Learn why I love Seattle’s many mid-century homes as well as my hot tips for buying a mid-century modern home in Seattle.
Why do I love Seattle’s many mid-century homes and what are my tips on buying a mid-century home in Seattle? I love how many mid-century home styles there are, including California Ranches, Ramblers/Ranch Styles, Suburban Ranch, and Ranch Split (aka Split Level) Homes. There are some key characteristics of mid-century homes that make them so special, including organic and wood elements, large windows, clean lines, just to name a few.
You’ll find there are many advantages to purchasing a mid-century home, including functionality, open floor plans, and modern conveniences. Seattle neighborhoods with mid-century homes include Laurelhurst, Seward Park, Lakeridge, Fauntleroy, Genesee, Magnolia, Olympic Manor, Blue Ridge, Matthews Beach, View Ridge, Cedar Park, and more. When inspecting a mid-century home, you should pay extra attention to the plumbing, electrical, sewer, and gutters.
Tips on Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle
- Tip #1: What Are the Typical Styles of Mid-Century Modern Homes in Seattle?
- Tip #2: What Are the Key Design Elements of a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- Tip #3: What Are the Advantages to Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- Tip #4: Which Neighborhoods in Seattle Have the Most Unique Mid-Century Homes?
- Tip #5: What to Look For When Inspecting a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
Check Out My Video to Learn Why I Love Seattle’s Many Mid-Century Homes
I’m Kim Colaprete with Team Diva at Coldwell Banker Bain, and in this video, I am sharing exactly why I love mid-century homes in Seattle so much! I’m also here to give you some hot tips for buying a mid-century modern home in Seattle. Plus, my newest listing in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood is a mid-century home, and I’m so excited to use this opportunity to show it off!
One of my biggest passions is helping my clients market their fabulous homes. Over my 25 years of working in real estate, I have developed a deep love for mid-century architecture and design. This is why I want to share with you my top tips to consider when buying a mid-century home in Seattle. This includes the different styles of mid-century homes, key design features, the advantages of buying homes from this era, my favorite neighborhoods to look for mid-century mod homes, and what to look for when inspecting a mid-century home in Seattle.
Why I Love Seattle’s Many Mid-Century Homes
Now it’s onto my top Diva tips for buying a mid-century modern home in Seattle! Cause you know I love a mid-century modern home.
What Are the Typical Styles of Mid-Century Modern Homes in Seattle?
Often when we think of Mid-Century Modern homes, we conjure up images of sprawling Palm Springs homes with pools and palm trees. Although you can find a few Palm Springs-esque homes in Seattle, our mid-century modern homes have details that are more specific to our region. These types of homes are often referred to as NW Regional style. In Seattle, design elements are more influenced by Japanese architecture, and homes tend to have deeper eaves and larger windows than in other parts of the country.
Here are the four most popular styles of Mid-Century Modern homes you will find in Seattle:
California Ranches
These are one-story homes with low-slung roof lines that are often U or L-shaped. In our area, you will find them mostly L-shaped with deep eaves and tons of large windows to bring in light and nature.
Check out this California Ranch we sold in Alki a couple of years ago >
Raised Ranches/Daylight Ramblers
This style of home is often built into hills and has finished daylight basements.
Check out this Meadowbrook Daylight Rambler we sold earlier this year >
The Suburban Ranch
These homes lean more toward an asymmetrical design than a standard Ranch.
Check out this Suburban Rambler we sold in Skyway/Lakeridge during the pandemic >
Ranch Split or Split-Level Home
This design is most commonly built in Seattle as a split-entry home with a finished basement.
Check out this Split-Level home we sold in Bellevue in the Pandemic >
What Are the Key Design Elements of a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
The home I am in today in Laurelhurst is an excellent example of a Mid-Century Modern Rambler. This marvelous home was built in 1955 and has some wonderful details that are quintessentially Mid-Century Modern.
This home features an open floor plan with all of the main living spaces and most of the bedrooms on one floor. There are also these stunning floor to ceiling windows which show off the great covered patio and ensure that the outdoors are the focal point of this living room. Make sure you also check out photos of the wonderful skylights; although they are not exactly mid-century, they are an upgrade element that integrates exceptionally well with this style of this home. And finally, what I love most about this home is its exterior curb appeal. It’s so very Northwest Mid-Century Modern with its low slung profile, deep eaves, wood elements, and built-in gutters.
Here is a broader list of some of the design features of note that you can find in most Mid Century Modern Homes:
- Organic elements that are inspired by nature
- Heavy use of wood elements; usually unpainted
- Large floor-to-ceiling windows that help bring the outside inside, and often a whole wall of windows (especially in Seattle)
- Clean lines and minimal ornate elements
- Low slug roof lines with deep eaves (also very NW)
- Cathedral ceilings with exposed beams
- High focus on functionality, specifically bedrooms, and baths clearly separated from main living areas
- Open floor plans
What Are the Advantages of Buying This Type of Home in Seattle?
There are a multitude of advantages to living in and owning a Mid-Century Modern home. The functionality, open floor plans, and the use of large windows to capture the outside landscapes are a few advantages. Let’s dive into some key features that make owning a mid-century home in Seattle such a good buy:
The Functionality
These homes are extremely easy to live in and offer flexibility in use of space. They have larger rooms and more closet space, especially compared to older Craftsman and Victorian homes. And they often even have finished daylight basements. These homes are designed to be lived in through all the various stages of life since the main living areas and bedrooms are commonly on one floor.
The Open Floor Plan
The open floor plan originated with mid-century modern homes. These homes were designed for modern life. And at the time, it was a shift away from the more formal living and entertaining style of the early 1900s. The open design makes entertaining so much easier and more enjoyable. Plus, integrating the outdoor and indoor spaces means these homes have great decks, lanais, patios, and yards. You may have already noticed that most mid-century homes offer easy access to the outdoor area.
The Modern Conveniences
We all love storage and the joy of buying a mid-century modern home is that you get it. And lots of it. Unlike homes built before the 1950s, these homes have larger bedrooms, larger closets, and larger bathrooms.
Speaking of bathrooms, did you know that the idea of an “en suite” bath started in the 1960s? This is also why you are likely to find an “owners’ suite” in homes from the ‘60s and ‘70s. No massive plumbing additions necessary.
Windows to Bring the Outside Inside
Bringing the outside inside is a main design element of mid-century modern design. And this works incredibly well in the northwest. Owning a home designed with huge floor to ceiling windows is what you want when you are living in the Seattle area surrounded by lush greenery and stunning water and mountain views. Not to mention that everyone seems to crave natural light in Seattle. Buying a mid-century home in Seattle is a major plus if you want to capture those beautiful water views and have a home full of natural light.
Which Neighborhoods in Seattle Have the Most Unique Mid-Century Homes?
Some of the most well-known Modern architects were designing and building homes in our region during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. This is why you can find amazing mid-century homes anywhere in Seattle. That said, here is my list of some Seattle neighborhoods where mid-century style reigns.
Here are the other great neighborhoods where you’ll find this type of home:
South Seattle
Lakeridge is south of Seward Park and has lovely Lake Washington views. Seward Park is my own neighborhood, and of course, it’s my #1 favorite neighborhood to find mid-century homes. This neighborhood’s most famous home is the Dowell Residence, and it was designed by Paul Kirk in 1953. It is an iconic example of Northwest Asian-inspired mid-century modern architecture and design.
Check out our South Seattle Guide for more information >
West Seattle
Fauntleroy and Genesee in West Seattle both have amazing Sound and mountain views.
Check out our West Seattle guide for more information >
Northwest Seattle
Magnolia, Olympic Manor, and Blue Ridge are all located along the northwestern side of Seattle. These neighborhoods are also known for having expansive Sound and Olympic Mountain views.
Check out our Northwest Seattle Guide for more information >
Northeast Seattle
Matthews Beach, View Ridge, and Cedar Park are located on the Northeastern side of Seattle with Lake Washington and feature Cascade views. And of course, Laurelhurst is included here, which is where my latest listing is located. You can find some marvelous mid-century homes like this one in Laurelhurst.
Check out our Northeast Seattle Guide for more information >
It’s not surprising that most of these neighborhoods also have stunning views. It’s one of the advantages of buying a mid-century modern home in the Northwest. They were designed to maximize nature as a focal point of the home.
What to Look For When Inspecting a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
Mid-Century Modern homes are some of the best-built homes in the city. I’ve been in the real estate business for 25 years and I’ve been to hundreds of inspections. In my experience, mid-century modern homes tend to have the least amount of scary home issues. Some of these scary home issues include foundation settling, water intrusion, and other major structural problems. Mid-Century Modern homes are mostly extremely well built, with solid poured concrete foundations and strong supports. The guy who built our home even used steel beams for structural supports.
That said, there are a few key things to look for when inspecting a Mid-century modern home:
Plumbing
Most homes of this era were built with galvanized plumbing. This plumbing does have a tendency to fail after 50-60 years. This means many homes from this era need new plumbing right about now.
Electrical
Modern as these homes can be, they were built before the era of computing. The electrical in these homes can be tricky and many non-updated homes lack 3-prong grounded outlets around the home. So it is pretty common to have to make electrical updates to get everything connected to the World Wide Web and all of our technology.
Sewer Issues
Interestingly, I’ve seen more sewers fail in these homes than in older homes. Why? Many mid-century homes in Seattle have concrete sewer lines instead of clay, which you find in most Craftsman homes. Concrete lines tend to fail faster and have more issues than older clay pipes. Be sure to do a sewer scope and if you have older concrete or clay lines. Know they may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Gutters
One of the interesting features of mid-century modern homes is what we call “built-in gutters.” These are gutters built into and behind the fascia board so they are invisible from the outside. As great as they look, they will start to fail after 60+ years. So make sure to check those built-in gutters for holes and rot when you inspect your home!
And of course, other issues can come up. Please go to your guide to get yourself fully educated.
Thank You For Learning About Why I Love Seattle’s Many Mid-Century Homes
Why do I love Seattle’s many mid-century homes and what are my tips on buying a mid-century home in Seattle? There are many styles of mid-century homes including California Ranches, Ramblers/Ranch Styles, Suburban Ranch, and Ranch Split (aka Split Level) Homes. There are many key characteristics that make mid-century modern homes so special, including organic and wood elements, large windows, and clean lines.
The many advantages to purchasing a mid-century home, including functionality, open floor plans, and modern conveniences. Seattle neighborhoods with mid-century homes include Laurelhurst, Seward Park, Lakeridge, Fauntleroy, Genesee, Magnolia, Olympic Manor, Blue Ridge, Matthews Beach, View Ridge, Cedar Park, and more. When you’re having a mid-century home inspected, you should pay extra attention to the plumbing, electrical, sewer, and gutters.
Tips on Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle
- Tip #1: What Are the Typical Styles of Mid-Century Modern Homes in Seattle?
- Tip #2: What Are the Key Design Elements of a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- Tip #3: What Are the Advantages to Buying a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
- Tip #4: Which Neighborhoods in Seattle Have the Most Unique Mid-Century Homes?
- Tip #5: What to Look For When Inspecting a Mid-Century Home in Seattle?
More Details About the Home in the Video
- MLS: 2163308
- Address: 3502 NE 43rd St Seattle, WA 98105
- Neighborhood: Laurelhurst
- Price: $1,195,000
- 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. Give us a call. And our team is 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.
