am in today. This bungalow is tucked in the Roxhill neighborhood of West Seattle just south of the Morgan Junction. It is super conveniently located near transit and has tons of great local shopping. The home has been fully renovated. But my favorite part of this home is the amazing garden!

What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale in West Seattle?

West Seattle has some of the more affordable neighborhoods in Seattle. Many of our first-time home buyers love moving here because they can get more for their money and still be really close to downtown. Let’s dive into what you can buy here in West Seattle.

Homes Prices in West Seattle (Updated 2023)

Single-Family Homes: The average price point for a single-family home in West Seattle is around $952,000
Townhomes: The average price point for a townhome in West Seattle is around $700,000
View Homes: The average price point for a view home in West Seattle is around $1.2 million
Condos: The average price point for a condo in West Seattle is around $635,000

Then there is this home, which is a first-time home buyer’s dream price at $625,000!

Which Areas in West Seattle Have the Best View Homes?

Due to West Seattle basically being a small peninsula, there are tons of opportunities for fabulous views! You have views of the city, the Olympics, the Puget Sound, or potentially of Vashon Island. Basically, name the neighborhood, and there is a view. Luckily for you, I created a couple of lists of where you can find neighborhoods with the best views in West Seattle.

Best View Neighborhoods in West Seattle

Best City Views: For the best city views you need to go to the north end of West Seattle to neighborhoods like Admiral, Alki, and Belvidere. And trust me, West Seattle has the best view of the city! If you’re not lucky enough to have a view from home, don’t neglect to visit Hamilton View Point for the most breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline.
Best Waterfront Views: For the best waterfront views you’d head to Beach Drive, Marine View Dr, Gatewood, Fauntleroy, and of course, Alki Beach.
Best Views of the Olympic Mountains: Marine View Drive, Gatewood, and Fauntleroy you can catch stunning views of the Olympic Mountains.

And if you want an awesome view for next to nothing, take the foot ferry from Alki to Downtown Seattle at sunset!!!

What Types of Transit Does West Seattle Have?

Seattle King Country Metro Rapid LIne C form West Seattle to Downtown Seattle

Speaking of transit, West Seattle has some amazing options. West Seattle has excellent Metro Bus service, including the Rapid Ride C Line, and the soon-to-open H line. We also are home to the walk on Water Taxi which runs from the Ferry Dock on Harbor Ave. It takes about 15 minutes to ride directly to Downtown Seattle. You can also walk or drive on to a ferry to beautiful Vashon Island from the Fauntleroy dock for a quick weekend escape.

What Types of Amenities Can You Find in West Seattle?

West Seattle Alaska Junction Major Shopping District

People who are interested in buying a home here but are new to the area often ask me about what there is to do in West Seattle. We have amazing restaurants, parks, coffee shops, and art to enjoy. And the best part is that each little micro-neighborhood is packed with bars, restaurants and coffee shops. You don’t need to go far to find a favorite and become a regular.

My personal favorite places to eat include the cool vibe and amazing breakfasts at Easy Street Cafe, the neighborhood, the “regular” feel at Jak’s Grill, and the secret place for the BEST Teriyaki at Nikkos, all in the Alaska Junction!

West Seattle has amazing parks. We have so many options! Two favorites are Riverview Park and Lincoln Park. And Westcrest Park in Highland Park is West Seattle’s own sprawling off-leash dog park! Of course, we also have Alki Beach, which is a popular area during the summer months for its beach activities and restaurants with stunning views.

For other activities, there is the weekly West Seattle Farmers Market at Alaska Junction; the Admiral Movie Theatre which plays first-run movies; and the West Seattle Art Walk which is on the second Thursday of every month and spans almost the entire length of California Avenue. We also have great entertainment venues; Arts West Playhouse, Skylark, Otter on the Rocks, Admiral Pub, and Tim’s Tavern in White Center are a few of my faves.

And if you can’t tell from all of this, West Seattle may be part of Seattle but we are a special community of neighbors with kind of a small-town feel. I love it here and have no plans to leave.

Pro Tip: Inspecting a Home in West Seattle

Doing a home inspection in West Seattle can sometimes be a bit daunting. The geography in West Seattle results in some areas being prone to extreme settling and foundation issues. Luckily a lot of homeowners have already taken the time to hire experts to repair and support their homes. We strongly suggest you have a detailed home inspection performed if buying here in West Seattle, especially if you have an older home with a basement or are perched on a hill.

Thanks For Checking Out My Tips for Buying a Home in West Seattle

What do you need to know about how to buy a home in West Seattle? West Seattle is a massive Seattle neighborhood that includes several micro-neighborhoods. These West Seattle neighborhoods include Alki, Alaska Junction, Westwood, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Highland Park, and more. There are many different types of homes throughout West Seattle; discover everything from affordable bungalows and condos to mid-century modern homes and luxury homes. Currently, the median home price for a single-family home in West Seattle is $952,000. There are many, many areas of West Seattle that offer views of the city, water, and mountains—take your pick! West Seattle transit options include several bus lines, a water taxi, and a ferry. And some of the top amenities in West Seattle are its amazing parks, entertainment options, and restaurants!

What You Need to Know About How to Buy a Home in West Seattle

Tip #1: What Are the Micro-Neighborhoods in West Seattle?
Tip #2: What Types of Homes Can You Buy in West Seattle?
Tip #3: What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale in West Seattle?
Tip #4: Which Areas in West Seattle Have the Best View Homes?
Tip #5: What Types of Transit Does West Seattle Have?
Tip #6: What Types of Amenities Can You Find in West Seattle?

More Details About the Home in the Video

MLS: 2158004
Address: 7932 35th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126
Neighborhood: West Seattle
Price: $625,000
More Information >

Want to see this home in all of its glory?

See It In Person – Call/Text The Diva Desk Phone 206-271-0264.

We are here to help. Our team understands that this process can take a year or two. And we are more than willing to give you a personalized plan to get the ball rolling. Feel free to contact us directly at thediva@teamedivarealestate.com or call/text 206-271-0264.